This comparision will be posted in a number of parts, and I am going to concentrate on the iPhone vs Nokia N900 and make references to Android, partly because there are several Android phones, and partly because I think Android tends to in some ways sit in the middle and where as the iPhone and N900 are opposite ends of the spectrum.
This is not a superficial test, but the results of living with the different devices for an extended period of time.
So who wins, iPhone or Nokia N900? The answer is it depends on you. If you want a cozy world where big brother Apple looks after your needs, the iPhone is for you. If you want freedom and will suffer some of the anarchy and are willing to do things for yourself that a big brother would help you with, take the N900. You will see more of the pros and cons of each as we go through the experiences.
Experience No1- The out of box experience.
Actually the out-of-box experience is very telling.
iPhone.
The iPhone went with me to meet some friends. I opened the box and took the iPhone out and brought it with me with the idea I would equip it with a SIM and start playing with it while I was out. The first surprise was it was not at all obvious how i would open the SIM holder. A little detective work solved the problem, it was clear a small tool was needed, and it was logical this tool was at home in the box. No problem, a borrowed improvised tool (an earring) solved this. Insert the SIM and turn the phone on. It was then I discovered the first negative experience. The iPhone asked to be connected to iTunes. I thought 'OK, we can do that later, but I need the phone now'. It soon became clear that the iPhone cannot be activated without connecting to a computer running iTunes. You must have a computer, and you MUST install iTunes! If you have iTunes already this is no big deal, but if you find this a little dictatorial you may be more an N900 person. Load up iTunes and register to apple and the roadblock is passed. Sync your contacts and you are away. Note if moving from an Outlook addressbook there are limits on bringing multiple mobile numbers (car, mobile, work mobile or foreign mobile for example) for the smae contact across. The out of box is over. Using the device is intuitive.
n900.
No problem inserting the SIM although the mechanism for opening the rear cover is obvious it is not the most comfortable mechanism. At first startup the n800 asks a series of question. It seems very strange that once English is selected as a Language, then you must set your timezone to be somewhere in England! Very strange! Actually I am in Australia at the time and Australia is not even an option! So an English speaking person cannot travel to a non-english speaking country? So if you speak Finnish and wish that as your language can you only ever have your time zone as Finland? I am aware there have been updates for n900 and the first thing I do is download updates. The process is very smooth and simple. I need to download two updates and restart each time, however the data i entered into the phone as a test is retained and after updates I am now able to locate myself in Australia and the functionality is clearly improved.
Summary: For the Apple you need to link to Apple, install Apple software on your computer before you can use the device. For the n900 you need to update the device and it is clear the device moves from 'very raw' to 'more mature' in the process. With Apple you are tied to Apple, with the n900 you are dealing with a work in progress.
Software and Apps.
The Case.
opening the box!
The out
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment