One thing that I have noticed about the iPhone is how single people or small businesses can be greatly enhanced by the iPhone. A construction contractor that told me how his iPhone revolutionized his business. With the ability to map his location and quickly access the web were a great help to his business. His office can email doucments, locations, etc that can help keep him on task and on track. He just did not have this capability before. I hear these stories all the time about the iPhone. I have yet to hear someone tell me how their Windows mobile changed their life. Again I think that Windows Mobile is dead in the water.
Whoa....Before we declare the iPhone as the greatest technology ever, let's look at all of the facts. First, I don't think Windows 6.1 will ever be dead in the water. Maybe it would if Apply could be put on all phones, but there are way too many companies that use Windows Mobile. It is similar if not exactly the same with XP and Mac.
Phones with 6.1 can use GPS and Browsers, so I don't know why iPhone changed these peoples lives and businesses. The only thing I can think of is they just went out and got an iPhone due to all the hype and now are excited by what it can do.
Blackberry can certainly access Exchange Server via Blackberry Enterprise Server (free for one, but pricey for a larger group). Certainly one of the huge advantages of Windows Mobile is its ability to interface with PCs and Exchange seamlessly. Granted ActiveSync is another crappy Windows program.
The problem here is that everything is proprietary, and the fact that the iPhone (legally) cannot be unlocked is ridiculous. Most phones can be bought unlocked and all should be able to. Geoff it sounds as though you are somewhat stuck because of a contract.
I hope one day the government will deregulate this whole industry. To make HTC Touch Pro native to Verizon while the other HTCs are native to other carriers is a joke. Actually, it would be better if it were a monopoly and there was one large carrier. There are great phones that Sprint has but Sprint is horrible. Then some carriers use SIM cards and others don't.
Again, this isn't a rebuttal about iPhone. I looked at iPhone and probably would have purchased one if it weren't tied to AT&T. I don't like AT&T, but it doesn't matter, you can't get any bars here in Bangor.
Plus while I think six versions of Vista is crazy, at least they do have an Ultimte and a Busiess. I would still think an iPhone that is a business model without the songs and videos and youtube would be a great alternative. I do think that there is now software that allows a phone to connnect to Exchange. But, for the true business person, not being able to use Exchagne as you can with 6.1 and Blackberry is somewhat diminishing the return of the phone.
Since Leslie brought this up, I would recommend you look at a phone that fits your needs. I love BMWs, but the nearest dealership is three hours away and seven months out of the year, there is snow on the ground. So, the key is to look at factors such as:
1. Will your carrier have good coverage? This is number 1.
2. Do you need to type a lot of emails and texts? If so, do you like the keyboard the phone uses?
3. Do you like the way the phone works? Kind of key.
4. Does it remote and interact with your network well?
5. Does it have a modem?
6. Do you like the types of connectivity it has? CMDA, G3, etc.
7. Do you travel to other places including Europe? Some won't buy iPhones, because there is no AT&T there.
There is little doubt that Apple/Mac make superior proudcts than Microsoft. They tend to stick with a few things and make them right. I think we are having this discussion because in the smart phone world, there are Apple OS, Blackberry, Palm and Windows. iPhone only designs one phone, well two, so they probably do it better.
