... I finally (just) got around to watching the Keynote. I was-- as some of you might remember-- considering getting a BB. I could consider completely switching to a cell if I can completely ditch the landline-- something I cannot currently do because my institution still requires dialin for some tasks. (I am also assuming that it's possible to have DSL without a landline.) I don't currently own an iPod, so that would be an added bonus.

Regardless if I get an iPhone or not, I am really getting frustrated with my landline: repeated disconnects, fast busy signals in the middle of phone calls, etc. Basically, as I'm understanding it, a lot of peoples' unhappiness with the iPhone stems from Cingular as the carrier? From what I can tell from their coverage maps (yes, I know, these are not always accurate), the coverage for me with Cingular should be pretty good...

The only features I can see missing that I would have liked:

1) Voice recognition, so as to bypass having to type on the "keyboard" (or maybe I'm missing the point of text-messaging versus actually calling someone?) Steve J. seemed to be doing a fair amount of hunt-and-peck; and also the speed of the text-messaging only seemed so-so...

2) A built-in iSight, so that you could video- as well as telephone-conference... that would just be cool.

Alternatively, I could see myself going for a prepaid something, maybe T-Mobile, anyone seen any good deals recently?

TiA

I don't think people's "unhappiness" stems from Cingular exactly: I think it's more of a case of people don't like to be forced to change, don't like having no choices, and then there are some who are on Cingular's current network and for whatever reason (valid or otherwise) think there's something better.

I've also heard whining that Cingular's Edge network isn't as good as others: as though they would never change or improve that.

The rest of the whining mostly comes from people making assumptions based on speculation.

I switched from Nextel to Boost so that I can ditch my current phone when I want to (which is when I deem the iPhone ready for prime-time, which could be Day One). I never "considered" getting an iPhone: it's a done deal as far as I'm concerned, no "mulling it over" required.

If there's one thing I know about Steve Jobs, it's that he's an experience FREAK: iow, he doesn't do something unless he's sure the experience is SUBSTANTIALLY better than anyone else has at the time. This will apply to the iPhone, even the parts that aren't under direct Apple control. So I think you can expect changes to the way Cingular/AT&T will price out plans, features, even coverage by the time the thing actually launches. It also explains the long lead time.

Thus, I'm not worried about potentially being an "early adopter" of the iPhone. It may not be perfect, particularly on Day One, but one thing it WILL NOT be is junk.

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chas_m




[crawlingfromtheusa.blogspot.com] <-- Moving to Canada blog

chas_m, yeah, that last part of what you said is pretty much exactly how I feel too-- I wouldn't expect that the "Rev A" of anything would be without flaws, but ... given what it DOES have, it looks to be pretty excellent. I would pretty much expect it to give all the other "smartphones" a run for their money. My favorite part of the Keynote -- where he mentioned the "more than 200 patents, which we intend to defend" (or words to that effect) ... my expectation is that they will indeed have a lot of defending to do!

---

Freya says, 'Hello from NOLA, baby!' (Laissez bon temps rouler!)

A lot people *are* unhappy with Cingular's performance.

All carriers have there complaints, and maybe because of Cingular's size, there are more. Regardless, there are a lot of people complaining about their service, and their customer service.

I think the iPhone has features that Stevie considered too pedestrian to tout at the Keynote, and there may be some that will be added by the time it ships.

I'm hoping that voice recognition will be one of the features, since every garden variety phone seems to have it.

Edge is inferior to the EVDO or whatever the Other Thing is, but from what I've seen the OT is not all that widespread yet, so I'm not concerned.

Barring any unforeseen *major* shortcoming, I'll be in line on Day One.

---

I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

Also as far as texting goes, Stevie is no 14-yo.

Give an iPhone to a kid or young adult for 15min, and then judge the speed of the text messaging.

---

I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

>>A lot people *are* unhappy with Cingular's performance.

I think it has a _LOT_ to do with where you live. NYC gets great Cingular service but scarcely populated places typically get poor reception.

---

Quote
chas_m

I switched from Nextel to Boost so that I can ditch my current phone when I want to (which is when I deem the iPhone ready for prime-time, which could be Day One). I never "considered" getting an iPhone: it's a done deal as far as I'm concerned, no "mulling it over" required.

How'd that work for you? I'm (thankfully) at the end of a Nextel 2 year contract; their service in the Valley is abysmal. I'll never again sign onto a contract with any phone vendor, I just need to know who has the better deal for 3-5,000 incoming minutes /mo so I can port the number as far away from Nextel/Sprint as I can get.

---

"Who's more foolish - the fool or the fool that follows him?" - Obi Wan Kenobi

My issues with the iPhone are more than Cingular. I could probably live with Cing if that was the iPhones only flaw. Here is a rehash of major problems with the iPhone:

1) No user replaceable bat. That is fine w/ a music/video player. Not cool w/ a phone that is in use all day AND doubles as a music and video player.

2) As mentioned, only utilizes older 2G EDGE technology, i.e., dial-up speeds. No thanks. Good news is that a 3G HSDPA model is coming to Sweden in Jan '08 says Apple Insider.

3) As of now, Apple says NO to 3rd party iPhone app developers. It's not a smart phone if you can't add 3rd party apps.

4) Skimpy RAM and no way to add more via a SD card. My 8GB nano is filled to the brim. And I'm suposed to share music, video and phone functions w/ 8GB? Flash RAM is so cheap right now, not sure why 8GB is the upper limit.

We'll see if Apple fixes these issues in version 2.0. I'm def skipping v.1.

I'm a long time customer of T-Mobile and am very happy with them. That's what keeps me from buying an iPhone.

Also at least in my area almost every time I am on a phone call with someone and they drop off or we experience a noisy line I always ask them "are you with Cingular?" The answer is almost always yes.

Also now that Cingluar is bragging that they are now part of the AT&T network....

All I remember about AT&T is that if you ever called them for any kind of customer service you were trapped in a "Press this number if you want..." menu system that never allowed you to speak with a human being. I say no thanks to that kind of "experience".

I'd love to buy an iPhone at almost any price but not enough to give up my present carrier.

Quote
PeterB
I am really getting frustrated with my landline: repeated disconnects, fast busy signals in the middle of phone calls, etc.

It is hard for me to imagine a cell phone being superior to a landline for quality of service. Something must be really wrong with the wired infrastructure in your area.

as much as I like a screen that big, you'd have to find a comfortable yet practical way to protect it as you walk around NYC where people bump all the time which resulted in a smashed outer screen for my current phone.
then I'd think about the Cing issue. Their coverage in the hinterlands of NYC stinks, still.

---

!#$@@$#!

Quod suus via crustulum saxum

Cellphone service is very specifically tied to your location. Where I used to live, T-Mobile was perfect. Once I got to Little Rock, it was abysmal. Cingular seems to be the champ around here, but it sucked back in the Greater New Orleans area.

As for the iPhone's exclusivity, I think that'll be up for grabs in a few generations of the phone.

For me, I love the idea of the AIO handheld Mac, but I don't really want an "iPhone nano" (which is what it is because of the drive size). I swear, for the function, the ModBook is looking better and better; wish it wasn't out of my price range.

---

Quote
TheTominator

Quote
PeterB
I am really getting frustrated with my landline: repeated disconnects, fast busy signals in the middle of phone calls, etc.

It is hard for me to imagine a cell phone being superior to a landline for quality of service. Something must be really wrong with the wired infrastructure in your area.

Quite. I've had to make several calls to Bellsouth to get them to fix things at their "Central Office".

That's in large part why I'm again thinking of a cell... again, anyone know of a good deal on a T-Mobile prepaid? That's what I'd be thinking of, if not for the iPhone...

---

Freya says, 'Hello from NOLA, baby!' (Laissez bon temps rouler!)

chupa nails it for me. i'll be waiting for v2.0

---

Hurts like a bastid...

Quote
RAMd®d
A lot people *are* unhappy with Cingular's performance.

I want to make this absolutely clear because in text I don't always seem to come across the way I intend: I am NOT attempting to diminish people with what they feel are legitimate Cingular complaints, or pretend that Cingular is superior to all others.

I do know from my experience with computer complaints that at least HALF of what people complain about is either their own fault or no better (usually worse) with other companies, and I apply that belief when I hear complaints about cell phone service, Cingular included.

In my view, cell phones and the companies that serve them in general leave a lot to be desired: my hope is that the iPhone will help to change that, and so far it looks to have already had a big impact.

---

chas_m




[crawlingfromtheusa.blogspot.com] <-- Moving to Canada blog

Quote
RgrF

Quote
chas_m

I switched from Nextel to Boost so that I can ditch my current phone when I want to (which is when I deem the iPhone ready for prime-time, which could be Day One). I never "considered" getting an iPhone: it's a done deal as far as I'm concerned, no "mulling it over" required.

How'd that work for you? I'm (thankfully) at the end of a Nextel 2 year contract; their service in the Valley is abysmal. I'll never again sign onto a contract with any phone vendor, I just need to know who has the better deal for 3-5,000 incoming minutes /mo so I can port the number as far away from Nextel/Sprint as I can get.

The switch from Nextel to Boost went well *when I called during business hours*: the "night crew" don't seem to be very competent.

As a white geek male, I'm also HIGHLY amused when I call and get the "urban speak" robot operators, eg "Yo! Fo' quality assurance, we might check in on this call. If you need the hook-up, press one!" etc. Boost are clearly a company where the marketing dept. has absolute sway.

If you've had coverage problems in the Valley with Nextel/Sprint, then you want something OTHER than Boost: Boost is the prepaid division of Nextel/Sprint, thus your problems won't improve. I don't have such issues here in appallingly flat Florida.

---

chas_m




[crawlingfromtheusa.blogspot.com] <-- Moving to Canada blog

Quote
chas_m
As a white geek male, I'm also HIGHLY amused when I call and get the "urban speak" robot operators, eg "Yo! Fo' quality assurance, we might check in on this call. If you need the hook-up, press one!" etc. Boost are clearly a company where the marketing dept. has absolute sway.

Hmmm..., us ethnics and urban folk haven't talked that way for years, we left that to you white geek males.

BGnR

---

"Good heavens, Miss Sakamoto! You're beautiful!"
"If we dig precious things from the land, we will invite disaster."
"Near the day of Purification, there will be cobwebs spun back and forth in the sky."
"A container of ashes might one day be thrown from the sky, which could burn the land and boil the oceans."

us ethnics and urban folk haven't talked that way for years, we left that to you white geek males.

Then you haven't been to Oakland CA, lately and surround parts of the East Bay. There is plenty of Old School Ghetto Speak still floating around, and very few WGMs to be seen. Maybe a WWR or two.

- - -

I realize that three things affect cellphone connectivity, and ultimately customer satisfaction:

1) Location
2) Location
3) Location

It just seems that there are a lot more people being more vocal about Cingular than about other carriers. I'm with verizon only because GTE Mobilnet became Verizon (in my area) and that VZW works fairly well.

Probably the biggest complaint of any user is the inability to connect. I'm not sure how that might possibly be the user's fault, though.

I have to start quizzing people around me about Cingular performance now, to prepare for June.

I'm also hoping that the iPhone is a solid performer. I like the interface, and Stevie did say that the killer app is- the phone call. Above all, I want a phone that works well as a phone.

The battery is a non-issue for me. Most cellphones are *rated* for 3+ hours of talk, so the iPhone is ahead of the game. Of the few kids I see with the Chocolates and similar mp3 players, none of them have a spare battery. And they probably spend more time on the phone as well, than most adults. Plus the ability to pop it into my iPod dock makes it totally a non-issue.

How widespread is 3G in the US? Either way, it wouldn't affect me. The Wi-Fi will be good enough.

I don't think the bad on third-party developers will last. But since cellphones are thought of as more of an appliance, I can understand the reluctance to let just anybody develop apps that might compromise reliability.

The memory is small for those who want to use the AIO. I will likely still carry an iPod, up until the iPhone has 30-80G of flash memory. I don't want a phone with an HD.

So I'm in at v.1, and will upgrade a v.3.

---

I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.