Okay first off let me say that I am NOT a power user like most people on this forum. I am currently using a 6700 from Verizon and have been, for the most part, happy with it. I have always preferred Windows to Mac but thats probably because that's all I've ever used. I was always anti iPod until I got a free iPod mini from work. Then I saw what all the buzz was about and have loved it ever since.
I use my 6700 a lot for personal e-mail (no work e-mail and don't foresee needing it for that), web-browsing, texting, and the convenience of syncing to Microsoft Outlook for contact all the contact info. and sometimes calendar for reminders of personal activities.
My main concerns is moving to AT&T and using EDGE. I've heard it is slower than Verizon's EVDO from some people and have heard that it's a wash from other people because the iPhone processes faster than other devices? I tried doing a search on this but couldn't find too much so sorry if its been discussed a lot before.
My other concern is with the keyboard. It seems like most people get used to it and it's not a big deal. I love my keyboard on the 6700 and am tentative to switch to a touch screen keyboard.
Another huge concern is with updates and/or upgrades. I assume updates won't be a problem and you would just do those through iTunes/Apple. The main thing that worries me is when 3G is available will I have to upgrade the whole phone and buy a new one. Sounds like 3G may be available in the Fall or towards the end of the year. I don't want to dish out $600 and then have to dish out another $600 in six months.
The iPhone is really appealing because it seems like it just works and works well. It also seems more like an "entertainment" type of phone than a business tool at the moment. That will probably change down the road though.
So what do you guys think. I love techno stuff but again, I'm not a power user. I'm not going to hack into my 6700 (I wouldn't know where to start) I also don't have a whole lot of outside apps on my 6700 because it seems like the just slow down the phone too much and sometimes don't work as well as advertised. I also have about 5-6 months left on my Verizon contract. Would you opt out of that or wait?
Sorry for dragging on but I would definitely appreciate any input you experts have.
It sounds like it would work out for you. I think that the EDGE EVDO debate will continue for a long time. Perhaps that fact that it is close enough to be debated gives some credibility.
I don't know for sure about the 3G issue, nor does anyone else. You might ask 10 different people and get 10 different answers. From what little I know, and what I've heard from the people I trust, I am betting that you won't see the iPhone in 3G for a long time.
The keyboard really is adaptable. What you will learn from the iPhone that most of the hard core 6700 users will never learn is you have to think outside the box. Everything the iPhone does, it does well. If you try to make it work like a 6700, it won't be a good device. If you take off the blinders and see what it can do and make it work for you, it will be a gem. This applies to the keyboard and most every other feature.
The iPhone is a very powerful machine and it's limitations are not being tested by it's current software package. There is a lot of room for upgrades. I feel those upgrades will begin rolling out soon and often. Once you see how well it works, you will be glad that they aren't releasing stuff that hasn't been thoroughly tested.
I support PDA users and a lot of various telecom needs for my clients. I have phones and PDAs all the time, on all carriers. I have an EV-DO card on my laptop and used to have a 6700 on Sprint.
I believe that EDGE is not that much slower on a handheld than EV-DO, in real world normal use. For me, the sites I visit, it makes only a little difference. Also the seamless Wi-fi roaming on the iPhone really helps, since at home/office I get on Wi-fi automatically (or any other location with open Wi-fi).
I think the iPhone is a much nicer device all around than the 6700. Is it worth paying the buyout on your Verizon contract? Maybe. Also look for any recent changes in your bill, which would allow you to void your contract. Verizon is known for changing rates in the middle of a contract, and a lot of people have used that to escape it.
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Carlos Alvarez, Chandler, AZ
"One cannot expect freedom of speech without the burden of thought."
JMT, this is the best advice for all people not using the iPhone, considering it, or hating it, that I've seen so far.
people are quick to judge and lay out all the stuff it doesn't do but nobody wants to consider why. you hit it with your assessment and it's all stuff I've been trying to impress on the naysayers all along.
I have had the 6700, the i730 and finally the Q on VZW...I just switched to the iphone. I would have to say that although Edge may be slower...the browser is just so much better on the iphone...surfing is a much better experience...things render correctly. Even though Edge is slower, I am getting shorter load times for some reason than on my Q.
I really like it. The interface is just so good. I think there will be lots of updates to fix the problems that the phone has...someone already hacked ringtones.
The only thing that still concerns me is AT+T's reception, otherwise I am extremely happy.
You certainly won't get 3G out of the phone if you buy it now...if it comes..and I tend to agree it will be a while(drain on battery, 3G chip rumored to be large?)
For surfing the net, checking non-work email, wifi access, music and videos..if you aren't a power user..this is a pretty awesome phone.
First of all, thanks for all the replies. I am seriously considering switching to the iPhone and breaking my Verizon contract to do it. I'm tired of waiting for the 6800 and/or i760 and think the iPhone may suit me better. The array of phones offered by Verizon is terrible and I've been a loyal customer for 10-12 years.
I actually had Cingular/AT&T with my old company and I actually got better reception in outlying areas and about the same reception within the city I live so I don't really consider that a concern. I guess reception is different for everybody depending on where you live.
I'm not really concerned about the updates I guess because those will just be software upgrades and no big deal. Sounds like 3G may be a ways down the road so hopefully I won't be throwing good money after bad.
I feel like I'm going to be waiting forever for the 6800 from Verizon. I mean can't they tell us something? No news to me is definitely bad news when it comes to new phones.
One of my buddies has the iPhone and I'm going to have to check it out and take some time in the store to make sure it's the right thing for me. I think it will be since I just don't do a lot of the things a lot of the users do here. I've never tethered in my life and don't even know how.
The more I think about it the more I think I may be the target market for the iPhone, I just may not know it yet.
Thanks again for the input. I'm going to have to check one out soon and make a decision. I'm going to get a new phone regardless so I guess I'm just looking at the $175 difference for breaking my Verizon contract (plus maybe a couple extra hundred dollars for the iPhone). Not much if the phone is right I guess. I guess I'll find out soon enough.
I guess I don't need to repeat what everyone has said here. I was going to chime in to say that the reception on GSM is no reflection of AT&T. I hope we all understand that. Some phones will have a "tweaked" radio chip and some will not. It is a function of the battery capacity. All phone manufacturers walk a fine line in delivering a product to suit what the "public like" that said they make a "PHONE" with no bells and whistles that gets awesome reception because the battery is NOT asked to support other functions. Will a device manufacturer put in a larger capacity battery? sure they can , then we scream complaining about the weight and how ugly it looks. YES, this phone does all the BASICS needed to conduct a normal business day without any hiccups. SO, will a power user shun this? YES, why? cause he or she has been "programmed" by the other device manufacturers and carriers to install or tweak to get the original functions to work cause the carrier "neutered" it. So we go on and say well this iPhone does not do this and that, but Apple did say what this can do and cannot do and we know that before buying.
Remember when the PPC's started way back when I was a young cowboy, we had no idea what to expect and what it did, and took us a few years to find that we could buy "cool software" from the tech-geek down the street and then we found out what it did or didn't do and learnt that some of that same software would literally kill our devices. Anyhoo, whoever gets this device is bound to enjoy the functions this does and does it well without a worry.
Also please remember that tethering, BT functions, OBEX functions, DUN capability is ALL controlled by carriers and NOT the device manufacturers. Have you ever paid attention to some devices that are capable to doing all I mentioned? There never is an advertisement that touts what it does , the carrier just puts it out and it looks like a plain flip-phone that a kid, mom or a regular joe who has no idea what it is buys it. Now a power user never buys a plain-jane model why? cause it aint a PDA, so what does the carrier do? they make us "PAY" for that cause we just spent $$$$ buying it and they know we have more "blood" to donate for services that they intentionally removed off the device.
(Rant off and rave on)
I love this phone
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Funny it worked.....the last time!!Now I am not sure what was working before they put a hole in my head!!!!
It actually sounds pretty clear to me that you should wait out your term and not buy into the hype (just yet). There's alot that's yet to be seen how it will pan out. That being said, the phone in it's current incarnation was almost enough for me to keep and be happy with, but not quite. The limitations of the device really bug me. I don't quite agree with the previous sentiment that "everything it does, it does well" and that other phone power users are "wearing blinders". Please, it's a phone and getting this one isn't going to help you "think outside of the box". There's a good chance I may end up repurchasing mine, but having gotten the need to have the device right away out of my system, i'm going to wait and see what the updates look like, 3rd party apps, fixes, etc. Hopefully this doesn't sound too negative, I really enjoyed the interface/stylus-less multi-touch makes you wonder why you ever needed a stylus to begin with, and the virtual keyboard is actually fun to type on (I came from the 6700 too, I found i could type a bit better on the iphone). It's hard for me to read alot of these rah rah posts though when it's clear that the device isn't perfect (which one is for first gen?) and that while most of the non-3g stuff is most likely just a matter of time software updates, bailing on a 5-6 months left contract unless you get some sort of ETF-safe out seems kind of foolish to me (I ditched mine and ate the ETF, but i'm also kind of irrational with regards to these types of gadgets). I'll say one thing though, if you do get the iphone, it'll probably be easy to adjust but hard to switch back. Oh yeah, one last thing about the 3G, the pages basically just start loading right away on edge, EV-DO does has to initiate a connection, but once it's up, it's no contest (mostly). The speeds I got were good enough for browsing, probably not so great for streaming media.
I'm not seeing any reception issues so far. I haven't lost a call or had poor sound quality. When I was recently at Lake Powell the only two carriers in the area were Cingular and Verizon, and we had much stronger service with Cingular (via roaming on our T-Mobile MDAs). Verizon worked marginally (via roaming on a Sprint phone).
I think every carrier has strong and weak areas, so there's not reality in saying one is worse or better nationwide.
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Carlos Alvarez, Chandler, AZ
"One cannot expect freedom of speech without the burden of thought."
I left VZW after more than 10 years....and am going to pay the ETF...I will sell my Q to try to make up some of the ETF...it was a really hard decision..losing so much money and switching away from a good carrier like VZW.
I guess I just have faith that the issues that iPhone has are MOSTLY software based and will be fixed by either software updates or hackers...honestly I think Apple has a much better track record of fixing their flaws than other companies.
Boy...I don't consider myself an iPhone fangirl or something...I feel like I gave an honest opinion of how it works for me..since I don't really need the extra stuff that a power user does. I think my needs are very similar to the person who started this thread. We all know it doesn't do everything properly...just because I actually like the phone and want to keep it, I don't feel like it should be necessary to continously defend my positive opinion about a product. Different people have different needs... I don't want this post to sound negative..I just don't understand all the emotion behind the iPhone pros vs.cons debate.
By the way..you can purchase the iPhone and if you are not satisfied with them you can leave AT+T without an ETF and go back to VZW before 30 days and get your ETF refunded...that may help you try it for yourself for a while and see for yourself if it works for you.
Yes, it's definitely funny how emotions play a part in all this. As I mentioned before, I was always somewhat anti-Apple before I got a free iPod and it worked so much better than what I was accustomed to. I'm just wondering if the iPhone is going to work out the same. I think it's going to be a "different" user experience than I'm accustomed to but I think I'm ready for something new. I'm trying to wait patiently with VZW on a possible upgrade to the 6700 but I'm getting a little frustrated. I also feel like the 6800 is just going to be a better 6700 for the most part and for my needs I'm wondering if the upgrade to the 6800 would even be worth it. I'm just itching for something new and I need to scratch it though.
I'm with you xtgirl, I think most of the small bugs right now will be fixed with upcoming software upgrades and won't be a problem in the upcoming future and coverage has never been a problem with me when I had a Cingular phone with my old company. It actually got better coverage than my 6700 (I had it for personal use) in most rural areas. May have just been the phone but I don't think so.
Anyway, I've got to try it out in the next few days and I think that will tell me whether or not I go for it. Oh yeah, thanks xtgirl for the info. on the 30 day trial. That's good to know. It makes me nervous making such a big switch (for me that is) when I've been with VZW for years and years. But then again, change is good isn't it?
I too was running a 6700 as the hype for the Mogul and the iPhone was growing. When the Mogul came out, the reviews were generally not bad, but they were somewhat underwhelming based on my expectations. Based on that, I had little hope for the Verizon 6800. I then did some research on the Blackberry Curve and 8800. If the iPhone wasn't just around the corner, I probably would have gotten the Blackberry. I figured it wouldn't take long to either miss the PPC or be happy to unload that burden. Fortunately I was in a financial situation to go back to the PPC if I didn't like the Blackberry.
It was by chance that I drove past an ATT store on the iPhone release day and the line only had about 15 people in it at 3pm. I made a deal with the devil, bit the bullet, and I now have no regrets.
It looks like there isn't any way to save and/or edit word, powerpoint, and excel files currently. Do you guys think this will be available in an update down the road or just an Apple/Microsoft thing? When I think about it, I don't really use pocket word or excel to compose new documents on my phone. I do, however, save a lot of powerpoint and video attachments from e-mail. Not sure if you can set up e-mail folders on the iPhone but I could see this a way of saving these types of things (as a work-around). What do you guys think?
I think that unless your current experience with the 6700 is miserable enough that you feel you have to change, why not wait it out, save some cash (essentially the ETF makes it a $700-$800 device, although chances are the total plan cost will be less then what you're getting from Verizon) and there's a good chance by the time your contract is up, there will have been (hopefully) at least one update that resolves some issues/adds some of the missing functionality and will give us a better idea of what to expect in the future.
BTW, i don't know if Verizon is different from Sprint in this regard, but Sprint wouldn't let me resume my contract after trying out the iPhone within the 14 day period, although I did only call once.
It looks like there isn't any way to save and/or edit word, powerpoint, and excel files currently. Do you guys think this will be available in an update down the road or just an Apple/Microsoft thing? When I think about it, I don't really use pocket word or excel to compose new documents on my phone. I do, however, save a lot of powerpoint and video attachments from e-mail. Not sure if you can set up e-mail folders on the iPhone but I could see this a way of saving these types of things (as a work-around). What do you guys think?
Supposedly, these are some of the upcoming updates planned for the iPhone
Okay, just a quick update. I think I've decided to keep my 6700 (for now) and just purchase some new/different software for it. I was playing around with spb mobile shell and really like it and it doesn't seem to slow down the device like some of the today plug-ins do. I think I'm also going to get the spb mobile dvd converter so I can get some of my dvds and videos on my phone. I'll probably look at some other software too, not sure.
I'm also having a hard time justifying the cost and the switch to AT&T. AT&T isn't the big problem it's the cost of the phone and getting out of my contract to switch to AT&T. I just don't think it's worth it at the time.
I think I will try and let the "need to have something new" calm down a little bit and "try" to wait until Verizon comes out with the 6800 and the i760 and hopefully make a better decision at that point. Hopefully this new software will appease me for the time being. I guess we'll see. I'll probably need to upgrade my sd card at the same time. I'm starting to run out of space.
Thanks for the help guys. This place is awesome for getting great information for a noob like myself.
I am glad that the calmer side took control of you. Yes, you have to take time to make such a expensive decision. If you like the PDA you have now and its been good to you stay with it. Anytime you feel that it is the right time to change we will alwyas be here for you. I for one would not like to see you spend your hard earned money "just cause" you have to have the newest, bestest, goodest whatchamacallit everytime its put out. kudos to you. Yet, please come visit us here often and chew the fat here for a while will you?
__________________
Funny it worked.....the last time!!Now I am not sure what was working before they put a hole in my head!!!!
I guess I don't need to repeat what everyone has said here. I was going to chime in to say that the reception on GSM is no reflection of AT&T. I hope we all understand that. Some phones will have a "tweaked" radio chip and some will not. It is a function of the battery capacity. All phone manufacturers walk a fine line in delivering a product to suit what the "public like" that said they make a "PHONE" with no bells and whistles that gets awesome reception because the battery is NOT asked to support other functions. Will a device manufacturer put in a larger capacity battery? sure they can , then we scream complaining about the weight and how ugly it looks. YES, this phone does all the BASICS needed to conduct a normal business day without any hiccups. SO, will a power user shun this? YES, why? cause he or she has been "programmed" by the other device manufacturers and carriers to install or tweak to get the original functions to work cause the carrier "neutered" it. So we go on and say well this iPhone does not do this and that, but Apple did say what this can do and cannot do and we know that before buying.
(Rant off and rave on)
I love this phone
There may be some truth to power of signal and Battery. But my wifes new GSM Motorola Razor V3xx runs just as poorly as the iPhone. She had a Sprint LG Fusic that worked perfectly. Both are borderline at home. It's borderline at her work. It's garbled in 3 areas or so on the way to work. It works ok at my work.
Mogul to iPhone (Reception/Garbled calls hands down 6800/6700/6600) all did better.
LG Fusic to Razor (Ditto).
It's not just one area it's like this all over MA and NH.
It does seem to have good days and bad days. It may be congestion on the towers too which GSM doesn't handle as gracefully as CDMA.
I am glad that the calmer side took control of you. Yes, you have to take time to make such a expensive decision. If you like the PDA you have now and its been good to you stay with it. Anytime you feel that it is the right time to change we will alwyas be here for you. I for one would not like to see you spend your hard earned money "just cause" you have to have the newest, bestest, goodest whatchamacallit everytime its put out. kudos to you. Yet, please come visit us here often and chew the fat here for a while will you?
Hey thanks equus. I usually get the bug about 1 1/2 years into a phone and then want something new (when something viable is available). The 6700 has been a good phone and with the new software I've installed it's calmed my need a little for something "new". I just think an iPhone, in my situation, was going to be way too expensive to justify a phone that I "might" like more. I think I've come to my senses and will probably just hold out for a 6800 because I know what I'll be getting (for the most part). I just want something a weee bit smaller and I think the 6800 will do the trick.
I love coming to forums like this, they always have a wealth of information. I'm definitely not an expert on these things and guys/gals like you all are always extremely helpful. Ahhh, the internet, such a great place.
I also don't have a whole lot of outside apps on my 6700 because it seems like the just slow down the phone too much and sometimes don't work as well as advertised. I also have about 5-6 months left on my Verizon contract. Would you opt out of that or wait?
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