Ok, it's not as radical as it maybe seems in all honesty. I actually have 3 iOS devices (iPhone 3G, 4th Gen iPod, and 3G iPad), so it's not like I am really rebuking Apple (at this point) having contributed more than my share to their recent record earnings. And of course, I am not the first (or second) to reach this point.
That said, I have increasingly been feeling it's time to move on from the iPhone - here are some of my reasons:
Functionality Redundancy and My Use Patterns
I have been a happy and enthusiastic iPhone user for 3 years. It is by far the best "smartphone" I have ever used, but how I use the device is actually starting to make it irrelevant in important ways. As I write this, I realize that what I don't need so much is a device that gives me mobile wireless dates access at the level the iPhone does. As a handheld device, there are many features I love on my phone - but they are the same ones my iPod provides.
The reality of my life is that I am usually in places that have WiFi. If I am on campus I have access to nearly ubiquitous WiFi (jokes about SU's WiFi aside). If I am at home I have WiFi. If I am at Recess I have free WiFi. Many places I go have free or cheap (much cheaper pro-rated out than paying AT&T for 3G in places I don't need it) WiFi - heck Wegman's has WiFi. This week for example I was either at home (WiFi), work (WiFi), Recess (WiFi), my kids' school (WiFi). Where else was I this week: Riding my bike (even in Syracuse where the guy I saw last week riding his bike against traffic, in the rain, holding an open cigarette and smoking looking at the iPhone seems a bit risky), walking the dog (really, do I need to check my email while carrying a poop bag), driving (put it down), or waiting in line at the Pharmacy (that's what tabloids are for).
So, I am rarely in places when I REALLY need 3G (and I am finding it is increasingly a distraction) and it is increasingly redundant. For example when I am at home I have access to WiFi ($45/month RoadRunner) and redundant 3G.
Once I got the iPad, I started doing much of my light web browsing and App-based activities on it. Once I got the iPod 4th gen, I started doing everything else I'd use my phone for at home (quick email peeks, Facebook checks, calendar, quick camera) on it. The screen is awesome, the speed is stellar and the more I use it the less I use my iPhone. So to get the performance and screen enhancements on my phone I have to drop for the iPhone4, add 2 years to my AT&T "contract" and bump my data plan. Not appealing (see #2).
So I use my iPhone for 2 things predominately - 2 things that ironically should be strengths of the device but aren't: texting and, um, phone calls. Texting is a bit tedious because of the keyboard - I love the onscreen keyboard on the iPad. Not so much on the iPhone - and I loathe the text prediction. Phone calls - well, that's well-documented. The two things I really need my phone for these days are the two things the iPhone is the shakiest at...
Since I travel less than I used to the on all the time data is less an issue - and when I travel I can always get no-contract 3G on the iPad.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
We are a two iPhone family (two 3Gs). Total monthly AT&T bill: $160. When/if the time comes to replace these phones there will be the cost of the phone plus an additional monthly bump for the enhanced iPhone4 service (not sure Verizon's pricing - likely not any cheaper). As I mentioned, I already pay for RoadRunner - which provides access to our computers, the Wii, iPads, and the iPod. The fact is - iPhones are expensive - cool, but expensive.
The whole model of contracts just turns me off at this point. My hitch with AT&T ended a few months back - I am on this point out of inertia. Mobile technology is evolving so quickly that I am not sure I want to get roped into another LTR with a carrier in case I want to explore other phones/technologies. I had to wait to get off Sprint to get an iPhone - ugh.
A basic phone plan with unlimited messaging is starting to look very appealing from a cost perspective. I compare this to being a one car family that occasionally uses a Zip Car or rents a car - the occasional cost of paying for WiFi on my iPod or iPad or springing for a periodic $15 month of 3G is far cheaper than the ongoing commitment to pay $45/month for AT&T data...
Android
I am not full-on the Android bandwagon yet, but I am intrigued. My interest in Android is as much professional as anything. As the market matures, I think the Android space provides more opportunities for educational developers than iOS. If for no other reason than Flash support, Android makes it easier for those of us doing work in educational mobile to develop, deploy (and yes, P&T committee) research educational applications. I am not sure I want an Android phone at the moment - mainly because I don't want to swap a cumbersome and expensive iPhone data plan with AT&T for an expensive and cumbersome Android data plan.
I am actually closely watching Android tablet developments - come on Google, get on the tablet issues.
A bunch of issues related to AT&T's business practices, Apple's weirdness over Flash, the restrictive development environment...
Stuff I am too tired too think about anymore tonight...
So, I haven't decided where I am headed, but there are a few options I am mulling - and I am very interesting in no-contract plans even if I have to buy a phone unsubsidized. That's what eBay is for!
Things I definitely want:
- good texting - a physical qwerty keyboard
- good camera (flash not necessary), but decent
- good call quality
- small form factor
- low co$t
- no-contract
Things I am intrigued by but not set on:
- Android powered phone (but only Froyo and up)
- no-contract, low-co$t data
Would love thoughts and suggestions...
