Simon Barratt

In my hands

After realising the iPhone will pay for itself, (and the fact that I need to test it in our work environment) it became a no brainer to buy one on Friday.  After deciding the Apple store queue was too long, I opted for the local AT&T store - big mistake.  After waiting 1 hour, just as I approached the door they ran out of them.  However, the walk home takes me past the Apple store.  There was no queue when I got there, so I thought they were out of stock too.  No, they had plenty of stock and a far more efficient queue.  Guy on the door wanted to know if I "was buying or looking?" and then sent me on my way to the check out.  I even had the pleasure of being served by a friend who is working there part time for summer!  In and out, in 2 minutes flat!



Activation went reasonably well.  It would of gone better had I read the instructions properly.  I inadvertently selected the option to transfer from a different carrier.  Once I realised my error, it was simply a matter of a few clicks and the phone then activated!  I was surprised though, that my old (Treo 750) was deactivated during my erroneous foray into transferring from a different carrier!

I have been playing evaluating  with since.  It really is an amazing phone, not only does it work well and is easy to use, but it is the first time I have used a phone that is fun too.  Google maps works very well, and the browser is indescribable.  YouTube is trivial but fun, and the weather and stock prices work well.

As an iPod it is fantastic.  The way you navigate leaves you speechless.  Everything is so slick and responsive.  I do wonder though when they will add support for lyrics though - seems like a basic omission!

Next steps are to work through researching/testing what is required to make it talk to Exchange for email synch.  Here's hoping Apple and Microsoft do the deal and license ActiveSync for it.

I am glad to of dumped the Treo 750, this is definitely a game changer.  Mobile phones and Windows Mobile got far too complicated.  If nothing else, then this phone should spur some innovation from the other leading players.  And, once the price settles down, it could really make an impact in the mobile phone market.