I really like the iPhone. The design is great, the user interface makes it easy and intuitive to work with the unit. It was a great step to help unexperienced user to use a terminal for more than only telephony or SMS.

In the meantime I have some doubts about the philosophy and the way of Apple.

• Application are only available through the store of Apple (without making a jailbreak).
• Apple controls and restricts the application (and the functionality of the application) that are available in their store.
• Apple defines what offensive content is and that this could not be accessible through applications. That means that even news are controlled.  This means censorship as editors have to create two versions of their articles to make sure that content or photos will be distributed.
• Flash is not supported. A lot of websites are using flash. Even advertisement coming from Apple contains flash – not visible on an iPhone.
• Background applications are not possible. This feature will come with OS Version 4 – but not for the 3G. Why should the manufacturer decide that the performance may be not good enough on that device? If you would like to take the decision on your own a jailbreak is necessary (Backgrounder).
• A Blacklist to stop telephone spam is not integrated and I haven’t found an application in the store for stopping calls from a specific number. I did not need application for US spammers in Europe. Again you will need a jailbreak for something that is available for many other phones.
• Sales channels for the iPhone are limited. Fortunately it is starting to get better – in some countries.
• The OS is limited to the iPhone hardware. For that reason you did not have a alternative solution for the hardware – no chance to get features designed for your specific needs (size, keyboard, camera…).

Other options? Android?

Related posts:

1. iPhone: Call and SMS blocker/blacklist