iPhone 3G review

It's hard to think of any other device that's enjoyed the level of exposure and hype that Apple found in the launch of the first iPhone. Who could forget it? Everyone got to be a gadget nerd for a day; even those completely disinterested in technology seemed to come down with iPhone fever. But the original device was still far from perfect: its limited capabilities (especially in the 3G department), high price of entry, and the small number of countries in which it was available kept many potential buyers sidelined. Until now -- or so Apple hopes.

The wireless industry is a notoriously tough nut to crack, and it's become pretty clear that the first iPhone wasn't about total domination so much as priming the market and making a good first impression with some very dissatisfied cellphone users. With the iPhone 3G, though, Apple's playing for keeps. Not only is this iPhone's Exchange enterprise support aiming straight for the heart of the business market, but the long-awaited 3rd party application support and App Store means it's no longer just a device, but a viable computing platform. And its 3G network compatibility finally makes the iPhone welcome the world over, especially after Cupertino decided to ditch its non-traditional carrier partnerships in favor of dropping the handset price dramatically. $200? We're still a little stunned.

So now that Apple finally stands poised for an all out war on cellphone-makers everywhere, will the iPhone 3G stand up to the competition -- and higher expectations than ever? Read on for our full review.

Update: Updated with more tests from our battery, MobileMe, and enterprise supplemental.

iPhone 3G review - hardware

The hardware
No one will have any trouble recognizing the new device from its face -- it's essentially identical to the original iPhone. Thankfully, the bright, high quality, high resolution 480 x 320 3.5-inch display that's just so easy to love, hasn't been changed a bit. Unfortunately, it's still every bit as much a magnet for smudges and fingerprints -- in fact, even more so now that the rear of the device has dropped its chic matte aluminum in favor of black (or white, optional on the 16GB model) plastic. Hey, at least now it's more symmetrical.

The move to plastic seemed almost inevitable now that the iPhone has so many radios, frequencies, and antenna needs (GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS), but while we do prefer the original aluminum, the plastic does feel pretty solid and not at all flimsy, which is more than we can say for a hell of a lot of handsets. There's no doubt about the fact that we'd have preferred a matte or soft-touch finish to the glossy plastic, but that's all a matter of taste.

The body of the phone is slightly thicker at its center than its predecessor, although the edges are tapered and thinner than before, which is always a good way to make a device feel smaller than it actually is. (Palm learned this a long time ago.) There are a couple downsides to the body shape, though: first, when you're tapping off-center on a hard, flat surface, the phone wobbles (but only a little, oh well).

Second, the new shape means you won't be using it in your original device's dock. This really wouldn't be all that bad if Apple included a dock with the 3G like they did with the first iPhone, but now they want you to buy that separately. Did we mention they're asking $30 for it? Way lame. That absurdly small power adapter kind of makes up for it, but only a little.

One thing Apple was keen to talk up is the vastly improved call quality of the iPhone 3G. Those in the know understand that 3G call quality is often better than regular GSM -- but it turns out Apple made a huge improvement on both sides. iPhone 3G calls made over 3G and GSM both sounded significantly better than calls made on the original iPhone. If you're upgrading your device iPhone you may not necessarily notice it, but on a side by side it was pretty obvious.

Of course, call quality most often depends on coverage, and coverage varies between 3G and GSM networks depending on where you are. 3G calling also requires more battery power. Where are we going with this? Well, despite many of the painstaking measures Apple's taken to preserve battery power, the iPhone 3G doesn't do any real time signal detection to help determine whether you currently have better 3G or GSM voice coverage. If you suspect you might get better coverage either on or off 3G, it's up to you to dig down through a few settings menus to flip the switch. Not a deal breaker by any means, but it'd make for a welcome fix.

Apple's numbers on the iPhone 3G's battery life peg it at 10 / 5 hours talk on GSM / 3G (respectively), 5 hours 3G data, 6 hours WiFi, 24 hours music and 7 hours video. Pretty much everything we've found in our testing jibes with Apple's claims, if not exceeds them. (Our early results testing video early on skewed low because we had mistakenly left on push and fetch data, which dropped the battery life by almost 25%. After re-testing, they're back up to spec.)

All our tests were conducted with 3G on, WiFi on (not connected), Bluetooth off, no data fetching enabled (unless specified otherwise). Media tested with stock headphones, medium volume, and medium screen brightness, auto-brightness disabled.

• Music (continuous playback, large library, occasionally turning on screen): 31h 23m
• Video (continuous playback, no push/fetch data): 7h 5m
• Video (continuous playback, with push and 15 minute fetch data): 5h 24m
• Daily data use (browsing, email, and GPS / maps): ~6h 30m

Those numbers definitely are not bad, but if you're anything like us and you kill time on your phone reading feeds and checking email like a fiend, by 3 or 4pm you'll likely be wondering if you'll even make it home with any power left -- especially if you leave on the 3G data. So be warned, because the kind of prolonged usage you used to get away with on the original iPhone probably isn't possible with the iPhone 3G. For some, this may be an issue. Others may never notice.

There have been a number of other fixes to better the device as well. For example, the phone now has two proximity sensors to better detect when it's held to your ear. We also found that while the camera was essentially identical, we were getting images that were ever so slightly sharper and crisper than the original iPhone on 1.1.4 (check it out below). Still, knowing that HTC's Touch Diamond -- which features a 3.2 megapixel sensor and mechanical autofocus -- could pack such a great camera in an even smaller form factor than the iPhone's left us pining for something a bit more than the same 2 megapixels from the first time around.

iPhone 3G review - camera test

What we're probably the most excited about, though, is that two of our biggest hardware-related gripes from the original device have finally been addressed: first, the headphone jack is now flush, which means any standard (3.5mm) headphones will work in the iPhone without the need for an adapter. The new jack has a solid, confidence-inspiring feel that won't leave you worrying about damaging the device or your headphones. To this day we still have no clue why Apple pushed the jack in -- it was kind of funny hearing Steve pitch the flush jack as a feature at WWDC. It's the simple things, you know?

Second, the speaker volume has been jacked up significantly, giving your calls (or music) a much more workable volume level if you're not blessed with superhuman hearing. It's not the loudest speaker we've ever heard on a device, and unlike many Nokia Nseries phones, it's still mono. But it's definitely a step up compared to the first iPhone, which was not only quiet, but also seemed to distort at much lower volumes.


Speed and location
At the end of the day, it's the 3G data that's important enough to become part of the new iPhone's namesake. Speed testing the iPhone 3G hasn't been disappointing in the slightest. We've seen speeds between 300 - 500Kbps in the US (roughly equivalent of other HSDPA devices we've tested), and in networks abroad where the data rates are even faster, we've gotten consistent data rates of over 700-800Kbps. It's pretty clear the iPhone 3G isn't hitting hardware limits right now, so much of what you can prepare to see in terms of speed in the US will depend directly on reception with AT&T's network -- which doesn't have the most outstanding reputation, nor the broadest 3G rollout.

Interestingly, in one test, our iPhone 3G had worse reception on AT&T than a Nokia N78, yet managed speeds of over 100Kbps faster. So ultimately, where 3G coverage is decent, you should be seeing speeds that will no longer have you tearing your eyes out, as was so often the case with little mister sometimes-takes-minutes-to-load-a-small-page first-gen iPhone.

GPS acquisition has also been surprisingly fast for a cellphone. AGPS devices use traditional GPS receivers, but help speed up location acquisition and accuracy by using cellphone towers to triangulate. As far as we know, the iPhone 3G is the only device out right now that not only has AGPS, but takes advantage of Skyhook's proprietary WiFi-based location system, giving it a total of three ways to help find where you're at. We were able to acquire GPS in as little as a second or two, although depending on your location and reception, you might see that take longer. It's important to note, though, that the iPhone's was clearly intended to be a location-aware smartphone -- not a dedicated GPS device. There's a big difference.

That said, there's an enormous amount of interest by people hoping they can add one more to the pile of devices their iPhone has taken over for. It's pretty clear why people might want the iPhone 3G to replace their car's dedicated GPS nav, too. It's not just a location-aware device with a large, bright screen -- it's also connected (with service you're already paying for), thus able to get traffic updates, routing information, and so on. The Google Maps app doesn't provide turn by turn route guidance, though, so while it does provide directions, you can only use it as a stand-in -- and not as a full replacement -- for a proper GPS device. This problem might be solved later by some intrepid 3rd party developer (like, say, TomTom or Telenav), but there's been some confusion as to whether this might actually happen, and what Apple's official stance on GPS nav actually is. And even if this GPS software does eventually come out, the speaker on the iPhone 3G simply won't be loud enough to be heard over most road noise, so you'd also have to make use of a line-out. In other words, don't sell your GPS device just yet, okay?

iPhone 3G review - software

The software
Anyone that's used the original iPhone knows what a delight the device can be to use -- except when using the old mail app -- but the hardware is only one part of that. An accurate capacitive touchscreen and well optimized mobile processors form the basis of that experience, but the iPhone continues to derives its real power in usability. The iPhone 3G and the second release of mobile OS X have given the device numerous useful new features while keeping in line with expectations that they not slow down the experience, nor overwhelm new or experienced users. So far, so good.

Easily the most significant addition to the iPhone 3G (as well as the original iPhone and iPod touch) is the App Store, which finally enables users to trick out their phone with whatever programs make it through Apple's rigorous developer screening and software testing process. We've got as many mixed feelings about that closed-but-open model as we do about many of the programs that launched with the device -- especially the AIM client, which we were most excited about, but that kind of flopped. (Disclosure: Engadget is owned by AOL / TimeWarner. Sorry gang!)

Although the App Store isn't open to any developer, it's worth noting that Apple's implementation wrests all control from its carrier partners, which typically expect 3rd party applications to be either side-loaded (i.e. more for the power user set), or simply want complete control of sales through their own walled garden. It's easy to argue that the App Store just trades one walled garden for another, but what the hell, we'll happily take Apple's over AT&T's.

The applications themselves vary in price, and are purchased after you've logged in with your iTunes account. (Yeah, you'll need one even if you're only downloading free programs.) Apps under 10MB download over the air, and are immediately deposited in your first available slot, where they can be moved (or removed) as you see fit. As new versions of the apps become available, the App Store notifies you of updates and manages the downloads. Yes, it's a new kind of walled garden, but the App Store is also a category-redefining experience. We've already heard a radically open version will be making its way to Android, and we hope it will eventually find its way to platforms like Windows Mobile and Symbian as well.

Another new addition is character recognition support for logographic-based languages, such as Traditional Chinese, as well as localized keyboards for nearly two dozen languages and markets worldwide. But the touchscreen keyboard can still be a major sticking point for some -- ourselves enthusiastically included -- and Apple hasn't given any more of its default programs (like SMS) the increased ease of typing that comes with using the keyboard in landscape mode. There's simply no question that in terms of efficiency, on an iPhone we're nowhere close to where we can get on a spacious (or even not so spacious) QWERTY keypad. To their credit, though, Apple's made a few tweaks over the last year that have made typing a little faster and easier (like letting you pre-type the next letter before your first finger has lifted). But the fact is this defining feature of the iPhone remains one of its biggest drawbacks.

After nearly a week of testing MobileMe, we still haven't really had a positive experience with it among our editorial team. One editor, who had fewer issues than anyone else, still had difficulty syncing his 1,300+ contacts. MobileMe would choke on sync and require disabling / re-enabling to keep that sync moving. Another problem we saw was that email deletes weren't synced to other devices, requiring the same message be deleted in multiple locations. In some cases, a deleted email that wasn't properly synced would actually repropagate to back out other devices. Nothing better than zombie email.

Another thing we (and a lot of people noticed) is that MobileMe on the desktop is faux-push -- it only gets updates every 15 minutes because it's actually pulling them, unlike the iPhone's proper push. (We're, like, totally sure someone's going to sue.) You can edit a certain .pref file (details here) to make it fetch every minute -- but fetching every minute isn't push, now is it? Apple has since acknowledged this issue (among others). We also noticed on the phone that if you have synced MobileMe calendars, your calendar subscriptions (like, say, shared iCal or Gcal or what have you) are disabled.

All in all, as of the time of this writing, our feeling is that MobileMe still feels like it's in beta -- when it's up -- and is generally falling way short of what was promised by Apple. We believe they're earnest when they say they're trying to get it all up and running to fulfill their commitments, but for the time being we think it's best to steer clear until they work out the kinks.

On the other hand, we found the Exchange support to be simple enough to set up and use that you may not have to bug your IT dude. Some hardcore enterprise users will miss the full Exchange suite, including synced notes and tasks, but the core functionality (email, calendar, contacts) work very well, and if you need to take your iPhone into the locked-down office, we tested and confirmed that it will play fine with your company's WPA Enterprise / 802.1x with PEAP network. But our biggest gripe with Exchange isn't small: the system is unable to let enterprise contacts and calendars coexist on the same device with personal contacts and calendars. (Personal and corp email get along just fine, though.)

When you turn on Exchange-synced contacts and calendars, you're notified that it's a one or the other kind of a situation, and your personal data will be removed from the phone. Though that data isn't purged from your host machine, of course, you do immediately lose the ability to change contact or calendar sync settings. This effectively means that your device can only serve as an enterprise device OR a personal device, but not both at once. Kind of defeats the purpose of convincing your boss to get you an iPhone in the first place, you know? Can't all our calendars and contact lists just play together on the same device? We think they can (and should).

Some other new and noteworthy features:

• As mentioned, Google Maps now shows a pinging blue locator that can track your movement. As of right now there's no way to convert this to KML or anything usable for geocaching.
• The camera will also now ask you permission to use GPS to geotag photos with your current location. Once you grant that permission, it will add the necessary standard EXIF data to your photos. Trés useful, but you can't refer back to those geotags to bring up a location in Google Maps.
• Side note: there's now an option to reset location notifications, if you accidentally granted permission to an app you don't want knowing where you are.
• The iPhone can now read PowerPoint, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote documents. It's still incapable of editing or creating new documents, however, and outside of sending yourself these files via email, there's no accessible file storage.
• You can now save images from the web to your camera roll by tapping and holding.
• The calculator goes into scientific mode when the device is tilted sideways.
• Entering passwords is a little easier -- the last character you entered is temporarily shown at the end of the string. Keeps things safe but makes sure you know if you mistyped.
• One of the very first things we ever requested the iPhone see fixed is finally fixed: calendar colors are now supported, meaning you can finally visually tell your appointments apart based on calendar.
• You can now control email, contact, and calendar fetching from system settings, giving you granular control over push and pull data on your various accounts.
• You can also enable parental controls if you got the device for your kids. Or you just want to curb temptation to constantly watch Charlie the Unicorn on YouTube or buy Lil Wayne tracks on the WiFi Store, weirdo.
• Screen captures can be taken by holding home, then pressing sleep. They're dropped in the camera roll.
• Doing a hard reset now fully purges the device's memory, thereby making it much more difficult to recover the kind of data you don't want someone else recovering. (More on that here.)

We'd also be remiss if we didn't namecheck a few of the things missing from the device, some likely to be inconveniences, others outright dealbreakers:

• Easily-replaceable battery -- especially being that 3G is much more demanding on battery power than EDGE data. We haven't popped the back off, but even if replacing the battery were as simple as unscrewing the two screws at the bottom (and it's not), that's still not what we'd call easily replaceable.
  
• Copy / paste. As if we even needed to mention this.
• MMS. Ditto.
• Expandable memory still isn't in the cards (har). 8 and 16GB capacities are very decent, but the ability to go further with microSDHC would be welcomed by many. As would be a 32GB model.
  
• A2DP (stereo Bluetooth). If this was an unlikely addition before, it's all but written off now. A2DP is a notorious battery hog on devices like cellphones, and the iPhone is already pushing the limits on power conservation and efficiency. It pains us to say it, but we just don't see A2DP happening any time soon.
• Push Gmail. Hey, if Helio can have it on the Ocean, and Samsung on the Instinct, why is Apple stuck with only push Yahoo mail?
• Service-independent device to machine wireless syncing. Exchange and MobileMe are nice, but even nicer would be a way to easily sync data directly to your machine without having to pay or have some kind of service.
• Tethered data. Hey, you're paying $30 a month for data (likely more if you're using it outside the US), your laptop should be able to use some of it too.
• No way to open a link in a new tab in mobile Safari. We also wish the browser was still a bit better about caching data, too -- it'd be nice not to have to do so many reloads when switching between tabs or moving back and forward through history.

And for the enterprise users in the audience, the shortlist of ActiveSync / Exchange bits that didn't make the cut:

• Folder management
• Opening links in email to documents stored on Sharepoint
• Task sync
• Setting an out of office autoreply
• Creating meeting invitations
• Flagging messages for followup

Wrap-up
If you're an avid Symbian, BlackBerry, or Windows Mobile / Exchange user, chances are you might think the iPhone 3G is Apple playing catch-up -- and you're not wrong. 3G, GPS, third party apps, enterprise messaging, these are all old hat. But even the would-be iPhone killers being churned out weekly haven't yet found a way to counter the iPhone's usability and seamless integration of service and software, desktop and mobile, and media and internet.

There are always things that could be improved, features to be added, fixes that should be applied -- but from first to second gen, from year one to year two, Apple has proven itself a relentless upstart in the mobile space, and is showing no signs of slowing down. All those new features give the iPhone even more appeal than ever, but the price is what really seals the deal.

For our money, you're going to have a hard time finding a better device for two hundred bucks -- or maybe even for any price. But that doesn't mean you ought to toss your original iPhone, either. With the release of iPhone 2.0, Apple's given early adopters every possible new feature for free, meaning the iPhone 3G's biggest roadblock to adoption in the US may be its still very worthy predecessor. But as Steve says, "If anybody is going to cannibalize us, I want it to be us." As for the rest of the world? Things are about to get interesting.

More iPhone 3G
iPhone 3G questions answered
The iPhone 3G international launch lineblog!

Note: the original iPhone continued loading the page for another two minutes or so.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 12th 2008 2:49AM]

one can convince ones boss to buy iPhone after all (regarding the new iPhone's Exchange's lack of ability to handle shared and individual contacts and calendars at once). and the answer is webapps. applications like HyperOffice let you easily access and share personal as well as enterprise Outlook info from your iPhone browser (including tasks). whats more, you dont even need exchange installed at your office. for me, its not even a decision.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 3:26PM]

Gald to see the servers down. This phone had to be the biggest let down for any gadgetry sequel.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 3:36PM]

Congrats on being sucked in on the hype. I am sure you'll be loving it for the next two-three years. LOL

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 3:07PM]

I don't get this battery problem with the video. It should be the same battery power as in the original iPhone, if not better. So if you can play 9 hours of video on the original, you should be able to do it on this one. Turn off the 3G (which you did NOT do in your test), and see if it makes a difference. If you're watching video for hours on end, what the hell do you need 3G on for anyways?

[RAGE Posted Jul 11th 2008 3:13PM]

Obviously the battery isn't going to last as long with 3G connected and wifi on. Oh noes I can only watch two full videos on a god damn phone, this totally sucks!

/sarcasm

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 3:19PM]

USAGE A common source of confusion is the difference between disinterested and uninterested. Disinterested means 'not having a personal interest, impartial':: a juror must be disinterested in the case being tried. Uninterested means 'not interested, indifferent': | on the other hand, a juror must not be uninterested.

[SangamonTaylor Posted Jul 11th 2008 3:20PM]

Long live the Silverback!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 3:36PM]

2.0 has been pulled. Just checked via iTunes. lol

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 3:45PM]

@Ysleiro

The $70 includes the data and voice it is not $100. Same with the Family plan.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 3:58PM]

The thing that really gets me is the process I have to go through to get a phone.

Restrictions abound, you have to do things this way, not that; no debit cards, only credit, the iphone is exempt from all the strictest upgrade rules, etc etc.

It's like they are doing me a favor by selling me a phone. I think it's just AT&T, who I've always had problems with, but it's just such a bummer to have so much trouble.

That said, they haven't yet alienated me to the point where I don't want one :)

[doubledeej Posted Jul 11th 2008 4:11PM]

I'm not an Apple fan by any means (I hate walled gardens), but this review seems pretty fair. Highlights the plusses, doesn't skip over the minuses. Almost shocking from engadget.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 4:16PM]

I don't understand all the hate. Yes some people are fanatical about it, there are people who are fanatical about any "popular" device that comes out. Is the phone good? Honestly, of course it is, its got some great features. Is it perfect? Nope. Not by a long shot. Is it the best phone? That's all up to personal opinion.

Fact is, much like the iPod before it with the portable music market (and the walkman before that etc), the iPhone is popularizing certain features in the phone market, and that's a good thing. Yes there were touch screen phones before the iPhone, yes there were "smart" features before the iPhone. Yes there were mobile internet browsers before iPhone's Safari, etc. The great thing about the iPhone is it brings many features to the mass public's eye that weren't seen by the average person before.

What does this do for us? It creates greater competition among mobile makers to put better, newer, more robust features in their phones for the average consumer.

So whether or not you like the iPhone. Or whether or not you like the coverage of it, or the people who own one, or who are interested in owning one. Understand that it's existence is good for everyone who owns a mobile phone. Because now manufacturers are rushing and pressuring themselves to put better equipment out on the market.

In my opinion, the advancement of the market.. is a good thing. Regardless of what you feel about the iPhone specifically.

[Wheee Posted Jul 11th 2008 9:11PM]

Too true!

[PhoenixFhire Posted Jul 11th 2008 4:16PM]

Although I am getting tired of seeing iPhone articles, I will say this review is pretty good and unbiased. Strangely, I see why it's a big hype, but at the same time don't understand what the big deal is. That's all I'll say about that, lest I attract the attention of the haters.

Anyway, it was a good read and a good review!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 4:40PM]

Sounds like you were one of the lucky ones to actually get ahold of the phone and have few problems. I wrote about Apple's growing customer service problem today:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Its-iPhone-3G-release-day-Remember-patience-is-a-virtue

Do you think that this will eventually drive people to other products?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 4:39PM]

I was considering an upgrade, but considering they've upped the price of what I currently have with the 1st gen iPhone by $15 ($10 more for data, $5 for minimum txts, since apparently $10 more for data actually removes all txts), I'm now firmly in the "wait" category. $15 extra a month completely negates the lower price, which you've seemingly failed to mention in your review.

[azkretin Posted Jul 11th 2008 4:45PM]

I loaded engadget on my curve using opera in line with the video and it loaded faster than both phones. Faster than the 3g iPhone by only a margin.

Coverage, signal etc... all play a role but it still shouldn't have loaded faster than the 3g iPhone.

Yes. I like my blackberry and consider it an all around superior device. However, the iPhone does have some nice features and browsing is an overall nicer experience. I welome the iPhone and increased competition/innovation in the smartphone market.

I am excited to see what the Bold brings.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 5:14PM]

I loaded Engadget on my 1st gen iPhone (just edge) at the same time as the video to compare, and mine loaded it a bit faster than their 1st gen iPhone, and slower than the 3G iPhone. So I'd say coverage and signal definitely play a part.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 5:53PM]

@billy

i agree 100%

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 5:19PM]

Do you Apple / iPhone haters even realize how incredibly STUPID you sound? What makes your Windows Mobile / HTC / Samsung / Nokia / Sony Ericsson fanboy-ism any different than Apple / iPhone fanboy-ism?

Please show me anywhere in the world where people stand in a line up to a kilometer long (as was the case in Japan, the land where supposedly NO ONE was interested in the iPhone) to buy a Windows Mobile phone. Can't do it? I didn't think so.

hype or no hype, Apple is in the process of cleaning the clocks of the vast majority of smartphone makers out there, just as they did in the MP3 player market with the iPod.

Don't hate - celebrate!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 5:40PM]

@ charles

"Apple is in the process of cleaning the clocks of the vast majority of smartphone makers out there"

I'd tend to agree with you, Charles, if the iPhone were available from every wireless carrier. But until that day arrives, my guess is most other smartphone manufacturers will continue to hang around.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 13th 2008 6:43PM]

Umm... you may want to look at the sales figures for smartphones before making silly comments.

[jawash22 Posted Jul 11th 2008 5:28PM]

microsoft word for iphone....yeah!!
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/create-share-microsoft-word-documents/story.aspx?guid={F53F6B55-E18E-4FCA-AF01-60F987259667}&dist=hppr

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 5:28PM]

@ Peter

"I'm coming to AT&T from Verizon, and getting a web-capable phone with a data plan would actually cost me a little more per month at Verizon."

Actually, I just re-upped with Verizon and I'll be paying $70 for unlimited Internet and 450 minutes of calling, same as AT&T. And I paid $108 (including tax) for my smartphone, less than what an iPhone costs.

[jawash22 Posted Jul 15th 2008 12:33PM]

microsoft word for iphone....yeah!!
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/create-share-microsoft-word-documents/story.aspx?guid={F53F6B55-E18E-4FCA-AF01-60F987259667}&dist=hppr

[jawash22 Posted Jul 15th 2008 12:33PM]

microsoft word for iphone....yeah!!
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/create-share-microsoft-word-documents/story.aspx?guid={F53F6B55-E18E-4FCA-AF01-60F987259667}&dist=hppr

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 5:43PM]

Will the iPhone update podcasts through WiFI without having to connect it through your computer?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 6:47PM]

I still ain't sure about one thing: is it possible to put a mp3 as a ring tone, or at least a custom one that is different from the phone's stock ones?

[JustinB Posted Jul 12th 2008 12:25AM]

Can be done through the iLife '08 version of garageband. Beyond that, you have to use the iTunes utility.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 5:49PM]

@Patsy

It's hard to think of any other device that's enjoyed the level of exposure and hype that Apple found in the launch of the first iPhone.

It's even harder to think of a more willing participant in this charade than engadget. It would be completely missing the scale of things to say that you just drank the Kool-Aid. Nay, you brewed it yourselves, with home grown ingredients and fresh spring water that you hand carried in little clay jars from the mountains while walking beds of hot coal and battling dragons. But hey, let the mayhem ensue...

LOL!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 6:04PM]

"Although we've been unable to extensively test MobileMe (namely due to the fact that the service has been more or less completely offline since they flipped the switch this week), we have found the Exchange support to be simple enough to set up and use that you may not have to bug your IT dude. Some hardcore enterprise users will miss the full Exchange suite, including synced notes and tasks, but the core functionality (email, calendar, contacts) work very well."

Do you mean that the iPhone won't sync notes and tasks at all, or just that MobileMe won't sync these? Does Microsoft Exchange (i.e. the one that requires a $45 AT&T plan instead of the standard $30 iPhone plan) do this?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 6:17PM]

Just ordered mine! Hoping to get it soon, hopefully within a week

[gdbjr Posted Jul 11th 2008 7:12PM]

"....it's worth noting that Apple's implementation wrests all control from its carrier partners, which typically expect 3rd party applications to be either side-loaded (i.e. more for the power user set), or simply want complete control of sales through their own walled garden."

This is just plain wrong! While regular phones require you to purchase apps from the carrier I do not know of any smartphone that requires this. Palm, Blackberry, WinMo all have 3rd party stores where you can buy your software without the carrier knowing anything about it. Just because it is new for the iPhone doesn't make it new for smartphones have have been around for years.

[snugs Posted Jul 11th 2008 8:32PM]

sure it's somewhat spendy and lacking a few features, but the same can be said for porsches and ferraris. i want one and that's what matters to me in the end.

[SaNcTuS Posted Jul 11th 2008 9:12PM]

Hmm, great review.
I've been thinking about wether I should get an iPhone 3G and sell my orginal one. But after all the reviews I've read, I just don't know this year has a worthy upgrade. The 3G IS nice but for the cost....maybe it's just better to wait another year. Or maybe until your iPhone were to break and you just decide to go with the upgrade there...

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 9:31PM]

One thing is certain, the phone shows finger prints. I found only one place on the web that actually has the so called "guards" in stock and ready to be shipped.

www.gadgetguard.com guarantees on their site that they will ship out product for the iPhone 3G by the next business day. Everyone else is 1-2 weeks out.

They are also the ONLY place I could find handset insurance for the iPhone, PERIOD!!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 11:30PM]

I would love to see a comparison between the I-phone and the Instinct.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 10:02PM]

Does anyone know why on my 8GB iPhone3G the visual voicemail doesnt work?

I click the button, and nothing happens..

]:

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 13th 2008 6:18PM]

If you haven't gotten it fixed yet, call your own number. That fixed it for me. D:

[AM321CAN Posted Jul 11th 2008 11:11PM]

i waited in line for 5 hours. AT&T did a horrible job of notifying people of the availability of products. They could have handed out tickets at 5 or 6:30 when the line was close to 60 people so some of us could have gone back to bed. Instead they waited until we were at the front of the line to tell the remaining 40 people that they wouldn't be getting one. What kind of noobtoob company is that. Learn how to prepare a line. Some nice mexican lady did walk around handing out free water bottles. God Bless!

-

[GuyB Posted Jul 11th 2008 11:44PM]

I took a look at the option of an iPhone today, from Optus my current telco in Australia. The price on contract seems ok but...

No MMS
No Visual Voice Mail
No Video Calls at all.
Phone activation & locking garbage
No FM radio

Maybe I will consider it in the future when Apple get over themselves and all the normal features work. At the moment I don't see any compelling reason to trade in my N93i While some things might be a step forward, there are quite a few step backs too...

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 11th 2008 11:50PM]

The last test (3G test on iPhone 1.0 vs. iPhone 2.0) is misleading. It's really not a 3G test. It's more of a "browser loading" test of mobile safari on 1.0 against the 2.0.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 12th 2008 3:14AM]

Lovefest '08, the Summer of iPhonely love.

I have an original iPhone, and sometimes it really gives me a massive attack of "computer Rage"!

Like when I'm typing in an email address and it hangs while it looks through the 2300+ addresses to offer a handy little suggestion!
Phooey! I wish I could turn that little gizmo off!

And the simple fact that I can't even search for anything! PAUGH!! Balderdash! What, Me remember some so-n-so's information??

I'm just getting started, how about when I'm talking on the phone and the incredibly touch sensitive screen touches my ear and the blasted thing mutes me for god knows how long before the other person hangs up, or I hear "hello?, hello?" signaling me that I muted the damn thing!
THEN I get to repeat myself after unmuting - along with several clumsy apologies, and I REALLY HATE having to repeat myself!! Did I say that I really hate repeating myself?

Oh yeah! And then there is the STUPID fact that if I fidget at all (I do tend to fidget..) I accidentally hang up on very important people, forcing me to use a couple of the 5000+ G-damned rollover minutes I've accrued to call them back and make more clumsy apologies about the ridiculous inadvertent hangup! JEEZ!!

But all in all, I really like my iPhone. I think it kind of fits my quirkiness.
We are made for each other. ;)

The above complaints, well, they're just some fun rantings. Just imagine the tirade I would have written had this phone been a Microsoft product!!
Ha! Now THAT's Funny!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 12th 2008 3:47AM]

I don't know why people are complaining about the plastic back, in my opinion, it looks gorgeous!! And your supposed to be getting better cellular reception too... Can't wait to get mine =]

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 12th 2008 5:17AM]

@ Tom G

It's not half obvious you want one. I had the same thoughts as you did re 1st gen iPhone. You'll give in sooner or later, I did.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 12th 2008 6:15AM]

It would be nice over here (in Belgium) if the price didn't come up to 525 euros ($837), and the subscriptions didn't start at 30 ($47-48) for 300 SMS OR 3h calltime + 200mb transfer...

The networks distributing the iPhone over here have made the same pricing mistakes as they made over in the states a year ago. It's popular for the moment, but soon people are going to start feeling ripped off... Bigtime.

[derricksjonesgmailcom Posted Jul 12th 2008 6:46AM]

But you know there some real shortcomings with the exchange active synch. They will only really stand out if you have used active sycnh on other devices. I've been using the exchange synching on the ipod touch and this is what i have found:

1. It does not sycnh tasks - Very odd since all other devices do.
2. You can't send an attachment except for pictures. Even then you can't send them from w/in the mail app.
3. The only type of files you can save from email are pictures. Who gives a sh*t about this on an enterprise device, which the iphone is trying to break into. You should be able to save any type of document to local storage.
4. You can only download the most recent 200 messages. Winmo allows you to download 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month or All messages. I personally prefer to download at least a month's worth and with a 16gig device I could easily carry all of my mail with me. If all you can get is 200 messages, you will only get maybe a week's worth if you receive lots of emails.

This first implementation of active synch pretty much blows compared to other devices. It's definitely a 1.0 release. And not be able to save or attachment real documents. Come on. The iphone has great potential but Apple clearly still does not "get" the whole enterprise thing.

All of that being said, our sales rep shipped our iphones to us and we are going to put them through the ringer from an enterprise, on the go user perspective. So far, RIM has NOTHING to worry about.

[ben92 Posted Jul 12th 2008 10:15AM]

pity the plans in australia are too expensive me!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 13th 2008 4:40PM]

I see that the iPhone 3g has much improved call quality from the previous iPhone, but how does it compare in quality to other phones on the market? I am seriously thinking about getting one of the new iPhones, but my girlfriend is always complaining about the sound quality on the smartphones I get - saying that smartphones are good at being everything but a phone.

For comparison, I currently have a t-mobile Dash windows mobile smartphone. Any help with comparisons would be much appreciated.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 17th 2008 2:22PM]

I have a friend who got the iPhone 3G, and he let me try it out. I have to say, the call quality is definitely decent. The speakerphone could have been a tad louder/clearer, but the regular and bluetooth calls were really clear. Loud too!