iPhone 3G: FAQs

Is the iPhone a replacement for an iPod?

Store up to 8GB of data on your iPhone

Technically it is, but it’s not really a practical solution. The iPhone is only available on an 18 month contract, for a minimum monthly cost of £30, plus an initial £99 fee from Apple, O2 and the Carphone Warehouse for the 8GB model. The 16GB version costs £159. More expensive tariffs, which range up to £75, see the iPhone available for free.

If you just need a music player, its much cheaper, and simpler, just to buy an iPod Touch. This has the same functionality as the iPhone, apart from calls, 3G and GPS features.

And although the iPhone’s memory capacity is much greater than that found on other mobile phones it still doesn’t match that of a regular iPod Classic, especially now that the memory capacity of the iPod classic has increased to 160GB.

Can I use the iPhone as a replacement for a BlackBerry?

While both are smartphones, they’re not really comparable devices, though the release of the iPhone 3G takes a massive step towards providing solutions for businesses.

The BlackBerry’s principal function is sending and receiving emails while on the go. The iPhone 3G offers Yahoo Mail, MobileMe and business accounts to deliver a similar ‘push’ email service in which new messages appear in real time.

For other accounts, the iPhone checks either periodically (every 15, 30 or 60 minutes) or when you tap the Check button. Similarly, while you can view emailed Word, Excel and PDF attachments on the iPhone, you can’t create new ones, although you can edit some types of document. New applications can be downloaded from the App Store that will allow users to buy software that delivers specific features not included in the out-of-the-box model.

Do I have to take out a contract with O2?

Under an exclusive arrangement with O2, iPhone 3G customers have been ‘locked’ in to an indefinite rolling contract for their phone calls. And Apple has said that if users unlock their phone, and sign up with a different mobile network, the iPhone 3G could become ‘permanently inoperable’ if users then try and download software updates – it would also void their warranty.

However it is perfectly legal in the UK to unlock your phone.

However, O2 has said that it will offer a pay-as-you-go edition of the iPhone 3G that will be available 'in time for Christmas'. No word on pricing of the phone or data tariffs are yet available.

Buyers in the US snapped up 270,000 iPhones in the first weekend it was on sale.

How quick is the internet access?

The iPhone operates on both the 2.5G cellular network and faster 3G network, offering speedy internet access. You can also connect it to a wireless network that offers speeds up to 54Mbps.

Are there any other drawbacks to the iPhone?

The battery on the iPhone can’t be removed. Instead, if you have any problems you need to send the entire phone back to the manufacturer to be professionally serviced.

This is likely to be a time consuming, and expensive, process. It also prevents you using cheaper third party batteries.

How do you think Apple will go about upgrading the iPhone?

The iPhone 3G offers many of the upgrades that users were demanding - GPS, faster 3G, and the ability to download applications onto the device. The next version will probably increase storage capacity, allowing you to store more songs, and improve on the 2Mp digital camera. Video-recording will probably be added as well.