LAist: Ask the MACist

Drew

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 08:03:53 -0800

I'm not hating - I think they're cool phones and would love to own one - just overpriced and not smartphones. Apple fan-boys can be so sensitive. I work in the mobile industry - despite the particular wording of Wikipedia, it doesn't make it so. Technology analysts from Engadget, CNET and many others just happen to agree with me. I certainly hope that Apple opens it up to third party developers - it would make it a much better value.

Tom

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:18:03 -0800

Hey Macist, thanks for responding to my message. I've been using my Pearl for about 5 days...and I love it! This weekend I traveled to Florida and used Google Maps to get directions from the airport to my grandparents house. It's amazing. I also discovered PocketMac this weekend and after some random sync quirks (i had to change the connection settings from usb to serial back to usb for it to work), it works perfectly. I've sync'd iCal and Address Book. (also, thanks to Ted for putting iPhone hater Drew in his place)

Ted

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 16:47:00 -0800

wikipedia definiton of smartphone: A smartphone is a full-featured mobile phone with personal computer like functionality. Most smartphones are camera phones that support full featured email capabilities with the functionality of a complete personal organizer. An important feature of most smartphones is that applications for enhanced data processing and connectivity can be installed on the device[1], by contrast to regular phones which support sandboxed applications. These applications may be developed by the manufacturer of the device, by the operator or by any other third-party software developer. "Smart" functionality includes any additional interface including a miniature QWERTY keyboard, a touch screen, or even just secure access to company mail, such as is provided by a BlackBerry.

Drew

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 16:30:14 -0800

Not to be nit-picky, but the iPhone is not a smartphone. By definition a smartphone is open to third-party applications, which the iPhone does not allow. While you'll end up with a really cool-looking interface, you'll also be locked into only the applications that Apple wants you to have, how Apple wants you to have them. Awesome to work with, but not very flexible or a good value.