Ok, so I went ahead and retired my most beloved, most excellent, the most most, k750i with another Sony Ericsson model … the P1i (see P1i photos)
It’s a pretty cool phone, as phones go. And it was a tough choice between P1i and the iPhone (Arvind, Jace and Suramya, un-drop your jaws now).
Firstly, why the iPhone, and more importantly, why not the iPhone?
The iPhone is finally a piece of Apple technology that does not involve my ditching Visual Studio as a development platform. There, I’ve said it!
Why not the iPhone?
This was a tough question, but simply put, I need a phone with “real” buttons that could give me tactile feedback. And my experience with Surabhi’s MDA (aka i-mate) showed me that I was definitely a “real” buttons person. Also, iPhone’s so-so email strengths and lack of initial 3rd party application support.
The P1i not only has a standard phone-type keyboard, but also uses two-side-pushable keys that give me a full keyboard experience without making the device too wide and uncomfortable for trouser pockets.
And the touchscreen is pretty useful for other non-typing related tasks.
And the 3.2 megapixel camera helps. Also the fact that it has wi-fi, bluetooth and infrared (Infrared ports on phones are pretty important, if you know what I mean and do the kind of work I need to get done!!!). But lack of 3G data downloads sucks big time. I guess there’s always the next model for that!!!
Also, being a Sony Ericsson device, it builds on a proven track record with my previous phones (T28, T39, T610, k750i, and now the P1i)
However, there was a scary thing that happened … mostly a sign of the times being a mobile user in India.
The first 3rd party application I installed on my new phone was an SMS anti-spam software (SMS Spam Manager). SMS spam is a bloody pain in the ass now-a-days. And now, to find a Junk-call blocker!
27 Mar 2008 at 9:46 am
For starnge reasons, I’ve never been moved by apple products. I’m in the process of converting my macbook into a GNUish machine as we speak. And as far as phones go, I’ll be Sony Ericsson loyalist for a long time to come
31 Mar 2008 at 9:24 am
MDAs are better
31 Mar 2008 at 10:21 am
Apple products are distinctly different from products we are used to. But often, it’s simply a matter of what makes life easier for your kind of work. Windows and Linux based platforms make life easier for techies, with tons of hardware drivers, applications and compilers and utilities to choose from. And also tons of support from random forums all over the place.
Apple has, over the last few years, got an small ecosystem in place too. Maybe thats why I can finally even *think* of owning an iPhone.
Also, I’m not the only one complaining about the iPhone’s lack of tactile feedback. One of the top posts on Engadget.com as we speak!
**Frack** why am I posting pro-apple comments on my own blog, and not even anonymously?
31 Mar 2008 at 10:23 am
MDA are better because they boot a little faster than Windows XP on Pentium 2’s … *a little faster*
Oh, and did you get any calls today on your MDA today? Wait, I remember, it was hanging during reboots throughout the day!!!
Phones need to follow a standard rule … worst case, pull out the battery, put it back in and restart. And everything *should* work.
1 Apr 2008 at 2:42 am
That’s just cause i dropped it one time too many.
ps- I do not appreciate people who insult my laptop or my phone.
1 Apr 2008 at 12:02 pm
If I make it to the quiz this time, I’ll show you how the iphone rocks!!
2 Apr 2008 at 10:16 am
@Amogha
Bahh … I *know* it does. Just not in every department thats important to me!