I finally got a chance to see one at the Apple Store in Freehold, NJ. First the store was very busy in general but the main area of interest were the iPhones. I only got to play with one for about 15 or 20 minutes, but I'd be interested in hearing from owners and people like me who have only seen it. Here are my impressions.
1. It is very cool and smaller than I expected. I agree that the screen is the main focus.
2. Typing was harder than I expected. I can see why the general advice is to just type and trust the software, but I was having problems getting even the first letter in a word correct so the software didn't seem to help me there. What I needed to do was wait until the letter appeared "in the little bubble" before I clicked on it. I did get slightly better as I went along but I'd need a lot more practice.
3. The internet is cool but was much slower, even on WIFI in a Apple store than I expected. Perhaps I expected too much. Pages just seemed to take a long time to render. I also noticed that there is a delay going into landscape mode, at least there appeared to be one for me.
4. SMS and e-mail were about what I expected but with my slow typing somewhat useless. However, I could see myself using the SMS on a iPhone where I never even consider using it on my current phone.
5. I wasn't able to make a call so I can't say much about that function.
6. I got confused at first navigating the iPod functions. When I pressed it it took me to an album, which may have been playing instead of the main iPod menu which I expected. My impression is that you were taken to your last function. I finally got to the main iPod section after playing with it.
7. It's different than any other phone and many people near me seemed overwhelmed by it or even somewhat confused by the interface.
8. I was confused by some of the icons in the apps and wasn't always sure what they did. I guess you can't roll over an icon to see it's name? I wish you could.
I guess that's it. Would I like one? Of course but I couldn't afford one right now and I'm not sure I'd really need one, however, I think I would use the functions if I did get one. I look forward to seeing it again.
1. It is very cool and smaller than I expected. I agree that the screen is the main focus.
2. Typing was harder than I expected. I can see why the general advice is to just type and trust the software, but I was having problems getting even the first letter in a word correct so the software didn't seem to help me there. What I needed to do was wait until the letter appeared "in the little bubble" before I clicked on it. I did get slightly better as I went along but I'd need a lot more practice.
3. The internet is cool but was much slower, even on WIFI in a Apple store than I expected. Perhaps I expected too much. Pages just seemed to take a long time to render. I also noticed that there is a delay going into landscape mode, at least there appeared to be one for me.
4. SMS and e-mail were about what I expected but with my slow typing somewhat useless. However, I could see myself using the SMS on a iPhone where I never even consider using it on my current phone.
5. I wasn't able to make a call so I can't say much about that function.
6. I got confused at first navigating the iPod functions. When I pressed it it took me to an album, which may have been playing instead of the main iPod menu which I expected. My impression is that you were taken to your last function. I finally got to the main iPod section after playing with it.
7. It's different than any other phone and many people near me seemed overwhelmed by it or even somewhat confused by the interface.
8. I was confused by some of the icons in the apps and wasn't always sure what they did. I guess you can't roll over an icon to see it's name? I wish you could.
I guess that's it. Would I like one? Of course but I couldn't afford one right now and I'm not sure I'd really need one, however, I think I would use the functions if I did get one. I look forward to seeing it again.
