So I've been trying to decide between the iPhone and the Sidekick 3, and it's been a long decision making process. Both have serious benefits, and some drawbacks. So I've activated both of them for now, the iPhone being the primary device, and the Sidekick on a $30 month-to-month plan.
Where we stand (and no, this isn't a comprehensive list, and it builds on earlier postings on the topic):
iPhone: The Good
- Large, colorful, hi-res display
- Desktop-caliber web browsing
- Good camera, when it's cooperating
- Nice sync with iCal and Address Book
- Google Maps is fantastic, even without GPS
Sidekick: The Good
- Awesome keyboard. I'm realizing that I can indeed touch-type on it without really even looking at the keyboard.
- Instant messaging exists and works, absolutely. If you're in an area with touchy coverage (like rural AZ), the Danger servers will cache any inbound messages until your SK gets back into range. And working while on vacation this week, I've realized just how fundamental IM is to our business.
- Flexible and powerful e-mail. I can reply to an e-mail from one account using another account. Separate signatures for each account (business versus personal). Easily delete dozens of messages at once.
- Super fast access to apps: just hit Jump+B for browser, Jump+I for AIM, Jump+Y for YIM, Jump+E for E-mail. Sooo quick, and none of that up-down-up navigation from the iPhone.
- I can actually read things on the browser, without all that pinching and swiping around.
- E-mailing photos to Flickr is quick and easy, and sends the full-sized image
- Treats SMS conversations much like e-mail. Easy. And unlimited SMSing is included in the $29/mo plan.
iPhone: The Bad
- Too many websites are sniffing out the iPhone and altering their appearance accordingly. For example, with Yahoo! Mail, I can't get it to render the standard HTML version - it always gives me the WAP version, which means I don't have access to several important features ... like my business e-mail
- Hard to take pictures because you're worried you're going to drop it
- Even harder to hand to someone else to take your picture, say at the Grand Canyon, without having to explain how to take pictures with the thing
- Still can't get the hang of the virtual keyboard, and I'm usually the first to warm up to something like that
- Enough limitations in the Mail that I've completely given up on it
- When it's 100º out, the screen gets kind of slimy. You need a good cotton t-shirt to get the smears off.
- When you e-mail to Flickr, the pictures are resized to 640x480. Boo!
Sidekick: The Bad
- No way to get the web browser to render the page in desktop layout
- Camera can be wonky in dark light (so can the iPhone camera, but in general the iPhone is better)
- It's big, folks. Real big.
- Doesn't have all the iLife and PIM integration with the Mac
So the (lame) verdict is ... I'm currently carrying both devices 24/7. Ugh.
