Anyone on this site own an iPhone? If you have tried using a friends that would also be interesting.
I was wondering just how useful the iPhone would be for RE activities. As the WSJ review said it is really a portable computer.
My sense if you can use the web browsing capabilities to check maps, look up rental information if you use an online PM system and otherwise have info with you at all times (or access to the web with full web capability).
Plus the ability to manage your email so you could check in with people handling a closing, etc if they need to send documents for review.
Some other phones are pretty close or have the same ability for the activities above.
I don't have one, but I got to see one in action yesterday. It's pretty much like a small computer and every bit as cool as it looked on the commercials. We looked at Google Maps -- awesome images on either street view or satellite. I could definitely see it being useful, but at $500 plus $99/month for service, well that's a little steep for me right now.
I don't have an iPhone, but I do have a Treo 700p.
I love the capabilities of the phone, and the things that it does well. I have some negatives about it, but over all I love the " Smart Phone" concept. When my contract is up, I don't think I'll be getting another Treo, but I also don't think that I would get an iPhone either. I just don't like being forced to use AT&T (or finding an unlocked phone and using a GSM network). I like my Verizon network and service.
But, overall, I won't be without a " Smart Phone" . It makes it much easier to be out of the office, yet still be able to get some work done when needed.
As far as the iPhone goes, I'm not a Mac user so, I'd be wondering if I was to try to use one if I would be like my grandparents were like when they first learned how to use email. :lol:
1. I am already on the AT&T network so no issues there. Even if I was not I might consider switching given the visual voicemail along with the other things.
2. I am mostly interested in the mapping and the full web browser so i could view documents, zoom in as much as the website lets you zoom and other such things.
As the device has WiFi I figure I can find a Starbucks or similar when needing a fast connection or the AT&T signal was weak.
3. I am not that much interested in the camera. Knowing that I could grab a photo when needed is good. I have a good SLR but I do not always care it around unless I expect to be viewing properties.
about the mac thing. I am a big computer geek. Mac systems in genral are not that hard to learn. It takes time of course but its not nearly as unstable as windows.
I keep hearing about how it has a real web browser on it, not one of the 'mini mobile' browsers that only work on sites designed specifically for phones. This opens up more possibilities for using online resources.
I can't wait to get my hands on an iPhone when I finally decide to do so. Think I'm also waiting for the bugs and new version/model to come out. Honestly, the price in my opinion is not bad relative to what I've seen from my one of my friends from Indonesia who seems to always have the newest, slimmest phone that is not necessary available in the states. Guess what.. it's about the same price as the iPhone but not near as nice nor has the same features.
I think the iPhone has revolutionized the cell phone industry and their sales have proved that.. I am very Happy to be a Shareholder! I like other phones out there like the Treo and Blackberry but every time I see the iPhone commercials, I get envious. The picture quality is really that good.
I saw in the business section yesterday that Apple shares fell 6% because of disappointing iPhone sales. Sales were expected to be 500,000+ the first weekend but only came in at 146,000. I wouldn't be so happy to be a shareholder.
Oh really.. Did you happen to check out their 2nd Quarter Results and that it went up 8.74 today/yesterday in result? I am very happy.. Over 50% in a few months puts a huge smile on my face...
I didn't see that, that would be a nice rebound. Did they happen to explain why sales were only about 1/3 of what was expected? Just curious, I would have expected more with all of the hype surrounding the release.
Sorry about the late reply, I just now read your post. :oops:
I love my Treo 700p for what it does well, and hate it for what it doesn't do well. I would say that the majority of things it does, it does well. I love the email functions (I use the versamail program, but there are many others available). I love the contacts and calender applications, and the versatility to synch with MS Outlook. The web browser is handy,but cumbersome.
The things that I hate about the phone is that it sometimes freezes up. I am on my third phone, in less than a year due to it freezing up and then becoming unusable. I would definitely recommend getting the insurance on it, if for this reason only. And, I sometimes run into bad areas where there is service but all connections are terrible. This may be due to my provider though. I use Verizon, and I am overall happy with the service product (unlimited data plan, etc...), but not too excited about their customer service when something goes wrong.
You mentioned the 755. IIRC, that is a GSM based phone. I really don't know how the GSM phones work with the data plan, so maybe someone else can chime in on that one. But, I believe that Verizon is now offering this phone. I don't know anything about Verizon's venture into the GSM network, but I do know that the rest of the world pretty much strictly uses GSM networks, so it may be the way of the future.
I saw your follow up where you asked what happened.
1. The reporting period for iPhone sales included only 30 hours of sale if we assume the stores were open 24 hours a day.
2. You will also see a large difference between what Apple sold in terms of phones and what AT&T reported in terms of customers for the phone. Buying the phone vs. getting signed up in the 30 hours.
3. Apple never said anything about initial sales. The 500K figure was an estimate by the analysts based on counting people in line and other means.
4. The bump in Apple shares had a fair amount to do with strong sales for iPod and the Mac computers.
5. Reports continue to be good when it comes to using the iPhone. I expect that we will know more in the months to come.
I am still interested in hearing what people use, if they have used an iPhone and other technology comments related to being a RE investor in the field.
as you may know there are next to none viruses, and spyware that are programmed or used on macs, those major flaws come with windows exploits etc. Now I say this because apple has made there Iphone the same, there have been no hacks found that can hurt your Iphone through the internet. However hackers around the world are about to unlock the Iphone to other networks(that being Tmobile) so whether or not when that happens there may be some hacks for the Iphone on the horizon.
All in all when I used the Iphone I was very impressed, and they have a full blown internet. Not unlike the Treos's etc, although they do not support flash yet. So it could be much more useful then a Treo etc.
