# The iPhone is absolutely brilliant **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 30, 2007, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003 "2007-06-30T02:09:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/161 "2007-07-04T17:55:02Z")
[QUOTE=elfkin477] Is it really “non-replacable” though? They said that about the battery in my PDA too, and while it was a [PITA to replace](http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-jeQabIs8bqoEpXpPksi4LZLimzw-?cq=1&p=66), I was able to do so. Once I bought the right tool bits. [/QUOTE] I ruined the screen on my video iPod, so I went to Apple store tp have it replaced. They didn’t do that, but repeffed me to a company that did. Good job, and not too expensive. I don’t remember their name, but I could find it if I had to. I’ll take a quick look. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/162 "2007-07-04T18:13:25Z")
[QUOTE=Sunspace] Depends on the locks applied. Also, internal settings would be different (language of display, etc). [/QUOTE] IME, those are easily changed as all phones tend to be capable of displaying different languages as anyone who’s accidentally set their phone’s language to Polish can tell you. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/163 "2007-07-04T18:22:10Z")
[QUOTE=Tuckerfan] IME, those are easily changed as all phones tend to be capable of displaying different languages as anyone who’s accidentally set their phone’s language to Polish can tell you. [/QUOTE] But I’ve noticed that phones thend to have differetn sets of languages in different regions. Phones for North America tend to have only English, French and Spanish, for example. Which makes getting one with Chinese an interesting experience. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/164 "2007-07-04T18:26:59Z")
[QUOTE=Sunspace] But I’ve noticed that phones thend to have differetn sets of languages in different regions. Phones for North America tend to have only English, French and Spanish, for example. Which makes getting one with Chinese an interesting experience. [/QUOTE] Most of mine have had a full set. Guess who accidentally set theirs to Polish? ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/165 "2007-07-04T18:47:02Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] I ruined the screen on my video iPod, so I went to Apple store tp have it replaced. They didn’t do that, but repeffed me to a company that did. Good job, and not too expensive. I don’t remember their name, but I could find it if I had to. I’ll take a quick look. [/QUOTE] Here [they](http://www.rapidrepair.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=APPLE_IPHONE_REPAIR) are. Just getting started. So far they’ll do the screen for $200. Is that high? I don’t remember the price for my iPod screen repair, but they installed it for a little less than the cost of the screen alone, IIRC. And fast. I’m going to bookmark, just in case. Anybody else done business with them? BTW; Apple referred, not repeffed, me to them. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/166 "2007-07-04T19:05:08Z")
[How to use your iPhone as an iPod **only**.](http://www.macrumors.com/2007/07/03/iphone-as-a-widescreen-ipod-wifi-without-contract/) > [@](#): > > TUAW essentially describes how to unlock an iPhone for use as a Widescreen iPod + Wifi – without a contract, and a $49.98 one time fee. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/167 "2007-07-04T19:14:07Z")
[QUOTE=Tuckerfan] [How to use your iPhone as an iPod **only**.](http://www.macrumors.com/2007/07/03/iphone-as-a-widescreen-ipod-wifi-without-contract/) [/QUOTE] That’ll work, **Tuckerfan** , but isn’t [this](http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?family=iPod) easier? And you get a lot more gigs. I’m missing something, right? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/168 "2007-07-04T19:15:47Z")
Heh, when I described what I wanted a phone/pda to do three years ago, I described what the iPhone does do. I think it’s funny that people have reactions of ‘revolutionary’, or ‘overhyped’. For me, the iPhone does precisely what a device of it’s kind SHOULD do by default. In 5 years this will be the case. Blackberry’s and Treo’s are going to have a hard time competing with only 64k of memory. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/169 "2007-07-04T19:17:37Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] That’ll work, **Tuckerfan** , but isn’t [this](http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?family=iPod) easier? And you get a lot more gigs. I’m missing something, right? 😉 [/QUOTE] You mean like that those aren’t widescreen, touchscreen iPods with built-in wifi? ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/170 "2007-07-04T19:20:15Z")
[QUOTE=elfkin477] Is it really “non-replacable” though? They said that about the battery in my PDA too, and while it was a [PITA to replace](http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-jeQabIs8bqoEpXpPksi4LZLimzw-?cq=1&p=66), I was able to do so. Once I bought the right tool bits. [/QUOTE] Depends on your tolerance. The folks who have disassembled them say it’s hard to get right, likely to crack the screen, and the battery is soldered on with a coating to make it hard to unsolder/resolder. That said, at least one site managed to do it. Assuming Apple’s iPhone [support site](http://www.apple.com/batteries/) is correct, though, it hardly matters. The battery is supposed to last for 400 full recharge cycles, and they specifically point out that if you discharge it 50% and recharge it two days in a row, that only counts as ONE discharge cycle. I’ve been playing extensively with mine since I got it Friday, showing it off to a parade of people by my desk, making calls, and browsing on both WiFi and EDGE . I’ve been using 30% of the battery life a day. If I assume that my use will probably drop to 25% battery/day over time, that gives me 1600 days (about four and a half years) of use assuming I never miss a day. And at the end of that time, the battery will supposedly hold 80% of it’s original charge (which is when they suggest looking for a replacement). I suspect that like every other cell phone I’ve owned, I’ll never need to replace the battery at all. If I do, any authorized Apple dealer can do it (I think they just swap the phone for a new one), probably for less than $100. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/171 "2007-07-04T19:27:29Z")
[QUOTE=mswas] Heh, when I described what I wanted a phone/pda to do three years ago, I described what the iPhone does do. I think it’s funny that people have reactions of ‘revolutionary’, or ‘overhyped’. For me, the iPhone does precisely what a device of it’s kind SHOULD do by default. In 5 years this will be the case. Blackberry’s and Treo’s are going to have a hard time competing with only 64k of memory. [/QUOTE] You can put memory chips in. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/172 "2007-07-04T19:28:12Z")
[QUOTE=Tuckerfan] You mean like that those aren’t widescreen, touchscreen iPods with built-in wifi? [/QUOTE] Well, yeah that. I think I’ll go ahead and hook up, though. So, have you talked yourself into it yet? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/173 "2007-07-04T19:37:53Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] Well, yeah that. I think I’ll go ahead and hook up, though. So, have you talked yourself into it yet? 🙂 [/QUOTE] Unfortunately, I can’t seem to talk my wallet into coughing up an extra $500 for some reason. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/174 "2007-07-04T19:47:18Z")
[QUOTE=Tuckerfan] Unfortunately, I can’t seem to talk my wallet into coughing up an extra $500 for some reason. 😉 [/QUOTE] "As low as $15/month. Of course there’s that little ATT fee. I’ll be at the Apple store tomorrow. Plastic in hand. 8 gig for me. I was at the store yesterday. That did it. It’s smaller, and much cooler, than I though. The size is perfect. Not at all bulky, like some others I could mention. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/175 "2007-07-04T20:08:36Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] I was at the store yesterday. That did it. It’s smaller, and much cooler, than I though. [/QUOTE] Yeah, everyone thinks you’re pretty cool, MG. Just not iphone cool, 'tis all. :dubious: I bought one over the internet. I haven’t told _anyone_ so right now, nobody knows except my credit card folks and AT&T, probably. Hm. Anyone know the real sales figures as of late? Would be interesting to know for sure, because APPL stock has been on quite a tear as of late. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/176 "2007-07-04T20:22:48Z")
[QUOTE=Common Tater] Yeah, everyone thinks you’re pretty cool, MG. Just not iphone cool, 'tis all. :dubious: I bought one over the internet. I haven’t told _anyone_ so right now, nobody knows except my credit card folks and AT&T, probably. Hm. Anyone know the real sales figures as of late? Would be interesting to know for sure, because APPL stock has been on quite a tear as of late. [/QUOTE] Weekend estimates have come in around 500K to 700K. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/177 "2007-07-04T20:46:09Z")
[QUOTE=Common Tater] Yeah, everyone thinks you’re pretty cool, MG. Just not iphone cool, 'tis all. :dubious: [/QUOTE] ? Was there a poll? Dang, I always miss the polls. Let me know when yours arrives. We can exchange bon mots. Till then I’ll practice. A lot. 😉 Maybe I’ll find that missing “t”. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/178 "2007-07-04T21:31:37Z")
I think they are holding sales figures close to the vest, but 500k or better is above most estimates I think. My only concession so far to the cell-phone has been a tracfone, so this will be a step up I think, even if my wallet will be significantly lighter. I keep telling myself I don’t gamble, drink to excess or use drugs, etc. Hm. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/179 "2007-07-04T21:42:18Z")
[QUOTE=glee] I have a landline with an answerphone. At work…I have a landline with an answerphone. [/QUOTE] Can’t remember where I heard this one originally, but imagine a child some years in the future: _‘Grandad, is it true that when you were young, people would phone a building and hope that the person they wanted was inside?’_ ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2007, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003/180 "2007-07-04T21:46:46Z")
[QUOTE=Common Tater] I think they are holding sales figures close to the vest, but 500k or better is above most estimates I think. My only concession so far to the cell-phone has been a tracfone, so this will be a step up I think, even if my wallet will be significantly lighter. I keep telling myself I don’t gamble, drink to excess or use drugs, etc. Hm. [/QUOTE] [A listing of various estimates.](http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/13308/53/) Some of the biggest folks are projecting 500K+. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iphone-is-absolutely-brilliant/410003.md?page=10)