iPhone Test Part Two -- or More Thoughts From a Tech Layman...*
For the record, that last blog post took 15 minutes to type out on the iPhone (granted I included the half-dozen tries it took me to log into Movable Type -- it's tougher than you think to get those fingers exactly on the right key to spell my login and password, even if they're already 10 times the size of those itty-bitty Blackberry keys...)
So I couldn't resist running back to the Galleria Apple store to taking the thing for a test drive when 6 p.m. rolled around. After I cruised past some anti-war protesters outside Mervyn's and made the store at about 6:20 p.m, the gadget grab was already on -- about 65 people through the store so far, with more coming.
More pics and thoughts on the way...
As each group entered the store, a round of applause -- before they're guided into another line...
Which winds back to the front cashier -- the final stop.
On the way out the door, I met Peter Cruz, 32, of Pasadena, who picked up six iPhones with the help of his 1-year-old daughter Nevada and his wife. But they're not for him -- Peter's a Mac consultant, and he was shopping for his clients, which includes some important Hollywood folk.
It was my turn to take the iPhone for a spin. Just as I leaned over the demo display counter, a rather defensive shopper at the pulled his prize out of my reach -- it's okay pal, this reporter still has some ethics, even if your new toy could probably pay for this month's rent...
As a consumer product, the iPhone is as cool and slick as something out of Kubrick's 2001 -- a logical melding of form and function, and quite a few functions at that.
To call it a phone is a bit of a misnomer -- sure you can make voice calls on it, but it's more a portable Web terminal with its a full-function browser and a touchscreen keyboard larger and slicker than anything on the market today. Now if Apple can build some video recording functionality (what were they thinking???)...
Since the phone function didn't interest me and there were no headphones for me to test its capabilities as a music player, I spent my 20 or so minutes at the counter fiddling with the browser. And for surfing the Web, the color screen on the iPhone is the most vibrant I've experienced yet on a handheld device -- as clear as any Apple display and larger than the competition.
Navigating the Web pages wasn't difficult -- it appears as a thumbnail on the screen, and a few taps on the page allows you to zoom in. In close-up, you can scroll the page both vertically and horzontally by running your finger along the sides of the screen, just like you would on a notebook touchpad.
Getting around the Web is tougher, as the touchscreen keyboard definitely has a learning curve. It took me about three tries before I successfully entered this blog's URL, and about six tries before I could access my Movable Type account.
The trouble is not knowing whether your fingertip (my fingernails didn't register) is on the letter you want, or the letter below it. It didn't feel precise, and typing is all about precision. Granted, I'm not much of a two-thumb typist -- maybe you Blackberry-Treo veterans have better luck. And there's an auto-complete feature to save you some typing.
It is a solid device, and quite functional. But I have no practical use for it. And how much are you willing to bet Apple will have an improved version on sale for less within 12-18 months?
I'll be saving that $400-$600 for the bills in the meantime.
*Update -- 11:25 p.m.