Hi, I'm Michael Mistretta, a student passionate about technology, photography, and design. Welcome to my online home where I write about technology, reviews, and my thoughts and opinions on technology-related matters. A couple weeks ago, when I published my iPhone review, I claimed that it could easily replace the primary uses of a computer for most people. With the motherboard dying in my MacBook Pro this weekend, and a major propane explosion in Toronto forcing the evacuation of the nearest Apple Store, I spent the weekend computerless and was forced to eat my words, making the iPhone my primary computer for 48 hours.
I’ll admit, I’m still in the ‘wow’ period with my iPhone—even after receiving the first monthly bill. But there is a different type of interaction with the phone when you are sitting at home writing a review, or using it out in the ‘real world’.
Sure, it’s great be able to surf the internet from your phone, but it’s much more essential when you are on the go and need to lookup a phone number or address online.
I expected that because I am a power user, the iPhone could not possibly replace my need for a computer (most people don’t have 1200 RAW photos from Africa left to edit). However, I found that editing work aside, the iPhone was able to handle 80% of my day-to-day uses of a computer.
But it functioned better than a computer, because I did not need to designate certain hours of my day to a screen. Instead, in the moments that I was waiting for a meeting to start, waiting for the subway in the middle of the night, or waiting for Swiss Chalet to bring my large order of fries, I can get things done that I would normally need a computer to do. Organizing and responding to emails, surfing the web, and catching up on RSS feeds.
It gets to the point where when I’ve been out all day, I can come home, and not feel the need to do anything. It feels as if I haven’t missed a thing. So while I still hold to the belief that the iPhone acts as computer in your pocket, it isn’t the kind of computer that you would sit down at home and use to work on. Instead, it’s a device that supplements the primary uses of a computer while on the go.
And when using it with that mindset, it’s flawless.
First I’ll have to say: too bad. I don’t know if I’ll stay alive if my MacBook would break down
But I’ll have a backup computer (with windows XP… and just 300Mhz) if the need would be there, but I think with that one I could to as much as you can with your iPhone:D
My Question to you is:
Do you think you could live with an iPod touch instead of an iPhone and be nearly as satisfied as you are with the now(?) - just without the monthly fees - or is the 3G the one thing what makes the iPhone so good / special / exclusive?
I’m thinking about getting an iPod touch - if there will be a new once, cheaper and better - just to not have the fees and still get the good features.
Comment by cspiegl — August 11, 2008 @ 9:35 am
There’s no doubt that the 3G in the iPhone is great. A lot of things are made possible with it—push email almost anywhere, browsing the web while on the road, catching up on twitter, etc.
But, I do not think that it’s essential to have a data plan. Think about how you use your computer. It probably doesn’t have data, and you only use it at Wifi hotspots. Sure you will be limited to an extent, but not having to pay fees every month may be worth it.
With the number of native apps now for the iPhone and iPod Touch, the data is more of a luxury than a necessity. You could no doubt be more than satisfied with an iPod Touch. I’d say go for it.
Comment by Michael Mistretta — August 11, 2008 @ 9:41 am
I think you have the same thoughts as I do.
And I think there are more people out there thinking the way I do.
And I think there are some possibly developed (or available) apps for the iPod Touch for saving the web / your rss just to read it while not having internet and updating it with internet (same with twitter, tweet, save, publish when back online? or via sms from your phone (which you still need I’ll gues but with much less costs - in my case I still have a contract ending in 1 year, and it’s not t-mobile (Germany) so I couldn’t just go for the iPhone eaven if I wanted to).
Hold up the good work, maybe I’ll publish a post on this topic after my holidays.
Comment by cspiegl — August 11, 2008 @ 10:15 am