July 1, 2007
The iPhone
Back in April of 2004, I bought my first cell phone. It was a Verizon phone, and I got one year of service. Even back then, Mac rumor sites were predicting Apple would come out with the iPhone, and people weren’t sure what network it would be on.
This past weekend, that infamous phone was introduced. It seems, with some minor flaws, to be one of the most intelligent and useful electronic devices created. I haven’t seen one review that is negative (besides little quibbles).
My current phone is about dead. The glue is leaking on the inside onto the screen, a screw came out, and the battery lasts about one full day if I don’t use it for more than a few minutes. I’ve resisted upgrading my phone for about two years now anticipating the arrival of this new device.
The big question is – can this purchase be justified? I’ve been saving money in a little white envelope for quite some time now, so the savings are there. But still, is it worth $600? Especially as I’m promoting good stewardship of resources and sharing our gifts with our family in Africa?
I’m leaning toward yes. I’m not a person for flashy hi-tech toys, unless they allow for serious work to be done on them. I use my iPod video every day as a storage device, podcast recorder, video training and presentation tool, and contact holder.
The iPhone would allow me to update appointments on the fly, create and modify my growing Google spreadsheet and document collection, email from anywhere, present Lahash videos (including our expanding YouTube collection) from anywhere, consolidate my devices, hold data, input ideas, showcase photos of the work in Africa, update the blog, make use of visual voice mail, and the list goes on. In short, it’s a moderately handicapped computer in my pocket that’s always connected to the internet. It seems like a great purchase.
That said, one of the biggest concerns would that it could be seen as a waste of money or as a status symbol. Erin and I are still praying about it, but I needed to get my thoughts out on the web.
Seems like a great purchase for you and Lahash to me bro. This iPhone madness will calm down in a few months – then apple will have announced the next touch screen ipod or whatever and then it’ll look old etc.
I imagine you will have to explain it to lots of people though, ufortunately. I mean yeah its cool looking, but its also a very practical device that could potentially take the headache out of managing contacts and friends and upcoming events/presentations. Seems perfect for what youre doing to me.
vance
Jul 1, 08:56 AM
I’m with Vance on this one. Sure, there’s a lot of hype surrounding the iPhone and it’s seen as some sort of luxury item. However, if it fills alot of needs for you, from a business standpoint especially, and you need a new phone anyway, and you’re paying for it with cash, go for it.
I try to look at big purchases in terms of how many hours of time (and how much sanity) will it save me. If it can really improve the quality of work I do, and allow me to manage that work faster, then it makes sense to do it.
good luck making a good choice.
brian
Jul 1, 02:45 PM
And it’s nicknamed the Jesus Phone.
Matt
Jul 2, 08:45 AM
Just a note, just read that there is no video out…so unfortunately you can’t hook up the iPhone to TV’s or Projectors to present videos and photo’s.
Matt
Jul 2, 08:54 AM
Thanks for the advice. I have seen that there isn’t video out on the iPhone. I’m wondering if there will be a dock option that will enable video out (from a third party provider). In the meantime, the video playback on the screen should be fine for viewings for a couple people.
Brian, do you have any pros or cons from your usage? How’s the on screen keyboard?
Dan
Jul 2, 10:24 AM
Hey Dan, here’s my initial thoughts, mostly mega-positive: the iphone post
brian
Jul 2, 11:08 AM
I am gonna live forever or die trying! Long live iPod!
Bill Gates
Jul 4, 06:24 AM
Dan Dan Dan, Tiff told me about your post, so I thought I’d check it out as I am also thinking of buying an iPhone when they get to Denmark. It’s this simple Dan: you’d be using the phone as a tool to expand and support the admirable work you do – that it is also a cool gadget is only a bonus.
-Abby
PS – Congrats on the engagement (I’m a little behind.)
PPS – Congrats on the marriage (Now I’m up to date.)
Abby
Jul 13, 08:34 PM
Abby Abby Abby. I just saw one of your photos in the old Jonah “yearbooks” this weekend. Thanks for the advice, and the congrats! Hope life in Denmark is splendid – when are you coming by the Northwest again?
Dan
Jul 16, 04:15 PM