Eric J. Gruber

Back in July I wrote that I didn’t have an iPhone, and at the time, I didn’t think I’d be getting one anytime soon.

But, a few months ago, after the 16 GB model came out, I decided it was time to snag one. Yes, I know there will be a faster iPhone this year (perhaps soon?), although not in Lawrence for at least a year, maybe two. Yes, I know that if I would have waited a few years I could get one much cheaper. Yes, I’m almost certain they’ll get smaller, faster, more advanced, etc.

I went for it anyway. It was, without challenge, the most significant tech purchase I’ve ever made.

Every day I would head off to work with a Motorola RAZR and my iPod nano. Pairing down to one device was worth paying the “early adopter tax,” but it had several other benefits as well. Having my e-mail with me anytime (my preferred contact method) was a big bonus. The web browser, Safari, is fantastic. Have you ever looked at a traditional “mobile” browser? Yeah, no comparison.

Even though the built-in camera isn’t great, it’s good enough to snap some pictures, then instantly e-mail them to friends and family. The Google Maps application has been nice on a few times as well.

There are things I’d change, however:

• The recessed headphone jack, which only allows one to use Apple’s headphones (which suck) or a third party pair with an ugly adapter, has got to go.
• If you have an iPhone dock (which comes with the phone), it won’t work with Apple’s TV adapter. Instead, you have to hook the adapter straight into the bottom of the phone. Not a dealbreaker, but certainly annoying.
• There’s no Flash for Safari on the iPhone (yet), so web sites built with Adobe Flash won’t work (yet).
• Mac OS X Leopard has a to-do list application built into the e-mail application. I live and die by to-do lists, and this would be really helpful to me if it synced up. Alas, it does not (yet).
• While the iTunes Store on the iPhone allows you to purchase and download songs whenever, wherever you’re connected to Wi-Fi, it doesn’t allow you to download movies or podcasts from the store (yet).

I have to say “yet,” because Apple’s World Wide Developer’s Conference is just around the corner, and there will be a ton of new applications available for the second version of the iPhone’s operating system. So, many of my software complaints will probably go away. I hope the dock issue can be fixed with software, but unfortunately the recessed headphone jack is my cross to bear.

It’s worth nothing that I’m writing this on Monday evening, which might be the eve of a new iPhone. Apple typically releases new products on Tuesdays, and the “chatter” (rumors) about a new iPhone coming sooner than WWDC is at fever pitch.

So, if a new iPhone came out tomorrow, would I be upset?

Not at all. The phone really is a hit. It’s fun to use, and brings a little bit of simplicity to an otherwise information drunk web overlord like myself.