With my defection from the iPhone to the MyTouch now complete, I have the ability to give my initial comparative thoughts between the two devices. As much as one who reads the blog may expect me to be biased in my initial thoughts – and trust me, I would love to me – that will not be the case.
Visual
The iPhone was just flat out sexy when the device came to market. No other device really captured that “oh, wow” sex appeal in a long, long time. With the iPhone owning roughly 11% of the smartphone market it’s hard to get away from the device – or copycat wannabe designed device. The MyTouch does not attempt to copy Apple’s design; however, there is no groundbreaking sex appeal either.
HTC manages to make a phone that is smaller in width and length but slightly thicker. Due to a number of variables, including the lack of a glass screen, the MyTouch weighs a bit less than the iPhone as well.
My problem with the visual aspect of the MyTouch is the comparison one can make to the Blackberry Storm. Not being a huge fan of Blackberry products, one could see how this would be a slight turn off for me. So, the winner of the Visual aspect – Apple
Interface
The iPhone has the “First Mover” advantage when it comes to user interface. Apple set the standard as to what one would expect when dealing with touch screen devices. As a results it takes a bit of “thinking differently” when using the MyTouch.
The major difference in the interface between the iPhone and the MyTouch is the use of buttons to perform certain navigation functions. With the iPhone one simply uses the giant button at the bottom of the device if they use to exit/navigate away from an application. The MyTouch requires a person to use one of three small buttons.
Again, the iPhone/First Mover mentality was in full force. I had to keep reminding myself that I was not using the iPhone. Once I overcame that hurdle the device became second nature.
Winner of the interface – Tie. One really does not outperform the other, it’s just a matter of perspective.
Applications
MyTouch – COPY AND PASTE, BABY!
Sorry. I had to get that out.
The advantage the iPhone has going for it is the developer community. It’s large. The disadvantage is that Apple tells the developers what it can and cannot do. While the Android market is small (Android being the OS the MyTouch runs on) it is open source, allowing developers more flexibility in what can be accomplished.
I’ve installed a Twitter application called Twidroid on the MyTouch. The user experience is seamless with Android where as Twinkle or Twitterific feel as if they are applications simply utilizing the iPhone OS for functionality.
Likewise, the Google Voice application can be fully integrated into the MyTouch – and done so in a really slick fashion – the iPhone won’t allow Google Voice related applications because they compete with iPhone functionality.
Winner of the Application showdown – MyTouch. Applications are part of the phone, not an extension of the phone and developers are not limited to what they can do.
Overall first impressions
As I noted before I would love to be biased and say the MyTouch kills the iPhone. I cannot.
Apple has set the standard for design and all other devices must overcome this hurdle. Just from a sex appeal stand point the MyTouch falls short. On the other hand, the MyTouch has a superior user experience once one utilizes applications.
I’m sure as I use the phone over time I will continue to pick out features that I like and dislike but, as of right now, there is no clear winner between the two.
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