todd.tokubo.com

Two hours in line at my local Cingular AT&T store. They sold out of 8 GB before I got to the front of the line, but seeing as how I arrived at 5:30pm, I’m not going to complain. I got a 4GB version. For the record, I’ve been using a Nokia E61 for the past 6 months, and I will probably keep it on hand for trips to Japan (since the iPhone doesn’t have 3G 2100 support)
My early review (after playing with it for about 2 hours):

• PLUSES

• Graphical Presentation on the phone. Very bright colorful, a bit cartoonish.
• Widget-type apps. One touch stock, weather, photos. They all configure very much like widgets under Yahoo or the Mac desktop
• Easy integration with most major webmail services: GMail, Yahoo Mail, AOL.
• IMAP and POP support
• Web Browser is very nice. Just like Safari on the desktop. Easily the best mobile browser of any mobile device I’ve used (including WinMo, E61, PSP, etc.)
• Google Maps Integration is really cool, including traffic updates
• Shifts between Wi-Fi and EDGE pretty seamlessly

• Typing is a challenge. I feel like my thumbs are the size of lightbulbs trying to type somtimes
• Landscape to portrait modes only work in some apps (browser, imaging)
• Turning on BT is buried under a couple of menus
• No default ActiveSync integration. I know they are working on this, so it’s not that bad.
• Had to reboot my PC before I could Sync my contacts from Outlook

Overall, the integration of the apps and the phone are impressive. I know many are bemoaning the fact that there are user apps that can downloaded to the phone. With the fact that the phone has an unlimited data plan along with a WiFi radio, it’s definite an internet centric device. The usage of widgets makes it a very nicely integrated device. It’s kind of an always on-line device. It’s got the typical Apple zen minimalist type design. It’s smaller than you’d think, but heavier at the same time.

We’ll see how it does after a couple weeks of abuse. The only real missing piece for this is the Exchange / ActiveSync software. Many people who’ve trained their thumbs for their Crackberries are going to have a hard time with this device.

I think Apple stores still have some good stock, even around the Bay Area.