It is now almost a month ago that the iPhone in Germany has seen the light of day. On 9 November 2007 T-Mobile launched the sale at a price of 399 € in combination with three rates. Interim conclusion to draw time.

On time on 9 November, I went and bought the iPhone in one of the telecom shops. About my first impressions of the iPhone I already reported in another post. Before my purchase, I had a long time about the time, whether I should buy myself but not an imported iPhone. But would have spoken that they would hack through any mobile operator can use, for example, ordinary prepaid cards. In addition, there are now lots of software for the iPhone by third-party developers. However, even this is possible only with the help of hacks. Apple offers the use of third party software right now, unfortunately, not yet, but already has a development environment for the iPhone (SDK) selected software developer released to so that Apple 2008, the iPhone officially with third developer software support is February in.

I’ve decided to officially distributed version of the iPhone in Germany, I will update in the future problems the iPhone, in order to utilize, for example, in February the new features. Apple makes it more difficult for hackers with each update to penetrate into the system of the iPhone in order to continue to use freely. I will not be dependent on the skill of the hacker. Also provides me with the iPhone tariff from T-Mobile all I need to use for: A mobile internet flat rate , sufficient free minutes and text messages (SMS). In addition, I am with the quality and availability of the telecom network more than satisfied, because the accessibility is really good compared to the competition. But probably everyone has to decide for themselves.

What I then noticed?
Positive stress I have, of course, the complete operation and user navigation of the iPhone. Here I still have no cell phone came in, which could inspire similar. Even after a month it thrilled me over and over again. I am always on my iPhone to pull out of the pocket to make calls, listen to music or surf the web. Even testing me since then makes fun. Also like the perfect collaboration between my Mac and the iPhone, I highlight here. Since then, I manage all my appointments in the calendar application on my Mac, they will be synchronized automatically the next time you connect the iPhone. It’s the same with the Address Book application. So if a Mac has probably coming anyway difficult past the iPhone.

We come to what I do not so much. The biggest shortcoming in my opinion is the lack of real keyboard. With the virtual keyboard that appears as needed, but now I can write at a relatively fast, but always sneak a mistake. Often corrected the spelling correct words wrong. Thus, in my entries regularly, the word “there” to the word “it” corrected. If you type something and then quickly tapping the space bar, then automatically the “it” inserted. Unfortunately I have not noticed the fact that learning the keyboard. Now I respect very much and always click the proposal “it” away, but the iPhone brings it to me every time. Much better it can however use the keyboard in landscape mode typing. Here are the keys much bigger and further apart. So you can write better with thicker fingers. But this keyboard unfortunately there is currently only in the Safari browser of the iPhone . So the application where you really only now and then types a few Internet addresses. One can only hope that the landscape keyboard even in e-mail program, the SMS and in the note function gained entrance.

Also, I am using a pocket for the iPhone . This implies that the brightness sensor of the iPhone does not seem to when I telephone. Often it is so that when I start a call, it switches off the display prematurely and when I consider the iPhone to my ear, the display goes up again. I think it is gone, it goes out again and I can not use the iPhone because the display will no longer be activated by finger. It’s a little annoying and does exactly the opposite of what affect it really. You can then remove only the iPhone from his pocket in order to also expose the sensor again. Maybe there is a problem even in this case, however, it is an official bag of T-Mobile.

The often-criticized lack of UMTS functionality at all I miss is not. On the contrary, I am very satisfied with Edge. At the beginning I was in my area no Edge and it was a GPRS with already relatively long to load pages. But in recent days show my iPhone the obligatory “E” for Edge on the display and also on my daily bus ride is now available Edge. There seems T-Mobile to do really something. The hotspots I’ve used yet, but hope that the iPhone will automatically log in the future with them. So you would always have an optimal speed when on the move.

Finally, I would also like to see a pen for operation of the iPhone. It just annoys me animal, if the display screen is constantly covered with grease on the finger. Once clean and touch your finger and you can see a proof if the display is off. In addition, a pen to operate the virtual keyboard would greatly facilitate and reduce the probability to typos. The touch screens of the iPhone but do not respond to normal stylus pens available. It would be desirable, provided that third parties would soon dispatch on matching accessories. I would definitely buy one immediately.

And what is my conclusion?
My conclusion is: A super iPhone device, this. I would buy it back to me at any time, but I would like but much improved virtual keyboard. Also, a pull-out keyboard, as with competing products would be feasible for a successor, would certainly make the iPhone but thicker. The next big highlight is then the integration of third party developer software in February 2008. To this I am particularly pleased. Who has fun in fancy technology, which will be very satisfied with the iPhone. For those who prefer less frills places, and will also use his prepaid card should continue, tend to fall at a cheaper phone. Anyway, I’m still totally happy iPhone owners with contract!