First Impressions

Absolutely gorgeous packaging. Beautiful iPhone bag.

And my impressions pretty much end there. 'cause I have yet to open the damn thing. This is kind of my modus operandi; I get caught up in the hype cycle and make the purchase, anguish over it for days, and then generally bring it back to the store. And I think that's what is going to happen in this instance.

I have doing extensive research for the past 24 hours and have been following all the forums. Generally, I'd say that most consumers seem pleased. I spoke with my buddy and he's happy. And I noodled around on my neighbors unit (man, does that sound wrong) and was impressed as I was last night (by the way, I went to the store last night expecting them to be sold out; the only reason I made the purchase was 1. it was so damn cool -- beyond expectations and 2. the dude at the store announced they only had 20 more 8 gigs, and I noted I would be the 19th person in line!).

Without question, the thing is wicked ass cool, but I have a few major concerns:

1. For me personally, it's simply too expensive a toy that I don't really need right now -- unless it can offer business utility. If I can get my network email, which for me is the "killer app" and non-negotiable, then we'll be in business. In order for that to happen, though, Apple needs to strike a licensing agreement with Microsoft (Exchange Server), so that it can Active Synch and deliver messages in real time. Word has it that this announcement will be made next week and I'll be watching out for it; this, for me, is enormous. This would enable me to use it as my primary device and if I can do that, and it's fairly efficient then I have NO problem rationalizing the cost. As is, however, there is no way I currently get rid of my 8525.

2. The keyboard is better than I thought, but I still don't think it is optimal for a power user as is. However, if they can create an option where the keyboard can be made available in landscape mode, I think it will prove sufficient for email. Currently, the keyboard will in fact go into landscape mode, but only in Safari. I suspect this will be a relatively easy software fix and I hope they get it out soon.

Now, if any of the above happens in the next two weeks (I have 14 days to return), it's a keeper. If not, I will return it without regrets, because there is no question Apple is going to hose all the early adopters ; I predict we'll see a version 2.0 come the holidays, replete with 3g (with a brower like this, no way does Jobs stand still with EDGE) and bigger capacity (hello 15 and 25 gig).

Anyway you look at it though, there is no question that this is a very, very big step forward for the mobile industry. Well done, Apple.

By the way, for all fo you who don't know me all that well, I am a fairly simple man, but there's a few areas/subjects in which I consider myself an "expert": bikes and mobile devices being two of them. So for me (and half of America, it seems), this product is a pretty big deal.