Tech Post #13: Notes on the New Purchase of an iPhone

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So I’ve had some bumps with my new iPhone purchase. Namely, either I or some wacko AT&T user interface bug got my phone number wrong. I had to get a new SIM and re-activate. Now it is 100% full working order, and after sitting at Pilsner Inn last night with two other power-users, I have compiled this list of comments:

Some little quirks
- Gmail is impossible on the iPhone. Something about how Gmail won’t play nice with POP accounts, and downloading the Gmail front page is silly to simply see the latest 10 messages. Creative alternatives
– my friend Dave suggested creating a new account that is mobile friendly, forward all email to that one, and access that on your iPhone via the Mail client. (thanks Dave!)
– viewing using Safari (sucky)
– Pop-accounting it through Mail, which is the supported method on Gmail help pages. Note: I have not been able to get this working.

- I can’t SSH client. I heard last night that there is some hack. I really hoped to do some apple programming (setting up a custom alarm clock OF COURSE).

- Custom ringtones are just a hack away, too.

Good things:
- I love having a touch iPod. That is super cool.
- For the price (I got mine refurb’d and 4gigs) it is really performing well.
- Better battery life than my $5 Nokia I’ve had for years
- The touchpad typing is strangely easy, and you don’t feel fat-fingered. This is easier than my 9-key SMS method on the Nokia.
- Having two data options: local wi-fi, and the AT&T data (edge). It is great being able to have a back-up data feed.

I still have a long way to go learning how to use this thing, since I haven’t upgraded my phone in 10 years, when flips were “new.” My old phone was the one that you could get on eBay, along with $5. My phone I could hurl across the room, then pick it up, squish it a bit, and it still works. No, I won’t try that with this one. I’m still placing the chamois carefully across the screen every time I put it in my bag!

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  • makakona
    have you figured out your gmail problem, yet? if not, pull up your gmail account via the web and change your preferences. you have to allow your account to use pop.

    they make screen covers for the iphone, which i strongly recommend. we also like the incase rubber covers. we've had our phones since launch day and when we strip them down, they still look brand new!
  • banane
    Oof, I saw a guy at Ruby's drop his iPhone and the battery flipped out. A little part of me cried inside.
  • Eric
    Congrats!

    I, too, try to treat mine well. I think little scratches on the stainless rim and the shiny Apple logo are unavoidable. The matte aluminum and glass components seem pretty indestructible, though.

    Tom Dickson of Blendtec demonstrates his company's product by blending an iPhone (video). (Not for the squeamish.) Note just how long the iPhone screen continues to work, despite this harsh treatment.

    Shortly after introduction, PCWorld tested the iPhone (video) by abrading and dropping it.

    I really like my incase Protective Cover, but it does stretch just a bit after a few weeks of use.
  • banane
    Yeah the MacBook was a big conversion for me too, then the Nano, now this. We're sucked into the Cupertino abyss!
  • I just took the plunge via the price drop (weeks after buying a MacBook marking the switch from PC!)- and I love this fricking thing. I need to get my email situation straightened out- and other than a poor connection in my apartment (where I am always hooked into the University's network anyway) I have no complaints.

    After getting an iPhone, I may never buy anything like it again.
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