Why I didn’t buy an iPhone
If you consider yourself a techno geek and haven’t heard about the iPhone then we must confiscate your Geek Card now. It was surely one of the most over-hyped things I have ever heard of. True, Apple’s marketing machine went into overdrive trying to drum up excitement over the launch. However, fans and news have taken it to a level beyond anything I could have imagined. It was so hyped, so good, so tantalizing that I almost considered getting one myself.
But. I didn’t. I didn’t stand in line for 30 hours like some friends did. I haven’t sunk $600 into a phone and had to upgrade my cellular contract.
I told a close friend that I would be very very surprised if my iPhone could be activated within a relatively short time. I said that the overwhelming number of sign-up requests would probably overwhelm both Apple and AT&T. Guess what?
“iPhone Activation Problems Cause Lots of Headaches” (San Jose Mercury News)
Um, yeah. Figures. But let’s be more realistic: the iPhone is a WiFi computer, not just a cellular phone. That means it is susceptible to all sorts of nasty stuff that affects computers like viruses, network flooding, and web page errors. A cellular phone to me is a very special device which needs to always operate as a phone without fail. Can a phone which is so computerized actually be able to multitask as a phone and a computer? I don’t know. I would think that it should be able to, but the problem is that this has never been done before on this scale. I think that the second and third generation iPhones will be quite good. But for right now it’s just going to be a big headache.
Honestly, the main reasons I didn’t get the iPhone were: I like my current phone (Motorola SLVR L7) because it’s small, functions as an iPod, and I can browse the Internet over it; the iPhone is too limited; I kinda got a new car. Um, err, yeah a car.
So last Wednesday I got a very brief call from the dealership saying my car was in Los Angeles! Yes! Yes! I had put the order in sometime in May and wasn’t expecting to take ownership of it until the end of July. But, the plant in Oxford cranked it out pretty quickly and it was soon on a boat bound for the U.S. Then I got word of it being transported to the dealership and prepped for delivery. I got to the dealership early on Friday morning with my old car (Babs) clean and glistening. The rep I was working with came in and we started the trade-in/delivery process. About two hours later I had all the paperwork and a brand new key in my hand! Yes! And moments later I drove off…
I’m still learning about the operation of this car. It’s phreaking complex. We’re talking a pretty full onboard computer—and I don’t even have all of the convenience and communications options installed! Language settings, daytime running lights, lane changing preferences are all stored on a key transmitter. The trip computer tracks mileage, fuel efficiency, and diagnostics. The radio allows for normal and aux inputs, speed-variable volume controls, and tone. Oy. It’ll take me weeks to learn and remember everything!
[Update 2007.07.25]
And of course being the hypocrite that I am I did eventually get an iPhone…