Is iPhone right for Me?

Is it the right choice ?

Few gadgets have been hyped, scrutinized, rumored, criticized, worshipped, loved, hated, and adored as much as Apple’s 3G iPhone.

But is iPhone the right phone for you?

I’m going to give you an objective, impartial review of the iPhone 3G to help you decide whether this much-hyped phone is suited for you. Yes, the iPhone is a great gadget that can do lots of cool stuff, but there are a few basic things lacking – so it’s important you understand what you’re getting yourself into. This article delves into the more subtle everyday features (and lack-of) which will affect your decision on whether or not an iPhone is suited for your everyday life. Think of this is the impartial “I told you so” before you committ to buy, so that you’re under no misguided pretences about what this device can, and can’t do. Read more »

iPhone 2.1 Software Update available now

On Friday 12th September 2008, Apple came good with its promise to release the much-anticipated version 2.1 software update.

Initial reports and my own experience since installing the update two days ago shows it does resolve some issues that plagued the 2.0x releases, most notably: signal dropouts, poor battery life, a sluggish backup and sync process, and unstable 3G signal strength meter.

The 2.1 update also brings iPhone’s musical side into line with the just-announced new generation of iPod Nano and iPod Touch that include the “Genius playlist” – whereby a playlist can be automatically created by compiling a group of songs from your library which compliment the one currently playing.

Apple’s official 2.1 update webpage claims the update includes:

• Decrease in call set-up failures and dropped calls
• Significantly better battery life for most users
• Dramatically reduced time to backup to iTunes
• Improved email reliability, notably fetching email from POP and Exchange accounts
• Faster installation of 3rd party applications
• Fixed bugs causing hangs and crashes for users with lots of third party applications
• Improved performance in text messaging
• Faster loading and searching of contacts
• Improved accuracy of the 3G signal strength display
• Repeat alert up to two additional times for incoming text messages
• Option to wipe data after ten failed passcode attempts
• Genius playlist creation

If you are still on the old 2.0x version, I strongly recommend updating your iPhone 3G to version 2.1 – from my own observations there are significant and notable improvements to the phone’s overall performance and reliability.

Make your iPhone battery last longer