Apple Announces new iPhone 5

[bhelms]

What should Apple have done differently ???

For those of you who have a few weeks of iPhone 5 experience under your belts, what could Apple have done differently or better? What features are missing? I still haven't made up my mind about making the 5 my first smartphone. This thread presents plenty of "likes" and only a few complaints like the Maps app. (which will probably get better in SW updates), Lightning jack/adapters/aftermarket accessories, and case durability. Anything else a novice should know about ?? (I already have "no NFC" on my list, but I'm not sure yet what that means for me in my geographic area.) Note that I tend to keep phones for many (6-8?) years. I also don't travel a lot, and 4G might not make it to a cell system near me in my lifetime...let alone LTE!

Is the 5 the "one I have been waiting for"...or should I choose an alternative technology, or wait for the iP6 ??

TIA for any (nearly?) objective comments...

 

[mike123abc]

I do not think any smartphone is really designed to last 6-8 years. Apple does do a nice job of providing IOS upgrades to prior generations, an important thing to consider if you are going to have a phone for several years. The 3GS probably got its last upgrade now, but who knows, maybe they will do something with IOS7 for the 3GS. The iPhone 5 will probably go 4-5 years before you really start to notice features that would be nice. With the aluminum and glass build, it looks like it will not wear (aside from scratches on the aluminum), so I see no durability issues. I am sure you would be able to make calls and surf the web for 6-8 years on it.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

I would not hold off waiting for the next best thing, you'll always be waiting, and never get a new device. I guess I am easy to satisfy, I am very very pleased with the iPhone 5. It is fast, it is light, has excellent battery life (with my usage patterns), has a retina display, a large enough screen that still fits in a dress shirt pocket, or even jeans pocket, and solid reliable software. Could care less about nfc, and when the time comes that I do care about it, I'll be on a new phone. This phone will get a good two years life in my family, either by me or my wife or son, will I get the next phone? Probably, I usually do, but we still use the ones we have. And my wife has no qualms about using her 4S for a few years. The 5 is a rock solid phone with excellent specs and performance.

 

[Hall]

I still haven't made up my mind about making the 5 my first smartphone.

Why do you want/need a smartphone ?

 

[klang]

Well my 30 pin adapter .2 meter cable shipped today. So, I will soon be able to use my car adapter again. I have been using the headphone jack, but it will be nice to have the one plug again.

Just got two via Fedex a few minutes ago. The Lightning plug is a little bigger than the one on the standard Lightning to USB cable. It still won't fit in the hole on my Rocketfish case. I think a small amount of surgery on the case will fix it. Still waiting for delivery on my iFrogz case.

 

[bhelms]

Why do you want/need a smartphone ?

In fact, maybe I don't and that has me considering the options and not pulling the trigger yet. I also have an iPad which has essentially replaced my personal computer (not my work one) and does most of what I would do with a smartphone...but not all.

When I'm out of the house/off the premise I always have my current phone with me, but not always the iPad. Sometimes it would be great to have 'net access and the 'Pad is not where I need it. I can't text with my current phone, screen is too small to read and I hate contorting a numeric keypad into a string of text. I'm thinking having NFC will turn into a real convenience factor sooner rather than later. I want tunes with me and my ancient mp3 player is overdue for replacement.

NEED a smartphone, definitely not! WANT one...maybe...probably! Before I had my first cell phone (back in the "bagger" days) I couldn't understand how/why anyone really needed one. Now I find it indespensible, can't recall how I managed without the convenience. I only know one person who doesn't concur. I expect a similar epiphany when I eventually get a smart phone. The question is when to pull that trigger...

 

[mdram]

I'm thinking having NFC will turn into a real convenience factor sooner rather than later.

iphone 5 does not have nfc

 

[bhelms]

I do not think any smartphone is really designed to last 6-8 years. Apple does do a nice job of providing IOS upgrades to prior generations, an important thing to consider if you are going to have a phone for several years. The 3GS probably got its last upgrade now, but who knows, maybe they will do something with IOS7 for the 3GS. The iPhone 5 will probably go 4-5 years before you really start to notice features that would be nice. With the aluminum and glass build, it looks like it will not wear (aside from scratches on the aluminum), so I see no durability issues. I am sure you would be able to make calls and surf the web for 6-8 years on it.

Good points to match my situation. I look at the GS3 and like the expandability and easy battery replacement but physical durability for the long haul looks to be suspect. (I imagine Android is here to stay and updates with be similar to iOS.) I expect the only longevity issues w/ iP5 are the case scratching. Hopefully battery replacement will be available and economically feasible, expecting that I'll have to send it somewhere. (Amazed that I can still find batteries and accessories for my old Samsung phone...they're cheap and work!)

If I get 5 "good" years out of the iP5, that would probably suffice. (I'll probably be in a nursing home by then...!) Tks for the feedback.

 

[bhelms]

iphone 5 does not have nfc

Yep - I know that, was disappointed to learn it for certain on 9/21. That's one thing that's stalling my selection of iP5, might be the only thing! Maybe I'll decide it really doesn't matter, but I'm not there yet especially since I want something to last me more than a contract duration...

 

[bhelms]

I would not hold off waiting for the next best thing, you'll always be waiting, and never get a new device. I guess I am easy to satisfy, I am very very pleased with the iPhone 5. It is fast, it is light, has excellent battery life (with my usage patterns), has a retina display, a large enough screen that still fits in a dress shirt pocket, or even jeans pocket, and solid reliable software. Could care less about nfc, and when the time comes that I do care about it, I'll be on a new phone. This phone will get a good two years life in my family, either by me or my wife or son, will I get the next phone? Probably, I usually do, but we still use the ones we have. And my wife has no qualms about using her 4S for a few years. The 5 is a rock solid phone with excellent specs and performance.

Yeah, holding-off is doomed to disappointment in the long run. I bought my 'Pad 1 late in its short year of exclusivity knowing a "newer and better" version wasn't far off. (I needed it for a particular event, hence the poor timing.) Shirt pocket size is one of my "needs", which has me hesitating on the GS3 (tight fit especially with any presumed protective case, sticks out too much). You emphasized again many of the other important features. I just wish I could get past no NFC. Tks for replying...

 

[Hall]

I look at the GS3 and like the expandability and easy battery replacement but physical durability for the long haul looks to be suspect. (I imagine Android is here to stay and updates with be similar to iOS.)

First, I'm glad you didn't take my question above the wrong way, but honestly I see many, many people with a smartphone that are basically wasting their money (often a higher cost to obtain and depending on the carrier, a req'd data plan). All they do is text and call people. If you want a QWERTY keyboard for texting, you can get those with normal mobile phones.

As for Android updates, don't presume Android will work the same as iOS. Apple is probably better at supporting older devices with their newer versions of iOS but at some point they do cut them off. My son and daughter both have an iPod touch that's in marketing terms a 3rd-generation device but technically it's a 2nd-generation. We can't update iOS on those beyond v4.2.1, I believe. The GS3 is at the mercy of Samsung and the carrier. If you want longer OS support, look at a "Nexus" model. Those are phones that effectively Google controls but are used on different carriers.

 

[bhelms]

First, I'm glad you didn't take my question above the wrong way, but honestly I see many, many people with a smartphone that are basically wasting their money (often a higher cost to obtain and depending on the carrier, a req'd data plan). All they do is text and call people...

No, I understood what you were suggesting there and believe me, I often see the same thing and wonder myself. I'm definitely too old to be "cool" and having the latest smartphone isn't going to change that! So I need other compelling reasons to take the leap. The biggest commitment will be to a higher-priced plan and that really demands some serious consideration especially since I expect to retire before my next phone does. Will I get the benefit I'm seeking (still trying to define that!) in exchange for that added long-term cost?

...If you want a QWERTY keyboard for texting, you can get those with normal mobile phones...

Of course. My current plan does not include texting so even that minimal change would involve added continual expense. If I don't go "all the way" then I'll probably just stay where I am.

...As for Android updates, don't presume Android will work the same as iOS. Apple is probably better at supporting older devices with their newer versions of iOS but at some point they do cut them off...

Apple has been the update leader to this point but I think that's changing. Time will tell if the competitors can provide an equal level of support. Even after the updates end I trust I'll still have full utility that I gained to that point for the remaining life of the phone with any brand/OS. (Some 3rd-party apps. could be questionable.) But I could be wrong on that too!

...The GS3 is at the mercy of Samsung and the carrier. If you want longer OS support, look at a "Nexus" model. Those are phones that effectively Google controls but are used on different carriers.

I learned something there - tks for that! "Choice" of carrier for me is currently 1, AT&T. Verizon has only intermittent/spotty coverage where I live and the rest, nada. Of course that could change.

 

[mdram]

dont forget the developer support for android, they often have updates before the carrier

 

[bhelms]

dont forget the developer support for android, they often have updates before the carrier

Tks, I need to learn more about that. So you're suggesting I could log onto the dev's site and D/L the update apart from my carrier? If so, is that different for Apple; do they force the updates through iTunes?

 

[mdram]

Tks, I need to learn more about that. So you're suggesting I could log onto the dev's site and D/L the update apart from my carrier?

its a bit more involved, and the devs are just people like you and me, only smarter
they have things runing smoother then the carrier many times.
heck there are relaeses of new versions for phones no longer supported by the maker or carrier

 

[Hall]

My current plan does not include texting so even that minimal change would involve added continual expense. If I don't go "all the way" then I'll probably just stay where I am.

Granted, you will most likely have to "upgrade" from the current calling plan you have, but I'm certain that ALL plans now "include" texting (get the wrong Verizon rep on the phone and they'll argue with me that I should "upgrade" from current plan because the new one 'includes' text -- at a higher base cost though!!). Of course, these newer plans are certain to be higher than you're paying today....

 

[mike123abc]

Good points to match my situation. I look at the GS3 and like the expandability and easy battery replacement but physical durability for the long haul looks to be suspect. (I imagine Android is here to stay and updates with be similar to iOS.)

Actually android has a reputation of not being updated on phones. Manufacturers do custom mods when they release the phone and do not bother to provide OS upgrades once they stop selling that model. Android itself will be around, but will your phone get the next few upgrades?

 

[Anole]

Android:

So you're suggesting I could log onto the dev's site and D/L the update apart from my carrier?

Look at the sites now, and see.
When I last did, i found some had nightly updates.
In some cases, the independent developers never got all features working.
I was not 100% impressed.
Of course, on other devices, they did a great job!

If so, is that different for Apple; do they force the updates through iTunes?

No, but I've seen people get updated when the didn't want to.
Exercise caution, and just say no.

There are really no independent OS developers for Apple iOS.
There are some patches, hacks, and a lot of applications, BUT...
you'll only be exposed to those if you jailbreak your phone.
Mine is and I've loaded an application which has a patch to un-do something AT&T did to make it hard to run MY handset on other carriers.
It's called the Cellular Data Network settings.

I never update the OS of ANYthing 'till it has been well reviewed.
If you rely on a third party app requiring a jailbreak, expect to wait several months after a new iOS comes out.

On the up side, iOS beta tests pretty well, and is generally quite reliable.

 

[mike123abc]

http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=23448&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=35518

AT&T sold 6.1 million smartphones last quarter. 4.7 million where iphones. AT&T customers really want the iPhone...

 

[rockymtnhigh]

http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=23448&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=35518

AT&T sold 6.1 million smartphones last quarter. 4.7 million where iphones. AT&T customers really want the iPhone...

I'm curious what the Verizon breakdown is.