I'm extremely happy with it. It's the best internet-connected pocket computer I've owned since my iPhone 3GS.
It fits in my front jeans pocket (much to surprise of many people; just barely, but it does), and I can sit comfortably with it there (for more than a few hours, I do take it out).
It can't be fully used with 1 hand (like when standing in a bus), although it can used partially (scrolling a web page, switching tabs in Chrome, scrolling twitter).
I primarily use iMessages/SMS and email for communication, but I do have a VOIP that I can make and receive calls at. You can use a headset with it, so there's no need to bring it up to your head. FaceTime, Skype, etc. I'm a developer, so I don't talk on my phone 24/7, hence it's enough to get by.
There are a few advantages over an iPhone. Infinite battery life, essentially. Much cheaper monthly plan. I pay $30 for 3 GB of data. No contracts (came in handy when I moved from Canada to US recently). No long distance, roaming... if you travel and get on wi-fi, you have the same (VOIP) number and everything. Huge screen, I use it for browsing all the time instead of a laptop. It's an iPad mini, enough said.
One other limitation is it doesn't have a vibrating motor, unfortunately, so when you put it in silent mode, you'll have no way of knowing about incoming calls or text messages. So I either have sounds on, or leave it on a table so I can see the screen light up (instead of keeping it in pocket).
It's still unusual enough for people to talk to me about it. I don't do this just to be different, I do it for the practical value. I wanted a bigger screen and I don't want 2 iOS devices (it'd be a hassle to keep them in sync). It's been around a year and I'm still extremely happy with it. It may not work for everyone, but it's a lot more viable than most people would expect.
That's interesting, thank you. I don't use my phone much to make calls, but I do send a reasonably large number of iMessages/SMS, and I couldn't quite see a solution to the SMS problem, but I might have another look this year.
It fits in my front jeans pocket (much to surprise of many people; just barely, but it does), and I can sit comfortably with it there (for more than a few hours, I do take it out).
It can't be fully used with 1 hand (like when standing in a bus), although it can used partially (scrolling a web page, switching tabs in Chrome, scrolling twitter).
I primarily use iMessages/SMS and email for communication, but I do have a VOIP that I can make and receive calls at. You can use a headset with it, so there's no need to bring it up to your head. FaceTime, Skype, etc. I'm a developer, so I don't talk on my phone 24/7, hence it's enough to get by.
There are a few advantages over an iPhone. Infinite battery life, essentially. Much cheaper monthly plan. I pay $30 for 3 GB of data. No contracts (came in handy when I moved from Canada to US recently). No long distance, roaming... if you travel and get on wi-fi, you have the same (VOIP) number and everything. Huge screen, I use it for browsing all the time instead of a laptop. It's an iPad mini, enough said.
One other limitation is it doesn't have a vibrating motor, unfortunately, so when you put it in silent mode, you'll have no way of knowing about incoming calls or text messages. So I either have sounds on, or leave it on a table so I can see the screen light up (instead of keeping it in pocket).
It's still unusual enough for people to talk to me about it. I don't do this just to be different, I do it for the practical value. I wanted a bigger screen and I don't want 2 iOS devices (it'd be a hassle to keep them in sync). It's been around a year and I'm still extremely happy with it. It may not work for everyone, but it's a lot more viable than most people would expect.