The hype over the iPhone is almost enough to make me hate it just because of that. And yet, it sounds like it has a number of great features. Sadly, there’s on way I could even consider one until the following are fixed:
- Developers, developers, developers — “Letting” developers make web-based applications? Lame! Most of the great programs on my palm weren’t ones that came with it. Until real third-party apps and development are encouraged, it’s a non-starter for me as I’d miss too many programs.
- Not quite an iPod - If the iPhone is going to replace my iPod, it’d have to store my 30gb of music and 20gb of photos. Until then, I’ll still have to have two different devices. I suppose I could bend on this requirement since I get by just fine with two devices now — it’s just that I wouldn’t really be able to make much use of all the storage on the iPhone since I’d be carrying an iPod anyway.
- MMS - Really?! No MMS? What new phone with a camera released in the past two years doesn’t support MMS?! I’m looking forward to upgrading Jaime’s cell so she can start sending me cute videos and picture messages of Jodie at home. The fact that the iPhone doesn’t support MMS is really weird.
- Battery - I don’t mind the built-in battery on my ipod needing to be replaced after 300-400 charges. I only charge it once a week or two anyway, so that’s not going to be a problem for some time. On a device though that I’d likely need to charge every day, only getting one year of battery life out of a battery that can’t be removed is unacceptable. I’m about to replace my Treo battery, but it’s only going to cost about $30. If you think replacing the iPhone battery will be less than $100, you haven’t been paying attention to iPod repair prices.
I’m calling BS on the 20GB photo storage requirement. I mean, seriously, what kind of photo library are you chugging around? My Lightroom/Aperture Library is chock-full of RAW images and at 4000+ images it still clocks in under 10gb. What are you doing with 20GB worth of images on a 640×480 screen?
I likewise cast a skeptical eye towards your Games list, because it’s just ridiculous. SCUMMVM on a Treo? How in the world are you supposed to point and click? With the stylus?
Left by Dave on June 28th, 2007
Ok, to be fair, I’ve only got 6gb in my photo folder right now since I went back and cleared out old photos and backed them up to DVDs.
Still, the point is that the iPhone is supposed to replace my iPod. It’s supposed to mean I only need one device. My point is that it can’t until it’s got greater storage. When deciding between the 30gb and the 60gb (I think those were the choices at the time?) I went with the 60gb and it’s proven to be the right choice — currently my ipod has 32gb of audio and 4.11 of photos. Wouldn’t leave much room for movies even if it was a 40gb iPhone.
As for games, the point isn’t that I need /all/ those games (though SCUMMVM actually runs great and is easy to use with the stylus) it’s that between the closed development and no games included, a significant amount of what I use my Treo for would not be possible.
For instance, I just found an amazingly cool game that actually uses your video camera to pick up movement and it overlays a space shooter into your actual environment around you. Hard to describe and graphics aren’t great, but it’s a lot like Wii games using actual movement for the game. Very cool. And only possible because palm encourages real third-party development.
http://toyspring.com/arcade/
Left by Jordan on June 28th, 2007
Btw, don’t get me wrong — I think it’s a pretty amazing device and am stunned how they were able to get such battery life based on the specs. I’m just pointing out some of the things holding me back from getting one. You’ll notice that data speed /isn’t/ on the list. Despite what some claim, EDGE is just fine for mobile device data — I’ve been living with it for some time on my treo. The problem isn’t the bandwidth, it’s the latency, and the higher speed networks don’t fix that.
To be fair though, the storage size isn’t actually holding back, it just doesn’t mean quite what I see people tauting (only need one device!) Even 4gb is a /ton/ of space (though I do have 4gb on my treo too from an SD card my brother-in-law found in a parking lot).
Left by Jordan on June 28th, 2007
You still haven’t explained why you have 4GB of photos on your iPod in the first place.
Left by Dave on June 28th, 2007
Because I store the original full-sized photos of the photos that are on my laptop. With the ipod AV cable, I can use the ipod to do photo slide-shows. Given that I’m a proud parent, I have to be prepared at a moment’s notice to display nauseating amounts of pictures of my baby in as large a format as possible. And you know, just in case the web isn’t available, or I don’t have my laptop, I’ve got the ipod.
Left by Jordan on June 28th, 2007
You keep 2000 photos handy on the off chance that you might want to show them off to passers-by.
Yet you have
Left by Dave on June 28th, 2007
1200, and… yeah! Haven’t actually done it yet, but I’m ready in case I ever do!
Left by Jordan on June 28th, 2007