Comments on: Trouble in iPhone paradise

Only three months into the iPhone era, it's clear the starry-eyed part of the relationship with Apple and iPhone owners is coming to a close, and the real part of the marriage is settling in. What would Dr. Phil do?

[jtymann]

Thumb drive, Backgrounds and Ringtones

Tom, what you completely left out of your article is the fact that simple little hacks(improvements from what i can see), also brick your phone. Some of these include, changing your background picture, changing your ringtone, and using your 4/8 gb iPhone as a thumbdrive. Now these hacks are nowhere near the same level as a 3rd party app, and definitely do not mess up the programming or support. Although phones with these enhancements are bricked just the same, with no fix. I can understand apples resentment, but to complete waste a device, and not offer any way to fix it, for something as simple as changing your background is wrong, and mean. It is time Apple got put in its place.

[rcrusoe]

Most of us don't have a problem

From what I've read most (about 90%) iPhone users are happy.

That doesn't make for spicy news stories, but it does make for good business.

Apple is far from perfect, but so far, they have shown they can deliver a good product - if it is used as designed.

[coryschulz]

I'm still perfectly happy

It's an entirely new product, completely different from anything else out there, it has only had one or two major updates so far, and it's only been out for around 3 months.

I'm perfectly happy with my iPhone. Sure there are some apps I'd like to have (games, video recorder, voice recorder), but for the most part I'm extremely satisfied with my iPhone, and I'm sure Apple will add many of these apps in the future, or they will become available once Apple releases a real SDK, which I'm sure they will. I'm patient. I can wait. No matter what you say or how you put it, the iPhone is still the sexiest phone out there, and I'd rather be in bed with her than a worthless blackberry.

[Kulisi]

The iphone

I think the iphone is still overpriced

[cwhite6639]

iPhone

I have had an Apple iPhone since day 1. The battery in my first iPhone didn't work great so two months later I took it to the Apple Store and exchanged it for a brand new one on the spot with a totally working battery. I am not upset about the price reduction, as I received $100 credit at the Apple Store and have had a couple of months of use of this wonderful product.

[aemarques]

Finally, an iPhone that can run 3rd party apps!

Oh, wait, my mistake: it's from HTC and it runs Windows Mobile! LOL
http://www.htc.com/product/03-product_htctouch.htm

[toddsheets]

Windows Mobile is a dog

like Vista

[toddsheets]

The Story Is Basically Fair

There are a few things left out of the article such as the fact that
the majority of people who buy cellular phones never add third
party applications. It is the silent majority of people who
purchased the iPhone that have made it successful beyond
expectations. There is a vocal minority, like some individuals
here, that might believe that third party applications are the only
thing that make a cellular phone worthwhile. The author seems
to think so. However, statistically, third party applications are
not very popular with the majority of cellular phone users at
large.

Geeks, myself included, tend to live in their own little world
regarding technology. Because we listen to tech podcasts and
watch tech video podcasts and read CNET "news" we sometimes
believe that "as we do, so does everyone else." But that is simply
not the case.

The iPhone will remain popular and loved by those who
purchased it because it is an awesome piece of technology. The
statistically few of us that like to "jailbreak" our iPhones to see
what we can make it do will also continue to enjoy our iPhones.
We will simply roll it back and use it as it was intended until it's
been hacked again and then we will do it all over again.

The facts are this:
1. The vast majority of people that bought iPhones don't even
know that an iPhone CAN be hacked.
2. The vast majority of people wouldn't do it even IF they knew.
3. The vocal minority will continue to talk as if everyone is just
like them because it's more fun that way.

Just my two cents.

[dkunzman]

Misconception

Majority of cell users do not add 3rd party apps?
Maybe to a "standard" cell. But I do not know of one person who uses a "pda" style phone who has not added an app. Heck, even my teenagers who have a smartphone (one with a Treo) have added apps.
So why not on an iPhone?

[mectron]

MIrror mirror who is the most evil of all?

Apple of course. This totally "illegal" bricking" of hardware that BELONG to the user should be reason enough for anyone owning an Apple Product to simply trash and nobody (in is right mind) should never buy any Apple product ever. Apple is using simply evil and as thruly show his real face: CONTROL AT ALL COST. but hey! mindless Apple drone will keep buying Apple inferioir, yet overprice, hardware. Steve is a powerfull brain washer.

Why would you give your hard earned money to a company who is openly criminal?

[Seaspray0]

Smile, you've earned it

If you didn't hack your iphone and didn't install any "unauthorized" applications, then your phone still works. You'll be happy to know that you phone will only run "apple approved" software and your phone will only work with AT&T. Be thrilled that you purchased a phone a month ago for $200 more than it costs now. Smile.

[eldernorm]

One more comment

OK, both sides seem to be making arguements for and against this article / blog. So I will only address my sticky point. :-)

Tom says, "Come on, folks, don't you remember why you got together in the first place? Apple, you need to keep a happy core of early adopters who will spread the Gospel According To Steve far and wide."

That screams "Apple Hater" to me. Apple customers are not followers of Steve Jobs. Trust me, if Apple makes bad products, we do not buy. Period.

But people that keep spreading this tone, I believe, are either MS trolls looking for clicks or just do not like Apple. OK, How about stating up front in your article. "I do not like Apple. " that way we know where you are coming from.

If you say that the iPhone is too big or too small for you, fine. But tell me that no one wants a touch interface and I have to ask why everyone is not trying to copy Apple. If its bad, why do they (including Microsoft -- Zune anyone?) try to copy it???

Nuff said.

en

[Wiz Wildstar]

What does it all mean?

It simply means that there are millions of people who own, have owned, or will own a mobile phone, just like the millions who own, have, or will own an automobile. There are many different "measurements" that are used by consumers to determine which "product" is the best. Some demand 2 dozen cup holders and 6-way climate control, but have no idea what the vehicle has for an engine, suspension, or braking system. For others, it's all about the engine and horsepower, while for some it is appearance alone.
These same "measurements" are applied to virtually every single product that any individual consumer will purchase. If the buyer is biased towards appearance and social plumage, then they will buy the glitziest piece of hardware they can find, and forget all else. If the ability to "modify" is of primary importance, then they will find the gizmo that lends itself to add-ons and goodies and performance and stability be damned.
When the promoters of these varied schools of thought pushed the limits of their technology, corporate sponsored organizations sprang from their grassroots beginnings to form things like NASCAR and the NHRA. They're fun to watch, but the display of technology is not even close to what is actually available to the general public. But you will still find millions of people screaming "FORD" or "CHEVY", while in reality, the only Ford or Chevy part on those machines, are the stickers.
Hey people, it's just us having fun with our toys. No one will live or die if they do or don't own an iPhone, or a Razr, or a Ford or Chevy or even a KIA.
Lighten up, it's only life, and unless someone can show me any different, No one gets out alive!

[bwvla]

Developers want to bring the next killer app to the iPhone.

Its disappointing that 3rd party iPhone development is off limits. Some would be entrepreneurial programmers out there would like to build the next killer app. Just about everyone believes the next killer app will likely hail from an iPhone like platform. Portable, complex O/S, touch screen driven, internet enabled, multimedia enabled, blue tooth enabled, there is a lot of potential there.

Apple would do well to find a way to harness 3rd party developers else they risk another Mac vs PC situation. It was never that PCs were better, it was because there was more software for the PC. History could repeat if the right "open" iphone like device comes along.