The Josh.biz Blog

Yes, I’ve finally relented and given up my old Windows Mobile 6 Samsung Omnia which has been replaced by an Apple iPhone 3GS. Back in September 2009 I was moaning on a previous blog post about the unavailability of the iPhone with Vodaphone – generally agreed to be the best network here in North Norfolk.

Once the handset became available on Vodaphone (around Christmas) and after being offered an upgrade 1 year before my 24 month contract officially ended, I just had to jump onto the iPhone bandwagon.

And five days later, what’s my verdict? Well, I think it’s an outstandingly impressive piece of hardware. If you’re the type of person who might have carried a Filofax around in the nineties, then this phone is for you.

It’s beautiful, stylish, multi-functional and incredibly easy to use. It’s the first handset with a keyboard which I can actually use without major stress. With over 100,000 apps (software plug ins) available to download it’s functionality seems endless. And yes, there are some great little games which can be played at high resolution to pass the time when stuck waiting for a bus.

Any groans and moans? Yes.

• There’s no FM Radio. Rumour has it that recent handsets actually have this functionality built in as ‘sleeping hardware’ but Apple haven’t released an app to make it available yet. They’re apparently trying to tie it in with the iTunes software – hence the delay.
• Being forced to use the iTunes software
• As with all things Apple, nothing’s cheap except the apps.
• As we get no 3G coverage in North Norfolk, I’m stuck with fairly slow download speeds except if I’m in Norwich or at home (connected to my home wifi). But you can’t blame Apple for that. Maybe 3G will come to North Norfolk one day. But hey, don’t hold your breath. Look how long it’s taking to get the A11 duelled!
• No Flash Player support (somewhat surprisingly). I suspect this is for technical reasons rather than a move against this popular technology. But it’s quite a serious ommission. Some websites operate entirely in Flash.

But all things considered, the Apple iPhone is definitely one of the best pieces of kit I’ve seen for many years. I’m VERY impressed.