http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/ Engadget Mobile Comments for Walt Mossberg reviews the iPhone 3G, isn't that impressed (now with more David Pogue and Ed Baig!) http://www.engadgetmobile.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadgetmobile.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/Jul 8th 2008 11:26PMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/Jul 9th 2008 1:49AMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/
I can dig his gripes, but if I want one, my alternative is what? Get the iPhone 4G, or pay up and get on the wahambulance?

Joshua - thanks for the synopsis!]]>Jul 9th 2008 1:48AMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/
I guess two phones for 498 (399 and 199) over the period of a year isn't bad... then if you sold the former for 200 or so, 298... not too bad a deal I guess.

I'm really curious.]]>Jul 9th 2008 1:52AMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/
I also use a GPS - a TomTom GO 910. Not a great device because the maps aren't accurate (my update's only about 4 months old) and their traffic servers are not really reliable (last time they were down the duration was 5 weeks - for a paid service?). GPS on an iPhone - meh, I'd rather have a real GPS with reliable traffic, and TomTom's map updates are pretty expensive.

I like the potential for the platform, but I'll have to see what an iPhone sounds like in 2G and 2.5G areas first. I'll go into one of the stores, turn off the 3G radio and make a few calls to check it out. If the voice quality isn't that great it's a no-go - until those clever Ruskies figure out how to disable AMR-HR! Also, I tether - I'm hoping that ATTWS changes their data policies about tethering on the iPhone, and I'm willing to pay extra for the capability, those USB modems are just too easy to lose.

About the fan-man thing, I'm in my mid-30s, 6'7", 240 lbs. - fanboy just really doesn't fit me...]]>Jul 9th 2008 10:59PMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/
I'm tired of this topic, but it's like checking out plane crashes on youtube. I'm hooked. It's like reality tv... but worse!]]>Jul 9th 2008 1:48AMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/
Is it a perfect phone? No.

Is it a fantastic fit for some people (me)? Yes.]]>Jul 9th 2008 1:51AMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/Jul 9th 2008 5:55AMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/
Like it or not - the data plans are in line with AT&T's other PDA phones. The Q, Blackjack, Blackjack II, Tilt, Duo, Blackberrys.... They ALL are $30 for "Personal" data and $45 for "Enterprise Data." Expensive? Yeah - especially for personal when you think regular MediaNet is just $15. But that's the way it is.

The fact is that iPhone users are spoiled with their previous pricing. $20 was cheap. I was jealous - I couldn't afford $400 for a phone, I bought the Q instead - but paid $30!

The fact is that this phone is cheaper due to AT&T's subsidies, and therefore, this will fall in line with all other phones.]]>Jul 9th 2008 10:28AMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/
I am in love with the whole idead of 3G speed but if I have to take a hit on battery life and have to pay $15 more per month ($10 3G + $5 text) then this could very well keep me out of the Apple Store on Friday.

Additionally, the new OS with SDK and MobileMe are improving my OG iPhone and waiting would do three things that I can see right now:

1. Price would go down.

2. Give 3rd party developers time to put out a combo case/external battery/A2DP stereo bluetooth.

3. 32GB version could come out around Christmas.

4. Gives time for extensive reviews to document pros and cons and potential bugs.

5. Gives me time to play with new OS, SDK and MobileMe.

Conclusion: The smart play would be to wait but I'll probably be in the Apple Store on Friday trying to plunk my $300 down on a white 3G because I would enjoy playing with a new device and being able to play an active part in the community of users experiencing this new device together.]]>Jul 9th 2008 9:56AMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/Jul 9th 2008 10:35AMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/
I guess if you're coming from a Razr or some trendy POS dumbphone like the Chocolate or LG EnV or somesuch rubbish, these plans may seem expensive. But for real users, its just part of it. You've been getting a break at $20 on the original iPhone for a year, so time to pay up to play on the faster network.

The only thing I see missing is tethering, and that seems like one of those things that will keep the iPhone out of serious business use unless its quickly addressed by a 3rd party app or AT&T. I pay a $15 premium to tether my BlackBerry on Verizon now.

I'm waiting to see if our corporate discount on the monthly plans (voice+data) is honored, if so I'm in for a pair of iPhone 3Gs because I'm tired of several BlackBerry "features" on Verizon ($$$ for GPS which I refuse to pay for, no update yet for OS4.5, no HTML email, reliant on RIM BIS which goes down, can't tie to Exchange......)

The entry price is fair, the plans put it in line with every other smartphone, and 3G + Exchange support is the "killer app" that's kept me away from the 1st gen. I'm no fan of AT&T, but Verizon isn't exactly going out of their way to keep me loyal either, so I'm carrier agnostic since I've moved to an area with universally good coverage.]]>Jul 9th 2008 10:46AMhttp://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/08/walt-mossberg-reviews-the-iphone-3g-isnt-that-impressed/
how can this make ZERO sense to you? the iphone DOES NOT have REAL GPS navigation but just GPS location. If it had a REAL GPS antenna found in GPS systems then it could function as a GPS NAVIGATOR and not just a location pin pointer. all the other companies managed to get a real gps antenna into their phones for example the samsung instinct and almost every vzw flip phone.
but what else can you say? this is just yet another feature the iphone is lacking. there really is no real reason to purchase this over priced featureless phone when compared to the competition]]>Jul 9th 2008 1:40PM