Photo credit: Fr3d
Remember that episode of The Simpsons when Bart calls in to the local radio station and is the winner of his choice between cash and an elephant? Then when he chooses the latter (which is actually a gag prize) and is denied, he calls the station repeatedly with the demand, “I want my elephant”?
Well, when the iPhone finally came to Canada this summer but Rogers announced it was charging your first born child for its data plan, that’s kind of how I felt.
So, I waited. And you know what they say about good things coming to those who wait.
Now those of you who know me in real life know that while I’m technologically inclined, I’ve never had a mobile phone or similar device mostly because I just didn’t see the need for one. Yes, I work in media and have a background in public relations. And yes, every other social media maven out there is connected 24/7. But my day job has me glued to the internet and even though off hours you can probably find me typing away on my macbook I just didn’t see the point.
In fact, the iPhone caught my attention mostly for everything BUT the phone part. When the iPod Touch was released, I considered putting that on my holiday wish list instead. Cokebaby, on the other hand, has owned a mobile phone for years now. While he’s actually anti-mobile phone, we felt it was a wise investment in case of emergencies because he has to travel by car to the outskirts of the city in order to get to work.
In December, his plan was about to expire and when we went in to check out the iPhones the rates had gone down so significantly that we both walked out with one. The guy behind the counter didn’t even have to try.
I’m still not using the phone part as much as all the other cool features but I am finding this gadget to be a marvel. Everywhere I go now I have my own soundtrack. I can post to my blog, take pictures, play games, and even manage my to-do lists much more efficiently. So, in the next little while I’ll be posting reviews of apps and games that I’ve found useful as a way of giving back.
But first, and most importantly, I’m still in search of the perfect ringtone. Currently, mine is set to “old phone” but I don’t think that really says anything about me. I need to find something that will define me at meetings and in hallways across the country.
Are you an iPhone user? If so, what are the must-have apps that you recommend?
So so so so jealous still.
Oh – and here’s a good guide on iPhone apps!
http://www.guidespot.com/guides/top_iphone_apps
Grats on the iPhone purchase! I love mine (even though I pay the aforementioned first born child rates). I got mine for the same reason as you: it’s a cool device that also conveniently doubles as a telephone.
As for apps, I’d recommend: Facebook, Remote, Evernote, Brightkite, WordPress, TapToDo, Twitterific, and Shazam (mainly because it impresses people).
Oh, and I’m also using the “old phone” ringtone, it isn’t entirely unique, but it’s better than the ringtone version of “I kissed a girl”
It’s a pretty addictive device, isn’t it?
The essential apps for me are Twitterific, Spend (to keep track of what I spend and to stay within a budget), Accufuel (to track my fuel economy) and OmniOutliner (to get things done). I’m also enjoying Rolando a lot and the meditative generative music app Bloom is beautiful and fun as well.
Ben: I’m glad you were able to overcome your immense jealousy to pass along the iPhone app page. I’m sure someday your technological fairy godmother will bestow upon you this wonderful little device.
Davemmett: I think if I had walked into a Rogers store earlier I would have paid the first born child rates too. Thanks for the app recommendations. I’ll definitely check out the ones I haven’t got yet. The ringtone that I’d love to find is the one from Bob Harris’ phone (from Lost in Translation) but I can’t find the exact one. One of the funniest ringtones I’ve heard was the theme song to the original Mario Brothers game.
Bitdepth: I feel like I’m now connected to the “interweb” 24/7 and still can’t get enough of it. Thanks for the app recommendations. I haven’t checked out any of those except for Twitterific. Guess I know how I’ll be spending the rest of my morning now!