iPhone4 yes or no?

Tynamic

I had an iPhone (3GS) for about a year, and though I can see why Apple's wunderkind appeals to so many different people, I myself would not recommend it. Apple are far, far too controlling for me, and since switching from my old 3GS to an original Desire, I have realised just how much stuff I was missing out on while locked into Apple's ecosystem.

I like to tinker, and Android lets me do just that - I have changed virtually every aspect of my Desire's software to suit my needs. Everything from the launcher itself (LauncherPro; it's what's for dinner) to my music and text apps. Right now, I have wireless music syncing to my PC via WinAmp - a feature Apple's music-focused device lacks completely. That's not to say that the default apps were bad - honestly, I'd have been more than happy to stick with them had better options (for me) not been available.

The only thing the iPhone had going for it in my eyes was the consistency of its user experience, the sheer number of mobile games available in the app store and the simplicity of its U.I., and now even those three advantages have been taken from Apple; Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 operating system possesses, quite possibly, the best looking user interface I have ever seen, and its ease-of-use is unparalleled, judging by the week or so I spent using a friend's HTC Mozart.

Now, that's not to say you shouldn't consider the iPhone; I personally dislike it, and honestly can't see any reason for a person to choose one over a Windows Phone 7 or Android handset, but so many different people swear by iOS that Apple have to be doing something right.

In any case, this forum is not where you should be looking for advice on which mobile phone to pick up - I'd recommend you head over to a real gadget site (CNET UK is a good one for phone reviews), and make an informed decision based on the opinions of professional reviewers.

gjchester

Exhortation wrote: »

What a surprise, another thread that has turned into the Apple fanboys versus the rest! The best advice to the OP is to read professional reviews of all the phones you are interested in and then make an informed choice on that basis. I also suggest going to a phone shop and playing with the units so you get a "feel" for them.

That wasn't my intention, apologies if it came out as such.

I really do think that unless Android gets it house in order it will get steamrollered, there are too many android phones from too many companies and none stand out. They all do the same but generally the makers overlay tends to make Android worse not better, That is where Apple and Microsoft will score.

It's interesting that if you compare the Apple aeriel problem and the Samsung GPS iss they are similar, affect some people and phones more than others, but with Apple it's headline news, just like the launch of the phones and Samsung barely troubles the press.


As I said the OP needs to decide what they want and take it from there.

watcherman

Every phone has it's problems, I have an iP4, HTC Desire and BB 9780.....If only I could blend all three to make the perfect device

sookipeaspud

nokia 6310 for making calls and sending texts
htc for a really outdated windows experience
apple iphone for !!!!!! and really really daft applications

Exhortation

gjchester wrote: »

That wasn't my intention, apologies if it came out as such.

No need to apologise, everyone is entitled to an opinion. It just seems to me that too many people have a blinkered attitude on here when it comes to mobile OS. To be honest, though, you've never struck me as being one of those people.

moomin82

Wow.. this conversation has really taken off since I was away
In the meantime I cancelled my iphone4 order as TMobile took ages to get any stock in. I was about to get one of the HTC phones then they said they had iphone stock so I ended up getting one for £30 a month, 300 mins, unlimited texts and internet. Not bad?

I will use it for texts, email, web surfing, bit of Facebook and will try using a satnav on it as well.

Maybe I am a sucker but I have a weakness for Apple products - I have had a beloved eMac computer since 2003 and just got a new (2nd hand) Macbook. I hope it is good!

Will post what I think of it! Thanks for all your advice.

ickypimp

GJchester, it is apparent you have totally missed the whole ethos of android... it is a Linux based open source OS, the whole point is that you make it your own now the out of the box interface, touch wiz/sense etc is just that ... an interface, it facilitates communication with the OS ... now...it seems to me that Apple and microsoft seem to think they know whats best for us...that their way is best... you can almost hear them stood there saying

"Now , have you had a wee.....?"

i work with a big bunch of apple fanboys, they all have iphones and are fully paid up members of the jobs mutual masturbation society, they all have the same phone.. a few of us have free will and have chosen to go down the droid route, (one guy who had nokia written through him like a stick of rock cancelled his N8 order off the back of playing with my desire hd.) we all have different handsets as different things were more important... , i got the desire HD as i felt it offered the best all rounf package for my needs, my friend got the galaxy as he liked that better... the first thing we both did ??? start to tinker, customise and INDIVIDUALISE...

we now have our own device that works the way we want not how someone else thinks it should

as for all that nonsense about droid "not working" , apps running on some handsets and not others... rubbish that is like saying work will run on dell laptops and not compaq



At the end of the day it depends what you want from your device, the simpicity of a difined structure to work within or the ability to customise and make it work in a way that suits you better...



BAAAAAAAA... dont be a sheep

gjchester

ickypimp wrote: »

GJchester, it is apparent you have totally missed the whole ethos of android... it is a Linux based open source OS, the whole point is that you make it your own now the out of the box interface, touch wiz/sense etc is just that ... an interface, it facilitates communication with the OS ... now...it seems to me that Apple and microsoft seem to think they know whats best for us...that their way is best... you can almost hear them stood there saying

Just as you missed my point.

You could ask why isnt' the *nix variants of sotware taking over from Windows or OSX. All are free *linx OS's all offer the ability to tinker, but simply it's almost entirely down to the fact they got them on a computer and don't want to change them.

Tha vast majority of poeple will not customise a phone, they'll just use it. The problem is Android is not consistant. There are many Android phones from the expensive such as the Desire HD, to the cheap as the Sanfrancisco.

All of them take the android OS and add makers customisation and none of the phones stand out on the crowd. If Android is that good out of the box then who do NTC, Sony, Motorola etc all add there own overlay to it?

In many ways it's just as before Android, each company making it's own firmware and software,and each phone being sold as the next big thing. None are really marketed as Android phones just as the Desire, Desire HD, Galaxy etc.

ickypimp wrote: »

i work with a big bunch of apple fanboys, they all have iphones and are fully paid up members of the jobs mutual masturbation society, they all have the same phone.. a few of us have free will and have chosen to go down the droid route, (one guy who had nokia written through him like a stick of rock cancelled his N8 order off the back of playing with my desire hd.) we all have different handsets as different things were more important... , i got the desire HD as i felt it offered the best all rounf package for my needs, my friend got the galaxy as he liked that better... the first thing we both did ??? start to tinker, customise and INDIVIDUALISE...

we now have our own device that works the way we want not how someone else thinks it should

as for all that nonsense about droid "not working" , apps running on some handsets and not others... rubbish that is like saying work will run on dell laptops and not compaq


At the end of the day it depends what you want from your device, the simpicity of a difined structure to work within or the ability to customise and make it work in a way that suits you better...

But then thats a case in point. You say you work with Apple fanboi's but then your gushing over android. It's peoples preferences.

I didn't say they didn't work, I said that Apple consistancy is head and shoulders above Android. I suspect window7 phone will be much more consistant that Android too, not had one to play with yet. If that will be enough to overcome the head start Apple and Android has is another matter. I've friends with android phones, and I nearly bought a Desire, but at the end of day the Apple is much easier to use than a desire App wise.

Take a look at this

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.infoworld.com%2Fd%2Fmobilize%2Fgoogle-androids-self-destruction-derby-begins-863&rct=j&q=android%20incompatibilities&ei=Cx7qTJ-jNsqahQeRm5C_CQ&usg=AFQjCNEPD7sMxwgl1_Zdsvd9adEevp15dQ&cad=rja

That pretty much sums up my thoughts. Too many makers taking there own branchs of the Android OS and no consistancy.

flyingscotno1

gjchester wrote: »

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.infoworld.com%2Fd%2Fmobilize%2Fgoogle-androids-self-destruction-derby-begins-863&rct=j&q=android%20incompatibilities&ei=Cx7qTJ-jNsqahQeRm5C_CQ&usg=AFQjCNEPD7sMxwgl1_Zdsvd9adEevp15dQ&cad=rja

That pretty much sums up my thoughts. Too many makers taking there own branchs of the Android OS and no consistancy.

The consistency needs improvement, but I wouldn't say it is a major failing of the platform- it will hurt and reflect on the vendors more in my view. For example if someone buys a X brand phone to play Angry Birds and cannot, they will hate the phone rather than the platform, in much the same way as if your computer cannot run a program they won't hate Windows. Indeed we already see that on other forums with complaints about their phone.

With the different UI applied on Android many are just manufacturers trying to improve things and differentiate themselves by making variations on Vanilla Android and some are not much different. Indeed my Mum can cope with Vanilla Android so it mustn't be that hard to begin with! Indeed I was surprised she liked the fact she could change the keyboard. :rotfl:

Google has stated it is trying to change the upgrade issues- particularly phone providers fiddling with them- who knows if Gingerbread will help.

It does leave developers a bit of a headache, as Rovio with Angry Birds have stated. But it is not correct to look at Apple on this as a paragon- in my view it is a bit murkier. The flexibility of Android allows older versions to be used on cheaper devices like the San Francisco giving people a route into Smartphone ownership without paying top end HTC, Apple or Blackberry prices of £300+. Therefore there is going to be some trade-off which is compatibility with newest apps. Of course Rovio mentioned a light version and a full version which is a headache, but is there any option when it is unlikely to ever see any other platform having cheap versions?

Apple too has problems with this and newer apps not being supported on some versions of iOS. My iPod 1G is now left behind (it refuses to auto upgrade to other versions and allow some apps despite reaching it's second birthday in April.

Sublime_2

I wanted an Iphone 4, but found it a pricey for me.

I've got a Nokia N8, unlimited landline calls, unlimited internet, 600 other minutes (mobiles), 500 texts, for £25 a month with a free PAYG thrown in (with £10 credit pre-loaded).

The sound quality is very good, although I'm getting these speakers which (apparently) give great audio. Its got a good camera (12 megapixel). Call quality, and battery life are excellent.