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Two years ago I wrote, "[iPhone 3G One Week Two years ago I wrote, "[iPhone 3G One Week
In](/personal/2008/07/iphone-3g-one-week-in/)". In that time I replaced the In](/personal/2008/07/iphone-3g-one-week-in/)". In that time I replaced the
iPhone 3G with a 3GS, copy-paste and multitasking have been added to the newly iPhone 3G with a 3GS, copy-paste and multitasking have been added to the newly
renamed iOS, iPhone 4 has recently been released and Android has risen to be renamed iOS, iPhone 4 has recently been released and Android has risen to be a
viable competitor to iPhone --- a lot has happened. I thought I'd go through viable competitor to iPhone --- a lot has happened. So I thought I'd go through
the original post and see where we stand now. the original post and see where we stand now.
> A friend asked the following today, the reply was big enough I decided to post it: > A friend asked the following today, the reply was big enough I decided to post it:
@ -27,53 +27,71 @@ enters into a review. It works well and saves a heap of space.
> I haven't missed MMS at all, especially with a decent email client built in that can talk to Gmail via IMAP and send photos to flickr that way. > I haven't missed MMS at all, especially with a decent email client built in that can talk to Gmail via IMAP and send photos to flickr that way.
MMS was added in iPhone OS 3 but my stance towards it hasn't really changed. I MMS was added in iPhone OS 3.0 but my stance towards it hasn't really changed.
think I can count on one hand the number of MMS I've sent. Email remains far I think I can count on one hand the number of MMS I've sent. Email remains far
more useful to me. more useful to me.
> I have missed Todo functionality. I have no idea why Apple have not got this syncing. The support is there in iSync and todos sync with my old phone (Nokia 6280) just fine. I'm hoping that its one of these things that will make it eventually. There's two reasons I miss todo, one to track things to be done, the other is for reminders for things that don't have a duration (which can be put in as calendar entries). There is no way to do reminders without a duration at the moment. Having said that the calendar functionality is comprehensive. It supports multiple calendars, full editing, meeting acceptance and basically anything you can do on the desktop. > I have missed Todo functionality. I have no idea why Apple have not got this syncing. The support is there in iSync and todos sync with my old phone (Nokia 6280) just fine. I'm hoping that its one of these things that will make it eventually. There's two reasons I miss todo, one to track things to be done, the other is for reminders for things that don't have a duration (which can be put in as calendar entries). There is no way to do reminders without a duration at the moment. Having said that the calendar functionality is comprehensive. It supports multiple calendars, full editing, meeting acceptance and basically anything you can do on the desktop.
Two years later and built-in Todo functionality is still missing and it still Two years later and built-in Todo functionality is still missing and it still
annoys me. Its part of the iCalendar### standard and Mac OS X has full support annoys me. Its part of the [iCalendar][icalendar] standard and Mac OS X has
for them in iCal and Mail. I continue to add 5 minute calendar entries with an full support in iCal and Mail. I continue to add 5 minute calendar entries with
alert to get around this limitation. an alert to get around this limitation.
[icalendar]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICalendar
> Another annoyance surrounds SMS. When on silent you only get a single vibration on new message, which is easily missed. My old phone did three, which was better. Also when you get an SMS my old phone would show an envelope on the black and white standby screen. With the iPhone you have to wake it up to see if you've got a message after the display goes back off. > Another annoyance surrounds SMS. When on silent you only get a single vibration on new message, which is easily missed. My old phone did three, which was better. Also when you get an SMS my old phone would show an envelope on the black and white standby screen. With the iPhone you have to wake it up to see if you've got a message after the display goes back off.
The first of these problems has been addressed. iPhone will alert you of an The first of these problems has been addressed. iPhone will alert you of an
unread SMS twice after the original alert, which certainly helps. It seems this unread SMS twice after the original alert, which certainly helps. However it
feature wasn't universally loved as an option to turn it off was added in the seems this feature [wasn't universally loved][taptaptap] as an option to turn
iPhone OS 3.x### update it off was added in the iPhone OS 3.0 update.
[taptaptap]: http://taptaptap.com/blog/say-goodbye-to-the-most-annoying-iphone-feature/
> The AppStore is great, some of the apps are very well done. I'm really liking <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284946773&mt=8">Byline</a>, <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284967867&mt=8">Twinkle</a>, <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284919489&mt=8">Exposure</a> and <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284825922&mt=8">MoPhoTo</a>. I'm not much of a Facebook user but the <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284882215&mt=8">Facebook app</a> is very well done. It just the core parts of Facebook without all the crap. Of those five, three are free, one is free by ad-supported (with a pay for version available) and the other AU$12.99. I think that's a pretty good spread for some top quality apps. Some screenshots of these apps are scattered below. > The AppStore is great, some of the apps are very well done. I'm really liking <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284946773&mt=8">Byline</a>, <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284967867&mt=8">Twinkle</a>, <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284919489&mt=8">Exposure</a> and <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284825922&mt=8">MoPhoTo</a>. I'm not much of a Facebook user but the <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284882215&mt=8">Facebook app</a> is very well done. It just the core parts of Facebook without all the crap. Of those five, three are free, one is free by ad-supported (with a pay for version available) and the other AU$12.99. I think that's a pretty good spread for some top quality apps. Some screenshots of these apps are scattered below.
The AppStore continues to be a great success and also a source of controversy The AppStore continues to be a great success and also a source of controversy
from time--to--time. Notably I'm not using any of apps linked here aside from from time-to-time. Notably I'm no longer using any of apps linked above aside
occasional use of Facebook. Perhaps not surprisingly the free Facebook app has from occasional use of Facebook. Perhaps not surprisingly the free Facebook app
remained in the top 10 free apps on the AppStore since day one. Another thing appears to have remained in the top 10 free apps on the AppStore since day one.
to note is the $12.99 price tag of Byline. On launch day the price of apps was Another thing to note is the $12.99 price tag of Byline. On launch day the
generally higher then they are now. The "race to the bottom"### has driven price of apps was generally higher then they are now. The "race to the bottom"
prices down. For example Byline now sells for $3.99. has driven prices down. For example Byline now sells for $5.99.
As for apps I'm now using, Tweetie, now the official Twitter app### replaced As for apps I'm now using, Tweetie, now the [official Twitter app][tweetie]
Twinkle some time ago. The official Flickr app### replaced both Exposure and replaced Twinkle some time ago. The [official Flickr app][flickr] replaced both
MoPhoTo. I now use Reeder### instead of Byline for reading RSS. ### More apps Exposure and MoPhoTo. I now use [Reeder][reeder] instead of Byline for reading
that I use. RSS. Some other apps I'm now using are:
[tweetie]: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/twitter/id333903271?mt=8
[flickr]: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flickr/id328407587?mt=8
[reeder]: http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/reeder/id325502379?mt=8
* [Accountr](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/accountr-budget-checkbook/id287138325?mt=8) for expense tracking. Although I'm writing my own replacement for
this one.
* [SimpleNote](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/simplenote/id289429962?mt=8) for synchronised plain text notes.
* [Flashlight](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flashlight/id285281827?mt=8) for those times you need a torch.
* [TrailGuru](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/trailguru/id289333140?mt=8) for mapping walks and bike rides.
* [eBay](http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/ebay-mobile/id282614216?mt=8) for well... eBay.
* [tramTracker](http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/tramtracker/id317312510?mt=8) for tram scheduling and knowing when to get off.
> Battery life is nothing brilliant as has been reported elsewhere. You'd probably want to change it every day. Today I watched a video podcast on the way to work, send a couple of SMSs during the day, added a calendar event, got a call from Steve, called the dentist, listened to music, read in Google Reader via the Byline app, read and updated Twitter via the Twinkle app and used the timer to cook dinner and its showing half battery. It was off the changer all last night too. > Battery life is nothing brilliant as has been reported elsewhere. You'd probably want to change it every day. Today I watched a video podcast on the way to work, send a couple of SMSs during the day, added a calendar event, got a call from Steve, called the dentist, listened to music, read in Google Reader via the Byline app, read and updated Twitter via the Twinkle app and used the timer to cook dinner and its showing half battery. It was off the changer all last night too.
The battery life remains bad when compared to previous phones I've owned that The battery life remains bad when compared to previous phones I've owned that
could go the better part of the work week on one charge. However those phones could go the better part of the work week on one charge. However those phones
saw a lot less use and were far less functional. For me the battery isn't an saw a lot less use and were far less functional. For me the battery isn't an
issue as I've come up with a workflow that keeps is charged. I have an iPhone issue as I've come up with a work flow that keeps it charged. I have an [iPhone
dock### at work that the phone remains on all day. That means through the week dock][dock] at work that the phone remains on all day. That means through the
its always well charged and I generally only have to remember to charge it once week its always well charged and I generally only have to remember to charge it
over the weekend at home. once over the weekend at home.
[dock]: http://store.apple.com/au/product/MB484G/A
> A complaint of the old one was that the ringer and message volume was very low and easily missed. [Its] plenty loud enough and its only on about three quarters. Speaking on the phone the volume is good, although I haven't tried extreme environments like a club. > A complaint of the old one was that the ringer and message volume was very low and easily missed. [Its] plenty loud enough and its only on about three quarters. Speaking on the phone the volume is good, although I haven't tried extreme environments like a club.
With the speaker volume up fully I have been able to hold a conversation in a With the speaker volume up fully I have been able to hold a conversation in a
club although it certainly wasn't easy. This is certainly better than some of club although it certainly wasn't easy. This is definitely better than some of
my previous phone such as the Sony Ericsson K700i which just wasn't worth my previous phone such as the Sony Ericsson K700i which just wasn't worth
answering a call with if in an even slightly noisy environment. answering a call with if in an even slightly noisy environment.
@ -82,30 +100,34 @@ answering a call with if in an even slightly noisy environment.
Maps remains one of the most handy apps on the phone. The printed map book is a Maps remains one of the most handy apps on the phone. The printed map book is a
thing of the past (when in mobile coverage areas). Turn-by-turn driving thing of the past (when in mobile coverage areas). Turn-by-turn driving
directions are sorely missing from the directions feature but this gap has been directions are sorely missing from the directions feature but this gap has been
filled well by third party apps such as TomTom.### filled well by third party apps such as [TomTom][tomtom].
> Maybe I'm easily sold on such things but the UI is truly beautiful and being solely finger driven is revolutionarily (on a phone). I'm a happy customer. [tomtom]: http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/tomtom-australia/id326072238?mt=8
> Maybe I'm easily sold on such things but the UI is truly beautiful and being solely finger driven is revolutionary (on a phone). I'm a happy customer.
The iOS UI continues to be good looking and functional but I can't help feeling The iOS UI continues to be good looking and functional but I can't help feeling
that its starting to show its ago. In the same way that Aqua from Mac OS X has that its starting to show its age. In the same way that Aqua from Mac OS X has
been gradually been toned down, refined, made more consistent and more elegant gradually been toned down, refined, and made more consistent and elegant I feel
I feel the iOS needs to start going the same way. The mix of colour and lack of the iOS needs to start going the same way. The mix of colour and lack of
consistency across apps makes it feel a bit disorganised and toy like at times. consistency across even the built-in apps makes it feel a bit disorganised and
For example Calculator and Notes apps vs. Mail and Safari.### link to post toy like at times. For example Calculator and Notes apps vs. Mail and Safari. I
about replicating real things in UI. believe this is called [skeuomorphic design][skeuomorphic].
[skeuomorphic]: http://speedbird.wordpress.com/2010/06/25/what-apple-needs-to-do-now/
Touch driven phones are also now considered quite normal however with the Touch driven phones are also now considered quite normal however with the
exception of some Android phones I'm yet to see any other manufacturer provide exception of some Android phones I'm yet to see any other manufacturer provide
anything more than terrible experience. I mean an on screen T9 keyboard, that's anything more than a terrible experience. I mean an on-screen T9 keyboard,
just stupid. that's just stupid.
In the last two years Android has risen to be a serious iOS competitor. There In the last two years Android has risen to be a serious iOS competitor. There
is also Palm webOS but it just isn't getting the traction that Android is. is also Palm (now HP) WebOS but it just isn't getting the traction that Android
Android has highlighted iOS's dependency on a desktop computer. The first run is. Android has highlighted iOS's dependency on a desktop computer. The iOS
experience is a screen telling you to plug it in so iTunes can do its thing. first run experience is a screen telling you to plug it in so iTunes can do its
The more Internet focussed Google has taken a different approach where nearly thing. The more Internet focussed Google has taken a different approach where
everything can be done and synchronised over-the-air. In comparison Apple's nearly everything can be done and synchronised over-the-air. In comparison
approach seems dated. It will be interested to see what comes of the now Apple's approach seems dated. It will be interesting to see what comes of the
serious rivalry between Google and Apple. Personally I just come to bring now serious rivalry between Google and Apple. Personally I just can't bring
myself to use a phone whose primary programming environment is Java. So it'll myself to use a phone whose primary runtime environment is Java. So it'll be
be iOS for me for a while. iOS for me for a while.

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--- ---
kind: draft kind: article
is_hidden: true
section: personal section: personal
created_at: 2010-07-21 11:41:09 created_at: 2010-07-21 11:41:09
title: iPhone Two Years In title: iPhone Two Years In
extra: Revisiting the iPhone two years after the original post. extra: Revisiting the iPhone two years after the original post.
short_url: pending short_url: http://bit.ly/dbNRKH