iPhone 4s Review & Observations

I love my iPhone.  This device is a mobile marketing productivity tool.  After being a Blackberry guy for many years I made the iPhone move in December 2011.  It was the right decision.  I doubt I will change my PC platform preference from the Windows/Intel machines like Dell, but for the smartphone tablet world, Apple works.

I see advantages in balancing both platform worlds rather than preaching “Apple or nothing, Droid or drop, or PC and pick on you.”  All three platform categories work well together, plus I can continue providing quality tips, insights, and posts for my followers, readers, and audiences.

Tip: don’t limit yourself in this fast-changing world of technology and all things marketing.  Balance.

Below are my quick observations, as I promised this past December, regarding my iPhone experience so far:

1. The iPhone 4s is fast. My carrier is Verizon and 3G is plenty fast.
2. 4G is hype.  Be patient.  A few seconds do not matter.  Really.
3. Using the phone is fast.  Touch, slide, and tap works well.
4. Get a quality case and spend the money.  I use the IvySkin case ($50), and it’s worth every penny.  It protects both the glass with a second glass cover and protects the phone itself with the overall, tactile feel case.  It fits tight and has protected my phone from multiple, aggressive drops.  Don’t buy a “shopping mall plastic knock-off” case.  Your phone is an investment.  Protect it.
5. I love the camera.  Let me say this again: I love the camera.  Enough said.
6. On battery life, update to the latest OS and watch your settings.
7. I never get lost while driving now.  The included map application works great.  My wife and me have more pleasant trips now 🙂
8. The iPhone 4s is made for social media.  My Twitter following has grown substantially since I got this phone (@stuatkins).  Tap and touch with the stock social media aps work great.  Post, Tweet, and engage your business and life with this smartphone.
9. I love the video camera.  Pick up a SupaMount7 tri-pod adapter and you are set for even better videos.
10. Check out a good, external, fold-up blue-tooth keyboard.  This turns your phone into a semi-PC for writing faster.  I have larger fingers, thus touch typing is best when I shift to horizontal, but still not as accurate as an actual keyboard.  This is my only frustration with this phone so far.  I miss a tactile keyboard but I can live without it.
11. Google tips for the iPhone 4S.  I found lots of simple shortcuts such as how to take a screen shot by pushing two buttons at the same time, plus taking photos horizontal that don’t end up upside down.  That’s a secret tip I will let you discover with a Google search 🙂
12. Bottom line: I’m sold on this phone.
13. More later as this experience evolves.
14. Bottom line 2: I love the iPhone 4s.
15. Have fun with this remarkable, intuitive, and smart tool.

More later as the fun evolves…

By Stuart Atkins