Apple iPhone 3G shortcomings

Updated: 24 July 2008

I was really blown away by the hype surrounding the launch of the new Apple iPhone and was even looking forward to getting one for myself. I was telling one of my friends about my plans to get one. However, according to him the new iPhone is still not good enough to beat the Nokia N95 he's using right now and he may be right.

No doubt the the new iPhone looks great and has loads of great new applications. However, it obviously has some shortcomings.

1. I guess the most obvious is that it does not have a camera on the front which means that proper video conferencing (where people on both ends can see wach other) is out of the question.

2. Another great new feature, the GPS capability apparently does work but using it for navigating your car around the city night be a problem. According to an article on Businessweek, the phone still does not allow "turn-by-turn, voice-enabled directions". This means that I still have to carry my TomTom sat nav around with me. I read on Engadget that TomTomwas working on a sat-nav version that works with the iPhone but am not sure whether it has.

3. I was also dismayed to find out that it is still not possible to copy and paste text on the new iPhone (source: Reuters). I would have thought that the Apple engineers would have added this simple functionality but they didn't.

4. Just found out that the iPhone doesn't record videos. I simply couldn't believe it. Even my 3 Skypephone can do that.

Clearly the iPhone 3G is not perfect but as a lady friend told me " who cares about all those functions, it's the sexiest phone in the market". I agree wholeheartedly.

iPhone 3G sold out

The new Apple iPhone 3G has already sold out on the O2 and Carphone warehouse sites here in the UK. However, you don't have to worry as both companies have assured that they have stock in their stores when it is launched on Friday (11 July, 2008).

In case you are wondering, the only significant difference between the old and the new model is that the new iPhone has 3G capabilitie, meaning faster internet browsing speeds. It also has GPS built in. Now you don't have to depend on static Google Maps anymore. I was thinking of getting the Nokia N95 but I may have to reconsider.

As for the physical characteristics, it will be slightly thinner on the edges and thicker in the middle as compared to the old model.

If you are just interested in the look and not concerned about the features, you don't have to upgrade to the new phone. I predict that eBay will soon be flooded with old iPhones and you might be able to get your hands on one for a few pounds.

Read the Reuter's report: "iPhone UK websites swamped before Friday launch".

Shopping for ipod accessories

It seems like everyone around me has an iPod from the low end iPod shuffle to the latest iPod Touch. The portable media players designed and marketed by Apple has become almost a fashion icon. Despite the presence of cheaper and some say, better portable media players, everybody I asked would rather buy the iPod - in fact any iPod. I guess the brand image and the "cool" factor is what makes the iPod a must have gadget.

They are not cheap either. The cheapest - iPod shuffle starts from £41.70 (ex VAT) and goes up to £228.94 (ex VAT) for the top of the range iPod Touch.

It amazing but whole businesses have been built up supplying all kinds of ipod accessories. These range from head phones to extremely costly iPod speakers.


PDO TopSkin for iPhone

There is also one obvious problem with the iPod, I won't call it a defect but as every iPod owner I have talked to confirms, the shiny covers are very susceptible to scratches. Thankfully there is an amazing range of covers for almost any generation of iPod that you may own. Check out the range of covers for the iPod, other MP3 players and phones (including the iPhone)on the PDO store site.

Sick of the iPhone hype

Are you sick of hearing and reading about a product that hadn't even come out on the market. Yes! I am talking about the Apple iPhone.

The product has been discussed, dissected and dished by admirers and critics alike, to death. For example, take a look at Engadget.com. Just count the number of stories and links related to the iPhone and you will see what I mean.

I guess all the hype helped by looking at the number of people queuing outside the stores.

However, I am so fed up with reading and hearing about it day in day out - everywhere, that I have decided never to write a post about it ...

...until I get one in my hands.

Related links: IPhone launch draws long lines, heavy forecasts