Reviews
09/26/08 - Apple iPhone 3G
So the 3G is out. I finally got around to getting one - I had initially been holding off on the first generation iPhone
because it had no 3G, (Edge only) and no GPS. After I had bought my 8525 (TyTn), the 8925 was released (TyTn II) and it had GPS, so I was
a little miffed so this time I decided to wait on the iPhone.When the iPhone 3G came out, I again had to wait because my contract wasn't up on the 8525, so I could not enjoy the $199 price tag. However - but because of some very kind friends who hooked me up, I was able to get one.
The synopsis? I love it. Everyone who had one when they first came out kept asking me why I hadn't gotten one, being the uber-gadget-geek that I am. Well now patience has paid off. I hardly browse the web with it, all my favorite sites use iPhone Apps so I just load the appropriate app and I'm off and running, no having to sign in to the websites anymore.
The ability to download both free and "for purchase" apps from the AppStore is amazing, the phone is nothing short of spectacular.
Another thing I like is that with any smartphone, it will guess if you are mistyping a word but it will require you to tap the word to use it. The iPhone will insert the correct word (you can tap to ignore the correction) but in my usage, it's been correct 98% of the time. I can just tap'n'fly with my thumbs using the onscreen keyboard, and when I'm done it looks perfect.
Did I mention my data plan price (from the 8525) went down when I switched to the iPhone plan? $10/month!
Yesterday I made a "audio switch", so I could share my Honda's auxiliary port with more than one device without plugging and unplugging.
In the back, I can plug in three devices (my satellite radio, Kenwood ham radio, and my iPod (or iPhone) and get the audio piped right into my car stereo. I can even take phone calls thru the stereo, as the microphone on the iPhone can pick up my voice (with the windows closed, of course)
There's even a bypass port so I can push the audio from the Kenwood to an external speaker if any of the other ports are in use.
04/18/08 - 2007 Honda Civic Coupe EX
Last month I decided to sell the Nissan, trade-in the Dodge and get a car that I can actually drive without having it sit in the driveway while making payments. So I opted for the ONLY company that makes awesome compact cars. Honda!
My other choices were Chevy Impala (not as good on gas), Toyota Yaris (No WAY), or an Accord which was way too much. Would have been as much as the truck.
This newly designed Civic has great ratings and rightly so - The handling is tight, no slop in the steering wheel and it's great on turns. The 1.8L 140 hp motor exceeds my expectations with a manual transmission - while getting used to the clutch I found myself chirping tires going into 2nd gear when I let the clutch out too fast while giving too much gas. (Damn boots).
The body has sexy lines and looks very futuristic. The headlights are quite bright, and the dash lights up at night like a jetliner's cockpit. Gas mileage currently ranges around 32 to 33MPG at my current level of lead-footedness and at 375 miles per tank and $45 per fillup, that ain't too shabby!
For a commuter, I really enjoy the power moon roof and windows, the steering mounted radio controls, and an MP3 CD player to load up all my favorite songs on a single disc. There's also an Auxiliary port for my iPod.
XM Radio is also an option, but I have Sirius so I just transferred my Starmate Replay over from the Nissan.
I know it doesn't weigh much, but during the test drive I was surprised at how heavy the car feels due to the tight suspension and superb handling. Highway passing is effortless and the drive-by-wire throttle takes only minor getting used to.
Having only owned it less than 30 days, I have nothing bad to say about this car and I give it a 9.9999/10!
More stock images here
02/20/08 - AT&T Treo 750 Smartphone
I picked up this Treo 750 off eBay for pretty cheap. Popped my SIM card in it and syncronized with my Exchange server and it mirrored my 8525 perfectly (with the exception of installed applications).
I wanted to see how much I liked the frontal keyboard vs. the slide-out keyboard of the 8525. While I do like the keyboard in front (it allows for one handed operation) I really missed the 240x320 pixel widescreen of the 8525. I switch back and forth from time to time... Can't really decide. :)
08/05/07 - AT&T 8525 SmartPhone
Last month I purchased this phone because I was tired of carrying my PDA and phone at the same time, even though I could get online with my PDA via BlueTooth thru my cellphone, it just wasn't working out.
I thought about the iPhone, but $500 was just too much and it didn't cover all the things that I needed to do that the 8525 does. (ie: Edit documents (word, Excel), Remote Desktop Connection (or Terminal Services) so I can checkup on my web and email servers, etc...)
So after a month of using this puppy, I can say that I really like it. The slide out keyboard makes all the difference when texting, emailing, editing, and because it uses the 3G network, the sound quality of phone calls definitly beats regular cellphones, hands down.
So if you are in the market for a smart phone that, in my opinion, tops the iPhone (and for $200 less), give this one a look-see at your local AT&T shop.