Pros/Cons of Iphone 3g

[shawn99]

I'm more interested in finding the cons as the pros haven't been discussed quite a bit already

Cons:
-A-GPS...Not very accurate as the gps has to triangulte based on the cell towers? Does it contain a true gps receiver like SiRFstar III? What chip is being used in Iphone 3g?

-Built-in camera is only 2 Megapixels and video cannot be recorded.

-No expandable memory slot.

-keyboard is not tactile, difficult to use. In

[Coolme]

See my sig for software cons.

[flexwong]

I'm more interested in finding the cons as the pros haven't been discussed quite a bit already

Cons:
-A-GPS...Not very accurate as the gps has to triangulte based on the cell towers? Does it contain a true gps receiver like SiRFstar III? What chip is being used in Iphone 3g?

-Built-in camera is only 2 Megapixels and video cannot be recorded.

-No expandable memory slot.

-keyboard is not tactile, difficult to use. In

don't worry, a fanboy will come along and tell you that all the cons can be fixed by dloading an app. even expandable memory apparently:lol:

[trixstar]

don't worry, a fanboy will come along and tell you that all the cons can be fixed by dloading an app. even expandable memory apparently:lol:

i sense an apple h8ter..

[Darko]

See my sig for software cons.

wow thats allot im not sure i want iphone anymore lol

[flexwong]

i sense an apple h8ter..

nope, just saying what i've heard a million times over the past week.

[Coolme]

wow thats allot im not sure i want iphone anymore lol

The iPhone is still a capable phone despite what's missing from it. In terms of functionality, it falls between standard personal (non-smart/clamshell...) phones and blackberry(s)/WM phones.

Think of it as a 'next-gen' standard personal phone.

Of course, that is until Apple ships out a new firmware, which will probably add more functionality to the phone.

[veryhuman]

I'm more interested in finding the cons as the pros haven't been discussed quite a bit already

Cons:
-A-GPS...Not very accurate as the gps has to triangulte based on the cell towers? Does it contain a true gps receiver like SiRFstar III? What chip is being used in Iphone 3g?

-Built-in camera is only 2 Megapixels and video cannot be recorded.

-No expandable memory slot.

-keyboard is not tactile, difficult to use. In


I find the GPS on the iPhone to be very fast (cold start) and accurate, compared to my Garmin. Apple calls it "Assisted GPS" which on their features page (http://www.apple.com/ca/iphone/features/maps.html) talks about combining GPS, Wi-Fi, and cell tower location technology. So its safe to say it does have a GPS chip, but what kind is unknown to me.

Totally agree with you on the camera, and lack of video, and ontop of that, lack of built in on phone editing (I mean come on, its a touch screen..)

Expandable memory is really a no brainer for a pda.

I didnt mind the keyboard, but found the auto correct program annoying (and no way to turn it off), when I want to say '****', it changes it to 'duck'... or a 'o' (short for 'oh') into 'I'...

What also bothers me is that I cant download documents off my email and edit them. Lack of file manager to send photos/documents (via bluetooth) to other devices.

And not being able to copy and paste is annoying.

There are some pros, but these cons are so basic to miss, it speaks volumes.

[B0000rt]

I'm more interested in finding the cons as the pros haven't been discussed quite a bit already

Cons:
-A-GPS...Not very accurate as the gps has to triangulte based on the cell towers? Does it contain a true gps receiver like SiRFstar III? What chip is being used in Iphone 3g?

-Built-in camera is only 2 Megapixels and video cannot be recorded.

-No expandable memory slot.

-keyboard is not tactile, difficult to use. In

-No Copy paste functionality

-2 Megapixels is fine for a camera IMO, but the quality on it is sub par, and does not have autofocus.

-No MMS

yes, the 3G version contains REAL GPS. Jeez, I would've thought you would research this atleast.

[Nutchos]

The iphone does have a real gps but the problem comes from the software. It's really annoying using google maps for turn by turn directions cause even tho it does them, u have to hit a button to go from turn to turn. Also I'm not sure if it has a feature to make the screen follow u as you move but I haven't found it yet (very annoying). However aside from these 2 issues, everything else works really dam well, especially finding businesses or other places just by name searches.

Hopefully this gets fixed when some company releases their own gps software.

I really don't mind the space limitation, I was going for a 16gb but I convinced myself there was no way I was even going to fill a cellphone with 8gb's of data. The camera is pretty lacking though, especially the no video thing (wtf? why would they leave that out).

Anyway, didn't have too many expectations going into the purchase, just wanted a new phone. However, this thing is VERY impressive. For everything it does right, the few cons it has can easily be looked over.

[reactor]

The GPS is actually quite accurate, but it doesn't have turn by turn voice navigation, which sucks.

The camera portion is 'fine'. I have a camera that I use for taking real pictures, so a camera phone to me is just for quick snaps. I do wish it recorded video though.

Memory slot is an issue if you make it one. Personally I have the 8gb and still have 4gbs free. I don't see space becoming an issue for me.

The keyboard is a little tricky at first, but you get used to it after a few days and the auto correct is pretty good for when you do make mistakes. Its not as fast or accurate as a physical keyboard, but its pretty good and much more flexible(the keys change based on the app, .com and the like).

c&p is a huge oversight. I don't know why this wasn't fixed after the first gen.

some things can be fixed with new apps(gps, mms), but on the whole I think they were leaving some stuff out so they could release a new version next year and get everyone to buy that instead.

[caRpetbomBer]

iphone does record video. Where have you guys been in a cave?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd30Vd6UYcw

[Majoram]

Hmm was just about to pose a similar question.

It seems there are some simple things missing that would make the phone annoying. My main concerns were using the keyboard (I got thick fingers), the applications and the browser.

Seeing simple things below missing definitely makes me think twice:
Phone
-Can't delete single entries in 'recents' call list
-If you sync your contacts with exchange, you can't add your personal contacts unless you add them to exchange
-Can't add/modify contact groups
-Contacts list can't be configured to show name and company name simultaneously

Mail
-No horizontal keyboard mode
-Only attachments you can send are photo attachments
-No support for sending multiple attachments
-No horizontal view when viewing office suite documents
-Can't save attachments unless it's a picture attachment
-Can't delete multiple characters simultaneously when writing email and can't select text to be quoted in replies
-Can't delete all emails in trash manually (auto delete after x days is available in settings)

..... There's just too much simple stuff wrong with the email part and all I want is just basic features. Nothing too demanding like opening ZIP attachments from the email etc.

Thanks btw! I think I will wait until a better firmware is out or better apps come to fill in the gaps.

Of course there is the Andriod phones and BB Thunder coming in the next few months!

[7-Endless]

Hmm was just about to pose a similar question.

It seems there are some simple things missing that would make the phone annoying. My main concerns were using the keyboard (I got thick fingers), the applications and the browser.

Seeing simple things below missing definitely makes me think twice:
Phone
-Can't delete single entries in 'recents' call list
-If you sync your contacts with exchange, you can't add your personal contacts unless you add them to exchange
-Can't add/modify contact groups
-Contacts list can't be configured to show name and company name simultaneously

Mail
-No horizontal keyboard mode
-Only attachments you can send are photo attachments
-No support for sending multiple attachments
-No horizontal view when viewing office suite documents
-Can't save attachments unless it's a picture attachment
-Can't delete multiple characters simultaneously when writing email and can't select text to be quoted in replies
-Can't delete all emails in trash manually (auto delete after x days is available in settings)

..... There's just too much simple stuff wrong with the email part and all I want is just basic features. Nothing too demanding like opening ZIP attachments from the email etc.

Thanks btw! I think I will wait until a better firmware is out or better apps come to fill in the gaps.

Of course there is the Andriod phones and BB Thunder coming in the next few months!



We picked up iPhones at our work instead of blackberry's (mainly to save on cost) and although it is lacking the features mentioned above - if you just mainly need a device for reading email and sending the odd reply - it does the job. If you need the features right away then you are probably better off going with a BB Curve or similar or wait for the BB Bold or BB Thunder (if you want the touchscreen LCD style similar to the iPhone).


P.S. Phonesaber rocks! LOL

[shawn99]

How well does the iphone handle like a 50 meg PDF or even a 100 meg PDF file?

[veryhuman]

iphone does record video. Where have you guys been in a cave?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd30Vd6UYcw

It doesnt do it out of the box.

[shawn99]

2. Can’t use the GPS like a GPS.
Forget about getting turn-by-turn voice directions in your car from the new iPhone 3G. The iPhone SDK makes it pretty clear it’s not allowed, “Applications may not be designed or marketed for real time guidance.” Yes it will superimpose your position on a Google map, or show you the closest pizzeria but what about getting real-time route guidance? If you read reviews for other GPS devices you never come across a GPS that doesn’t provide some form of guidance. There’s a rumor that TomTom may be developing a guidance application but you have to wonder how they’ll get it past the Apple police.

3. Can’t tether the iPhone to your laptop.
Want to save sixty dollars per month for a 3G card for your laptop and use the iPhone instead? Not going to happen—not allowed. Although there are plenty of phones, including AT&T’s Tilt, that will allow you to use your 3G phone as a high speed modem for your laptop, the iPhone won’t be one of them so you can add the cost of a 3G card for your laptop at $720 a year to your total cost of ownership.

4. Still no cut and paste.
Cut and paste has been around on Apple computers since the earliest Mac Plus computers. What’s the big problem with implementing it on iPhones? Why is cut and paste so important? Suppose you’re browsing a web site and want to capture some text or a URL, or someone sent you an email and you want to grab some text from it and send to someone else. Not possible on an iPhone. Speaking of email, where’s the spell checker? Predictive typing is fine but spell checkers are everywhere else but here.

5. Wimpy 2 MP camera.
In the world of 5 MP Smartphones and 10 MP point and shoot cameras that you can buy for under $200, why is the iPhone still stuck with a measly 2 MP? That’s so 2003. While we’re at it how come we can’t record video, afraid the non-existent SD card might fill up? The iPhone should be able to stream video by now just like many other cell phones can already do right now.

6. No stereo Bluetooth.
We thought the iPhone was supposed to be part iPod. At least they fixed the recessed headphone jack flaw (and called it a new feature) but the A2DP stereo Bluetooth standard has been around for a while and is missing from the iPhone.

7. The list goes on.
Still no Flash player for rich media content (what grudge does Steve Jobs hold against Adobe). Still can’t send pictures in MMS messages, still no native voice dialing, no mobile TV, no replaceable battery, no flash memory card, and on and on.


Source: http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/22279/52271-seven-reasons-new-iphone-sucks?CMP=ILC-BigDddyWdgt

[flexwong]

2. Can’t use the GPS like a GPS.
Forget about getting turn-by-turn voice directions in your car from the new iPhone 3G. The iPhone SDK makes it pretty clear it’s not allowed, “Applications may not be designed or marketed for real time guidance.” Yes it will superimpose your position on a Google map, or show you the closest pizzeria but what about getting real-time route guidance? If you read reviews for other GPS devices you never come across a GPS that doesn’t provide some form of guidance. There’s a rumor that TomTom may be developing a guidance application but you have to wonder how they’ll get it past the Apple police.

3. Can’t tether the iPhone to your laptop.
Want to save sixty dollars per month for a 3G card for your laptop and use the iPhone instead? Not going to happen—not allowed. Although there are plenty of phones, including AT&T’s Tilt, that will allow you to use your 3G phone as a high speed modem for your laptop, the iPhone won’t be one of them so you can add the cost of a 3G card for your laptop at $720 a year to your total cost of ownership.

4. Still no cut and paste.
Cut and paste has been around on Apple computers since the earliest Mac Plus computers. What’s the big problem with implementing it on iPhones? Why is cut and paste so important? Suppose you’re browsing a web site and want to capture some text or a URL, or someone sent you an email and you want to grab some text from it and send to someone else. Not possible on an iPhone. Speaking of email, where’s the spell checker? Predictive typing is fine but spell checkers are everywhere else but here.

5. Wimpy 2 MP camera.
In the world of 5 MP Smartphones and 10 MP point and shoot cameras that you can buy for under $200, why is the iPhone still stuck with a measly 2 MP? That’s so 2003. While we’re at it how come we can’t record video, afraid the non-existent SD card might fill up? The iPhone should be able to stream video by now just like many other cell phones can already do right now.

6. No stereo Bluetooth.
We thought the iPhone was supposed to be part iPod. At least they fixed the recessed headphone jack flaw (and called it a new feature) but the A2DP stereo Bluetooth standard has been around for a while and is missing from the iPhone.

7. The list goes on.
Still no Flash player for rich media content (what grudge does Steve Jobs hold against Adobe). Still can’t send pictures in MMS messages, still no native voice dialing, no mobile TV, no replaceable battery, no flash memory card, and on and on.


Source: http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/22279/52271-seven-reasons-new-iphone-sucks?CMP=ILC-BigDddyWdgt

+1 to everything. it doesn't matter if an app is developed to fix each and everyone one of these problems, the fact remains the phone doesn't do it out of the box.

[veryhuman]

How well does the iphone handle like a 50 meg PDF or even a 100 meg PDF file?

So I tried opening a 11MB PDF file off of an email attachement on the iPhone. It didnt work... It said the file was too large. I'm guessing the cut off might be 10MB.

[johnwayne]

+1 to everything. it doesn't matter if an app is developed to fix each and everyone one of these problems, the fact remains the phone doesn't do it out of the box.

Don't forget you need iTunes.

[flexwong]

Don't forget you need iTunes.

probably the biggest drawback to me of getting an iphone, having to install that damn program back into my computer.