Why I bought and then cancelled an iPhone before I even had it
All of the hoopla must have worked its magic on me yesterday. Around 6:15 pm, 15 minutes after the Apple iPhone was available here in my area, I hopped in my car and drove to the Quakertown, PA AT&T store. "Store" is actually a misnomer because the AT&T folks actually have a kiosk in a supermarket there, but it was advertised as having iPhone availability. Since they’re a kiosk, they had zero stock. They weren’t sold out, they just never got any stock. Instead, they were placing direct fulfillment orders right on the AT&T computer system. As a would-be new AT&T customer, I filled out one form only to for the sales folks to tell me that they were having issues in the system. No worries; they would input an 8 GB iPhone order as soon as they could and then call me so I could return to provide my credit card. As promised, they called me today. Unfortunately for them and fortunately for me, the magic wore off. I’ve told them to cancel the order.
It hit me today as I read review after review after review. The iPhone just isn’t for me. Maybe if it was $200 or so I might have re-considered, but the fact is: it’s not the right tool for my tasks. Even more: it’s truly a consumer device and while I am a consumer, I’m even more of a mobile professional (that was for you Palm).
If I had bought the iPhone, I would have paid $175 to cancel my recently opened T-Mobile account. That hurts the budget right there on a device that’s effectively comparable at best to my T-Mobile Dash. Let’s forget about the "how" you do things on the two devices, which does indeed vary. It’s the "what" they do that really hit me. I tether my Dash for EDGE access when not in a WiFi hotspot; no can do with the iPhone. That’s effectively a deal-breaker right there since again, I need to work where and when I want. I could get past that issue by getting my Dash unlocked and swapping SIM cards out; it does work per Matt Miller’s testing, but I’d have to carry two phones. Not desirable.
I do web browse on my Dash quite a bit and I’m sure the experience is much better on the iPhone. But it’s not really due to having the Safari browser; it’s due to the larger screen. Using Opera Mini 4 on the Dash, I have the same effective page view to zoom in and out on. I do have to use my D-Pad to move the cursor, but I can do that with one hand. Holding the iPhone and using two fingers to pinch or expand the screen is extremely innovative and I can’t take anything away from Apple here. Again, it’s not desirable to me personally because it requires two hands.
Lastly, the closed nature of the iPhone is just not appealing to me. I’ve used Windows Mobile devices since 2000. That means I’ve had seven years of third-party application options; taking that away is really tough to swallow right now. I expect we’ll see some great web-based apps for the iPhone but it’s just too limiting of an environment for now.
Yup, AT&T called me today to complete the order. I really wanted to say "Great, here’s my info; let’s get that 8 GB iPhone to me quickly". I really did. But the magic only lasted a day. For everyone else who bought one: I’m sure you’ll enjoy this consumer device. I’m just more of a mobile professional than a consumer today.
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I’m right there with ya Kevin. I really have been dismissing the iPhone every time a co-worker or friend brought it up. I explained how my HTC S620 (which is the Dash unbranded and unlocked) could do a lot of what the iPhone does and more. Sure no multi-touch (or touch screen for that matter), but my needs were there. The iPhone just had too many deterrents for it to appeal to me. I was more hyped about the HTC Touch or if I want exclusivity I could just get the Prada. I wasn’t denying that the phone was intuitive, sleek, and down right sexy, but it just did not appeal to me. I headed down to an Apple store at around 5:30 with a friend to take pictures of the lines and capture the hoopla and I was still fine. Then, at around 11:30 PM after a late dinner, I had a sudden urge to buy it. I saw the videos on Apple, catching all the news on blogs and it just took me over (darn Apple marketing!). Thankfully I resisted the urge to go to an Apple store right then and there. By the time I woke up today I was over it. No iPhone for me. Maybe in a year or two, but for now I’m eagerly waiting the Touch in the U.S. and the Shift.
There is two things I like about the iPhone. Like you, I am impressed with the browser. But the speed is questionable. I like how tough it is. I bet my Mogul won’t live through a 6′ fall, for sure. Other than that, it’s slim. That’s it. I still prefer my Mogul with all the Microsoft glitches and compatibility. It get things done for me.
Yup, I don’t think either of us are saying the iPhone isn’t an amazing device. It’s just not going to meet all of my needs. If I’m going to shell out $500 or $600, plus pay an early termination fee, I need for the device to do more than my current device, not less. It doesn’t matter how pretty the package is, if it’s not enabling me to do more, I can’t justify the purchase. It would have been a fun splurge, but I’m not in a position to splurge. I’ll live vicariously through all of the deservedly happy iPhone owners. ;)
Yes, you can iPhone with one hand tied behind your back. I had been scrolling all day one-handed, but your post led me to try zooming, too. Turns out it’s pretty easy to use your thumb and index finger while holding it with the rest of your hand.
WRT “mobile professionals” vs. “consumers,” quite a few people I talked to were purchasing the iPhone for professional reasons. Even the Mayor of Philadelphia claimed to be getting one for job-related reasons: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/breaking/news/Mayor_on_line_to_buy_iPhone.html
Come to think of it, I didn’t really talk to anyone who was just a pure consumer. But then, I guess the lines are blurring these days, and devices like these only continue to further that.
Personally, what I find is the deal breaker is the disgusting exclusivity to AT&T. The iPhone is definitely a cool and fun device to have, I’m sure. I would be tempted to get one but having to go with one mobility provider who, let’s be frank here, is far from having a good reputation, is something I can’t deal with.
The iPhone is an important milestone in portable devices. It does raise the bar and what it does, it does it well and elegantly. They will certainly release a 3G iPhone for the European market so I’d rather wait and see where it goes from here.
Since you have Nokia N80ie, and the iPhone supplied SIM, once activated, works with any unlocked GSM device (including 3G ones – check my blog), you could always have used your N80ie for tethering, and the iPhone teh rest of the time :)
Matt, I need to tether my phone as a modem, so no go right now from a work perspective.
tnkgrl, the Nokia N80ie is a review unit, so it’s not staying with me forever. While I could get the Dash unlocked and swap the SIM in, I don’t want or need to carry two phones and pay $500 to do it. Just my personal preference. ;)
Don’t you have a ppc6700 too?
My resistance was futile.. bummer you didn’t post this yesterday :)
Hi Kevin!
Since you’ve been a longtime ppc6700 user, are you considering its replacement – the HTC Mogul?
I’m considering the HTC p4000 (Canadian version of the Mogul) and am interested in your thoughts on how HTC has improved on the 6700.
Thanks very much!
peter
I passed as well… I need full Exchange sync over the air – not just mail, but contacts, calendar, and tasks. I’d also like movie rentals (rather than purchases) through iTunes or TiVoToGo on my Series3 to justify the price. I’m still curious why they didn’t choose to support stereo Bluetooth?