How big a geek do you have to be to feel bummed about letting a domain name registration lapse because you haven’t had a need for it in years? Well, that’s how big a geek I am. In 1998 I registered wiseguysonline.com to be used for my software, web development and computer repair company. It was the first domain I ever registered and I believe it cost $35/year from Network Solutions. It served me well for years but that’s now two businesses ago and I haven’t used the domain for anything since 2001 or 2002. The domain expires tomorrow and for the first time, I’m not going to renew it. So long friend, enjoy being parked by some shady squatter.
No iChat?!?! Are you kidding me? Giving SMS an iChat interface just doesn’t do it for me. The device needs instant messaging. This is the killer feature for my Sidekick. Only providing SMS for real-time messaging is inadequate. Without presence management and contact with external networks (i.e. anyone you want to chat with not using a cell phone), the iPhone is incomplete. Considering the data network they need to have for web browsing and such is already in place, this seems like a gross oversight to me.
And guess what? If SMS is a good enough real-time communications method for you, you’re going to get gouged with text message fees. The threaded “mock iChat” nature of the iPhone’s SMS implementation will resort in people sending a TON of text messages. Only problem is you only get 200 text messages a month with all the plans! I don’t know the exact number, but I’d estimate I send 200 IMs from my Sidekick every few days. But wait, there’s good news. You can add unlimited SMS to your AT&T account for the low, low price of just $14.99 a month!
Let’s compare…
Plan
T-Mobile Sidekick: $39.99/month for 600-1000 minutes (depending on when you sign up)
Apple/AT&T iPhone: $59.99/month for 450 minutes & unlimited data
Data Plan
Sidekick: $19.99/month
iPhone: included above
Text Messages
Sidekick: Unlimited, included in data plan
iPhone: 200 included, $14.99/month for unlimited, various other packages (couldn’t find per message rate on AT&T’s web site)
Web Browsing
Sidekick: Lacking web browser, decent speed, browser works well with limited network (EDGE)
iPhone: “Real” internet…good luck with that on the EDGE network
IM
Sidekick: Unlimited Yahoo, MSN and AIM.
iPhone: Uh….
Yes, the iPhone wins with their sweet apps (Google Maps, Youtube, Email, Visual Voicemail, et al.), iPod integration, device form factor, multitouch, yada, yada, yada. But they could have really put it over the top with a knock-out data/voice/sms plan. For some reason, they’re choosing not to. To get the equivalent service that I have now, it would cost me upwards of $100/month and I still wouldn’t be able to use IM. I’d sure look cool though.
I have a feeling that the SMS message limit will go up within 2-3 months and that we’ll see iChat added as well in about the same timeframe. When that happens, I’m going to want one of these things so, so badly.
Apple FINALLY released the iPhone today and it’s pretty. I’m currently a Sidekick 3 user so I’m definitely intrigued. So far, from what i’ve read about, I can see a few issues that would prevent me from converting.
First off, I’m stuck in a ridiculously long contract with about 19 months left on it. To get out of it, it would cost me $200. Add $500 to that for the phone and that’s a pretty pricey gadget. Then I’m stuck with another two-year contract (quick rant: its bogus that they can lock you into contracts that long with devices that barely “live” that long…if you want to tie me up for two years, at least support the device the length of the contract). If Apple makes the device carrier-independent (which they can’t because of the integration with the network for things like “Visual Voicemail”), I’d be all over it in a heartbeat. While I wanted a lower price for the device, my current equivalents (SK3 & iPod 20GB Color) ran me about $550 combined so it’s right in the neighborhood. As my buddy Jeff (a fellow SK user and Apple fan)� pointed out, by the time our contracts run out we’ll be able to afford the phone. They will probably have released a few revisions and worked out the initial bugs by then, so this isn’t all bad. Especially considering…
No iChat?!?! Are you kidding me? Giving SMS an iChat interface just doesn’t do it for me. The device needs instant messaging. This is the killer feature for my Sidekick. Only providing SMS for real-time messaging is inadequate. Without presence management and contact with external networks (i.e. anyone you want to chat with not using a cell phone), the iPhone is incomplete. Considering the data network they need to have for web browsing and such is already in place,� this seems like a gross oversight to me.
I’m also not sold on the touchscreen keyboard. I have heard through a friend of a friend that works at Apple that you have to see it to believe it (remember, we were all skeptical of the iPod’s scroll wheel interface when it was launched). So until I do, I’ll reserve judgement. I would have loved to have seen it as a slider, but again I could be wrong.
OK, despite those few hang ups, the iPhone looks wicked awesome. I’d kill to be able to get down to one device for phone, IM/email/web and� music. The form factor is unbelievable. Downright sexy. The touchscreen interface is genius. The software looks� spectacular. Without ever using it I’m going to say the web browser is already the best browser on a mobile device. The email app looks solid as well. There are endless good things to say about it. And probably best of all, every phone maker is going to have to try to compete, which only bodes well for all of us gadget lovers.
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