After 10 days with the iPhone, I dropped by the Apple store on Regent Street over the weekend to take a one-hour workshop. I learned some really valuable tips that make it more usable. The store, as usual, was jam packed.
Best tip was how the auto complete works with text. Basically, just type away as fast as you like and it will almost always correct your typos caused from hitting an adjacent key. Also learned that by holding down on the text you've already created, you can magnify it and move the cursor exactly where you want it for editing.
Also learned that you can sync with both a PC and a Mac even if you're using Exchange. Since Exchange syncs over the air, there are no worries about corrupting your iCal or Address Book with contacts and appointments from your work calendar and contact list. AND, if you keep your music and photos on the Mac, like I do, you can also sync those to the iPod. I was completely surprised when I found out it worked this well.
But, on to the main topic. Beause Apple has done such a miserable job with MobileMe, and because you can dual sync, there is certainly a much diminished potential that new iPhone owners will run out and buy Macs. In fact, I'm even happier with my PC and I might just junk the Mac over time and get a home PC! I discovered, for instance, that you can create a separate home calendar in Outlook that will also sync. You can show it with your work calendar or separately. And, of course, this is all made possible because MobileMe doesn't work. I can't get it to sync anything outside of e-mail. Calendar, Contacts and Photos don't work properly. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. And, the app itself is flaky.
Apple is working on fixing MM, but in the meantime, they've made me feel right at home with my PC and Exchange mail.
11 August 2008
05 August 2008
I got an iPhone
Ever since I bought my first PDA probably 20 years ago, I've been obsessed with these little (they weren't always that way) pocket wonders. And that was even before the dawn of the smart phone era. Probably the most memorable devices were my first Palm -- so small and slim. I also loved the Psion, a British invention. (I recently saw a guy pull one out in a pub.) They've since been discontinued and the last one was produced at least 10 years ago. I still have mine around somewhere.
Then there were the early Windows CE devices. Clunky, black and white screens, quirky, ugly, etc. Then Windows Mobile and now the iPhone.
The iPhone is a good device and definitely the coolest PDA/phone I've ever used. It's just so darned slick and intuitive. Still, it's not perfect. But, it does touch so much better than anything else on the market. I wouldn't even bother looking at the competitors. They don't even begin to measure up. If you don't like the iPhone's touch inerface, then I'd get a good keyboard device.
The Nokia e71 is my current envy, but the e90 is an amazing though slightly larger device. A colleague has it and loves it. Nokia make well built phones and the little known secret is that the e-series works remarkably well with Microsoft's Exchange server as they have licensed the activesync technology. I've used the more compact, but super well executed e51 and loved it for a very small pocket device.
But, I digress. I've had the iPhone for a week. I figured I owed it to myself to at least try it. Some things are annoying. There is a lag in some of the apps though I'm told this is to be fixed in the 2.0.1 upgrade which is out, but I've not been able to download yet. I'm also having trouble with my calendar as it seems to want me to confirm or decline a ton of appointments that I've already confirmed or declined on my computer.
The battery is what it is, but easily gets me through a day and I get a lot of e-mail. I don't surf the web as much as some may. I get spotty 3G coverage and the Edge service is really not acceptable for web surfing. The WiFi works great and I love that it just pops on once you've established a connnection. Ditto with the Bluetooth. I also like how easy it is to delete SMS messages and e-mail. I wish it would allow you to put each e-mail account under a separate icon on the home screen. The e-mail setup is amazing and so much easier than any other phone I've ever used. No complex menus and arcane techie questions you have to answer (or guess at).
Still, there's a lot I've not played with yet. Overall, the phone has worked well for me, but I still have some questions so am taking a free Apple workshop to better understand the features, tips and tricks. The big question is will I get one when I come home? I would say the jury is out since there are some many phones and I'm a bit addicted to keyboard phones. However, nothing -- nothing -- even comes close to the iPhone's cool factor. And, in the end, isn't that what it's all about?
Then there were the early Windows CE devices. Clunky, black and white screens, quirky, ugly, etc. Then Windows Mobile and now the iPhone.
The iPhone is a good device and definitely the coolest PDA/phone I've ever used. It's just so darned slick and intuitive. Still, it's not perfect. But, it does touch so much better than anything else on the market. I wouldn't even bother looking at the competitors. They don't even begin to measure up. If you don't like the iPhone's touch inerface, then I'd get a good keyboard device.
The Nokia e71 is my current envy, but the e90 is an amazing though slightly larger device. A colleague has it and loves it. Nokia make well built phones and the little known secret is that the e-series works remarkably well with Microsoft's Exchange server as they have licensed the activesync technology. I've used the more compact, but super well executed e51 and loved it for a very small pocket device.
But, I digress. I've had the iPhone for a week. I figured I owed it to myself to at least try it. Some things are annoying. There is a lag in some of the apps though I'm told this is to be fixed in the 2.0.1 upgrade which is out, but I've not been able to download yet. I'm also having trouble with my calendar as it seems to want me to confirm or decline a ton of appointments that I've already confirmed or declined on my computer.
The battery is what it is, but easily gets me through a day and I get a lot of e-mail. I don't surf the web as much as some may. I get spotty 3G coverage and the Edge service is really not acceptable for web surfing. The WiFi works great and I love that it just pops on once you've established a connnection. Ditto with the Bluetooth. I also like how easy it is to delete SMS messages and e-mail. I wish it would allow you to put each e-mail account under a separate icon on the home screen. The e-mail setup is amazing and so much easier than any other phone I've ever used. No complex menus and arcane techie questions you have to answer (or guess at).
Still, there's a lot I've not played with yet. Overall, the phone has worked well for me, but I still have some questions so am taking a free Apple workshop to better understand the features, tips and tricks. The big question is will I get one when I come home? I would say the jury is out since there are some many phones and I'm a bit addicted to keyboard phones. However, nothing -- nothing -- even comes close to the iPhone's cool factor. And, in the end, isn't that what it's all about?
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