I might want an iPhone soon. I know very little about them. Discuss. ;)

Caitlin Black · Jan 7, 2012

Okay, so the thread title explains the first part of this.

I have a few questions on my mind though.

1. How does an iPhone compare to a Smart Phone or Android (are those the same things? I know bugger all about phones...)?

2. The main reason I wanted an iPhone was because I recently got an iPod, and I want to be able to sync things up and do all sorts of geeky things. Any problems you can foresee? (It's an iPod Shuffle, if that matters.)

3. Which iPhone is the best bang for buck? Like, I don't intend on spending loads and loads of money on a new phone, considering I hardly ever use phones, but my current one is a bit outdated and can't do very much. This might explain why I hardly ever use my phone... So I'm looking for an upfront cost (not a monthly plan - I can't guarantee my finances for the next 24 months or whatever, so even if it means more value and a "free" phone, I'd rather just pay upfront and then buy credit as I go when I need it, and not be locked into anything) that will give me a cool phone that does stuff. Like, internet stuff and iPod syncing and stuff like that.

4. What choo talkin' 'bout?

Deleted member 42 · Jan 7, 2012

iPhones are smart phones.

As much as I love mine, please note that the phone plans are exhorbitent.

You can do everything you can do on an iPhone except make phone calls on an iPod Touch with WiFi. That includes music, video, text, texting, Skype, etc.

http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/

Caitlin Black · Jan 7, 2012

Hmm. Okay.

I spoke to a worker in a store today about phones - iPhone vs. Android.

Apparently there's not a whole lot you can do between an iPod Shuffle and an iPhone, and the iPhone won't let you just use a song you already own as a ringtone - you have to download ringtones, which means I might not get the songs I want.

An Android will let me use my own songs, however.

The one the shop girl showed me cost $720 upfront if you don't get it on a plan... Shite!

I think I might give a new phone a miss for now. Wait a bit for prices to come down, shop around for the best unit for my needs, find the best deal...

Thanks though Medi.

kuwisdelu · Jan 7, 2012

Cliff Face said:
Hmm. Okay.

I spoke to a worker in a store today about phones - iPhone vs. Android.
That's not true.

Apparently there's not a whole lot you can do between an iPod Shuffle and an iPhone, and the iPhone won't let you just use a song you already own as a ringtone - you have to download ringtones, which means I might not get the songs I want.

An Android will let me use my own songs, however.

That's not true. You can use your own songs as ringtones on an iPhone, or as alerts for any kind of notification. You have to save them as ringtones before syncing them, though.

The one the shop girl showed me cost $720 upfront if you don't get it on a plan... Shite!

I think I might give a new phone a miss for now. Wait a bit for prices to come down, shop around for the best unit for my needs, find the best deal...

Thanks though Medi.

Yeah, that'll be true of most Android phones, too. The cheaper prices you see are subsidized by the contracts.

If you're fine with an older model, you can still get a 3GS unlocked for 375 USD.

Alternatively, an iPod Touch might be a good solution if you don't need the phone, 3G, or GPS. It doesn't have as good of a camera and still has a A4 chip instead of an A5 (slower and less memory, but you probably wouldn't notice except on newer games), but they start at 200 USD and have access to all the same apps.

lordzapharos · Jan 7, 2012

I'll assume you actually want a phone (I go with Verizon; they have some great deals) rather than something like an iPod touch. Here is a good article discussing the subject:

http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-57...one-vs-windows-phone-pick-your-smartphone-os/

As for my opinion, go for the Android. It's cheaper, you can hook it up to your iTunes and iPod via a special tool (and *cough cough* bypass the App-store song copyrights *cough cough*) and you don't have to deal with the oppressive don't-do-anything-we-don't-want-you-to-do[SUP]TM[/SUP] policy of Apple. I'm serious; with Android there is always a way to accomplish what you want, barring hardware limitations, and Google doesn't put in "safeguards" to stop you from doing so.

The only problem with Android is the inconsistency -- there are more models and that means you have to do your homework to decide which is best.

Myself? I own the Droid Incredible 2 by HTC, on the Verizon plan, and I have encountered no bugs -- and no limitations -- over my six months of using it. The phone itself holds up very well, and if you get a black silicone cover for it, it looks very sexy indeed.

kuwisdelu · Jan 7, 2012

lordzapharos said:
(and *cough cough* bypass the App-store song copyrights *cough cough*)

What do you mean by this? There's nothing to bypass.

Caitlin Black · Jan 7, 2012

kuwisdelu said:
That's not true. You can use your own songs as ringtones on an iPhone, or as alerts for any kind of notification. You have to save them as ringtones before syncing them, though.

Okay, well that changes things a little. Thanks.

Yeah, that'll be true of most Android phones, too. The cheaper prices you see are subsidized by the contracts.

Actually, the price I noted was the upfront for the Android she showed me. I don't know what the iPhone cost upfront.

Alternatively, an iPod Touch might be a good solution if you don't need the phone, 3G, or GPS. It doesn't have as good of a camera and still has a A4 chip instead of an A5 (slower and less memory, but you probably wouldn't notice except on newer games), but they start at 200 USD and have access to all the same apps.

lordzapharos said:
I'll assume you actually want a phone (I go with Verizon; they have some great deals) rather than something like an iPod touch. Here is a good article discussing the subject:

http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-57...one-vs-windows-phone-pick-your-smartphone-os/

Okay, I do need a phone. This new (hypothetical) purchase is to replace my existing mobile phone. I'm not too fussed about an iPod Touch right now, considering I have an iPod Shuffle for good music quality (much better quality than my generic mp3 player and generic headphones).

If I was going to be using a lot of apps, I'd probably save up for an iPad of some variety.

As for my opinion, go for the Android. It's cheaper, you can hook it up to your iTunes and iPod via a special tool (and *cough cough* bypass the App-store song copyrights *cough cough*) and you don't have to deal with the oppressive don't-do-anything-we-don't-want-you-to-do[SUP]TM[/SUP] policy of Apple. I'm serious; with Android there is always a way to accomplish what you want, barring hardware limitations, and Google doesn't put in "safeguards" to stop you from doing so.

The only problem with Android is the inconsistency -- there are more models and that means you have to do your homework to decide which is best.

Yeah, I'm considering an Android. But, as I've never used an Android or iPhone, I'm not sure what features I'll want, or even what features are really available... Connectivity is what got me interested - connecting to my laptop for files and the like, connecting to the Internet on the go if I need it (more a "want" than a "need").

Myself? I own the Droid Incredible 2 by HTC, on the Verizon plan, and I have encountered no bugs -- and no limitations -- over my six months of using it. The phone itself holds up very well, and if you get a black silicone cover for it, it looks very sexy indeed.

I've heard HTC is really good. However... I don't want to go on a plan, for financial uncertainty reasons. I want to pay the upfront cost of the phone, and then buy credit as I need it for data/calls.

Oh, and as far as I know, Australia doesn't have Verizon. *shrug* I'm happy with my provider, and if I'm not going on a contract plan, it doesn't matter where I get the phone from so much - as long as it's unlocked.

*ponders phones and stuff*

kuwisdelu · Jan 7, 2012

Cliff Face said:
Actually, the price I noted was the upfront for the Android she showed me. I don't know what the iPhone cost upfront.

An unlocked 3GS is 375 USD, an unlocked iPhone 4 is 549 USD, and the unlocked iPhone 4S starts at 649 USD. Not sure what they are in Aussie dollars.

Okay, I do need a phone. This new (hypothetical) purchase is to replace my existing mobile phone. I'm not too fussed about an iPod Touch right now, considering I have an iPod Shuffle for good music quality (much better quality than my generic mp3 player and generic headphones).

If I was going to be using a lot of apps, I'd probably save up for an iPad of some variety.

Yeah, I'm considering an Android. But, as I've never used an Android or iPhone, I'm not sure what features I'll want, or even what features are really available... Connectivity is what got me interested - connecting to my laptop for files and the like, connecting to the Internet on the go if I need it (more a "want" than a "need").

I've heard HTC is really good. However... I don't want to go on a plan, for financial uncertainty reasons. I want to pay the upfront cost of the phone, and then buy credit as I need it for data/calls.

Oh, and as far as I know, Australia doesn't have Verizon. *shrug* I'm happy with my provider, and if I'm not going on a contract plan, it doesn't matter where I get the phone from so much - as long as it's unlocked.

*ponders phones and stuff*

You might want to check if your carrier allows you to do pay-as-you-go for data as well. I don't think any US carrier offers data a la carte. If yours does, that's pretty cool.

Caitlin Black · Jan 7, 2012

Hmm... Okay.

I hadn't thought about pay-as-you-go data. My current phone doesn't have internet, so it's not much of an issue at the moment.

Although I do seem to recall hearing an ad on TV such as, "When you recharge with $20 of Vodafone credit (for example) get such-and-such bonus stuff." The bonus stuff may have just been talk and text, but it could also be data.

I'll have to look into that.

lordzapharos · Jan 8, 2012

kuwisdelu said:
What do you mean by this? There's nothing to bypass.

Apple "fixed" this to some degree, but some purchased songs on iTunes are still protected (i.e. you can't move them from computer to computer without the embedded-DRM acting up). Moving them to an Android phone with the tool I mentioned breaks the DRM lock. Not that I would do anything like that.

poetinahat · Jan 8, 2012

one thing to keep in mind is that asking Siri for "find the nearest..." only works in the US. I've found Siri to be pretty useless for anything actually useful; it misunderstands what I say most of the time, and my accent is still mostly American. Still, I really dig the iPhone 4S, and I dug the 3GS I had before it. The iCloud (e.g. take a photo on one device, and it shows up on all the linked devices), FaceTime, free iMessages between iOS5 users (iPhone, iPad, whatever) are pretty cool features.

The outright price might seem steep, but I can't help thinking, "a smartphone will do all this... for a few hundred bucks? Pretty great time to be alive..."

Fenika · Jan 8, 2012

When I finally upgraded to an iPhone, I just made the leap after playing with a few smartphones. I had a razr before. I killed it. On purpose. It was dying anyways.

Anywho, I suggest you play with some non-smartphones and some various toys to see what you like. You might enjoy a simple phone and get your ipod or whatever on sale.

As someone who recently got fired, buying too many gadgets is a good way to kill your savings.

But I have a job and I'm typing this on my iphone with unlimited 3G right now.

without the unlimited net, however, this is a very expensive and compact toy that also makes calls. So be sure what you want is what I'm sayin.

kuwisdelu · Jan 8, 2012

lordzapharos said:
Apple "fixed" this to some degree, but some purchased songs on iTunes are still protected (i.e. you can't move them from computer to computer without the embedded-DRM acting up). Moving them to an Android phone with the tool I mentioned breaks the DRM lock. Not that I would do anything like that.

You seem to be mistaken. All songs purchased from iTunes have been completely DRM-free since April 2009.

Deleted member 42 · Jan 8, 2012

lordzapharos said:
Apple "fixed" this to some degree, but some purchased songs on iTunes are still protected (i.e. you can't move them from computer to computer without the embedded-DRM acting up). Moving them to an Android phone with the tool I mentioned breaks the DRM lock. Not that I would do anything like that.

Only legacy songs still have DRM, and you can move them legally from computer to computer if you use the Share function.

Or you can pay a few cents per song to download the higher quality newly encoded DRMless version.

Or for 25.00/year use iTunes match even for music you did not purchase from iTunes.

lordzapharos · Jan 8, 2012

Medievalist said:
Only legacy songs still have DRM, and you can move them legally from computer to computer if you use the Share function.

Or you can pay a few cents per song to download the higher quality newly encoded DRMless version.

Or for 25.00/year use iTunes match even for music you did not purchase from iTunes.

There we go, that's what I was talking about. Since the iTunes store isn't something I care to use, I wasn't aware they had fully fixed the problem. I just remember all the tech calls, having to explain to so many people why they couldn't transfer their songs to another computer...*sigh*

Deleted member 42 · Jan 8, 2012

lordzapharos said:
There we go, that's what I was talking about. Since the iTunes store isn't something I care to use, I wasn't aware they had fully fixed the problem. I just remember all the tech calls, having to explain to so many people why they couldn't transfer their songs to another computer...*sigh*

Right from the alpha release users could legally and easily transfer their songs to another computer and play them.

That's still true.

Bing Z · Jan 8, 2012

kuwisdelu said:
An unlocked 3GS is 375 USD, an unlocked iPhone 4 is 549 USD, and the unlocked iPhone 4S starts at 649 USD. Not sure what they are in Aussie dollars.

What does it mean by "unlocked?"

I'm in a similar boat as Cliff. I'm currently using a dumb phone and am considering switching to smart ones, primary for audio podcasts and other lo-tech features like camera. I am with Verizon and eligible for upgrade discount, which puts the cheapest iPhone 4 at $50 & some older droid phones for free. The iPhone 4S starts from $149 and Megan Fox needs to deliver it to my door for me to spend the money.

It seems Verizon is only selling 4GLte plans for droid phones. I haven't checked out the ATT plans yet coz that may complicate my wife's plan (she has no interests to go smart.) How big is the difference between 4G Lte vs 3G when video streaming is of no concern?

kuwisdelu · Jan 8, 2012

Bing Zabriskie said:
What does it mean by "unlocked?"

I'm in a similar boat as Cliff. I'm currently using a dumb phone and am considering switching to smart ones, primary for audio podcasts and other lo-tech features like camera. I am with Verizon and eligible for upgrade discount, which puts the cheapest iPhone 4 at $50 & some older droid phones for free. The iPhone 4S starts from $149 and Megan Fox needs to deliver it to my door for me to spend the money.

Unlocked means you buy it off-contract and can use it with whatever carrier you like. Cliffy didn't want a contract, so the only option would be to get it unlocked.

If you're happy with Verizon and don't mind staying with them for another 2 years, you don't need to worry about that. Just get it on-contract for the cheaper subsidized price.

It seems Verizon is only selling 4GLte plans for droid phones. I haven't checked out the ATT plans yet coz that may complicate my wife's plan (she has no interests to go smart.) How big is the difference between 4G Lte vs 3G when video streaming is of no concern?

3G hasn't been slow enough to bother me at all, and it's been more than fast enough for basic YouTube streaming.

Caitlin Black · Jan 9, 2012

Okay, the burning question on my mind is this:

If a smartphone can go online, what is it like to surf AW on an iPhone vs Android?

I take it youtube would be fine - not much typing, more about clicking and then just watching and listening. And I do love youtube. But if I buy an internet-capable phone, I'm damn well coming on AW with it! :tongue

Bing Z · Jan 9, 2012

Cliff Face said:
I take it youtube would be fine - not much typing, more about clicking and then just watching and listening. And I do love youtube. But if I buy an internet-capable phone, I'm damn well coming on AW with it!

A gal I know surfs Google groups with her phone :Shrug:

. Me? not a chance, I'll need to take off my glasses and I'll miss all those sexy girls on the streets walking past me hinting something special and also risk being run over by cars driven by morons sexting on their phones. Furthermore, how well do you think you can type on an iPhone/Droid? You really need to go see that hot chick at the phone shop for some hands-on experience. Tell her I sent you and I wanted her number

.

@kuwisdelu: thanks for the info. Very helpful and appreciated.

Devil Ledbetter · Jan 9, 2012

Cliff Face said:
the iPhone won't let you just use a song you already own as a ringtone - you have to download ringtones, which means I might not get the songs I want.

That's not true. I make my own ringtones for the iPhone. I made one out of The Moody Blues Lovely to See You.

Here is how to make ring tones.

I love love love my iPhone, but work both bought it for me and pays for my plan so the cost wasn't an object for me.

ETA: I surf AW all the time on my iPhone 4 using the Safari browser, and even post from it (although it's too much work to do a complex critique from it). I used to have a Blackberry Storm but it was so freakin' slow I couldn't stand going online with it. The iPhone 4 is 100 times more internet friendly. IMO.

Deleted member 42 · Jan 9, 2012

Cliff Face said:
Okay, the burning question on my mind is this:

If a smartphone can go online, what is it like to surf AW on an iPhone vs Android?

I take it youtube would be fine - not much typing, more about clicking and then just watching and listening. And I do love youtube. But if I buy an internet-capable phone, I'm damn well coming on AW with it!

It's probably worth noting that the Admin for AW routines uses her iPhone and iPad on all her sites as well as writing about them while using them.

My iPhone is currently a 3g.

lordzapharos · Jan 9, 2012

Cliff Face said:
Okay, the burning question on my mind is this:

If a smartphone can go online, what is it like to surf AW on an iPhone vs Android?

I take it youtube would be fine - not much typing, more about clicking and then just watching and listening. And I do love youtube. But if I buy an internet-capable phone, I'm damn well coming on AW with it!

Strictly speaking, there should be little difference between the two, particularly if you use a separate browser app from the one provided (e.g. Firefox). As with most touchscreen phones, you won't be typing 90 words per minute on AW, so making a longer post will be more tedious. Viewing posts, on the other hand, isn't too much of a problem, unless you're eyes aren't so good.

I haven't had any problems browsing the forum on Android, but this site might really benefit from an app version. If there's enough demand, I might just make one.

kuwisdelu · Jan 9, 2012

Cliff Face said:
Okay, the burning question on my mind is this:

If a smartphone can go online, what is it like to surf AW on an iPhone vs Android?

Not much of a difference.

There are some subtle ones in how they reflow text or react to a double-tap to zoom, but that pretty much comes down to personal preference.

You won't be writing long posts on either.

Caitlin Black · Jan 9, 2012

Okay, thanks people.

I kind of figured I wouldn't be able to write very fast on the phone. I wasn't sure how annoying that would become...

Surprising as it may seem, I sometimes make very long posts.

I know - shock, right? :tongue

I might want an iPhone soon. I know very little about them. Discuss. ;)

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