After much anticipated hype, several cups of coffee, and hours of talking to iPhone enthusiasts, we finally got our hands on our iPhone. The 3G comes a year after the original iPhone with some new features and improvements of the first model. New AT&T customers can buy the iPhone 3G for $199 for the 8GB model (Black) and $299 for the 16GB model (Black and White). The new iPhone added many new and upgraded features.
Design
Apple replaced the aluminum back with a black or white plastic face (similar material of the older MacBooks). The black model is very sexy and attractive and by far the more popular of the two. We learned the hard way as the gentlemen in front of us bought the last two 16GB black models, so rather than white until the next day we settled for the white 16GB model. The white is still nice as the fingerprints and smudges are less noticeable.
The phone’s height and width measurements (5.5 inches by 2.4 inches) are the same, and features the attractive 3.5″ display. The colors are sharp and vibrant. The speaker, microphone, and the charger port are all located at the bottom of the iPhone. Apple did fix the headphone jack problem, now making it flush with the top of the phone allowing you to use any 3.5mm headset.
All iPhone packages come with a cleaning cloth, USB sync cable, headphones, cleaning cloth, manual, SIM removal tool, and electric charging plug syncing cable, a display cleaning cloth, a headset, user documentation, the aforementioned SIM removal tool, and an electrical outlet plug.
Email
The phone’s email is impressive and easy to setup. Once you sync your iPhone to your computer, it will sync your Outlook e-mail, contacts, and calendar. If you have a separate personal calendar or contacts at work, your work information will replace your existing settings, don’t worry you will be warned before you sync. Another improvement on the new iPhone is the support of Microsoft Exchange, now you can get your work e-mail on your iPhone, just be sure to get all the correct settings from your IT department. However, using Exchange server support on the iPhone 3G will require you to pay extra for the business data plan.
Once in your e-mail, you can access all folders in your inbox and move e-mails from one folder to another. We were able to open attachments (only tried doc and jpg), but we were able to save them directly to the photo gallery simply by tapping the image. To e-mail a photo, all you need to do is find your photo in your photo gallery, tap the photo, and e-mail photo.
3G
The phone comes with the standard Safari browser, it displays many websites very quickly and in a user friendly format. You have the ability to open new windows, bookmark, and zoom in/out with the touch of your fingers. The main feature lacking on the browser is the support of Flash.
The 3G is an improvement from the EDGE network. We were able to display CNN.com in 11 seconds and it took us 29 seconds to fully display CNN.com on the original iPhone. The load times will vary depending on coverage area.
iPod
The iPod feature on the phone has not been changed, still allowing you to play music, movies, and podcast. The 3G also gives you the ability purchase songs through the iTunes store on the phone, however you need a Wi-Fi connection to allow this. The 3G connection doesn’t allow you to connect to the iTunes store to make purchases.
By default, the iPod menu includes shortcuts to Playlists, Artists, Songs, and Video. The shortcuts can be easily swapped for other shortcuts: Podcasts, Compilations, Composers, Albums, Audiobooks, or Genres.
The 3.5″ screen displays movies, tv shows, and You Tube web clips very well. Similar to the original iPhone, Apple makes it easy to fast-forward/rewind video and also adjust volume wth the swipe of a finger.
Camera
Nothing has really changed with the camera, still the same 2MP camera with no video. The only improvement we noticed was the photo quality. The camera still lacks a flash and the ability to take self-portraits.
App Store
The App Store is what makes the iPhone superior. You can download Apps using the 3G network, and have access to Monkey Ball, Bejeweled, MySpace, Facebook, Pandora, AOL Radio, and many more. Many of the apps are free while others cost money.
Summary
Overall, the iPhone is a great phone, but still lacks some needed features. The 3G network is an improvement from the EDGE network. The addition of Microsoft Exchange and adding the App Store are a big plus on the phone. The iPhone continues to provide superb music and video experience, and also it works great as a phone.
Pros:
- App Store
- 3G
- Sexy design
- Improved call quality
- Microsoft Exchange e-mail
Cons:
- No modem capabilities
- No picture messaging (only via e-mail)
- 2MP camera with no video recording
