Confessions of An iPhone Convert

I've never been an Apple fan. The only Apple gadget I've ever owned was from its iPod line. The first iPod that I got belonged to the early generation early 2006 I think. It was a black 30GB iPod, which was later on got stolen. But from that first iPod unit, I was able to arrive at the conclusion that "madamot ang Apple". I was coming from my experience of having used a Creative Zen mp3 prior to this iPod. My Zen allowed me to delete songs from the unit itself; record voice conversations and a lot of other things. Sure, it didn't have a colored screen like the iPod, but then, I found Zen more user-friendly than iPod. 


As I mentioned, that first iPod unit got stolen. By that time, an MP3 player was already a necessity for me, especially at work. Luckily, an officemate was in dire need of money a few months after I lost my 1st iPod, he sold me his white 30gb iPod for a measly P3,000. At that time, it was a steal! Time went by and I lost my "attachment" to my iPod, it was relegated to my drawer at home. In fact, I  wasn't using it anymore that I gave it to one of my nephews.  This was I think in 2008. 


From 2008 until August of this year, I didn't own any Apple product, not even an iPod. By this time, Apple has already come out with several models of  their mobile phone (iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and now iPhone 4S). Through it all, I never felt inclined to get an Apple mobile phone, because somehow, I knew that what worked for iPod will be the same with iPhone, "madamot".  


August of this year, during my trip to Hong Kong with friends, I decided to get myself a 4th generation iPod touch. Well, it's been years since my last MP3 player, and I wanted something for myself, period. I was happy with my 4th Gen iPod touch; I never imagined that an MP3 player could go a long way, I was basically online for 20 hours a day because of my iPod. 


Then September this year, my Nokia N97 mini has been showing signs of a breakdown (you know stuff like it shuts off even on a full batt; in the middle of everything, it freezes), but I was like clueless "what's out there" in terms of mobile phones. Oh, I knew about iPhone and everyone wanting to get one, but I still thought that it's something that I'm still not inclined to get. I heard about Sony Ericsson Experia Arc and Samsung Galaxy SII. But these high-end phones costs fortune; and I am at that point in my life where I am no longer willing to shell out insanely big amount of money for a mobile phone that would be out-modeled faster than you can say "android gingerbread"! So I waited. And then I noticed that every morning, I have like 4 gadgets on top my desk! And that's excluding the company issued laptop, sweetie! I have my Nokia e63, my N97 mini, my iPod touch and my Globe Myfi for connection. Not to mention the chargers I need for these item, which are, most of the time, also in my bag. 


October this year, and contrary to what I said before, I decided to apply for Smart's retention program in order to get a Samsung Galaxy Y Netphone Edition for free. It's an entry level Android, touch-screen phone and was okay for most of the time, except that I was really having a hard time texting since it's a full touch screen phone and the keyboard was quite small. 


Finally, I decided to do a serious mobile phone upgrading. Normally, when I'm planning to buy a mobile phone, I'd scour the net for reviews, techs and specifications of the phone models of my choice. I normally have 2-3 phone models that I choose from. But this time, I knew that I want an Apple iPhone 4. I expected that with the release of iPhone 4S, the price of iPhone 4 has dropped, and I was right on this one. I considered also SE Experia Arc mainly because of the camera, but it runs on Android, an OS that doesn't basically appeal to me. I don't know why, maybe I just haven't had the chance to fully explore Android, but for now, that's how I feel about it. 

I decided to get
a White iPhone

So that left me with iPhone 4.  I scouted for shops that sells original iPhone4; you know how the market is out there! My first thought was Greenhills, but I was scared I'd end up getting a fake iPhone 4. So, I decided to go to Robinson's Malate first and get an idea of the prevailing market price of iPhone 4. The current market rate was around 27k-29K for a 16GB iPhone 4, regardless whether it's white or black. I asked the saleslady if I can trade in my N97 mini, my Samsung Galaxy Y and she said yes. I was thinking also, that if I do get an iPhone 4, my iPod touch will be kind of a"redundant gadget", so I decided to ask also how much I'm gonna get for it if I trade it as well. All in all, the 3 items were appraised to be worth P14 thousand, which meant  I have to shell out an extra  P14,000 for an iPhone 4. For me it wasn't bad and so I proceeded with the trade and purchase. 

my iPhone with its
Fuschia Pink protector
case

The 1st 24 hours I was using my iPhone 4, I came to fully understand why people who have been using it are not inclined to use or switch to other mobile phone brands. It basically is an "all-in-one" gadget. iPhone users have been content waiting for a new iPhone model to come out, then they upgrade. I so love my iPhone and I personally doesn't see myself going back to other brands.Though I still have my Nokia e63, (because as far as I am concerned, the E-series is the best line Nokia has ever come out with and nothing has come close until now) my main phone is the iPhone 4. My conclusion that Apple is "madamot" in terms of apps and being user-friendly has also changed. And I couldn't say enough "thank you" for apps such as Viber and Whatsapp, which allows me to talk (and sms) for FREE with my friends abroad, for as long as there is a wi-fi connection available. 


A friend has joked that soon, I'd be chucking out this HP laptop I am using and switch to a Mac. Hmmmmm..... Honestly? I am starting to contemplate on it now... But I don't know... Let's see...


For now, I am a certified APPLE CONVERT!  :)