RSS5 Reasons To Give Your Money to Steve Jobs (Or Why You Need an iPhone 4)
The year is 2007. The month is December. I arrived back in the United States after an 8-month stint overseas. I left the country just two months before the first iPhone hit the stores. Timing, eh? I watched the keynote, I read the reviews, I saw it go international, but alas, not to the windswept island where I was residing at the time.
I had been back in the country not more than a week when it was clearly and firmly decided - it was time to get an iPhone. AT&T had a monopoly “back then” and either you forked out several hard-earned hundred-dollar-bills or you signed away your life on a 2-year contract. With plans to head back to the windswept rock I had emerged from, the contract was not an option, and so I handed over, with hunger and anticipation, some cold, hard-earned cash. And it was sweet. Because wouldn’t you know - there are so many good reasons to give your money to Steve Jobs. While at the time unlocking the iPhone was considered “hacking” and, shock and horror, rather illegal, there were ways around this. When there’s a will, there’s a way, and armed with the original Turbo SIM technology of Bladox not only was the iPhone easily unlocked, but it proceeded to travel the world with me. That’s right - I was part of the Apple contraband revolution. Or maybe I was just another Jobs fan entranced by what some called “the invention of the century” ... only 7 years into it.
It is now 2011, and I’m on my 4th iPhone. They don’t last, you ask? Oh, they do. But like other Apple addicts out there, nothing but the newest will cut it. 2010 saw the Library of Congress announce an amendment to the Digital Millennium Copy Right Act, giving exemption to circumventions of access-control technologies. What did this mean for us common folk? My unlocked iPhone was now 100% legal and free to (continue to) travel the world with me.
We are a mere 10 days away from the historic launch of the iPhone on Verizon Wireless. Now, more than ever, we need to know why this device is worth it, what makes it different, and what it means that it will soon be available from Verizon.
1) It’s the iPhone. ‘nuf said.
2) ... Not to mention Steve Jobs is a rock star. I’ve seen many a man try to sport the turtle neck & jeans look, and none have done it as successfully or as iconically as Mr. Jobs.
3) It isn’t “just” a phone. If you’re already firmly ensconced in the world of Apple products, you’ll enjoy seamless syncing capabilities from your iPhone, to your iPad, to your MacBook, all through the use of Apple’s MobileMe technology. If you’re ever gone through the motions of trying to use your alleged “Smart” Phone to manage your contacts, your calendar, or anything else for that matter, you no doubt are aware of the pitfalls of USB sync cables, theoretical Microsoft Exchange support, the nightmare of figuring out the various settings required, not to mention a serious shortfall in the software available. Why, before the iPhone came along and saved my Smart Phone life, I was a prisoner to Palm’s OS and the aptly named “Missing Sync” program. I now no longer think about if I added a contact on my phone while I was out, and what I have to do to get that information to show up automatically in Mail as I start to type their name. Whaddayaknow - it’s already there.
4) It still isn’t “just” a phone. Not to get too up close and personal here, but my iPhone goes everywhere with me. Everywhere. I can say it one more time in case you don’t see where I’m going with this? Let’s just say, to beat around the bush, gone are the days of newspapers or magazines splayed out on the bathroom floor. No need even for a shelf to place my book between “sessions”. The iPhone offers any number of APP-ropriate distractions. Geddit? APP-ropriate? Personally I’m a fan of Solitaire - especially the speedier versions - and on occasion a more stimulating word game called Whirly Word. But for the literature buffs out there, there’s even a Kindle app for the iPhone - so you can pick your poison and use that to entertain you, as needed.
5) It’s better than any Android device available. There, I said it. If you’re up in arms about this statement let’s talk - @WantACode - but my guess is you know, deep down inside, that it’s true. Until the Android community is able to lock down device integration in the same way that Apple has done with iOS on the iPhone, iPod, and iPad, it will remain the #2 choice. I’d rather not even entertain the idea of Windows Mobile as a competitor, and let’s face it, Palm’s Pre was it’s last (gasp) hurrah. Don’t get me wrong - Android has potential to be just as smooth - but what Android needs is a flagship device that works out the kinks, instead of a plethora of devices across carriers, with different software versions, and no coherent plan for mobile domination. Google has succeeded at so much else (barring the Wave, and the rather questionable Buzz) so while these statements may hold true today, we won’t know what tomorrow brings. For now though - there’s a darn good reason to hand your cash over to Jobs.
... as for what you need to consider when picking a carrier in the United States? Consider this two-part Q&A to help you decide. If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to tweet @WantACode and we’ll get you sorted.
Q: Do you travel (a lot) internationally?
If yes: Go with AT&T. Not only is unlocking the iPhone legal now (hello world), but with a handy-dandy Micro SIM cutter that’ll fit in your bag and take no more space than your toenail clippers, you can simply pick up a prepaid SIM at whatever international airport you land at, clip it to size, slot that bad boy in there, and you’ll never know you weren’t in your very own neighborhood. If you’re feeling like fighting for the underdog you can always switch to T-Mobile too ... Verizon’s CDMA technology does not allow for the handy SIM-switch.
If no: What do you do? Go with whichever carrier has better coverage in your primarily place of residence & work. Simply check out the coverage viewer for AT&T and the Verizon Wireless coverage map, compare and contrast them for your situation - meaning don’t listen to whomever currently has a louder advertising campaign - and make your decision based on what service best suits you.
Q: Do you like to have long, drawn-out conversations with your mother-in-law while actually playing Scrabble with your cyber-friend VocabMaster82?
If yes: Go with AT&T. They allow for voice & data usage at the same time. Remember those ads with Luke Wilson? Where he has postcards? And they’re flying all over the place? Perhaps not the best ad campaign every created - but the point they were trying to make is that you can talk and surf the web at the same time.
If no: Go back to checking coverage maps ... Verizon does not allow voice & data services at the same time. They might tout the best network, most coverage, least dropped calls, etc., but the simple fact is that their technology does not allow for you to say ‘uh huh’ to your mother-in-law while she complains about a lack of grand children and you beat VocabMaster82 with a triple-pointer in online Scrabble.
All this being said, you’ll have to make up your own mind if Steve Jobs is worth dipping into your kids’ college fund for. But if you’re anything like me, not only are you already outfitted with a Magic Mouse, wireless keyboard, iPad, and Apple TV, but you are also, quite earnestly, awaiting the launch of the iProduct. (Thanks Gizmodo).
