Are You Upgrading to the iPhone 3G?

Published on July 9, 2008 By Island Dog In Personal Computing

Well Friday is almost here, and even right now there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people lined up around the world to get their hands on the new iPhone 3G. Last year I didn't stand in line, but I did go on launch day and picked up an iPhone. I have been very happy with it and you can ready my two-part review here.

So am I upgrading my iPhone to the new 3G iPhone.....no. However, I will be in line early in the morning to buy my wife one for her birthday. I have a couple of reasons I'm not upgrading my current phone to the 3G.

3G means very little to me. About 90% of the time I use wi-fi for my data connection, and rarely use EDGE for that purpose. The times I do are short and far between, and 3G isn't that great anyway's.
I don't have much need for GPS either. I work out of my home office, I live in a small town, and I rarely travel. Yeah, GPS is cool, but it doesn't justify the upgrade cost at all. The Locate Me feature is good enough, and hey, my wife will have it just in case I do need it.
I'm getting the cool stuff anyway's! The iPhone 3G hardware is nice, but it's the 2.0 software update that is the real star this time. The best part is I get the 2.0 update as well, so I'm not missing much aside from GPS and 3G.

With the 2.0 update which brings a host of new features, also comes the App Store on iTunes. The only big gripe I had with the current iPhone was the lack of native applications, games, etc. That’s all going to change now. The 2.0 update also solves some big issues like the ability to delete multiple e-mails, dedicated contact application, and a few other things. This will only be enhanced by the tons of applications that are being developed for the iPhone.

We will also have the ability to have real games on the iPhone. Two of the most highlighted games so far has been Spore and Super Monkey Ball, which makes use of the iPhone’s accelerometer for an almost Wii-like game play. We touched a bit on this recently in the SkinCast, and I think we will get some games and give them a review to see how they stack up.

So how about you? Are you planning on upgrading, or are you tempted to make a first time purchase of the iPhone this week?

Comments (Page 2)

Kaltes

on Jul 10, 2008

But the iphone has games. In fact id software is makeing games for it, like doom1, orks and elves and what ever else they can pull out of there magic black bag.

Island Dog

on Jul 10, 2008

The 2.0 update and the apps are very cool so far. Many of them are very useful and this is just the first ones out.

Daiwa

on Jul 10, 2008

I just laugh at those iphone users. Apple made the phone cheaper, but increased the monthly plan to $30 a month. So instead of $400 for a phone and a $20 for the data (total $880 for 2 years), you now can get charge $200 for the phone but $30 for data (total $920 for 2 years)
Cheaper? lol. Again good marketing from apple. For those who dont know better.

Laugh all you want. Despite your snotty condescension, most of us know exactly what we're getting & exactly what we're paying. You don't want one, don't buy it. To each his own, but don't call people who have different opinions, wants & needs ignorant ("don't know better") simply because they don't match yours.

damicatz

on Jul 10, 2008

I won't give AT&T a cent. They are just as corrupt as the US Government and willfully assist them in spying on their own citizens.

Apple's on my blacklist as well for a history of abusive and illegal litigation and bullying. They make Microsoft look like a saint.

TheDarkKnight2008

on Jul 10, 2008

Android OS+Touch Pro=Laugh at Iphone users.

Leauki

on Jul 11, 2008

First you can load unix os on windows mobile phone.

No, you can't. But you can load Linux on a "Windows" Mobile Phone. But what's the point? It won't give you anything the iPhone doesn't also offer plus you lose all the Windows features. I don't think many people buy a Windows smartphone to run Linux on it. Better buy a Linux phone if that's your thing.

The iphone is good if you dont know what you are doing. Its a dumb phone (not a smart phone) for the masses.

Perhaps. Another two advantages of the iPhone: easy to use and lots of people have it.

4 major reason that make the iphone bad.
1) Access to battery. Can not be replaced on the fly.

I have never done that with any of my previous phones.

2) MicroSD slot. No way to change/add storage. There are 8GB SD cards out.Soon 16 GB and 32 GB.

My iPhone has 16 GB. Why would I want to add storage to a _phone_???

3) Keyboard. All my co workers of mine have iphones.

No wonder you hate the iPhone.

4) Ability to edit word/excel docs. Thats right not just view but actually edit them or even do a simple spreadsheet was a feature that windows mobile was able to do YEARS ago.

??? Why would you assume that the iPhone cannot edit Word or Excel documents? There are iPhone programs for almost any task out there. I would be surprised if none of them can edit text or spreadsheets.

Island Dog

on Jul 11, 2008

Android OS+Touch Pro=Laugh at Iphone users.

I seriously doubt that.

Daiwa

on Jul 11, 2008

Only 50 phones available at the AT&T store (one of only 2 in northeast Phoenix) which they refused to let you know in advance. I showed up 2 hours before opening and... Natch, I was 12 people too late for a 16Gb and 1 person too late for an 8Gb. But the direct fulfillment deal will get it hear next week. Requires a second trip to the store, of course, but I don't mind waiting a few days. So, a review post remains pending.

kona0197

on Jul 14, 2008

You call getting a Apple product an "upgrade"?

spiralblitz

on Jul 14, 2008

agreed with above. I use my sony psp as a phone and its more worth it than the iphone

BONEHEADdb

on Jul 14, 2008

kona0197

on Jul 15, 2008

Yeah - Verizon and Sprint both offer phones that do everything the Iphone does - if not more including the touchscreen - for far less prices. Buy an iPhone and you pay for the Apple name in spades...

Island Dog

on Jul 15, 2008

Yeah - Verizon and Sprint both offer phones that do everything the Iphone does

Just not as well.

kona0197

on Jul 15, 2008

You're right. They work better.

erathoniel

on Jul 15, 2008

My only problem with an iPhone is that there isn't much about it that I need, and it costs too much to be a "want" item.

I'd like a Linux-powered phone, not an Apple one. The Linux one would at least let me put on any software I wanted.

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