Are you going to buy an iPhone?
September 20, 2007 //
I’ve written many blog posts and articles for magazines about the mobile Web. It’s a subject that I’m quite passionate about and one that Segala invests heavily in by helping to create W3C standards. We’re also investing heavily in testing and certification products for mobile Web standards compliance, which help our partners to deliver services in this area.
This post has two messages.
- Why I think the Web is likely to become more readily available with the launch of Apple’s iPhone as it acts as a new benchmark for the industry.
- Why I’ve now got second thoughts about buying an iPhone.
End users now realising the difference between WAP (premium content created specifically for mobile phones) and the open Web is the main reason I think the iPhone will act as a new benchmark for the industry.
Take a look at the comments on an older post if you want to read what some very qualified people think. Be warned, the comments alone total more than 17,000 words, but as I said, they’re very qualified sources and people I respect from companies such as Microsoft, Google, .mobi, MobileAware and Opera.
Until now, I’ve been hearing the same argument against small screens, standard-less browsers, speeds and price points, as I did during my AOL days in the mid 90’s. People need to look forward. The growth rate of Mobile technology improvements in particular, is far greater than any other major landscape change in IT.
I also had a run in with the CTO of Mozilla (owner of Firefox) on the BIMA blog that I edit, but I was proved right when Mozilla canned it’s mobile browser just weeks after my post. Interestingly, I used the iPhone back then to demonstrate how the Web will appear on phones.
I also believe the iPhone will help the Web become more accessible to people in developing countries. I’m not saying people in India will now access the Web through an iPhone. What I am saying is that mobile vendors will now need to wake up and start designing phones are are more supportive of Web browsing and are extremely easy to use. Mobile networks are cheaper than fixed line networks, so users are more likely to use a mobile than a PC. As Bill Gates once said (either that or I had a dream and came up with a great quote):
If I had a choice, I’d put a mobile phone in the hands of every customer, not a PC.
BANGALORE, India (AFP) - Google vice president and chief Internet evangelist Vinton G. Cerf has predicted that mobile phones, not personal computers, will fuel growth of the worldwide web as countries like India snap up millions of handsets monthly.
From 50 million in 1997, the number of people who have logged onto the Internet has exploded to nearly 1.1 billion, Cerf, who is considered one of the founding fathers of the Internet, said Tuesday.
Yet, the Internet only reaches a sixth of the world’s population, Cerf told reporters during a visit to this southern city, known as India’s Silicon Valley, where Google has a research and development facility.
You will get those other 5.5 billion people only when affordability increases and the cost of communication goes down,” said Cerf, 63, who joined Google in 2005. “The mobile phone has become an important factor in the Internet revolution.
I can’t help but feel that Operators will soon be forced into providing lower data tariffs when customers demand and consume more data through surfing the Web also. The iPhone demonstrates that it is feasible to browse the Web from a small screen. It’s not just about the weather and train timetables as I’ve previously stated when debating with my colleagues in the W3C Mobile Web Initiative (where I’m a member of the Steering Council and Segala is a founding sponsor and co-editor of the conformance document).
So, will you buy an iPhone? Steve Clayton says he’s not interested. After reading his post, I was reminded of how much I really hated the LG Chocolate device, which also has a touch screen. In fact, his opinion persuaded me to rethink my position on the iPhone. The LG was so annoying that I still have marks on the wall where it received a well deserved bashing every other week. The trouble is, it took a while before I grew to hate it. I wonder if the same will be said for the iPhone.
Carly Taylor from mobile operator Three made a similar statement to Steve regarding the slow response of text messaging. In an email to the Mobile Monday list, Carl wrote
One point that takes away some of the shine for the cool types who will buy it for its looks:
- My experience was that the touch UI is poor for texting.
- No feel, and fingernails get in the way (bad for most women).
- For volume text addicts this will turn them off quickly.
This has also got me thinking, as it’s something that would bug the hell out of me. In fact, I think this issue alone would turn me off the iPhone.
So, my verdict is to wait for feedback from people who have used it as their daily lifestyle device for a few months. I’d like to hear what users think about the slow texting and annoying touch screen quirks when the novelty has worn off.
Are you going to buy one?
ian hayward says 
cheryl says 
BankCardUSA says 
Stephanie says 
Nope, just want a phone that makes calls and has some sort of camera. I work from home and if I travel I drive so I rarely have an opportunity to use a handheld mobile device.
September 20th, 2007
Donncha - N95 is your only man. 5mega pixel camera with all the extras should you wish to use them. Nice for you given your interest in photography. It does video too.
September 20th, 2007
Argh! Stop! I’m already drooling over the Canon 40D!
September 20th, 2007
September 20th, 2007
I won’t be getting an iPhone, I found the announcement to be a bit of a disappointment in fact.
And you don’t want the Nokia N95 either, not with its appalling battery life! Unless you don’t mind charging it every night from day 1. If you’re interested in a high quality camera phone, I’d hold out for the Sony Ericsson k850i, out in October.
(Disclaimer: I’m not affiliated with Sony, I just like their phones)
September 20th, 2007
And I won’t be buying a Sony Ericsson again. I despise my W810i!
September 20th, 2007
Phil - I absolutely hate SE handsets. Luckily I’ve been able to review handsets over the past few years and I can safely say, SE for me, comes second last to Motorola. Nokia is at the top of the tree. I take your point about the battery life though - it’s crap compared to other handsets.
You can however, reduce the amount of power used by making sure the camera is shut and it’s not permanently looking for 3G, bluetooth etc.
I can see from your own post that you really don’t like the iPhone!
I didn’t realise you were interested in accessibility - why don’t you join our partner programme? Would be great to get you on board.
September 20th, 2007
Wow! Hostility towards SE! What is wrong with them? I agree, Nokias are generally good and I had Nokias before changing to the SE W550i (silly, swivelly, orange phone as it was). But having had the K800i I don’t think I’d go back, not least because the only Nokia to have tempted me recently was the N95 and I know about the bad battery because my girlfriend had it and she doesn’t even know what bluetooth or 3G is!).
And it’s not as if I don’t like the iPhone, it’s just that I think for the hype it could be better and I definitely don’t like O2 having it!
Thanks for the guidance on the partner program, by the way, I may well be in touch to find out more.
September 20th, 2007
I’m now glad that O2 has it (not because Segala is working on a project with them either, because I have slated them prior to winning the contract), but because it’ll bring an end to iMode which is premium content that can’t be access via most handsets or desktop computers.
Re the SE devices, I just hate their UI personally.
September 20th, 2007
I’ve no intention of getting an iPhone and had been dreaming of an N95 for many months before Bernie Goldbach, kind gentleman that he is, insisted I take a loan of his Sony Ericsson P1i for a while. Now I generally have no loyalty towards any gadget manufacturer but have probably come closers to being a fanboy of Nokia than any other brand. Having owned a 3650 and 6630 (before I lost it) I was very happy with the S60 interface and inclined to imagine I’d have no time for UIQ nor any need for a touchscreen.
But I admit one month later that I’m a convert to both touchscreen and stylus. That’s not to say I’d consider an iPhone, I still wouldn’t, but it is to say I’d definitely feel now that I was missing something by going back to S60. The only reason I *would* have considered an iPhone is for the browsing capability but I’ve got to say I’m so thrilled with the experience of Opera Mini 4 on the P1i that I can’t now imagine any advantage in mobile Safari. Opera Mini 4 kicks ass! And I can zoom in and out and navigate around with ease using the stylus or even my finger. It really feels like the (full) web on a mobile.
The QWERTY keyboard on the P1i did take me some time to get used to though. I used to be under the impression that it would be an immediate boon to my text entry speed but what I learned was interesting. Even though I’m a touch typist I came to realize that skill is based on instinct rather than thought. Pretty much like riding a bike. Which mean that I couldn’t actually get my thumbs to find the right keys without looking at them. However, a few weeks later and I seem to have retrained my brain to locate the right keys with my thumbs too. Meaning that I can now compose text messages with greater speed and accuracy than ever I could with my Nokia. By the way the predictive text is also much better than T9. Not only does the P1i predict words but also sentence fragments.
Bernie has extended the loan but when he eventually recalls the P1i I’ve a feeling I’m going to be left with a very tough decision. Go back to Nokia or get another touchscreen SE.
September 20th, 2007
James - go back to Nokia or you will regret it. I’ve got a drawer full of devices that we used for testing. The Nokia wins every time for me. I’ve even got an XDA 2 which I’ve never used - you’re welcome to it if you think you’ll actually use it.
September 20th, 2007
XDA? Er, thanks very much but no thanks very much
Remember you’re talking to an almost- Nokia fanboy here so you don’t have to do much evangelizing but please explain in what way “Nokia wins every time”. In terms of usability? I know web surfing is only one aspect of the P1i but I find it very hard to imagine that I could have anything like as good an experience usability-wise on a Nokia as I’m having with the touchscreen and stylus.
September 20th, 2007
Yeah! More calls for the Sony Ericsson camp! I liked the look of the P1n until I saw the W960i that’s coming at the end of the year.
I’d also like to know in what way Nokias win in every way?
September 20th, 2007
Nokia wins for me based on the UI / usability. It’s that simple. I’ve been playing with every type of device available here since 2002, when the first data product was first launched (MMS) when the SE T68i was first born. I’ve hated SE ever since but always stated that both SE and Samsung would take a decent market share from the rest. And I was right, they have based based mostly on their ‘youngish/stylish’ devices in my opinion.
I can write mobile phone reviews till they come out of my ears but when it comes to articulating why I prefer Nokia, it’s a case of, ‘it’s just better for me’. I’ve found most Nokia (business) people say the same thing. Perhaps I’m just too tired to try right now to think up a pros and cons list
September 20th, 2007
I heard so many people drooling on Iphone that I am already bored now without even having seen it. It seems to be something you *should* have regardless of the real use.
A for myself I would prefer a Nokia 95 or E900
I completely agree on SE models. Had to work with a couple them and wanted to throw them off the windows. They were so complex to configure, keyboard to small even for me that I have very small hands and a nightmare to use.
The worst testing handsets ever had to use. Even Motorola are better ihmo
September 24th, 2007
I bought one. I nearly returned it on day two of ownership. I quickly formed the opinion that the iPhone is merely a toy. I was suffering Treo withdrawal big-time. I knew I’d get hit with a restock fee, so I decided to keep it one week.
I can never go back to a “normal” phone now! After being intensely disappointed the first few days, especially because I missed my Palm Treo so much, I’m a convert. I have acclimated to the iPhone, including iCal and Notes, and I love it. Maps, you are my savior…
True, there is no copy-cut-paste feature, Notes is not as good as Palm’s Tasks, and I cannot do Word, Excel, etc. However, does anyone really believe that these features and more will not be forthcoming?! The beauty of the iPhone is that it is a computer, and practically anything is possible through software updates.
September 29th, 2007
I can wait to get my hands in one of those beauties.
Here are some of the most impressive features for me:
Built-in Advanced Sensors
iPhone’s accelerometer detects when you rotate the device from portrait to landscape, then automatically changes the contents of the display, so you immediately see the entire width of a web page or a photo in its proper landscape aspect ratio.
The proximity sensor detects when you lift iPhone to your ear and immediately turns off the display to save power and prevent inadvertent touches until iPhone is moved away.
An ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the display’s brightness to the appropriate level for the current ambient light, thereby enhancing the user experience and saving power at the same time.
http://www.ripe.ie
November 9th, 2007
In all honesty i have always hated nokias alll they did was drive me mad and ive had a motorola and they are rubbish too but sony ericsson phones i have to say are a lot better then nokias i have never had a problem with them and i use mine alot for mobile broadband through my laptop connecting with bluetooth and its great i wana get my hands on the w960i looks great
November 26th, 2007