Wez69 wrote:
About it not being a Smart phone again i disagree its very smart
Let's not confuse a 'smart_phone' with 'smartphone'. Sure the iphone looks nice and works really nicely but I don't consider it a smartphone, it doesn't do business functions like fast mobile web, always on (push) email, document editing etc very well and it does photo/video very poorly indeed (worse than my last 3 phones)!
It is a great music device, and a good phone but it doesn't do enough things well to really be, what I would brand, a smartphone.
Of course, its horses for courses. I want a technological marvel, with GPS, 5 megapixel camera etc but if you are fine with the iPhone, then it's fine for you.
bartmanekul wrote:How did you get the phone? AFAIK its only available on contract no matter where you get it from.
When you buy the phone either UK US or Germany etc you take the phone home and activate the phone and contract using iTunes. Its been worked around and were now able to Activate the phone and Unlock it. Also what they call "Jailbreak" allowing read / write permissions. Hence why we can now have 3rd part apps...
I bought mine from the US in July. And had it activated as a rather expensive ipod for a couple weeks. 😡 Then a way to use other sims was found using a Bladox Turbo sim. A long winded way if im honest but it worked. Then a software unlock was developed and thats what were all using now....
Check it out...
http://www.hackint0sh.org/forum//forum/f/123/
I know about the jailbreak stuff and unlocking, but dont understand how you can get it without paying the contract?
Its not like a normal phone contract... You buy the phone take it home without signing anything. Your supposed to log into iTunes and activate it by signing the contract. We just cut out the need for iTunes and any contracts.
Ah I see. You cant do that in the UK (I dont think?).
The new firmware (1.1.2) is on its way to being fully unlocked. Its used by all models of iPhone. US UK etc. You can Jailbreak and Activate it but not unlock just yet.
As for the UK version tho the baseband firmware is slightly different to the US ones so requires different coding to the unlock software. Only a matter of days tho...
I don't particularly want to depend on third-party hacks that the original developer keep trying to circumvent in order to run things on my phone; that will probably improve for the iPhone when Apple release the SDK, although it's not clear what form that will take.
As for the mention of email only being cheaper if you're on a data plan - the iPhone is exclusively sold with a data plan, both in the US and UK (and, I would assume, in the other countries). However, that doesn't excuse it for not having MMS, since you might well want to send a message to another phone, and the N95 can attach an image to an email too.
Safari actually can't be 100000 times better than the N95's Web browser, since they're based on the same WebKit code 😉 It probably is faster-rendering on the iPhone though, and the navigation a bit easier, but the N95's version has Flash, so neither is perfect.
And having an unlocked one stops you from having any updates, as most likely any updates will bork your phone like the last one did.
Yeah, i'd rather be able to do all this stuff because the phone was designed to.
bartmanekul wrote:And having an unlocked one stops you from having any updates, as most likely any updates will bork your phone like the last one did.
Not true any more... The first unlock software did mess with the baseband and would brick the phone. However this was reversed and the new unlock is a true unlock and is now able to update. We just have to update the unlock software for the modem firmware...
3Shirts wrote:Yeah, i'd rather be able to do all this stuff because the phone was designed to.
True so would I but we have found a way and its totally safe for the phone as its running OSx file system and is easy to work with. I think Apple cut of their nose to spite their face with this one. But i think they have realised what we all want and like you say they are releasing the SDK in i think Feb' to developers of 3rd parts apps. Shall see how that goes...
Wez69 wrote:the new unlock is a true unlock and is now able to update
Yeah, the current update. Once a new one is developed there will have to be a whole new unlock. I have seen this with the PSP and many other devices. The fact is, if you are trying to circumvent the way it is designed to work, the manufacturer will keep trying to stop you
Mithent wrote:As for the mention of email only being cheaper if you're on a data plan - the iPhone is exclusively sold with a data plan, both in the US and UK (and, I would assume, in the other countries).
Not for those that have unlocked it and used it on another tariff 😉
Not true any more... The first unlock software did mess with the baseband and would brick the phone. However this was reversed and the new unlock is a true unlock and is now able to update. We just have to update the unlock software for the modem firmware...
Maybe it will stay safe, maybe not. But its not exactly difficult to detect its been unlocked and it seems apple deliberatly messed up the update for the ones that had been.
I spose they have a contract with AT&T and O2 to stick to, im guessing if they didn't try and stop the unlocking they would be in breach of contract.
To be honest i think even if the phone was unlocked by apple themselves im guessing the update with iTunes would lock it back to a carrier... AT&T did say they will unlock the phone after 2 years of ownership when your contract is up im not sure about O2 here yet tho. Shall see if that occurs...
The PSP thing is still going on and so will the iPhone saga. Its like Steve Jobs said its "Cat and Mouse". Still its all a bit of fun well until you break something i spose!
Do you still follow the PSP scene i havnt picked mine up for ages!
Wez69 wrote:
Do you still follow the PSP scene i havnt picked mine up for ages!
Nah, I sold mine cos I just wasn't using it enough.
Yeah seems that's what i should do with mine... I might see what the latest firmware is and whack it on the bay.
I read the post below, and it is so off the mark
3Shirts wrote:YThings the iPhone can't do:
No MMS.
No video recording.
No 3G.
No custom ringtones or SMS alert tones and the default ringtones are awful!
No instant messaging.
Lacks tactile keys which makes texting horrible.
No memory expansion.
No games.
No speed dialing.
No installable software.
Battery can only be replaced by sending the whole phone away.
No voice dialing.
The camera is only 2megapixel, has no autofocus and no flash.
No cut/copy/paste.
No A2DP (for bluetooth stereo/headphone output).
No GPS.
No document viewing, let alone editing.
No flash support for the web browser.
No file browser.
Visual voicemail laggy and slow.
Only takes iPod cable which is non-standard and prone to breakage.
No TV output.
Web browser is slow, even over WLAN.
Can't type anything in landscape mode.
Only one picture at a time in email.
Lets get a bit more realistic about the Nokia on the other hand
Lacks a touchscreen
Lacks a big display
Lacks GPS thats reliable
Shocking build quality for a �400+ product
Painfully slow web experience
Comical battery life
Lacks a industry standard data connector
No iTunes support
These are much more serious, basic faults than the iPhone weakness list...
Stevie_nottm wrote:I read the post below, and it is so off the markLets get a bit more realistic about the Nokia on the other hand
Lacks a touchscreen
Stevie_nottm wrote:Lacks a big display
seriously, 2.8" is a big screen. sure the iphone is bigger but thats not a big deal for functionality.
Stevie_nottm wrote:Lacks GPS thats reliable
my gps seems to work fine and locks in less than 20 sec.
Stevie_nottm wrote:Shocking build quality for a �400+ product
some are decent, but i agree with you regarding those n95s that have the bad slider. shame on nokia.
Stevie_nottm wrote:Painfully slow web experience
<cough><cough> 3g? iphone lacks it? hello? talk about painfully slow. yeah, the browser on iphone is nice though. but the s60 browser aint too shabby.
Stevie_nottm wrote:Comical battery life
umm...you know the iphone and n95 have about identical battery specs, right? 1200mAh vs 1230mAh. welcome back.
Stevie_nottm wrote:Lacks a industry standard data connector
gee i didnt know that the USB connection on the n95 isnt industry standard.
Stevie_nottm wrote:No iTunes support
drag and drop is what i use, so i cant comment on this.
Stevie_nottm wrote:These are much more serious, basic faults than the iPhone weakness list...
maybe for you. but having a GPS is more serious a flaw than NOT having gps.
Stevie_nottm wrote:I read the post below, and it is so off the markLets get a bit more realistic about the Nokia on the other hand
Lacks a touchscreen
Lacks a big display
Lacks GPS thats reliable
Shocking build quality for a �400+ product
Painfully slow web experience
Comical battery life
Lacks a industry standard data connector
No iTunes support
These are much more serious, basic faults than the iPhone weakness list...
Don't need a touch screen.
Don't need a big screen.
My GPS is very reliable.
Build quality on my phone after 7.5 months has been remarkably good.
My web experience is very quick.
Battery life is good enough for me.
Don't understand your point about the data connector. Is mini USB no longer a standard?
Don't want iTunes crawling all over my PC!
Anyway, a serious contemporary communications device without HSDPA (and being called a smartphone by Jobs) is a complete and utter joke, period.
How is standards-based USB less of an industry standard than the proprietary iPod connector?
Mithent wrote:How is standards-based USB less of an industry standard than the proprietary iPod connector?
I think this point highlights the lack of understanding which drove all the comments he listed to be honest.
Agreed. And the itunes bit was telling for me, thats classed as a 'serious fault'?
Id prefer (and always do use) drag and drop.
Compared to not having MMS, which almost all midrange and up phones have had for well over a year.
Hmmm...
Anyone notice how fanboys always seem to fail on the point of assuming that everyone wants something? I.e. a touch screen/large screen?
yeah, its part of the fanboy code! 😉
Yeah, having a touchscreen is a usp for the iphone, not a failing of ALL other phones! Having no MMS or 3G are failings, it's all about the standards in the market.
Stevie_nottm wrote:I read the post below, and it is so off the markLets get a bit more realistic about the Nokia on the other hand
Lacks a touchscreen
Lacks a big display
Lacks GPS thats reliable
Shocking build quality for a �400+ product
Painfully slow web experience
Comical battery life
Lacks a industry standard data connector
No iTunes support
These are much more serious, basic faults than the iPhone weakness list...
hahah you gotta be kidding!! no itunes support is a more serious fault than no mms and video recording?
and an industry standard data connector - since when is the ipod connector industry standard?
just like bartmanekul and everyone else here, methinks we do have a fanboy here 😊
All this 'discussion' about the iPhone is highly entertaining, however, everyone will eventually have to make up their own mind.
I have only given the matter a fleeting thought, but, would I go for a so called contemporary device that gives me the technology that I enjoyed in my now nearly three years old Sony Ericsson PAYG phone that cost me �79.99?
And have to pay �269 for an 18 month contract?
Not a chance!
On the matter of phone locks, they are applied by the network operators and in house refered to as Subsidy Locks (subpins unlock the phones). The iPhone is not only locked (which would quite reasonably safeguard any subsidy offered by the operator) but there is then a further charge for the privelege of ownership and this is well over the odds to boot.
This is pure conjecture (but based on my personal knowledge of 'far eastern manufacture'😉 I would guesstimate that the phone comes out of the factory at somewhere around $50-$80 a unit. The 'importer' will then pass on the item at $100-$160 (double up is a common practise). there will then, quite possibly be a 'wholesaler' who will move them at $200-$320 and finally the retailer where we find the $400-$640 range for the sale price. This leaves massive scope for deals and discounts.
In UK terms this means that you arrive at a shop price of between �200 and �320 and 'OH MY GOODNESS' that's exactly where the price points from O2 lies!
No subsidy! Locked phone! Have to register! Crippled with iTunes! Outdated technology! 18 Months contracts! Etc, Etc.
In anybodies book this is not a good consumer deal.
Most (all other) suppliers are trying to fit in more for less money so giving better deals.
The iPhone philosophy is give them less and charge more.
And there will be many who fall for this and there will be many who regret it, beginning around January I would say?
The single great thing is that whoever obtains an iPhone will at least be able to look forward to their next acquisition and know that it will definately be a step forward even if they only go back to the one they had previously!
But then, I have a lovely phone that fulfills all (most) of my communication needs really well, so I would say that,wouldn't I?
Thats a very good point you raise.
While the ifanboys argue how much better a deal they get because the phone isnt subsidised by the contract, the fact remains that you cannot get it sim free.
So your paying for a phone and a contract that could very well be totally useless for you. A high priced one at that.
Barring having to do various things to unlock and not activate it so you get out of contract (bet you cant do that in the UK), your having to pay a hellva lot extra.
God, I wish I hadn't started looking on the O2 (uurgh!) site.
I have never seen anything come so close to con trick in all my life.
I mean 'con' in the correct sense - 'confidence'!
They are making some outrageous claims and statements!
Plus they are obviously heavily involved in the iTune activation hog sh*te from which I am sure they will get a massive kick-back by way of commission on subscriber purchases.
I am seriously wondering if this is legal in the EU?
If I get my meat from my butcher, he can't dictate what else I buy and from where else I buy it.
It appears to be totally anti-competetive and highly dubious in it's nature!
You apparently end up with not only a locked phone, but, a locked PC and a locked contract!
After any contract period they (whoever they are) have all your records of music buying and usage plus who knows what else?
I can see someone (if they haven't already!) challenging this practice.
Remember MS having to unbundle winXP?
NB The other operators have been very quiet on this, haven't they?
pa49 wrote:snip>>NB The other operators have been very quiet on this, haven't they?
Not totally no, Vodafone CEO spoke a couple of days ago about having the iphone available thru them soon. (months not weeks that is)