Expert: Ed Zabrek

Apple has always had the upper hand when it comes to great timing of their announcements. There was pre-press guessing on what Jobs was going to pull out of his hat at MacWorld 2007, and he did not disappoint fans and press alike with the much anticipated iPhone. Interestingly, MacWorld always coincides with the Consumer Electronics Show, and this year was no exception. I do not think it is an accident, and as a result, Jobs, with his iPhone intro, attempted, and I believe succeeded (to a slight degree) to steal some of the Microsoft thunder with the highly anticipated release of Windows Vista and Office 2007.

As a physician, I was sent by my hospital facility to attend and report my findings from CES.
When I returned, the only questions I was asked by my colleagues was, "What was the iPhone like?" I had to tell them that it was not shown at CES, and I did not go to MacWorld.

It appears that physicians who "hate" technology want an iPhone. Docs who do not wish to get a "free" Windows Mobile Phone to participate in a beta test of a new software product for the hospital, would immediately change their minds, if, and only if, I offered them an iPhone for the same beta test.

It is uncanny to me how well Apple can create of swell of anticipation, and a market for vapor ware.

I was initially impressed by the iPhone announcement (as were many other press and regular folks) but after reading David Shier's blog on this site, my excitement was tempered down.

As a former consultant for Samsung Telecommunications division (on a healthcare enabled phone project) I learned that not all that is announced comes to pass.

I believe we will see an iPhone in the next 6-8 months with a Cingular logo on the front. I am hopeful that there may be some improvements over what has been described by Apple. If successful (and I have no doubt it will be) I believe it will raise the bar for Microsoft, and Windows Mobile devices, and we will all benefit from this "new", "revolutionary" product.

By the way, you may remember an evolutionary keyboard less, non replaceable battery, 3.5 inch color screen PDA several years ago. It was the original "iPaq" by HP. Though it did not have a phone, many improvements have been made over that design. Though the iPhone is thinner, and sleeker than the original iPaq (as I would hope it would be in 2007, with all of the technological advances that have taken place since the iPaq was conceived), I view this device as 2 steps forward, 1 step backward in the realm of mobile smartphones. Time will tell how it all plays out.

As Miles O'Brian on CNN said this morning (to paraphrase), "The iPhone is a cool product that costs Apple about $247.00 for the 4 GB device, and $270.00 for 8 GB. I believe it will be grabbed up early by the early adopters. After that, they have some room to play with the price, and try to sell it to the masses."

Ed

I am currently looking at this COOL new PPC PE from Sprint. It is a GREAT device with a few uncorrectable issues, but 1st:

the GOOD- 1. It is the 1st Pocket PC Phone Edition to sport WM 5.0 (and I LOVE the new OS!) By beating everyone to punch for 5.0, Sprint has a sure winner for all of you early adopters out there. Samsung's i730 (Verizon) is WM 2003 2nd Edition, but should receive an upgrade in the near future.
2. The larger keyed, landscape oriented QWERRTY keyboard gets my vote for the best "thumb" keyboard I have ever used, with 1 exception (see the UGLY below)

3. The numeric layout of the keys is across the TOP row, so no more Palm 600/650, mini number dialing or numeric input--a big PLUS! A double-tap of button acts as a NUM lock (unlike the Samsung i730 that does NOT have a NUM lock option, and a poor numeric keyboard layout for left-handers (like me).

4. There a 5 programmable hardware buttons, but see the BAD below for addition information. The i730 has 5 buttons, but they are easier to map due to the hard engraved, recognizable icons.

5. The device will sync and charge using a STANDARD USB 2.0 mini cable!!! The Samsung i730 has a unique, proprietary Mini-USB "looking" cable, that, if lost, is a big problem, and it does not charge the unit.

6. Removable, replaceable battery! The unit can also use an optional extended life battery. The charger is equipped to charge the unit with this battery (or the standard battery) installed, as well as charging either battery in a 2nd charging bay. This is similar the i730, however, Samsung includes both batteries in the retail package.

7. Decent built-in still and video camera with light.

8. Built-in WiFi, Bluetooth, and EV-DO high speed data that can be tethered to a laptop. The i730 has all three as well, but cannot be tethered to work as a high-speed laptop modem.

the BAD:

1. Mini-SD slot! I have so many standard SD cards, now I have get the mini's. (I never even liked the Mini Cooper.) If you are going to have a Mini SD, complement it with a standard SD slot as well.

2. The unit has no place to attach a bungie. I am waiting for my 6700 to plop into the toilet at an inopportune moment. The i730 has a bungie hole to spare me this experience.

3. As mentioned above, the programmable hard buttons are difficult to map. I am hoping to get a map from Sprint in time for the review so I can share it with my readers.

4. Very little additional software in ROM or on a CD. The i730 gives you Sprite Backup in ROM, and the incredible Picsel Browser 3rd party app in ROM. (see Dale's review in the current issue of PPCMAG.)

the UGLY:

The keyboard is GREAT, however, the keys light up whenever the keyboard is touched. That would be great, except that the keys are silver, and the under light shining through the translucent keys is white, making the keyboard very difficult to use in daylight, or in a lit room. In a dark room, the keys look "black", and a red/orange glows lights some of the special function keys. I would like to seen a black keyboard with this back light, or a different color back light (neon green or neon blue would have been nice). Unlike the i730, you cannot set the back of this keyboard to only light during "night" hours. If you i730 users are not aware of this, e-mail me and I will tell you how.

MedEd