iPhone 3G

[Telstar]

I was more then a bit dissapointed when I heard the activation method had been changed for the new model, which meant that buying it in the shop and then taking it home and unlocking it yourself wouldn't be an option as you had to sign your life away with a two year contract before they handed over the goods.

To my great surprise I see more 3G iphone on ebay then you could shake a stick at.(Selling for $1000 at the moment:eek:) How is this possible? I heard that one method that people had planned on was to sign up and then quit the contract early by paying a $175 breakout fee. I had heard that the phone companies had put the brakes on that by asking for the handset back if that was done. These phones also claim to be unlocked, yet I can't find any news on the internet about an unlock for the 3G software.

So is it for real or a scam?

[preduk]

Probably a scam, as I currently work for O2 on the legal side of things I know that such a clause currently does not exist.

If a customer was to break out the contract they would be requested to pay the remainder of the contract, which can vary from £400 up to £1,000.

If your really wanting an iPhone with no contract, wait until christmas for the pre pay one OR get a handme down iPhone 2G and use that with your current contract/pay as you go.

[clear prop!!!]

pity that apple has tied is fantastic iphone in the UK to such a crap service provider as O2! :rolleyes:

[Keef]

pity that apple has tied is fantastic iphone in the UK to such a crap service provider as O2! :rolleyes:
Which provider would you choose?

I've been with 'em all (and still have PAYGs on several).
O2 has been the best "customer experience" by far.
I think luck has a part to play in it.

iPhone's no use to me at the moment - it won't run Excel or Word, both of which I use a lot. I'm still using a vintage XDA Orbit, which does the job well.

[Raven30]

Shame that Apple ties you in to itunes!

Nothing wrong with o2, good customer service, good tariffs, and, where I live, the best network coverage.
No point having a poke at o2, had any of the other providers managed to secure the iphone, they would have tied it into their network in just the same way that o2 has

It's a nice toy, but I honestly can't understand the hysteria over the iphone.
Each to their own.

[Shunter]

The iPhone contracts come with unlimited data/wifi. Given the amount of time I spend sat in airports and hotels, that's damn useful. Proxy the laptop through the iPhone and tada... free wireless.

Paid for itself in about 6 weeks.

[Keef]

You can get the O2 unlimited data contract without paying for an iPhone - and for a lot less per month, too.

Actually, it's not "unlimited" but "reasonable use", but I've never managed to get "unreasonable" with my XDA.

[aviate1138]

Use 3G and battery life quickly dies.

The GPS function is not fully functional at the moment. Turn by turn doesn't work as yet.

A 2G with Software update iPhone 2.0 is frankly as good as.............

[clear prop!!!]

Keef;

You ask why I think the O2 tie up is crap?

Well, as someone who totally relies on his phone around he Country, I cannot be with a provider with such rubbish coverage outside of London.

Try using O2 in Scotland or Wales anywhere but a major city and you are stuffed!

I would Love an iphone, I even bought a pay as you go o2 sim to see if they had become any better,but...sadly no.:ugh:

Without doubt Vodafone gives best international/regional coverage.

I'm not a Vodafone out and out fan, but it works...everywhere!

[fleebag]

1. It's less expensive than its predecessor but still not cheap. The 8GB version is free to O2 customers who spend £45 a month or more on a new 18-month contract. The handset, available from 02, Carphone Warehouse and Apple outlets will cost £99 on a new £30 monthly tariff and the existing £35 per month tariff.

Cheaper than my old N95!

2. For the more powerful 16GB version it will cost £159 on the £30 and £35 tariffs, £59 on the £45 tariff and will only be free on the £75 tariff. So the cheapest deal over 18 months - the 8GB version on the £30 tariff - costs £599. For that you get "unlimited" internet surfing but a measly 75 free calls a month and 125 texts. You can compare it with existing deals here (http://www.moneysupermarket.com/).

Still cheaper

3. will not be available on Pay & Go till later this year. This has angered some O2 customers. Moreover, it is in super-short supply (http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article4308580.ece) even on contract, with only a few dozen initially supplied to each O2 store.

Depends on the country, pay and go as you like in Australia. Too many people have found a good reason to buy it!

4. The touch screen isn't great if you're an obsessive texter. This was a problem with the first iPhone, although this guy seems to have cracked it (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dU33DfFAV9w).

In the first couple of days until you learn to trust it, like learnng to use predictive modes on the old hand sets. Yep it's glass it may crack if you run it over. My sony didn't like the washing machine either for some reason, not waterproof reason no. 26?

5. Like the Model T-Ford the 8GB model is available in any colour - as long as its black.

Put a case on it you wally if you want colour!

6. Go for the more expensive 16GB version and you can get it in white too. Rumours had been that Apple was going to be a little more adventurous (http://www.news.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/0,39029678,49297304,00.htm).

sigh

7. Its camera is rubbish. At just two megapixels with no flash it's worse than many standard phones leaving even fans feeling short changed (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GB-wMtoUYFM). Phones such as the Nokia N95 boast five megapixels.

Get a camera, quality is actually quite good for a 2Mpix

8. You can’t use it to take videos, leading some critics to the conclusion that it’s not sexy enough (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Pug6epA9B8M).

True, but how often do you take a video with your camera these days.

9. Like its predecessor the 3G handset is large and bulky. Not something you can just stick in your pocket and forget about. True, the new phone is thinner at the edges and weighs slightly less than the debut model, but otherwise the measurements are the same. It’s even been nicknamed the monolith (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RJeYL2RCaCw&NR=1).

Thinner and lighter than most smart phones and less bulky than blackberries. Forget it's in my pocket most of the time.

10. To enable Apple to cut costs something had to go. The original iPhone had a hard-wearing silver aluminum back; the new one a less durable black plastic skin. So will it be able to cope with a beating like this (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wlLa8kDepdw)?

It's a phone let it scratch and get a new one when it's time to upgrade, don't other phones scratch for some reason?

11. The absence of a metal back means that it is unlikely to blend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg1ckCkm8YI) as prettily as its predecessor.

Running out of reasons...

12. It’s going to be popular with terrorists if Apple's official ad (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=m_gC4MnDmiA) is anything to go by.

ditto for 11.

13. Battery life is poor - just five to six hours of 3G calls or web browsing. One reviewer (http://www.crn.com/networking/208806953) found that the indicator fell below 20 per cent by early to mid-afternoon on some trial days.

Doesn't it lead the pack in battery life for 3G smart phones?

14. The battery is sealed into the handset, which must be sent off for replacement when it starts to wear out. This is a hassle and means that you can't carry around a spare for use on the move.

USB spare ;)

15. It inspires people with anger issues to post pointless and mistitled videos at Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqO422G1t_Y).

You forgot no video camera!

16. If you are an Apple fan, you already own the old iPhone. Much of the new handset's improved functionality is already available in the free 2.0 software update (http://www.apple.com/uk/iphone/softwareupdate/).

Except for 3G, GPS, etc ...

17. If you are not an Apple fan, you may be an Apple "hater" (http://www.applehaters.com/page.php?3). In that case, you wouldn't want one.

Until you try it :)

18. If you live away from the big cities, you may well not have 3G coverage (check here (http://www.webmap.o2.co.uk/)). That would make the whole 3G phone thing pointless...

Yes 3G coverage bites but using GPRS my work email, etc still arrives before it arrives in outlook. Still puzzled over that one.

19. It has no instant messaging function - forcing users to SMS. But it doesn't have multimedia messaging (MMS), which means that users must send and receive photos by email.

See the app store, lucky it has a useable browser and email is the way to go, doesn't cost 60c to send a pic.

20. The web browser has limited Adobe Flash support (http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/5/iphone_3g_no_shows_adobe_flash_video_recording_copy_and_past e), so cannot display videos from many sites.

No more annoying splash adds :)

21. Incredibly for a "smart" phone, it has no copy and paste ability. Duh.

Haven't wanted it yet, but it would be nice.

22. Who needs a phone with GPS? Anyway, it can't find a decent pizza (http://s4xton.com/1777/the-iphone-3gs-really-bad-pizza-advice/) when you need one.

23. The iPhone is sometimes termed the "Jesusphone (http://www.smh.com.au/news/iphone-insider/optus-offers-best-value-iphone-deal-citi-says/2008/07/10/1215658000789.html)". Tasteless.

Who termed it that?

24. Bluetooth enables headset voice calls on the new handset. A less-limited Bluetooth profile could have enabled wireless music streaming and file sharing, too.

See the apps store.

25. Its unveiling by Steve Jobs, of Apple, was predictably and unbearably smug (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40YW7Lco0og&feature=related).

Getting the impression the author might belong to point 17.

Seriously the only issues for me would be:

- Video
- Battery Replacement (won't know until it's time to replace it), battery life is excellent.
- and a few software bugs that will be fixed in the next update (didn't get mentioned)
- and perhaps a few more Mpixs in the camera, but then again if I want high quality pics I use a real camera.

[preduk]

You can get the O2 unlimited data contract without paying for an iPhone - and for a lot less per month, too.

Actually, it's not "unlimited" but "reasonable use", but I've never managed to get "unreasonable" with my XDA.

Actually, that isn't correct.

It's called "Excessive" which basically means you can use it as much as you like for personal use, but you can't use it for commercial purposes i.e turning it into a file server, streaming files from it etc.

We haven't had a single customer barred from the internet yet.

Keef;

You ask why I think the O2 tie up is crap?

Well, as someone who totally relies on his phone around he Country, I cannot be with a provider with such rubbish coverage outside of London.

Try using O2 in Scotland or Wales anywhere but a major city and you are stuffed!

I would Love an iphone, I even bought a pay as you go o2 sim to see if they had become any better,but...sadly no.:ugh:

Without doubt Vodafone gives best international/regional coverage.

I'm not a Vodafone out and out fan, but it works...everywhere!

Rubbish. I live in Scotland and travel around all over Scotland and haven't ever had an issue. The network covers 99.9% of the UK.

aviate1138,

I've heard that TomTom are apparently bringing out their software for the phone. The phone uses the correct GPS system that your car would use, it just doesn't have the same software yet so TomTom's addition would be excellent.

[PPRuNeUser0211]

A decent camera would have been nice, but I'm not getting one until they start supporting A2DP and resolve the modem-tether issue that is ongoing! Bluetooth audio streaming is fantastic (yes I know the quality is not as good as it could be, but for ease of use you can't beat it!). I have a couple of pairs of bluetooth speakers kicking around the house, and when I want a little music I just connect the phone, fire up WMP and there we go. I find it odd that a music-centric phone like the IPhone doesnt do this, as listening to headphones/via a dock is kinda limiting for a phone.

As for modem tethering, there's a faff in the app sotre now about an app that let you use the Iphone as a modem for your laptop (vital, in my book!) It was put up over the weekend, taken down, put up & taken down again by apple.

Weird...

Maybe I'll wait until the 3rd model comes out (& what are they going to call it? Can't be Iphone 3! too confusing...)

[clear prop!!!]

Preduk

I beg to differ my friend!!!!!

As I write my daughters phone is perched on our window just 4 miles outside Edinburgh in order to get a reception!!!!!

The service in Scotland is still crap ....FACT! Anyone I know who has O2 in Scotland has issues with coverage I can only assume your figures come from sales stats.

You are SO wrong!!!

Why do biz jet operators provide provide Vodafone contracts to on-call pilots?

....because they are reliable.... everywhere!

[preduk]

clear prop!!!

How can one say its a fact without providing facts? Hearing from a friend of a friend doesn't prove your point I'm afraid.

When you go abroad your phone will connect to the network that has the strongest signal this is the same with Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile. They all use the same companies within the countries so to be honest it doesn't really matter what network you are with, pricing does matter though.

Lol... so? We have huge businesses using our network as well. Infact we built O2 Airwaves which is used by the emergency services and the army because of its reliability.

I'm not doubting Vodafones service, I know they are very good, but what you must understand is that O2 is up there with them. We are part of the one of the largest mobile phone networks just behind Vodafone and China mobile.

[clear prop!!!]

Preduk

OK... some support of my claim:

O2 UK threatened with £40m fine for poor 3G coverage | PHONE Magazine (http://www.phonemag.com/o2-uk-threatened-with-40m-fine-for-poor-3g-coverage-021345.php)

Apple - Support - Discussions - 3G Coverage in the UK is rather poor ... (http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1640863&tstart=120)

O2 Customer :: View topic - Poor 3G reception? Iphone not the network? (http://customerforum.o2.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=4461)

I could fill the page with similar links but I can't be bothered...I have only risen to this as a result of your claim that my 1st hand experience was 'rubbish' and based on hearsay.

As I said I would love to use an I phone, I'm a great mac fan and it offers seamless database, itunes (if you like it), and email for us mac users. But o2 lets it down.

An other search via google will show that the emergency services are also considering their 02 situation due to coverage problems,
Can’t find it again but it’s there somewhere.

I have no desire to promote Vodafone, in fact I think their customer service is very poor, but it’s coverage is second to none

[Telstar]

Going back to the original question.......

The iPhones on eBay appear to be pay as you go phones from Italy. They are sim free, network free, and geographically free if that makes sense! They are available there for €499 for the 8gb and €569 for the 16gb. Was playing with a colleagues one that was bought from TIM (Telecom Italia) was running on a Vodaphone UK sim card.

[preduk]

Clearprop!!!

3G coverage is completly different to Network coverage. Even vodafone only have 60% of the UK covered by 3G because its an expensive network to install. I could post several forum posts about Vodafone poor coverage also, but as I said it deppends where you stay in the country etc. for you to say that O2's coverage is rubbish all the way through Scotland is non-sense I've been a BT Cellnet then O2 customer for well over 12years.

Telstar,

Are they the 3G one or the old one? I believe some countries have unlocked iPhones because the legislation in that country prevents companies from locking the phones for competition reasons. I believe France do it but I may be wrong.

If your looking for an iPhone, my advice would be get yourself a normal 2G iphone and pop a SIMO SIM card in it with the web bolt on added. No contract, cheap SIM Only SIM card. I must be honest, there isn't a huge difference between the 2G and 3G apart from network speeds and the A-GPS system (which I wouldn't use anyway, if you want a GPS system, buy a GPS system!)

[Saab Dastard]

preduk and Clearprop,

You have exhausted your allowed submissions re: O2 coverage.

SD

[Telstar]

It is a 3G one. It is completely sim free when purchased, no strings. No unlocking , pwnage, jailbreaking, hardwear hacking required. You can't find 2G ones anywhere at sensible prices, otherwise I would have done what you suggested. I just had a friend visit Italy bring me one back and I think it's fab, although I agree about the GPS. I have heard Tom Tom are bringing out a navigator program for it though, if that works it's going to be the bestest gadget ever! ;)

[preduk]

I just read about it there, apparently the Italian network had an agreement with Apple that if they charge more for the phone than any other european country they would be able to share it out on unlocked.

It would explain where the people on eBay are getting the phones and selling them for £1,000 each!

Yeh I agree with you on the TomTom software, I have two phones at the moment. The N95 8GB and the iPhone 3G, both business phones, and the GPS system on the N95 is good BUT it's a laggy and the phone has a habbit of going into power mode meaning your lose your route.

[WG774]

Excuse my ignorance, but will the Tom Tom software enable you to just plonk the phone on the dash and have it verbally direct you, just like a Tom Tom?

Thanks.

[Telstar]

That's the hope we have!

[IO540]

What I don't understand is why Apple don't sell the iphone freely, without an o2 tie-up.

I was with o2 a few years ago and their coverage was often crap - same as orange with who I was for a few years too.

Without doubt Vodafone gives best international/regional coverage.
I'm not a Vodafone out and out fan, but it works...everywhere!

That is very true! As a pilot using GSM (GPRS/3G) for weather etc data in some odd places I can vouch for Voda delivering the best technical solution, but they back it up with "customer service" staffed with absolute chimps. They have a different dept looking after large corporate (contract obviously) users but on PAYG you get just chimps...

One cannot win.

Now I am with..... Virgin. Excellent customer service, with the direct debit option the PAYG coverage is almost as good as anybody's contract coverage, and being T-Mobile it works in most places. But I still use Voda for data with my laptop etc and suffer the occassional c0ckup, not to mention their con-tricks where they advertise one data tarriff and charge you a completely different one because you are on a "different" APN.

[WG774]

What I don't understand is why Apple don't sell the iphone freely, without an o2 tie-up.

Other countries have anti-monopoly legislation, which is why you can buy the Iphone without a long, exclusive contract. There are many areas where British companies get away with tactics their Euro or US equivalents couldn't even dream of. I could talk about precedents where British politicians have sided with Mobile providers to reinforce their monopolies. Bear in mind that the ruling party in Britain is short of money... Welcome to Britain.

[preduk]

IO540,

Think about it, if you go to buy a phone, say the Nokia N95 then you have the choice of 4 different networks that will offer you the phone for different prices. By locking them into one network, they don't need to bring the handset cost down, people will come to them rather than the other way around.

The iPhone Launch has been pretty crap from Carphoneware house (Who I think O2 should dump, because they are a disaster), O2 and Apple. Yet people are still flocking to get the phone. They can't say "I'm unhappy with O2 so I'm moving to ________" because they are that desperate for the phone. I had a customer speak to me yesterday who had travelled 50miles just to get the phone.

I don't agree with it personally, but it's typical of Apple. They do it with their computers as well, you can't buy the computers from very many places and they are all set at the same prices where as Windows you can buy from £100 upwards.

I'm with Virgin Internet/TV and I think they have the worst customer service department I have ever came across.

We should be doing what the French do and prevent one network from getting the handset.

[WG774]

Whereas the N95 comes recommended when I look at the Internet, I was just about to buy one when I found I have a couple of friends who own them, and they can't wait to get rid of them. Overrated is a term I heard used to describe the 'phone. I've toyed with the N95 a couple of times now and can't say it feels like a £350 'phone (in my humble opinion of course).

[preduk]

Yes... The Nokia N95 was the iPhone challenge... Better GPS, camera and a lower price; but to be honest it's not that great!

The iPhone is good for one reason and one reason only. The internet. (games are pretty good as well if your a kid :P)

The Nokia N95's internet browser is pretty poor if I'm honest, the Camera (although 5mpx) isn't that fantastic and the GPS system is laggy; also has a habbit of turning itself off to save power. I had the N95 for 4 weeks before giving it to my dad (who loves it).

If your an internet/movie/music freak the iPhone is perfect for you. If you just use the phone for Camera, get yourself the cheapest phone possible and buy yourself a digital camera. You will get better photos and save yourself a good amount of money, same with the GPS.

[jimgriff]

I got me a new I-phone 3G last week to replace my ageing Orange contract phone. I'm very pleased with it.
One gripe however is the need to keep one PC as a dedicated i-phone updater.
I have regular use of 3 pc's (work, home and laptop) and have i tunes loaded on all 3.
BUT- if I use one for an update and then dock with another I loose all the previouse updates. i tunes doesnt seem to allow me the choice to just "add the bits" I want!

Or am I missing something here?

I tunes isnt very intuitive either! (IMHO)

I wouls also like to be able to use some MP3's I have as ringtones- but by all accounts this isnt an aption.

Any hints and tips welcome.:8

[PPRuNeUser0211]

ringtones: iPhone Ringtone Converter, MP3 to iPhone Ringtone Converter Maker (http://www.dvdtoiphone.net/iphone-ringtone-converter.html)

don't know if it works for the 3g but it should!