I got my hands on a couple photographer friendly phones and took a picture from my friends desk with each of them.  We have the Nokia N900, the HTC EVO, and the Apple iPhone 4 (The photos below are in that order).  I think in terms of color saturation and clarity, and really overall photo quality, the iPhone wins this battle.  And that is based on a non apple fan perspective as well.  The only downside is that in terms of file size, the iPhone image is slightly larger than the EVOs (about 100k difference), and the Nokia photo is about half the size of the Evo shot.  But the file size doesn't really correlate to image quality!  Shows that more megapixles doesn't mean better photos.  Lens and sensor come into play in a big way in this throw down.  Video comparison is coming. 

Images are in the gallery, what do you think?

     

Click here to download:

Photo_Comparison_Nokia_N9_vs._.zip (4491 KB)

Yesterday I walked into the mall in Louisville, KY, because I knew it was the only place in town where I could find an iPhone 4.  We have one Apple Store here.  Which in all fairness is totally sufficient.  It's technically in St. Matthews, Kentucky, situated a good 20-30 minutes from downtown.  I expected, based on the projected need for the area that resulted in the installation of one usually empty Apple store, that I really wouldn't have too long a wait ahead of me.  Upon exiting Macy's, I found myself at the end of a very long line.  My line, the reserved line, moved about 10x the speed of the purchase line, but I was still in line for about two and half men.  I was fortunate enough to have my iPhone 3GS to keep me company.  The time flew by and I was quickly relieved of 300 bucks.  

This thing is freaking awesome.  I ran over to Best Buy and got myself a screen protector (Zagg, I don't really like it because it has some micro scratches on it that catch the light coming out of the phone) a Giffen case which is growing on me--really thin, and a Bluetooth keyboard because I fully expect to never have to bring a laptop with me anywhere again.  Unless I need to do some heavy photoshopping or...make lightsaber videos.  In fact, I'm typing this post up right now on my iPhone with the help of the bluetooth keyboard, which pairs with iOS 4 in a matter of seconds and is super responsive.  To be honest, its almost nicer looking at this crisp little screen than my big computer monitor.  I have experienced the little lose-your-reception-when-holding-the-sides issue, but I was always planning on putting this baby in a protective case.  Reception issues are solely the province of AT&T at this point.  

The multitasking solution is very Apple, simple, clean, and satisfying to the masses.  It does the job, but it doesn't do everything, and we'll have to wait a while for developers to fix things.  The camera is amazing, both the front and back cameras take great pictures, and the HD video is pretty unreal.  I have absolutely no need for my flip camera anymore.  I don't need to carry around my small canon digital camera.  Traveling is getting easier.  I'm really happy with this thing.  I think when I get a screen protector on without flaws and put this in the upcoming Speck Candy Shell for iPhone 4, I'm going to be attached to this device.  Five gigantic stars with thumbs way up.  Go get yours today.  And then we can facetime.  :D

     

Click here to download:

my-iphone-4-buying-experience-plus-initial-impressions-foeJfhhJozDzaxaGuaFF.zip (133 KB)

Sent from my iPhone 4

Extra Bonus: I found this over at puddleoffred.com.  It was posted April 2009, pretty accurate right?

Pretty stunning difference here.  The one on the left is the iPhone 4.  Look at the text under the apps.  All the apps that are put out by apple have new high res icons.  It really is 4x the resolution.  I'm having a really hard time finding something I dislike about this phone.  It feels solid and expensive in my hands.  It is snappy and responsive.  The buttons are satisfyingly clicky.  The photos and video...holy cow!  I'm going to go keep playing.  :D

Taken on Main Street in Louisville, KY

Saw this on Mashable today, this video has 80 Billion views on YouTube.

I just got back from the movies.  Sherlock was a good time had by all.  Brawny with the right amount of brain, it was rendered plausable by Robert Downey Junior's genius and Guy Ritchie's signature style.  Ritchie's first mainstream Hollywood film--he pulled out all the stops and hired some talented associates.  Costumes were great, cinematography was great, and it really felt like Victorian London.  Gritty, sooty, and slightly irrational.  I had to read nearly all of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories in college and I don't find a lot of similarity between him and this new bareknuckle boxer, other than their unshakable grasp of reason and uncanny ability to notice things and deduce startling revelations.  Downey brings Holmes to life in a refreshing and belivable way.  My suggestion: Go see it--you'll enjoy yourself.  You might even want to rent it later so you can rewatch it with all the answers in mind and look out for clues.  It isn't the greatest movie ever made, or even the best detective/whodunit/how did that happen story, its too fast paced and irregular for that, but it does have a few aha moments and some very satisfying bits of dialoge and action.  Good movie, 3/4 stars.