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.

A number of experiences in life as of late have caused me to say “that’s it, I’m done” with certain things.  Be it cutting out poor performance from a service provider to removing people from my stable of friends due to idiotic behavior, I’m don’t dealing with a certain level of stupidity in my life. If something or someone cannot meet my expectations I don’t need it/them in my life.  I don’t need it in my life.

Let’s take the concept of planned obsolescence. This would be a product that is designed and produced with a very limited lifespan.  Too much wear and the product would break. Too much uses and parts may wear out, creating the need from the consumer to replace the entire unit. Whether true or not,  General Motors is commonly accused of working planned obsolescence into their goods. I now think Apple utilizing the concept to move more iPhones.

Today I dropped my iPhone and the screen shattered.  I dropped the phone on a concrete floor from all of 8” inches away. I dropped the phone on a concrete floor form all of 8” inches away AND it was in a protective case. Yes, it was 8″ as I went back to measure.  I wasn’t moving, nor was I involved in strenuous activity. I was simply picking up an item from my car and the phone slipped out of my hand.

Shattered.

What about this is planned obsolescence?

I would make the argument that any phone that breaks from an 8” fall is poorly designed, but that aside, the last information I was able to find regarding Apple repair for a 1st generation iPhone is roughly $250.  Seeing a NEW iPhone is only $199, that sure sounds like planned obsolescence to me.

Now I know, you may be saying… just buy the new phone.  Here is the kicker – I don’t WANT the new phone.  I want my phone. I want what I want, not what Apple tells me I want.

This is truly the final straw for me and my dealings with Apple. I’m no longer going to be pressured into what technology and/or service provider I should be using.  I’m no longer going to be told I can only use specific applications.  I am not longer living within Apples “don’t mess with our OS” world.

So, to use the phrase I’ve utilized a lot as of late “that’s it, I’m done.”

TechCrunch has an interesting article stating Apple will not release the official Google Voice  application, developed by Google, in the App store and it is removing applications that utilize Google Voice.  Why?  Because the applications “duplicate features that come with the iPhone”.

First off, what is Google Voice?  It happens to be on of the largest advances in VOIP technology in years in the sense that it has the abilityt to integrate all of your voice communications into one single hub.  Really, check out this list of services it can provide.  Free SMS.  Free voicemail. Free call Screening.  Free directory assistance.  Boy, you don’t think that Apple is trying to put a ding in the Google Voice service because of their partnership with ATT, do you?

I think TC has it right with this passage:

The thing that really bothers me about the move is that Apple is now actively stifling innovation. Google Voice is the kind of service that can actually have a positive impact on your life, and not in a frivolous, entertainment-related sense. It makes it easier to connect with people, and to manage those connections.

Over and over I’ve openly aired my fears on the control Apple is trying to assert with the platforms they own. I cannot wait for the new G2 phone to hit the market as I will no longer be using the iPhone – or any Apple product – for my communication needs.  I want to be able to use the product in the means that fit my needs and not how the company tells me I must use it.

For a few weeks now I’ve had the joy of getting “blank” text messages either dated from the future (2012) or the distant past (1969).  For the life of me, I could not figure out what was going on.  There was not rhyme or reason as to what was happening.

Well, I got one today… and I noticed that it came right after a voice mail came.  Intrigued, I again did a bit of research using my personal assistant (Google) and found out a few things.

1)It appears this problem is specifically tied to T-Mobile, not other carrier

2)It only appears to happen on the iPhone – a non T-Mobile supported phone

According to this thread at hackint0sh.org, the problem was due to system improvements made by T-Mobile.  Apparently, when attempting to address their Internet connectivity speed, they system engineers changed parameters that disrupted system voice mail notification settings.

I know, it is sad.  No one is attempting to contact you from a different time period.  For a second I was quite excited to see they quantum barrier to time travel was finally solved.  Apparently, that is not that case.

Google Latitude

A number of weeks ago Google announced their “Google Latitude”, an application one can load on their smart phone in order to let others know your location, and I was all excited to share with the world just how little I travel in any given day.  Sure, people have issues with the privacy issues (are you being tracked, what have you) but I think it’s quite cool.  

Today I received an invitation from a close friend, so I decided to get off my bum and install the application on my phone.  Yea, too bad the iPhone version isn’t ready.  The application is in development, but still… I feel a bit left out.  

It’s that time for Car sales numbers…

No one had expected the car sales numbers to be positive but the pain automakers are facing continues to grow.  Look at how badly the sales results are off:

• GM: 53%
• Ford: 48%
• Chrysler: 44%
• Toyota: 40%
• Honda: 38%
• Nissan: 37%

Obviously the import automakers are also hurting, but I still don’t understand how GM and Chrysler can make the case that the government should help them survive.  Capital needs grew beyond the original forecast which lead to GM to ask for an additional $16.6 Billion from Uncle Sam, it makes me wonder how much more cash we can throw at this problem before the people of this nation say enough is enough.

Update: 3/3/09 11:23PM update

Most agree that the economy is in the tank, and we all know auto sales are total crap, so let me ask you this question.  With the launch of the 2009/2010 models, why would the car companies raise their prices?  Saying “inflation” in the largest period of deflation in recent memory won’t work.

Also, why doesn’t GM just kill off Opel, Saab, Hummer and Saturn? Saturn has never turned a profit for the company.  NEVER. Why keep the company alive if it cannot survive as stand alone business?  

I’m looking forward to Thursday when the GM Bondholders meet with the Govn’t auto taskforce…

This one is coming to us from TechCrunch.  It looks as it as if Apple will be releasing a large iPod touch in the Fall of 2009.  The screen is expected to come in at either 7 or 9 inches.  

I have to ask – why?

We all know that Apple rumors are all over the net, some come true, others not so much, however, TechCrunch seems to be very sure of this information.  But I don’t see what niche this product will fit.  We already have an iPhone and a iPod touch, why would people move to a large ipod touch?  I also don’t see why a person with an iPhone would also purchase another iPod touch (and a large one at that) unless they needed/wanted even more space to hold information.

The only potential market I can see is Apple deciding to push the iTunes app store and creating “must have” applications that will only work on the large iPod touch.  But if that is the case, why not simply release an Apple tablet?  Wouldn’t the logical next step?

Friday Wal-Mart confirmed they will sell an 8 gig 3G iPhone for $197.  This is not the $99 iPhone people had spoken about in the past, but this is still a huge development for Apple.   2,493 of Wal-Mart’s3,200 locations will have the phone, which means Apple has the potential to sell 10% more phones expected in 2009 than previously forecasted – assuming people still spend money. 

Also, the 16 gig phone will be selling for $297.

I love my iPhone – well, except for the fact that it is stuck on vibrate – but that aside, I love it.  There are a number of features that should be included with the OS in order to improve the overall user experience, but there are no “show stoppers” that would prevent me (or force me) to move away from it. 

Initially, I was unhappy with the lack of a “copy and paste” feature, but I quickly moved past that deficiency and enjoyed the device for all it had to offer.    It quickly became apparently that a C & P function was needed on the iphone, so developers put together applications and placed them in the App Store in iTunes. 

Not that I am trying to be lazy, but that means installing a new application (or a number depending on if it works or not) and figuring out what works for you and your iPhone needs.  Sometimes the whole “app” thing is more trouble that it is worth, but news came out yesterday, via CrunchGear that a copy and paste function between Safari and Mail may exist and all it takes is some Javascript.  

While this may only be between Safari and Mail, it is still a huge plus is that is the case. When I have a free moment this weekend I will give it a try and report back.

A Google alert came through yesterday with this little gem – a $99 3G iPhone may be coming to Walmart.  I followed the link to Gizmodo, but the story was removed from the site. Interesting, no?  After another search I was able to find the same info over at hothardware.com. 

Both Apple and Walmart had nothing to say on the rumor, but, if true, finding shelf space within Walmart will provide the iPhone with a whole new market – a market that may have never thought about stepping foot into an Apple store (and possibly a market that couldn’t afford to step into the store, either).

Assume for a moment the iPhone does hit Walmart – RIM and Blackberry will have an even bigger market share problem on their hands. In less than a year and a half, Apple has managed take over 30% of the Smartphone market share within the United States, roughly 10% behind RIM, and Apple does not even compete in the business space, where RIM has the majority of their customers.

The Blackberry Storm release was more sound and furry than actual substance, and as a result, RIM has already cut sales forecasts.  If Apple does manage to put the iPhone in Walmart, RIM will have an even bigger fight on their hands.

It was bound to happen – a developer manages to run Linux on Apple’s iPhone.  

The press and development community point to the potential of Google’s Android operating system eventually running on the iPhone as well.  Doing so would provide developers an open platform while utilizing a sexier, and arguably superior, piece of hardware.  Ultimately, though… so what?

The desire run an operating system on hardware that it was never intended for is the holy grail of hackers and hardcore developers.  In many ways simply accomplishing the task is about a sense of personal satisfaction and accomplishment.  To say you can do it and you managed to be the first to do it.   Another aspect is the “scientific” knowledge one can obtain from attempting such a task.  This knowledge can then be applied to other tasks and goals.

Apple is fiercely protective of their hardware and will never allow another OS on the device that ensures a lock solid foothold in the mobile device market and music distribution space, so this will not be a commercial adventure.  From a practical perspective, I cannot see how this will move beyond a small core set of individuals who can impress their friends with Linux on the iPhone.

Maybe that is what this is about – bragging rights.