iPhone is dead, long live the iPhone 3G!

09 June, 2008
That title up there might be a bit misleading since the first gen iPhone is not at all dead - firmware 2.0 is just around the corner now. But Apple have just announced the new harder, better, faster, stronger...

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  • T
  • Tadeu Esperanto
  • Qeb
  • 10 Jun 2008

I'm very frustated.. Any cheap Nokia 3G enabled has video call and most of them have a better camera. I'll wait for the release of Nokia N96. N95 + touchscreen + better design = best cellphone on the market by far.

    • k
    • ken
    • ibb
    • 10 Jun 2008

    the purpose is to allow ppl surf the internet without any hustle. u cant just keep looking the wifi spot. if u have a gps built in u need something that is fast enuf to support it.

    video call is a useless function which not many people are using it except japan.

    they have a video recorder but need 3rd party application

      • j
      • jacka$$1
      • 4Hm
      • 10 Jun 2008

      Jeez!!! There sure are a lot of fanboys and haters here. Shouldn't we be focusing on features that will fit "you" instead of yelling "this phone sucks" or "everyone, buy this phone cuz it's better." Please keep in mind that the iPhone is designed for a specific range of cellphone users: non-techies to pseudo-techies who don't have time to waste figuring out how their phone works. Most iPhone users aren't interested in megapixels, mms, video calling, removable media, installable apps, or anything else that doesn't relate to basic calling/messaging/picture-taking/iTunes-listening/web-browsing. It just has to work...period. What the 3G iPhone has...works, and it all works together harmoniously.

      I'm not saying that these users are "dumb" or "ignorant" of more advance technologies. I'm just saying that if you are a tech-head and in need of a phone with more advance offerings and are able to write your own apps, then you have the freedom to purchase a different phone.

      Personally, the iPhone comes very close to fulfilling my requirements, but it's still not for me. Here are the reasons why, and please don't think that my requirements are better or worse than yours. These are MY own personal preferences and I encourage you fanboys/haters out there to stick with yours. Agree to disagree if you must.

      The 3G iPhone....

      1. Cannot be unlocked (unless you tinker with it which will only work until the next firmware update)
      2. Cannot use other sim cards that are not ATT (see reason #1)
      3. Cannot be a TRUE world phone because you're restricted to ATT (see reason #2), hence you'll be paying ATT's pricey intl roaming charges instead of having the option to purchase a sim card in the country you're visiting
      4. Regarding bluetooth: cannot transfer files via bluetooth, incompatibility issues with certain headsets, no A2DP wireless stereo
      5. No options for laptop internet tethering...aka using your phone's 3G service as your laptop's or PC's internet source
      6. 3rd-party apps will mostly come from Apple/ATT, hence you gotta pay
      7. Still kinda large to be pocketable
      8. Cannot work with DRM music (aka non-iTunes music)
      9. Require a $30 upgrade ($45 for business users) to ATT's unlimited data plan
      10. May require subscription to iTunes (please confirm)
      11. Still no haptic feedback
      12. Still no video recording
      13. No replaceable battery (Apple better have a battery replacement plan)
      14. No expandable memory slot

      So bottom line, the iPhone works for those NOT looking for the features I listed above. But for me, the iPhone is restrictive, lacks the music entertainment I need like wireless A2DP stereo headset, and isn't really travel-friendly.

      In conclusion, are you wondering what phone DOES meet all my requirements (if you care)? Please check out the Samsung i900 Omnia, or what ATT will call it...the i907. It has ALL of the iPhone's basic features (except with slightly smaller screen and lower screen resolution), it includes the ones I listed above, and it's fully programmable via Windows Mobile 6.1. Wait for its U.S. release thru ATT some time this year. My strategy: buy the i907, get the unlock codes from ATT (which they will provide with no problem...except with the iPhone of course), and rebrand the phone to Samsung's original firmware. Voila! A phone with absolutely NO restrictions and fully customizable the way I want it to be. This is the phone for me.

      The iPhone is a great no-nonsense, easy-to-use phone. It's all things for many many many people. But not for me. Now stop being a fanboy/hater!!!

        • K
        • Kevin
        • kMh
        • 10 Jun 2008

        I have t-mobile.
        Can I use this new 3G Iphone?

          • d
          • drsathar
          • nCb
          • 10 Jun 2008

          its great waiting came to not a very happy end for hardcore fans of iphone
          all well with the additions but there are somanythings left out
          the upgrade in camera
          the bluetooth file transfer
          FM radio
          second camera
          better network strength
          lot more................................small things which are basic
          may be switch to another phone or kepp waiitng

            • P
            • Pb
            • ka8
            • 10 Jun 2008

            Where is my memory card slot come on Apple? Where is my secondary camera? this is crazy.

              • P
              • Priyanga - Sri Lanka
              • ib2
              • 10 Jun 2008

              Guys, phone has Video capabilities...Video formats supported: H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 3.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • 4TL
                • 10 Jun 2008

                i was a little concerned after i bought the htc touch diamond, that maybe i should've waited for the 3g iphone. after reading this, i'm glad that i bought the htc diamond =)

                  • m
                  • maverick_ymca
                  • Fe1
                  • 10 Jun 2008

                  Oh how do he make it so cheap? is he interested in monopolising market and shutting down Nokia?

                    • f
                    • frappo
                    • vxw
                    • 10 Jun 2008

                    i want this phone!!!!!!!!

                      • W
                      • Wild Bill
                      • q2F
                      • 10 Jun 2008

                      The question is will this sh*t work with tmobile and still give us the 3g ability????

                        • i
                        • iphone fan
                        • TIE
                        • 10 Jun 2008

                        well i guess they called it iphone 3G cuz its using the 3G network to surf the web and download data which is generally much faster than EDGE or the ancient GPRS...
                        too bad there aint a video camera for video calls though...but doesnt matter to me cuz i don really use it anyway...
                        cant wait for this version to be released in SG!!!

                          • $
                          • $k
                          • vGk
                          • 10 Jun 2008

                          Mido Nassar, 10 Jun 2008we're been waited so long for it & it's No video cam ??? o... moreYou don't seem to understand that 3G need not necessarily mean only video calls. It is faster data speeds and therefore faster browsing. Apple's idea seems to be logical. Video calls eat up a lot of battery juice and besides I do not know if people want 3G speed browsing or video calls, personally I would like the former and I don't mind the lack of the secondary cam. Your opinion could be different though.

                            • L
                            • Luhccas
                            • PjA
                            • 10 Jun 2008

                            d%&n!!!apple really don't know how to make phones!where the video call camera???????where's the video record???????????where's mms??????????where's technology??????????????where's innovation??????????
                            xperia x1>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>that piece of crap!

                              • n
                              • not fair
                              • 4QH
                              • 10 Jun 2008

                              i think its not fair for those people that just got iphone. i just got my 8 gig for 400 dollars and now they sell it for half a price . fck:n apple. it just not fair.....

                                • u
                                • uhh
                                • Yc3
                                • 10 Jun 2008

                                Anonymous, 10 Jun 2008READ OVER AND OVER AGAIN!!!!!!@@@@@@ "you will most prob... morewell most people in the 'cell phone game' already have a fairly pricey phone plan .. and i'm pretty sure they won't make the plan so ridiculous (phone companies want business too)

                                  • w
                                  • whatever
                                  • Yc3
                                  • 10 Jun 2008

                                  whatever people its $199 for 8 gig. i mean you might as well buy one since its so cheap .

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • UDN
                                    • 10 Jun 2008

                                    READ OVER AND OVER AGAIN!!!!!!@@@@@@

                                    "you will most probably have to enter into a long-term pricey contract"

                                    You are brain dead if u think can get it for 199 unlock

                                      • J
                                      • John
                                      • n4S
                                      • 10 Jun 2008

                                      this is no 3g phone but a 0g...no 2nd camera and lacks loads of features. maybe i buy one and send it over to North Korea :D

                                      will stick to the touch pro


                                      useless...

                                        • A
                                        • Aik
                                        • 2xB
                                        • 10 Jun 2008

                                        Damn Apple.. not available in Thailand but available in the Philippines where the market size and purchasing power is less powerful than in Thailand.. they are stupid or what??