(andPOP) - This Friday, people around the world are going to be able buy one of the most hyped up products in the world, the iPhone. Available in 22 countries, the phone is expected to sell out over the weekend.
It's been a long year for me since the iPhone was first introduced in the USA. In Canada, we never had the privilege of the first release, but tomorrow I'm hanging up my Blackberry for an iPhone and here's why.
I've had my Blackberry for almost 3 years now. I've used everything from the early pearl models to the recent curve. I've become even more addicted to email but it has been a necessary tool for running my business. However its not without its problems.
1. Mac integration is average at best. I never know when I'll be able to sync or charge my phone as I am very often greeted with a message about insufficient power. Furthermore RIM makes you use 3rd party software called PocketMac. Since Apple makes the iPhone I know my phone and computer will talk flawlessly.
2. PIN messaging is flawed. I've had my blackberry replaced almost 6 times and each time I've had to get a new pin. That means updating all my contacts with this information every time. Very inefficient. I'm looking forward to the rumoured iChat functionality.
3. I browse the web a lot. The lack of full html rendering and support for modern web technologies just isn't there. The iPhone includes Safari and that gives me a full web browsing experience.
There are a bunch of other reasons including:
- The curve ships with only 64mb of space!
- The phone will auto delete messages and logs when less then 5mb remain
- No wi-fi version available in Canada (yet)
I don't have a BES setup and I know that many people who are sticking with their blackberry will say it's because of that, but with activesync on the iPhone and all its other great features I think I'll be fine.
The most important thing for me is the user experience and if the iPod is any indication, I think I'm in good hands.
Top 10 reasons to buy an iPhone
1. You're a mac user
2. Does it really matter if an email takes an extra 30 seconds to get pushed to your phone?
3. MobileMe - you can sync every pc and iphone you own. Now you truly have a portable device without the need for an expensive BES server.
4. Its got an ipod inside it
5. Integration with your computer is truly a breeze with itunes.
6. Finally a true web browsing experience.
7. Application store and how simple it will be to download them to your phone
8. Its only $199 or less everywhere
9. A real email client in mail.app where you can access and send from multiple email accounts and even edit messages before you forward them
10. Larger screen real estate.
You got used to the smaller keyboard on the 8700 and then the 8300, so it's the same process for the iphone.
