The iPhone Returns, or The Return of the iPhone |
I really want an iPhone--some day, when it's ready for primetime. But it's not yet. And now that the reality distortion field is lifting, I need to get the iPhone back to the store to qualify for the 14-day returns policy. So, like a bunch of other people have already done, I'll be returning mine (and my wife's) this weekend. Why? To recap: 1. Verizon's coverage is far better.
It looks like, based on this chart, I'll be out $86. It was almost worth it. I wonder how many other people will be at the store, returning theirs? Maybe I can liveblog it! So long, iPhone! See you after you grow up a bit more—maybe by Christmas. Iphone Review 1: It does take some getting used to, but is much more efficient than people are giving it credit for. I also agree with Brian, Verizon is a rip-off in terms of service (I was a client and switched). With unlimited data/e-mail, how can anyone say that the plans are expensive? Wi-Fi also works great. I guess it depends on where you live? Flash can be updated via a software update, just give it a few weeks. Yes, the device is somewhat expensive, but it is also an iPod with video (a nano costs $200), a smartphone (another $200-300) and full Internet browser all in a simple user interface. What more could you ask for? In the short time I have used mine, I have been more productive as a result of its ease of use and gotten more done. Isn't that the whole point of a convergence device? Iphone Review 2: For the love of god, why does everyone always complain about battery life? How much are you a-holes on your phones anyway? I talk for at least 2 hours a day on my phone & i listen to my iPod for at least 4 hours a day & it hasnt been a problem. Lets face it, the phone will be outdated before the battery needs to be replaced. The only reason people have for not wanting an iPhone is not even Apple based, it's that HORRID AT&T. Iphone Review 3: I have a new iPhone with AT&T service and a work cell phone with Verizon. AT&T coverage is excellent and EDGE is quite fast most of the time. Verizon coverage is terrible. I would never buy Verizon. WiFi is very fast and I have found it in a lot of places I did not expect. At the Y, at gas stations, restaurants, other businesses, etc. The iPhone will only get better! I am sure Apple has a lot of software enhancements coming including Flash which I have not found to be that prevalent a problem. The keyboard does take a little getting used to, but I have been using mine for 2 days and find it really is a lot easier now than it was when I started. If I make a mistake, I have learned to wait until the end of the word and let the iPhone suggest a replacement and it is correct about 70% of the time. The battery seems to me to be just fine. I used the iPod, Internet, YouTube, email, text, google maps, phone, etc. on and off all day yesterday and today so far and I still have 50% battery. Much more use than my cell phone and I don't see a problem with it. Everyone who sees it wants one! Iphone Review 4: Well, each to his own, but before declaring that "a bunch" of other people are also returning their iPhones, you need to do more than include a single link to a single post indicating that there is one other person doing the same thing. In fact, there is NO evidence that the return rate is above the noise level -- an amazing feat given that this is the 1.0 release of a groundbreaking device. In contrast to this poor soul's complaints, there are the overwhelming majority (read: 98%+) of the buyers who are VERY HAPPY with their purchases, including yours truly. A friend wrote me yesterday that the iPhone is the best cellphone he has ever owned, and he has been using them since 1985. So, good luck with that return -- and we look forward to your returning to the iPhone when you realize that it really is the future in your hand. Iphone Review 5: I don't have an iphone yet, for many reasons (contract, smart phone requirements for work email, etc.), but do long for one to go with my mac and ipod. In the meantime I'm reading all your comments about the various carriers and their customer service. Customer service should be uniformly good or bad across the same company, but like any other call center, it's only as good as the person you happen to get on the other line. As for whose network is better. It makes sense that one person on here would say AT&T is great and another says it's terrible, same thing for Verizon, Sprint, etc. Remember, there are a lot of "legacy network systems" at work here. All these megacompanies are the result of the smaller companies that merged years ago. Remember AirTouch, NYNEX, CNET, Ameritech, Bell South Cellular? Each of them had networks assembled by different people with different quality and engineering standards. And now, years later, they all haven't been improved or updated to be consistent across one brand name. And this is probably true for every large wireless carrier...even the large regional ones. So, go with the best network where you live. Try them out and bring the phone back if it doesn't work. Iphone Review 6: Ah the quality ys. price battles rages on. Cell phones are now and have always been a subject of product value. I worked in the cellular industry during the first formative 15 years and I have always felt that the costs passed along by carriers for infrastructure expansion have been overpriced. There have always been a certain amount of price-gouging prevalent in the marketplace when a first phone is introduced. I recall buying some of the the first Motorola flip phones for $2,300 each (Wholesale) for our Thousand Oaks, CA company and we had buyers happy to have the latest status symbol. Is this Iphone any different? My advice-wait a while until the value becomes reasonable. Iphone Review 7: Nobody wants to think they blew $500 or $600. Those trumpeting the iPhone are suffering from a psychological condition that forces them to validate their wasteful purchase. It's the same condition that afflicts Bose and Monster Cable fans. Iphone Review 8: WOW, i can't believe all i am reading. Such hostility! Calm down people, just breathe! Its just a phone. Coming from BlackBerry's, Treo's, and hundreds of SmartPhones that are out there, i moved my regular service over to a Motorola Razr. My phone does everything my treo does and more to some extent. Sure, i dont look at documents, but seriously, LEAVE YOUR WORK AT WORK. Go home and enjoy your time. So, whats the point of me having an iPod, a smart phone, and an iPhone? Oh, so i can do touch screen? or in two years want to get a new one? The technology is great and the phone seems to be awesome, HOWEVER, the technology of the Wireless companies are not adapted quite yet to the phone. As it is, WiFi and AirCards are just grasping the concept, and as phone companies go, they are more focused on the main concern. DONT DROP MY PHONE CALL! Thats what we really care about. In some places you'll have stellar service and in some, you'll have crappy service. I can tell you that in Los Angeles, Verizon was not that great, but T-Mobile, holy crap was T-Mobile a great service! i had both phones and im telling you TMO was good, but im back on the east coast in Washington DC and guess what, TMO sucks big time and Verizon kicks ass. As a competition with customer service....go work in a call center for 10 hours a day and then i'll tell you what.....its always about who is on the other line. It always is about who wants to go that extra mile. I can tell you i have called up VzW service and gotten a-holes, and then i just hang up and call back and get a really nice person! customer service is not the issue of the phone, but rather the joy of what we want. I didn't get an iPhone because like anything that comes out the first time, it'll always suck until they fix the kinks in it. |