The better off acknowleding this phone as supremely relavant, the better off we are all going to be. I really can’t say enough good things.
When I start splooging on the iPhone I catch some flack for it. People, for whatever reason, have a strong distaste for Apple products, until they try them!
The 3G has been out for the latter half of 2008. It’s cheaper, faster and a lot friendlier for business. Apple’s blockbuster smartphone already had nifty features such as visual voicemail, a splendid built-in video iPod and the best mobile Web browser I’ve ever used. With GPS newly added to the mix, this handheld marvel has no equal among consumer-oriented smartphones.
It’s hard to think of any other device that’s enjoyed the level of exposure and hype that Apple has found with their iPhone. People completely unaware f gadgets can recognize the name. I actually had a professor this semester that asked me, “Is that one of those internet thingies? Cool!”
The wireless industry is a notoriously tough nut to crack, and it was pretty clear that the first iPhone wasn’t about total domination so much as priming the market and making a good first impression with some very dissatisfied cellphone users. Mission accomplished there! With the iPhone 3G, though, Apple is playing for keeps. Not only is this iPhone’s Exchange enterprise support aiming straight for the heart of the business market, but the long-awaited 3rd party application support and App Store means it’s no longer just a device, but a viable computing platform. And its 3G network compatibility finally makes the iPhone welcome the world over, especially after Cupertino decided to ditch its non-traditional carrier partnerships in favor of dropping the handset price dramatically. Apple? Cheap? WHAT?
The thing is just so darn practical I can’t recommend it enough. Do you sometimes need directions? Do you check stocks? Do you like instant email? Do you like playing games when bored? Do you surf the internet? Do you blog? Do you check Facebook? And the list goes on, and on, and onnn.
Real internet on a mobile device
Apple’s presence has re-energized the handheld computing category, practically begging smartphone rivals for a response: Witness the countless released “iPhone killers” just in the past six months.
An accurate capacitive touchscreen and well optimized mobile processors form the basis of that experience, but the iPhone continues to derives its real power in usability. The iPhone 3G and the second release of mobile OS X have given the device numerous useful new features while keeping in line with expectations that they not slow down the experience, nor overwhelm new or experienced users.
While users do need to get used to ‘tapping’, ‘flicking’, and ‘pinching’ techniques that the iPhone offers, all are very intuitive and easy to learn. If my Mom can do it, anyone can, trust me.
Easily the most significant addition to the iPhone 3G is the App Store, which finally enables users to trick out their phone with whatever programs make it through Apple’s rigorous developer screening and software testing process. While it’s worth noting that apps must meet Apple approval before granted access to the store, it sorts out some of the riff-raff applications that aren’t ‘Apple friendly’. Controversial maybe, but I have no qualms.
If you’re an avid BlackBerry, or Windows Mobile / Exchange user, chances are you might think the iPhone 3G is Apple playing catch-up — and you’re not wrong. 3G, GPS, third party apps, enterprise messaging, these are all old hat. But even the would-be iPhone killers being churned out weekly haven’t yet found a way to counter the iPhone’s usability and seamless integration of service and software, desktop and mobile, and media and internet.
There are always things that could be improved, features to be added, fixes that should be applied but Apple has proven itself a relentless upstart in the mobile space, and is showing no signs of slowing down. All those new features give the iPhone even more appeal than ever, but the price is what really seals the deal.
You’re going to have a hard time finding a better device for two hundred bucks — or maybe even for any price truly And that is why the iPhone 3G is one of my favorite things about 2008!
