I phone versus Laptop and dongle.

[doris]

I was planning to get a laptop and a dongle with a pay as you go SIM card for the boat next year. Primarily for weather but also for all the other obvious additions. The more I see and hear I am starting to realise that if I just get an Iphone....all sorted. Since my contract is up anyway and I need to change telephone network it seems a no brainer. Am I missing something. I would point out that I am not particularly techie but I can't belive I will not be able to use an I phone.

Comment please

 

[fireball]

Depends where you're gonna get your weather forecasts from....

the iPhone is great for quickly browsing websites with forecasts, but for longer trips I tend to use several sources including GRIB files - and I don't know of a viewer on the iPhone for that - so need a PC/Mac laptop..

Couple with the Wifi Access - the iPhone has wifi, but the range is quite limited and I was able to pickup and use wifi signals in the CIs that SWMBO's iPhone couldn't pick up - I had the added (*dis)advantage of the external wifi dongle which meant I could get the antenna up by the boom whilst sat below or in the cockpit.

So - for casual sailing we don't worry too much and just use the iPhone (or my Nokia with slightly inferior web browsing, but different network so sometimes better signal!) but if away for a few days we'll take a laptop. But then we have both the iPhone and laptops already so have the choice.... oh - and I am a techie!


*disadvantage was that the dongle fell off where i'd perched it and smashed the screen on the laptop I will replace the screen, but it's still a blummin nuisance!

 

[spynappels]

Ok, this is one I can get my teeth into.

Firstly, for browsing, the iPhone Safari app, while better than most mobile browsers, is still not great. Reading fora is just about ok, doing a lot of other syuff is just too painful due to the small screen. Yes, you can pinch zoom, but this gets annoying with most websites now optimised for larger screens you are constantly scrolling across. I would not have the iPhone as my primary browsing device.

Secondly, the 3G signal in large parts of Northern Ireland is non existant. I am getting GPRS where I live, that's what WAP used 10 years ago! With 3 I had 3G signal just about everywhere. I was very disappointed with the O2 3G coverage or lack there-of, I can't even get Edge.

However, if you have good 3G coverage from O2, you can now use your iPhone as a modem and share its connection with your laptop through tethering, which is very useful. This gives you the proper browser on the laptop but also the use of the iPhone.

Also look at mobile data rates when roaming, they are fairly steep too, over £3.00 per MB.

Shame you can only get the iPhone from O2.....

 

[Channel Ribs]

Since my contract is up anyway and I need to change telephone network it seems a no brainer.

No brainer indeed. Have a search for the iPhone Navionics discussion.

Aside from the delightful fact that you get free data and wifi subscriptions with the iPhone you also get access to an ever growing range of nautical apps. (See below)

Our own weather page www.alderneymarine.com/weather.html is certainly viewable on an iPhone or Touch, I know because I check it several times a day.

Yes indeed you will need a proper computer if you want to download weather files, but then again you get access to raw aviation met reports via Aeroweather which is very nice.

The nautical apps I currently use are:-

Navionics UK to Holland,
Imray rules & signals,
World Tides,
Aeroweather.

Getting a similar set of software for your laptop would probably cost the same as the whole iPhone.

 

[Malish]

I saw an article that implied that the next Apple product will be a touch screen tablet PC - if it approaches the functionality of the iPhone (I guess ex the 'phone) then it may be worth a look

 

[rickp]

I saw an article that implied that the next Apple product will be a touch screen tablet PC - if it approaches the functionality of the iPhone (I guess ex the 'phone) then it may be worth a look

That's been the perpetual rumour since Job's killed the Newton on February 27th 1998.

 

[spynappels]

I saw an article that implied that the next Apple product will be a touch screen tablet PC - if it approaches the functionality of the iPhone (I guess ex the 'phone) then it may be worth a look

It would need to run more than 1 program at a time though........

The most irritating aspect of the iPhone for me is that it will only run 1 app at a time, my Windows Mobile phone was much better in this respect.

 

[cambscot]

The iTablet will be launched in November or December this year. It'll be running a reduced version of OSX, but should also be able to run some, if not all, iphone applications too. One of the things it's not been confirmed whether it'll have or not, is GPS, which I'd say is pretty crucial. Whether it'll support the use of bluetooth GPS modules, is another question.

personally, I have an iPhone, on which I have the Navionics software installed, and it's fine for plotting routes when out and about, and also with the ability to send the routes to Email and facebook is a nice touch. However, I've also got an old laptop with a dud battery, so I've acquired a 12v compatible power supply for it. That, with the Imray charting sopftware, will do the trick on the boat, as it'll support both a serial connection to the Garmin, OR a bluetooth GPS module.

a

 

[GlennG]

Teathering now included

The iPhone's great. Knocks all other smart devices into a cocked hat. Whilst the browsing experience with Safari isn't as good as browsing with a normal Mac or PC, it's at least an order of magnitude better than any other small device. I'm sure Microsoft were asleep at the helm and ran aground.

The iPhone runs the Navonics charting application. At £15 this is an utter no-brainer.

To answer your main point, there's now teathering. This effectively connects your iPhone to your Mac or PC like any 3G dongle. It can be connected using either the charging cable (which works with USB extension leads to put the phone outside), or with Bluetooth meaning that you can pop the phone outside whilst you download your email inside.

The down side of the iPhone is O2. It's network isn't the best in the world, although in metropolitan areas and the South Coast, it's fine. Teathering will degrade from 3G to Edge (GPRS) and GSM. So if there's a signal, you'll have some form of data transfer.

The teathering option's not too bad at £15/month for 3Gb or £30/month for 10Gb.

TBH, I find that people who've not used an iPhone don't appreciate just how slick it is to use. I was like that until I bought one when O2 finally dropped their prices.

It's worth getting the iPhone 3Gs version as this has a built in magnetometer so compass applications work. It's also got a faster processor so will work better with the Navonics application (which is pretty slow even on most dedicated chart plotters).


I just can't get over how useful it is to have a chart plotter in my pocket. Last week I was motoring behind the Isle of Sheppey in lower water than I should (but on a rising tide) when I left the very narrow channel and hit the gloopy mud. The line between the previous and subsequent buoys was nigh-on impossible to see where the channel was as the channel/ditch was only a few feet wide.

So, consulted the phone to see that I'd strayed too far north. Pushed tiller over, gave the engine some welly, and slowly slipped off the mud back into the ditch. Simples. There's no way on earth I can get my charts to zoom in like that - not to mention plot the GPS coordinates within a couple of metres.

 

[l'escargot]

Since I got my iPhone I hardly bother to take the laptop and dongle out of the bag when I am on the boat.

 

[Channel Ribs]

It would need to run more than 1 program at a time though........

The most irritating aspect of the iPhone for me is that it will only run 1 app at a time, my Windows Mobile phone was much better in this respect.

The iPhone and Touch both use "push" to keep apps up to date, so rather than having lots of things running in the background looking for info that may not have changed it relies on being sent the data. It works very well indeed.

 

[jason -and the arguenauts]

Is it really an "either / or"? Most people have access to a laptop in which case the 3.COM dongle is free and the PAYG charge is £10 per GB of data / month.

In contrast the price of the I phone is in the hundreds plus an expensive monthly contract.

You have comments above about useability. Personally, having struggled with a C80 plotter, I wouldnt dream of trying to navigate using a screen as small as an Iphone. A laptop screen isnt really big enough.

I like gadgets and the Iphone is certainly a very attractive one. How practical it is for serious use is a very different issue. From that perspective you are probably better off with a cheap basic phone and a laptop and free dongle. But it's not half as attractive, is it?

 

[fireball]

I think you're mistaking the multiple apps running issue ....

Once you've launched your Navionics charting app, you can't minimise it to go and check the weather or make a phone call - you have to quit the app ... and then relaunch with the assoicated delay.

On the subject of tethering - yes, you can tether with the iPhone - but tbh, unless you are a prolific mobile data user then the £15/month is extortionate and takes your monthly bill to £50 ...

Whist the iPhone is good, it isn't infallable.

 

[fireball]

A laptop screen isnt really big enough.

Erm - you don't mean that do you ...

 

[spynappels]

I think you're mistaking the multiple apps running issue ....

Once you've launched your Navionics charting app, you can't minimise it to go and check the weather or make a phone call - you have to quit the app ... and then relaunch with the assoicated delay.

On the subject of tethering - yes, you can tether with the iPhone - but tbh, unless you are a prolific mobile data user then the £15/month is extortionate and takes your monthly bill to £50 ...

Whist the iPhone is good, it isn't infallable.

I have to agree. I moved from a WinMob Phone/PDA to the iPhone, and while in some aspects it is much better, overall, I'm not sure it was the right move for me. I guess a positive is that due to the "cool" factor, more people will be developing apps such as Navionics are doing to get in on the iPhone act. This didn't seem to happen with WinMob.

 

[doris]

At the moment I have a mobile phone that I use as just that. When on line I check weather with, usually the Met Office and XC weather as they seem to use different models and it gives me 2 different views.

If I get an Iphone I will use it as a phone (!), for email, and to check the weather from those or similar sources. I had planned to get a laptop but I suspect the Iphone will be cheaper and easier. O2 seems to as good or as bad as just about all the other networks and I am trying to find out if a non techie numpty like me can achieve what he wants this way. As you probably gather I am trying to drag my self into the 21st century but it a tad tricky as most of the jargon is alien to me.

 

[fireball]

The iPhone is not the only phone that can go "online" ... far from it, there are loads of phones out now that will give you internet access. I have a Nokia E65 which gives a graphic browser and I can access Met Office and XC Weather - just a smaller screen and quite clunky (the iPhone is so slick with web browsing).
I don't pay anywhere near as much on my monthly contract and that includes 1Gb of data each month that can be used on the phone or tethered on a laptop (roaming costs more if you choose to - I try not too as it is so expensive!).

SWMBO has an iPhone - and yes, it's good, you can have multiple internet browser windows open and there are 000's of apps available to play/use. The downside is the expense - the min contract is 24months at £35/month, free phone - or £420/yr.

My contract was 18 months and I only pay £25/month - £300/yr and I get to use the data on whatever device I want.

TBH - for you, you're probably better off getting an iPhone as it very easy to use and unless you already have a laptop and desire to tether you're not going to benefit from that flexibility. If you do later go down the laptop route then you'd probably be better off getting a USB dongle on PAYG for data rather than tether through the iPhone which is (atm) rip off price!

 

[asteven221]

Shame you can only get the iPhone from O2.....

Not entirely true. I can get iPhones on the 3 network (fully UK/Apple legal - not hacked) which falls back to Vodophone if 3 signal drops. Cost - £35 per month, free iPhone 3gs, 8 pence per minute calls, 8p per text and 8p per Mb. It is only for buiness users I think.

I am in the telecomms biz and this is a current offer we have. This is not meant to be a promo, but just pointing out that there are alternatives to O2 for the iPhone. Of course there are hacked iPhone's which have all sorts of issues and would not recommend.

FWIW I use a laptop as it is a lot more versitile than an iPhone for my boating needs, and if I want to connect to the mobile network I just use Bluetooth and my mobile. Easy peezy.

 

[jonjo]

If I get an Iphone I will use it as a phone (!), for email, and to check the weather from those or similar sources. I had planned to get a laptop but I suspect the Iphone will be cheaper and easier.

For pure internet browsing the costs are similar, a payg iPhone will set you back around £440 plus £10 per month minimum top-ups. £350 gets a decent laptop plus £15 per month for a GSM dongle.

I say this from the perspective of a being a big iPhone fan who still values his proper laptop while cruising.

 

[jonjo]

The iPhone and Touch both use "push" to keep apps up to date, so rather than having lots of things running in the background looking for info that may not have changed it relies on being sent the data. It works very well indeed.

The iPhone notification service was only announced to software developers back in June, which programs are you using with notifications today?

"Push". Err technically it is not push. A server that needs to "push" data to an iphone app must first send a small datagram to the apple notifications internet service with no guarantee of delivery. When the nominated iphone appears online the datagram is delivered to the iphone which pops up a message inviting the phone's owner to launch the target application.

If the user launches the application it will receive the datagram and then the target application will probably make contact with the originating internet server in order to poll for the full data content.

So not push but a pragmatic alternative that is just right for a consumer mobile phone.