iPhone – is it worth the hype?
By Sam Pascua
The new Apple iPhone 3G feels as good as it looks. Its slick glossy exterior fits perfectly in the hand and the sensation is even better against the ear.
Its 3.5 inch display is bright and clear, perfect size and easy to read.
Despite of all suspicions, its singular multi-touch screen interface and virtual keyboard are a pleasure to use. The physical input of the iPhone is well thought out and reasonably intuitive too. Finger gesture controls are actually grand and easy to learn.
Setting up a connection to a Wi-Fi network using the 3G Wi-Fi connectivity is as easy as it can possibly be, and the results far outshine the 3G throughput, equating to about three times faster downlink speeds. But Bluetooth only can be used to connect to a hands-free headset, so no A2DP stereo Bluetooth, internet sharing, or file/picture transfers to another mobile device.
Its Safari browser incorporates one of the best tabbed browsing solutions seen on the market so Web pages render quickly, and perfectly.
The iPhone 3G supports push email for MS Exchange and MobileMe. Messages render clearly and you can view numerous attachments such as images, some MS Office documents, and even PDF files.
Email can be automatically configured if you use one of the listed compatible email services: MS Exchange, Apple’s MobileMe, Gmail, Yahoo or AOL. Otherwise you have to configure it manually or go to the Safari browser.
The navigation software for the GPS application is not pre-installed. However, you can update your current position with outstanding accuracy using an optimised version of Google Maps, and search for local business in a breeze, being able to call them directly from their Google Maps entry. Sadly, there is no voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation.
You can make loud and clear calls, enjoying good and strong reception, and have chat-like SMS conversations, thanks to its threaded messaging application.
The 2-megapixel camera software doesn’t incorporate any kind of photo correction functions such as flash, auto-focus, digital zoom, adjustments in size or quality, white balance, or colour filters. The picture quality is average and photos can get geographically labelled.
There is simply no better, “one-stop shop” style download service available for smartphones than the App Store. Paying for new software is identical to buying new music through iTunes. Actually you can use the same account and, selecting an application to download, is also a simple process.
Syncing the iPod with iTunes on your Mac or PC is undemanding, and media playback is exceptional with fast menus and great sound quality.
Video playback is fantastic when playing iPod optimised MPEG-4 files, and this extends to MP3, AAC, Audible, Apple Lossless, WAV, and AIFF audio files.
Using the phone heavily, the first full battery charge can last up to eight hours and the battery is not easily replaceable over time.
Maybe this is why users rate it 5.9/10, and most reporters recommend consumers to wait until prices drop down and the network improves. However in the end it is still a very stylish and sexy device, and for all its cons it has won us over. If you want help picking one up call 1300 73 63 63 or email info@di.net.au.
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