I’ve been using an iPhone for a few weeks now (I have a very nice client that sent me an iPhone) and must say that I kind of like it. I’m not a huge voice person, so I’ve only made a few calls and can’t really comment on it.
I’m getting used to the email client and web browsing is pretty nice. In addition, the iTunes interface is pretty slick. I even watched some Simpsons episodes on it on one trip. My biggest complaints about the iPhone are 1) it is on AT&T, 2) it is on the EDGE network and 3) it suffers from the GSM buzz. As I don’t do much text messaging, the lack of a physical keyboard isn’t an issue for me.
At first, I was jealous of the iPhone as I’ve spent many years dealing with Palm based devices and have had a lot invested in working with Palm OS, but with the lack of life in the Palm OS and my shift of focus in my work, I realized that I had no reason to be jealous and am embracing the device.
I’m sure that future versions of the iPhone will be better, but for a first version of a device by a company that has never produced a cell phone, this is quite amazing. Nokia, Palm, LG, Motorola, etc. have had years to come up with something like the iPhone, but have not managed to come close.
Just out of curiosity, have you tried swapping the SIM card from the iPhone into another phone? I have heard of some people having problems with this, even though their other phones should work fine on AT&T's network.
Regarding the keyboard, I think this is going to be an ongoing problem for iPhone-based devices. Some people just do not like the lack of tactile feedback of a touchscreen.
I don't have any other GSM devices, so I haven't swapped out the SIM. Aside from the iPhone, I'm strictly a CDMA kind of guy with Sprint service on my handsets as well as an EVDO modem that I use with my MacBook Pro.