Me and My iPhone, My iPhone and Me

I got my new iPhone Friday.

This morning I took it out to the AT&T Store to get a case and screen cover for it (I eventually ruined all the screen covers and had to run to Fred Meyer to get more; I liked the ones from Freddies more). While there, they told me that no way could I have a 3GS. They said it couldn't be ordered from AT&T and it didn't have an S on the back of it. (Somehow they didn't know that for the first time, AT&T was allowing people to both preorder iPhones online in addition to reserving them for in-store pick up.) Anyway, it came in a 3GS box and it registers with iTunes and my account as a 3GS, so as far as I am concerned, it is a 3GS. But if it weren't, honestly, I doubt I would notice the difference.

I have been playing with it nonstop since last night. I completely understand when people say it becomes an extension of their hands. I activated it as soon as I got home and then had to run to the post office to pick up a package. While waiting in line I was scrolling through my iPhone's various functions, checking my email, looking at Facebook, reading the news... I was completely absorbed.

Then the woman behind me nudged me. The guy at the counter had been trying to get my attention. He saw I had a pick-up slip and said he could run to the back and grab my package for me saving me from waiting in line with people mailing items. When the woman nudged me, I actually jumped. The iPhone had me in a trance.

I have taken a few pictures. If the subject moves in the slightest, the image is blurry. But the video option works pretty well. Before leaving for the post office, I was helping a friend load up her stuff--and her cat--for a cross-country flight and move. I took video of her and her semi-drugged cat wandering around her mostly-empty apartment.

So far I have downloaded apps for Quicken, Google, PacMan, Twitter, the NY Times, Pandora, and so many others. The one that got me excited more than any other? A public radio app. I can listen to any public radio station that broadcasts online. I know, I know... I could do that with my computer. But with the iPhone it's mobile. I can plug it into my stereo and listen. I can plug it into my car stereo. I can plug it into my speaker system in my office. This morning I laid in bed listening to "Whad'ya Know" (broadcasting from Memphis) on Wisconsin Public Radio. I almost, the keyword being "almost," listened to Mississippi Public Broadcasting, but decided I didn't need the aggravation. I am a public radio geek.

There was some general weirdness that followed the arrival of my iPhone, but I'm not going to get into it. Let's just say that the chaos revolving around the release of a new iPhone can sometimes be a good thing.

I debated between the iPhone and the Palm Pre. I was very close to going with the Pre, but ultimately went with the iPhone for many reasons. But there was really just one thing that pushed me to the iPhone side: when talking about their iPhones, three friends from three different parts of my life said, "It has made me a better person." I know it sounds weird, but after 24 hours with my iPhone, I understand. I drank the iPhone kool aid.

On a completely different note: Nature still hates me. And looking at the pollen forecast, it's going to really hate me next week.