I Hate My iPhone and I Haven’t Even Turned it On!
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Okay - I admit. I just barely turned it on. I still hate it! More on that in a minute.
I decided today, for some business reasons (trying to learn how to develop for an iPhone) to go out and buy an iPhone. Yes, I’ve read all the articles and did my research before-hand (see my previous articles here and here). I knew there was a chance I’d be switching to AT&T and footing around $100 for an early termination fee (which I was going to try a few tricks to get out of). Frankly, that didn’t matter to me because the iPhones are now cheaper than the new Treos, and to me it made it worth it. Plus, it was a deductible business expense!
Well, I’m definitely having buyer’s remorse and will probably (if I can give up that alluring, shiny screen I can’t get past the first screen on) be returning it on Monday. I don’t see how anyone could be using these things!
I opened it up - very nice, pretty packaging that Apple is known for. Inside was the beautiful, sexy iPhone calling to me. “Activate me! Activate me!” it said. The minute I removed the packaging it knew to turn on (magic!). What do you know - it said “Activate me!” right there on the screen! (okay, something to that effect) I press the button that says “Activate me!” Nothing. I start pressing buttons. Nothing. I soon realize that you need to connect it to iTunes to get it working. I’ll get to that in a minute.
I mentioned I hated it before turning it on - that’s still true. Before even opening it, I know very few people that just love AT&T. In fact, I don’t think I know anyone that does. Some like it, lots hate it. I love T-Mobile, so I DO NOT want to switch to AT&T if I don’t have to. Not just that, but they lock you into a 2 year contract! Why risk getting stuck with horrible service for 2 years when I’m already in a wonderful, loving relationship?
So I started surfing around the internet for unlock solutions. I had heard this was now possible, and figured I’d now start researching it. After all, I had already unlocked my T-Mobile MDA and upgraded it to Windows Mobile 6 - how hard could it be? It turns out you either a) need to open up the case, pull out a soldering iron, risking explosion and other mishaps - not to mention voiding your warranty in the meantime, b) buy a custom SIM card and perform a few software updates (ok, that’s an option), or c) wait for a new software hack by iphonesimfree that they are saying they will start selling as a download on their site soon. Cool - I’ll just wait for option C and I’ll be able to keep it with T-Mobile, right?
Well, wrong. It turns out I can’t even use the thing.
I decided to follow the instructions and hook it up to iTunes. iTunes popped up, and said “Please connect iPhone to a computer running a 32-bit version of Windows XP (SP2) or Windows Vista.” What? I recall no warnings about this by the sales people. I see no large print signs warning users of this (this is a big thing, right? I mean 64 bit is all computer manufacturers are making now isn’t it?). So I decide to upgrade iTunes to 7.4.1 to see if maybe it’s fixed in there (after all, everything else in iTunes works great on Vista 64 bit!). I start the install process, it downloads the files, and all of the sudden I get an error saying, “Errors occured while installing updates.” I try multiple times, with the same error - does iTunes itself no longer support Vista 64 bit? Are they moving back in time? What gives Apple?
Apple, I think I may just consider a Zune after this experience.
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Um, really? I don't use one, because I have no need for an expensive phone that ties me to a contract, but how many people do you think have a 64 bit Windows installed? More people run OS X than Vista in general at the moment, and I'm sure only a tiny fraction of the Vista users have a 64 bit version. Is there even a 64 bit XP?
Anyway, if you hate it so much without even having used it, you probably ought to send it back and buy something you'd actually like to use. Why support a product you hate?
And I can't imagine a Zune phone being any better. Good luck with that idea. :)
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Levi, there is a 64 bit XP, and it doesn't work on that either. Apple simply has chosen not to support 64-bit desktops, and I think that is a shame. Does Microsoft do the same? I'm not saying they don't either - I just think it's a shame developers aren't staying up with the times and developing for what's on most new computers produced these days.
The thing is, there isn't anything out there I'd rather use at the moment and that's the problem. I'm disappointed that Apple is making it as hard as possible to keep me from using what could be the closest solution.
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http://mobilitytoday.com/news/iphone_drip_test.html
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64 bit Vista? are you asking for trouble... I'm sure the iPhone is not the only device that doesn't work on there. There are probably more people using the iPhone and loving it than people using Vista 64 bit. It would be great to have a 64 bit OS but right now isn't it just like asking for problems? Especially if you are just a home user.
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dave, Vista 64-bit has been great for me thus far! Performance is superb! I agree, not everything works on it, but the performance gains I get on the 64-bit software that is written for it makes it definitely worth installing. I still use my Mac more than anything though. :-)
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I have to say I'm going through exactly the same thing right now!
I just took my new iPod Touch (uses the same software as the iPhone) out of its box, hooked it up, and low and behold -- I get the same error message! The device doesn't even show up in the iTunes sidebar.
I've built my own machine on a 64-bit architecture, the parts added up to around $3,000 back in August 2007, and it's still state-of-the-art today. The performance with Vista Ultimate 64-bit is unbeatable.
But the fact that my machine's running Vista 64-bit is the problem all in itself -- and it vexes me beyond belief that I've just spent $399 on a fancy paperweight.
iTunes was running on my machine with some glitches but will not update, as well as getting all those crazy little errors as well. It works okay with my present iPod Video.
Apple says they do not support 64-bit Windows. There are both Macs and PCs in my household, and based on what I've learned about their differences, I think that it's because there's some kind of fundamental difference in the hardware and/or firmware of a 64-bit Mac and a 64-bit BIOS-based PC, and I'm suspecting Apple, with the recent release of Leopard, has not yet trained their developers to write software that will run good on Vista 64-bit. I'm sure there could be as many Leopard users as Vista 64-bit users out there, and Apple can get by with that, for now. My mom's just upgraded her Mac to Leopard and all of her stuff is working great.
However, a 64-bit PC is the wave of the future, and after we, the "beta testers" of this new 64-bit market help usher in a new era in home/business computing, Apple had better catch up to the people who switch to 64-bit Vista soon if they want to enjoy the market share they've held on their iPod!
In the meantime, thanks to Best Buy's open box policy, I'll enjoy my $400 paperweight until Apple decides to throw us a bone. But I feel your pain -- my device was just an iPod, but you also had a cell phone contract with a third party tied to the thing you tried to fight off! And I'll bet AT&T didn't give a crap about Apple and Microsoft and 64-bit Vista...
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Well I don't have an iphone, but I do have XP64. Works just fine w/ my windows mobile 6 phone (mogul). I guess another reason not to buy an iphone. (Time to upgrade all work PCs to 64 bit).
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Chrispix, Jack,
Thanks for your comments! I keep hearing criticisms of Vista. I can't help but wonder if those criticizing it aren't using latest and greatest 64-bit Vista like the Leopard users are using in their OS. I've had great experiences thus far with Vista, minus a few compatibility issues like the one I mention above. It's usually 3rd party support where Vista falls short.
I did end up footing the $1400 bill to get a MacBook, and now I can successfully connect my iPhone. I love both my Mac and my Vista now! I just have to use both for different purposes.
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Glad to see at least someone hate their iphone. The guy who did www.ihatemyiphone.com loved his when he got it :) So we need sponsors elsewhere haha
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