[W126 Coupe] OT: Windows Mobile vs. Apple OS

[Steve Nervig]

On Aug 16, 2008, at 8:33 AM, Dick Spellman wrote:


> Hi all,

>

> I've been running a Mobile 6.0 cooked rom (not the vanilla ATT/ 

> Cingular 5.0 version) on an HTC 8525 for the past 2 years and have  

> been very happy with the set-up.  But, I thought I'd ask what others  

> think about the newest Apple iPhone with 3G.

>

> I know Microsoft took an OS and then tried to make it into a mobile  

> user interface (ui) leaving me with frequent use of just the finger  

> nail or the stylus.  It seems Apple started with the UI and built a  

> most elegant and efficient touch flow solution that everyone raves  

> about.

>

> I've got a lot of time invested in the HTC 8525 with all of my apps  

> and customizations.  It does get great battery life, has a camera,  

> flash, flashlight, stereo bluetooth, and movie capture all of which  

> I use with daily frequency while traveling and for work.

>

> So, while I see the IPhone winning hands down on the UI and now  

> presumably offering 3G speeds, what about what some are saying as  

> very short battery life when running a VPN to company exchange  

> server as well as living without the above features.

>

> Should I take the iPhone plunge or wait things out for a while more?

>

> Regards,

> Dick


HI, Dick.

I have the original iPhone (not 3G), but with the new 2.01 software,  
it does nearly everything that the 3G iPhone does (except at the 3G  
speeds of course).

As you say, the UI will blow away anything Windows. But what has  
surprised me, is that even without 3G, my phone seems to do everything  
I need it to do at speeds (AT&T EDGE) that are very acceptable in  
almost all cases. They have optimized the web software and email such  
that EDGE works very well.

It makes traveling a great experience. You can find out where you are,  
where you want to go, call ahead, make reservations - all with minimal  
key inputs. It's hard to explain, but they have done such a good job  
integrating all of the various apps, that they just flow together,  
allowing you to do many jobs in quick succession. The Google Map  
function is just outstanding as implemented on the iPhone.

I don't know how battery life when on 3G would effect you. You would  
definitely want a dock in your car and on your desk, etc. I know I can  
listen to music (with the built in iPod) all day at work, without  
recharge, and have plenty of battery power left. However, if I use  
something like Pandora or AOL Radio (online radio stations) requiring  
network traffic (ie, WiFi, EDGE 0r 3G) battery life does drop.

The iPhone has a 2 MegaPix camera, but no flash and no movie capture  
(yet - software may allow in the future). It has no stereo Bluetooth  
mic.

The App Store and iTunes makes adding and updating applications a  
breeze. Thousands of apps now available, probably 500 of which are free.

Contrary to Robert's experience in Australia, here in the US, AT&T  
offers all functions (except SMS texting) for the princely sum of $70  
a month. You can now use AOL's AIM for free, so the SMS texting really  
isn't needed, in my opinion.

What you have looks like a very good unit, but I've never used one so  
don't know how it would compare. I suggest that you go to an Apple  
Store and use one for awhile. Also check out the little videos of the  
iPhone on the Apple web site.

Best of luck!
Steve