advice on new gadgets?

[Just Sara]

So my purse was stolen. Among the more valuable items inside it were my cell phone and i-pod.

Fortunately I've been long meaning to replace my phone (I kinda hoped I'd be able to keep my memory card... oh well) so that's not as big of a loss.
The i-pod was the most expensive item in there. I hope whoever stole it is a fan of gangster rap and that all my Journey playlists give him/her nightmares!!!


ANYWAY! Enough of the griping.

I need a new cell phone and a new i-pod. A few people have suggested that this might be a good excuse to get an i-phone.
I never even considered the possibility of ever owning one of these and I'm not really sure about it even now.

Does anyone here have an i-phone that can tell me about it? What you like and what you don't like?

Thanks!

[Behshad]

I didnt go with I-Phone, cause when it comes to cell phones, I think Nokia is always a step ahead of all competition. Besides I think the I-phone is a bit too big to fit in the pocket. Here's what I got ( and I recommend it)

http://www.nokiausa.com/link?cid=PLAIN_TEXT_430087

[Just Sara]

My last phone was a Nokia. Thanks for the recommendation!

[STORY_TELLER]

Sara, so sorry that happened to you. Really sucks!

Anyway, I don't personally own an iPhone, but I know someone who does and he put me through its paces. It's a REALLY neat gadget. As with anything, there are pros and cons.

pro:
Combination gadget. Since you lost both your iPod and cellphone, it will be cheaper for you to get an iPhone than to get two separate replacements.

It's extremely user friendly.

Unlike most cellphone packages, which nickel and dime you for services, the AT&T package bundles a lot of these services into the standard monthly fee (see website for rate details).

cons:
The major issue with a combination gadget like this is the battery. Using the phone as an iPod or as an internet device is taxing on the battery. The way around this is to carry around a speed charger (i.e. http://turbocellcharge.com/ ), but it does mean carrying around more stuff.

The battery isn't replaceable, it's permanent (like the iPod). I personally own the original iPod and haven't had a problem with the battery losing its ability to charge, but I've heard stories to the contrary.

You have to use AT&T as your wireless phone provider. If you already have a contract with another company, you might have to pay to get out of it. My friend says he prefers his iPhone deal through AT&T and with the bundled package, is actually saving money from his previous provider.

If it were me, I'd probably take advantage of this annoying situation to get an iPhone. Then again, I'm a gadget junky and I think I'd have a good time with that little sucker. All in all, you have to decide if you're going to use everything the product has to offer. If yes, get it. If not, it might not be worth it to you.

Hope that helps?

[larryfromnextdoor]

hey sara,, i dont have the link , but at the at&t site, im told that there is a link for refurbished phones.. all sorts of stuff.. and most are FREE ,, you just have to sign another 2 year agreement..im looking for thelink..

[Rick]

A guy at work was showing me his iPhone. It's just damn cool. He said his plan is $79.99 a month that gives him unlimited internet. Not too bad altogether. The only thing I didn't like about it was it's responsiveness. It seemed as though he would have to wait on it like you have to wait on a computer that doesn't have enough RAM. Other than that, the thing was just amazing. Too many cool gadgets on that thing to list.

[STORY_TELLER]

A guy at work was showing me his iPhone. It's just damn cool. He said his plan is $79.99 a month that gives him unlimited internet. Not too bad altogether. The only thing I didn't like about it was it's responsiveness. It seemed as though he would have to wait on it like you have to wait on a computer that doesn't have enough RAM. Other than that, the thing was just amazing. Too many cool gadgets on that thing to list.

I didn't have any sluggishness at all with my friend's iPhone. Was the sluggishness from internet usage or everything in general? If it's just internet usage, it could have been his web connection and not the phone.

[Rick]

A guy at work was showing me his iPhone. It's just damn cool. He said his plan is $79.99 a month that gives him unlimited internet. Not too bad altogether. The only thing I didn't like about it was it's responsiveness. It seemed as though he would have to wait on it like you have to wait on a computer that doesn't have enough RAM. Other than that, the thing was just amazing. Too many cool gadgets on that thing to list.

I didn't have any sluggishness at all with my friend's iPhone. Was the sluggishness from internet usage or everything in general? If it's just internet usage, it could have been his web connection and not the phone.

No, just general use. I could see him getting frustrated with the lack of response. I have the same problem with my iPod. I've had several iPods, and as soon as they incorporated album art and such, it became sluggish in the same way.

[Rip Rokken]

Hey, Sara -

You can't beat an iPhone for cool -- it's extremely easy and fun to use, especially on the Net. The cons that were mentioned are definitely cons, but I'd just recommending going to an AT&T store and trying one of the fully functioning display models to see what you think.

I do think non-replaceable batteries are ridiculous design, though.

[conversationpc]

Someone please explain to me the allure to accessing the internet on a device with a screen that you can barely see much information on to begin with? Is just the "cool" factor? The way I see it is that most people want one to appear cooler than they really are.

[RedWingFan]

Someone please explain to me the allure to accessing the internet on a device with a screen that you can barely see much information on to begin with? Is just the "cool" factor? The way I see it is that most people want one to appear cooler than they really are.

My nephew just got an itouch and I was messing with it today. It was pretty dumb with such a small screen. I suppose it'd come in handy every now and then if you had to access info and couldn't get to a computer.

[conversationpc]

Someone please explain to me the allure to accessing the internet on a device with a screen that you can barely see much information on to begin with? Is just the "cool" factor? The way I see it is that most people want one to appear cooler than they really are.

My nephew just got an itouch and I was messing with it today. It was pretty dumb with such a small screen. I suppose it'd come in handy every now and then if you had to access info and couldn't get to a computer.

I actually wouldn't mind having a Palm Pilot or Pocket PC just to keep track of my schedule, names, addresses, etc., but the only use I can think of for having mobile internet like that would be to check up on sports scores, current news, etc. That begs the question, though...Do we really need to have that stuff at our fingertips ALL the time. This stuff is just way too invasive, in my opinion.

[Rip Rokken]

Someone please explain to me the allure to accessing the internet on a device with a screen that you can barely see much information on to begin with? Is just the "cool" factor? The way I see it is that most people want one to appear cooler than they really are.

No, it's really not that bad at all... Nice size little screen with a full Safari browser, and you slide around and scroll just by scooting your finger around, or zooming in/out on any area using pinch movements. Very cool, smooth, and easy to use.

[Rick]

Someone please explain to me the allure to accessing the internet on a device with a screen that you can barely see much information on to begin with? Is just the "cool" factor? The way I see it is that most people want one to appear cooler than they really are.

No, it's really not that bad at all... Nice size little screen with a full Safari browser, and you slide around and scroll just by scooting your finger around, or zooming in/out on any area using pinch movements. Very cool, smooth, and easy to use.

See, right there, you are the problem! Size DOES matter!

[Rip Rokken]

See, right there, you are the problem! Size DOES matter!

Well, then, I got just the thing for you! P

http://www.engadget.com/2004/12/16/sams ... plasma-tv/

Don't know how it works as a phone, though...

[Just Sara]

See, right there, you are the problem! Size DOES matter!

[Rhiannon]

There's more to life than being really, really, really, ridiculously good-looking. And I plan on finding out what that is.

[Just Sara]

Thanks for the advice everyone! A friend of mine has an i-phone and offered to help me if I can tear myself away from his guitar hero long enough

So riddle me this, about how long does an i-phone battery last? I know it depends on how often you use it. I probably would use it mostly as a phone/music player at first. About how long is it supposed to last and how long does it take to recharge?

[Rip Rokken]

So riddle me this, about how long does an i-phone battery last? I know it depends on how often you use it. I probably would use it mostly as a phone/music player at first. About how long is it supposed to last and how long does it take to recharge?

Here is a page that answers just about any iPod and iPhone battery question you could ask:

http://www.ipodbatteryfaq.com/

It seems the battery IS actually replaceable thru Apple -- just not user-serviceable.

[Just Sara]

Awesome! Thanks!

[Rick]

It seems the battery IS actually replaceable thru Apple -- just not user-serviceable.

I think that's the biggest bunch of shit too. It used to be that Apple didn't have a battery replacement program at all for their iPods. When the battery went dead, that was it. Then through a lobbying effort by some mad customers they came up with the manufacturer only battery replacement program. It still sucks. Batteries have a fairly short lifespan, and if they made them user replaceable, these iPods could last a very long time. I think I just answered my own question on that.

[Rip Rokken]

It seems the battery IS actually replaceable thru Apple -- just not user-serviceable.

I think that's the biggest bunch of shit too. It used to be that Apple didn't have a battery replacement program at all for their iPods. When the battery went dead, that was it. Then through a lobbying effort by some mad customers they came up with the manufacturer only battery replacement program. It still sucks. Batteries have a fairly short lifespan, and if they made them user replaceable, these iPods could last a very long time. I think I just answered my own question on that.

And something like that alone might keep me away from it, but I just hate ultra-proprietary technology, and Apple is the king of it... That alone kept me away from iPods. Hey, I'm all for iPhones and would love to have one, I tend to stay a little more practical in my choices. I currently use a Samsung BlackJack, which I replaced my iPaq with. The iPaq was touch screen, and much better for browsing. I can't post on MR with the BlackJack... won't let me do it for some reason, though I can read all day long. Overall, I think it's a better phone for me than the iPaq was.

[cyndy!]

It seems the battery IS actually replaceable thru Apple -- just not user-serviceable.

I think that's the biggest bunch of shit too. It used to be that Apple didn't have a battery replacement program at all for their iPods. When the battery went dead, that was it. Then through a lobbying effort by some mad customers they came up with the manufacturer only battery replacement program. It still sucks. Batteries have a fairly short lifespan, and if they made them user replaceable, these iPods could last a very long time. I think I just answered my own question on that.

i'd like to know the % of iPods that had prematurely dead batteries. the complaints make it seem like they all went bad within a year. i'm on year 6 of my original battery & it works like new. i bet there are a lot of us who are just quietly enjoying our iPods for years.

[Rick]

It seems the battery IS actually replaceable thru Apple -- just not user-serviceable.

I think that's the biggest bunch of shit too. It used to be that Apple didn't have a battery replacement program at all for their iPods. When the battery went dead, that was it. Then through a lobbying effort by some mad customers they came up with the manufacturer only battery replacement program. It still sucks. Batteries have a fairly short lifespan, and if they made them user replaceable, these iPods could last a very long time. I think I just answered my own question on that.

i'd like to know the % of iPods that had prematurely dead batteries. the complaints make it seem like they all went bad within a year. i'm on year 6 of my original battery & it works like new. i bet there are a lot of us who are just quietly enjoying our iPods for years.

I have only had trouble with one, it's an old mini and it's just gone nuts.

[STORY_TELLER]

Someone please explain to me the allure to accessing the internet on a device with a screen that you can barely see much information on to begin with? Is just the "cool" factor? The way I see it is that most people want one to appear cooler than they really are.

Cool factor is valid, but I think you're looking at it purely based on your own usage. It depends on your personal needs. My sister works in a business that involves a lot of travel so she's not in front of a desktop most of the time. Almost all of her emailing and internet research (both business and personal) is done from her handheld while on the road. When she's bored while traveling, she has personal entertainment in the form of music or video.

Most of my friends work in the commercial arts and they find the bells and whistles of the iPhone very useful in what they do.

If you're someone who works a job and finds themselves in front of a desktop most of the time, the iPhone is probably redundant.

[STORY_TELLER]

It seems the battery IS actually replaceable thru Apple -- just not user-serviceable.

I think that's the biggest bunch of shit too. It used to be that Apple didn't have a battery replacement program at all for their iPods. When the battery went dead, that was it. Then through a lobbying effort by some mad customers they came up with the manufacturer only battery replacement program. It still sucks. Batteries have a fairly short lifespan, and if they made them user replaceable, these iPods could last a very long time. I think I just answered my own question on that.

i'd like to know the % of iPods that had prematurely dead batteries. the complaints make it seem like they all went bad within a year. i'm on year 6 of my original battery & it works like new. i bet there are a lot of us who are just quietly enjoying our iPods for years.

I have only had trouble with one, it's an old mini and it's just gone nuts.

I have the very first version of the iPod and I have yet to have a problem with it.

[Enigma869]

There's more to life than being really, really, really, ridiculously good-looking. And I plan on finding out what that is.

Let me know what the "more" is, when you discover it


John from Boston

[cyndy!]

I have the very first version of the iPod and I have yet to have a problem with it.

wow, with the moving scroll wheel from 2001? i thought i had one of the oldest living iPods from 2002!

[STORY_TELLER]

I have the very first version of the iPod and I have yet to have a problem with it.

wow, with the moving scroll wheel from 2001? i thought i had one of the oldest living iPods from 2002!

Yep! Moving scroll wheel and it hasn't let me down.

[The Fly]

Hi Sara,

I have an iPhone and have had it since shortly after it's release. I absolutely love it! And I put off getting any kind of cell phone for a long time because I just didn't want one. It's so easy to use and battery life has never been a problem. It only takes a couple hours to fully charge it back up and though I am not what you would call a heavy user it has never run out on me. The visual voice mail is worth the price alone. You can see just who has left you messages and check them in any order you like. The email too is amazing and easy to set up. It's nice being able to check your email anywhere you happen to be with full HTML support. Safari is great as well but I don't read long articles so much but there are some really cool apps (sites) for things you can check out on the run. Google maps blows me away!! It seems to be the biggest "Wow" factor when I show people the phone. You can easily get directions with maps, satellite views and even traffic updates. It now pinpoints your location (to a close area) which is also really cool. And you can search out places to go and with a couple clicks call the place up if you so desire. The iPod part is the best I have ever owned. Coverflow has a certain "Cool" factor that is fun to play with and if you mostly use the iPod for music, battery life will never be an issue. My kids love the youtube app and have a lot of fun with that. The best part is since it basically runs OSX is that with software updates it's always going to get more fun and easier to do things that you could never do before on such a device. Next month they open it up to outside developers and there will be all kinds of cool new apps!! I have had no problems with AT&T. Where I live they seem to have great service. If you love your iPod it's a no brainer!! Get one! You'll love it!! I absolutely love mine! Did I say that already? LOL... Coolest and most fun tech device I have ever owned! And it's so easy to use!!