The Technology Liberation Front - Latest Comments in Some Shameless iPhone Gushing

Re: Some Shameless iPhone Gushing

David McElroy — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:01:15 -0000

Tim, my experience with the iPhone mirrors yours, but it was last year when the first model came out. I also was using a RAZR at the time (and was reasonably happy with it, at least as compared to other phones I'd tried). Stepping up to the iPhone was like going from a Model T to a modern car.

I think the thing that most iPhone detractors don't understand is that it isn't about features, at least not in the sense that most people mean -- a list of features to be checked off for a box or a review. There are certainly missing features and there are certainly flaws. But when I've tried other smartphones in the past, it was clear that I'd never use them to do what they were capable of doing, because they were so stinking awkward (and illogical) to use. Apple hasn't gotten everything perfect, but its engineers have implemented the features they've done so far in a way that normal people can easily use them.

With desktop computers, there was a time when you had to be a computer expert to use them. That's the way smartphones were before the iPhone. It had to be something of a hobby or obsession for you. You almost had to be a gadget freak to enjoy using them. The iPhone is the first smartphone for normal people who just want to use the device as a tool for getting things done.

On the subject of typing on the keyboard, I really can't figure out what the fuss is about it being difficult. I was hesitant about it before I used it, but it's been a breeze after I learned to "trust" it.

BTW, if you want to see a real UI train wreck, take a look at this little video about the UI on the new Linux-based OpenMoko. (In fairness, it's not finished, but it's laughable that anything this bad was shipped.)

http://www.vimeo.com/1366042?pg=embed&sec=1...

Re: Some Shameless iPhone Gushing

huxley — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:47:07 -0000

@andyinsdca,

I had a better time with it when I remembered that it's not a real keyboard, it calculates the "center" of your fingertip when you "type", it doesn't really matter how big your fingers are it just matters where the "center" is.

Re: Some Shameless iPhone Gushing

andyinsdca — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:51:21 -0000

I hate to be one of the contrarians here, but the iphone keyboard is HORRIBLE. My fingers are fairly big and it's impossible for me to do any sort of typing on it at all.

Re: Some Shameless iPhone Gushing

monica — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 05:50:16 -0000

Are you easy to please ?

Re: Some Shameless iPhone Gushing

binarybits — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:36:30 -0000

Other Tim, I don't know. I know Apple has said there are 200+ patents covering the iPhone, but I don't know how many are UI-related, or how many of them would stand up in court. Obviously, it would be a Very Bad Thing if Apple were able to lock down key features of multi-touch mobile devices for the next 20 years.

Re: Some Shameless iPhone Gushing

Tim — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:20:01 -0000

Tim, just curious, but do you have any idea (I don't) to what extent the UI innovations--in particular those related to the touchscreen, flicking, resizing, etc.--are covered by patents.

It seems to me like they almost certainly are, and that these patents are likely expansive enough to hinder similar UI development based on touchscreens by competitors, to the detriment of us all.