iPhone vs Windows Mobile, Vodafone vs Telecom

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WH0A

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Master Geek
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#61949 26-May-2010 15:26

Ok, really cliched Subject line(s) I know.

My dilemma, in quick bullets because I'd love any Geekzoner advice (neutral, pro-Apple, or pro-Microsoft) ...

Have been a Windows Mobile user for years, happy enough with it but accept that design-wise you can't beat Apple (usually) and some ... no, many ... things are still really frustrating with the Microsoft attemps to go mobile. The next version is never quite as good as I hope.

Current phone is a brilliant HTC Touch Pro 2 (WinMo 6.5). Really good phone and especially good for a power user with that hardware QWERTY keyboard. Terribly bulky though for a pocket for the same reason. And then there's WinMo's quirks (although HTC's interface tries hard to correct these).

Currently on Vodafone and probably stuck there because I need a family plan for my Vodafone-only family. Not a fan of either Telecom (especially XT) or Vodafone - both networks are hardly world class and IMHO their customer service is awful. I would never have believed it years ago when Voda was the coolest and easily best telco to be with, but I think Voda are even worse than Telecom these days ... one of the worst in any industry in the country I reckon.

But my wife's phone is dying and she's pressuring me to get a new phone so she can inherit the HTC, which she just loves (a good phone for her poor eyesight).

After years of resisting Apple, the recent news on a new iPhone OS 4 and the leaked new handset have me thinking seriously about defecting to the other side. The info on both the OS and the hardware have me thinking that Apples has at last addressed the biggest issues I've had with iPhone. (Multitasking at last - the biggie. And folders, gosh! And an upgrade to that awful iPhone default email. Finally better battery and camera. Etc ...)

But ...

Is iPhone's on-screen QWERTY any good for longer and frequent emails? I've read lots of mixed reports. After a hardware keyboard I fear that this will be a big step backwards

Is it true that iPhone on Vodafone sucks and that it's better on Telecom XT (no jokes please)? I can choose either with my company, but probably need to stick wtih Voda for the family plan.

How do Apple people survive without external storage?! I just don't get that missing from the iPhone, still ... !

How integrated with PC Outlook via Exchange is iPhone really - is it the same as WinMo integration or a retrograde step?

Anything else I should be wary or aware of?

Would I be making a big mistake and would this change require me to wear I Heart Apple t-shirts and react violently whenever anyone hints that Apple is not always perfect, that yes they're great designers but could possible, maybe, perhaps be somewhat control-freakish at times ... ?!

Seriously though, I'd really appreciate any advice you can offer - especially from anyone who is familiar with both platforms.

Thanks very much.

Cheers,
Mark

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Ultimate Geek
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#335096 26-May-2010 15:46

My 2 cents - how much extra space could you add to your HTC? the latest 3GS and 4th Gen iPhones have a minimum of 16GB storage - which is ample for music/videos i feel.

Email setup has pre-set profiles for Exchange, Gmail and a few others. It integrates well i feel, Sync'ing Contacts, Calendars and Email.

I have personally found the on-screen keyboard quite easy to use and it has auto-correct if you are terrible at spelling.

I was allowed to JailBreak my work 3GS - which then allowed me to put on "Backgrounder" - a multi-tasking application which is nice, until it finally comes out in OS4.

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vinnieg

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#335101 26-May-2010 15:50

what about an HTC Desire or Incredible? The new Android Froyo 2.2 looks really hard to beat :)

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

Behodar

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#335106 26-May-2010 16:03

1. It depends on the person. It frustrates me.

2. Vodafone's "extended" 3G, the only option outside the big cities, is not compatible with any Apple devices. You're therefore limited to GPRS. Telecom offers compatible 3G nationwide.

3. I agree that expansion is good, but Apple wants you to buy a new device when you run out of room!

4. I find the Exchange integration satisfactory but I've never used WinMo so I can't say how good it is in comparison.

6. I've managed to survive without declaring love for Apple and I haven't been lynched by fanboys for also owning a Sony Ericsson device :P

Handsomedan

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#335111 26-May-2010 16:09

Is iPhone's on-screen QWERTY any good for longer and frequent emails? I've read lots of mixed reports. After a hardware keyboard I fear that this will be a big step backwards
I find it is pretty good - in fact it's the best on screen keyboard I've ver used. It'll never have the tactile feel of a hardware keyboard and you might find that hard to deal with.

Is it true that iPhone on Vodafone sucks and that it's better on Telecom XT (no jokes please)? I can choose either with my company, but probably need to stick wtih Voda for the family plan.
Yes and no. Do you leave Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch or dunners often? I have a fairly dodgy connection at home as I am at the bottom of a hill, but I have that anyway, regardless of phone so it's a moot point.

How do Apple people survive without external storage?! I just don't get that missing from the iPhone, still ... !
Mine has 32gb...how much do you need?

How integrated with PC Outlook via Exchange is iPhone really - is it the same as WinMo integration or a retrograde step?
Don't know, but have heard it's pretty well integrated.

Anything else I should be wary or aware of?
You're stuck with iTunes. Unless you jailbreak. Lots do this and have no problems. I haven't jailbroken mine and never intend to. I like iTunes.

Would I be making a big mistake and would this change require me to wear I Heart Apple t-shirts and react violently whenever anyone hints that Apple is not always perfect, that yes they're great designers but could possible, maybe, perhaps be somewhat control-freakish at times ... ?!
Yes, you need the T-shirt. They're a pre-requisite.
No, you won't completey regret it, but you will need a bit of time to get used to the difference, the control that Apple have over the device (unless jailbroken) and you might even find yourself on one side or the other - loving it (me) or hating it (many others).

I have found that the majority of people that truly hate iPhones are non-iphone users that have never had a long term experience with the device. I love mine. I really do.

And for what it's worth - I am NOT a fanboy...I hated them until I got one. Irrational loathing, but loathing nonetheless.

Handsome Dan Has Spoken.
Handsome Dan needs to stop adding three dots to every sentence...

Handsome Dan does not currently have a side hustle as the mascot for Yale

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vinnieg

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#335112 26-May-2010 16:09

@Behodar:

1. It depends on the person. It frustrates me. +1 this does frustrate me too

2. Also agree, Telecom offers better 3G coverage for the iPhones

3. I agree that expansion is good, but Apple wants you to buy a new device when you run out of room!

4. The Exchange syncing on Winmo is far superior, but of course it should be. I set these up daily, we are using the HTC Snaps and the HTC HD2s, plus both Telecom and Voda 3GS phones. HTC or Apple is a tough choice, both are very well made

5. Android maybe?

6. I've also survived too, I show a little compassion for Apple followers as I support them here too :) My father in law also has a 3GS, that's about the only person apart from one guy here who I constantly tease about the Android vs OS4, just for the fun of it. I reckon the company with teh best features, usability and hardware should win, if that's the 4G, Android or one of the new WinMo7 phones then so be it :)

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

Kiwipixter

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Master Geek
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#335120 26-May-2010 16:23

WH0A:

Current phone is a brilliant HTC Touch Pro 2 (WinMo 6.5). Really good phone and especially good for a power user with that hardware QWERTY keyboard. Terribly bulky though for a pocket for the same reason. And then there's WinMo's quirks (although HTC's interface tries hard to correct these).

Depending on how attached you are to qwerty it can be a big move to touch based soft keyboard. i m a long time qwerty BlackBerry user and found using Android touch keyboard not too bad. iPhone has much better software keyboard.

Currently on Vodafone and probably stuck there because I need a family plan for my Vodafone-only family. Not a fan of either Telecom (especially XT) or Vodafone - both networks are hardly world class and IMHO their customer service is awful. I would never have believed it years ago when Voda was the coolest and easily best telco to be with, but I think Voda are even worse than Telecom these days ... one of the worst in any industry in the country I reckon.

Remember that your Voda Touch Pro 2 will be restricted to 2100mhz coverage only on XT. Where as the iPhone will have much wider 3G coverage on XT.

But ...

Is iPhone's on-screen QWERTY any good for longer and frequent emails? I've read lots of mixed reports. After a hardware keyboard I fear that this will be a big step backwards

See my answer above. the iPhone keyboard has arguably the best touch keyboard.

Is it true that iPhone on Vodafone sucks and that it's better on Telecom XT (no jokes please)? I can choose either with my company, but probably need to stick wtih Voda for the family plan.

Not true, if it sucks then why its the best selling smartphone for voda? and why xt doesn't have it if its so good?

How do Apple people survive without external storage?! I just don't get that missing from the iPhone, still ... !

How integrated with PC Outlook via Exchange is iPhone really - is it the same as WinMo integration or a retrograde step?

Exchange support is best on Winmo, especially 6.5. iPhone Exchange is pretty good, much better than Android and Nokia. On iPhone you'll miss only a few security policies support in Ex2007.

Anything else I should be wary or aware of?

Would I be making a big mistake and would this change require me to wear I Heart Apple t-shirts and react violently whenever anyone hints that Apple is not always perfect, that yes they're great designers but could possible, maybe, perhaps be somewhat control-freakish at times ... ?!

Seriously though, I'd really appreciate any advice you can offer - especially from anyone who is familiar with both platforms.

Thanks very much.

Cheers,
Mark

Sounds like best option is to get the iPhone for your wife. Most likely she'll like it much more than the Touch Pro 2.

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WH0A

52 posts

Master Geek
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#335124 26-May-2010 16:28

gtxboyracer: My 2 cents - how much extra space could you add to your HTC? the latest 3GS and 4th Gen iPhones have a minimum of 16GB storage - which is ample for music/videos i feel.

Email setup has pre-set profiles for Exchange, Gmail and a few others. It integrates well i feel, Sync'ing Contacts, Calendars and Email.

I have personally found the on-screen keyboard quite easy to use and it has auto-correct if you are terrible at spelling.

I was allowed to JailBreak my work 3GS - which then allowed me to put on "Backgrounder" - a multi-tasking application which is nice, until it finally comes out in OS4.

Hi Stephen

Thanks very much for the comments - reassuring.

Re storage, I carry a heap on the HTC me but to be honest I could cut that down pretty easily.

And my spelling is good ... just don't know how well my fingers will reflect that on a glass keyboard! Will probably be ok though, I don't have huge fingers or girly fingernails to worry about. :)

Cheers,
Mark

WH0A

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Master Geek
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#335125 26-May-2010 16:31

vinnieg: what about an HTC Desire or Incredible? The new Android Froyo 2.2 looks really hard to beat :)

Hi vinnieg

Yeah, seriously nice phones and I've had 3 or 4 (or is it 5 now?) HTCs to date, most of which have been pretty good.

But if I move to a handset without hardware keyboard, I'm having trouble going past iPhone when I search. So many good apps and such a smooth UI operation compared to HTC's valiant attempts to correct for Windows' flaws by running a UI on top.

But thanks for the pointer.

Regards,
Mark

WH0A

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Master Geek
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#335127 26-May-2010 16:32

Behodar: 1. It depends on the person. It frustrates me.

2. Vodafone's "extended" 3G, the only option outside the big cities, is not compatible with any Apple devices. You're therefore limited to GPRS. Telecom offers compatible 3G nationwide.

3. I agree that expansion is good, but Apple wants you to buy a new device when you run out of room!

4. I find the Exchange integration satisfactory but I've never used WinMo so I can't say how good it is in comparison.

6. I've managed to survive without declaring love for Apple and I haven't been lynched by fanboys for also owning a Sony Ericsson device :P

Thanks for the clear comments, Behodar. Reassuring that I can survive in an Apple world ... !

WH0A

52 posts

Master Geek
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#335129 26-May-2010 16:36

Handsomedan: Is iPhone's on-screen QWERTY any good for longer and frequent emails? I've read lots of mixed reports. After a hardware keyboard I fear that this will be a big step backwards
I find it is pretty good - in fact it's the best on screen keyboard I've ver used. It'll never have the tactile feel of a hardware keyboard and you might find that hard to deal with.

...

And for what it's worth - I am NOT a fanboy...I hated them until I got one. Irrational loathing, but loathing nonetheless.

Hi Handsomedan and thanks for your advice - appreciate it.

Point noted about the keyboard - I really just need to give it a good try. And that means spending time on it I think ratehr than sending two texts while in a store and then generalising about every iPhone as an expert! (Surprisingly common I suspect.)

Believe it or not I'd need to cut down my on-board phone data (music, photos, videos ... ok, cr@p to be honest) to fit it into the rumoured 64Gb version.

And very good point about iTunes - have never been a fan, but c'est la vie with Apple I guess.

Cheers,
Mark

WH0A

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Master Geek
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#335133 26-May-2010 16:39

vinnieg: @Behodar:

4. The Exchange syncing on Winmo is far superior, but of course it should be. I set these up daily, we are using the HTC Snaps and the HTC HD2s, plus both Telecom and Voda 3GS phones. HTC or Apple is a tough choice, both are very well made

5. Android maybe?

Hi again vinnieg

4. What difference do you find with WinMo versus APple for Exchange from a user's perspective? I've heard it's better integrated with teh Exchange hooks (and as you note - as one would expect), but I'm not clear how much difference it makes to the user as opposed to the systems guys.

5. Yeah, I did consider but none of the handsets appeal. (Yet.)

Regards,
Mark

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WH0A

52 posts

Master Geek
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#335137 26-May-2010 16:45

Kiwipixter:

Sounds like best option is to get the iPhone for your wife. Most likely she'll like it much more than the Touch Pro 2.

Hush yer mouth, Kiwipixter!

I'm sure my wife would love the iPhone but a) she has trouble with on-screen keyboards (fingernails, bad eyes, ...) and b) my company will be the one buying me my mobile so she'll just have to wait!

Seriously though, thanks for the useful comments.

Great forum and comments/advice like this are exactly why I always come back!

Cheers,
Mark

GBristow

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Master Geek
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#335195 26-May-2010 19:04

Wait for the fourth generation iPhone. You'll see a price drop with the current models, if you're that way inclined, and the 3GS and newer iPhone will come with the iPhone 4.0 OS. It'll allow multitasking to a degree, folder organisation, and more than one exchange profile.

vinnieg

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#335202 26-May-2010 19:48

WH0A:
vinnieg: @Behodar:

4. The Exchange syncing on Winmo is far superior, but of course it should be. I set these up daily, we are using the HTC Snaps and the HTC HD2s, plus both Telecom and Voda 3GS phones. HTC or Apple is a tough choice, both are very well made

5. Android maybe?

Hi again vinnieg

4. What difference do you find with WinMo versus APple for Exchange from a user's perspective? I've heard it's better integrated with teh Exchange hooks (and as you note - as one would expect), but I'm not clear how much difference it makes to the user as opposed to the systems guys.

5. Yeah, I did consider but none of the handsets appeal. (Yet.)

Regards,
Mark

To be honest both are simple to setup, the iPhone actually has less steps in reference to setting up the Exchange mailbox for the first time

The thing I prefer on teh WinMo phones is having all your mail scrollable without opening messages/mail on your desktop. And having your tasks/appointments on the desktop. So instead of say having to press Calendar or press Mail, they are just there sitting beneath the clock, which you can scroll through

Contact wise, they are almost exactly the same, you select contacts to access both on OS and WinMo

So really a very minor niggle, basically having to press an extra button on the screen. Although it seems that OS4 might be taking that feature

Sorry if that doesn't make too much sense, I'll try get a video of it this week :) I mean it might only annoy me and no one else

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

WH0A

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Master Geek
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#335318 26-May-2010 23:26

vinnieg:

To be honest both are simple to setup...

Sorry if that doesn't make too much sense, I'll try get a video of it this week :) I mean it might only annoy me and no one else

Thanks again vinnieg. I think I do get what you mean (although a video would be nice if you have time). That's pretty much what I'm hearin from others too.

Regards,
Mark

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