DISQUS

Chris Hewlett · 1 year ago

I completely agree with your thoughts Dan. The text message issue alone was enough to steam my clams on the upgrade. I started to think about the whole concept in general. Why on Earth are we paying so much extra for something so trivial? How much could it possibly cost AT&T to distribute text messages? I've had mixed success moving most of that "microblogging" meta-mess over to services like Twitter, but I really hope that Apple will update the App Store with an iChat app when Push Updates arrive in September, giving me something a bit more robust and enjoyable other than AIM and altogether an alternative to the expensive SMS plan that I have on my account.

Personally I like the feel of the plastic case a bit better. It's a warmer feel and is much less resistant to scratches. The MacBook Pro is a work of art with it's aluminum enclosure and most Mac users go to great care to keep their cases perfectly scratch free as much as possible, but when you get a scratch or a ding, it really has an impact on how you feel about the product. It's literally an extension of you and when it hurts, you hurt. (Though that sounds really awkward to admit... I have a good gut feeling that's true for most Mac users). The iPhone is an even better example of this because it's something that usually doesn't go in it's case everytime we're not using it. There are times when your case isn't there, or you take it out of the case to use it and something meshes against it... your car keys or whatever. Scratches form and it really detracts from that work of art. On the flipside, one could argue that fingerprints have the same impact on the new plastic case of the iPhone 3G, but those are easy to remove with a little wipe.

Given the choice again, I'd probably upgrade. Would I stand in line all day? I'm not sure. I've done it three times now for various other people. haha I think in time that AT&T's prices for text messaging will come down and perhaps the overall cost of the 3G service data plan will drop as well (provided they gouge plenty of money from us in the interim). I hope however that this "investment" of sorts will pay off and perhaps around the corner there is some upcoming cool app or service that Apple will release that will take advantage of the 3G functionality. Such an advancement would likely also be compatible with Wi Fi (and even some things currently are still Wi Fi only and not 3G compatible, like the iTunes Wi Fi Store), but I digress. I tend to be one of those early adopter folk anyway. Great article Dan and a very solid review.

P.S. We're in the same boat with Mobile Me. Why does Apple have to make it so integrated and convenient? If only it were more functional.

Dean Terry · 1 year ago

Spot on, Dan. ATT is definitely taking advantage here, at multiple turns. I look forward to a future post where you describe true, revolutionary disruption coming the carrier space. Boy do we need it.

Michael · 1 year ago

I only have one comment on the whole post (since I agree with most of it) but, the iPhone 3Gs battery life is much better than the original iPhone, especially if you live in an area that doesn't have 3G coverage, it's practically double what the old one was getting. The people who are saying the battery life is terrible are the ones who can spend all day on the device. I'm using the old iPhone right now and I use it pretty exhaustively but I can still make it a full day and a half on a full charge (that's with listening to a lot of music, playing games, and browsing the internet on it). I don't know these people who complain about the battery life personally but it seems to me they are either playing games on it non-stop or are using the GPS functionality every 5 minutes all day long.

Simon Kāne · 1 year ago

$40 more? I get something close to $160 more ($35 × 24months + $200 = $1040) vs ($20 × 24months + $400 = $880). No matter, this is an injustice which the American consumer is willing to accept.

I believe we haven’t really seen the true fallout from the wide spread adoption of the iPhone 3G. When the next device comes out (and it will be in less than 2 years), there may be huge issues with people trying to upgrade to it. If AT&T is going to require iPhone 3G users to pay an early termination fees to get the iPhone 4G (3.5G?), then I hope to see riots in front of the stores (instead of a line of people waiting for no inventory).

If on the other hand, Apple can convince AT&T to waive the early termination fee (with the purchase of a new device), things might turn out better for consumers.

Battery performance is better with iPhone 3G when using comparable features (EDGE data, GSM voice). As Steve promised during the iPhone 2G launch – 3G uses lots of power (even the new chips). Since voice data can also transmit via 3G (one of the reasons iPhone 3G sounds better), it can have a major impact on battery performance. I’ve only once ran out of juice doing 3+ hours of 3G voice calls at the end of a long day.

One nice ‘feature’ that no one talks about (and which I love): no more GSM interference on my speakers/radios/stereos. Anyone else notice this or no what I am talking about?

Nice article - keep them coming.

Simon Kāne · 1 year ago

Anyone else notice this or *know* what I am talking about?

"datta-datta-datta datta-datta datta-datta-datta-datta datta!" (iPhone 2G talking to something in the universe)

Chris Hewlett · 1 year ago

One thing I'm not thrilled about is compatibility with other Apple products, namely my "Universal" dock and iPod Hi Fi. With the appropriate adapters that Apple sells, the product will fit into the dock, but it still tells me it's not a supported accessory. It's not a supported accessory? It's a dock to connect it to my computer! The iPod Hi Fi I can understand, since it's a speaker system, that it would offer to put my phone into Airplane Mode for better reception (which shouldn't be a problem if I'm on 3G like Simon says.. haha Simon Says...) but my real gripe about using it with my Hi Fi is that it won't charge it! How un-Apple is that? They really need to get their ducks in a row. I'm really looking forward to an upcoming article about the App Store. I can't wait to hear the discussion about that one! :-)

Simon Kāne · 1 year ago

Accessories not working is a problem - especially when they are "Universal"

The reason for incompatibility is simple - when Apple moved from Firewire support to USB/Firewire, they supported voltages from both standards. However, accessories were not always designed to support multiple voltages, many manufacturers assuming the Firewire standard (with double+ the voltage of USB) would continue to be built into future devices.

iPhone 3G does not support Firewire--the necessary hardware was removed. As such, the iPhone 3G can't charge on the Firewire 12 volt line, which was the preferred charging standard pre-3G accessories even those from Apple.

Someone could make a killing developing something that would catch the voltage from the Fireware 12 volt pins and convert it to the USB standard.

At least I'm not stuck with an integrated BMW iPod system which can't charge. I suppose it would be an excuse to get a new car, no?

David Mackey · 1 year ago

I actually was happy with the price. I've been with Cingular for around three years now - mainly with HTC's piece of garbage Cingular 8125 (a Windows Mobile device). I was paying an arm and a leg for unlimited internet, a decent calling plan, and a near unlimited text messaging plan (no, I'm not a mad text messager, but I used SMS to receive alerts from my servers - and when something went wrong they liked to tell me about it and keep telling me about it till I fixed them - whose says computers aren't demanding?). Anyways, I stepped down my voice plan a little and my text messaging to a basic plan as I am no longer working for my previous employer and this reduces my text/voice needs (I'm using Skype now for most calls - with a built-in microphone on my laptop its a piece of cake). Anyways, all said - I get a few less minutes/texts but a heck of a better phone.
Speed for me has been fairly reasonable...Though when I needed it most (on two occasions!) the 3G network totally conked out (and I was in Philadelphia, a major metro area). Overall, I'm happy. I do wish that the iPhone would connect to my WiFi network and call out over that as my reception in-house is not always the best...
I love the GPS. It seems extremely accurate. I love its find me feature and the fact that I can watch my progress as a blue dot...and if I go off the beaten track. Granted, it needs voice...but its good. I'm sure someone will beef it up soon.
Battery life does still totally suck! If you aren't using it it will last a day, but start surfing the web or using the GPS and expect it to die within a few hours.

Andrew Batchelor · 1 year ago

Daniel I agree the iphone is totally over hyped. In New Zealand, Vodafone plans are through the roof. If you tend to be someone who drops phones in the toilet, maybe you should check out the ultra tough Sonim XP1. www.sonimtech.com