Yes, loyal servant of Lord Steve (now thankfully back in his post as CEO) that I am, I ordered the new iPhone 3G S in advance and got mine on the appointed day and, unlike others apparently, was able to activate in minutes. Verdict: Best. Toy. Ever… or almost ever for this aging boy. It’s also a dangerous toy with many gee-gaws to attract and distract while driving. And that’s indeed a problem, as anyone who has lived in or visted SoCal can attest, because no one drives much over ten mph on our roads or freeways anymore. Too crowded. They’re more like conveyor belts. We move along like stop and go snails, the stopping parts being the majority. So an iPhone beside you is indeed a useful but dangerous distraction. You can read Instapundit, the dreaded NYT, and on and on. Even the new compass is an amusing plaything. (What direction am I going? Oh, that’s northwest. All these years I thought it was northeast, etc.)
I also enjoy searching for apps. I have downloaded many I have not used, including language dictionaries for trips not taken. My latest is Trapster, a program that monitors speed traps. I just used it and it located my house and various points around it, saying aloud, “Police often hide here.” In those instances, I have the evidence (tickets) to prove they are right. So maybe this one works, if there’s ever little enough traffic to ever speed again.
But what induced me to buy the latest iPhone is the addition of video. It’s not great, but it’s certainly sufficient. I shot the above quickie of my office a few minutes ago, then emailed it to myself and put it up here, lickety-split. So I’m ready if, speaking of quickies, I catch some Senator en flagrante delicto. You never know these days. And I do a lot of flying.
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5 Comments
1. John Moore:Good for you, Roger. I got mine a few months ago. I-Phones rock.
In that spirit, I just also bought an Android (there will be at least 12 different Androids released this year). It isn’t quite as cool, but a more friendly environment for me to write software for (writing software for a smart phone is sort of like writing a screenplay – you write the greatest thing, and strangely enough, nobody want’s to buy it
However, using any phone in the car is dangerous. The only thing I use my iPhone for in the car is phone calls, and for checking traffic conditions (did you know the base map application does that).
Enjoy
Jun 30, 2009 - 8:25 pm 2. Roger L Simon:Actually, John, this is my second iPhone. Being a crazed early adopter, I bought the first one in its first week. I did skip the 3G, however. My next lust is more expensive – the Panasonic GH1 – a semi-DSLR that also shoots fabulous HD in stereo. Comes out in July.
Jun 30, 2009 - 8:49 pm 3. Anita Hope:For a very senior citizen, love mine too. Thanks for the added apps selection, now if I could just get more calls as this one rings a lot less since I changed my number, but the added features are worth having the time to play or read and yes
Jul 2, 2009 - 3:09 am 4. Gaffe Prices:even write. The Blue Ant has finally accepted the new phone and has allowed incoming calls to be connected, but he rejects voice control, so the 3Gs is still the boss.
I’m gonna hold out ’til the gummit pay for mine.
I’ll bet there is way more than than 47 million people w/out i-phones, this is an outrage!
Jul 2, 2009 - 6:59 am 5. Judy Anderson:Sort of changing the subject: I’m a cell phone Luddite, but I love the picture! It immediately reminded me of the Professor’s house in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and gave me a feeling of both longing and adventure. (I thought, “What an interesting looking place. Where is it? Whose is it?” Now I know. Many thanks!)
Jul 5, 2009 - 10:21 am