vB Easy Archive - Love my Kaiser's Hardware, but love iPhone's GUI

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Love my Kaiser's Hardware, but love iPhone's GUI
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Posted by: mmg

Ok guys,

So after having the Kaiser for a couple of days, I switched to an unlocked iphone for about a week to just try it out.

Now don't get me wrong, I love everything the Kaiser can do. It definitely kills the iPhone hands down. The thing that gets me is, this is Apple's first attempt at a phone/GUI, where as WM6 represents years of development on the platform. Despite this, the iPhone was so much smoother and easier to use.

:

I ended up switching back to the Kaiser, but there are definitely a few things I miss.

First of all, browsing internet on the iPhone was so much better. I'm on Tmobile using EDGE, so I can't benefit from Kaiser's 3G. I've tried PIE (worthless), Opera's Mobile, and Opera Mini (using Java). The iPhone's browser was just faster, and more intuitive, than any of the aforementioned ones. The only one coming close is Opera's Mini 4 (beta version).

Another feature I liked on the iPhone was contacts - it was very easy to browse through contacts, something WM6 has just not captured. Browsing a long list of contacts, jumping from like "b" to "r", etc were easy to do with a finger on the iPhone.

Next, the keyboard - WM's soft keyboard is definitely made for stylus input, because my fat fingers have no chance. iPhone's however, had bigger buttons, so I could actually use the soft keyboard. Better yet, it had the auto-correct feature, so when I would mess up, it would fix it for me.

And also threaded SMS - built-in with the iPhone, keeps your SMS inbox nice and organized.

Finally, the size and screen. iPhone was thinner, with a 3.5" screen 320x480 screen. Made internet browsing a joy. Compared with the Kaiser's thickness, smaller and lower resolution screen. I guess I miss browsing the internet on the iPhone the most.

Now I'm not saying iPhone is superior to the Kaiser, because I'm back to using hte Kaiser. But to be honest, the user interface on the iPhone seems better thought out and implemented than WM's, even though its their first attempt. I know a few of the above points can be fixed with add-on programs, but these seem like design features that should be integrated into the phone.

Ok, enough ranting, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Posted by: duke911

I know exactly what do u mean dude

iPhone's UI is amazing.. the animations are really outstanding

we all know there is no way to compare a Kaiser with an iPhone, but the one thing that iPhone beats WM phones is the GUI...

and the old saying "WM phone are business oriented'' is not true anymore IMHO...
you could do business in elegant way

and better GUI will not prevent the user from achieving his/her job as good as you could do with the normal GUI in any WM phone...
of course the animations would take some time (milliseconds or so)... but unless you are a hardcore user like whtrbt7

, I guess this will not be a problem

the good thing here is WM support third party software...and new applications are developed every day..some of them are really amazing

for example take a look at Pocket Contact Manager and PocketCM keyboard
http://www.pocketcm.com/dl.php
I have been using the keyboard since the first day I got my kaiser...and believe me when I say, typing on the screen was never easier! of course the qwerty is amazing...but this little application makes a really big difference..

and today I tried Pocket Contact manager: this application is astonishing...it basically has everything you are miss in the iPhone -except internet browser-

Quote:

What it does:
- Can be used completely with finger, no need for stylus
- tapping the contact make appear a screen with contact info (photo, name, phone, sms and mail). Selecting one option launch the default compose dialog or make the call. You can also change the contact picture from the detail directly.
- display contact photo if present (in the list and the contact detail).
- allow you to see SMS conversation history
- fully skinnable
- All basic contact operation
- Access to WM contact application if required (for some specific operation taht can't be done using PCMC).

some may say it a copy of iPhone features... but come on...it a good replicate...
and as Anssi Vanjoki -- Nokia's Executive VP & General Manager of Multimedia -- said, "If there is something good in the world then we copy with pride."

as for the browser... everybody here agrees that PIE is a pain in the a$$
Opera Mini 4 beta is really great, but does not work with all websites..
Opera 8.65 is way better than PIE, but does not improve the browsing experience
MinMo is the same as Opera...
the browser that I really like is Picsel Browser, viewing websites on this browser is the closest you can get to desktop on a PPC..belive me.. this is the first time I never thought "if only my screen was a bit bigger''
saddly it needs tones of development to support different protocols and plugings, and this is unlikely to happen scine this browser was ment for Samsung phones only

I just hope Opera 9 will -if released- fill the gap here

cheers

Posted by: flipflash77

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmg

I'm sure this all stems from WM having such a deep association from it's legacy of Windows CE and Windows itself. The initial design idiom was that users would immediately be familiar with the Windows interface and conventions that it would lead to a really simple to understand interface. Now, conceptually that's very logical. In practicality however, it just isn't the most intuitive when you shrink everything down to mobile size with much greater resolution and interface constraints. And c'mon, even Windows itself isn't the perfect UI that Microsoft touts it to be...

Apple had very little interface legacy they needed to go on. While applications have a similar look to their desktop counterparts, the UI itself doesn't have all of the same design elements that Finder in OS X has. It's basically a flat application launcher, which is very intuitive from a user perspective.

Based on out of the box functionality, WM is designed to be a jack of all trades, able to support whatever the user wants to do. That muddies up trying to have a linear design focus. The iPhone is a closed device (officially anyway), which gives it a lot of design freedom to customize itself for it's few purposes. Jack of all trades master of none, vs. a specialized, nearly vertical device. Different strokes for different folks.

Posted by: So-What

I would definitely rate Iphone higher then kaiser.

Iphone beats kaiser in everything, lets compare the cons of each device.

Iphone
-No keyboard
-no real apps yet
-Bluetooth
-no 3g
-no user replaceable battery

Kaiser
-Heavy
-Battery Life
-Bluetooth sound quality
-3g enabled, device only lasts 8 hours
-Cost
-Device gets uncomfortably hot
-Poor screen
-No Real updates <-thanks to xda-developers for most of bug fixes as Htc tends to forget about bug fixes, if they do release a update, it takes up to a year.

Depending on the updates from apple, it could either make or break the Iphone, I am sure as more features get added on, lot more windows users that can live without the keyboard will switch, I guess only time will reveal it.

Posted by: Urban Strata

I see this thread going downhill fast...

Posted by: LIVEFRMNYC

Kaiser beats the Iphone in Functionality ...

3G, GPS, 3rd Party Apps, MS Exchange Push, 3MP Cam w/ AF, External Flash Memory(6GB cards are out already, 8GB coming very soon), Removable Battery, Etc: Etc:

But the Iphone's UI and Touch Screen is Hands Down the best I've ever seem in my life. It's too bad it's just a toy or regular phone without the features that are needed.

BTW ..... I will hopefully be picking up the TyTN II tomorrow.

Posted by: jsnead

I still remain surprised that no one else has put a mult-touch screen on a phone, and expect to see them becoming common on high-end phones. The first person to combine such a screen with a sliding or clamshell qwertyboard in a full feature phone with a good-sized screen will definitely get my money. OTOH, the rumors I've heard of the iphone II having both an autofocus camera and GPS also make it seem quite tempting.

Posted by: juiceppc

Quote:

Originally Posted by So-What

-no real apps yet

And it'll be at least a year or 2 before there are any good ones. IMHO. It needs apps. There must be at least 100,000(or more) apps available for Windows Mobile and maybe 7 for the iPhone. Sure a lot of them suck but still some of those 7 apps for the iPhone suck too.

I find that WM5NewMenu is hands down the fastest way to accomplish/launch anything on WinMo. If you're concerned about that.

Posted by: JwY

WM kind of needs to be redesigned from the ground up. The Pro/PPC version is still a lot like it was when only PPCs were around and then the phone was tacked on. It's better now, but may need a real overhaul to get any significant progress.

Posted by: doni

Quote:

Originally Posted by So-What

I would definitely rate Iphone higher then kaiser.

Iphone beats kaiser in everything, lets compare the cons of each device.

Iphone
-No keyboard
-no real apps yet
-Bluetooth
-no 3g
-no user replaceable battery

Kaiser
-Heavy
-Battery Life
-Bluetooth sound quality
-3g enabled, device only lasts 8 hours
-Cost
-Device gets uncomfortably hot
-Poor screen
-No Real updates <-thanks to xda-developers for most of bug fixes as Htc tends to forget about bug fixes, if they do release a update, it takes up to a year.

Depending on the updates from apple, it could either make or break the Iphone, I am sure as more features get added on, lot more windows users that can live without the keyboard will switch, I guess only time will reveal it.

Just get an iPhone already, and let us be.

I was very excited when the iphone was revealed, and thought I was bying it and would have if it could do 50% of the things I need it to (just trust me on that, 'cause if I started listing things, I'd lose hours writing). It doesn't, and won't anytime soon. It's a great and sleek toy, but that's it. And anyone that is tapping in the WM phones capabilities, even just a little, will never switch. I'm no fan of WM's interface, and do think that it needs a complete re-design from the bottom up.

If anything, Apple is at least adding a healthy competition which should prompt other platforms to improve, innovate, copy ... it doesn't matter how, as long as it is to the benefit of consumers. I still consider iphone's addition a great thing, only if it wasn't for the fanboys that can't see further than their nose.

If you are coming off a razor type of phone, it would be a great upgrade. If you never used a WM phone and utilised its capabilities, you wouldn't know any better, live in your small imaginative world and be happy as a puppy. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Posted by: So-What

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIVEFRMNYC

Kaiser beats the Iphone in Functionality ...

3G, GPS, 3rd Party Apps, MS Exchange Push, 3MP Cam w/ AF, External Flash Memory(6GB cards are out already, 8GB coming very soon), Removable Battery, Etc: Etc:

But the Iphone's UI and Touch Screen is Hands Down the best I've ever seem in my life. It's too bad it's just a toy or regular phone without the features that are needed.

BTW ..... I will hopefully be picking up the TyTN II tomorrow.

how can you mention this without having both devices, I think I have the most honest opinion. I owned both devices at one time, still got the Iphone got rid of the kaiser, still have my tytn and waiting for ipaq 914 or the new samsung 780, Whats the point having all those features on kaiser when it only lasts 8 hours, gets really hot and weighs like a brick. beats me.

Posted by: PINHEAD

I think I am going to buy an iPhone next. The only WM device that has me interested is one from HP and it isn't avaiable yet. The iPhone is great as a personal phone and the E61i has proven itself to be a better fit for business (as well as personal) use than the BlackBerries...at least the way I am currently using it. I have no idea where a current Windows Mobile device might fit for me. I was such a PPC nut that I tried, like some here, to act like other devices couldn't do the job, but that is far from true. I'm feeling like WM is lagging behind a little right now...

Posted by: So-What

Quote:

Originally Posted by doni

Just get an iPhone already, and let us be.

stop with your fanboy comments.

I am looking at both my devices and I am telling you Iphone scores higher then kaiser in my books, you could completely disagree with me but I primarly use my kaiser to browse the internet and email, well if you thinks kaiser does this better then iphone you are smoking something. yes kaiser is faster but the browser on apple is much nicer, i would take faster any day but it will only work for 8 hours on 3g. not only this, it will get uncomfortably hot. the screen is lot to be desired also. And you could feel it, the weight of this machine is too much. then the bluetooth sound quality really sucks. I never had this issue on my tytn, thats why I sold my kaiser. not worth the money. still got my tytn, the day more apps and better bluetooth functionality gets added on iphone, windows platform will be in serious trouble, until then I will use 2 devices.

Posted by: doni

Quote:

Originally Posted by PINHEAD

I think I am going to buy an iPhone next. The only WM device that has me interested is one from HP and it isn't avaiable yet. The iPhone is great as a personal phone and the E61i has proven itself to be a better fit for business (as well as personal) use than the BlackBerries...at least the way I am currently using it. I have no idea where a current Windows Mobile device might fit for me. I was such a PPC nut that I tried, like some here, to act like other devices couldn't do the job, but that is far from true. I'm feeling like WM is lagging behind a little right now...

Well, 2 devices just won't do it for me, and that's a personal preference. But I 100% need my GPS (and I use it all over, from NA to Europe), CashOrganizer (which syncs with my pc and has full standalone capabilities), I need my dozen dictionaries, VoIP, IM, stock and portfolio monitors, fx trading platform (which I don't use right now, but will probably do at some point again, when have more free time) etc. (and the list can go on, but those are the most important ones for me) and defintely a touchscreen (btw, I don't care much about web browsing either, just ocassionally and most of the time I'm just happy with using Egress to dl all the things I usually read through quickly). I have owned a few other smartphones, ie non WM, but so far haven't found a decent replacement, though a few Nokia devices are close and many other ones could be fine to certain extent, but an iPhone is miles away, at least in its current state (and anyone who says differently is just talking nonsense). Bring it on Apple, do better and I'm getting on the bandwagon.

I have the money to waste or otherwise, I'm not married to Windows (and it has a lot of quirks and issues), in fact I'd jump ship in an instant, when something is available (and I'm completely honest here). I will not have 2 phones, I just don't have the time for another mistress and constantly needing to decide who's bed to jump in.

Posted by: doni

Quote:

Originally Posted by So-What

You sound like I keep calling a fanboy, I mean, I don't recall, but if I have done so, please, accept my appologies.

Besides, I did not target you on purpose. However, I cannot hide that I was very dissappointed at what the iPhone turned out to be, so yeah, I'm slightly bitter about it. I guess I just had high hopes for it. The things it delivered, it did so well.

Posted by: cortez

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Strata

I see this thread going downhill fast...

funny! but i tend to agree with you on this...

Posted by: jsnead

For those of you here who have actually tried an iphone, how well does the keyboard work for taking notes and writing emails once you have used for a few days. I'm particularly interested in a comparison between the iphone keyboard and the sliding keyboard on the Kaiser and other htc phones.

My guess is that it's somewhat less convenient, but I'm wondering if that's actually true and how much less convenient it actually is.

Posted by: dscline

Quote:

Originally Posted by So-What

Whats the point having all those features on kaiser when it only lasts 8 hours, gets really hot and weighs like a brick. beats me.

I've seen many posts of battery life, and 8hrs is not typical. I have seen posts of hot units, but those seem to be the exception. But obviously heat requires energy, so there may be a link between those that run hot, and those that have poor battery life. Perhaps you have a bad one?

Posted by: maevro

Quote:

Originally Posted by cortez

funny! but i tend to agree with you on this...

I think it has already crashed.....

Posted by: Mashie

Quote:

Originally Posted by maevro

I think it has already crashed.....

yep, and honestly, this probably belongs in the lounge anyway. I wanted so much to chime in but... I will be good and not do it.

Posted by: mmg

why was this moved into the lounge? its a relevant topic about PPC's and their out-dated GUI

Posted by: pen25

is it just me or am i the only one who likes to use his dpad and hard buttons. kinda like when i use my keyboard and tab and shortcut keys rather then using a mouse to paste or copy? i honestly used an iphone a friend of mine has and it was the 3rd phone i have ever seen by actual users and i didnt like it. but again i only used it about 5 min and i was like ok i dont see anything my jamin cant do and i like how the jamin feels in my hand much better.

Posted by: richy240

Quote:

Originally Posted by pen25

is it just me or am i the only one who likes to use his dpad and hard buttons. kinda like when i use my keyboard and tab and shortcut keys rather then using a mouse to paste or copy? i honestly used an iphone a friend of mine has and it was the 3rd phone i have ever seen by actual users and i didnt like it. but again i only used it about 5 min and i was like ok i dont see anything my jamin cant do and i like how the jamin feels in my hand much better.

I prefer the interface of the iPhone, but it lacks a few features I'd like to see. I dislike the keyboard though - there's something to say for tactile feedback. Oh well, someday someone will get it right.

Posted by: pen25

Quote:

Originally Posted by So-What

I have messed with 2 iphones and today i didnt like it. took me at least 5 times to unlock the thing by sliding my finger. and get this. tried its browser everyone raves about? didnt like it and wouldnt run the scoring site for fantasy football. and on top of this i couldnt connect after it connected the first time. and it supposedly had a better signal then my jamin. oh and talking to the guy who owned the thing said the thing is always running out of battery.

Posted by: richy240

Quote:

Originally Posted by pen25

I have messed with 2 iphones and today i didnt like it. took me at least 5 times to unlock the thing by sliding my finger.

I don't mean to defend the iPhone here, but if what you say is true it's probably user error. I've never had a problem unlocking it mine, even when I FIRST got it.

And I haven't had any battery problems either. Just my 2 cents...

Posted by: pen25

Quote:

Originally Posted by richy240

not at all rich. what it was is I would slide my finger and it wouldnt grab the button and slide over. finally after about 5 tries it took. i thought it was "new user error" but what happened was the phones owner tried it themselves about 5 min later and same thing happened to him. could it have been greesy fingers? dont know just know so far i have played around 2 times with it and though it looks nice it just doesnt function for me. the guy was proud of it and thats fine have no problem with the iphone. just makes me mad when people make it seem like the thing is the great thing since bell invented the phone.

Posted by: Mashie

Something to consider when purchasing a multi-touch/buttonless device.

I have had some hands on time with the iPhone and I have to say, while the GUI is very nice and smooth, I am not sold on multitouch on a phone, for it it basically made it a 2 hand device. I found if VERY difficult to walk in the airport, bag in my left hand and navigate the device, dial contacts and send text messages let alone use the standard multi-touch functionality with one hand.

It is definately something to consdier when you want a multi-touch device...