Norm's iPhone 4 Review: Apple Losing It
If you go around the web you can find any number of glowing reviews of the new iPhone. Not here.
Lets go over the main new features in terms of software:
"In addition, the iPhone now includes an updated operating system—which also can be installed free on the prior model—that introduces catch-up software features such as limited multitasking (the ability to run apps simultaneously); folders for grouping related apps; and, for email, a unified inbox for multiple accounts and the ability to present messages as threaded conversations"
All of this crap is something I have had for a year on my Pre, and is built into every version of Android. In addition, webOS has full, not limited multitasking. Android, though not as good on that front as the crystal-clear card view of webOS, is still much more powerful than iPhone OS 4.
In terms of hardware, the phone now has a 1ghz chip and a higher resolution screen, along with a front facing camera you can use to video chat with other iPhone users as long as you are both connected to wifi, not a cellular connection. Woohoo. Honestly, that does nothing for you. The new screen is nice, sure, but is in the same class as the screens on the HTC EVO 4G, Droid X, or any of the latest and greatest. Same goes for the processor.
Its just more of the same - and the iPhone now has to contend with Andriod (I wont pretend webOS has really made a dent itself - Palm really blew it as I have gone over before - but Android 2.0+ borrows heavily from webOS - something Google has openly talked about), which is better, faster, more versatile, and less constrained. And you can get it in whatever configuration you want, on whatever carrier you want, at a price point that you like (your monthly phone bill should not be in the same league as your car payment).
More and more people buy phones based on their OS (whether they think about it that way or not). They like phones that are easy to learn and use, are powerful, simple, and take care of everything for them while allowing them to be more mobile. iPhone OS 4 is playing catchup with Android (and even webOS) - no longer is Apple in the driver's seat. Every new feature on the iPhone 4 is already available from a competitor. And guess what, with the EVO 4G - you have (you guessed it) a 4G connection to go with that shiny new processor, giant hi-res screen, and forward facing camera. And oh yeah, you can make video calls to any Android phone or any computer, anywhere, anytime.
Honestly - the best thing about the iPhone 4 is that cool built-in antenna. Which is only ironically sad because it really needs it because ATT's network is so totally shot by the number of iPhones on it (and the lack of coverage compared to Verizon). But even more than that...
It turns out that the antenna causes you to drop you call any time you hold the phone with your left hand. You see that little line in the metal band down on the right side of this photo? That is where the cellular and wifi/bluetooth antennas split. If you hold the phone with your left hand, your palm bridges the gap between the two, and presto, no more call. To solve the problem, you have to put your phone in a rubber case... which totally mitigates the beautiful industrial design and concept of wrapping the antenna around the outside.
So there you have it - the iPhone 4 is now officially behind the curve.
Lets go over the main new features in terms of software:
"In addition, the iPhone now includes an updated operating system—which also can be installed free on the prior model—that introduces catch-up software features such as limited multitasking (the ability to run apps simultaneously); folders for grouping related apps; and, for email, a unified inbox for multiple accounts and the ability to present messages as threaded conversations"
All of this crap is something I have had for a year on my Pre, and is built into every version of Android. In addition, webOS has full, not limited multitasking. Android, though not as good on that front as the crystal-clear card view of webOS, is still much more powerful than iPhone OS 4.
In terms of hardware, the phone now has a 1ghz chip and a higher resolution screen, along with a front facing camera you can use to video chat with other iPhone users as long as you are both connected to wifi, not a cellular connection. Woohoo. Honestly, that does nothing for you. The new screen is nice, sure, but is in the same class as the screens on the HTC EVO 4G, Droid X, or any of the latest and greatest. Same goes for the processor.
Its just more of the same - and the iPhone now has to contend with Andriod (I wont pretend webOS has really made a dent itself - Palm really blew it as I have gone over before - but Android 2.0+ borrows heavily from webOS - something Google has openly talked about), which is better, faster, more versatile, and less constrained. And you can get it in whatever configuration you want, on whatever carrier you want, at a price point that you like (your monthly phone bill should not be in the same league as your car payment).
More and more people buy phones based on their OS (whether they think about it that way or not). They like phones that are easy to learn and use, are powerful, simple, and take care of everything for them while allowing them to be more mobile. iPhone OS 4 is playing catchup with Android (and even webOS) - no longer is Apple in the driver's seat. Every new feature on the iPhone 4 is already available from a competitor. And guess what, with the EVO 4G - you have (you guessed it) a 4G connection to go with that shiny new processor, giant hi-res screen, and forward facing camera. And oh yeah, you can make video calls to any Android phone or any computer, anywhere, anytime.
Honestly - the best thing about the iPhone 4 is that cool built-in antenna. Which is only ironically sad because it really needs it because ATT's network is so totally shot by the number of iPhones on it (and the lack of coverage compared to Verizon). But even more than that...
It turns out that the antenna causes you to drop you call any time you hold the phone with your left hand. You see that little line in the metal band down on the right side of this photo? That is where the cellular and wifi/bluetooth antennas split. If you hold the phone with your left hand, your palm bridges the gap between the two, and presto, no more call. To solve the problem, you have to put your phone in a rubber case... which totally mitigates the beautiful industrial design and concept of wrapping the antenna around the outside.
So there you have it - the iPhone 4 is now officially behind the curve.
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