The iPhone has arrived in the US. Even if it were available in New Zealand I still wouldn't buy one. I'm happy to wait for the large beta-test program (i.e. 1 in 5 US adults) to refine the product first. That said, I've been looking for a way to converge my mobile devices (phone, PDA, iPod) for some time. Sadly the 1st generation iPhone does not look like the device to fill this need. Relative to other Mac-friendly alternatives it comes up uniquely short in a number of areas on my feature wish-list. But of course I haven't seen or held it in the "flesh", and it is only a 1G device—so I can't be overly critical. Or can I? Most of the pre-launch focus has been on iPhone's interface (not unimportant), but what about comparative features? It's clear that while the iPhone offers few unique features (iTMS DRM playback, bookmark syncing) it's also immediately apparent that, relative to comparable products, the iPhone has the most limitations.
I've been a Palm user since 1999, owning a Palm V, an m505, and (currently) a Tungsten T3:
I also use an ageing Sony Ericsson T610 and an iPod (1G deceased; currently an iPod Photo). It would be nice to carry around one device instead of three (ditto on the chargers); I had hoped that device might be the iPhone:
So the iPhone has arrived. I posted on the perfect PDA + phone back in 2005—it still hasn't arrived. With Palm OS so obviously stagnating I had a brief flirtation with Windows Mobile, but just couldn't enjoy the clunky GUI and inconsistencies of WM2003 (a VGA screen was rather nice, however). Punters hoping for a Linux-based Palm OS in a Treo have thus far been offered the ultimately pointless Foleo, a wireless "mobile companion" for Treos comprising a larger screen a keyboard. Too big to be a PDA, and too small to be a laptop, it runs a customised flavour of Linux. If a backwards-compatible Linux-based OS does indeed surface on the Treo in 2008 as promised it remains to be seen whether companies like Mark/Space will develop a Mac synchronisation solution for it. Until this is known and there are shipping products, mobile Mac users who want PDA synchronisation, media playback and phone functionality in a single device can choose from the following options:
- Apple's iSync provides limited synching with a variety of mobile phones, including those running various implementations of Java and the market-leading Symbian OS;
- A Windows Mobile smartphone paired with Missing Sync for Windows Mobile #;
- A Palm OS-based Treo paired with Missing Sync for Palm #;
- A RIM BlackBerry paired with Missing Sync for BlackBerry #;
- And now, Apple's very own iPhone.
Matching requirements to platform
I made a list of the features I would personally look for in a convergence device; your wish-list may differ. I then picked the product I'd probably choose (if I had to buy now) from each platform:
- Treo 680 (Palm OS);
- Treo 750 (Windows Mobile);
- BlackBerry Pearl (the Curve looks interesting, but no NZ carrier has been confirmed so I've chosen the Pearl for the sake of the comparison, even though it's not a device I would actually buy);
- Sony Ericsson K800i (Sony Ericsson Java);
- Nokia N95 (Symbian; requires an extra plug-in for iSync, available from Nokia here).
All these devices have known Mac OS 10.4.9 compatibility (to varying degrees) and are currently usable in New Zealand. I researched the specs and add-on options and compared these to the 1G iPhone. In reading my chart note that:
- A green tick indicates presence of a feature and a red X the absence of the same;
- In many cases (iPhone excepted) the feature is offered by third-party software (e.g. the multi-OS WorldMate) which may involve additional costs;
- The grey shaded features at the top of the chart are absolutely critical—no compromise here;
- Where a feature is unique I've shaded it green; where it is notably lacking I've shaded it red.
To download the full-size comparison chart, click here (PDF 825KB).
For me there are three critical omissions on the iPhone 1G that render it non-viable, and they are:
- The lack of an in-phone task (to-do list) manager (with Mac sync);
- The lack of text note synching (Notes does not sync);
- The lack of an in-phone password manager (with Mac sync).
The latter was a major obstacle to my use of Pocket PC/ Windows Mobile. Apple already have Keychain Access for OS X; I urge them to add an equivalent to the next iteration of iPhone along the lines of PasswordWallet for Palm or SplashID for Palm and Windows Mobile. iPhone's passcode isn't secure enough on its own.
Palm is thus the only platform that meets all my "must haves" on the feature list, even though it's age singles it out from the multi-tasking alternatives. The iPhone has a couple of features that are unique on my list (playback of iTunes Music Store DRM'd content and bookmark synching), but also very clearly comes up uniquely deficient in several areas:
- No task/ to-do list at all (as mentioned);
- No voice memo facility for handy dictation (much quicker than typing—why did they leave this out?);
- Lack of an on-phone file manager;
- Lack of GPS aware software for use with a Bluetooth receiver (not critical although nice for geocaching; a dedicated system is preferable for in-car navigation);
- There won't be an on-phone version of WorldMate (a great app) for currency conversion/ weather/ world clocks etc.;
- Ditto a spelling dictionary;
- There's no expansion capability (I really love my SanDisk USB/SD Card e.g. for sharing viruses documents at work);
- I don't want a repeat of the battery replacement hell I went through with the 1G iPod;
- I prefer pay-as-you-go phone plans as a light user and would resent using expensive airtime to consult web-based apps that I could instead have stored on the devices network-independent memory;
- Wot? No clipboard for copy and paste on a device without a proper keyboard?
A few more iPhone tidbits
- A carrier-locked iPod? That's new (Apple say a minimum new 2-year wireless service plan and activation fee are required to activate iPhone features, including iPod).
- Given iPhone has what appears to be the standard iPod connector, hopefully an ordinary iPod USB sync cable and Camera Connector will be compatible.
- A Skype client (official or third party) would be nice for calling on the cheap from WiFi hotspots, or as a cordless VOIP phone in the house.
- GPRS for voice is OK if 3G really would worsen battery life, since I would use WiFi hotspots for any serious data transfers anyway (or better still, an Internet café with a full-size screen and keyboard!).
- As far as data input goes, I need a device primarily to take info with me, and only occasionally add or edit a little. I don't plan to sit at my PDA and type essays on it. So I'm curious to hear the real-world verdict on the usability of iPhone's virtual keyboard.
- I don't care about the lack of MMS at all. SMS or e-mail with attachments is a perfect dichotomy.
Conclusion
The 1G iPhone is an Apple product featuring the least ability to synch with a Mac, compared to third-party alternatives, in terms of basic PDA functionality. At the moment if I had to choose one of these devices, I'd go for the Palm 680—and keep my iPod. It's the only solution that addresses all the "critical" features on my wish-list. Oh well, 2 devices is still better than 3.
Delicious
Digg
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Twitter
Translate this page: DE | ES | FR
![[Photo of Bruce McKenzie]](data:image/jpeg;base64,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)
Hey Bruce, I was a long-time user of the T610. Good phone, although somewhat sluggish software. Before that, I had been a faithful user of the T68i.
Too bad to hear that the iPhone lacks some of these features you listed. I'm quite surprised really. But yours is a good strategy -- wait until rev 2 comes our, or at least until a software patch. Most of those missing features could be handled in software.
I've been thinking about alternatives - or rather a placeholder until the iPhone becomes available in Sweden. I finally decided not to go for features, instead looking at design and user interface. Do I really need all of those features? Probably not. Do I want a phone that works well, looks good and has an intuitive interface. I sure do. The iPhone stands head and shoulders above the competition in terms of usability. If it becomes successful it sure won't be because of green check-marks in a feature-by-feature comparison. The battlefield has moved.
iPhone Placeholder?
[quote comment="75647"]The iPhone stands head and shoulders above the competition in terms of usability.
I agree the iPhone does much to further the cause of mobile device "usability" Martin (Steve's views really capture just how effortlessly "usable" it is). To me, however, usability implies more than just the way it looks or works—it must also do the things I need it to do. I want the device to do my bidding; I don't want to be forced to change my behaviour because it can't do what its competitors can. So if a red check-mark means I cannot manage to-do lists on my phone/PDA then a device that doesn't do this is not usable.
Those checklists are so dumb. So they all have Web, Maps and Music. The iPhone's versions of these and other features is so far beyond the competition it's outright humorous.
[quote comment="75681"]
Those checklists are so dumb.
Really? A feature is either objectively present or it's not. The checklist is about black-and-white, not shades of grey. Sure, the iPhone is a feature-limited device and the (relatively) few things that it does do it may do extremely well. What non-subjective feature quality rating system do you suggest to take account of this PWB?
Technically speaking, the iPhone is NOT unique in it's ability to use iTunes Music Store DRM'ed content. Several models of Motorola GSM phones can as well (not just the ROKR), just not with the iPhone's ease of use.
I'm with you, the iPhone has a long way to go before it replaces my 5G iPod and my Tungsten E2 (with GPS navigation software/hardware). I have a lot of video files on my iPod, so 8GB just isn't going to cut it; and I can't live without my Palm's GPS, speadsheet programs, and the host of other 3rd party software I use all the time.
The iPhone's abilities are just too limited to suit my needs.
emm I love my iphone it exceeds all of my expectations so far!!The ease of use overcomes any of its faults.
Now...that said one improvement would be a stylus it COULD be done ~~it is heat activated and if the stylus were lite metal (think of those ice cream scoops that after you hold them a moment allow you to dip right through the hardest ice cream the heat in your hand transfers to the metal not sure how~~) maybe someone will work on that
Good to hear someone's happy Freda. It won't be long now before iPhone is available in the UK, so I'll soon get the chance to try out that much debated touch keyboard for myself. I've been quite happy using a stylus for input on the touchscreen of my Palm; have you actually tried using an ordinary stylus with your iPhone? Does this work, or is the keypad configured to sense softer contact?
Using an Iphone here in Canada. Its more of a Cell phone with great multimedia possibilities.. in terms of a phone you cant do a lot of things normal cell phones can.. ie. Txt msg multiple people, voice dial, picture (mms) message, Sync to-do notes etc etc.
Well? Did you ever get an iPhone? I am loath to give up my beloved Palm, which I've used since 1997 (I think I'm on #5). But as the battery on my little Z22 or whatever I've got no longer holds its charge for more than a day and a half, and I really need a device to check work e-mails from Outlook for the Web (requires a browser), I took the plunge.
My friend tells me he bought software to sync his Palm. I pray it will be OK. I'm worried about life without my Palm, but Palm is starting to feel like an endangered species. I don't want to be the last person on earth with one, trying to make it sync in a world of new-fangled devices...
RIP Palm
No Kate, I didn't. But I'm not spending any more money on Palm (or Missing Sync) either. There are a few reasons I've held off:
On a positive note I have to say it's good to see Apple improving the product by adding features. Palm never did that for any of my devices despite extolling the virtues of flashable ROM; Palm owners were lucky if they got a bug fix. Release of the iPhone/ iPod touch SDK is imminent; I will re-assess in the wake of its impact.
Although the N95 is more popular, the N82 has a better location for the internal GPS and a better camera (xenon flash).
Thanks Richard; as I commented on your post in-camera geotagging and WiFi uploading is very cool. The SDK should address most of my concerns about the iPhone but it's still unclear whether or not data logging will be possible due to Apple's restrictions on background processes. An iPhone + D70 and a Bluetooth data logger would still be closer to the ideal for me than a GPS + D70 + PDA + iPod + N82.
Hi Bruce,
Very nice analysis of Mac-friendly alternatives to the iPhone 1G. Now that the new iPhone is available (ha! if you can find a store with it in stock), I'm curious if you have any interest in updating your excellent article? Are there new convergence devices available today which you'd consider?
Cheers,
Ryan
Thanks Ryan; this post is 13 months old, and a lot has happened in that time. I actually have the original iPhone, which might at first seem at odds with the above analysis. However, two important things happened:
So I chose to purchase, knowing also that native apps were coming and that the iPhone 2.0 software would be available to original iPhones too. The above chart now has less red in it ;-)
I'm very happy with iPhone and particularly excited by some of the commendable third-party software we have (and will shortly have) access to, especially Things, FileMagnet, and 1Password (native, not encrypted bookmark sync).
As for updating the article, I may compare the iPhone in the above chart to the situation in a month or two (when the App Store paint has dried), but not against other devices. There are no other devices I would consider ;-)