I totally agree about the iPhone. My work gave me a blackberry, what a piece of junk. It took me 30 minutes to figure out how the ringer worked (and I have a moderate level of tech ability). For the longest time I would miss calls because the phone would "chime" once when someone called. After a while I figured out that the phone has two modes - in holster and out of holster. Apparently the phone with the use of some magnet and the official holster can determine which mode to switch into. Once I got the proper case things worked better. What a maddening experience.
You just do not hear of problems like this with an iPhone. I started looking for an alternative device. I demoed an iPhone, what a cool device. Easy to use, relatively useful browser, and good applications that are fun and innovative. I certainly like the Shazamm app that can hear a song and then pull the information about that song. There was also a program that can map your friends iPhone location to your google maps and you can get their location (of course they have to agree to this). There are just not apps like that on the MS platform (palm has just died although the pre looks promising however it is just too late). Steve has really pulled a rabbit out of the hat with the iPhone/touch platform. Where I live the ATT service is Edge only (and barely that) so I purchased an iPod touch so that I can at least pretend like I have an iPhone.
I am so disappointed with the MS Mobile OS. I have used these products starting with Pocket PC 2002 and up. I was lucky if the device turned on regularly. I had to keep pocket books on hand for backup while on call as a resident. After a while I just quit using the PDA and stuck to the books. The apps on the windows are buggy and not reliable. The poorly implemented DRM (or rather multiple DRMs) just killed the ability of the apps to work consistently. For example I installed Skyscape for the 5MCC and ICD look up. I then installed Mobipocket for the MDConsult and then installed some other apps. After a while my machine is booting with several apps in the background performing updates and license check. The apps were buggy and were hard to install and would clog my internet connection everytime I booted for several minutes (about as bad as Norton Update). Do not even get me started on activesync....
When I started with my iTouch, I loaded the app store and just installed applications. They installed and worked immediately without trouble. You just can not do that in the Windows Pocket/Mobile environment. I am not use to such convenience. Of course the iTunes app store is a two edge sword since apple has total control over what gets put in: no Skype, Flash, Adobe reader, FireFox, or any application that may compete with their other product or services. At least with Windows there are no such restrictions. But even with the "openness" of the Windows platform, the poor implementation of the platform and difficulty of application installs just kills the product.
I thought about a HTC touch since that is the only one that will work in my area. It looks good but I afraid that it is underpowered for a Windows Mobile device. I am tired of Windows Mobile, time for the trash.
I wish I could get an iPhone but I will settle for the iPod touch for now.
Geoff
