IPhone 4.0 - The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

ROB PEGORARO - Sharp and smart iPhone 4 offers even more -- along with the same old flaws.  There is a lot to like about the new iPhone. It is sleek and sexy looking, and feels good in the hand; however, be careful how you hold it, because you may cover up the antenna. It has finally got a decent camera, that does video; but, it is only 5 megapixels. It has a front facing camera, and will do face to face video calling; except that Facetime isn't working very well. It has a decent processor, and the interface is still the smoothest and fastest in the business. Apple, however, failed to fix the biggest flaws in the phone, which makes it a no go for many tech savvy customers. It still is a highly regulated and restricted space, where choice and apps are controlled by Mother Apple. It has improved battery life, but you can't swap out the battery on the fly. It is still limited to AT&T, whose access and usability issues have become legendary. It still has antenna problems, which are problematic for users who want to hold it in their left hand. It simulates multi-tasking, which would be okay for most users; except that background programs can't tell you what they are doing. It's search and voice input is still inferior to Android, which is the best in the business. It still won't serve as a mobile hot spot to share Internet access, like the new Android phones, and like most of the Android phones when Version 2.2 of the Android OS comes down in July. And, in the coup de grace, AT&T is getting rid of unlimited data usage, and going to a tiered pricing system. Of course, my favorite network, Verizon, will not be far behind; however, I guarantee that Verizon will be a better value for the money. Hey, if you want to drink the Apple Kool Aid, more power to you. But, don't tell me that it can compete, feature for feature, with the new Android phones. Choice, flexibility, features, no contest.

Comments

[Finis Price]

Choice on the android platform? Is that like when Google deletes apps off your phone without your permission because the apps fathered personal data?

It brings up two issues:
1) Apple's approval process prevents this very thing from happening
2) Googke will elete something off your phone if the can, something the Apple Mother Ship has yet to do!