Re: [NTLK] No iNewton announced today

Hello,

--- On Sat, 9/12/09, Ryan Vetter <physicalconstants@yahoo.ca> wrote:

> The slipperyness of the iPhone has utility: while it may slip out of >people's hands more than something like a Newton (you can learn to hold it >properly to mitigate that, though), it works well when sliding it in
> and out of pockets.

It also has a great deal of utility if you happen to be in the business of selling replacement phones. ;)

>Much better than something that is rubberized, and when you factor in >expensive clothing, the last thing you want is friction in those pockets.

Unfortunately, in their apparent desire to make a phone that is easy to get in and out of one's pocket, Apple has succeeded in making a phone that is more difficult to handle once it *is* out of your pocket.

Speaking for myself, I want a device I can hold onto without having to think about it too much. And while the slick finish on the iPhone certainly boosts the phone's cosmetic appeal, it is not conducive to one's handling of the device. If Apple did not want to add a rubberized coating, that's fine, but at least they could have added, say, a pebbled surface to the sides to make the phone at least *somewhat* easier to handle.

And frankly, I'm not so sure that the Newton's rubberized coating offers more in the way of friction than any of the silicone cases marketed for the iPhone. The blurb for one of which reads, "Griffin’s FlexGrip case wraps your iPhone in durable, non-scratching silicone, textured *to make it easy to hold onto*." [emphasis mine]

I mean, I have to buy an aftermarket case to make the iPhone easy to hold onto? ¬ _¬

Those silicone cases are being offered because, while a phone with a slick surface is indeed easier to slide out of your pocket, it's not-so-easy to hang onto when you're trying to actually use the thing. I guess I'm just annoyed that Apple couldn't be bothered to think through what happens once the phone is out of your pocket and the Xtra-Cool, EZ-Slide™ slick surface then becomes a liability. :/

Best,

James Fraser

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Received on Sat Sep 12 06:24:14 2009