The Official iPhone Review

Here's the thing about my new iPhone. If you don't have an iPhone, and don't feel like spending $500-600 dollars to get one, you can think up various excuses for yourself, you can think up a whole bunch of them. One should distinguish, however, between inadequacies in the sense that "I wish they'd done X" and a situation where the iPhone is actually worse than some alternative. On this latter score there's only one genuine problem -- the EDGE network is inferior to Verizon's mobile broadband and if you were a really heavy user of Verizon mobile web functions (I don't know anyone who fits this description, but such people must exist) you'd find yourself frustrated with EDGE.

Other than that, it's clearly the best gadget thingy ever made. The reviews that say it's hard to type on the touchscreen pad are misleading. Those reviews were written by guys who review gadgets all the time and are very accustomed to typing on Blackberries and the like. To my fingers, the iPhone is tricky to type on, but no trickier than I find the Blackberry keypad. The difference is that people who've been using a Blackberry for a while have already honed their Blackberry skills but have no iPhone skills. I'm already about three times as good at iPhone typing as I was when I took the thing out of the box and have no doubt that I'll continue to improve.

That said, this is obviously a situation where if you wait 12 months a new iPhone will be available that's going to be better than the one in my pocket, and probably have the same price in nominal terms. If you already own an iPod and you already own a smart phone, there's nothing that awesome about the iPhone that should override one's basic prudential wariness of first generation devices. Unless, that is, you just want to own the best phone available. My iPod was stolen about six weeks ago, and I was using a Verizon Razr, so in those circumstances buying it was a no-brainer. Footnotes below the fold.

Comments

Aren't the mobile web functions about half the appeal of the thing? That's my impression from the commercials ("This is THE internet, not some small version" etc).

Posted by Sam | July 7, 2007 12:08 PM

You're also not doing a great credit to our liberal cause when you suggest that someone would need an excuse to avoid droping five hundred bucks on a phone. ;)

Posted by Sam once again | July 7, 2007 12:09 PM

Other than that, it's clearly the best gadget thingy ever made.

I don't know that that's the case. But okay, if you say so. You're ignoring the salient point: a gadget is just a gadget. The best phone is still just a phone. An MP3 player is just an MP3 player. And a web browser is just a web browser. I don't have any particular beef against the iPhone as an object. I have a problem with people who have such horrible priorities and perspective that they have elevated a fucking piece of electronics to the point of religious experience. The never ending hyperbole demonstrates more than anything the emotional bankruptcy of people who attach such importance to a commodity.

Posted by Freddie | July 7, 2007 12:17 PM

I should hasten to add that Matt hasn't himself made those kind of "JesusPhone" comments.

Posted by Freddie | July 7, 2007 12:19 PM

Actually, Motorola manufactures the Razr. Verizon - other firms just sell them. /pedantic>

Posted by Randy Paul | July 7, 2007 12:24 PM

Matt!

How's the battery life on the new JesusPhone? That is really my biggest concern. I don't like these smartphones with very short battery life, like the Treos.

My Cingular Razr is months old and I have a 5th Gen iPod, so my thought was to wait for the first updated version, and see how people feel about the battery life.

Posted by Don | July 7, 2007 12:29 PM

Aren't the mobile web functions about half the appeal of the thing?

You don't have to use EDGE; you can use WiFi if it's available. I personally am not crazy about cellular connections to the net, anyway. They have always tended to be slow and expensive, even 3G. I would also note, however, that the browsing functions on the iPhone version of OSX are optimized for a slower net like EDGE.

Posted by jonnybutter | July 7, 2007 12:33 PM

Unless, that is, you just want to own the best phone available.

Would the "best phone available" really be locked into the shittiest phone network? I'm assuming that in judging the iPhone's worth as a phone, you're judging its ability to, y'know, make phone calls.

Posted by Christmas | July 7, 2007 12:34 PM

Would the "best phone available" really be locked into the shittiest phone network?

Well, that's the disadvantage of having just the one nationwide GSM carrier. The advantage, to Apple, is that it doesn't need too much tweaking to go global.

I'd say it's the best phone offered by a major US carrier. But that's because most carriers offer a relatively shitty selection. Apple, therefore, has an interesting market position: create a consumer-oriented phone that is better-featured than hardware on the US consumer market, while taking advantage of that market's distinctive contract structure.

(It's an object of debate as to whether it'll have as big an impact in Europe, where two-year contract lock-ins are not the norm.)

Posted by pseudonymous in nc | July 7, 2007 12:44 PM

Actually, the big advantage of mobile broadband isn't browsing on the phone (though the iPhone may change that) but tethering it to a computer and using it like a 'modem'. It's like having a low-grade DSL (768kbps-1.5mbps, but higher latency) hookup anywhere that you've got 3G coverage.

Since the iPhone has neither tethering support nor 3G, it's useless in this case. One can of course get a separate card for the computer, but this requires an additional account, etc. etc.

Posted by faux facsimile | July 7, 2007 12:50 PM

you can think up various excuses for yourself

That's one of the declinable nouns, right? Your "excuse" is my "damn good reason".

Posted by DonBoy | July 7, 2007 12:59 PM

Your point about the keyboard makes a lot of sense to me. I have a plain-ass cell phone and almost no experience with smart phones. Yet, when I checked out an iPhone at the store, I had little to no trouble with the keyboard. I couldn't figured out why everyone was whining about it. What you said makes sense.

If only it had more than 8GB, I'd be right on top of that shit.

Posted by ryan | July 7, 2007 1:00 PM

Unless, that is, you just want to own the best phone available.

hmmm, would it be too much to ask to substantiate this claim a little?

why is it better than a top of the line HTC smartphone?

Posted by novakant | July 7, 2007 1:04 PM

Matt,

Does the magic pen have any useful application to the iPhone? I wonder if that's why my NPLA stock has gone up 50%+ in the last few weeks.

BTW, my girlfriend and I were sitting at one of the big tables at our local Starbucks last night where a guy left his brand new (judging by the box) iPhone in front of us while he stepped outside for a smoke. It was heartening to see such small town trust in the mean suburb of Hasbrouck Heights.

Posted by Fred | July 7, 2007 1:09 PM

Well, that's the disadvantage of having just the one nationwide GSM carrier. The advantage, to Apple, is that it doesn't need too much tweaking to go global.

And if I lived in Europe I might give a shit. Being as I live in America, where the AT&T network leaves me with a very pricey paperweight any time I'm outside a major metropolitan area - and quite often while inside one - I see no reason to buy a cell phone that isn't going to let me make phone calls for much of the time.

Posted by Christmas | July 7, 2007 1:12 PM

Wow, I never would have guessed that Yglesias would have bought the iPhone. Such a free thinker! Such a rebel!

Posted by jerry | July 7, 2007 1:29 PM

Freddie: I've seen a lot more anti-iPhone-hype postings than I've seen "jesusPhone" postings.

Don: Basically, you have to recharge every day or every other day. At least, that's my experience, for all of the 5 days I've had mine.

Yes, it's a toy. As I explained to my wife very carefully, it is a lot less expensive than a sports car. Even buying every new edition (1 per year) for the next 10 years is still way cheaper. Plus, it's my birthday present.

Posted by Robert the Red | July 7, 2007 1:29 PM

The reviews that say it's hard to type on the touchscreen pad are misleading. Those reviews were written by guys who review gadgets all the time and are very accustomed to typing on Blackberries and the like. To my fingers, the iPhone is tricky to type on, but no trickier than I find the Blackberry keypad. The difference is that people who've been using a Blackberry for a while have already honed their Blackberry skills but have no iPhone skills. I'm already about three times as good at iPhone typing as I was when I took the thing out of the box and have no doubt that I'll continue to improve.

Can we still get the old Matt back?

Posted by jerry | July 7, 2007 1:36 PM

I have a problem with people who have such horrible priorities and perspective that they have elevated a fucking piece of electronics to the point of religious experience.

It from Bit.

Posted by Consumatopia | July 7, 2007 1:53 PM

I guess the real question is why I care about what other people get out of their electronics. I mean if it makes them happy, who am I to shit on them? Maybe I'm just being a hater. Maybe I am just a hater, full stop. Maybe I shouldn't be commenting on a web log on a very pleasant, drunk July Saturday afternoon.

Still and all, the hype has been annoying. Even with the anti-hype hype factored in. Put it this way: I just don't want to be prosthelytized to.

Posted by Freddie | July 7, 2007 3:46 PM

Freddie,

Maybe it will cheer you up if you look at it through a Rawlsian 'veil of ignorance'. What if you were an Apple shareholder or employee (or, like me, a shareholder in a boring coattail company like AT&T)? Surely, then, you would be happy that everyone from Matt Yglesias to Rush Limbaugh was gushing over the iPhone. Their enthusiasm means high margins which means good returns for Apple shareholders and good, high paying jobs for Apple employees.

Posted by Fred | July 7, 2007 4:39 PM

I love my iphone as well. And I hate self-righteous liberals who act as if you can't be a progressive and an owner of expensive gadgets. Get over yourselves - a vow of poverty is not required.

(btw- Google reader is a dream on it - I can read Iglesias and all my fave sites very, very easily. It blows Netnewswire mobile out of the water.)

Posted by cms | July 7, 2007 4:40 PM

I'll have to disagree with the idea that there is no "situation where the iPhone is actually worse than some alternative". For me, at least, the iPhone is worse than a Treo (to name just one alternative). I install third-party software on my Treo 650, and there are at least four programs I use every day that have no equivalent on the iPhone.

I realize the party line from Apple is that you don't need to install software because you can just use Web sites. I don't buy it. Even if you have a fast connection (which in this case you don't), Web sites are not an adequate substitute for every kind of software.

Maybe the software that comes preinstalled on the iPhone is enough for most people. For me it isn't. Unless Apple releases a future version where it's possible to write and install third-party software, I'll stick with a phone that's an open platform.

Posted by Matt Austern | July 7, 2007 4:52 PM

I love Apple and I love my iPod, and I'll get a new one when they bring the iPhone's media player features over to the next-gen big storage iPod line. But I couldn't give less of a shit about cellphone features. I recently re-upped my contract and got a cameraphone for the first time, because it was free. I want a phone that I can lose, and that I never have to think about, which the iPhone isn't. Maybe someday the American wireless system won't blow, and I'll come around, but I'm just not interested in something that costs that much and operates as a network monopoly.

Also, I just got a Wii and a bunch of stuff to go with it, so no $$$ right now. :(

Posted by Aaron S. Veenstra | July 7, 2007 5:13 PM

I'm expect the iPhone is a very good implementation of a smart phone, but the thing that is revolutionary about it, in my opinion, is a smart phone with WIFI.

Just like the iPod was a good implementation of an MP3 player, but the breakthrough was iTunes aggregating all the record companies in one place, with acceptable DRM, and one price shopping.

Posted by Chuck | July 7, 2007 10:32 PM

(It's an object of debate as to whether it'll have as big an impact in Europe, where two-year contract lock-ins are not the norm.)

I suspect that the 2-year thing is more a sop to AT&T for letting Apple do things to their network, than an Apple requirement. I doubt they'll have that requirement in Europe. In fact, I suspect Apple'd be thrilled to be non-exclusive (i.e., able to sell more phones) if the European networks will let them make their network tweaks to support viewable voice mail and the like.

Nonetheless, I'll be waiting for the iPhone-like iPod, since I live right in the middle of BellSouth territory and still get crappy AT&T (aka BellSouth/Cingular) wireless reception.

Posted by mw | July 7, 2007 11:40 PM

If you don't have an iPhone, and don't feel like spending $500-600 dollars to get one, you can think up various excuses for yourself, you can think up a whole bunch of them.

Surely the principal "excuse" would be "I don't want to pay $500-600 for a phone." Jesus.

Posted by John | July 8, 2007 11:53 AM

From what I understand, the EDGE network is not as good as Verizon's EVDO network, but the technology AT&T uses is better than Verizon's technology. So you just have to wait for them to expand 3G coverage to your area. The network is supposedly less than perfect when it comes to living up to its promises about expanding coverage, but you don't live in the boondocks, so like me, you have an advantage. Then again, I live on Long Island, and the map only covers certain parts of it so far, so who the hell knows?

Posted by Brian | July 8, 2007 12:17 PM

"why is it better than a top of the line HTC smartphone?"

I don't think it is. Unless something has changed, you can't edit documents on the iphone. Assuming that smartphones are little more than toys for everyone but businessmen and other individuals who need to access e-mail and documents quickly, it makes little sense for most people who need a phone with such advanced capabilities to buy it right now. I have the 8525, and while it's not perfect, it's got almost everything the iphone has. It doesn't have a lot of memory, but I can change that, and while it's web browser isn't anything special, I am pretty sure I could download the one for the iphone or something similar to it if I wasn't so lazy. That, and the keyboard rolls out, so it's not entirely touch screen.

Is the iphone really, really cool? Yes, it apparently is. But right now, it's not everything it could be. If the next version combines the ability to edit documents and the feature that the Verizon phone that can identify a song just by hearing it, it'll be really sick.

Posted by Brian | July 8, 2007 12:29 PM

Here's a good video you might interested in...iphone review compilation from the last week or so...http://thenewsroom.com/details/476174?c_id=wom-bc-js

Posted by Ian from www.thenewsroom.com | July 8, 2007 1:33 PM

I love the iPhone though it's my first "smart phone" so I can't compare it to others. First impression is it's amazingly easy to use, quick to learn it's quirks and if I were to describe the entire thing in one word it would be "smooth". While I don't currently use Apple's Mail program or iCal, I may try those just to see how it will all tie in from my home system to the iPhone, seamlessness in that respect would be nice. For me it saves carrying my laptop around everywhere which I tend to do when all I was doing was reading emails and surfing. EDGE seems fairly quick but I have no experience using other networks.

My only complaint, and it's minor, is the keyboard is used when the phone (and thus the screen) is held vertically, this allows you multiple lines of text but a tight layout. Seems it'd make more sense to use the keyboard with the phone horizontally with just one or two lines of text so the keyboard spacing is larger. Not like I'm typing epics on the thing so I don't need to see my entire message. While the touch typing is amazingly easy and intuitive, just seems the horizontal layout would be that much more easy.

Posted by Fred | July 8, 2007 2:24 PM

The iPhone puts the Internet in your pocket. And gives you a one-click weather check (anybody out there ever have someone ask you about the weather?). And a one-click stock checker (know anybody who obsesses about their stock price?). And a fully functional calculater (did I mention it was one click?) And one click access to Google Maps, including aerial views. And an instant interface with YouTube. And the slickest iPod ever (album flow is both beautiful and amazingly efficient, you have near instant access to any tune in your collection). And if I had actual friends that would call me the ability to select voice mail in any order I wished would be a God send.

Nobody has to buy one, but the idea that you can duplicate this on a standard cell-phone is nutty, the web browsing ability is worth it all on its own.

All of this kind of reminds me of 1985 when certain people scoffed at the whole concept of having a mouse, or a graphic user interface, or a hard shell 3.5" floppy. When we all knew that Real Men knew that C:/ was the Real Ticket and icons were for Girly Men.

Well the joke is on you. Again. Basically people are back in the "I can do all that on my 286" mode. Well no, you can't.

Posted by Bruce Webb | July 8, 2007 3:30 PM

Nobody has to buy one, but the idea that you can duplicate this on a standard cell-phone is nutty, the web browsing ability is worth it all on its own.

That's simple ignorance. There are plenty of smart phones with web access. The iPhone simply packages it in a slicker way. Yes, there are an awful lot of features in the thing. But many, many of them are already available in other gadgets, at a smaller cost without being handcuffed to a shitty network.

Posted by Freddie | July 8, 2007 4:27 PM

The iPhone puts the Internet in your pocket. And gives you a one-click weather check (anybody out there ever have someone ask you about the weather?). And a one-click stock checker (know anybody who obsesses about their stock price?). And a fully functional calculater (did I mention it was one click?) And one click access to Google Maps, including aerial views. And an instant interface with YouTube. And the slickest iPod ever (album flow is both beautiful and amazingly efficient, you have near instant access to any tune in your collection).

Enjoy your iPhone, I actually want it to do spectacularly well. Just so you know though, you can do ALL of this except for YouTube with current Palm Treos. YMMV regarding elegance/beauty/ease of use/ or need for use as a modem or to extend it with other external apps.

Regarding websites vs. native apps. Google maps on the iPhone is a native app, not a website. Why is that?

Google Maps is also a native app for the Treo, but I am pissed because I am on 1.1 and I want a new version that can do the new drag and drop routing available at the website.

By the way, iPhone users, what version of Google Maps does the about box or it's equivalent show? And can you folks do the new drag and drop routing? I want that soooo bad!

Posted by jerry | July 8, 2007 5:41 PM

God, I hate all of you people so much. So very, very much.

Posted by John | July 8, 2007 6:31 PM

God, I hate all of you people so much. So very, very much.

If you're that invested in a piece of plastic and wiring, I suggest you reconsider your value system.

Posted by Freddie | July 8, 2007 8:02 PM

Freddie,

You seem to be more invested than anyone here in this piece of plastic and wiring based on the number of comments you've posted. Take a step back from your holier-than-thou-because-I-don't-have-an-iPhone-but-I-obviously-secretly-envy-all-who-do and consider your own value system for a bit as it seems to center around crapping on other people's posts.

And I believe now I'm do for a crapping on by Freddie. I think I'll check back later from my iPhone to read the insightful rebuttal.

Posted by Fred F. | July 8, 2007 11:59 PM

I do not own a cellphone or an MP3 player as most of my disposable income goes to progressive candidates and charities. Hope you all put $600 aside to give to the Dem. candidate of your choice before you hit the Apple store.

Posted by holier than thou | July 9, 2007 12:23 AM