I think the thing that most iPhone detractors don’t understand is that it isn’t about features, at least not in the sense that most people mean — a list of features to be checked off for a box or a review. There are certainly missing features and there are certainly flaws. But when I’ve tried other smartphones in the past, it was clear that I’d never use them to do what they were capable of doing, because they were so stinking awkward (and illogical) to use. Apple hasn’t gotten everything perfect, but its engineers have implemented the features they’ve done so far in a way that normal people can easily use them.

With desktop computers, there was a time when you had to be a computer expert to use them. That’s the way smartphones were before the iPhone. It had to be something of a hobby or obsession for you. You almost had to be a gadget freak to enjoy using them. The iPhone is the first smartphone for normal people who just want to use the device as a tool for getting things done.

On the subject of typing on the keyboard, I really can’t figure out what the fuss is about it being difficult. I was hesitant about it before I used it, but it’s been a breeze after I learned to “trust” it.

BTW, if you want to see a real UI train wreck, take a look at this little video about the UI on the new Linux-based OpenMoko. (In fairness, it’s not finished, but it’s laughable that anything this bad was shipped.)

http://www.vimeo.com/1366042?pg=embed&sec=1366042

I had a better time with it when I remembered that it’s not a real keyboard, it calculates the “center” of your fingertip when you “type”, it doesn’t really matter how big your fingers are it just matters where the “center” is.

It seems to me like they almost certainly are, and that these patents are likely expansive enough to hinder similar UI development based on touchscreens by competitors, to the detriment of us all.