Last Two

July 2, 2009 at 9:18 pm | No Comments »

Final two iPhone-related observations for awhile, I promise.

First, the AIM app finally makes sense, thanks to the notification service. For the past year, AIM was all but useless on the iPhone because you only got messages when running the app and your iPhone screen was on. Who wants to stare at the screen while your buddy types? Insane. IM works on the desktop because it’s modeless. You easily, unconsciously even, flit between chats and real work or entertainment. Now that the AIM app can finally use the much-touted notification service, it finally behaves the same way. Send a message then switch to the web browser or even put the iPhone to sleep. When a response comes in, an alert pops up much like with incoming SMS or meeting alerts. It’s sweet.

Second, why have so many reviewers taken to parroting that the 3G to 3Gs jump isn’t as significant as the original to 3G changeover? 3G added a slightly faster cell connection (at the expense of battery life and reliability) and GPS (but not true turn-by-turn directions). In comparison, this year we get much faster processor, twice as much RAM, double storage capacity (for the same price), much better camera, video recording, video editing, voice control, compass (allowing self-orienting maps), Nike+ and volume control on the headset remote. Seems like a lot more this year. But silly me. I’m forgetting the most significant differences. The original to 3G involved a case redesign. Anyone looking at you holding your phone could tell whether you were using this year’s model or not. Whereas the 3Gs looks identical to the previous one. Why should it be important to upgrade if no one around you can see the difference?

---