iPhone’s Shortcomings According To Tim
Did you read Tim’s article where he discusses the shortcomings of the iPhone when his brother came to visit? In case you missed it, here’s a link to the article. I thought that was the end of it but it seems that Tim was not finished. He has just written a new article which has received some rather strong remarks from (I assume) iPhone users. But were they valid?
Oh in case you are wondering, here’s the link to the second article. I have left my thoughts there and you could too if you want.
But I think this whole debate between the iPhone and Windows Mobile is really out of proportion. I mean, do you really buy a phone based on specifications or just on usability alone? It’s usually a combination of both right? So how can one device be better than another? It all depends on a user’s needs. I love the iPhone for it’s mobile browsing but GPS and navigation are important things to me and for that, I use a Glofiish X500.
As such, while such articles are bound to incite remarks from both camps, I feel that instead, it’s better to look at your needs before deciding on the device. Don’t let the marketing and sermons by the priests from the 2 camps sway you.
What do you think?
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Not just iPhone users but also people like me who have a problem with people who write inaccurate statements in order to prove a point.
Not sure what you mean by inaccurate as I do not have an iPhone myself so would appreciate it if you could share with us what was wrong in his article.
1. You can’t use your own MP3 sounds to make ringtones. – wrong.
2. Doesn’t have an eBook reader program – wrong
3. Doesn’t have Bluetooth 2.0 – wrong (It has BT 2.0 EDR, which is more than be said for many WM devices).
4. Doesn’t have 802.11 g/e Wi-Fi – wrong (it has b/g like all other mobile devices).
5.Doesn’t have real downloadable programs, only Web Apps that force you to go online to use. – wrong. (Jailbreaking the device is easier than hacking a registry, or most certainly loading a new ROM).
Some of the other points made assume that all the items mentioned are present on EVERY single Windows Mobile device (ie. GPS, WiFi, a mini-usb connector), which is just not true. Hillebrand uses the example of WM devices having a standard mini-USB connector which is just not true. Anyone heard of Samsung, Palm Treo, etc? How about using a WM device as a remote? Well, how many WM devices are equipped with commercial-grade IR ports in order to control devices from more than foot or two away?
Hillebrand didn’t the time to research what the iPhone has and just based his comments on a few (hours?? days??) with the device. I don’t own an iPhone (my wife does), but regardless, I would not post an article like that unless I got my facts straight about the item I was “comparing”.
Thanks for pointing these out. I didn’t know some of these myself. For one, I thought th iPhone was BT 1.2 but it doesn’t really matter since my phones, be it 1.1, 1.2 or 2.0, rarely had any difference on the headsets I used
I also though the iPhone also only had B WiFi? I have not heard nor seen E WiFi on any device though so…
I do agree that not all the features mentioned are available on all WM devices but I assume he mentioned them because it was possible to get them on a WM device whereas for the iPhone, if you wanted say FM receiver, you would not be able to get it no matter where you look (since there is only 1 version).
But thanks for pointing these out Jerry. Tim should have confirmed the facts before going about it and I do hope he addresses these points.
Well, to be fair, there is an argument that the iPhone can’t really do anything that requires you to first hack the firmware – after all, a firware update from Apple could take those functions away again. iPhone firmware is a special beast – after all, most iPhone users realize they have a product that’s not quite done yet; thus the response of “not yet!” when you point out deficiencies. A firmware update is necessary once you cross from not yet to yet. WinMo users may well never update their firmware. Also, can an out-of-the-box iPhone use any MP3 file as a ringtone? I realize there are solutions for jailbroken iPhones, but I thought the only out-of-the-box solution was to pay 99 cents to Apple.
Nevertheless, I think all these “the iPhone is the best phone ever” and “WinMo is better than iPhone” arguments are stupid. It’s really a microcosm of the MS vs. Apple debate. A PC is more flexible than a Mac, given its more open hardware. There are probably some things a PC can do that a Mac cannot. However, that which the Mac does, it arguably does better, albeit at a generally higher price. The same is true for these phones. The iPhone feature set is smaller and the price is higher, but those things that it does do, it appears to do really well. The most that can ever be said is that a particular device is better for you. At this point, my WinMo phone is better for me because (a) I can afford it, (b) it works seamlessly with our Exchange server and (c) there are some features I want that iPhone doesn’t have. The latter two points will eventually be addressed, at which point the “better for me” balance may tip. These are tools, people, not expressions of your core being.
If you havent got an iphone yet. go along to http://www.freeipod4.me.uk and get yourself one for absolutley nothing !
thanks tor explaining it that way
wow i want one of these but ill wait til the ipad 3g comes out