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iPhone Boredom

Phatzer

Phatzer

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 3, 2007
229
0
Hello,

I've decided to see how others feel here about the state of the iPhone compared to the recent competition.

I remember the months of nail-biting excitement in 2007 over the upcoming iPhone and all the things I'd be able to do. I can't say I was disappointed, it was by far better than the other phones I'd had up to that point and it was a joy to use.

A year on, I purchased the iPhone 3G with almost as much excitement due to the availability of apps, a shiny new back cover and global positioning. Again, not let down, and with the introduction of copy and paste I found myself enjoying the iPhone more than ever.

Then, last year the fantastic new iPhone 3GS arrived with little cosmetic difference to its predecesor, but boasting video recording, digital compass and higher resolution camera and most importantly a speed increase. I felt slightly let down by the lack of creativity applied to the design, but the features were fantastic and video looked much better than I had ever anticipated.

The biggest drawback to the 3GS, in my opinion, was its lack of upgradability from the iPhone 3G in terms of what the networks were offering, plus I really couldn't justify paying the full price for a similar-looking device that was more powerful. So, I found myself making-do with my iPhone 3G as I am now.

I don't regret purchasing a 3GS, although I find myself getting frustrated at the lack of response and feedback with the 3G, after all it is a touch-screen device, which should surely provide a fast response to any gesture.

I know I should upgrade to a 3GS if I want my phone to be quicker and more responsive, but it's a bit of a Catch-22, in that I either make do with my slow iPhone 3G, upgrade to a 3GS now that my contact is up (but miss out on the next generation iPhone) or pay through the nose for the speed increase.

Given that I, along with many others paid up-front for the iPhone and upgraded to the 3G when it came out, I feel a bit let-down that the support has gone unnoticed, and now I find myself bored and frustrated with the iPhone 3G.

Given that I've been put in this position, I feel that I'd be letting myself down by handing over money to Apple for the next generation iPhone if it's little to sing and dance about. Instead, I wonder if it's better to look in to the purchasing an Android-based phone or other competing device on the market.

I don't doubt that I'm in the minority here, but I'm interested to know if anybody else feels similarly to how I do.

Thanks for your time.
 
I dunno,
I use my iPhone as a tool, and so far there's few other phones that meet my needs. I'm interested in the android but it's not as polished as the iPhone OS is quite yet.

I'm happy with the network, performance and features of the iPhone.
 
-aggie- said:
See this guy, who totally agrees with you. :)

This also an oldie, but goodie.
Click to expand...

Thanks, interesting viewpoints. I did wonder if there would be other's in the same position.

maflynn said:
I dunno,
I use my iPhone as a tool, and so far there's few other phones that meet my needs. I'm interested in the android but it's not as polished as the iPhone OS is quite yet.

I'm happy with the network, performance and features of the iPhone.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean, although it's improving, the gestures and quality of display don't come close the iPhone. In terms of functionality, however I like the idea that I can have Twitter, my RSS feeds and the weather on my home screen, plus the notification system is a vast improvement on Apple's implementation.

I also find myself becoming frustrated with having to suffer an app closing to answer a call or respond to a text message. It's as if I'm being pressured in the deciding whether I'd like to use it as a phone or application platform, but not both...
 
If your bored with the 3G then you will get bored with the 3GS as well. I don't think faster response time, a compass that doesn't work too well, and a video camera is going to keep you entertained for long. Just wait until the next iPhone comes out and see if theres something new and exciting about it. If there's not, then switch to Android. You would definitely regret upgrading to a 3GS right now.
 
I too was in your position so I took the plunge and got the Nexus One and haven't looked back since. I recommend you give it a try. They're pretty much the same cost, I think the Nexus may come out a little more expensive after import tax but if you want change then you aren't going to get better than the Nexus - it's got tons of potential!
 
I agree with you. I'm somewhat bored.

The iPhone is gosh darn amazing. Love it.

But... Unless the next iPhone/OS blows me out of the water (i.e. major revision of the UI), I'll probably be going Android (so long as I can do so in a fiscally responsible way).
 
maflynn said:
I dunno,
I use my iPhone as a tool, and so far there's few other phones that meet my needs. I'm interested in the android but it's not as polished as the iPhone OS is quite yet.

I'm happy with the network, performance and features of the iPhone.
Click to expand...

Same here. I use the iPhone for work as well as occasionally for play. It does what I need it to do and it does it well. My only complaint right now is that my phone (I'm still using a 3G) is slow and a bit unresponsive at times, but my contract is up in June and I will happily upgrade to Apple's new offering. Although I rely on my iPhone often for entertainment, I don't expect it to constantly pull new and exciting rabbits out of its hat.
 
I'm the guy from those other 2 threads.

If your iPhone 3G is running slow... it's not the iPhone, but rather the 3.0 software on it. The iPhone 3G slowed down so much after 3.0 came out. I've reverted back to 2.2.1 and my iPhone is almost just as fast as a 3GS. It's very responsive and hardly ever runs out of RAM.

2.2.1 is just about as nice as you can get on the 3G. Unfortunately, Apple ruined the 3G with the 3.0 update. It's pretty sad really.

Anyway, about iPhone boredom. I'm still using my iPhone, but I'm not really using it to it's full potential anymore. I've downgraded to pay-as-you-go and I've blocked data completely. The *only* third party app I have installed on it is "Things". I really only use it for texting, talking and iPod.

The only reason why I still use it is because I text my girlfriend a lot and I'm not going to want to do that with a number pad on a Razr.
 
Hey I hear you, I think we've all grown a little tired of the iPhone in its current state. It took me by storm when it came out and the 3G was the one that finally got me into getting one and I still love it but even after numerous jailbreaks I find myself practically using it as just a phone and iPod...There aren't really that many apps or games that interest me but I like many others am greatly anticipating the next iteration of the iPhone and I hope it's more revolutionary than evolutionary.

Android is growing rapidly but I don't think I could be so convinced to switch but if Apple doesn't step it up soon, I just might.
 
Nah not really bored. I think about getting an android phone or something else but then I cant imagine not having my iphone in my pocket. Im a gadget freak. Always buying new stuff. But the iphone has done pretty much everything ive needed it do (jailbroken of course). So I cant warrant getting something else especially when I have alot of $ tied up in apps that either will cost me again on another platform or arent available on other platforms. What I am fedup with is AT&T's service. Ive contemplated cancelling and getting a verizon mifi and just using all net services (skype, facebook, etc) as a means of contact as I never talk on the phone anyway. But with the ETF and everything else Ill just wait. However if the verizon iphone ever materializes ill probably be the first to jump ship.
 
I'm not here to tell anybody what to do or what'll happen when they switch phones. Rather I'll give a quick run-down of my experiences.

Sometime last summer, just after upgrading to the 3GS, I decided I was tired of iPhone OS and was really intrigued by the BB Bold 9000. I found somebody on Craigslist who wanted an iPhone and traded him straight up (he got a helluva deal). Not even a week later I was at the AT&T store using my girlfriend's early upgrade to buy another 3GS.

Last week Monday I had the Nexus one delivered to my house. It's a wonderful and extremely capable phone (especially after rooting). As of yesterday, my girlfriend has a shiny new Nexus One and I'm using my 3GS. I just wasn't able to settle for the sub-par apps that I found to replace those that I use daily on my iPhone.

As I said, your results may vary. But even as crippled as it may seem, the iPhone still does the things that I need it to do better than the most feature rich phone I could buy for my carrier.
 
TheSpaz said:
I'm the guy from those other 2 threads.

If your iPhone 3G is running slow... it's not the iPhone, but rather the 3.0 software on it. The iPhone 3G slowed down so much after 3.0 came out. I've reverted back to 2.2.1 and my iPhone is almost just as fast as a 3GS. It's very responsive and hardly ever runs out of RAM.

2.2.1 is just about as nice as you can get on the 3G. Unfortunately, Apple ruined the 3G with the 3.0 update. It's pretty sad really.

Anyway, about iPhone boredom. I'm still using my iPhone, but I'm not really using it to it's full potential anymore. I've downgraded to pay-as-you-go and I've blocked data completely. The *only* third party app I have installed on it is "Things". I really only use it for texting, talking and iPod.

The only reason why I still use it is because I text my girlfriend a lot and I'm not going to want to do that with a number pad on a Razr.
Click to expand...

I mainly use my iPhone for talk, text, iPod and internet.

I have apps installed, but hardly use them. My most used app is Shazam, and I'm not really using it anymore as all the radio stations programed in my car have a website, and I just check recently played anyways.

But that's still not gonna deter me away from the iPhone. I've gone from the iPhone to the blackberry pearl, to the iPhone 3G, to the 9000, to the iPhone 3G, to the curve, to the iPhone 3G to the 3GS, to the 9700 and right back to the 3GS.

Each time I've gotten back to the iPhone. Even my friends say they can't see me with any other phone. Hate it or love it, the iPhone is one of the best out there.
 
Lots of very reasonable sentiments being expressed here. But the OP has described the way I feel about the iPhone pretty well--"bored" is perfect.

The iPhone has been great to me. I was there on Day One, 2007, first in line at my AT&T store after 11 hours in line. I passed on the 3GS (for good reason I believe), and I need to be totally shocked and awed come this June. If not, I'll very seriously and carefully consider moving to Android this summer.

An anecdotal story: Several of my colleagues have picked up Android phones lately. One a myTouch 3G, the other a Verizon Droid. I've had minimal experience with the myTouch, but spend a decent amount of time with the Droid. My one take away was speed. He was showing me the Google Maps app on his Droid and the difference in speed was absolutely mind blowing. I want speed like that on my iPhone. I fully realize that the 3GS would probably give that to me. While I'll readily admit to being a huge Apple fan, I'm a geek at heart. The newness and novelty of Android can't be ignored. Between the speed and novelty/newness, Android sure is tempting.

My decision will probably be made in just a matter of a few weeks. I put OS X on a few Dell Minis for a buddy of mine, and he's giving me his unlocked myTouch 3G in return. I'll be stuck on Edge unfortunately, but I'm going to completely switch over for a week or two. I'm anxious to see how it goes.
 
goobot said:
if you got your 3g the first day like me you would have got the 3gs for 200
Click to expand...
That's was absolutely not always the case. Upgrade eligibility greatly depends on your plan, number of lines, and the current phase of the moon. ;)

Case in point: Got my first iPhone the very first day they were available back in '07. Got my 3G on the first day it was available in '08. But I was only eligible for the "early upgrade" price of $399/$499, not the $199 as you've indicated. My wife got her first iPhone on the the day the price dropped on the original iPhone. She upgraded to the 3G the first day it was available as I did. Yet she was eligible for the $399/$499 price back in December. There truly seems to be no rhyme or reason to it.

In fact, just this month did I become eligible for the $199/$299 price. Obviously I won't be doing that, but just throwing the data out there.
 
pcguru83 said:
That's was absolutely not always the case. Upgrade eligibility greatly depends on your plan, number of lines, and the current phase of the moon. ;)

Case in point: Got my first iPhone the very first day they were available back in '07. Got my 3G on the first day it was available in '08. But I was only eligible for the "early upgrade" price of $399/$499, not the $199 as you've indicated. My wife got her first iPhone on the the day the price dropped on the original iPhone. She upgraded to the 3G the first day it was available as I did. Yet she was eligible for the $399/$499 price back in December. There truly seems to be no rhyme or reason to it.

In fact, just this month did I become eligible for the $199/$299 price. Obviously I won't be doing that, but just throwing the data out there.
Click to expand...

Yes, the amount of your monthly bill comes into play.
I believe if your phone bill is over $100 without taxes every month then AT&T lets you upgrade and sign a new contract every year instead of 18 months. Not sure how it works on family plans you'll have to call AT&T for more details.
 
Re

Are there other providers in US other than At&T that we can use the iPhone, does it have to be unlocked for other providers?
 
RoadMax said:
Are there other providers in US other than At&T that we can use the iPhone, does it have to be unlocked for other providers?
Click to expand...

Tmobile.
If its factory unlocked it can be used with no probs on Tmobile USA but their 3G is not compatible with iphones so you will only get Edge speeds.
If the iphone is locked in order to work it will have to be unlocked and JB.
 
pcguru83 said:
That's was absolutely not always the case. Upgrade eligibility greatly depends on your plan, number of lines, and the current phase of the moon. ;)

Case in point: Got my first iPhone the very first day they were available back in '07. Got my 3G on the first day it was available in '08. But I was only eligible for the "early upgrade" price of $399/$499, not the $199 as you've indicated. My wife got her first iPhone on the the day the price dropped on the original iPhone. She upgraded to the 3G the first day it was available as I did. Yet she was eligible for the $399/$499 price back in December. There truly seems to be no rhyme or reason to it.

In fact, just this month did I become eligible for the $199/$299 price. Obviously I won't be doing that, but just throwing the data out there.
Click to expand...

actually no. att was doing a deal that no matter what if you got your 3g the first 3 months you can get the 3gs the first day for 200.

i went to the apple store and they couldnt do it because it was a iphone special to get the 200. nothing to do with the actual plan. then when i went to att they just asked me when i bought it and thats it. never check anything but when it was activated. so then he override the 400 dollars to 200.
 
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