iDay: The Apple iPhone Revolution Begins

"I think that I’ll be keeping my Treo for some time to come but not without yearning to see innovations like those the iPhone delivers in future Treo models."

And this is why the presence of the iPhone is a good thing. It will force innovation from its competitors. If Palm wishes to stay in the game, they'll HAVE to innovate, and I believe they will.

I ordered the Treo 650 the day it was available. I love it and will always remember it for it's "do everything" ability. I loved being able to watch movies, get email effortlessly, call people, have picture caller ID, listen to music, surf the internet, turn the phone to silent mode with the flick of a switch, jot down memos/notes with a QUERTY keyboard that is fantastic, store and share pictures through showing people in person on a fantastic 320x320 resolution display or send pictures via sms...I mean the list goes on and on with the Treo! I LOVE IT! But it is fading fast. The iPhone does have the "cool" factor. It does pretty much everything the Treo does (I feel the need to list what it doesn't do that the Treo does here: Real keyboard is very important I think, though iPhone's virtual one is cool and I can see myself getting used to it easily because I adapt well to this sort of "sport?". 3rd party apps help you conform your Treo to your likeing and that is really cool and necessary to me because it's like designing your own gadget. The newer Treo's can get fast internet connections and this is really important to me. EDGE has sucked big time...way to slow until today. Yes, Cingular/ATT upped the EDGE speed today (I still have my Treo 650) just for the iPhone release which is cool but makes me mad that for the past 2 years it has been slow because they are cheap and needed a major gadget release to bring out the full potential of the lame EDGE data network. I was getting 80ish kbps, today 180kbps in Northern Chicago. I want the fastest internet connection possible (I may go to Verizon for Rev-A, hoping Palm will put out a non-Windows Treo that can handle it soon. HSDPA would be nice(er) too on GSM networks.
Basically, I want the cool user interface in a nice package. The iPhone has this. If the iPhone goes HSDPA soon, I may jump the Treo ship. But if Palm puts out a Treo that isn't "Original Nintendo" like, I may stay a Treonaut! I want to stay a Treonaut. Please, Palm...make a perfect "gadget"!!!

bluetooth modem? No
3rd party apps? No
No keyboard? Whatever, people. "Trust the keyboard" my bootie, the reviews I've been reading have said two-thumbing it sucks.

Next...

Don't get me wrong, the iPhone is getting close to the same thing the treo is also only getting close to. But it's not there yet, and it's not far enough ahead of the treo to make it worth jumping. Yet.

Hopefully palm is spurred to action though. Competition is good, and maybe iPhone 2.0 is the thing...

-Mike (waiting for a superphone with usb ports and video out to replace my laptop completely...)

I have great respect for your insights but I think you're missing the big picture here. What the iPhone offers is a superbly logical interface. Its microprocessor and operating system are vastly superior to the Treo's and all that power is focused on consistent ease-of-use. Moreover, within a year, all of the shortcomings of version 1.0 will be completely resolved, most especially solutions for business users.

Sadly Palm (which ironically made its fortune creating first software then a smarter replacement for the clunky Apple Newton) appears to have nothing remotely competitive in the pipeline. Today the Treo becomes a relative dinosaur. Not just because of the iPhone. I have several friends who've thrown their hands up and dumped their Treos for newer Blackberries.

I'll wait for version 2.0 on the faster AT&T network, or maybe even a year later for iPhone 3.0 on Verizon. But I will definitely switch.

I have been a faithful Treo user since the 600... then the 650... now the 680. I am a PALM junky going back to the early days of the Palm Pilot 1000. I only keep coming back because the technology for me has always been exactly what I needed when I needed it.

That being said... I don't have a Treo 680 for it's "hip" factor. I have it for it's functionality factor (although I am still plagued with battery issues even with the extended life battery. Shrug...)

But there has always been something that has bothered me... that Palm has the WORST, MOST UNRESPONSIVE, BLASE ATTITUDE about customer service. It doesn't surprise me that they aren't responding to the inquiries and suggestions of their customers. They don't have to... we keep coming back in droves because that's what we've always done.

I, too, hope that the iPhone is a wake up for Palm and that they can once again be a leader - in both product and service - in the smartphone race.

I think your article / comparison was well put and reflect the position most of us long time Treo users are in. Namely the frustration of the stagnant development of multimedia apps.
You can do a lot with music and video on a PalmOS or WM Treo, but you have to kludge it together sometimes to make it all work. Give me a "package" that just works and can be pre-installed by Palm.
And on WM, Windows media player is a joke. MS could do so much better.

There are too many deal breaker shortcomings of the iPhone, but even I wonder if in a year or two will I be wanting to get the iPhone 2.0, or 3.0? How will the market shape up?

I'm hoping Palm and MS wake up and innovate the coffee and give Apple a run for their money. I want to see mobile greatness from not-Apple.

Looking forward to ditching my 650. It has NEVER synced correctly to my Mac, even using MissingSync. The internet sucks on it.

iPhone will be worlds better.

I've been a Palm user since the Palm III. But only because the battery in my Newton died. I've had a 600 and a 650 but I'm going to the iPhone as soon as there is an expense app available.

Palm is sucking wind huge. They are going to be as obsolete as the iPod made the walkman unless they crank up the innovation big time. The products that are coming out are re-spins on 4 year old ideas. The OS is lacking major capability - and I hate it when my phone reboots instead of managing a crashed app.

Syncing has always been problematic - and the rumors of Apple's syncing that will happen over BT when you are in range (Leopard rumor) would be huge.

We'll see, but the gauntlet has been thrown and Palm is not ready.

I can't remember which of Andrew's old blogs addressed this: many, if not most treo users do not fully utilize the power of the Treo. Not only that, I would say there is a large percentage of Treo users that don't even use 50% of Treo's capabilities (based on my own crusade at my job of turning Blackberry user's into Treo users). My own 650 could stand for more of a workout. That large void between "full Treo usage" and "actual Treo customer use" is where Palm will lose I think to a younger, media driven generation. The 680/750 model was scaled down in certain areas to address this, which in turn makes it probably the #1 Treo unit to compare with the iPhone. I haven't used the 680, however from what I remember it seems that Palm "dumbed it down" to compete with other media friendly(music, video, camera, internet, lets even throw in SMS) phones. So when I compare the 680 and the iPhone, the iPhone pulls out ahead. Outside of removable memory, there is nothing I can immediately think of the iPhone could want from the 680, while the 680 looks like it could take a number of lessons from iPhone.

Overall, Treos and iPhones are like oranges and tangerines-both are very similar but not quite the same. Not until the iPhone becomes more business friendly. In the end, I hope Palm gets off its high-horse because the iPhone just smacked the taste out of the Treos mouth - what are they going to do about it?

I purchased my 750 from Cingular last February after waiting more than a year after its introduction by Verizon. I am incredibly pleased that I waited. My phone is for business and the MS Mobile 5 and soon to be, Mobile 6 operating systems provide the power I need. As the owner of a small business, I use my phone for business, not for watching movies or TV shows. Who has the time? In addition, carrying my 8gb Nano is not a hardship for listening to music. What is important to me is the ability to connect to my Outlook Business Contact Manager software, which my Treo 750 does.

I will admit that my knowledge of the iPhone has been gained by what I have read. I have yet to hold one and use it. I may be wrong but perceive that it would be difficult to use and navigate it with one hand while on the go. One of the great benefits of the Treo is my ability to have access and use its features with my left hand while carrying books, etc. in my right. Unfortunately, it appears that design of the iPhone is trumping the Treo's practicability. Palm could create an advertisement that states the Treo will take on the iPhone for usability with one hand tied behind its back!

Is the Treo perfect? No. Is there room for improvements? Definitely. However, if given the choice of a Treo and an iPhone as each exists in the real world today, my choice would still be the Treo.

Ok, original 'Palm' was an IBM WorkPad, followed by a Palm IIIxe. Then I found a deal on a Clea S300, but finally Sprint had gave me a deal on a Treo 300. Went through two broken doors and three Treo 300 before I got my Treo 680 (from Cingular/AT&T since Sprint would not give a resonable deal on the Treo 700P. I have too much in PalmOS software to even think about looking at a multi-media phone that tops $500. If writing software for the iPhone could be as easy as do so for PalmOS (i.e. iziBasic) then I might look at it, but I watch no videos and don't browse the web that much. Heck I've even stopped using my iPod (my third in two years) in favor of playing music from a collection of SD sticks. What's the big deal? But, I already have a new extended battery and 8gb CF HD for my iPod, so I'll keep the Treo 680. It does all I need. The iPhone is just a l,ot of empty useless fluff.

The clock is ticking for Palm to develop a competing device.

It is only a matter of time before 3 of the 5 "Treo Wins" are non-issues.

Re: corporate email -- Jobs has hinted that solutions will be coming soon.
Re: thousands of apps -- this is a new platform, apps will come with time. Although web apps may be a limitation, there is no intrinsic reason why real apps couldn't be developed if Apple were to allow it.
Re: price -- the biggest cost is not the initial cost of the phone, but the ongoing monthly fees. If AT&T's plan is $10/mo cheaper than the comparable Sprint or Verizon plan, in 2 years that's $240 saved right there!
Re: usability/quick and easy -- depends on what you're doing. As you mentioned, the iPhone interface is clearly better for multimedia and web browsing.
Re: terrific keyboard and hardware buttons -- same as above. I think this a difference, but not necessarily a clear cut advantage. If you like multimedia and web browsing, you gotta have a large screen and the flexibility of virtual buttons. If you're willing to give up screen size, typing on a hard keyboard will always be easier. Apple's "smart typing" is interesting. Of course, Palm could do the same thing (which would be cool), if they had some imagination.

The one BIG advantage of the iPhone is Apple's history of continually and frequently upgrading software (ex. OS 10.1, 10.2, etc) and hardware (ex. iPods). Palm development is threading water, which in this competitive business is equivalent to sinking.

I think it really depends what you prefer. If you're business savvy and depend on 3d party apps, on a budget, and dont care much for design, go with the Treo.

If you want a nice device that does the best web browsing, has a phone and an iPod, go with the iPhone.

One is right for one market, and one is right for another market. I can't wait to try out the keyboard.

Also, (I forgot to mention in previous post) a good company IMO (In my opinion) caters to the customer. However, in our case there are many customers with many appetites. So what must the Chef (Apple/Palm) do? Cater to the larger number of appetites. The market has shifted IMO. More people want a multimedia phone than a business phone. I can't think of too many high schoolers who are dying to get their hands on a Treo to sync with their Outlook. The market is bigger for media phones, and that's the route Apple took. Palm is still catering to the business user. Maybe they don't want to cater to the media side...bear in mind they won't sell as many phones overall, but still they will own the business market. But if Apple comes through with the 3rd party app talks, it would be an even bigger threat.

iphones appear to be a lot like mac's - great product design, great cool factor ..but if you want to take care of business (vs design)..you need something else.

-no physical keyboard is a major bust. The only thing worse than typing with two thumbs has to be using one finger (no matter how good the software is). I never use the treo touch screen for typing - not even dialing numbers...it is a pain. I type email and sms from the treo often. The touch screen is perfect for everything else, but not typing.

-business apps for the treo are well developed and essential. I really do use all of the MSOffice applications on a palm OS, plus the calendar, contacts etc are hard to beat on a Palm not to mention other small utilities that get used all the time. I actually manage business with my treo when out of the office.

-You can use treo as a modem for your notebook while on the road. This really helps. I assume the iPhone will do the same someday.

-BT & BT hotsync work great with my 680..I think has more to do with my new thinkpad than with the phone.

With all of that noted, I won't be switching from my treo right now...but I do prefer managing music on my ipod. I wish Apple would use the form factor of the new iphone for next gen ipods that are small like the nano but have higher storage capacity (more than 8gb)at a reasonable price. I would buy one of those for sure!

I love my 680, and it is definitely not dumbed down at all having had the other treos...but Palm needs some serious design updating (totally unlike those proposed mockups that came out lately - yuk), slimmer, lighter, wifi, more screen, improved speakers and a much better camera, more stability in the OS.

Nuff said.

I have to say....I gave Palm a chance. I came here and read a lot last year and even though I thought (and still think) that Andrew is a Palm fanboy (it's okay, Andrew, we're all fanboys of something), I thought I'd give Palm a whirl. I got a 680 and have been using it on a daily basis (I'm a med student). The access to web and mail have been important for keeping in touch with my family and colleagues and for having easy access to info. However, the Palm never had the "it" factor for me. Never quite "felt" right. Additionally, it still crashes and locks up on me. I have literally no other devices that lock or crash....ever. And that includes two MacBook Pros (my wife's and mine). I'm just not willing to use a product that crashes or support such a backward company (I mean....don't get me started on why Palm has never added Wifi.)

So, I'm bidding adieu to Palm today. My wife and I both scored a couple of iPhones (no charge to us - long story). Just found a buyer for my 680 on Craigslist. Goodbye Palm. Thanks for nothing. I've heard people say for years that Apple will "finally go under", but I truly think that's true of Palm now. Sad really.

PS - the virtual keyboard was awkward at first. Now? I'm typing faster than I EVER typed on my 680. I'm sold....virtual is better than tactile and static. Give me a keyboard that changes on the fly to my needs.

Bye Bye treo! Your reign is now over! I have been a faithful treo user for the past 4 years. I have owned 600, 650, and 700p. Because of problems I have probaly owned and turned in over 10 treos in these models. I have been a loyal treo user and read this blog almost everyday. But it is now time to say godd bye treo! Sorry the just have been replaced by the iphone. Time to go back to work treo and come back with something better! See Ya!

Lush - I think that it's pretty clear from what I have written here and elsewhere that I am a Treo fan (the device) and not necessarily by extension a Palm fan (the company). It's an important distinction. At the same time my passion and enthusiasm for the Treo does not in any way blind me to the innovations that other devices such as the iPhone may provide.

Cheers, A.

You mentioned that you use an 8GB card... Is it true that my 700w does not support a card bigger that 2GB? I thought this site was selling the 4GB card and then they were no longer on the site.
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I think the iPhone does live up to the hype. WiFi access around the house is almost worth the price. As I see it, many people could use an iPhone and get rid of their PC. That said, lack of an SD card and not synching with Outlook will keep me with my trusty Treo.

I have been a high-tech product marketing manager for 8 years, a road-warrior for far more than that, and a Treo owner since the 270. I am local to Palm and have been applying for every Treo PMM position that I saw for the last 4 years but never even got a call back. Obviously whomever they are hiring just doesn't get it. Too bad....

Have a nice existence palm, you just lost another customer. I bought the 680 right when it came out. I can honestly say that I will probably never buy Palm again after having gotten the opportunity to truly use my iPhone.

The text input is really much better than on a hardware key oars as it's much more dynamic, and two thumb typing is a lot easier than most have said, particularly in landscape mode. On a scale from 1-10 I would honestly give the iPhone a 9.5

I have had a Treo 650 for about 1-1/2 years now, and owned a VIIx in the past. I love the Treo, but misplaced it recently and am using my daughter's old phone until it turns up again. (Long story.) So, I got caught up in the hype and decided to look at the iPhone last night (June 29, 2007, introduction night.)

There was no longer a line, but people were stacked two deep around the iPhone demo table. I eventually got a chance to hold it, make a phone call, and use the virtual keyboard.

The form factor is nice and it is certainly a sleek design in person. Thinner and lighter. The screen is very, very good. I made a call and the incoming voice quality was fine, although my wife could not hear me because of the loud background noise from the jabbering looky-lous and hip techno music.

I found both the phone and QWERTY virtual keyboards to be a letdown. I made at least one keying error dialing the phone, although this happens using the screen on the Treo as well.

Writing a single sentence using the note application suggests that it will be torture using the QWERTY keyboard. I typed "This is a sample note on the iPhone" and made four errors. One was corrected automatically. This area will probably get better as the software improves, but it's a real drawback on day one IMHO.

To be fair, I am a big guy (6'4") with big hands (size 12.5 gloves), and even the Treo keyboard is a challenge sometimes. I have the optional infrared keyboard, which makes extended email answers much more bearable. (Financial hint: buy stock in an AAA battery company if you have one of these.)

I'm also probably not the demographic for which the iPhone was intended. I tend to use the Treo as an email machine and calendar first, phone second, web browsing third, other apps fourth, GPS fifth, and I think I've listened to music maybe three times.

The things I liked about the iPhone:
- The design and larger screen
- Visual voicemail would be a huge advantage if I used the phone more
- The map application is excellent, much better than the Delorme GPS I use on the Treo
- ...and it's cool.

The dislikes, based on an obviously brief examination:
- Virtual keyboard not good for me due to hand size
- No external storage
- No external keyboard available yet
- Doesn't synch with older Macs
- Glass screen breakage is a concern for me
- No removable battery
- Verizon coverage better than AT&T in some parts of the country

I've got to look at the phone plan and determine the cost difference - the AT&T plan may actually be cheaper over time.

Conclusion: If I can't find my 650, I'm going to go on Craigs list to find someone selling their Treo because they love the iPhone. I can certainly see how people will love it, though.

If you do want an iPhone, please save yourself some bucks and don't get suckered into buying one at an inflated price on an auction site. The Apple afficionados mostly bought the first day and there still seems to be a supply available in the local stores. As I noted, while the traffic was heavy at 8:30 PM, the crowd had changed from must-buy-now to tire kickers. I suspect the scarcity hype is overdone.

regardless of how expensive and how "new" it is, i wouldnt mind working for apple right now:

http://www.thenewsroom.com/details/453262?c_id=wom-bc-mam

--matthew from the technology desk at thenewsroom.com

Andy dear,

it's all over. Your pathetic excuse for a site needs to be shut down. Go get a read job, flower boy, before the Popes sets his horny sites on you and mistakes you for an alter boy.