So I finally had to buy an iPhone 3G. I had talked about why I didn’t buy a first generation iPhone in an earlier post, and I’m glad I waited. The iPhone 3G was truly worth the wait.
I had wanted to get one of these phones back in July. After standing in line for two hours at a local Apple store, I gave up. But a little over a week ago, I was lucky enough to find a black 16 GB model in stock at an AT&T store. No line to wait in, and although it took awhile to activate, it was a relatively painless process. Plus by purchasing at an AT&T store, I was able to get my employer’s discount on cell phone service.
I’ve got to say that this is the first cell phone I’ve owned where I can actually use email and web applications. While I’ve tried various “mobile web” enabled cell phones in the past, none of them provided a very usable experience. Even if I limited myself to websites optimized for mobile devices, trying to surf the web on a phone was like trying to watch a movie through a straw.
Of course, the iPhone 3G isn’t perfect. I wish it could handle flash. I wish AT&T’s network was a bit more robust, especially the 3G coverage. And I wish the new pricing plans included unlimited texting (something that was included in the original iPhone plans).
But I’m willing to put up with these minor annoyances for a phone that can let me read my email, surf the web, store my contacts, snap a quick photo and keep my calendar handy. And yes, make an occasional phone call, too. I think I’ve fallen in love.