Overrated: The iPhone software noose limits its appeal
Filed under: Technology
The first iPhone was able to bring iTunes integration and all parts of the Internet* to the mobile arena, to the delight of millions. When it was followed up with the App store and the iPhone 3G, millions more were once again enthralled by the ability to surf the Internet, read their email and play games on the go. From the way that the Internet and the mainstream media have reacted, you'd have thought that the iPhone was the second coming of Christ.
It's hard to imagine how we got by without the ability to do these cool tasks for all those years -- Oh wait, I forgot -- the same tasks that the iPhone can do, Windows Mobile users have been doing for years. On top of these shared tasks, Windows Mobile also lets users install any program they want without the need for it to pass through Apple's vetting and censorship process. Unfortunately, loading iPhones with Apple-vetted applications via the App Store has caused many an iPhone to crash. Those who choose to load other software must first jailbreak their iPhone, thereby voiding the warranty.
Don't miss the rest of our series on Overrated people, places and things!
The iPhone looks cool and maybe it even makes you feel cool (in the same way cigarettes do for 14-year-olds), but in the end it is still just a phone. While it has aesthetic beauty, the usefulness of the phone has been overrated by many, helped in part due to the cult of Apple followers who lined city blocks just to shell out for a new phone. Seriously, how good can a phone with all of these features be if making full use of it requires users to break its warranty. Did I mention the iPhone can't copy and paste?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-11-2008 @ 9:17AM
wesley true said...
wel i am asuming by reading this article you do not have one cause the last time i checked windows does not have the ease of use as a mac that is why macs are getting so popular because of layout and ease of use . you say how did we live with out our iphone well you could say that about every new technology i am sure when electricity was harnesed someone like you said the same about electricity, then phones , and some one like you in the future will be mocking jet pack "how did we live without those jet packs" by the way i am a pc user
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9-11-2008 @ 9:49AM
Josh Smith said...
I've used both and while I enjoy the mac OS, the restrictions put on the iPhone and the fact that Windows Mobile can do the same things make it overrated.
9-11-2008 @ 9:48AM
Pebbles said...
Amen, finally recognization that Microsoft had it all along!
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9-11-2008 @ 10:14AM
Ella said...
I totally agree! I haven't used the iPhone (refuse to), but I used to have to use Macs for work. They are the Fisher Price of computers, and really limited compared to Windows or even Linux. (Unless you want to run Windows programs! For only $1000 more per machine, you, too, can run Windows on a glossy box that totally glossier than a regular PC!)
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9-11-2008 @ 10:26AM
st said...
The new iPhone is great, when I move to Alasaka I'm going to purchase a second phone. Then I will have a hand warmer for both hands. To bad the batteries only stay charged for about and hour per charging.
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11-05-2008 @ 11:02AM
cathy said...
go to an apple store and they can adjust your settings so that the battery lasts much longer.
9-11-2008 @ 11:22AM
Ricky said...
Unfortunately Wesley the easy of use thing went out the window like 10 years ago. While Vista may indeed be a low watermark for the OS, Apple's OS's haven't been all that easy to use, especially in comparison to Windows, since the 90's. Computers just do too many complex things for an OS to dumb it down. OS X was actually the low watermark prior to Vista's release. As some one who has to use OSs on both platforms, I can tell you, I thought it was absolutely horrible. I don't think Apple has had a real OS advantage since the early days of Windows.
Apple's current advantage is in its monopoly on hardware and software and a media that reports their every move with unvarnished praise. Microsoft can't even include a browser without getting a lawsuit and bad press while Apple makes you not only use their browser, but their keyboard, motherboard, mouse, etc., etc. And then when things go wrong the media lines up in their defense. The funny thing is if Apple ever took over the market they would probably end up bankrupt because their entire operation would be declared an enormous monopoly once they hit 51% of market share.
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9-11-2008 @ 11:32AM
Renzol said...
I own both types of phones, the latest HTC device, and the 3G. At the moment the 3G runs faster, is slimmer, and doesn't crash nearly as much as the HTC. Yes the WM5/6 phones have more functionality as far as 3rd party programs go, but what's the use if they're not compatible with YOUR version of WM? And even if they are certain types aren't all that stable, depending on your WM device. As far as surfing normal sites go, the 3G can do a bit more then WM, although neither have full flash capabilities (thanks Adobe!) Long story short the phones are similar to the full sized systems. Apples are easier to use and generally run smoother with the programs available. Windows systems have more functionality and programs, but sometimes at the cost of smoothness of operation and ease of operation. Don't sell the Iphone short, hell the prepaid phone I got from japan is more powerful and function than either of em!
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9-11-2008 @ 11:50AM
jow said...
I will never buy an iphone as long as att is the only carrier. Also despite apples massive ibm v mac ad compain I would never buy a mac and as the vast majority of computers arent apple I think consumers agree. I do have an ipod and love it they should just focus on that
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9-11-2008 @ 12:45PM
ABoss said...
Okay so for all of you who have never touched and iphone and want to sit here and criticize, you make me sick. I have had numerous amounts of phones in my day and my last phone was a BlackJack through At&t made by Samsung. BlackJacks come equipped with windows mobile. Then recently i have gotten an iphone and the difference is uncanny. You cannot even almost compare these two phones. The iPhone is so fresh and so full of things you couldn't even imagine, and this comes from someone who has had both types of phones. Sos before you go hopping the gun and criticizing, maybe you should actually try out the product that you are bashing.
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9-11-2008 @ 1:29PM
JJ said...
Wow, there must be alot of slow people here if they think setting up and running a PC is difficult. Anyone with any sort of computer knowledge wont have any sort of trouble running a PC, so how can a Mac be "easier and more intuitive"? I much prefer the higher functionality of the PC, as well as the cheaper prices on hardware. Not to mention having access to pretty much any program I want, with no restrictions. Its quite nice. As far as the new 3G I-Junk, Tried it, and found it to be nothing more than a ripoff of the older pocket pc's. Just another overpriced apple product, that is only popular because of the fan boi's that would wait in line to pay $500 to have their left nuts cut off, if Steve Jobs was doing the procedure.
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9-11-2008 @ 4:15PM
eric said...
no one can argue that the user experience of operating a mac
is far more intuitive and most importantly more pleasant compared to a pc .
watch someone set up a mac computer of any kind and then watch someone set a pc.
The iphones do the same things that the others do - they just make it more memorable and enjoyable.
Obviously I like Mac's. My biggest question with this iphone is how can they with the new release of the 3G with all of it's improvements that it cannot read Flash content. Since 60% of all websites have some kind of Flash content imbedded into them I think this is just plain stupid and or ignorant. I cannot see purchasing this if half the sites I go have a little box with a question mark in it.
I have always admired Steve Jobs but in this case I think it was extremely stupid of him not too include this.
OK I 'm done.
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9-11-2008 @ 4:15PM
Rob said...
O.K., you're seriously comparing bloated, slow, buggy and less than elegant Windows Mobile to the I-Phone??? You have to be working for Microsoft or own a ton of stock to be so myopic. Get a grip man.
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9-11-2008 @ 4:16PM
Josh Smith said...
Last time I tried to play Super Monkey Ball on the iPhone all i could do was exit to the home screen....
9-11-2008 @ 5:02PM
eric said...
How can a Mac be easier and more intuitive? Hmm lets see:
I am not sure of how many operations that you have to go through to set up a PC and install Windows, etc. ( does someone know? I bet its more than three) but I do know that with a Mac (outside of installing software) you take it out of the box and plug it in, insert the start up disc, and press go.
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9-11-2008 @ 5:08PM
eric said...
If anybody from apple is viewing this blog could you please explain to me why your new iphone3G DOES NOT READ FLASH CONTENT???
With the high percentage of sites that contain embedded flash content I cannot understand this boneheaded move! Everytime I go to a site on an Iphone (except netscape, yahoo, or the biggies) I get little boxes and no images....NICE!
How could you create such a a great product and leave an extremely important component.
First time I have seen a stupid move from apple.
annoyed (obviously)
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9-12-2008 @ 10:11PM
FX said...
Apple didnot put flash into the iphone because of the fact that they dont want adobe to take it over, or somthing like that, they probably just didnt want to pay them because then they would be in somesort of law suit. And i bet that if adobe tried to put a flash app on the app store, Im prety shure Apple would deny it.
and, I think that Windows Moble is a peice of garbage and cant even be compaired to apple's iPhone.
WM users are just to affraid to make the leap to the iPhone.
Lastly people who want to try out the iPhone or any Mac have to use it for everyday use for atleast a couple weeks not just 10 minutes.
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9-12-2008 @ 10:13PM
Josh Smith said...
Are you typing this on an iPhone? Your spelling is atrocious and your facts are wrong.
9-13-2008 @ 2:58AM
Jenny B said...
ROFLMAO @ FX's comment and Josh's response. *high five Josh*
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9-13-2008 @ 9:04AM
Paul B said...
Josh- you come off as a whiny jealous little shit. Can't afford the iPhone? Windows Mobile??? LMAO Sorry Bill G is not looking for another shill, he hired Jerry.
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