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The iPhone Phenomenon

A nerd has taken the plunge from the world ruled by Microsoft into the world ruled by Apple. Both have excellent business plans that make you a captive. Microsoft captures you through its licensing and Apple captures you through iTunes and the iTune store by requiring your credit card information to register. Apple and Microsoft are no different when it comes to making money off us as consumers.

Regardless, I purchased an iPhone. The iPhone is quite expensive especially with a few accessories and the care package. The iPhone is not a phone, but rather it is an information appliance. Apple has done their customary job of building an intuitive user interface. The iPhone itself is an impressive device when it comes to display capability, user interface, and durability. The only thing is that it eats power like football linemen eat steak.

Some simple added short explanations would help with making the user interface more understandable, like to rearrange the applications or delete the applications you only need to hold your finger on the application icon for a brief time until all the icons start to wiggle. The twisting thing changing from portrait to landscape views still eludes me as well.

Of course as a Nerd I loaded a bunch of free applications that did not work properly. It had something to do with registering the applications. Regardless, I wiped the phone before I knew what was happening and ended up with a screen in Spanish saying plug it into ITunes on the PC or make an emergency call. The thought crossed my mind to call Apple and complain about the Spanish language carrying stupid Political Correctness way too far. However, it looks like I could only call 911, so that was not a good idea. Regardless, I did rebuild the iPhone and the applications now seem to run better now that the phone is reauthorized. This crash just shoots down Apple’s advertising message that Apple products operate better than Windows products. Both Apple and Microsoft crash and behave similarly.

The phone interface with its touch sensitive screen and large phone display is easy for everyone to use. The keyboard displays are sensitive and take some getting used to, but they are easier to use for me than the cramped typewriter like mobile phone keyboards and the normal phone keyboards where you hit the keys several times to enter a letter and not a number. I use the single hand one finger hunt and peck method to enter information. It is fast enough for me. People typing with two thumbs may find difficult to use.

The iPhone seemed to me to be so useful that I forced one on my girl Cate. Under major protest and in the dog house sleeping threat, I got an iPhone for her. The test is not complete as yet, but she is accepting it. When she begins to use the grocery shopping application app (application program), the camera, and some other features, she will be hooked. There is more to come on this test.

So far I use the free GPS application, the Trapster.com (speed trap) application, the phone, the calendar, the web browser, the email, the battery power indicator, the voice calling (only on the high end model phones), the weather channel app with its map, and my AT&T bill application. There are many more free applications that look potentially useful. The phone also stores some pictures and music (it is a music player). There are videos and other things that the future holds for me, but best to work into things slowly.

In spite of its appeal to young folks, the iPhone works well for us old folks as well. In spite of the expense, it is definitely worth a look and if you need it like I do, the expense.


Link to CBS "The iPhone Phenomenon"

P. D. Moulton and Dial A Nerd, a local Columbia, Ellicott City, Howard County, Maryland(MD) PC repair, computer repair, laptop computer repair, Wi-Fi network and wired LAN network configuration & repair, Windows XP repair, Windows Vista repair, Windows 7 repair, network server computer support, and virus & spyware removal. Dial-A-Nerd repairs PC (s), computers, networks, removes viruses & spyware and upgrades slow computers 24 hours a day 7 days a week. DialANerd provides immediate remote access as well as fixed price computer repair, network repair, virus & spyware removal services at its local Columbia, Ellicott City, Howard County, Maryland(MD) repair shop. Repair completion is typically 24-hours to 48-hours. Dial A Nerd recovers hard disk data and saves your data. Each hard disk is tested for errors for free. Dial A Nerd makes a fixed disk image, recovers and saves your data for about a 90% of the desktop computer, laptop computer, and netbook PC (s) serviced. Dial A Nerd, a local Columbia, Ellicott City, Howard County, Maryland(MD) repair business provides fast PC repair, computer repair, desktop computer repair, laptop computer repair, Wi-Fi network and wired LAN network configuration & repair, Windows XP repair, Windows Vista repair, Windows 7 repair, network server support, and virus & spyware removal services with a warranty. Dial A Nerd works on many PCs including Sony computers, Gateway computers, Hewlett Packard computers, Compaq computers, Toshiba computers, Emachines computers, Clone PCs, and Dell computers in the local Columbia, Ellicott City, Howard County, Maryland(MD). The Dial A Nerd mission is delivering the best quality, affordable cost effective PC repair, computer repair, laptop computer repair, desktop computer repair, Wi-Fi network and wired LAN network configuration & repair, Windows XP repair, Windows Vista repair, Windows 7 repair, network server support, virus & spyware removal, home PC repair, printer configuration, PC - desktop computer - laptop computer - netbook computer performance optimization & speed up service. Homes and small businesses with limited IT service and IT support budgets in the local Columbia, Ellicott City, Howard County, Maryland(MD) hire Dial A Nerd.


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