Comments on: iPhone: the New Gateway Drug http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/ Everyone can understand technology; sometimes it just takes a little translating. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:16:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: David Goodspeedhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-25064 David Goodspeed Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:10:19 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-25064 For someone seriously considering going in the opposite direction of the theme of this thread (suckled on a mac and have never looked back): what will iphone do and what won't it do? I am hoping it is the new killer ap, or soon will be in new version. I need a handheld device that: works as a phone, works as a digital still camera, shoots video clips, will record digital audio via internal/external mic, read and answer email, won't kill be with the eventual "mac taxes" their computers are known for. Can it be done? For someone seriously considering going in the opposite direction of the theme of this thread (suckled on a mac and have never looked back):
what will iphone do and what won’t it do?
I am hoping it is the new killer ap, or soon will be in new version.
I need a handheld device that:
works as a phone,
works as a digital still camera,
shoots video clips,
will record digital audio via internal/external mic,
read and answer email,
won’t kill be with the eventual “mac taxes” their computers are known for.
Can it be done?

]]> By: Wayne Schulzhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-25034 Wayne Schulz Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:14:03 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-25034 @Chris - there may be more than a reset required if you want to also transfer your music. I've never migrated an iPod from Windows and MAC - but found a few resources. First, from a quick reading it sounds as if the only solidly supported way to do this is to backup your iTunes library from Windows to CD/DVD and restore it to MAC. This appears to preserve all your playlists and ratings - as well as music. There is a slightly more complex way of doing this documented over at LifeHacker - which does not require a bunch of CD/DVDs for copying large iTunes libraries: http://lifehacker.com/software/itunes/geek-to-live--how-to-move-an-itunes-library-from-a-pc-to-mac-and-back-242468.php There's a thread in the Apple Support forums dealing with a similar question. In it there are links to 3rd party software which may allow you to copy the files directly off your iPod. There is a lot more discussion on the Apple forums about this topic. Here's a pretty good thread on the overall process: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1301923&tstart=75 Remember to de-authorize your Windows machine (as per the above thread) when this is all done. Also, iTunes is funny about copying stuff that you did not buy (license) through iTunes - and you may need to use third party software (sadly) to copy your own non-purchased mp3s off the iPod. @Chris – there may be more than a reset required if you want to also transfer your music.

I’ve never migrated an iPod from Windows and MAC – but found a few resources.

First, from a quick reading it sounds as if the only solidly supported way to do this is to backup your iTunes library from Windows to CD/DVD and restore it to MAC.

This appears to preserve all your playlists and ratings – as well as music.

There is a slightly more complex way of doing this documented over at LifeHacker – which does not require a bunch of CD/DVDs for copying large iTunes libraries:

http://lifehacker.com/software/itunes/geek-to-live–how-to-move-an-itunes-library-from-a-pc-to-mac-and-back-242468.php

There’s a thread in the Apple Support forums dealing with a similar question. In it there are links to 3rd party software which may allow you to copy the files directly off your iPod.

There is a lot more discussion on the Apple forums about this topic.

Here’s a pretty good thread on the overall process:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1301923&tstart=75

Remember to de-authorize your Windows machine (as per the above thread) when this is all done.

Also, iTunes is funny about copying stuff that you did not buy (license) through iTunes – and you may need to use third party software (sadly) to copy your own non-purchased mp3s off the iPod.

]]> By: patrickjhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24983 patrickj Mon, 10 Mar 2008 04:05:27 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24983 I'm in this club too, just not a fully paid-up member yet as I haven't found a way to beg, borrow, or steal enough to get a Mac - but am determined to find a way. Since switching to the iPhone I find myself increasing a trend towards online and / or cross-platform apps - Gmail, Remember The Milk, Evernote etc. - partly in hope of easing a future transition ... I’m in this club too, just not a fully paid-up member yet as I haven’t found a way to beg, borrow, or steal enough to get a Mac – but am determined to find a way. Since switching to the iPhone I find myself increasing a trend towards online and / or cross-platform apps – Gmail, Remember The Milk, Evernote etc. – partly in hope of easing a future transition …

]]> By: Mitchell Okehttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24982 Mitchell Oke Mon, 10 Mar 2008 03:54:15 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24982 My dad is pretty much convinced of ditching his M1210 for the Air ;) My dad is pretty much convinced of ditching his M1210 for the Air ;)

]]> By: Chris Magnussonhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24976 Chris Magnusson Mon, 10 Mar 2008 02:47:31 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24976 Oh. My. Gawd. You just made my year! Actually two, as there's still two years left on the warranty for my (somewhat Mac-like imo) XPS M1210. Oh. My. Gawd. You just made my year!

Actually two, as there’s still two years left on the warranty for my (somewhat Mac-like imo) XPS M1210.

]]> By: reidmehttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24975 reidme Mon, 10 Mar 2008 02:37:19 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24975 @Chris, You may have to hard reset the iPods, but they will work. @Chris, You may have to hard reset the iPods, but they will work.

]]> By: Chris Magnussonhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24971 Chris Magnusson Mon, 10 Mar 2008 02:20:23 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24971 Alex Kac has said that there will be Pocket Informant for the iPhone/iPod Touch. Ilium have said that there will be iPhone/iPod Touch versions of their products. There is already rudimentary calendar, contact, and email syncing with iPhones and iPod Touches. If a native Tasks app that syncs with Exchange is included with the v2 software, I'm kissing Windows Mobile goodbye. I really, <i>really</i> hate to say it, but it's true. The only concern I have is, if I get a Mac and move all my data over to it, will I be able to sync my music (exclusively MP3 but for one AAC track) over to my three iPods, since they're all Windows formatted? Alex Kac has said that there will be Pocket Informant for the iPhone/iPod Touch. Ilium have said that there will be iPhone/iPod Touch versions of their products. There is already rudimentary calendar, contact, and email syncing with iPhones and iPod Touches. If a native Tasks app that syncs with Exchange is included with the v2 software, I’m kissing Windows Mobile goodbye. I really, really hate to say it, but it’s true.

The only concern I have is, if I get a Mac and move all my data over to it, will I be able to sync my music (exclusively MP3 but for one AAC track) over to my three iPods, since they’re all Windows formatted?

]]> By: Kerry Woohttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24967 Kerry Woo Mon, 10 Mar 2008 01:38:15 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24967 Last week, I was at a conference (I don't recall the context) when a speaker asked the audience, "How many people here own a Mac?" Hands shot up among the 300 present. "OK, if I give you $2000 to buy another Mac, who would do it?" Virtually the same amount of hands went up. The question was asked of Dell's with the $2000 offer. Not many takers in the audience. The speaker went on to comment that people don't buy Apples because they have a great spreadsheet or word processor... it's because Apple has become so customer centric that they are "empathy arrogant". I like that phrase "empathy arrogant". The stuff just works and they are so it touch with the needs of their customer base. The Apple store, documentation, support, packaging... I still have all of my packaging and Apple disks from 1984... Seeing my wife take to the Apple iMac and especially the iPod touch only proves the point that they know how to provide a great consumer experience that other companies should emulate. Last week, I was at a conference (I don’t recall the context) when a speaker asked the audience, “How many people here own a Mac?” Hands shot up among the 300 present. “OK, if I give you $2000 to buy another Mac, who would do it?” Virtually the same amount of hands went up. The question was asked of Dell’s with the $2000 offer. Not many takers in the audience. The speaker went on to comment that people don’t buy Apples because they have a great spreadsheet or word processor… it’s because Apple has become so customer centric that they are “empathy arrogant”.

I like that phrase “empathy arrogant”.

The stuff just works and they are so it touch with the needs of their customer base. The Apple store, documentation, support, packaging… I still have all of my packaging and Apple disks from 1984… Seeing my wife take to the Apple iMac and especially the iPod touch only proves the point that they know how to provide a great consumer experience that other companies should emulate.

]]> By: danchttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24966 danc Mon, 10 Mar 2008 01:25:32 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24966 The "worst" thing about it wasn't having to eat all my words (Wayne- "ripped" is accurate but too gentle for describing my initial comments about the iPhone) no, it was my wife turning to me when I walked in with one and saying "Well that took a bit longer than I expected." :) The “worst” thing about it wasn’t having to eat all my words (Wayne- “ripped” is accurate but too gentle for describing my initial comments about the iPhone) no, it was my wife turning to me when I walked in with one and saying “Well that took a bit longer than I expected.” :)

]]> By: Jerry Raiahttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24965 Jerry Raia Mon, 10 Mar 2008 01:16:25 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24965 I have to admit I also bashed the iPhone as a nice toy with a very slick interface when it first came out. It looks like it will soon (if not already) be a very serious contender. While I was in the ATT store getting mine, three other people ahead of me bought iPhones. I have never seen that with any phone, except perhaps the RAZR when it first came out. I have to admit I also bashed the iPhone as a nice toy with a very slick interface when it first came out. It looks like it will soon (if not already) be a very serious contender. While I was in the ATT store getting mine, three other people ahead of me bought iPhones. I have never seen that with any phone, except perhaps the RAZR when it first came out.

]]> By: Wayne Schulzhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24962 Wayne Schulz Mon, 10 Mar 2008 01:06:54 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24962 Danc - I followed that route exactly - and I ripped the iphone via private emails with my consulting buddies for a good 4 months....prior to that I ridiculed my sister's MAC.. Then I got an iPod Touch and loved it. Still use it to this day and agree with Mitchell's assessment that it's one of the best video players around. The out of the box setup and usage experience with iMac and MacBook Pro has been unlike anything I've experienced recently... Danc – I followed that route exactly – and I ripped the iphone via private emails with my consulting buddies for a good 4 months….prior to that I ridiculed my sister’s MAC..

Then I got an iPod Touch and loved it. Still use it to this day and agree with Mitchell’s assessment that it’s one of the best video players around.

The out of the box setup and usage experience with iMac and MacBook Pro has been unlike anything I’ve experienced recently…

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24960 Judie Lipsett Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:57:30 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24960 @Mark - yep. ;-) @Mark – yep. ;-)

]]> By: Since You Came For My Opinion » iPhone: the New Gateway Drughttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24954 Since You Came For My Opinion » iPhone: the New Gateway Drug Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:04:03 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24954 [...] This originally appeared on GearDiary [...] [...] This originally appeared on GearDiary [...]

]]> By: danchttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24950 danc Sun, 09 Mar 2008 23:05:21 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24950 July- "I'll never get an iPhone" August- "This thing is friggin' amazing but just this one Apple product, no Macs" End of August- "I love this MacBook but I'm keepin my Dell" Sept. "This 20inch iMac is Awesome!!!" Dec. "If you want a laptop Mom I'm getting you a MacBook." Feb. "Glad I got a good price on my MacBook- I love this Air (and eBay" Gateway?? Yeah, pretty much... but something tells ME it wasn't inadvertent at all. And I'm never going back... July- “I’ll never get an iPhone”

August- “This thing is friggin’ amazing but just this one Apple product, no Macs”

End of August- “I love this MacBook but I’m keepin my Dell”

Sept. “This 20inch iMac is Awesome!!!”

Dec. “If you want a laptop Mom I’m getting you a MacBook.”

Feb. “Glad I got a good price on my MacBook- I love this Air (and eBay”

Gateway?? Yeah, pretty much… but something tells ME it wasn’t inadvertent at all.

And I’m never going back…

]]> By: reidmehttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24947 reidme Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:17:51 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24947 Are you referring to the Flash icon? Are you referring to the Flash icon?

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24946 Judie Lipsett Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:03:39 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24946 I think Jerry downloaded the first iPhone picture he found on Google; he certainly doesn't have any inside knowledge...or I would make him share. ;-) I think Jerry downloaded the first iPhone picture he found on Google; he certainly doesn’t have any inside knowledge…or I would make him share. ;-)

]]> By: Wayne Schulzhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24944 Wayne Schulz Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:37:36 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24944 Love the iphone graphic too - do you know something we don't? Love the iphone graphic too – do you know something we don’t?

]]> By: Wayne Schulzhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24943 Wayne Schulz Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:28:23 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24943 My transition was: iPod Touch (after avoiding iPods for many years due to a poor early experience with failing battery life) --> iPhone (which I believe you were indirectly responsible for --> iMac (after seeing the Gateway One which was going to be the same money but just not as many features) -> MacBook Pro. I'm currently contemplating a MacBook for my Mom when her Dell fails (which will probably be in another 6 months). This weekend I worked to configure a Compaq Presario T2330 (which I'm still elbow deep in removing all sorts of bloatware from). Without the iPhone, I don't think I would have converted to the Mac world (of course the people here played a big role in the conversion as well). My transition was:

iPod Touch (after avoiding iPods for many years due to a poor early experience with failing battery life) –> iPhone (which I believe you were indirectly responsible for –> iMac (after seeing the Gateway One which was going to be the same money but just not as many features) -> MacBook Pro.

I’m currently contemplating a MacBook for my Mom when her Dell fails (which will probably be in another 6 months).

This weekend I worked to configure a Compaq Presario T2330 (which I’m still elbow deep in removing all sorts of bloatware from).

Without the iPhone, I don’t think I would have converted to the Mac world (of course the people here played a big role in the conversion as well).

]]> By: Mitchell Okehttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24932 Mitchell Oke Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:54:27 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24932 I've been showing my dad the MacBook Air over the last few days, and he's sold ;) I’ve been showing my dad the MacBook Air over the last few days, and he’s sold ;)

]]> By: Rico3201http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24931 Rico3201 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:51:11 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24931 I'm on my second iMac, my wife is on her second Apple, and we have been very happy using Apple products. I love buying a printer or external hard drive and just connecting it... that's it! No "installation disk" procedures and all that. Remember old phones (home phones, rotary or dial?) You either got one from Ma Bell, or (later) bought one at the store and plugged it in. And used it. Everybody knew how to use a phone. You didn't need a manual. Computers ought to be like that. Techie geeks (like me, sometimes) enjoy figuring out how to solve problems but, really, these gadgets ought to be simple and intuitive. Apple products come close to that for me, which is why I recommended them for my 80 year old parents. I would love an iPhone! I’m on my second iMac, my wife is on her second Apple, and we have been very happy using Apple products. I love buying a printer or external hard drive and just connecting it… that’s it! No “installation disk” procedures and all that.

Remember old phones (home phones, rotary or dial?) You either got one from Ma Bell, or (later) bought one at the store and plugged it in. And used it. Everybody knew how to use a phone. You didn’t need a manual.

Computers ought to be like that. Techie geeks (like me, sometimes) enjoy figuring out how to solve problems but, really, these gadgets ought to be simple and intuitive. Apple products come close to that for me, which is why I recommended them for my 80 year old parents.

I would love an iPhone!

]]> By: reidmehttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24926 reidme Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:27:17 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/09/iphone-the-new-gateway-drug/#comment-24926 That's a very interesting observation. I can see it making people appreciate how useful "just working" is. I remember during the "quality" craze in the 80s watching a video by Tom Peters, author of the classic business book "In Search of Excellence", where he was giving an example of a company going out of their way to make a quality product. Someone in the audience asked him if they were practicing market segmentation. He replied "Yeah, they're going after that segment of the market that likes things that work!" :lol: That’s a very interesting observation. I can see it making people appreciate how useful “just working” is.

I remember during the “quality” craze in the 80s watching a video by Tom Peters, author of the classic business book “In Search of Excellence”, where he was giving an example of a company going out of their way to make a quality product. Someone in the audience asked him if they were practicing market segmentation. He replied “Yeah, they’re going after that segment of the market that likes things that work!” :lol:

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