Do you have a wifi cloud that follows you around wherever you go? For the rest of us, 3G is huge. If you can't notice a huge difference browsing with 3G vs. EDGE there is something wrong with you. It's dial-up versus DSL.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
What's the big deal about 3G? WiFi Better
- Thread starter iphonewiz
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
In our area, almost all Wi-Fi spots are locked (and the public Mcdonalds ones require payment...I think Starbucks switched, though).
So I use EDGE a ton.
Most people who want 3G don't want it because they think it's faster than Wi-Fi.
They want it because when they're not on Wi-Fi, the only other option is EDGE which is ridiculously slow on websites that don't have an iPhone version [*coughyahooanswerscough*]. E-mail is easily fine. But not websites or YouTube.
And in my area, 3G is everywhere =). If the iPhone was 3G, then I'd never see EDGE =P.
So I use EDGE a ton.
Most people who want 3G don't want it because they think it's faster than Wi-Fi.
They want it because when they're not on Wi-Fi, the only other option is EDGE which is ridiculously slow on websites that don't have an iPhone version [*coughyahooanswerscough*]. E-mail is easily fine. But not websites or YouTube.
And in my area, 3G is everywhere =). If the iPhone was 3G, then I'd never see EDGE =P.
What's the big deal? Hey if it's not a big deal then why not sell your iPhone and get an iPod Touch?
Even my nearest city isn't doused in free Wifi, infact all are paid hotspots barring a single free spot outside the town hall.
So WTF? Of course 3G is a big deal. It's broadband speeds (signal depending) on a phone which means I don't have to wait for web pages to load up. I never settled on an Edge based iPhone and I don't happen to live in an area absolutely covered in free wifi.
It also enables video calls (providing theres a front facing camera like the rumours are saying, and which all 3G phones have), connectivity to the iTunes store (and maybe app store) anywhere.
Even my nearest city isn't doused in free Wifi, infact all are paid hotspots barring a single free spot outside the town hall.
So WTF? Of course 3G is a big deal. It's broadband speeds (signal depending) on a phone which means I don't have to wait for web pages to load up. I never settled on an Edge based iPhone and I don't happen to live in an area absolutely covered in free wifi.
It also enables video calls (providing theres a front facing camera like the rumours are saying, and which all 3G phones have), connectivity to the iTunes store (and maybe app store) anywhere.
OP:
What's the big deal about 3G?
Use it. Use it for a few months, then force yourself back on the 1st-gen EDGE iPhone. Then you'll see the big deal.
I had an HTC 8525 w/ 3G, then got an iPhone. Eventually sold it because EDGE simply sucks all the fun out of an internet-enabled cell phone.
And I don't know where you live, but all of you guys must live near plenty of people who don't know how to setup wireless networks properly, because here in NYC its becoming more and more rare to find free, fast, WiFi. Unless you spend all your time in a barnes & noble or starbucks.
3G means not worrying about losing a signal or degrading speeds as you walk from place to place.
3G means not having to constantly go back into settings, and selecting wireless network A or B when you move from place to place before actually beginning to surf.
3G means getting the info you need faster and more reliably.
What's the big deal about 3G?
Use it. Use it for a few months, then force yourself back on the 1st-gen EDGE iPhone. Then you'll see the big deal.
I had an HTC 8525 w/ 3G, then got an iPhone. Eventually sold it because EDGE simply sucks all the fun out of an internet-enabled cell phone.
And I don't know where you live, but all of you guys must live near plenty of people who don't know how to setup wireless networks properly, because here in NYC its becoming more and more rare to find free, fast, WiFi. Unless you spend all your time in a barnes & noble or starbucks.
3G means not worrying about losing a signal or degrading speeds as you walk from place to place.
3G means not having to constantly go back into settings, and selecting wireless network A or B when you move from place to place before actually beginning to surf.
3G means getting the info you need faster and more reliably.
3G is non-existent for much of the US. AT&T has been saying for years that their network is expanding, but so far the growth has been as slow as molasses on a January night. A 3G iPhone might speed things up, but there are many people 3G leaves in the dark. It would be nice to have the option though.
All I can say is that I hope apple has found a way to exponentially increase battery life. Otherwise you're going to he charging your phone a couple of times a day. I can barely make it through the whole day without having to charge my phone. I am definitely a heavy user, but I don't think I'm alone. I think a lot of people are going to be upset when they realize how much juice 3G sucks out of their phones.
All I can say is that I hope apple has found a way to exponentially increase battery life. Otherwise you're going to he charging your phone a couple of times a day. I can barely make it through the whole day without having to charge my phone. I am definitely a heavy user, but I don't think I'm alone. I think a lot of people are going to be upset when they realize how much juice 3G sucks out of their phones.
Yes, but EVDO for the Sprint and Verizon networks run at 3G speeds, and are pretty prevailant on the east coast at least. AT&T/T-Mobile/Virgin and their 3G networks are hard to find I hear.
The biggest reason for me not grabbing the iPhone is because of the lack of a faster network. It's nice that the UI is amazing, but what good is zipping through this and that only to get caught up loading a web page. EVDO allows me to load pages that can't even be viewed on my mobile browser faster than the iPhone with EDGE, and with Google Maps.... forgiddaboutit!
I have heard some say they want fash internet
I just want "solid" internet when I am in my city area.
With Edge, it is absolutely crawling most of the time especially during the middle of days when I need it most.
With 3G, I expect I will get internet usage that allows me to just go here and there if need be for information on the phone even if it isn't blazing
I just want "solid" internet when I am in my city area.
With Edge, it is absolutely crawling most of the time especially during the middle of days when I need it most.
With 3G, I expect I will get internet usage that allows me to just go here and there if need be for information on the phone even if it isn't blazing
Indeed - it seems the biggest point to 3G to me, given latency and coverage issues mean 3G doesn't seem to actually be much faster in loading pages in my experience.
Phazer
Is 3G the last one?
There was a G3, and G4, and a G5. There was a Pentium, Pentium 2, Pentium 3, and a Pentium 4. There was a Core and a Core 2.
Will there be a 4G in the phone world? Any timetable of when it will be out?
There was a G3, and G4, and a G5. There was a Pentium, Pentium 2, Pentium 3, and a Pentium 4. There was a Core and a Core 2.
Will there be a 4G in the phone world? Any timetable of when it will be out?
Oh there's 4G alright. if you wiki "4G" there's a lot of info. 4G is commonly known as "beyond 3G technology" and serves the purpose not only of higher speed but more to erase the line between mobile devices and PCs. The start of 4G implementation is due 2011 I think.