iPhone 3G questions

[Not Afraid]

The latest iPhone will be released this Friday. I am 98% sure I will be switching when my contract is complete at the end of this month. I have a few questions that I haven't seen addressed anywhere else online so I thought I'd see if anyone here has read anything that would answer my questions.


Can I switch my sim card from my BlackBerry to the iPhone?
Will the iPhone work with Entourage programs (specifically Calendar and Address book)?
It is really true it won't cut and paste?
What else doesn't it do that a BlackBerry or Windows Mobil phone will do?

[BarTopDancer]

I did some quick research and it looks like the T-mobile SIM card will not work on an AT&T phone. There are several exceptions - hacks and having both phones and the SIM card unlocked. If I recall your BB is unlocked but you are using your original T-Mobile SIM Card.

The AT&T store should be able to transfer the data over (the T-Mobile store had a machine to copy the data from my AT&T SIM card over to my new T-Mobile SIM card).

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Quick search yielded a comparison (http://images.crackberry.com/files/kevin/BoldvsiPhone3Gbig.png). If you type "compare iphone 3g blackberry" into Google you get a lot of stuff...

[BarTopDancer]

Here's (http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/business/appleaday/blog/2008/06/unlocking_the_new_iphone_wont.html) a decent article on the new iPhone, the barriers to unlocking and the increased rates.

[Not Afraid]

I really just want to know if it will sync with Entourage. No one seems to address that with the new phone.

[BarTopDancer]

Did you call Apple or swing by an Apple store?

[Not Afraid]

I talked to a guy at the Apple store but he didn't know too much. I'll just wait until they come out and the issues become known issues (or I'll bug my friend.)

[BarTopDancer]

Some more quick research suggests that you have to run it through iCal, or did on the old iPhone.

I'm not familiar with Entourage, but if it's a server based email the push capabilities should allow syncing.

[Not Afraid]

Entourage is the Apple version of Microsoft Outlook. I prefer it over iCal because it allows color coding in the calendar itself - and with my life consisting of a series of appointments that fall into about 5 major categories, it is incredibly helpful in organizing my schedule. BlackBerry doesn't support Entourage either. It sucks.

[BarTopDancer]

Hope it works out for you! :)

[mousepod]

you can color code iCal, btw.

[Kevy Baby]

The iPhone 1.0 supports Entourage 2004 (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1670). I don't see why 2.0 wouldn't.

From reading, it looks like Entourage 2008 is having sync issues and most people recommend staying away from it for now (great - I read this AFTER I upgrade - sheesh)

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Got a 3G iPhone? Don't drop it, ever. (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2008/08/iphone-broken-s.html)

[Not Afraid]

I've already dropped it. But, I also have it protected. i drop things.


BTW, I love my iPhone!

[Snowflake]

My contract is up soon, and I am so very tempted, and I am already with AT&T.

[Alex]

I've had a couple acquaintances start to turn on their iPhone's (the new version), though most still love it, and this Slate article seems to reinforce their complaints (http://www.slate.com/id/2198535/). Though the article, overall, is about Apples crappy treatment of customers.

[mousepod]

So far, my only real complaint about the iPhone is rapid battery discharge. I keep mine plugged in to a USB port all day at work so I can keep it unplugged in the evening.

[Snowflake]

So far, my only real complaint about the iPhone is rapid battery discharge. I keep mine plugged in to a USB port all day at work so I can keep it unplugged in the evening.

Does it also fit into an iPod charger?
Is there enough room for music? Asking you, MP, that is a loaded question, you have way more music than anyone I've ever met.

[Kevy Baby]

I've had a couple acquaintances start to turn on their iPhone's (the new version), though most still love it, and this Slate article seems to reinforce their complaints (http://www.slate.com/id/2198535/). Though the article, overall, is about Apples crappy treatment of customers.There was a story in yesterday's LA Times (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-apple25-2008aug25,0,4479285.story) about how app developers have been having a challenge with Apple's NDA.

This doesn't directly affect end-users, but ultimately could.

[Kevy Baby]

Is there enough room for music? Asking you, MP, that is a loaded question, you have way more music than anyone I've ever met.There are 8 GB and 16 GB models. Some of that storage is taken up by apps, but the bulk is for music (and/or videos).

[€uroMeinke]

I've been fine with the battery life, but I've turned off a lot of the energy consuming features - wifi, gps, automatic email checks, etc. This works for me since I seem to work in a concrete bunker with little to no connectivity so it prevents my phone from seeking out things it can't have.

My complaint is that I can't really use it as an authoring tool - no cut and paste, can't select and edit text, the screen rotation only works for web pages so you get the narrow keyboard a lot. I had hoped there was integration with google docs so I could totally take advantage of the cloud but I guess that's another generation away.

Still browsing is great, short messaging is fine, lots of room to store music, video, photos - just wish I could store, access, and work on documents as well.

[Stan4dSteph]

I've had a couple acquaintances start to turn on their iPhone's (the new version), though most still love it, and this Slate article seems to reinforce their complaints (http://www.slate.com/id/2198535/). Though the article, overall, is about Apples crappy treatment of customers.It does seem from that article that Apple is banking on their built up reputation to brush off criticism or poor products. Here's hoping they wake up soon, or they will find themselves off the pedestal.

[Kevy Baby]

It does seem from that article that Apple is banking on their built up reputation to brush off criticism or poor products. Here's hoping they wake up soon, or they will find themselves off the pedestal.Many long-time Apple supporters (including myself) have been rather put off by Apples actions of late.

Not enough to turn us away (yet) - I just hope they figure it out pretty soon.

[Moonliner]

Not enough to turn us away (yet) - I just hope they figure it out pretty soon.

Does this help:

Private iPhone data not so private (http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/08/27/Locked_iPhones_can_be_unlocked_without_a_password_ 1.html).

[Kevy Baby]

Does this help:

Private iPhone data not so private (http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/08/27/Locked_iPhones_can_be_unlocked_without_a_password_ 1.html).Ya gotta try harder than that.

Besides, I can't trust someone who continually lies in his signature. The correct estimated arrival date is August 27, 2019.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Hey, iPhone user! Here's a handy app (http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10032963-37.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0).

[mousepod]

Reading the current Android thread has prompted me to post here this morning.

Last Friday, the new firmware for the iPhone was released (2.1). It doesn't add any new technology (copy/paste, for example), but it does stabilize a few existing services that some iPhone users were having issues with. Now, the 3G network has "more bars" more often, 3rd party app crashes are greatly diminished, GPS is more stable, and typing is even faster. Loving the phone...

[Not Afraid]

YEAH, I haven't stopped loving my phone. There are a few things it ould improve on, but it's so wonderful I hardly notice.

[Moonliner]

I'm glad to hear that. The better the competition is between phones the better it will be for the consumer.

[NickO'Time]

I absolutely love mine and have seen some of the improvements since the upgrade.

[€uroMeinke]

Love the big screen, love the browser, love the cool apps - but I still wish it could do some basic things with documents that it does with images, music and video - like be able to store them on all those gigabites. The ability to edit them would also be a plus. But I'm experimenting with some basic 3rd party apps that might get my basic needs done in that area.

[Kevy Baby]

For the iPhone 3G users here (I know of at least four, and Susan and I shall be joining the ranks soon), Apple announced a recall of the power adapters (http://www.apple.com/support/usbadapter/exchangeprogram/).

[Moonliner]

T-Mobile announced the G1/Android/Google (http://gizmodo.com/5053734/how-many-google-engineers-does-it-take-to-tell-the-time)phone today.

I was just wondering, how much are these iPhone thingies anyways?

[Kevy Baby]

T-Mobile announced the G1/Android/Google (http://gizmodo.com/5053734/how-many-google-engineers-does-it-take-to-tell-the-time)phone today.

I was just wondering, how much are these iPhone thingies anyways?Do we have you interested? I remember seeing you post this:

Reading the various blogs I'm afraid this [The G1/Android/Google] phone from this carrier will not be the one for me.

[Moonliner]

Do we have you interested? I remember seeing you post this:

I'm not ready to come to the dark side (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/09/23/apple_cuts_off_unofficial_avenue_for_rebuffed_ipho ne_apps.html). However I'm not down with the rebel scum just yet either. It looks like I'll be stuck in cellphone purgatory for at least the next three to six months.

[Kevy Baby]

It looks like the iPhone is headed towards having Google Street View (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/24/iphone-firmware-2-2-beta-2-enables-street-view/).

[Moonliner]

It looks like the iPhone is headed towards having Google Street View (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/24/iphone-firmware-2-2-beta-2-enables-street-view/).

You mean like the G1 already has?

[Kevy Baby]

You mean like the G1 already has?Yeah, but then you are stuck with a G1

[Kevy Baby]

Hey iPhone users: does the $30 data charge apply per line or is there just the one charge that covers both phones (assuming you have two iPhones on the plan)

[Stan4dSteph]

I think it's per phone, but I'm not sure.

In a similar vein, do you need to also add a texting plan, or are there ways to text without needing to add on the AT&T charge?

[bewitched]

Hey iPhone users: does the $30 data charge apply per line or is there just the one charge that covers both phones (assuming you have two iPhones on the plan)

I think it's per phone, but I'm not sure.

In a similar vein, do you need to also add a texting plan, or are there ways to text without needing to add on the AT&T charge?

These are a couple of questions I've been trying to get firm answers to. From what I finally gather (I'm trying to decide if I can justify a $25+ monthly jump in my cell phone rate in order to get the iPhone):

To Kevy: It is a "per line" charge for data on the family plan (which I assume you are talking about). Data and texting cannot be shared, only call minutes so, $30 for data on each phone ($60 total).

Steph: Texting is not included in the data plan needed for the iPhone. The minimum plan (in Kansas) is $5 additional for 200 texts or you can chose a "per text" charge (I think it's $.15 per but I'm not sure).

[Ghoulish Delight]

Well, now that google lets you send and receive SMS messages from their chat client, you can just use that instead of paying for text message service. Although if anyone sends a text to your number and you don't have a text message plan you'll probably be charged the &.15

[Kevy Baby]

Steph: Texting is not included in the data plan needed for the iPhone. The minimum plan (in Kansas) is $5 additional for 200 texts or you can chose a "per text" charge (I think it's $.15 per but I'm not sure).The per text charge without a text plan is $0.20 in CA, but it is probably the same everywhere.

In reviewing the plans, AT&T has (IMO) gaps right where I don't want them.

There is a 700 shared minutes plan for $70/month plan (two lines)
There is a 1400 shared minutes plan for $90/month plan (two lines)
I want a 1000 shared minutes plan. $80/month would seem fair.

There is a 200 message text plan for $5/month
There is a 1500 message text plan for $15/month
I want something in the middle (500 or 700 minutes maybe) for $10/month

Well, what I really want is an unlimited talk/data/text plan that covers both phones for $20/month, but that ain't gonna happen.

[€uroMeinke]

You might also want to price out two individual plans instead of one family plan, that's the route we went since we use our phones so differently. We still get the free mobile to mobile which covers most of the minutes I ever use anyway.

[lashbear]

the screen rotation only works for web pages so you get the narrow keyboard a lot.
Then you need This App (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=288913238) :cheers:

[Stan4dSteph]

Is anyone who has an iPhone now a switcher from Verizon service? If so, I'd like to hear your thoughts on service/call quality/dropped calls etc. with AT&T versus with Verizon.

[mousepod]

We switched from Verizon when we traded in our Treos for iPhones. We didn't have any problems with Verizon's coverage/quality in LA, and AT&T is almost as good. There are a couple of dead spots on my commute home on Sunset Blvd, but otherwise, it hasn't been a problem.

[Not Afraid]

I switched from T-Mobil and have MUCH better service. A few dead spots here and there, but not bad at all!

[Kevy Baby]

Another friend who has an iPhone reports that it is not the best phone he has ever had, but he has been very happy with the product.

The one thing that we are most nervous about is the coverage at our house. Despite what T-Mobile's may says, we do NOT get coverage at our house (and Susan uses a Razr, which usually gets good reception).

[Stan4dSteph]

I'm still trying to do a price comparison between AT&T and Verizon. Do you iPhone users have the AT&T texting plan? If not, how do you send and receive texts with other people? Is there another app you use?

[Ghoulish Delight]

I'm still trying to do a price comparison between AT&T and Verizon. Do you iPhone users have the AT&T texting plan? If not, how do you send and receive texts with other people? Is there another app you use?
I don't know if there are other options, but you can use google talk to send and receive text messages to/from someone's phone (either through the browser, or if there's a standalone iPhone app).

[mousepod]

I like FRING (http://www.fring.com/).

[Ghoulish Delight]

I've considered ditching our text plan in favor of chat apps, but then if someone sends an SMS message to my mobile #, it's a bit of a hassle to reply.

[BarTopDancer]

I have chat apps for Yahoo, AIM and gChat and an SMS plan (it's part of my blackberry data plan). The chat apps are free, and I find I am rarely on them. If I want to text someone, I'll send them a text.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Does your gChat app work with the google SMS capability? If you can get your friends to use that as your txt #, wouldn't that effectively replace your need for SMS plan (not that you have a choice with the blackberry plan)?

[BarTopDancer]

Does your gChat app work with the google SMS capability? If you can get your friends to use that as your txt #, wouldn't that effectively replace your need for SMS plan (not that you have a choice with the blackberry plan)?

Not sure, but it's a app produced by google.

[€uroMeinke]

I just use the low end text plan at AT&T (I think it's $5 for 200 texts), I rarely exceed that number as with the iPhone I seem to do more email, or tweets, than texting - but that's just me. AT&T does have unlimited texting for $20, but so far when I go over the 200 it still is only costing me a couple bucks.

[Stan4dSteph]

If you buy the iPhone at an Apple store, how does the activation work?

[FEJ]

I've considered ditching our text plan in favor of chat apps, but then if someone sends an SMS message to my mobile #, it's a bit of a hassle to reply.
I use both SMS and Twitter mainly. That and email is much easier way of communication with the iPhone. I have the minimal phone plan as I don't talk much on it.

[FEJ]

If you buy the iPhone at an Apple store, how does the activation work?

They can port and activate at the store. Go to apple.com/iphone/buy (http://www.apple.com/iphone/buy/) and prequalify before you go to the store. Makes it easier.

[innerSpaceman]

ok, it's been long enuf. I always like to be a late adapter, but it seems I am in a dead-heat with some homeless man to become the last smartphone user in L.A.

It's not like I need anything but a phone, but I'm embarrassed to use my lowly cell phone in public anymore. Sheesh.

Ok, so I hear the iPhone is great ... except as a phone.

True? Not? Any other recommendations for the tiny portable web computers ... that happens to also be a really good telephone?

[bewitched]

I believe I have settled on the Nokia N78 (http://www.infosyncworld.com/reviews/cell-phones/nokia-n78/9468.html). I'm a big Nokia fan and I'm just going to buy it outright. The little Nokia phone I'm using now (since my Razr broke) is sloooooow and no frills...if I go with ATT, I'd want the iPhone and then I'd have to wait until July. I'd rather have a Nokia anyway.

[Andrew]

I believe I have settled on the Nokia N78 (http://www.infosyncworld.com/reviews/cell-phones/nokia-n78/9468.html). I'm a big Nokia fan and I'm just going to buy it outright. The little Nokia phone I'm using now (since my Razr broke) is sloooooow and no frills...if I go with ATT, I'd want the iPhone and then I'd have to wait until July. I'd rather have a Nokia anyway.
I hope you enjoy it! (Especially the Ovi stuff...)

[innerSpaceman]

Wow, too pricey for something that ugly.

On the other hand, the iPhone doesn't even have voice-dialing? WTF. Kinda confirms the Phone part is an afterthought.

Might go with a Blackberry, but too many models to sort thru. Bah.

[Not Afraid]

There are all sorts of apps for the iPhone - one that enables voice dialing. Oh, and iGoogle does voice search. I love my iPhone. Just don't drop it.

[Gemini Cricket]

Anyone who is anyone has an iPhone.
iSm's cell phone is so old it has a dial.

:D

[innerSpaceman]

I love my iPhone. Just don't drop it.

Yeah, one of the many reasons I may be leaving cellphonedom behind at last is because I dropped it today and it's kinda messed up.

I don't drop it often, but it eventually happens. Ugh, how big will an iPhone be if I keep it in a protective bubble??

[bewitched]

Wow, too pricey for something that ugly.



Yeah, Nokias aren't known for being visually dazzling.

[bewitched]

Oh, regarding the price...I believe that when you buy a phone separately (this one isn't available through ATT) and not part of a 2 year contract you don't have to buy ATT's mandatory PDA data plan for $30-- you can just use their regular data plan at $15. it's not much, but over 2 years it (in effect) takes $360 off of the price of the phone (as compared to the iPhone).


BTW, if you look around you can find this phone in the $350 range. A seller on Amazon has it for $359 w/a 1 year warranty.