Apple iPhone (8 GB) Smartphone

For those of us who rushed into the APPLE store in Manhattan NY in order to be the first to get our hands on the new iPhone, I would wager that most of us who did it, were not necessarily drawn there by a desire to simply have the newest, most fashionable cellular phone on the block. Rather, we were anxious to get rid of our troublesome first generation iPhones which were released with just enough design flaws to give us headaches weeks into our purchase.
I was a late adopter of the original iPhone because I was a long time Windows resident and a skeptic of Apple’s products until really using them extensively in my office place – running Leopard, managing a Tiger and a Leopard server. I only caved in and actually bought an iPhone because I was in the market for a new GSM cellular phone, and because by this time, Apple’s iPhone Operating System had been hacked and you could buy GSM unlocked iPhones on EBay for a fraction of their real cost. I got mine for just $300 while many other people were paying that much for iPods - a really good deal.
Though I wrote a review about it here at Epinions and gave it a positive glowing review…its time now to pull a “John McCain” - distance myself and turn on my former PDA with harsh criticism.

http://www.epinions.com/review/Apple_iPhone_4_GB_Cellular_Phone/content_429900533380

The iPhone was released, a remarkable and innovative device, with material engineering and capabilities that made it feel far beyond its time. But the numerous design flaws that came in that package were so fundamentally “wrong” and erring in the name of proprietarism, that only a company like APPLE or SONY could have cleared them for final production.

Simply put, the iPhone’s damning feature was a recessed headphone jack that was intentionally designed to be incompatible with 100% of the 3.5 mm headphone jacks on the US market. You would think that a cellular company that designs a digital music player would have understood that, not only were the buyers intent upon using this device with the line-in jacks that virtually every auto-maker installed in their vehicles for the sole purpose of using iPods, but, the very notion of a 3.5 mm universal headphone jack is to actually be universal: usable with every stereo auxiliary and hi fidelity headphone ever sold in that size.
Unless you bought a 3rd party extender/adapter for your iPhone, you were sh*t out of luck.

Secondly, the original iPhone was a QUAD BAND worldphone (GSM 850, 900, 1800 and 1900) which was limited at launch to AT&T Mobility LLC – formerly “Cingular” – formerly “AT&T Wireless”. With more names than “the artist formerly known as Prince”, the iPhone was limited to the snail paced EDGE (or to GPRS where EDGE was not available). Buyers of the iPhone were leashed to AT&T until risky unlocking software was released online.

It was quite easy to see where APPLE’s head was…if you hadn’t subscribed to EDGE the iPod feature as well as the YouTube client of the phone was locked. What?
That’s right. If you didn’t have AT&T service with EDGE, you wouldn’t even be allowed to use the iPod feature of the phone to enjoy your music.
The Safari web browser was locked too.

For all intents and purposes, the original iPhone was a high speed, cutting edge computer with a phone built into it, but forced to rely on a 56K data fax modem for connection to that mishmash of information we call the internet.




BUT NOW… I’VE GOT THE iPHONE 3G


I’m not going to pretend that I don’t feel cheated by Apple into an upgrade to a device that I should have had in the first place. Having 3G as my networking connection feels great, but, my headphone jack should have been “usable” in the first place.

The truth of the matter is that the only thing that separates the iPhone3G from the iPhone is the 3G network connectivity and the fact that I can now plug in any headphone I want or, connect directly to regular line in jacks.

APPLE has chosen to make the Operating System, version 2.0, downloadable for both versions of the iPhone, FREE via iTunes.
(iPod Touch customers must pay $10)


Google Maps can now be used as a Global Positioning Device and photos can be Geotagged.
This is a big deal to buyers of the first iPhone. We were quick to show off the iPhone’s ability to display Google Maps to our friends – quickly pinpointing our position on earth and then zooming in to see a hybrid view of the land right around us. But, we hung our heads in shame when the inevitable question which we knew was coming – came.

“Can it track your position like GPS in a car?”

“DAMN” No It Can’t.

This time around, the iPhone3G will locate you’re estimated position on Google maps to within a few feet and you are greeted with a bright blue pin head that pulsates continuously, showing your exact position. This time around, you can enter a destination and the mapping system will show you the destination and the remaining distance to be travelled to get to it.

But this is assisted GPS, which gains its position from cellular antennae's and mathematic calculation rather than GPS satellites. Unlike Verizon's VZ Navigator, the iPhone3G will not give you turn by turn directions.
HUH? So what's the point of having it????



Assisted-GPS and higher data transfer rates is where the iPhone3G's improvements end. iPhone3G, iPhone and iPod Touch share the same OperatingSystem. Therefore, those of you who don't need GPS locating and are satisfied with your call quality, won't neccesarily be compelled to upgrade since you'll get everything else the iPhone3G customers will.


First on the OS 2.0's list of updates worth mentioning is its ability to PUSH EMAIL.
"Email Push" is the ability to instantaneously receive email or email notifications over network without having to refresh browsers. Blackberry popularized this with their Enterprise Server. Once I set it up on my old BB 9000 series, I was getting instant emails every time I received one at my Yahoo mail account. The iPhone’s lack of Email Push was one of the main reasons many business professionals weren’t willing to give up their Blackberry’s for the iPhone. Now, there are two services being touted with the iPhone to achieve this feature. The first is Microsoft Exchange Server and the second is MobileMe.

Mobileme is important for Apple because it cancels OSX user’s .Mac address and integrates them into a subscription based service that allows them to access their email from any internet capable computer – thus eliminating the restrictions imposed by the “mail” and “ical” software. Now, for $99 per year, you can get 20GB of personal email storage and 200GB of monthly data transfer allowance. There is even a “Familypack” offering the same as above. Mobileme has the ability to push contacts and to pust calendar changes. That means that if you make changes on your desktop, even if your phone is left in your car. Mobileme will beam the changes through the net and your phone will receive.
No Thanks…I’ll keep on using “Yahoo” and its “contacts” synchronizer for free

I’ve also noticed a couple new changes to the iPhone OS that owners of the original iPhone will tremendously appreciate (even though they shoulda’ been there in the first place)
#1 Emails can now be deleted in multiples – so no more *point*, *click*, *delete* repetitions several hundred times to clear away individual junk mail. Now you can delete entire blocks of bullsh*t email scams and Viagra coupons in seconds… and I get more junkmail than a person with 500 Fical scores.
#2 Most Web Images can now be saved off of most Safari webpages
HALLELUJAH - Now I can have that picture of that really hot MySpace blonde that I could never find a way to kidnap

#3 The anticipated “APP Store” application pops up on your screen as soon as you activate the phone. App Store is a browser of sorts that allows you to search the internet for new software for the iPhone developed by 3rd parties who have registered their creations with Apple ($100) and want to let you download it. Some of the software is free and some of it you pay for.
Since I went to Ziphone.org and unlocked my original iPhone, I was already aware of such application finders. My phone runs a similar app called INSTALLER. Installer lets me download game demos and other applications (such as FREE wallpaper). And there is some wild variety already being offered. I even saw a program called iWoman which lets females track their menstrual flow.

There are numerous other advances in this new 2.0 Operating system such as the ability to view Powerpoint attachments in email and an iPhone compatible Weatherbug client that lets you see the intracacies of the local weather such as windspeed, dewpoint and Heat Index while lesser advances include heightened security over VPN networks and the ability to use the iPhone to control videos on iTunes like an…uh… remote.

Some people complained there was no "ichat" program featured on the iPhone so they could use AOL Instant Messenger. I have had AOL instant messenger since I unlocked mine because I downloaded the app "mobilechat" which was a 3rd party creation (msn messenger, icq, xmpp and .mac were also featured).
The new iPhone comes with an AOL IM app already installed.
This is the best way to text message since it isn't counted as a text message (which isn't free of cost).  Of course, your recipient must be running it too.

Another great must-have App is AOL RADIO which streams internet radio directly to your iphone or iphone 3G (or even ipod). Though the ipod touch is forced to use WiFi, the iphones can stream over Edge or 3G. Therefore, your monthly data plan will also give you internet radio for your car (if you connect the iphone to your car's speakers)  or internet radio on the move. The station list is extensive and you can find local channels in your state - or listen ot other state's locals.

Since app store offers Free and Paid content, its always easy to browse for new programs and download them for the iphone to auto-install.  Quite frankly, this is the best cellular download service ever.



DIS - SERVICE

Apple has learned a lot about the iPhone since its release. Now, their intentions to screw you out of much more money than ever before have been refined, polished and detailed in the new service plans still being offered by the crappy cellular company formerly known as AT&T.
The iPhone is still only being offered in two versions: 8GB and 16GB - distinguishable only by the capacity label which is still located in small print on the back of the phone. $199 for the 8GB seems fair at first, but in case you hadn’t already seen the plethora of news reports flashing the device to ensure you wound up on line to buy it, there are two major hidden costs that will make that $199 feel like you’d just purchased a brand new Hummer H2 for $1000 in a sea of $4.50/gallon gas stations.
AT&T forces you into data plans tailor cut to take advantage of iPhone users specifically. They have increased the price for unlimited data use by $10 per month which brings your bill just under $80 with taxes and fees so long as you don’t opt for any special services from AT&T. The original iPhone gave you 200 text messages per month for FREE. Now that same 200 messages costs $5 per month.


The other major problem that it will take you about a half hour to spot is that the new iPhone3G murders its battery in cold blood while running in 3G mode. My original iPhone had to be charged at the end of every day and it became necessary to keep a charging cable with me in the car.
A few hours in 3G mode dropped my battery life to half.
The iPhone3G can fall back to EDGE when it doesn’t find a 3G signal and this will help battery life slightly but, the original iPhone easily delivered more talk time than this model can.

But, the bigger problem is that the iPhone3G’s battery is still not user-replaceable. Once you’ve worn this thing out, which is destined to happen twice as quickly as with the original, you are gonna need to send your phone to the warranty repair to have a new battery installed. Some Hidden Fees and Charges may apply
This isn’t entirely true though. There are battery kits for the iPhone available on Ebay along with tools to pry the case open properly.


APPLE also realized that a whole bunch of its iPhones were being bought in bulk, unlocked and then resold on Ebay. When they tried to limit the amount of cash allowed for purchase, clever deviants simply purchased a bunch of APPLE gift cards and continued to rip AT&T off from their rightly appointed collections. This time around, you must go to the store and sign up for a contract for each individual phone purchase.

And why is there no way to share data with your laptop over the USB cable? Seems to me the iPhone should be a USB Wifi adapter and a 3G adapter as well.
You're paying $80 a month and just getting high speed internet on a phone. Data tethering would have been a perfect option for people who want to use their laptop Everywhere WiFi isn't available. If I could use my iPhone as a cellular modem, it would actually justify the $80 I'm shelling out.

Truth be told, I am simply waiting for the iPhone3G to be sold unlocked. At that point, I'm swapping SIM cards and doing my own thing on whatever GSM network I feel like doing it on.
You can currently unlock both iphone and iphone 3G using QUICKPWN but its a move that will break your contract and warranty with AT&T.




IMPROVEMENTS ?


The iPhone3G is physically a DOWNGRADE, from the original iPhone.

It is slightly thicker because of a more pronounced bulging back, but, its thickness isn’t the aesthetic downfall…now the back is a glossy black plastic. This is because metal blocks GSM antennae signals like a faraday cage.

The iPhone3G is just as functional as the first but, doesn't look as luxurious. However, the bulge in the back makes the iPhone3G incompatible with many docks, cases and accessories you collected for your previous iPhone.

That's just STUPID.

In fairness, APPLE has improved the loudness of the built in speaker, but, that’s easily overlooked when I take into account that they haven’t done anything to the blurry 2MP camera to improve it. You still can’t record video which is tremendously disappointing for what is supposed to be a high speed internet phone.
No uploading videos to YouTube directly over network; no video messages; no video clips; NADA !

You still can’t copy/paste text while using Safari; you still can't open HTML Links without the browser opening pages its own way; and strangely, you cant share photos between iPhones via MMS/text messages. Your stuck emailing photos.
Even Nextel and Blackberry had those features.

There is also a problem with the Enterprise software which might be addressed in a firmware update. Exchange will not let enterprise contacts and calendars coexist on the same phone with personal contacts and calendars. Everytime you sync the phone, one data list will be erased.
Some business users won't like the fact that the phone can only serve as a personal device or an enterprise device at one time. I won't downgrade the phone for this because, it might get fixed later on.


A new Parental Control feature allows you to stop your kids from downloading 50'Cent tracks from iTunes or from viewing porno sites.
If your kid is walking around with a phone like this and costing you $80 a month, I suggest you check your parenting strategies before you bother restricting websites.

The new OS 2.0 also adds "email", "contact" and "calendar" controls to the Settings submenu so you can control what gets synced and what doesn't. There is also cut-offs in place to deny access to your loaction to location-based GPS applications. If you toggle them off, some apps can't notify you what is going on around you.


OVERALL

Once again, The only true improvement over the original iPhone is the ability to use Google Maps as a GPS locator. Every other new feature is a result of the SOFTWARE which is available on the other iPhone and the iPod Touch. Therefore I won't credit the iPhone3G with neccessarily doing something new in its Graphical User Interface.



SPEAKEASY.NET has an iPhone speed test that used to give me anemic results as 72Kbps on average. Now, I’m blowing those numbers away with transfer rates nearer to 450Kbps. Webpages load almost as fast as they do when I use my home FIOS WiFi.

Data transfer rates are a consequence of latency and location. It is possible you can get slow transfer rates even with 3G depending upon where you are. All 3G locations do not offer full 500Kbps transfer rates.

You can still access the internet via EDGE or wifi if 3G isn’t available where you are, but, the ability to pull down emails and rip down YouTube videos doesn't completely justify that $80 you’ll be forking over monthly.

Voice service also benefits from the 3G access. Where my original iPhone got spotty service, I now get all bars and higher than usual clarity.

The iPhone3G is a great tech toy for those of us who can afford to be extorted by AT&T. Its fun to play with and now that it has GPS, a lot of us will be playing with it a whole lot more when doing things as simple as walking from one street to the next or jogging. The fun of this new iPhone will be largely dependant upon the software developed by 3rd parties for download on the App Store.
GPS-based games, GPS based location trackers and other GPS based applications will be yours for the taking if you upgrade into the iPhone3G. The enhanced data access speeds will add to the enjoyment of the phone but I won’t be thoroughly impressed until I see multiplayer games over network available for download.

The iPhone is without a doubt the best cellular phone on the US Market. Yes I gave it 3 stars, but, that's because of the stupidity Apple infused in the design which I've pointed out. I've tried the G1 and the Blackberry Storm - Apple bests them both. If you're willing to buy an unlocked 3G iphone from Ebay, you can use it on whatever GSM service you desire and you can even download Apps that allow you to tether data for your laptop.  iPhone packs in so much content that its easily better than these $400 netbooks in many regards.

If you don’t mind spending upwards of $1800 on this phone over your 2 year contract, I thoroughly recommend it. Just remember however, your battery will be at around 50% by midday and that there is a possibility your exact location might end up broadcast to Bush’s domestic spying program as a bright pulsating blue dot.




AT&T:

#1  The $30 data plan is the first part of your cellular plan. You must add that $30 to one of these plans:

Unlimited minutes = $100/month
1350 minutes w/ rollover  =  $80.00/month
900 minutes w/ rollover = $59.99/month
450 minutes w/ rollover = $39.99/month

#2  After you've chosen a minutes plan, you must choose a text messaging plan:

unlimited text = $20/month
1500 text messages = $15/month
200 text messages = $5/month

If you choose not to have a text message plan, each message is $0.20

#3  Voice Dialing is an option.  That will cost $4.99 a month (why?)  and if you want Parental controls, that will cost $4.99/month too.

Damn you AT&T !!!




OTHER APPLE


APPLE eMAC - http://www.epinions.com/content_416728518276

MACBOOK AIR - http://www.epinions.com/content_432696168068