The iPhone: Some issues to consider

With the initial clamor about Apple’s first phone now over, non-Apple-aficionados can ponder whether to pony up $499 or $599 for the device. As our tests wrap up, here’s what to consider if you’re still on the iFence about the iPhone:

• How important is phone performance? As we mentioned previously in our video review, the iPhone offers superb multimedia functionality via its unique touchscreen and integration with services like YouTube and Google Maps. But, as we've also said: As a phone, it’s only so-so in voice quality and AT&T’s service has some issues.


• Is your present phone under contract? If so, you’ll need to pay out the contract or pay its termination fee of up to $200. (If you have a contract with AT&T, the termination fee will be forgiven. Read Consumer Reports' recent report on the high costs for changing your cell service for other money saving tips.)


• Are you shopping for an iPod? The iPhone’s 4- or 8-GB iPod is the best MP3 player built into a phone that we’ve ever tested, and offers a new and appealing interface. However, we’d be surprised if new iPods with those features didn’t arrive later this year.


• Do you now text a lot on a keypad? The iPhone’s text-entry interface is fine, and easy enough to learn. But it’s very different from sending text messages on the QWERTY keyboard found on most smartphones. Speed texters on that type of keyboard may want to stick with it.


• Do you need PDA functions? The Palm Treos and most Blackberrys are better at these. With the iPhone, you can’t edit or create documents, nor can you enter or edit calendar appointments on the phone itself--you can do that only through iTunes on your computer.

[July 9, 2007 Update: As blog reader Shawn Duncan notes in this post's comments, we goofed on this. There is a way to create and edit new documents and calendar entries on the iPhone. --Ed.]

More next week from our continuing tests of the iPhone. But please add your own comments here and in the iPhone thread of our online discussion forums. (Our boards are free to read, but registration is required to post messages.)

--Mike Gikas

Comments

[kk]

Iphone is really wonderful. But unfortunately I mishandled my iphone and now its no more audible. I am not able to hear the voice of the other person or any audio books unless the speaker is on or ear phones attached. Please help me out in this regard. please

[Liz]

I have had a problem hearing when I am on a call if I am not in absolute quiet place!!! This is driving me nuts! I still have a Motorola razor and have no problems hearing my calls on it, so I know that it isn't my hearing going!! Even while I am in the car and close all the windows I still can't hear on the iphone. I am thinking about just cancelling my contract with att and going with a blackberry from Verizon because I am still in a contract with them. I am wondering if anyone else is having this problem. Please let me know!!!

[hugh]

I was lured by the "cool stuff" this phone can do! However, after one month the cool factor is gone and the flaws are starting to really piss me off.

Problems are as follows:

1. No snooze for calendar events. I use my calendar to remind me of events & to-do's. Being able to quickly snooze a to-do, without having to enter the event and edit it would have been great but Apple chose form over function.

2. No to-do list.

3. Can not search contacts using the keyboard. It's a slow process to scroll through 600 plus contacts. Even when you use the slider bar to get to a group of contacts by a, b, c etc...

4. Can only sort contacts by first and last name. What about company!

5. Ear piece & speaker volume is awful. In a moderately loud public place it's very difficult to hear the person on the other end of the phone.

6. The ability to forward a text message would be nice.

7. The ability to send a photo via a text message would also be a great feature.

8. Spell check a finished email or text. Yes, it does check after you type each word. However, if you use the delete key it doesn't spell check that word again.

9. If you're in the middle of entering a calendar event and the phone rings that information is not saved.

10. The sound notification for a calendar event is two very quiet beeps and or vibrations. You can not change the volume level, length or type of sound notification.

11. If a notification goes off for a calendar event a window comes on the screen. You must either view the event or dismiss the notification. This is where the snooze feature would have been great. So instead you view the event, if at this point another calendar notification goes off you're screwed. You can either dismiss the new event or view it, however, if you chose to view the new event you are dismissing the event you were already editing. That means the reminder will not go off again, so you have to scroll through your calendar to edit the event manually. This is a confusing and long winded description of a confusing and long winded process.

12. Trying to CAPITALIZE a word is long process. Why not a double tap on the capitalization key?

13. If you enter a space between numbers it will go back to the letter keys.

14. You can ONLY forward one photo at a time using email. Why not more?

What's sad, is that the iPhone was in development for years and they didn't bother to look at the things that Blackberry and Treo type smartphones do well. The iPhone does do many great things that other smartphones don't do but if you're a business orientated user, you'll either need another smartphone or PDA to answer the shortcomings of the iPhone.

[Andrew in Iowa]

I just want to simply say that this iPhone is an incredible piece of technology. Yes, it could use some improvements but nothing that I would consider to be significant. I also would like to see the phone open flash player too. According to an Apple representative this is coming. Try the iPhone web applications feature. This has all kinds of really cool links to games, federal tax calculator, bio dictionary, flytunes instant access (music) and dozens of other interesting links. I have approximately 800 songs on the phone and I sync with my Outlook and store tons of e-mails ect. and there is still over 4 GB of space left out of 8 GB!

Oh, and Susan. Your complaining about how YOU dropped YOUR phone and expected Apple to pay for is an example how common sense doesn't seem to apply anymore! In case you didn't realize it, Apple didn't offer insurance so you didn't pay for insurance so why would anyone expect Apple or anyone else for that matter to pay for your mistake!?! I would recommend staying away from technology all together!

Bottom line, this phone rocks over any other phone on the market! I have had many other phones and by far this phone is cutting edge!

That's my thought.

[McKgreg]

I feel the lack of Adobe Flash support is a big deal in using Safari; especially YouTube which primarily uses FLASH!!! Also needs to get GPS support...even external if need be. Otherwise...the IPhone rocks!!

[Joe Smith]

While I agree with a previous comment that not the Iphone is a work in progress and that Apple won't come out with a perfect device the first time around, you would think Apple would have created a device that matched up with other phones out there in terms of technology. For example, why didn't they come out with a device with 3G data capability?

I've also heard about the whole battery fiasco where customers have to send their phones in to have their batteries changed. Who thought of this stupid idea?

[robert jay, puget sound, state of wa]

Clearly, the iphone is a product going thru development and a Life Cycle. No mfgr is going to give you EVERYTHING right off the bat - they'll add improvements and charge more, RELATIVE to google and other competitors...as they evolve. Given how much Gates made off a giant, resilient petri dish, or maybe Pandora's Box, MSFT is a LONG way from perfect and will (yes, pls HOLD me to this!) NEVER BE AS 'perfect' as Apple. To those like Diane who wrote earlier: if you drive your Hummer, Range Rover or other SUV beast into a tree, it's gonna BREAK! Yes, it will! If you drop your iphone/lap top/etc, do you really expect someone to WARRANTY your mistakes/butterfingers/lack of common sense? If you're UNDER 18, you're excused from REASON; over 18....you're an ADULT and perhaps will one day grow into adulthood, alive and kickin!

[Tim]

The iphone is truly a phenomenal device. I've had mine for months and it has worked beautifully. While it may take a bit of practice to use the touchscreen for typing, once you get the hang of it, you can write very quickly and reliably. (I write pages of material then e-mail it to myself and it's on my computer.) Moreover, you can open Word docs and pdfs from your e-mail. all clear as day on that big screen. The amount of time I need to sit at my computer has decreased very very significantly!

I recommend that CR update their info here. For instance, the price is $399 (not 499 or 599), and has been for some time.

The screen--for movies, web browsing, e-mails, you tube, calender, music, photos--is utterly gorgeous, nothing compares (except the iPod touch). And the zooming and pivoting features, on the web, google maps, in your photo book, are just mind blowing. If you're thinking about getting an iPhone, you've simply got to go and spend some time trying playing with it.

Mine has worked perfectly from the day I bought it. And the Wifi is far far zippier than any 3g; you can even search for and download songs from iTunes now. When Wifi is not available, it switches to the edge network. While this backup service is not as fast as wifi, it serves my needs nonetheless (when I'm in the car, etc), works fine for google maps, e-mail, checking my stocks, etc. Finally, Apple can and does update the software via itunes, bringing new services (such as the new music download noted above); and there is no doubt that Apple will continue to build on the features.

I must say, just a brief skim of the reviews below reveals some nonsense. The iphone is a computer (in contrast with most cell phones), so yes, on occasion you'll need to turn it off and back on (reboot) (maybe once every few months). I can't imagine how that's really a problem. If you have any problems, try that first.

There are some videos online of people dropping and throwing the iphone, and it is wholly unaffected, even onto hard surfaces from eye-level. Dropping from a balcony onto concrete, yep, the glass will break. Glass does that. Nonetheless, I highly doubt it would break from two feet unless it is thrown face down on a sharp stone. Why did Apple use glass? Because it simply does not scratch and allows for the utterly gorgeous screen. Definitely a brilliant move on Apple's part.

Who knows what Jobs has in store for us in January (at macworld), when you can expect new features coming your way via a nice simple iTunes sync. Time magazine is no doubt right, the iphone is the Top Gadget (if not product) of 2007.

[Diane]

I recently purchased the iphone, I thought I did my research but apparently not enough,,, anyone thinking about purchasing the new iphone should probably know it is NOT all it cracked (and I use that word for a reason) to be,, As I found out the hard way,,, Maybe the people developing the product didn’t put in to thought (reality) what would happen if you dropped your iphone from a distance of approximately 2 feet…. Well,,, I did,,,, I was trying to open the door to my home when I bent down and the phone fell out of hand, as I picked it up not seeing what the phone looked like (it was a little dark) I put the phone to my ear and got a piece of glass stuck in it,,,, so I looked at the phone and the face of it had shattered… the next day I called the iphone support and they told me it would cost me $240.00 (plus shipping and handling) to have it repair,,, so that made me think why would a smart company like apple charge $399.00 (plus tax) for a phone that they wont insure nor do they offer a protective cover or even offer a discount on a cover to protect it if it does get dropped,,, on top of that charge you $240.00 (plus SH) to have it repaired… doesn’t make since to me… my conclusion???? DON’T BUY AN APPLE IPHONE!!!! It seems once you do they have you by the balls and after the purchases can care less what happens to you or their product… also we should consider this when thinking about investing in a company (APPLE) that really doesn’t care,,,

I emailed this concern to several members of Apple. Ken Bell called me to listen to my concerns, he was quit nice but wanted me to know he wasn't offering me anything he just wanted my input on the product, (who knows if it will ever be brought up again).. He didn't even seem concerned that a piece of glass had stuck me in the ear,,, He stated that the iphone wasn't for everyone,, who is everyone? Who is the phone made for then? In my opinion it doesn't seem the iphone was made for anyone with an active life style or maybe someone at my stature that may accidently drop it,,, Maybe he's assuming that I can't afford it because it costs so much for the repairs,,, no matter what Apple assumes I feel the iphone is a faulty product,,, it is glass, with some sort of metal wrapped around the outside, and when dropped at a certain angel or distance it will shatter...

besides the fact it really bites me in the butt that Apple offers no insurance, no protective case or even a discount on a protective case,, They seemed to not care what happens to the phone or the customer once sold,, I think people should know these things and maybe the product should be investigated further,,

Thank you for your time as I hope someone will listen,,, No one should pay $400.00 for a phone that doesn't stand up to what the company claims...

[Elizabeth Holling]

I am considering IPhone, and also looking for a GPS device [Garmin, TOM_Tom, etc]. Looking for advice; could IPhone serve as GPS device? How effeciently compared to Garmin or TomTom? Or am I better off buying 2 products?

[Thomas C]

I am a Business owner and moved the office over to Apple computers with .mac account in preparation of the iPhone completing my mobile tie in back to the office. This gives me: if my iphone is lost I can completely restore a new one in minutes, text and talk on phone, email is simple, three way calling works great, full and complete internet access ( priceless), battery life is ok but I never did this much with a phone ( with all my phones I always got extended battery to go any longer than iphone), emailed PDF can be zoomed in unlike sum other smart phones. voice mails are like audio emails with contact name used in list which makes scanning fast. I find iPhone to be smart phone of choose for my business.

[Becky Cheuvront]

I have had nothing but trouble with my new iphone. The screens freezes up so you can't dial out, so I was told my the apple store to turn the phone off and on to fix it. If that wasn't bad enough I went out of town and I had NO SERVICE FOR THE DAY, I missed several calls that day, and when I did try to dial out my call failed. When I called apple they told me to turn the phone off and back on to use it. That didn't happen with my old Razor. I asked for my money back, the Apple store told me to take it back to At&t. The said to take it to Apple.

[SHALISHA]

HOW MUCH IS YOUR IPHONE

[D CAYE]

CAN U GET DIRECT EMAIL WITH THIS?

[Andrea Sherwood]

My husband bought me an iPhone for my birthday. I absolutely love it. I have not had a problem with voice quality or coverage, and I have found the email, calendar, and everything else to be seamless. I can edit or add new contacts, calendar items, etc.

The ONLY thing I wish it had was a To Do list connected to the calendar.

I highly endorse the iPhone. I love it.

[ruby]

Actually compared to Sony Ericsson W600i,blackberry pearl, and Moto Razr the iphone has surprising good call quality.

[Larry Honora Jr.]

This Apple First phone people is already complaining. Motorola ,Blackberry, samsung, LG and other phone companies had the same oppurtites but they are money hungry. The iphone not perfect but it beat windows mobile hands down. I bet you the next iphone going to be even better. First time for everything. Motorola wake up get off the razr. Blackberry produce whole web pages. Treo change your design. Apple makes great computer. The next 2 years give apple a chance.

[Dan]

Just purchased an Iphone. Very easy to use and easy to read compared with previous Motorola and Treo PDA/ Phones. My big beef is the poor covererage in northern California's rural areas with AT&T. Check your ATT EDGE coverage BEFORE buying.

[Claudia]

I've been having some issues with my Iphone i'ts been getting extremly hot, and not charging properly.

[J]

I'm not sure why it's stated that the service is bad with At&t. I have At&t service. Not to mention that I own a Blackberry that, like the iphone, is not a 3G phone. I have no service issues and my internet is faster than that of the iphone. Maybe it's not At&t's problem.

[ian]

i plan to purchase my FIRST CELL PHONE EVER. & while i haven't been an apple fan (i did learn to type on a IIe), this phone has had rave reviews & has most everything i've been waiting for all these years.
i had an Axim, but the streaming video didn't work as i'd hoped. (workplace wifi was encrypted).
i listen to baseball games (mlb.com) & xm radio. can i do this with the iphone (stream sound &/or video)?
can i do this while it is being 'charged' in its cradle?
thanks for the answers
ian

[Paul]

iPhone, iPhone, iPhone... well time for me to get one BUT only ATT ahs it? Not really. It is already unlocked. Yippi for Tmobile!

[Girard]

While it's true this device is not geared towards business, in the right hands it can be. The iPhone can be used with an MS Exchange server, I know first hand since I am using this feature, however you need to have imap services enabled on the server. I know of a CTO of a company who dumped his Blackberry for an iPhone and isn't looking back, and claimed it was better for him than his BB. Again he's using it with an Exchange server as well. All that aside this is probably ideal for someone who doesn't need the business features of a Blackberry or Trio but like the idea of better text messaging than a keypad, much better address book feature with multiple numbers in one contact, email and web browsing, and it plays videos and music to boot.

The shortcomings I agree the speaker could be a little louder for the phone, but this has been boosted with a firmware revision but could still use another boost IMO, but really video? Do you all need video on a phone, maybe you should buy a camera instead. Keep in mind when it comes down to it, it's your communications device, you don't want to shoot a bunch of video then when you need to call a cab you find out you killed the battery. I also agree with the above post about no cut/paste, notes not syncing, and I'll add, you can't delete multiple items at one time, and you can't use it in disk mode. But I wouldn't be surprised some of this is addressed in the future.

AT&T service is well, I'm sure you all have your own opinions. From my experience the EDGE network beats T-Mobile's data in speed. AT&T offers international data roaming for somewhere around $30 a month, and international voice roaming for extra $5 a month (info from their website, you have to really look for it though).

[JBarragan]

Well for all of you talking about outlook and other corporate features out there just keep one thing in mind the Iphone was mainly created for young adults and teens since we are the ones who use the ipods/Iphones the most i am 18 years old and just last year i did a review and found out that more than half of my high school had Ipods. what does this tell you all? well it shows that the number one reason the iphone is selling like crazy out there is because parents are buying iphones for their kids not for their own Bussines that's why ya got Pocket PCs & Blackberry's with build in Mobile Excel, PowerPoint, Word & Outlook. I personaly have a pocket PC Wing By T-Mobile running Cingular Service in it and to tell ya the true i can go into anyones pocket pc or blue tooth phone and access all your information even make call from your phone that is another reason many people love windows pocket pcs because u can do so much with it but i need more memory to listing to my songs so thats why i will consider buying an iphone because as u can see a 8 GB regular ipod gous for about $199 with an extra $100 you can get an iphone with the great features of going online, viewing picture, and many other things so like i set its target was teens i recently when back to visit my school Fox Lane High school and a lot of kids had the iphones so to tell ya the true i think ya should buy the iphone for your kids not for you u can keep the pocket pc and Blackberry's for ur business and to view outlook.

[Kirk DeBernardi]

I have been reading with interest all of the "buzz" concerning the iPhone in this thread, in the news and online and I feel compelled to throw my humble opinion hat into the ring here at Consumer Reports.

As with anything new, the span of opinion is wide, but the overall general feeling for this "phone/iPod/internet device/email device/all else" from what I've experienced and read most elsewhere is that it is absolutely pleasureable and fun (yes...fun) to use, especially considering it is Apple's very first version.

It's surprizing how people can easily cite how the iPhone falls short in comparison to the collective features of the cell phone universe out there, even considering all price points, yet not realize that it is the total experience using all of its blended features that is the true strong marketing and user paradigm of this device. In other words, you suffer a few feature sacrifices in comparison for a much better and enjoyable overall experience on each instance.

After using the thing since day one (for about a month now) and having put it through almost all of its capabilities, it just occured to me the other day that I have YET to read the online manual that Apple has made available on their website (the documentation, by the way, that comes shipped with the iPhone is sparse at best). Is this not a testament to how user-friendly and intuitive this thing is?

Compare this accomplishment to most "phone/MP3player/internet device/email device/all else" electronics out there...

See what I mean.

Maybe it can best be described as pleasurable simplicity in form and function for all that it sets out to do. I haven't even mentioned how beautiful the design (hardware AND software) and build is. And to think that this is just a beginning. Sound like a rave? No...simply an opinion.