The iPhone Thread !!! Update: OS 3.1.2 Out!

[rajismine]

Here is the mail i got from vodafone today:

Thank you for registering for your Apple iPhone 3G™ with us. We are delighted to announce that the iPhone 3G will be available in India from August 22, 2008
It will be available in 8GB & 16GB models, priced at Rs 31,000 and Rs 36,100 respectively. Be the first to get the iPhone We have received a large number of registrations. As there are limited stocks, make sure that you get yours first, by paying an advance of Rs 10,000 to confirm your booking. Where can you make this advance payment? The iPhone 3G will be available at select Vodafone Stores. All you need to do is drop in at any select Vodafone Store between August 20 and 21 and make the advance payment by cash or credit card. Don´t forget to show the iPhone booking SMS, which you would have received from us, when you visit the Vodafone Store to pay the advance. To find a Vodafone Store near you, click here Get an appointment now. No queues for you. Once you pay the advance, we will immediately give you an appointment date and time, starting August 22 when you can come and experience a full demonstration and collect your iPhone, all ready to use with your contacts and settings, by paying the balance amount. Hurry! Limited stocks. Remember, the sooner you confirm your booking, the earlier you´ll get your iPhone. We have limited stocks and it will be on first come, first serve basis. Happy to help If you have any queries, log on to Vodafone - Select your region or call Vodafone Care on 111 (toll free) and we´ll be happy to help.

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

If you are replying then it should go out from the same account right? Or If you mean when you close and reopen mails it sents from default account??

No. I received mail on my Microsoft Exchange server, but when I replied to my boss's mail it was sent from my Gmail account!

I deleted all other mail accounts other than exchange to prevent this from happening.

Again, whats the use of a mail client that doesnt allow you to choose which account you want to send your mail from even if you're typing out a new mail?

Originally Posted by srijit

i wouldnt have bothered to reply, if not for this sentence Too many people seem to be enjoying making fun of the iPhone. Why dont they realize that not everyone needs every feature?

Srijit - at close to 40 Grand, it better do what all other phones have been doing for ages. The point is, it cannot - calling its failures 'features' does not make it more efficient.

Why are you getting so worked up about it? Do you make/sell the phone? Or is there a rule that the hypePhone should not be criticised?

I'm having to live with one for various reasons - there are a few things I like and a lot of things I cannot understand. Allow me the freedom of coming to my own conclusions as a user - the fact is that it sucks big time as a phone or a PDA. It is a good music player, game console, video/photo viewer - thats about it. Even the browsing experience on Safari is painful. Since when are Cut & Paste and Pop-up menus such exotic features that you need hacks for them? And WHY should I spend so much money on a device and then spend even more time and effort to 'Hack' it when there are other phones that do all of this and much more off-the-shelf? Hey some of the things I cant do on the iPhone, I've been doing on other devices since 2001.

[srijit]

Originally Posted by Steeroid

Srijit - at close to 40 Grand, it better do what all other phones have been doing for ages. The point is, it cannot - calling its failures 'features' does not make it more efficient.

Steer, it is different when you actually make an informed choice. You were forced to use it and that is a different scenario. I made my choice, I know the limitations and I am happy with it. I do not claim that this is the best phone in the world. It may be to me, but not to you and I can respect that.

Originally Posted by Steeroid

Why are you getting so worked up about it? Do you make/sell the phone? Or is there a rule that the hypePhone should not be criticised?

Baba, this is me being restrained. Please note that I replied only because you seem to be genuinely interested in finding solutions. I have had lots of chances to get worked up. Just look at the post that you quoted, the one that is being forwarded through emails. Yes, there are flaws. This phone is not designed to be like a Nokia or a Sony. I am not saying you shouldnt compare, but I am only saying that there is no point in doing so.

I am not a phone maker, seller, etc. I have no vested interest in the iPhone doing well or badly. I have one. I enjoy using it. I dont compare it to my old phone. I dont go about bad mouthing Nokia's and Sony's and Samsung's
However, if you still feel that I am "worked up", then there is something wrong with my communication skills and I can only hope that I will improve with time. cheers:

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by srijit

Steer, it is different when you actually make an informed choice. You were forced to use it and that is a different scenario.

Nobody is forcing me to use it - I'm using it by choice as this is one phone I havent used for extended periods of time, else one of my boys would be using it

To be fair I'm enjoying some parts of it, but the almost complete lack of business tools and functionality is pissing me off, especially since I just moved to this thing from a Blackberry.

[prabhuav]

Steer,
sheeesh .. crackberry to Hypephone..
this is like going from a business suit to jeans and complaining about lack of breast pockets.

Dont compare..

Vijay

[srijit]

Originally Posted by Steeroid

Nobody is forcing me to use it - I'm using it by choice as this is one phone I havent used for extended periods of time, else one of my boys would be using it

Seems like I misread the quote below.

Originally Posted by Steeroid

I'm having to live with one for various reasons

Steer, bear with me as I try to make a convoluted analogy.

What would you do if someone comes along and just start criticising the Safari, in every thread. It's a diesel, its noisy, the interiors are crap, the 3.0L doesnt have enough low range torque, it has got horrible body roll, it hasnt passed any QC whatsoever, it always breaks down, it drinks fuel, it is impossible to drive in a city etc etc?
I think you would simply ignore that post and move on. That is what is happening in the iPhone thread. Every now and then someone brings along an email forward, just to show how the iPhone is crap.

But if you find someone asking a genuine question, you stop to help. That is all that I have done

It wouldnt be intelligent, not to research a product you are looking to buy, whether its a Safari or an iPhone. It makes no sense to buy a Safari and expect performance like a petrol. Similarly, if you are looking for business features on the iPhone, I dont think it will match your expectations.

The iPhone is nowhere near the BlackBerry phones, in terms of business features. I would have thought this obvious. No keyboard, push mail from MobileMe is spotty, needs iTunes for syncing etc.

ps: I like the Safari

[tsk1979]

Pretty wrong analogy.
Why?
For all their faults Scorpio and Safari have no competition.
For someone with 10L in their pocket and need for 4x4 there is no other vehicle available which runs diesel and is reasonably comfortable.
As for iphone, it does less than other phones and costs more.
Imagine if a Safari 4x2 cost 30 lakhs because it looks so good and buying it would make you the member of an exclusive club.
This is what iPhone is.

On a Personal level, I do not oppose lack of features that much as I oppose the lack of freedom.
iPhone and blackberry are restrictive systems.
iPhone even more so. I can't even change the battery!? Apple has to permit what apps I run on MY phone!?
As the final straw, it costs twice as much as other phones with same features.

This is the iphone thread, and iphone will be discussed here. If there are more people talking about negative points, so be it!

coming to the point of researching what you need, well the simple answer is that even if you are not looking for a business phone, there are alternatives which cost less and do more.
Phones where you can just put any Memory card with your mp3s and listen to music, or tune to the FM station, or use WiFI as you please.

So your statement The iPhone is nowhere near the BlackBerry phones, in terms of business features is the half truth. The truth is, in terms of all features like multimedia, Navigation, Freedom, applications, iPhone is a step back, not a step forward.

[csentil]

Hee hee.. everyone's ganging up on Srijit. :-)

One point that struck me was that Apple is probably the first non hardware company to get into making phones. Probably their mindset and the design reflects that.

I'm not sure that its a step back. Its a step in a different direction. What Apple has offered might not be unique or fully developed by them, but it has brought out to the open the possibilities of having different kind of features than traditional phones.

Heck, I have a 1600 bucks phone which has 99 speed dials and a very nice UI to configure it. Most of the more expensive phones I've seen don't have it including the iPhone !!

The Apple Hype club does certainly play its part but atleast there is a refreshing change in attitude with some of the things that Apple does. Some click and some don't.

However at the end of the day what matters for Apple is money in the bank !! :-)

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by csentil

One point that struck me was that Apple is probably the first non hardware company to get into making phones.

Huh! Come again... Apple is not a hardware company? Who makes iMac, iPod, iBook...

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by srijit

What would you do if someone comes along and just start criticising the Safari, in every thread. It's a diesel, its noisy, the interiors are crap, the 3.0L doesnt have enough low range torque, it has got horrible body roll, it hasnt passed any QC whatsoever, it always breaks down, it drinks fuel, it is impossible to drive in a city etc etc?

Incorrect logic, as tsk pointed out. I'd just ask him to pay twice as much for a 2 generations old Pajero or 3.5 times as much for a current Pajero - can you tell the same to your iPhone critic?

[srijit]

Originally Posted by Steeroid

Incorrect logic, as tsk pointed out. I'd just ask him to pay twice as much for a 2 generations old Pajero or 3.5 times as much for a current Pajero - can you tell the same to your iPhone critic?

So by your own logic, you should stop wasting time with the iPhone and look for alternatives like the N95(?) or the Omnia(?). I mean, its no use continuing with something that does not work for you, when there are other alternatives. That is what I would tell an "iPhone critic".

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Pretty wrong analogy.
Why?
For all their faults Scorpio and Safari have no competition.
For someone with 10L in their pocket and need for 4x4 there is no other vehicle available which runs diesel and is reasonably comfortable.
As for iphone, it does less than other phones and costs more.
Imagine if a Safari 4x2 cost 30 lakhs because it looks so good and buying it would make you the member of an exclusive club.
This is what iPhone is.

We are going pretty off-topic here, but allow me to explain. I just used that Safari example, cos I know that Steer has one and that he is passionate about it. As a moderator, you might have noticed the passion for the vehicles that the Safari and Scorpio owners have. Its the same thing here with the iPhone for me. The only difference is, I never claim that it is the ultimate phone.

And if we take the Safari analogy a bit further, I might ask: Why should I spend 10L for a vehicle that I *might* take offroad once a year? I drive primarily where the roads are good enough. I could get a fast sedan and mod it up for that money. I could get 2 cars, one for city use and one for cruising.
Also why on earth would anyone living in a city want the 4x4 when he could get the 4x2 for less. The answer is often personal and not logical.
Some people like the looks of the Safari, some like it for the VFM, some like it for comfort. But you dont go about criticising the car once you buy it. You learn to live with it.

I also remember someone asking in the forum for an SUV in the 45L range. Would I call him mad? No. He can afford it.

Originally Posted by tsk1979

On a Personal level, I do not oppose lack of features that much as I oppose the lack of freedom.
iPhone and blackberry are restrictive systems.
iPhone even more so. I can't even change the battery!? Apple has to permit what apps I run on MY phone!?

Straightaway, I'll tell you that the iPhone is not suited for your use. But, inspite knowing that, why do you want to buy it and subject yourself to the misery that follows? It's not like you dont have other options.

Originally Posted by tsk1979

As the final straw, it costs twice as much as other phones with same features.

That is interesting. Which phones might those be, with half the price and the same features? I hope you are not talking about the chinese duplicates...

Originally Posted by tsk1979

This is the iphone thread, and iphone will be discussed here. If there are more people talking about negative points, so be it!

I have no problem with the iPhone's negative points and I have never said that it should not be discussed. Its only that after reading the same tired points a million times, you start to wonder whether people have nothing better to do than find faults with a phone. It's not that the negatives are hidden away someplace. They are available on every review site and forum.

[Jaggu]

I have been using symbian devices since its launch in India, thats like 1995 iirc. Introduced to win ce mob somewhere in 2002. Both of them had their on + and - points, shifting to touch based system was another move, which was painful both in symbian as well as in win mob, but i got used to it in a jiffy.

Last 3 years i have been using symbian and win mob for my business purpose also, see for me i need to be in touch with office, when am on the move, email alot, this is primary req. Though the devices allowed attachment editing and all i wouldnt have used it more than 3 times. Browsing is very important and yes media is also very important. Havent sent a single MMS till date though. Copy/Paste also would be, again i would have used it to max add a number to the contact book. These are the facts of my usage after spending a good deal of money on all these gadgets, again and again, over the years. Then again am a gadget freak and like the attention also lol.

I love 3 party applications/tools have a ton of them in my Touch and when i run out of space archived in my laptop, which i keep experimenting with, even managed to crash the mob once with these

I got introduced to iPhone last year through Rudra, i was lil confused at that time since i was not sure if all the pain was worth the shift. Buying from US or Grey then unlock etc, yup am an update freak also. I had a feeling that Apple would definitely improve on the specs with ver 2, and i have been keepin a close watch on its development. Once the 3G was announced i was convinced that now the amazing user experience catered to my exact needs.

I wanted the GPS functionality and oh i prefer google maps over other aps like nokia's built in stuff and other 3rd party stuff, my need is to know where am lost, finding way is my headache, also turn by turn in bangalore is pathetic in the software i have seen. Support to enterprise was definitely a plus and final bit was 3G which convinced me to move from my current HTC Touch which is 2.5G.

I started the hunt well before July 11th, thinking that it would be my bday present (which is on July 11th). Fortunately or unfortunately, Canada purchase went for a toss due to stock outage (700$ unlocked), moved on to ebay and i had kept a limit of 1000$ and that also didnt click, then dads colleague offered help from france at 609 Euro for 8 GB (unlocked) but again stock outage, and then the announcement came for India launch, in 2 weeks.

Hopefully ill pick mine up in a day, half my office thinks am NUTS, my wife is tired of the rant and just wants me to go out now and stand in a Q at the Airtel office (though she stood along with me in front of airtel shop today morn for the shop to open), but i think i like the overall package that iPhone 3G will offer now.

So its all about needs, affordability and some amount of madness. At the end of the day something more than logic also, so dont waste too much time on debate. Thats my 2 paise worth.

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by srijit

So by your own logic, you should stop wasting time with the iPhone and look for alternatives like the N95(?) or the Omnia(?). I mean, its no use continuing with something that does not work for you, when there are other alternatives. That is what I would tell an "iPhone critic".

I'm sorry to disappoint you but I'm in the mobile industry and do try out most PDA phones (which is my preferred device for communication) that I can lay my hands on. I may or may not continue with the usage of the phone/PDA but that is not going to stop me from pointing out such obvious flaws and shortcomings.

Personally I wish HTC would release that Touch Pro at the earliest so I can get back to normalcy, though it is also possible that over a period of time I get accustomed to the iPhone's strange ways.

Whatever it is, I will continue to write about it - dont loose sleep on that count

[spadival]

Ahhh... lots of reasons here to keep my HTC Touch and not throw it away and buy the iphone. For once, I am a happy man after not changing my phone every six months

[Jaggu]

Wish list/Top 3 cribs for me with the iPhone:

Internet sharing- Hope Apple introduces an application for other countries where its allowed. I have a USB modem from Tataindicome but speed is pathetic compared to Airtel Mobile office.
Video- For those spontaneous scoops
Copy-Cut-Paste- Wanna copy something while browsing and email, now i have to email the link :P

Win mob on the other hand has memory leakage, which is bloody annoying for me and more painful than any of the above.