It's the software
2008-06-28 -at- 13:20 Filed in: Raves
I have managed to not succumb to iPhone fever for a
year. I still have, but I did recently get an iPod
Touch with a new Mac (as part of Apple’s “Back to
School”) special program. It’s NOT an iPhone, but the
user interface is nearly identical.
After using it for just a few days, I can say this: the iPhone/Touch user interface is downright revolutionary. Awesome in every way. Why? After all, on paper, there are many other products that are as good or better than both. My answer is simple: it’s the software. Pure and simple. Apple “gets it” when it comes to software.
In my year of resisting temptation to buy an iPhone -- and I should point out that my only real reason has been that I’m a T-Mobile USA user, not an AT&T Wireless user, and I simply didn’t want the hassle of change -- I’ve been using a Blackberry 8800. On paper, the specs of this and several other Blackberry devices are substantively similar to the iPhone’s. But that’s positively where any comparison would stop dead in its tracks.
The user interface of the Blackberry is simply neanderthal compared to the iPhone. The ease of using the iPhone is staggering when you compare it with the Blackberry. The browser is based on Safari, and it works. It’s not perfect, but it really does do a great job. The Blackberry browser, by comparison, is an embarassment. Even when I dropped in the third party (but free) Opera Mini 4.1 browser, the browsing experience on the Blackberry is horrid in comparison.
I’m not sure if Blackberry and other smart phone manufacturers are aware of just how far forward Apple has leaped ahead of them in terms of usability, but if they’re not aware, then they’re fools. It is a quantum leap forward, without a doubt.
And again, it is the software that makes the difference. All you iPhone competitors out there take note. With the 3G iPhone rolling out, I predict they are going to not just rule this market, but they are going to shatter the competition. Between the 3G networking speed, the enterprise friendly features (like Exchange connectivity), and the new price point, the only non-iPhone people are going to be people who have never tried an iPhone.
You’re on notice.
After using it for just a few days, I can say this: the iPhone/Touch user interface is downright revolutionary. Awesome in every way. Why? After all, on paper, there are many other products that are as good or better than both. My answer is simple: it’s the software. Pure and simple. Apple “gets it” when it comes to software.
In my year of resisting temptation to buy an iPhone -- and I should point out that my only real reason has been that I’m a T-Mobile USA user, not an AT&T Wireless user, and I simply didn’t want the hassle of change -- I’ve been using a Blackberry 8800. On paper, the specs of this and several other Blackberry devices are substantively similar to the iPhone’s. But that’s positively where any comparison would stop dead in its tracks.
The user interface of the Blackberry is simply neanderthal compared to the iPhone. The ease of using the iPhone is staggering when you compare it with the Blackberry. The browser is based on Safari, and it works. It’s not perfect, but it really does do a great job. The Blackberry browser, by comparison, is an embarassment. Even when I dropped in the third party (but free) Opera Mini 4.1 browser, the browsing experience on the Blackberry is horrid in comparison.
I’m not sure if Blackberry and other smart phone manufacturers are aware of just how far forward Apple has leaped ahead of them in terms of usability, but if they’re not aware, then they’re fools. It is a quantum leap forward, without a doubt.
And again, it is the software that makes the difference. All you iPhone competitors out there take note. With the 3G iPhone rolling out, I predict they are going to not just rule this market, but they are going to shatter the competition. Between the 3G networking speed, the enterprise friendly features (like Exchange connectivity), and the new price point, the only non-iPhone people are going to be people who have never tried an iPhone.
You’re on notice.
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