The iPhone Thread

[nintendo]

So the iPhone comes out on Friday and so far Optus are the only ones to release all of their pricing information.

Im going to go on the 24 month, $59 cap plan where the phone itself will only cost me $2 a month on top. (Which means Ill be paying $61 for this thing a month). It seems like the best deal to me when you consider that the $49 cap plan cost of the phone is $7 a month, meaning Im only paying $5 more and I get 500mb and $350 worth of calls compared to 250mb and $300.

Who else is getting one? If so, with who?

EDIT: Should add that Im getting the 8gb, as I already have an 80gb iPod classic. Optus site (www.optusiphone.com.au)

[Shorty]

From what I hear, the American market is even worse. And Canadian customers weren't exactly over the moon about Rogers' prices, either.

[Pai Mel]

Just do what I do and do without.

[nintendo]

Well, Im hoping Ill be able to get one in the morning. The store opens at 8 and Im planning on getting there at about 7:15. But they are giving preference to pre-registers so Im not guaranteed one. Think Ill still set up the plan when Im there and then I can just go pick it up when they get it in. The guy in the store today said that they might not get some for months....

[Mr Incredible]

iPhone plans are bullshit, I am so sick of this country's lack of decent services. Data rates for mobile access are just so damn limited and expensive.


Dude seriously have you seen the cap plans most providers are offering!?

I'm currently on 3 on a $49 a month plan, and each month I get $300 worth of credit to call anyone, PLUS 200 minutes of free calls to other 3 mobile phones.

I think for $49 a month, it's a very well priced plan.

I was very surprised to see the plans that Optus was offering the iPhone on.

For instance I could get a 16GB iPhone on a $49 month plan with $300 worth of credit and only pay $12 a month for the iPhone itself. Over 24 months that works out to be $288 you pay for the iPhone! Considering they're offering the 16GB iPhone for $849 as a pre-paid phone, $288 is a bargain. Especially if you're going to be paying $49 a month regardless of the phone.

I think it's a very attractive price, and Optus must be subsidising Apple in some way or another.

I do want one, however my 32GB Touch is doing fine and my current phone has 6 months left on the contract...so I'm guessing when Apple refresh the iPod line in time for Christmas they'll also introduce a 32GB iPhone. Just as my contract comes to an end!

And finally...nearly all my electronic devices in one neat, powerful and gorgeous little package!

If only it could all be possible tomorrow! Oh well, I've been waiting since the release of the original iPhone...so I can easily wait a few more months. Plus I can see all the reviews come out and get an idea of how the iPhone is going to work in our mobile eco-system.

I hope everyone who's getting one, has a ball with it.

Post you're impressions!

[Mr Incredible]

DUDE! How much less than $49 a month would you be spending!

That's like $12.50 a week! And considering you can actually spend $75 a week, I think it's quite cheap.

The cheapest plan they offer is $19 a month, however you have to pay considerably more each month for the handset and more importantly they only offer you $50 worth of credit a month, which pales in comparison to the extra $250 you gain from spending $20 a month more...$5 a week extra! Yes they are squeezing more money out of you, though It's for a much better value plan and for such a small amount of money.

$12.50 a week is seriously nothing compared to what a lot of people spend on their mobile. I understand where you're coming from though. I see a lot of people spending a great deal of money on a service which is not really a necessity like food or rent.

You can easily restrict the amount you use your mobile without making life too difficult, people managed somehow before mobiles were even around!

It's a bit like driving a car, hoon around everywhere and it will consume a lot more fuel than if you're smart about how you use it. Mobile phones are the same. Be smart with them!

[StorminNorman]

$49/month is what I'm paying for my E65, and I get pretty good value for money out of that.

[Manny M]

So, who's going the iPhone route?

Having just returned from overseas, I tried my best to get my hands on one today, but to no avail. Will be putting an order down on Monday.

Currently, it looks as though Optus is the best bet when it comes to iPhone plans.

[PrinceCaspian]

I’m so over the iPhone. Though at least if, once all the stupid hype dies down and the world gets over it, at least, as I’m already with Optus, I’m on the right carrier for the phone, I think.

[Koroshiya_Keefu]

I'm currently on THREE, so I'm going to hang tight and see what they will do when they start providing the iPhone 3G. It's only a matter of time until they do. Hopefully they will offer competitive plans compared to Optus (and I am shocked at Telstra's exorbitant, horrible plans) and maybe even some sweet upgrade deal for current members.

[Str8JaktJim]

I'm still arguing with myself as to whether or not I'm going to get it. I'd like to, but I'm not sure if I have the money to buy it outright (considering the only place selling outright now is Optus and I'd have to get it unlocked too) and I'm not sure if I could get a contract because I've only been back working for a couple of months.

Then again, I don't know if I want one with a decent camera or the mp3 player. I may end up going for one with a good camera.

[Shorty]

I now have a white 16Gb iPhone.

[Mr Incredible]

WHITE! What made you choose the white over black?

How's it going?

Loving it?

[Shorty]

WHITE! What made you choose the white over black?

Because they didn't have any 16Gb phones in black.

How's it going?

Great.

Loving it?

Yes.

[nintendo]

How long did you charge it for Shorty? I just put mine onto charge now. (8gb). Damn they are sweet.

High 5 to all us "cool" people!

[Shorty]

(I've just moved all the iPhone related posts in here, so it'll be more relevent.)

How long did you charge it for Shorty? I just put mine onto charge now. (8gb). Damn they are sweet.

High 5 to all us "cool" people!

I've only charged my phone for about 10 minutes since it came with plenty of juice in it. I'll charge it tonight, though.

[nintendo]

Ah, damn it. Mine came with 20%, so Im going to leave it till its full. Is it still necessary to charge these things for the regular 8hrs nowadays?

[Shorty]

As far as I know, no.

[nintendo]

Well I think Ill leave it on charge for awhile though just to be safe. Dont want to ruin th battery.

On the other hand you guys think it should be fine to use if it says it is fully charged?

[Hyperblau]

Got mine today as well, 16gb White. Loving it so far, such a good phone. I'm on the $49 plan over 12 months and I'm paying off the handset on the first bill.

Try out the Phonesaber application, pretty fun but only lasts about 30 seconds before its no longer fun.

[StorminNorman]

Is it anything like MacSaber?

[Gemerald]

Still very pricey for not much. I still prefer the LG Viewty, better features and I can bring it to any network I choose. So with this new version can you finally shoot video?

[nkbswe5]

Omg i'm writing this on my iPhone!!!!!!!!!
I don't think the iPhone is so special. Then again, I have the old 2G so I have no gps to entertain me. But then again mine was only $400
Much better than carrying around my old fat phone for calls and psp for music

[Mr Incredible]

$40!!!

Wha!?

[nkbswe5]

Damn it...
Fix'd
That being said, I can't access the AppStore until the 2.0 firmware has been cracked. Big downside, I want me some Monkeyball!

[Mr Incredible]

You can install 2.0 right now! Here's the details:

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2008/07/how_to_install_the_iphone_20_update_right_now-2.html#more

[tau]

Damn it...
Fix'd
That being said, I can't access the AppStore until the 2.0 firmware has been cracked. Big downside, I want me some Monkeyball!

it was cracked 3 months ago <_<

[Rambo]

What ID do you need to sign up? And how many months pay advance do you need to pay?

[Shorty]

If you have a driver's license, credit card and something like a Medicare card that'll do. You don't need to pay in advance for Optus AFAIK. You can pre-pay for an iPhone for $729.

[Manny M]

I've also moved the few iphone related posts from the mobile plan thread.

So, when it comes to carriers, who's leading the race? Optus looks the goods from first glance, but i've not done a detailed comparison yet.

Also, for those currently on Optus, what's their service like these days? I'm with 3, and the reception is constantly 'funny'... not very happy with them, so i'm happy to move on.

[Gemerald]

You know how with Apple you walk in and you buy the iPhone in the US. Can you do that here and pick your own network or is it locked to one of the major 3. I got my phone without a service providers sim card, thus there was no network lock. I just want to know how much the iPhone would be, by itself, no network.

I'm guessing it's not like an N95 where you buy the phone and then choose the network.

[Str8JaktJim]

I'm not sure if the apple store is selling it (in which case it would be unlocked) but buying it from any of the three stores (vodafone, optus or telstra) it will be locked to their network.

[Sweating Bullets]

My contract is out - so I think I will try to hop onto one of those plans for the iPhone

[Flaps]

As soon as you buy the iPhone from a carrier, it is (in Apples terms) a brick, and needs to be unbricked so you can use it (which is what you can do at home on the internet, or what the do in store for you afaik). Optus have the best plan for it at the moment and there is also a rumor floating around that they are going to be putting it on a 129 cap in the near future. Business people are now realising that its probably the worst phone out of its sort for anything but personal use, so carriers are going to make a shitload from people who didn't do their homework and bought the iPhone 2 weeks before the HTC Touch Diamond comes out then just buy the HTC outright

[nkbswe5]

it was cracked 3 months ago <_<
If I update my iPhone now to 2.0, it will not be jailbroken and I can't use it. I probably should've said that...

[TrinityJayOne]

I'm not sure if the apple store is selling it (in which case it would be unlocked) but buying it from any of the three stores (vodafone, optus or telstra) it will be locked to their network.
Vodafone are pretty good with locked phones, they'll usually unlock new models for nothing but do charge for some older ones. Due to the hype on this though, they could be doing it differently.

__________________
http://members.optusnet.com.au/trinityjayone/hosting/eatingpowderedtoast.gif
http://card.mygamercard.net/gbar/grill/trinityjayone.gif
Hey! How would you like your very own Powdered Toast, man? PLAY-ASIA don't sell it, but do they do sell great games stuff!
Buying with my link? Please "check out" within 7 days or it won't count! PM me with your purchase, every $10 spent = 1x pep! (http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-91bz-49-en.html)

[Gemerald]

I'm not sure if the apple store is selling it (in which case it would be unlocked) but buying it from any of the three stores (vodafone, optus or telstra) it will be locked to their network.

^ Yeah, generally Apple should sell an unlocked one, but I doubt they would here as they've already made agreements with the Telcos. I'm amazed at the amount they are selling, definitely like a new fad as there are better phones available on the market.

[Shorty]

Better at what? For the type of phone it is, it's one of the best of the market.

[nintendo]

Better at what? For the type of phone it is, it's one of the best of the market.

Id have to agree with this. For the type of phoen this is there is none better. Nor is there a better OS IMO for a phone. Its basically just a phone that is typically Apple.

Which is a good thing in my book.

[Queenie]

my mum has one, and it looks pretty nice.

gps works really well.

pictures are nice because of the massive screen, and a few videos seemed to be lacking in quality. (the raconteurs 'steady as she goes' specifically).

I'd ring up your provider and ask where any phones are that are still left, and if you're planning for telstra, and in adelaide, my mum rung up, and she went to marion.
but just in case, just ring up your provider.

[Queenie]

^ Yeah, generally Apple should sell an unlocked one, but I doubt they would here as they've already made agreements with the Telcos. I'm amazed at the amount they are selling, definitely like a new fad as there are better phones available on the market.

The only things i can think of that are better would be picture and video.

otherwise nothing comes to mind.

and the whole expandable memory thing.

[Flaps]

Better at what? For the type of phone it is, it's one of the best of the market.

I can think of two phones off the top of my head that will be better but won't sell as well because of apples flooding of the market

[nintendo]

Anyone know what they mean when they ask for your iPhone Number when your registering your phone?

[NetherWind]

Anyone know what they mean when they ask for your iPhone Number when your registering your phone?

Could it be the serial or similar kind of number off the phone itself? Is there anything in the manual to help you out with this?

[nintendo]

Its alright, I figured it out. Its your mobile number for the iPhone. The thing that was stuffing me up is the 2 feilds or whatever was there. The first just incase other people want is 614, followed by the rest of your mobile number. (The rest thats after the first 4)

[Str8JaktJim]

gps works really well.

One thing I want to know is how much data the GPS uses. Does anybody know this?

[NetherWind]

Check with your carrier too see if it is actually worth using, knowing the carriers in Australia they will be charging like a wounded bull for the use of it.

[drzaius]

if i pick one up in the states will it work in aus?

[NetherWind]

if i pick one up in the states will it work in aus?

Honestly I don't really know, though if it is like phones in Australia with one of the carriers then you would need to get it unlocked for it too work on other carriers.

[StorminNorman]

Being the raving Apple fanboy that I am, I really want one of these, but haven't yet worked out how I can get one. :(

[bi-mon-sci-fi-con]

Has anybody ever done early exit on a contract? I am on a plan with optus atm and still have at least a year left to go, so I was wondering what the consequences are for terminating the contract early.

[NetherWind]

Has anybody ever done early exit on a contract? I am on a plan with optus atm and still have at least a year left to go, so I was wondering what the consequences are for terminating the contract early.

Not sure how Optus works early cancellation, but with Telstra you pay a nominal fee for the remaining months left on your contract. For example, say the early termination fee is $30. So $30 x 12 months = $360, Telstra allows it to be added to your monthly bills until it has being paid off or if you have the money you can pay it right there and then.

[Hyperblau]

Has anybody ever done early exit on a contract? I am on a plan with optus atm and still have at least a year left to go, so I was wondering what the consequences are for terminating the contract early.

It's usually something like pay off half the bill for the remaining months of the contract, sometimes more. You would have to look up the terms and conditions of your contract or ask at the store.

[ElPresidente]

The boss has been using a cracked 8GB iPhone for the past six months and is absolutely rapt with it. Since both he and I are constantly in and out of the office and needing to access e-mails, etc on the road the man has been in constant search for a phone device that will enable him to do this easily and efficiently. Even going to high end PDAs, etc he has remained unsatisfied til the iPhone.

The great thing about this is I'm getting an iPhone at the end of the month courtesy of the boss' iPhone love. :D

(We're both getting 16GBs and his missus is getting the old 8GB)

[nintendo]

Thats sweet.

Ive been looking over some of the free apps and so far Ive got a few favs. Obviously the Phonesabre, World 9 (makes Mario jumping noise when you jump), Bible (gott have that incase I get held up by some christians <.<), Midomi (play a song out loud and this will recognise it), ign reviews (IGN reviews...), iTunes remote (lets me use my iPhone as a remote for the iTunes on my laptop), German and French phrase apps and Mix Master Scratch (lets you scratch your songs).

[Str8JaktJim]

if i pick one up in the states will it work in aus?

From the info I've seen, the 3G iPhone is a quad band phone, so you should have no trouble getting it to work in Aus, the only problem being if it's locked to a network in the States, as Netherwind said, which, knowing how things generally work in the States, it probably will be.

Has anybody ever done early exit on a contract? I am on a plan with optus atm and still have at least a year left to go, so I was wondering what the consequences are for terminating the contract early.

Unsure for Optus, but I know Vodafone's 'early exit fees' are half your minimum monthly spend times however many months you have left.

[Shorty]

I can think of two phones off the top of my head that will be better but won't sell as well because of apples flooding of the market

Such as?

[nintendo]

was told when Igot my phone(8gb) that it would be $848 to cancel straight away. That's with optus btw.

(posting on iPhone ftw!)

[Shorty]

That explains the typing. Takes a while to get used to the keyboard, eh? :p

[nintendo]

haha yeah, especially because I've turned it on it's side when I'm browsing in safari.

Just thout I'd mention this site www.meebo.com which you can use to go on msn with. It works brilliantlly.

[Gemerald]

I can think of two phones off the top of my head that will be better but won't sell as well because of apples flooding of the market

^ Bingo. We've got them at work but never really interested me. So how do you change the battery? With Bluetooth, GPG, 3G, WiFi and the mp3 player aspect I'm guessing you'll need a new battery every year.

[Flaps]

Such as?

HTC Touch Diamond (http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_touch_diamond-2368.php) (still in testing)

Samsung i900 Omnia (http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_i900_omnia-2422.php)

Remember, I'm still strictly speaking business, so don't get ahead of yourself.

So how do you change the battery?

ye

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

Mix Master Scratch (lets you scratch your songs).

Oh, you can use that with songs! I'll have to redownload that and try it again.. http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/875/shadyeyesvu2.gif

World 9 (makes Mario jumping noise when you jump),

I can't seem to find this one. (EDIT: Oh there it is) Ohh they've got pac-man running on the itouch now sweet! Only $13.00 oh get ****ed.

I've currently got free: Cube RUnner, If Found, iPint and myLite.

Bought Bejeweled 2 and Monkey Ball.

Anyone know of a good PDF reader? There's a free one but it looks like it only works with the mac.

[Shorty]

^ Bingo. We've got them at work but never really interested me. So how do you change the battery? With Bluetooth, GPG, 3G, WiFi and the mp3 player aspect I'm guessing you'll need a new battery every year.

It's like the iPod (ie. Apple does it). With normal usage, you should get around 2 years out of it though so it's not something that would happen very often.

Remember, I'm still strictly speaking business, so don't get ahead of yourself.

Well, if you're talking business then the BlackBerry does have that smartphone market pretty well locked down (with Windows Mobile-based phones running a close second), but the improved push mail and enterprise support in the 2.0 firmware might make some inroads into that market. In terms of consumer phones, it's definitely up there. About the only phone I'd consider other than the iPhone would be the Nokia N95/96.

[Gemerald]

It's like the iPod (ie. Apple does it). With normal usage, you should get around 2 years out of it though so it's not something that would happen very often.



Well, if you're talking business then the BlackBerry does have that smartphone market pretty well locked down (with Windows Mobile-based phones running a close second), but the improved push mail and enterprise support in the 2.0 firmware might make some inroads into that market. In terms of consumer phones, it's definitely up there. About the only phone I'd consider other than the iPhone would be the Nokia N95/96.

If you use a lot of video and listen to a lot of music as well as use your phone (as a phone) 20 minutes a day I estimate the life will be very short. Furthermore if you live in an area with bad reception, it will be even shorter as the phone will have to work harder to receive the signal thus draining even more of the battery. Considering most people will be using the 3G I estimate people to have battery life under 18 months, easily. Then there's the fact people always forget to turn off bluetooth and wifi. You'll probably counter by saying you can charge it everyday when you get home, but honestly, everyone's has a moment where they forgot to charge and they pay the price the next day. My LG and Panasonic charge about once every ten days with regular use daily. LG quotes their Viewty's battery life as 454 hours on 3G and I can honestly back this up, while Apple quote the iPhone as 300ish hours.

I want to know how long does the battery replacement take anyway and what process is it exactly? You take it to the retailer and they courier it off?

I don't want to come off sounding like a troll but I can't buy into this. Apple are great at marketing and the design is nice but this product is severely over-rated.

While I do love the Viewty and the VS2 it's not the best phone I've ever used, that title goes to the Nokia 8210. Anyone remember them?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Nokia8210.jpg

[Str8JaktJim]

Got an iphone today. Tried looking for a cover, but the places I looked didn't have any that I liked. Just charging it and connecting it to the computer now.

[nintendo]

Hope your as happy with it as I am with mine.

I realize that some people may not like that the battery must be changed by Apple, but to me its kind of a non-issue. My iPod is exactly the same and I use that thing for more than 5hrs a day non-stop. I really am not bothered by the battery changing issue.

Besides one of the major things Im excited about in this phone is the App store.

[Str8JaktJim]

Not sure if anyone has tried to make their own ringtones for the iPhone yet, but you'll find that it won't just let you assign an mp3 as a ringtone for someone. I've found a way to get around that problem, though, so if you want to not have to buy ringtones, here's how to do it.

First of all, you'll need to convert the selected *.mp3 file to *.m4a. The program I used to do that is Wondershare Audio Converter (http://www.qweas.com/download/audio_mp3/audio_converters/wondershare_audio_converter.htm). The only bad thing about this is that it only lets you convert up to 30 seconds of audio, but when you're making a ringtone, anything longer than 30 seconds and it'll probably go through to voicemail, anyway.

The conversion process is easy. Click the button in the top left, select the file, make sure the 'Format' bar down the bottom of the screen has 'M4A' on it and click the big start button on the bottom left. It'll ask you if you want to order a copy of the full program or just evaluate it. I think we all know what to do here.

Next, find where Wondershare has put the file. Nice and easy, click the 'Open' button down the bottom near the 'Output' bar and a window with the files in it will open, so you can either leave them there or cut and paste them into a new folder.

After that, you need to make sure that you can see and edit the file extensions. You can turn this on by opening up Windows Explorer and going to the 'Tools' menu and select 'Folder Options'. Click the 'View' tab and uncheck the 'Hide extensions for known file types'. This will make it so your m4a file called 'song' will now be displayed as 'song.m4a'

The last step is really easy. Edit the file so that instead of being 'song.m4a' it is 'song.m4r'.

Now you can import the file into iTunes and load it onto your iPhone as a ringtone and make individual ringtones for all your contacts without having to pay Apple money.

[nintendo]

Holly crap dude thats awesome. Im going to give it a try now, I think Ive got a converter that does the whole song, but I am using a Mac.

[Manny M]

Put an order for a 16GB black today. Should get it on Fri.

Excitement!

[Shorty]

If you use a lot of video and listen to a lot of music as well as use your phone (as a phone) 20 minutes a day I estimate the life will be very short. Furthermore if you live in an area with bad reception, it will be even shorter as the phone will have to work harder to receive the signal thus draining even more of the battery. Considering most people will be using the 3G I estimate people to have battery life under 18 months, easily. Then there's the fact people always forget to turn off bluetooth and wifi. You'll probably counter by saying you can charge it everyday when you get home, but honestly, everyone's has a moment where they forgot to charge and they pay the price the next day. My LG and Panasonic charge about once every ten days with regular use daily. LG quotes their Viewty's battery life as 454 hours on 3G and I can honestly back this up, while Apple quote the iPhone as 300ish hours.

OK, but your comments about the life of the battery can equally be applied to the LG (which may have more battery life because the phone's form factor allows a higher-capacity battery - IIRC the iPhone is wider and much thinner than the Viewty, which would reduce the possible size of the battery). And if the LG can also be charged through USB then any computer made in the last few years is now a charging station. So you have plenty more opportunities to charge it.

I want to know how long does the battery replacement take anyway and what process is it exactly? You take it to the retailer and they courier it off?

If it's anything like the iPod then you hand it in to Apple and they take care of it. Maybe they repair it onsite but if they don't then yeah, you'll probably be without your phone for some time. But again, it's a once every 2 or so years occurrence.

I don't want to come off sounding like a troll but I can't buy into this. Apple are great at marketing and the design is nice but this product is severely over-rated.

I disagree. Perhaps they would have sold out in the beginning but the product wouldn't be selling consistently well since it was introduced if it wasn't any good. The iPhone is no Newton.

[Str8JaktJim]

Also, when playing music without the headphones, has anybody noticed if only one of the speakers on the bottom (near the charging/data port) plays music?

[Shorty]

That's because the other one is the mic.

[nintendo]

Ok, I followed your steps completely but I cant get the ring tones to even show up in the 'ringtones' section of the iPhone on the computer. Which is strange when they are in the Ringtones section of iTunes itself.... Anyone got any ideas?

EDIT: Figured it out. it only lets you use a maximum if 30secs of song for a ringtone, so even though I had it in the right format the songs I had done were to long....

[Str8JaktJim]

That's because the other one is the mic.

Sweet. Was wondering where that was. I just noticed when I put my thumb over one of them the sound dropped out. Didn't know whether or not there was something wrong with my phone. Cheers mate.

Holly crap dude thats awesome. Im going to give it a try now, I think Ive got a converter that does the whole song, but I am using a Mac.

Still waiting for pep :P

[Flaps]

the product wouldn't be selling consistently well since it was introduced if it wasn't any good

what?

[tau]

heard of marketing?

[Shorty]

It's not just marketing. Apple has had product failures before. The Newton was Apple's attempt at a Palm-style PDA, but it didn't take for a number of reasons (it was large, expensive, had poor battery life and the handwriting software was initially quite poor) and Apple killed it in 1997. The iPhone did take because it's a better product. The iPhone could have been the next Newton, but it wasn't.

[Flaps]

It's not just marketing. Apple has had product failures before. The Newton was Apple's attempt at a Palm-style PDA, but it didn't take for a number of reasons (it was large, expensive, had poor battery life and the handwriting software was initially quite poor) and Apple killed it in 1997. The iPhone did take because it's a better product. The iPhone could have been the next Newton, but it wasn't.

If that were true there would have been a lot more people over the last few weeks approaching me to discuss the similarities between the Newton and the iPhone. Considering the weight Apple throw around in the portable electronics market today, you're way off.

[nintendo]

Still waiting for pep :P


I always forget about the pep thingo...Its in the mail!

[Gemerald]

OK, but your comments about the life of the battery can equally be applied to the LG (which may have more battery life because the phone's form factor allows a higher-capacity battery - IIRC the iPhone is wider and much thinner than the Viewty, which would reduce the possible size of the battery). And if the LG can also be charged through USB then any computer made in the last few years is now a charging station. So you have plenty more opportunities to charge it.

Equally applied to the LG? I don't think so, the LG has far superior battery life and thinner doesn't necessarily mean better. The LG can also be charged through USB, and while you do so, you upload photos and download movies. My phone has DivX playback straight out of the box, does the iPhone have that?

If it's anything like the iPod then you hand it in to Apple and they take care of it. Maybe they repair it onsite but if they don't then yeah, you'll probably be without your phone for some time. But again, it's a once every 2 or so years occurrence.

^ I think that it will happen before 2 years, possibly before 18 months. Being left without a phone and such a device for more than a week would be an annoyance.

I disagree. Perhaps they would have sold out in the beginning but the product wouldn't be selling consistently well since it was introduced if it wasn't any good. The iPhone is no Newton.

^ iPhone sold poorly, especially in Europe where the LG Viewty beat it. Even when the iPhone dropped to an ultra low price point people shunned it in EU markets. That was the 2G model but even then it shows a few things. The iPhone's main market was the US, outside it's been a poor seller and has struggled against better competition.

I think we should leave it there, I'm not Creedy you know.

[Shorty]

If that were true there would have been a lot more people over the last few weeks approaching me to discuss the similarities between the Newton and the iPhone. Considering the weight Apple throw around in the portable electronics market today, you're way off.

No, because the first generation iPhone had already been very successful by that point and hence comparing the two would only have been relevent in proving that the iPhone wasn't going to suffer that fate (as I have done here). The question of whether the iPhone could become the next Newton was already being asked (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/philip-g-baker/will-the-iphone-be-anothe_b_52468.html) before the original's launch in June 2007.

Equally applied to the LG? I don't think so, the LG has far superior battery life and thinner doesn't necessarily mean better. The LG can also be charged through USB, and while you do so, you upload photos and download movies. My phone has DivX playback straight out of the box, does the iPhone have that?

I wasn't arguing that the iPhone was better because it was thinner, but because being thinner would act as a limitation on how large the battery could be (and thus what the overall capacity could be, when taking power density into account). Hence the LG is equally affected in this regard because there's an upper limit on the size of its battery as well. Space is finite no matter which manufacturer you are. :p

Additionally, the iPhone can do everything you've listed above WRT USB connection except for DivX playback (which may end up appearing as a downloadable app in the future, as RSS and IRC access have done).

^ I think that it will happen before 2 years, possibly before 18 months. Being left without a phone and such a device for more than a week would be an annoyance.

It would be, and in this instance perhaps we're merely arguing over time. However, given the relative lack of frequency of this problem in general, the relative advantage of having a user-changeable battery isn't as large as you imply it is.

^ iPhone sold poorly, especially in Europe where the LG Viewty beat it. Even when the iPhone dropped to an ultra low price point people shunned it in EU markets. That was the 2G model but even then it shows a few things. The iPhone's main market was the US, outside it's been a poor seller and has struggled against better competition.

I think we should leave it there, I'm not Creedy you know.

You're quite a few swear words and ragequits away from being there. You can discuss things. :p

The Europe sales of the iPhones were relatively lackluster compared to the US but they were far from a "flop" (http://blog.wired.com/business/2007/11/european-iphone.html) - T-Mobile Germany still managed to sell 10,000 phones on the first day and O2 activated 8,000 on its first day. However, the iPhone had less time to capture the market than it did in the US, as the iPhone 3G's rumours and announcements followed relatively soon after along with its effects on iPhone sales (e.g. Apple not replenishing stock and potential customers waiting for the new model). And I will agree that the competition was quite strong as the European phone market is more advanced in terms of models than the US. But still, the iPhone did manage to hold its own in a relatively strong and crowded marketplace all the same.

[Flaps]

iPhone sold poorly, especially in Europe where the LG Viewty beat it. Even when the iPhone dropped to an ultra low price point people shunned it in EU markets. That was the 2G model but even then it shows a few things. The iPhone's main market was the US, outside it's been a poor seller and has struggled against better competition.

this


already being asked (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/philip-g-baker/will-the-iphone-be-anothe_b_52468.html)

Yes but a typical apple consumer is going to have nothing to do with reviewing equipment. Apple has always strived to make their products as user friendly as possible, thus the majority of the market is not going to bother or possibly even know about an obscure product review.

[Shorty]

Yes but a typical apple consumer is going to have nothing to do with reviewing equipment. Apple has always strived to make their products as user friendly as possible, thus the majority of the market is not going to bother or possibly even know about an obscure product review.

That's nice, except what you said was "well, more people would have asked me whether the iPhone 3G would become the next Newton" to which I responded "well actually, yeah they were already asking that a year ago before the first iPhone came out and the answer ended up being no". The "typical Apple consumer" wasn't part of the argument, as far as I could tell.

[Flaps]

That's nice, except what you said was "well, more people would have asked me whether the iPhone 3G would become the next Newton" to which I responded "well actually, yeah they were already asking that a year ago before the first iPhone came out and the answer ended up being no". The "typical Apple consumer" wasn't part of the argument, as far as I could tell.

I work in a phone shop. Maybe now you can see where I'm coming from.

[Shorty]

Well then perhaps it would have helped to specify that "nobody who has come into my phone shop has compared the iPhone to the Newton". People have asked. They may not be people you have personally met, but they are out there.

[Str8JaktJim]

Everytime someone here mentions 'Newton' I immediately picture Newton the Hyper member's avatar

[Gemerald]

Shorty, I'm glad your teflon doesn't wear off. Flaps has the right idea. The only apple product I'd like to own is a Macbook Pro. That's it. I wouldn't even own an iPod for the main reason of iTunes. Expect more through analysis of your counter posts, I'm currently H3ing.

[Flaps]

Well then perhaps it would have helped to specify that "nobody who has come into my phone shop has compared the iPhone to the Newton". People have asked. They may not be people you have personally met, but they are out there.

About two hundred people from the area of greater south-eastern Melbourne have talked to me about the iPhone. Not one has mentioned the Newton. I said 'majority of consumers'. Tech heads are irrelevant when we are talking about Apples marketing dominance. This is all indicative of the fact that it is all about brand.

[Shorty]

Well, the Newton is now 15 years old (practically an eternity in consumer electronics), so that isn't suprising. But once again, the point that I'm making is that the question was being asked full stop, if not by "consumers" or the people that have been talking to you. That is the point I've been responding to.

[TrinityJayOne]

Put an order for a 16GB black today. Should get it on Fri.

Excitement!
Judging by your history with buying things online, you'll probably have it sometime next year. :P

After looking up what on Earth the HTC Diamond thingo was, I followed some links around to the S-E Xperia, which never had pics when I last heard about it. Despite the fact I wouldn't use half the crap on it, I want one. :P Of course if bandwidth rates didn't suck the big one here, that'd be a different story.

__________________
http://members.optusnet.com.au/trinityjayone/hosting/eatingpowderedtoast.gif
http://card.mygamercard.net/gbar/grill/trinityjayone.gif
Hey! How would you like your very own Powdered Toast, man? PLAY-ASIA don't sell it, but do they do sell great games stuff!
Buying with my link? Please "check out" within 7 days or it won't count! PM me with your purchase, every $10 spent = 1x pep! (http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-91bz-49-en.html)

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

Q: How many Apple Newtons does it take to change a light bulb?

A: Foux! There to eat lemons, axe gravy soup.


Reading about Newtons!

[Lazlow]

I checked out a video of the HTC Touch Diamond (http://www.cnet.com.au/videos/reviews/mobilephones/HTC-Touch-Diamond/video/22456191p-315587076m/) - was a bit put off by the laggy interface and the fact I really hate Windows Mobile.

iPhone looks the goods, but there's too many imperfections and niggles that I feel a revision is only 6 months away. Just don't feel like its worth the asking price atm.

EDIT: Dunno if its been posted But ZDnet has compared the 3 domestic carriers (Optus, Telstra and Vodafone) and their iPhone plans (http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Oi-Australia-s-cheapest-iPhone/0,130061791,339290315,00.htm?omnRef=http://www.cnet.com.au/mobilephones/phones/0,239025953,339290534,00.htm).

Anyone find Teltra's cheapest plan, hilariously bad?

[tau]

aren't all telstra plans hilariously bad?

[Lazlow]

Not when balanced out with superior (GSM) coverage

[Str8JaktJim]

I thought Telstra's country coverage was going to be 3G.

[nintendo]

Just found THIS (http://www.pcworld.com/article/148348/3g_iphones_mediocre_battery_life_still_beats_rival s.html) if anyones interested in some tests on the iPhones battery.

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

I'd love one, but until I can just whack my sim card in there and put $50 dollars on it it'll be out of my price range.

[nintendo]

You can! Only problem is that you have to pay a sh*t load for MBs to download.

Dont know if this is for the whole country, but where I am at least, the whole of Vodafones and Optus networks are down. It also includes banks and a whole heap of sh*t.

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

You can! Only problem is that you have to pay a sh*t load for MBs to download.

o rly?

So what if I was to just use it for a phone?

[NetherWind]

I thought Telstra's country coverage was going to be 3G.

3G is the old GSM/Digital network, the supposed nation wide coverage is meant too be with Next G. Bear in mind that outside of capital cities the service is absolutely crap, most people I know would have preferred to stay with CMDA than go to this new crap.

[Gemerald]

Just found THIS (http://www.pcworld.com/article/148348/3g_iphones_mediocre_battery_life_still_beats_rival s.html) if anyones interested in some tests on the iPhones battery.

^ Mg LG beats them all but is not listed on there. Check previous posts.

[nintendo]

You could try THIS (http://personal.optus.com.au/web/ocaportal.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=Template_wRHS&FP=/personal/mobile/prepaidmobile/prepaidmobileappleiphone&site=personal) and then just buy pre-paid Optus credit. I think thats what your looking for.

EDIT: This (http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_ku990_viewty-2070.php) tells me that the talk time on the Viewty is up to 4hrs. But Im not trying to get into an argument about the length of battery life, Im just pointing out something that was related to the topic of battery time that I found on the net.

[JONO RANDOM H3RO]

I also want to go prepaid with the Iphone but im currently on Vodafone and haven't heard anything about their prepaid options. Before launch they said they would be selling it on prepaid..can someone confirm one way or another?

[Araenel]

I also want to go prepaid with the Iphone but im currently on Vodafone and haven't heard anything about their prepaid options. Before launch they said they would be selling it on prepaid..can someone confirm one way or another?

I keep hearing at work they are, we don't know when it's coming though.

[Str8JaktJim]

3G is the old GSM/Digital network, the supposed nation wide coverage is meant too be with Next G. Bear in mind that outside of capital cities the service is absolutely crap, most people I know would have preferred to stay with CMDA than go to this new crap.

My understanding was Next G is 3G, Telstra just called it something different and said they were using it to replace CDMA

[Moen Zurn]

aren't all telstra plans hilariously bad?

Yes.

The only draw card they have is nextG (nextG?)

edit: NextG,its apparently faster than 3G but I'm not sure by how much.

[Str8JaktJim]

Just had a look and it seems that the only difference is that they operate on different frequencies (3G on 2100mHz and NextG on 850mHz). From my high school physics knowledge, I think the lower frequency means that it has greater range (not 100% on that, though, but it makes sense if Telstra are trying to roll it out to replace CDMA), but it also means that Telstra has to get handsets especially suited to fit the 850mHz range. I'm not sure how that goes with the 3G iPhone, or if they're just marketing the higher speeds in HSDPA coverage areas and the rest GPRS.

[Shorty]

The iPhone is tri-band for UMTS at 850, 1900 and 2100Mhz frequencies. So it'll work on NextG. If you can stomach its terrible plans, that is.

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

I might have to look into a pre-paid one with Optus then..

[Gemerald]

You could try THIS (http://personal.optus.com.au/web/ocaportal.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=Template_wRHS&FP=/personal/mobile/prepaidmobile/prepaidmobileappleiphone&site=personal) and then just buy pre-paid Optus credit. I think thats what your looking for.

EDIT: This (http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_ku990_viewty-2070.php) tells me that the talk time on the Viewty is up to 4hrs. But Im not trying to get into an argument about the length of battery life, Im just pointing out something that was related to the topic of battery time that I found on the net.

It actually tells you the standby time is 430 hours, and thus greater than your standby time of 300ish for your iPhone :D

Furthermore, the talk time cannot be compared because the viewty's talk time is given in 3G mode unlike the iPhone. Even then it's still superior.

[Shorty]

Well, has anyone done a side-by-side comparison of each phone's battery? If the Viewty has a physically larger battery, then that'd explain why it has more standby time.

[Gemerald]

Well, has anyone done a side-by-side comparison of each phone's battery? If the Viewty has a physically larger battery, then that'd explain why it has more standby time.

Not too sure, but with a larger battery it would assume the LG has the better of the iPhone. We'll leave it at that. H3 shorty?

[Shorty]

Well, it would certainly indicate trading some size for battery life. It's a compromise when you're designing consumer electronics and I think we can at least agree that Apple and LG have taken slightly different approaches in that regard.

[Gemerald]

Well, it would certainly indicate trading some size for battery life. It's a compromise when you're designing consumer electronics and I think we can at least agree that Apple and LG have taken slightly different approaches in that regard.

You'll always have the Macbook Pro though :)

[Str8JaktJim]

Well, has anyone done a side-by-side comparison of each phone's battery? If the Viewty has a physically larger battery, then that'd explain why it has more standby time.

I had my iPhone playing music through its internal speaker for about 4 hours today and it only used about a third of the battery, so I've got no qualms against it.

[Blue]

I just can't be bothered ordering one. I think I'll just wait until all the fuss dies down in a month or so.

Has anybody got a list of the different plans and payment options from the various networks? **** Telstra and their bullshit plans (one of which I'm currently on). I'm leaning towards Vodaphone. What are the Optus options?

[Lazlow]

I posted this link last night that compares the 3 carriers plans (http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Oi-Australia-s-cheapest-iPhone/0,130061791,339290315,00.htm?omnRef=http://www.cnet.com.au/mobilephones/phones/0,239025953,339290534,00.htm).

[Jickle]

As someone who works at a phone store that doesn't yet stock the iPhone, I hate the iPhone and everyone who owns one.

[Blue]

Cheers. I'm wondering, how far will 100MB go? I won't be downloading music or anything, It'd be just for web browsing, maybe some Youtube. I'm on a 12GB plan at home, so I haven't had to worry about download limits for a long time.

[Lazlow]

Just found out the 16GB iPhone 3G costs $300 in the US. ****** this price gouging!

[Shorty]

I believe that's the subsidised cost with an AT&T contract. I don't know if they're selling bare unlocked iPhones that cheap.

[NetherWind]

Cheers. I'm wondering, how far will 100MB go? I won't be downloading music or anything, It'd be just for web browsing, maybe some Youtube. I'm on a 12GB plan at home, so I haven't had to worry about download limits for a long time.

Watching vids on YouTube will chew that 100mb up in not time

[Str8JaktJim]

I used 4.3mb of my 250mb data yesterday when I was mucking about with it. That includes downloading a couple of apps (before I realised that you could use iTunes to do download crap and install it on my iPhone) and trying to work out how to use the GPS, which only seems to be able to work out your current location when it's asked and not constantly update your position. I guess that's a good thing, considering that if it was always connected it'd probably cost a small fortune, but it does mean that, instead of it telling you where to go (if you'll pardon the pun) it gives you directions and you need to press the arrow button when you want the next direction. I hope there's a docking station coming up.

I do like how it can connect to the nearby wireless, so it can use home internet instead of your internet.

Also, my iPod car charger doesn't work with the iPhone. I need to get a new one of those too.

[nintendo]

It actually tells you the standby time is 430 hours, and thus greater than your standby time of 300ish for your iPhone :D

Furthermore, the talk time cannot be compared because the viewty's talk time is given in 3G mode unlike the iPhone. Even then it's still superior.

These tests on the iPhone were carried out in the US though where the iPhone is on the AT&T network. The AT&T network uses 3G for voice calls, and in my previous link to PCworld it gave the iPhone 5hrs something for talk time. Even on Apples own website it gives the iPhone up to 5hrs on 3G.

Besides this (http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_ericsson_z550-1564.php) was my previous phone and even though its not 3G it had a similar talk time to the iPhone. So I know I wont be bothered by it.


Anyway Im doing what I said I didnt want to do lol, talking arguing about the battery life.....

Getting of that topic, Ive had a shit of a day with my phone. Apparently a fiber optic cable or two was cut somewhere along the line, which meant almost no mobile phones would work regardless of network. Same thing with ATMs, the internet and a whole bunch of crap. It just got me wondering what it would be like without all the technology we have today. Because it was really really crappy.

[Str8JaktJim]

I saw something about that on news.com.au. Some smart cookie cut a cable.

[tau]

trying to work out how to use the GPS, which only seems to be able to work out your current location when it's asked and not constantly update your position. I guess that's a good thing, considering that if it was always connected it'd probably cost a small fortune

GPRS or 3G != GPS. GPS is free.

[Shorty]

The iPhone uses something called "Assisted GPS", which uses the network towers to triangulate your position. It's reasonably accurate.

[nintendo]

Its accurate to within a few meters. And yeas the iPhone can update your position automatically Im just not sure how to do it*. The good thing about A-GPS is its speed but I just wonder what the download size is like when your using it....

*Only tried out the GPS once at home. Checked out Italy and Sweden with it.

[Queenie]

Just found out the 16GB iPhone 3G costs $300 in the US. ****** this price gouging!

there's a store in adelaide somewhere with iphones that price

[Flaps]

there's a store in adelaide somewhere with iphones that price

not possible

[Gemerald]

These tests on the iPhone were carried out in the US though where the iPhone is on the AT&T network. The AT&T network uses 3G for voice calls, and in my previous link to PCworld it gave the iPhone 5hrs something for talk time. Even on Apples own website it gives the iPhone up to 5hrs on 3G.

Besides this (http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_ericsson_z550-1564.php) was my previous phone and even though its not 3G it had a similar talk time to the iPhone. So I know I wont be bothered by it.


Anyway Im doing what I said I didnt want to do lol, talking arguing about the battery life.....

Getting of that topic, Ive had a shit of a day with my phone. Apparently a fiber optic cable or two was cut somewhere along the line, which meant almost no mobile phones would work regardless of network. Same thing with ATMs, the internet and a whole bunch of crap. It just got me wondering what it would be like without all the technology we have today. Because it was really really crappy.

Yeah the LG still wins in the battery department as stated earlier. I also owned the EXACT same Sony but it was black. It's a good phone but I gave it to my mum cause I never used it for a year.

not possible

iPod Touch more likely.

[Shorty]

Its accurate to within a few meters. And yeas the iPhone can update your position automatically Im just not sure how to do it*. The good thing about A-GPS is its speed but I just wonder what the download size is like when your using it....

*Only tried out the GPS once at home. Checked out Italy and Sweden with it.

There's a crosshair symbol on the bottom left. Tap that to get your current location. It's pretty cool. Very Enemy of the State-esque. :cool:

[Blue]

**** battery life, this is the iPhone we're talking about. Competitors could have twice the longevity and I still wouldn't care.

[Lazlow]

When Mick Taylor has you bailed up in the tool shed, you'll be screaming for battery life (as well as your own):p

[tau]

I only have to charge it once every few days, and considering i have to have my ipod with me because it has all my work on it, if it's ever low i just pop it in for a bit and all's well.

[Shorty]

When Mick Taylor has you bailed up in the tool shed, you'll be screaming for battery life (as well as your own):p

You mean you can get coverage way out there?

[Lazlow]

The crater is actually a Galgamek subterranean relay tower.

[Shorty]

Nah, I heard Telstra's roaming agreement doesn't extend to the Galgamek network.

[Blue]

When Mick Taylor has you bailed up in the tool shed, you'll be screaming for battery life (as well as your own):pIt wouldn't matter anyway, as if Optus or Vodaphone have coverage out there. :P

EDIT: **** YOU SHORTY! :D

[Gemerald]

**** battery life, this is the iPhone we're talking about. Competitors could have twice the longevity and I still wouldn't care.

Exactly.

[UKG.]

Is it the iphone v2 that Australia got?

[Shorty]

Yes, it's the iPhone 3G.

[Rambo]

I was about to pick one up at vodaphone for the $79 cap and pay $7.68 per month for the phone. It was there last one and all, but I just didn't have the money. I suppose I'll just wait till the iPhone's come in with Optus.

[castr8or]

I have a nokia built like a brick shithouse
it costs me $15 whenever i run out of credit which is usually every couple of months

I win

[Blue]

I was about to pick one up at vodaphone for the $79 cap and pay $7.68 per month for the phone. It was there last one and all, but I just didn't have the money. I suppose I'll just wait till the iPhone's come in with Optus.I've found that the best value plan for me is the Optus $59 cap. $59 a month, plus $7 handset repayments a month means that for $66 a month you get $350 worth of calls and 500MB of data a month, with 40c call rate per 30 secs.

The Optus $49 cap has handset repayments of $12, meaning that the overall cost is $61 a month. For the difference of $5, you lose $50 worth of calls, and 250MB of data. I decided to go with the extra 5 buck cost.

Vodaphone's plans weren't as good value, and I was looking at around $80 to get what I wanted.

I've signed up with Optus, it should arrive next week.

[TrinityJayOne]

I have a nokia built like a brick shithouse
it costs me $15 whenever i run out of credit which is usually every couple of months

I win
So you don't have any friends? :P

__________________
http://members.optusnet.com.au/trinityjayone/hosting/eatingpowderedtoast.gif
http://card.mygamercard.net/gbar/grill/trinityjayone.gif
Hey! How would you like your very own Powdered Toast, man? PLAY-ASIA don't sell it, but do they do sell great games stuff!
Buying with my link? Please "check out" within 7 days or it won't count! PM me with your purchase, every $10 spent = 1x pep! (http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-91bz-49-en.html)

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

Called the local Optus store today, but they won't have prepaid phones in until tomorrow.

Well it better be tomorrow or I'm going somewhere else.

[Blue]

Try Strathfield, they're a less popular option, and they might have some.

[castr8or]

So you don't have any friends? :P


I don't 'chat'

[Blue]

I don't chat, but I will now, just to show off my iWanker! :D

[Str8JaktJim]

Called the local Optus store today, but they won't have prepaid phones in until tomorrow.

Well it better be tomorrow or I'm going somewhere else.

where will you go when only optus sells it prepaid.

Also, post on iPhone ftw!

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

Authorised Optus dealer.

[Manny M]

Damn it! My Optus shop has more iPhones in, but i'm on the list for the next batch. I could've easily weaseled my way into getting one today, but I didnt... and in hindsight i'm annoyed.

[NetherWind]

So for those that have an IPhone how sensitive is the screen for touch screen usage?

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

Damn it! My Optus shop has more iPhones in, but i'm on the list for the next batch. I could've easily weaseled my way into getting one today, but I didnt... and in hindsight i'm annoyed.

I was calling around all morning for Optus prepaids, but it looks like they're out of stock till next week.

[Manny M]

I tried again before I left work. My one will be in on Monday or Tuesday.

[Str8JaktJim]

So for those that have an IPhone how sensitive is the screen for touch screen usage?

I find you have to press a little hard sometimes, but it's not too bad.

Also, has anybody else noticed that when you're talking on it like a phone your face doesn't activate the touchpad? I think it's been made so that when you have it upwards on a call it it auto-locks the key pad, but when you pull it away, it unlocks it.

Also, has anybody found a way to lock the keypad without having to wait a minute for the auto lock?

[NetherWind]

Can you lock it manually like most other phones or is it just auto lock after 60 seconds?

[Mr Incredible]

Also, has anybody found a way to lock the keypad without having to wait a minute for the auto lock?

Can you lock it manually like most other phones or is it just auto lock after 60 seconds?

Press the power button for half a second to switch the screen off. Like my Touch that should automatically mean the initial locked screen will come up if you accidentally press an external button.

Simple.

[UKG.]

So is it worth the hype? The Mrs wants one but the review on Attack of the show gave me some doubts.

[Lazlow]

I'd say unless you really really really have to have one, and have the cash, get it. Otherwise wait for the inevitable revisions (video, larger capacity, better web capabilities, more friendly headphone jack).

[Mr Incredible]

Better web capabilities? More friendly headphone jack?

Lazlow have you used an iPhone before?

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

Video?

[Lazlow]

Going reviews of the iPhone G3, hence why I have got one yet. Word was the web browser has problems with Java/Flash sites (which clearly can be fixed with an update) and the headphone jack is unfriedly with certain jacks, especially thicker pro-headphone jacks.

Video?

Doesn't record video. Though their are apparently some 3rd parties tools that can allow it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not slagging the product, but it just seems to be missing some deal sweeteners for the asking price, and knowing how the iPod progressed, there will be revisions made.

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

Oh, I thought you meant video playback.

Apparently they can't send MMS either (did I read that here?).

That seems stupid.

[Shorty]

I had wondered about that (Optus do link you to a Web address where you can login and view MMSs, but I haven't gotten it to work yet and it feels somewhat convoluted). Perhaps that'll be fixed in a future update?

[Manny M]

Perhaps it has something to do with Apple wanting you to use MobileMe?

[Lazlow]

Yeah no MMS. I don't think MMS really took off to be honest, and mobile email is probably a better more stable solution.

[Mr Incredible]

Going reviews of the iPhone G3, hence why I have got one yet. Word was the web browser has problems with Java/Flash sites (which clearly can be fixed with an update) and the headphone jack is unfriedly with certain jacks, especially thicker pro-headphone jacks.



Doesn't record video. Though their are apparently some 3rd parties tools that can allow it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not slagging the product, but it just seems to be missing some deal sweeteners for the asking price, and knowing how the iPod progressed, there will be revisions made.

I knew the first gen iPhone had a recessed headphone jack...and I knew Apple had implemented a flush port with the new one, so I wouldn't have thought there were any problems.

I've been using Safari on my iPod Touch for months now, and the absence of flash is so trivial it's not funny! Browsing on the iPhone/Touch is hands down the most awesome mobile web experience you can have! I've done banking on it! Besides Flash it's pretty much exactly like browsing on a desktop. Plus the touch screen zooming and panning make it such an intuitive and easy way to browse.

If Apple had added a 32GB model at launch I'd have sold my 32GB Touch and jumped in immediately. After seeing the capabilities of Apple's mobile OS over the last year, it's hard not to be excited about the future of the iPhone and what it's truly capable of. As it is, I'm going to have to wait until before Christmas when Apple refresh the iPod line. And hopefully they'll add a 32GB iPhone!

It's funny how so many people are amazed at all the hype for the iPhone...as though it's nothing really special. If you've used one on a daily basis and seen how expandable and flexible it is, you would be able to see how it's changing what a mobile phone is truly capable of.

A work colleague went out last weekend to get a phone and was talked into buying a Nokia N95, after being told the iPhone can't send MMS and wasn't really THAT good. Mind you he's pretty ignorant about computers. Though the thing that got me was how surprised he was about all the hype the iPhone's been getting, when it was such a bad phone. I just shook my head.

When buying something, why don't people do any research, any research for themselves rather than taking people's opinions. The salesperson could be trying to get rid of N95's because the N96's coming down the line or because there were no iPhone's left to sell to him!

It's probably more about my frustration with this particular person, however I'm sure there are a great deal of people who make similiar choices. They've probably got more important things to think about though, don't they?

But honestly...it frustrates me when people don't do any research or give any thought to how they spend there money!

[Lazlow]

Wouldn't the absence of Flash mean any Flash based websites are entirely unviewable?

Lollin @ being talked into a N95. People are idiots though.

[Shorty]

Yeah no MMS. I don't think MMS really took off to be honest, and mobile email is probably a better more stable solution.

I didn't know people still used MMS, to be honest.

[Manny M]

I do. I guess it is pointless though when you can use a MUCH better medium like e-mail.

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

Nokia N95

*Google image searches*

Oh my brother just bought one of those.

He's pretty happy with it.

[Flaps]

Lollin @ being talked into a N95.

I own one. They're ok (if you get a discount <_<)

If you went into a Telstra store chances are they would offer you that or a HTC Touch Diamond, there's no way they are going to be selling out many iPhone contracts.

[StorminNorman]

I kinda-sorta feel as though the N95 was the phone I should have got instead of my E65. The E65 is actually not a great phone— I have a lot of trouble with the OS (I guess this would be a problem on the N95 too, though) and the phone doesn't really feel like it's very well-made.

As soon as I can, though, I'll get myself an iPhone. Apparently I haven't been on my contract long enough yet to be able to upgrade.

[Str8JaktJim]

With the no MMS thing, the reason for that is that individual providers have not yet developed the software to allow you to do that on their network, nothing to do with Apple. Same with internet parts of it (like Vodafone Live or Optus Zoo), but a data plan makes the internet part a little redundant.

[UKG.]

I heard no picture messaging?? WTF is that true?

[JONO RANDOM H3RO]

Yep read the whole last page.. Stupid but Apple's excuse is people would rather use email.

[Shorty]

Well, how many people actually use MMS anyway? It's not just an "excuse", it literally is made obsolete by mobile email.

[UKG.]

I do but I may be in the Minority. I just send pictures of what my son has made etc to his grandparents as he has made it. Or the last one i did was of the HUGE steaks i bought for a BBQ im having tomorrow to a cple of blokes that are coming. I was in the supermarket so I took a snap shot and stated
" you bring the beer " heres the cow you will be eating. Just quick and fun.

[Watchers]

Well, how many people actually use MMS anyway? It's not just an "excuse", it literally is made obsolete by mobile email.

Would have thought more phones would be able to send/recieve MMS than email, hence it isn't obsolete yet.

[Shorty]

Considering how widespread mobile Internet access is becoming, MMS doesn't have long to go.

[SOX]

Wouldn't the absence of Flash mean any Flash based websites are entirely unviewable?

Lollin @ being talked into a N95. People are idiots though.

What's wrong with an N95 exactly? I just got one for $405 and its pretty cool, the 5 megapixel camera and OS are rock solid. It's my third Symbian phone and it's easily the best one I've had so far (N-Gage, 6600, now N95).

[Lazlow]

Just that the N96 will hit stores in a month or two with an improved feature set.

* 16GB of integrated memory (as opposed to 8GB for N95 8GB), plus further extensibility via microSD memory card
* 2.8 inch display with 16 million colours (same as N95 8GB, versus 2.6" display for original N95)
* USB speed changed from USB 2.0 full speed to high-speed (40x faster)
* Camera flash is a dual-LED in the N96 while it is only a single LED in the N95
* New audio DSP for improved audio quality and longer playback time
* New version of Nokia Video Centre
* Longer music playback time (14 hrs) and video playback time (5 hrs)
* Windows Media WMV9 video codec is added
* Hardware acceleration for video codecs for H.264 and WMV (as well as MPEG4 as before)
* Location tagging (geotagging) of pictures, using the integrated GPS
* Mobile TV DVB-H receiver is built into N96
* New release of Nokia Experience Software
o Maps 2.0 with satellite images, upgrade to pedestrian mode and voice-guided car navigation
o Internet Radio pre-installed
o Home Media Solution (sync with DLNA / UPnP devices over WLAN)
o Online sharing of pictures with plugins for Flickr, Ovi Share and other services (Can be added on N95 with newer version of Share Online Application)
* S60 3rd Edition is upgraded from Feature Pack 1 to Feature Pack 2
o Symbian OS is upgraded from version 9.2 to 9.3
o The J2ME engine is upgraded from MIDP 2.0 to MIDP 2.1
o User data is preserved when upgrading firmware (This feature is also present on the N95-2 as v21 installs UDP base files)
* The FM radio is upgraded with RDS
* Limited graphics acceleration (only for internal apps)
* N96 is a dual-band HSDPA (900 and 2100 MHz) while N95 was a single band (2100)
* MicroSD memory card slot (as in original N95, while N95 8GB has no card slot)
* Same battery as original N95 (950 mAh), but the N96 reportedly has a much better battery life.
* No need to open the slide for optimal GPS reception
* Naviwheel (rocker has touch sensitive mode to scroll through music collection etc)
* New design
o Landscape-oriented design (landscape oriented speakers, connectors and buttons located optimally for landscape use)
o Flip-out kickstand
o Media keys available in all modes (even when slide is closed, for background control of music)
o Media keys on short side can transform into gaming keys
o Lockswitch (enables quick lock / unlock of keypad)
o Thinner and lighter than N95 8GB
* No infra-red port on N96

[UKG.]

What's wrong with an N95 exactly? I just got one for $405 and its pretty cool, the 5 megapixel camera and OS are rock solid. It's my third Symbian phone and it's easily the best one I've had so far (N-Gage, 6600, now N95).

So you were 1 of the 3 N-Gage buyers in Australia :p

[SOX]

Just that the N96 will hit stores in a month or two with an improved feature set.

I doubt you would be able to get one unlocked not on a plan for $405 though so I think I still came out alright.

[Shorty]

So who has some apps on their iPhone? What about ringtones?

[nintendo]

Ive got a few apps and ring tones (thanks again for the tip str8jktjim). Got the phone saber, French, German and Mandarin, Mix Scratch, Midomi, Cowbell (yes its a cowbell) and a whole bunch more that I cant remember right now. Ive got almost 3 full pages of apps now. (Incl the starting ones)

The one app I am looking forward to is being released on the 28th. Its an app that lets you transfer files through wifi and lets you use the phone as a standard USB. Good thing about that is that any music or photos you might put on it, unlike the iPod, can actually be used and viewed on the iPhone. Its going to be $7 (US).

[Lazlow]

I doubt you would be able to get one unlocked not on a plan for $405 though so I think I still came out alright.


Trade off of getting a new phone I guess :p

[Jickle]

What's wrong with an N95 exactly? I just got one for $405 and its pretty cool, the 5 megapixel camera and OS are rock solid. It's my third Symbian phone and it's easily the best one I've had so far (N-Gage, 6600, now N95).

In my experience, working in a phone store, the failure rate is seriously about 40%. I hate the N95.

[Lazlow]

Have Nokia turned to shit lately? My former co-worked went through 2, both ******ing up on her (random shutdowns, not ringing, blank screens, etc). Wasn't an N95.

[Blue]

Nokias used to be rock-solid, with the most intuitive inteface. Now they're all style over substance, with supposedly 'trendy' looking handsets and clumsy interfaces.

My Samsung shits all over any current Nokia in terms of elegance and ease of use. And my iPhone will shit all over the Samsung.

[Jickle]

Have Nokia turned to shit lately?

Yes. I try to steer people away from Nokias as much as possible, even though the N95 is easily the most potentially profitable phone we have in store. All their recent models we've received have been absolutely plagued with problems, far more than any other models. Granted, we generally sell more Nokias too, but it's still an issue that has been noticed by phone shops all over the state, and, more and more, the consumer. This used to be the case with Motorola too, but they've really cleaned up their act on most of their phones. Not so much the Hiptop, which still has a gaggle of issues, but, say, the V9 is one of my favourite phones on the market at the moment.

Nokia has a strong image of a safe bet- about twenty people a day tell me, with alarming pride in their voice, "I have always had Nokia, and have never had a problem"- but they've gotten really lazy with a lot of their newer models. Also, apparently, they refuse to replace batteries in a 6120 if they overheat. Which they do, fairly often. So yeah, avoid Nokias.

[Gemerald]

Have Nokia turned to shit lately? My former co-worked went through 2, both ******ing up on her (random shutdowns, not ringing, blank screens, etc). Wasn't an N95.

Yeah, they are the current Motorola. The last Nokia I will ever own is the 8210.

[Nic Xtreme]

Yes. I try to steer people away from Nokias as much as possible, even though the N95 is easily the most potentially profitable phone we have in store. All their recent models we've received have been absolutely plagued with problems, far more than any other models. Granted, we generally sell more Nokias too, but it's still an issue that has been noticed by phone shops all over the state, and, more and more, the consumer. This used to be the case with Motorola too, but they've really cleaned up their act on most of their phones. Not so much the Hiptop, which still has a gaggle of issues, but, say, the V9 is one of my favourite phones on the market at the moment.

Nokia has a strong image of a safe bet- about twenty people a day tell me, with alarming pride in their voice, "I have always had Nokia, and have never had a problem"- but they've gotten really lazy with a lot of their newer models. Also, apparently, they refuse to replace batteries in a 6120 if they overheat. Which they do, fairly often. So yeah, avoid Nokias.

Shit, are you serious? We've always had Nokias in our household (we certainly don't have recent phones, though) - mine's an old 6020 with an SAR of 0.6 and I lurrrrve it! I thought what you've just been saying has been happening - out of a sample of my friends' phones, 4/4 slidey ones have had to be repaired, 2/2 older Nokia flip phones have had to be repaired, and 3/3 have had no problems with their newer motorolas...

...pity, then, that Nokia have shat themselves in terms of build...

[StorminNorman]

I had a lot of trouble with my E65 crashing before I updated its firmware. Unfortunately, the update also wiped the onboard storage clean, eating all the stuff I had installed there.

I've had fewer problems with it crashing, but the system still has terrible responsiveness, the camera still sucks monkeys and the phone always feels like it will come apart when you slide it open.

[Blue]

I was always wary of slide and flip phones, I thought they'd feel flimsy, but my Samsung has been with me for a year, and the slide mechanism still feels substantial, and isn't loose or wobbly at all. It has that nice, variable, magnetic feel to it.

It's all irrelevant though, anyway. In two years, 70% will have an iPhone.

[Rambo]

The only way I can get one apparently is to already sign myself up to a $49 optus plan without the phone, and then I become a 'priority' customer. They send the phone out to the store and I get it in about 10 days...

You think it's worth it?

[Blue]

Why is that the only way?

But I think that $50 is about the sweet-spot for mobile plans, where you start to get good value without having to spend too much.

The only thing with that option, I assume you only need to make small handset repayments?

[Lazlow]

That's for the 8Gb iPhone too, innit?

[Blue]

See, for the 16GB model, I could have gone on a $49 or a $59. And while the $49 sounds $10 cheaper, the handset repayments of $12 versus $7 respectively meant that the $59 plan ended up only $5 more expensive, not $10.

$49 cap + $12 handset repayments = $61 ($300 calls, 250MB data)
$59 cap + $7 handset repayments = $66 ($350 calls, 500MB data)
* both 16GB on a 24 month plan

[Rambo]

Oh, I'm on $49 cap paying $7 per month for the 8gb model.

Optus FTW!
I still haven't got the phone yet >_>

[Blue]

From that I can gather that if you go up to the 16GB, the handset repayments just take a step to the left. So for the 8GB, the $59 plan would have handset repayments of $2, whereas to get $2 repayments on a 16GB, you need to go on the $69 plan, and so forth.

When does yours arrive? I was told early-mid this week for mine. It had better arrive by Friday, or I will kill a man for every day beyond then.

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

The one app I am looking forward to is being released on the 28th. Its an app that lets you transfer files through wifi and lets you use the phone as a standard USB. Good thing about that is that any music or photos you might put on it, unlike the iPod, can actually be used and viewed on the iPhone. Its going to be $7 (US).

Name/link?

Also I'm pretty sure you can view music and photos on an iPhone.

[Shorty]

I know that the iPhone will display your iPhoto collection and the stuff you've taken with the iPhone's camera, but I don't know about just random photos and whatnot.

[nintendo]

Name/link?

Also I'm pretty sure you can view music and photos on an iPhone.

Took me awhile but I found the link here. (http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2008/07/datacase_app_brings_file_browser__wireless_data_tr ansfer_to_iphone__ipod_touch-2.html)


Being able to use the iPhone or iPod touch for basic data storage and file browsing has been a missing feature for over a year now. But an app called DataCase, available July 28, claims it will finally turn the iPhone or iTouch into a "handheld wireless drive." DataCase uses Bonjour in the same manner as Air Disk—which means the iPhone's drive will automatically appear in a Mac's finder. Once you have files on the iPhone, you can browse, view and even delete them. Since the app works with any "wirelessly capable computer," PCs and Linux are also supported. For only US$7 bucks this apps sounds way too good to be true. Let's hope it isn't.

EDIT: Thought Id add that for the lazy people who wont click link...

[Blue]

I want my mother-****ing iPhone.

Wait, I don't think it does **** mothers. No. That, and MMS.

[nkbswe5]

As good as the iPhone is, I feel that the only reason I've enjoyed it is because I've unlocked it and played 3rd party games. AppStore seems OK (I still can't get the 2.0 upgrade or my phone will lock and complain that I'm not using AT&T >.>) but it offers essentially the same things as I could get free on Installer on my 1st (2nd?) Gen phone.

Overall, its good to show off with and it really really sucks that it doesn't have bluetooth, I can record movies, take photos, but cant send (or recieve) stuff from anyone

[Blue]

Doesn't the new one have Bluetooth?

[nintendo]

it does have Bluetooth bit it doesn't have the ability to share files natively, which is why I'm looking forward tonthe program in my post above.I think that there will be apps that come available on the app store that will givev you the ability to send via Bluetooth files. Just like joy can be mms program and. Lice dialing program.

(done on iPhone ftw. Geting so much betts at using the keyboard quickly, but still gt a few errors)

[Blue]

Third-party apps will solve absolutely every issue.

Except the lack of a front-on camera.

[nintendo]

lol yeah. Just out of curiosity, but can people with video call, call me and I can see them but they wouldn't be able to we me?

[Shorty]

You've been posting on your iPhone, haven't you? :p

[Blue]

i wnat myiphon e NOw DAMNIT!!

(posting from my in-transit iPhone)

[Shorty]

Really? Is it cramped in that UPS package, Blue? :p

[Blue]

I bet you're wondering how I charged the thing...

[StorminNorman]

I would assume that, like most Apple products with batteries, it came pre-charged.

[Shorty]

Funnily enough, it did.

[Manny M]

I'm still waiting for mine and getting angrier by the day.

[nintendo]

So far after seeing mine Ive convinced 2 other people to get an iPhone. Ive also made a friend of mine who just invested in a Hiptop extremely jealous. Any one else been spreading the good word?

[Shorty]

My game design teacher was almost as rabid to get one as I was, so it's probable that he'll have one when I return to TAFE next week.

[nintendo]

I'm still waiting for mine and getting angrier by the day.

You've got good reason to be angry. My uncle that ordered his phone last Friday picked his up last night, so I would be really suspicious about it taking so long for you to get one. That's because a friend of mine who has an iPhone on order at the same shop that my uncle, (and myself), got his from is still waiting on his Sven though he ordered his on the Saturday that the iPhone came out.

And yes, before anyone points out I am intact typing on my iPhone again lol ;)

[Str8JaktJim]

Back to iPhone Apps, has anyone been using Shazam? This nifty little gadget is a free app, but uses the internet. What it does is listen to a song for about 10 or 15 seconds, then jumps onto the internet and tries to find the name of a song and the artist that performs it. It also provides links for iTunes if you want to buy it, but I think it's handy to find out what a song is called. I tried it a couple of times with songs I knew, which it worked with, but cover songs it doesn't do well with (unless it's a fairly well known cover), but for a free application, it's pretty cool.

I also picked up the Rotary Dialer app, (also free) which turns your touch screen into the old rotary dialer that the really old phones used to have. It's a nice little throw back, and it is free, so the price is right :P

I've also picked up a (free) game called Aurora Feint, which is supposed to be an MMO, but I haven't come across any MMO elements yet. I've just been playing the game to level up and build equipment. I'm hoping that it will update when I get the net at home again and boot up iTunes.

[Shorty]

And yes, before anyone points out I am intact typing on my iPhone again lol ;)

Well, I'm glad to hear it. I suppose being broken would make that somewhat more difficult. :p

[Rambo]

Ok, so I'm finally part of the iPhone club.

Should I 'Jailbreak' my phone or should I just keep it as is?

I'm on the $49 cap paying $10 a month for the phone for 24 months. Pure Bliss.

[Lazlow]

I'm comfortable with cracking a 2nd hand PSP, but a $1000 phone.

D:

So how far does 100mb of data go?

[Rambo]

Not far hey. Using the Youtube function can drain it with 2 5 min video's.

If you need to use the internet, use it a home with a wireless network. Defeats the purpose I know, but you will be spending so much in fee's.

[Blue]

Not far hey. Using the Youtube function can drain it with 2 5 min video's.

If you need to use the internet, use it a home with a wireless network. Defeats the purpose I know, but you will be spending so much in fee's.Oh yeah, it hadn't occurred to me that I can browse it at home from free... Awesome. I can impress my mates with flashy Youtube vids, without needing to pay.

[Lazlow]

2 5min youtube videos should only be about 10mb >_>

[Rambo]

YOUKNOWWHATIMEANGODDAMMIT!awer

[Blue]

2 5min youtube videos should only be about 10mb >_>So for 500MB worth of data, I can get... 500 minutes? Sweet.

Should've taken my plan, Rambo. :P

[Rambo]

It would be cool to have some extra downloads I admit.

But I'm a music student. That's double poor. And I work at EB Games.

EDIT: Also a Bassist. I think that means I'm dumb too.

[Lazlow]

At least you're not a drummer!

[Blue]

It would be cool to have some extra downloads I admit.

But I'm a music student. That's double poor. And I work at EB Games.

EDIT: Also a Bassist. I think that means I'm dumb too.Where are you studying?

$59 cap + $7 handset charges = $350 + 500MB each month.

:D

[Rambo]

gay :(

Oh I live in WA at Leederville Tafe.

Our band totally has some sick new songs made. Give us a month and I'll upload them for you guys.

[Blue]

Sweet. What kind of stuff do you play? I'm guessing metal.

I'm going to enquire as to the whereabouts of my mother-****ing iPhone tomorrow. I can't take it anymore.

[Rambo]

Meh. I don't like playing metal, listening is all right though.

We play a lot of Strokes Covers, but I guess that's just because we all like them. Kinda like that stuff, I've got some really really really really really rough stuff I can send you so you can listen.

[Blue]

Sweet man, my kind of music. We're the same, but with The Libertines.

Just get a MySpace to chuck songs on.

THEN YOU CAN VIEW IT ON YOUR IPHONE.

No warning. OT.

[Rambo]

Hah, we are just about to cover a Libertines song. But personally I have never listened to them before :(

I forget the song name though.

EDIT: iPhone.

[Blue]

I will fill my 16GB iPhone with Libertines songs.

Buy Up The Bracket, you won't regret it. They're better than The Strokes. Then you can load the album onto your iPhone. And listen to it. On your iPhone.

What's your band called?

[Rambo]

A Tall Glass of Water :P

The iPhone speaker is all right, but I still think that headphones are way cooler.

[Blue]

Haha, mine's Down At The Waterside. Funny. Came to me in a dream, for real. Where'd you pull yours from?

I'm really impressed with the variety of fun, free apps on the newly-implemented App Store.

[Rambo]

I'm gunna stand outside people's windows with my new iTunes remote and change all their music to my bands music!

I win.

I have no idea where the name came from, it just sounded cool I suppose. Go and listen to the song now Blue!

[Blue]

The song isn't working, fool! I've said that twice already.

And iPhone is here, bitches. iPhone is here.

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

Interesting article I found over at Gizmondo:

Why We Still Need the iPhone App Black Market. (http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2008/07/why_we_still_need_the_iphone_app_black_market-2.html)

[Rambo]

How do you make phone calls by typing in the number? When I go to keypad, it sounds like I'm pressing the buttons, but the numbers just flash and go away, and when I press call it won't actually call anyone at all.

I can call people via contacts though.

[Blue]

I just type in the number, and press call. Don't know where you're going wrong! :P

[Rambo]

Are the numbers meant to show up on the screen above?

Is the call button meant to take so long to change screens???

[Blue]

They stay on the 1 1/2 cm blue strip at the top, then you press 'call', and it'll call straight away.

Can anyone tell me what the buttons do around the edges? I know the volume ones, and the one on top seems to turn the screen off, and lock it, but i'm not sure if it turns the phone off entirely? And what does the small button do on the left, near the volume controls?