iPhone first impression

The iPhone hasn't officially come to India, but several dealers in Mumbai are already selling it.

Someone I know has bought one for about Rs 26,000, but I've also seen a big retailer advertise it for Rs 17,000. I got to hold the gizmo in my hand for a while, and of course I gaped.

If you've read the reviews, you already know that the iPhone puts a touch screen in place of the conventional keypad. That is a delightful Apple touch and would make the purchase worthwhile for many. The touch screen clears the clutter and makes use so much easier.

I haven't used the phone long enough to be able to review it in detail. The buyer has some complaints though: it doesn't allow him to forward messages, and the absence of Bluetooth makes it difficult for him to transfer phone numbers and songs.

My first impression is that it's a phone that's ahead of the competition in style, but friends tell me you can get a more powerful device, say in Nokia or Sony Ericcson, for the same price.

But considering you get iPod quality sound (and that in itself would clinch it for me), I am not inclined to vote in favour of iPhone's rivals.

Would I buy it? Difficult question. I use a beat-up, cheap Nokia which I drop frequently. It is hardy, and hasn't once ditched me. It works efficiently, and doesn't hang. On the minus side, it has no mp3 player, radio or camera.

I'll wait for people to tell me their iPhones survived some serious knocks. I might then, and only then, give in to my iPhone aspiration.