iPhone 4 vs. iPhone 3GS - Fight

Quick iPhone Fight

VS

Let me say that other than the dropped calls (which is part phone and part AT&T), I have LOVED my iPhone 3Gs. It has been a stalwart performer. Feels good in the hand, is responsive and has done everything that I have ever thought a handheld device ought to do...

But, my battery finally died...so I decided to upgrade to the iPhone 4. And the difference is amazing and underwhelming at the same time. 

The Good:

The screen is simply amazing. Photos are stunning. Web pages look perfect.

The camera is a revelation. Simple, with fast shutter times, the camera creates images that are worthy of cameras rather than phones. The HDR mode (takes three pictures and blends the best parts of each to make a great image) is excellent, and the inclusion of a flash is just great. I have taken more photos in an afternoon than I do in a month because the images are that much better.

The presence of easy to access volume buttons is really nice.

FaceTime is also really very delightful.

What isn't so good:

The feel in your hand. The phone is kind of angular and sharp. I really miss the rounded plastic back of the 3Gs. I don't want to hold the iPhone 4.

The phone experience is really great...other than the physicality of the phone...

Thinking About Kid's Phones

So, just the other day, my son asked when he could get a cell phone. And, of course, I thought "You are 8. Who are you going to call?" And then the answer was clear..."Me." He wants a phone because it is a cool toy that is like his Nintendo DSi. But I want him to have a phone so that I can find him on the playground, or at his friend's house. I want a phone to keep the connection when I can't see him.

It is a big responsibility for a kid...a phone. To know to use it carefully and manage minutes and texts...that is a lot for an 8 year old. But the convenience and security of it are meaningful for me. This is a mobile umbilical cord...not so that he is smothered, but so that he can have his independence (even at 8 that is crucial) and know that he can be responsible and responsive when he is called.

So, that seals it. He gets a phone...at 8. Uggh. That is so young.

So, do we get him a phone on my plan, or does he get his own from a place like Kajeet that specializes in kids cell phones? Do any of you have any experience there?

Does the World Need Another Mobile Platform?

So, Windows Mobile was DEAD. Just plain old dead. It was killed off by Apple's iOS, and Android. These significantly more modern operating systems were just killing off smartphone operating systems left and right.

Symbian? See ya.

Palm OS. Puh-leese. (Which is not to say that the WebOS isn't solid...)

Blackberry. Uh...well, it hasn't died yet, but it is creaking under its own emphasis on e-mail. All the cool kids have moved on from that.

And yesterday, Steve Balmer unleashed Windows 7 phones.

And truly, if you are a Windows user, and groove on the Windows Live phenomenon, these phones are pretty terrific. Free storage via SkyDrive, free OTA syncing...very good social integration, reasonable browser (not as good at iPhone or Android, but OK, frankly).

So, does the world need another phone OS?

Well, goodness gracious, it does!

I am an iPhone user. I love it.

Android phones have amazing functionality and potential, but are a little hampered by carrier oversight, but as a group they are a very exiting development.

And these new Windows phones add a great wrinkle to the eco-system because they graciously integrate with the users other computing life (Windows) and add a modern sense of social integration and easy top level nav.

Will Windows 7 phones win? I seriously doubt it. But they will keep Apple moving ahead, and force all of the OEMs to upgrade to the latest versions of Android. Think of Windows 7 phones as a pest. They have potential. They have some samrts, but they are late to the party and hampered by an overly done OS. But they have marketing muscle, marketing money, and a vision. That will push the others ahead, just to insure that they stay a pest and not a player.

Dell, The Aero, The Streak, The Looking Glass & More

Dell is jumping into mobile devices and services in a huge way. Of course it has sold Dell branded netbooks and notebooks with carrier data services, but with the introduction of The Streak, the Aero and Michael Dell's very non-chalant introduction of a 7 inch tablet, Dell is positioning itself as a significant player, both domestically and internationally of connected devices that fill various niches. None of the devices that I have seen from Dell will dramatically change the paradigm as one could argue the iPad has, BUT, Dell is working the smaller niche markets with enough flair and focus to become, in aggregate, a strong player in the market. Much like in the PC world, I am not sure that Dell dominates any conversation with it's products, but because of volume and breadth, it is a huge force.

So, too, will it be in mobile devices. In fact, Dell sells third party cell phones through its own storefront. Dell is covering all of its bases. If you want a Streak, an Android phone, a messaging phone, a netbook with carrier access, or the latest 4G hotspot, Dell is your man. Watch out Best Buy...

So, I am back at it...

There is just so much happening in mobile, from the OS wars to the rise of tablet computing, I need to keep my thoughts segregated. Of course I will keep going with the other blog (www.timkilroy.com) but look for more coming from Mobile Ambition!

Moving over to www.timkilroy.com

Hey gang, after writing mostly about mobile for a couple of years, my aspirations have grown, and I am writing about mobile, search engine optimization, social media, internet marketing and more over at www.timkilroy.com....hope to see you there!

iPhone Jailbreaking Illegal?

From our friends over at TUAW, the latest reports are that Apple considers jailbreaking a violation of their copyright. Now listen, I am a big Apple fan. I only use Windows computers under duress, and I simply love my iPhone (and my iPod, and my wife's MacBook, and the 9 other Apple computers that I have owned). I think Apple is a great company that makes wonderful products.

But come on...seriously? Jailbreaking is a violation of your copyright?

I believe that taking oneself too seriously is one of the most serious infringements to human happiness. If you really believe that what you do is so important that it can't be done with humor and good sharing, well then, frankly you perhaps need to head back to kindergarten for some manners.

I understand that Apple spent umpteen billion dollars creating the iPhone. I understand that they want to protect their investment. I also understand that Apple has a vision for the way the device works. I get that stuff. I appreciate it. But seriously, some enterprising geeks want to tweak your software and you complain to the trademark office? Holy Christmas! I am astounded by Apple's decision to pursue this kind of action. Perhaps there are more significant issues of technology secrecy and business protection here, but on the simple face of it, this is just plain silly. Apple has clearly gone bonkers here...

Once you buy the device, it is yours to do with what you will. Sure, jailbroken phones do potentially derive Apple of some revenue (especially if they are older iPhones that have a rev-sharing plan with ATT) but for new phones, since this is a traditional subsidized phone sale, Apple is completely whole, even if someone jailbreaks a phone. They are still getting that subsidy payment from ATT. (This could be a complaint by ATT made through Apple to stop jailbreaking, I suppose).

The only folks that I can imagine Apple really going after are people that sell jailbreaking software (if there are any). Then I can understand that Apple is going after a company that facilitates the act of jailbreaking, which Apple feels impinges on its copyright. And, in order to maintain the copyright on something, you need to zealously defend it. But really, can you imagine if cars had copyrights, that Ford or Toyota or GM would go after the millions of tuners and mechanics out there? Does Microsoft freak out if people tweak Windows? I guess I am lost as to Apple's reasoning. It just doesn't make any sense to me. In fact, since I am not a copyright lawyer, I have to think that Apple should be pretty proud of themselves. They have created a device that millions are thrilled with and use as Apple intended. And then there are thousands (millions?) of people who are so inspired by by the promise of the device that Apple had made that they go out of their way to expand on its capabilities. Jailbreaking, to me, is a real compliment. Jailbreaking is using the building blocks of Cupertino's imagination to create a unique user experience. Should Apple be mad? I don't think so. They ought to be honored.

Hey, Apple, stop taking yourself so seriously...this just makes you seem vain and vituperative. (And if it makes you feel better, I was tempted to jailbreak my iPhone after hearing about this, but T-Mobile has even worse coverage that ATT where I live, so my iPhone is just as you made it...are you happy now?)