Apple Announces iPhone 3G

[Jowl]

MMS is popular in the UK. It's not something I use a lot, but I do find it useful, and I'd be embarrassed to tell someone that my iPhone couldn't receive an MMS that they sent on their cheap Tesco phone.

It's all very well saying you can email a photo, but you can't to people who don't have that facility on their phone (ie most people). Still, if the iPhone really takes off now, maybe it will be less of a problem when we've all got one

Totally agree. I rarely send MMS and only occasionally recieve them. I don't send them mainly because they charge me per message on my current contract. If it's included in my O2 package I would probably send more.

It is quite embarrasing to say you phone can't receive them though - even the most basic phone over here can.

Still, I expect it is only a software fix - from Apple or a 3rd party

 

[winterspan]

and mine...

Apple lost your business, eh? SWEET! I bet you can't wait to buy a brand-spanking new Palm Treo with Windows mobile 6.0! Please let us know how that works out for you!

MMS is popular in the UK. It's not something I use a lot, but I do find it useful, and I'd be embarrassed to tell someone that my iPhone couldn't receive an MMS that they sent on their cheap Tesco phone.

It's all very well saying you can email a photo, but you can't to people who don't have that facility on their phone (ie most people). Still, if the iPhone really takes off now, maybe it will be less of a problem when we've all got one

From what I have heard from different people, it does seem as if MMS is used much more compared to the USA, although that is not to say that no one uses it. I know it's really popular with the teenage crowd, and I use it once in a while. I do hope they hurry up with it ---- but it certainly is not going to keep me from buying an iPhone 3G. That would be ridiculous!

 

[winterspan]

Totally agree. I rarely send MMS and only occasionally recieve them. I don't send them mainly because they charge me per message on my current contract. If it's included in my O2 package I would probably send more.

It is quite embarrasing to say you phone can't receive them though - even the most basic phone over here can.

Still, I expect it is only a software fix - from Apple or a 3rd party

I don't think that is totally correct. Although missing the notification sucks, can't you go online to most carriers websites and retrieve MMS messages? Or having them emailed to you?

 

[Gromit]

Cannot watch the Keynote on iPhone/Touch

I have not yet been able to see Jobs' Keynote because it is in a format that will not play on the iPhone or iPod Touch.

You would have thought they would have posted a version (.m4v) which existing users could watch on their devices.

 

[Jowl]

I don't think that is totally correct. Although missing the notification sucks, can't you go online to most carriers websites and retrieve MMS messages? Or having them emailed to you?

Actually that's true - at least for me current providor (Virgin)

Before I setup MMS on my phone (SE K800), I could visit a webpage to view the MMS......although It never actually showed me the pic anyway!!

It's not a deal-breaker to me. It's the internet/connectivity that I'm after.

 

[Iggy]

Weak

 

[bezza123]

Sorry if info already posted

Sorry if this has already been posted, got to page 15 or something and got board!

Anyway the iPhone will be avaliable from FREE on o2 in the UK! and will be avaliable as PAY AS YOU GO!!! Dont belive me check http://www.o2.co.uk/iphone (i'll post some details below as well) oh and existing customers can get a free upgrade!

Phone is now free on selected Pay Monthly tariffs*

There's only one thing better than an iPhone. The new 3G iPhone.

*Best of all, the new 8GB iPhone won't cost you a penny on our £45 and £75 tariffs. And it's just £99 on our £35 tariff and new £30 tariff.

All tariffs include unlimited browsing on your iPhone, unlimited Wi-Fi access, visual voicemail and reduced roaming rates with our International Traveller Service and are subject to a minimum term contract of 18 months.

iPhone is coming soon for Pay & Go

Customers will soon be able to enjoy all the great features of iPhone without a monthly contract with the iPhone for Pay & Go.

Just register your interest opposite and we'll drop you a line in early July to tell you what you need to do to be one of the first to get your hands on the new 3G iPhone.

Existing iPhone customers upgrade to iPhone for free*

To thank you for being an iPhone fan, we're offering you an early upgrade to the brand new version when it launches on 11th July 2008. You won't have to wait until the end of your existing contract either, all you'll need to do is agree to a new 18-month minimum term contract.

 

[The Phazer]

arguing you need a better camera on a phone is a little ridiculous. The only thing that they could have added would have been a flash. More megapixels does NOT mean the camera is better. In fact more megapixels on the same size sensor just means more noise and poorer quality images that also take up more space on your phone.

This is true to a certain extent, but not at the range of increasing two megapixels to three (it's true once you get past five or so). Especially if you're trying to do six by four prints the difference will be noticable.

Of course, there's plenty wrong with the iPhone's camera aside from the lack of megapixels. The lack of a flash (even as an optional attachment) is a huge downside and destroys the main reason for a camera phone - taking pictures on nights out when it's dark. The lens assembly is very small even for a phone, which causes geometric distortion. There's no exposure control at all, and the low light performance is poor, exaccerbating the lack of flash.

Go check out the photography forum to see why there are marginal differences between a 6 megapixel DSLR and a 12 megapixel DSLR. (Hint the amount of megapixels hardly has anything to do with the quality of the image put out by the camera)

Indeed there are - at least unless you're intending to blow the image up significantly. However, as I said above, that lack of improvement only starts to kick in at about 5 megapixels, not 2.

Hence more megapixels would have an improvement. Of course, so would a lot of other things, but the fact that they're not upgrading the megapixel count (there simply aren't that many people still making 2 megapixel CMOSes, so it's probably the same one) also means the other poor aspects won't be improved.

Phazer

 

[Goldfinger]

Any one notice that steve said $199 in ALMOST all of these countries? That'll probably mean full price here in Belgium . (maybe €199 if we're lucky) + of course the regular ass raping on data plans. I have sent out an email to Mobistar with a question regarding pricing but I highly doubt that they'll reply. They almost never reply.

 

[Goldfinger]

Woops, news flash: the iPhone is NOT coming to Belgium on July 11 according to some Mobistar spokeswoman. And they won't discuss pricing right now. Gee thanks, great customer service again

 

[needthephone]

Just awesome.

For me it has everything I need.

GPS is the icing on the icing.
I'm looking forward to the route type software and location based apps.

Camera has never been a big deal form me as you need decent optics not MP's so forget any phone camera.

July 11th I'm there at Sydney

 

[cheekybobcat]

Any official pictures yet?

 

[Jon5700]

Anyone think we will see another iPhone revision due by Christmas?

 

[LiveForever]

Thankyou thankyou thankyou apple. As an Australian I just so need this phone.

I have had 3G "video" phones for the last 5 years, all with front facing or turnable camera.

I'm telling you video calling is so lame and after you try it once you will never do it again beleive me. Its like skype with a web cam. In my experience you use the web cam a few times but then revert back to voice only. There is something about being on the phone and not seeing the other person which is so appealing. You can surf the web, flick the TV, pick your nose, eat. If you have to gaze at someone its not the same and the pictures too small anyway.

This phone with the A GPS ahhhh I neeeeed this now.

YOU BEUTY!

 

[truthiness]

So my prediction is that we're also seeing the new body design for the new iPod Touch which, with the enhanced profile, will allow for an HD and if they keep the camera, I'm assuming the possibility to record video.... that'd be pretty sweet, a la FlipVideo.

 

[iShak]

aah, still I am not going to go for iPhone.

Its not the device, I have been using iPod touch for many months and I absolutely love the technology, same will go for iPhone I am sure, and its not Apple either! they have dropped the iPhone price right where it should be .. brilliant .. BUT they have done it far too frequently and far to early and this has scared me but of course this is how technology goes it should be expected however the real deal breaker has been O2 ...

£30 for 75 minutes, 18 months contract. absurd.

I am not going to follow the band wagon and let O2 wring my hard earned money standing on the shoulders of hype ..

Still I am open, if it turns out that you can buy an iPhone on pay as you go, unlock it and use another sim .. then yes I will be very tempted.

 

[duncyboy]

Sorry if this has already been posted, got to page 15 or something and got board!

Anyway the iPhone will be avaliable from FREE on o2 in the UK! and will be avaliable as PAY AS YOU GO!!! Dont belive me check http://www.o2.co.uk/iphone (i'll post some details below as well) oh and existing customers can get a free upgrade!

Phone is now free on selected Pay Monthly tariffs*

There's only one thing better than an iPhone. The new 3G iPhone.

*Best of all, the new 8GB iPhone won't cost you a penny on our £45 and £75 tariffs. And it's just £99 on our £35 tariff and new £30 tariff.

All tariffs include unlimited browsing on your iPhone, unlimited Wi-Fi access, visual voicemail and reduced roaming rates with our International Traveller Service and are subject to a minimum term contract of 18 months.

iPhone is coming soon for Pay & Go

Customers will soon be able to enjoy all the great features of iPhone without a monthly contract with the iPhone for Pay & Go.

Just register your interest opposite and we'll drop you a line in early July to tell you what you need to do to be one of the first to get your hands on the new 3G iPhone.

Existing iPhone customers upgrade to iPhone for free*

To thank you for being an iPhone fan, we're offering you an early upgrade to the brand new version when it launches on 11th July 2008. You won't have to wait until the end of your existing contract either, all you'll need to do is agree to a new 18-month minimum term contract.

Might wanna read this, mate- if you're interested in PAYG as I am

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/5568385/

 

[needthephone]

I just watched the keynote and Phil Schiller (sp?) gave something away.

At 01:08:40 ish into the keynote he is introducing Mobile Me and says
"Whether you are using a Mac, a PC or ONE of our GREAT NEW DEVICES like iphone" then mobile me is for you blah de blah.

There are obvioulsy other iphone type devices in the works and this was a bit of a freudian slip or maybe a deliberate hint.

What makes apple so good and this is missed by the competitiuon is the complete integrated service they surround their products with.

The ipod is so succesfull because of itunes and the competition still ahven't twigged.

Its not just about the hardware.

Apple give the seamless user experience which just works.

I have used GPS on an N95 and its not that nice to use, well its a pig. My MP3 player on my Nokia is awful.
These other phones have the features and yes often far more on paper but they are just there to list on the sales blurb as tick points.

Whether you can really USE these features effectively is another thing.

 

[PCMacUser]

As an Australian I just so need this phone.

What a profound statement. I'm still trying to figure out what it means!

 

[PCMacUser]

Up until now I've been hesitant about the iPhone. It always seemed to be far outshone by the Nokia N95. I've seen plenty of people in this thread mention the N95, particularly comparing its 5 megapixel camera and front video camera with the iPhone's lack of those features.

This new iPhone still might not 'out-spec' the N95, but remember - the N95 8Gb is about US$750 and the iPhone is $199. Perspective helps a lot.

Luckily for me, I don't use MMS or my phone camera - and none of my friends have 3G phones with video calling anyway.

So at long last, I think Apple are onto something with this new release.

 

[aswitcher]

I just watched the keynote and Phil Schiller (sp?) gave something away.

At 01:08:40 ish into the keynote he is introducing Mobile Me and says
"Whether you are using a Mac, a PC or ONE of our GREAT NEW DEVICES like iphone" then mobile me is for you blah de blah.

.

Nice spot. Yeah, other things are coming.

 

[mavis]

Nice spot. Yeah, other things are coming.

Or he could have simply been referring to the iPod touch.

But I hope you're right - I hope this iPhone 3G they've announced is simply the low end, entry model. I'd LOVE to see a thinner, 32GB model for more $$$ ...

 

[Intarweb]

I'm guessing this is a no but does the GPS give spoken turn by turn?

 

[nomad01]

My 2 cents,

Plastic "mite be better for the antenna/reception, although I think the antenna is in the base of the unit." Lets see just how tough the plastic is and the face "Glass"

Apologies if this has been answered elsewhere but do we know if the screen is still made of glass? Or has this been replaced to lessen the cost (and potentially the weight) like the metal back?

I guess I'll be pre-ordering an invisible shield for the rear as I can see that being a scratch magnet!

http://www.zagg.com/invisibleshield...es-screen-protectors-covers-skins-shields.php

 

[Zadillo]

I'm guessing this is a no but does the GPS give spoken turn by turn?

The iPhone itself doesn't, but TomTom has already mentioned that they are making their software for the iPhone - I haven't used the latest software versions of TomTom (I had an older version on my Palm Treo 650), but spoken turn by turn directions are at least a capability of TomTom, so this is a possibility.

-Zadillo