Apple’s iPhone4g Press Conference: Just in Time

by francine Hardaway on July 15, 2010

I hope I can wait until tomorrow before I throw my shiny new mobile phone back in Apple’s face.
I stood in line 6.5 hours in 100 degree heat for this phone on Day 1. I’ve had every previous iPhone. Trust me, the antenna is not the only problem. I wish it were.

Here’s my list of pet peeves with this version of the iPhone.

1)It turned itself off yesterday right in the middle of a conversation and wouldn’t turn back on. I thought it was dead.

2)When if finally came back on, my selected ring was gone.

3)When I attempted to download app updates, the Apple Store made me give my credit card information again and would not let the form be submitted until I had not only re-added my security code, but also filled in my “Salutation.” Of what use is it to them that I am Dr. Hardaway, except for unwanted marketing communications?

4)I have the antenna problem when I don’t use the bumper.  When I do use the bumper, I can’t get the phone to charge on it’s charger, so I have to keep putting the bumper on and taking it off all day. As a result, it has stretched a little.

5) The phone also has crummy blue tooth, which means it doesn’t work too well with my car, the 2009 Honda Accord.

6) Only some apps really run in the background.  The NPR app, for example, turns off its stream if I try to tweet.

7) Video’s not as easy to edit as promised.  You have to buy the iMovie app.

8) Battery life is not better.  If anything, it’s worse.

Why bother telling you more? Coupled with the obvious issues with AT&T, I find this iPhone a big disappointment. Yes, it’s got FaceTime, which is fun with my family, although only one of them has an iPhone4. I FaceTimed once with my business partner and we felt like we were violating each other’s privacy (well, maybe that’s because the phone takes screen shots and I tried to put one on Twitter). And yes, it definitely has a better camera.

I like good industrial design as much as the next guy, but I’m getting sick of paying a premium for Apple design and winding up at the Genius Bar.

{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

tdhurst July 15, 2010 at 9:30 am

That sucks. Mine is actually better than my 3GS, though I've always had a bumper with it. Perhaps they rushed it a bit too much and had defects with shipments?

I miss the days when Apple wasn't as popular and actually made superior products.

hardaway July 15, 2010 at 9:43 am

Exactly. So do I. They are in the process of sacrificing their brand
promise for money. I understand it, but…

Chuck Reynolds July 15, 2010 at 5:14 pm

My 3GS is just fine :)

hardaway July 15, 2010 at 7:15 pm

Keep it.

Francine Hardaway, Ph D
GV: 816.WRITTEN

lindavandevrede July 16, 2010 at 5:51 pm

I've worked with devt groups too long to be an early adopter of any technology
http://www.lindavandevrede.com/best-practices/w

hardaway July 16, 2010 at 7:59 pm

Yeah, but..

Francine Hardaway, Ph D
GV: 816.WRITTEN

Eric Herbrandson July 21, 2010 at 9:46 am

This is something I've been wondering about for a while. I think people have been willing to overlook some of Apples products faults because they liked that they were the underdog. But, now that their on top people are less willing to overlook those issues. We see something similar in sports all the time. People cheer for the underdog until the underdog starts winning consistently. I wonder who the next underdog will be?

BTW, app developers have to allow their apps to run in the background. For some developers, it's easier to just turn off the ability to run in the background rather then making sure that running in the background doesn't introduce new bugs into their app.

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