Looks like you already got your phone (good choice). I'd still like to chime in, though.
I have the original iPhone and here are a few pros and cons as I see them:
Pros
1) User interface is just so simple to use.
2) Ability to download tons of free and low cost software from iTunes.
3) Text messaging in conversation view.
4) Google maps application with GPS.
5) Ability to sync contacts through my Gmail account.
Cons
1) Sound quality. I bought a Bluetooth ear piece so I can hear people in the car.
2) Have to use a hack to create custom ringtones for free.
3) No video camera capability.
4) No Adobe Flash support in the web browser.
I think the iPhone interface is really, really good. I have an ATT Tilt, and I tinker around with custom ROMs (OSes) on a regular basis. I personally think since the OP said he's busy within the first few sentences that WinMo and getting the phone "just how you like it" is a hassle, and it takes time. If you don't like to tinker by nature, the iPhone will get you exceptionally close to a really good overall user experience by default. The browser is really good, also. Multi touch is incredibly, incredibly useful. Too bad Apple is so rude about sharing
(google if you are interested)
There's a pretty good video camera if you jailbreak your phone....
If you want to go through the hassle for something that will "just work." Jail breaking itself isn't rocket science by any means, but it just opens up doors that take time to explore. IMHO, for the OP, it might not be the best idea
For UI, iphone is hard to beat. Unfortuantely, I've heard there are issues with the 3G modem in the iphone and that it defaults to the older technology which is extremely lame.
Perhaps listing your priorities in terms of what you want/need will help you in your decision process....
3G itself isn't really great in implementation, IMO. I'm excited to see where WiMAX goes, I think the impact of the 4G network is going to be much greater than most people think... it'll be a year or two out before it gets accepted into mainstream in the US, though...
As far as defaulting, what else would you expect? If 3G is weak, I'd sure as heck want edge to take over...
Priorities:
#1 - My phone must be a solid phone - the other features mean nothing if I can't make and receive phone calls that are good and clear
#2 - Ease of use - I have steered away from the majority of Windows Mobile phones for that reason - the HTC is the only Windows mobile phone that isn't clunky feeling
#3 - GPS - As of February 1st, I'll be travelling more for work, and GPS is going to be needed
#4 - E-mail access - same as above. I don't mind if I can't sync my Outlook with my phone, but I at least need OWA access while out of the office
For all purposes, the big 3 carriers (AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint) have good coverage around the Mpls area, so carrier isn't a major issue.
Good plan, I find the HTC devices to be completely awesome, but it takes a lot of work to get them to work. My brother also has a tilt, and he hates it because it's really fiddly to work with. The TouchFLO interface is a definite improvement, but it's just a nice skin on top of clunky winmo. I expect to see drastic updates to the winmo interface, though.
Definitely agree with staying away from Windows...junk. We already have to reboot our laptops every day, why the hell would we want to do this with our cell phones?
Seriously, the iPhone sounds pretty close to ideal given these priorities (I say this even though I am not a big Apple fan). The only thing that might kill it for me is the issue of the 3G modem performance and the way the phone interoperates with the infrastructure...if there is any truth to the rumors then I might elect to go with something like a traditional Blackberry operating on an 800 MHz network. PCS 1.8 GHz networks, in general, suck compared to 800 MHz in many areas in the lower 48.
Bingo. Don't let the Apple stigma steer you away, and don't fear that you're buying into a device simply because it's mainstream and "cool." Apple did a good job with their implementation. I'm not saying it's perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but the usability is much better than any other phone that I've had the pleasure to use.
It's good that the Touch Pro is getting some love, I'm planning on getting that one. The thing that I like about it is that its touch screen can be used with a stylus, or fingers. When I've tried the iPhone, I was a little annoyed that you can only use your fingers to type text.
Capacitive touch screens (iPhone) have their pros and cons. I personally think that resistive touch panels (TP, Tilt, etc) can be really, really annoying.
I ended up with an iPhone. So far, it's as good as promised - I've got it linked with my personal e-mail, and everything is peachy so far.
You'll find small gripes that may or may not develop into huge annoyances, but in general, I find the iPhone more intuitive and fully featured compared to other UIs. I think this problem is hugely due to the fact that Apple is hogging the multitouch to themselves
