Apple iPhone 3G Frequently Asked Questions
The Apple iPhone 3G has finally arrived to the global market. It has been very interesting to read about the consumer reactions and initial comments regarding this device. After all the European / International market has used to advanced 3G smartphone concepts, and in that sense is much more demanding than the U.S. consumers on Apple’s home field. I skimmed through some mobile phone related message boards and discovered that the iPhone 3G has already found a number of passionate fans, but the limited set of features and restricting operating systems has also been heavily criticized. The iPhone 3G has also raised many questions that have been asked over and over again during the last few days, so I decided to sum it up for you - here is the Apple iPhone 3G FAQ.
Apple iPhone 3G FAQ:
Q: Is it possible to multitask applications (run several applications at a time, say web browser and MSN client as an example) in iPhone 3G?
A: No.
Q: Is it possible to send multimedia messages (MMS) using the iPhone 3G?
A: No.
Q: Is it possible to delete text messages (SMS) one by one?
A: No.
Q: When typing a text message (SMS), does the iPhone 3G show how many characters one has typed?
A: No.
Q: Does the iPhone 3G have video camera features?
A: No.
Q: Is it possible to use iPhone 3G as a modem with my laptop?
A: No.
Q: Can the wireless Bluetooth connectivity be used for anything else than hands free headsets?
A: No.
Q: Is it possible to use the GPS positioning without active data connection?
A: No.
Q: Is it possible to charge the iPhone 3G battery while the device is turned off?
A: No.
Q: Does the iPhone 3G have copy & paste features for text?
A: No.
Q: Can I replace the iPhone 3G battery myself?
A: No.
Q: Does the alarm clock feature work if the iPhone 3G is turned off?
A: No.
Q: Does the iPhone 3G virtual keyboard have buttons for Scandinavian letters Ä and Ö?
A: No.
Q: Is it possible to fully utilize the iPhone 3G without using the iTunes application?
A: No.
While the iPhone definitely has some greatness in desing, concepting and user interface, these questions demonstrate how restricted the features actually are. Personally I find the lack of multi tasking as the biggest fault - smartphones are essentially considered as Internet devices and it should be possible to have for an example an email client and web browser running at the same time, or MSN Messenger client running in the background as anohter example.
I am sure that more and more questions will arise as the iPhone 3G reaches more interested consumers, so please do use the comment feature below to post your additions to this list.
Smart phone users who are sophisticated and need the features mentioned in the Q&A will not be happy with the iPhone. However, those who want ease of use of a device that connects seamlessly as part of a digital eco-system, will willingly sacrifice these features at least initially. Apple is being very careful to keep things simple and intuitive to use. In time, I believe, many of these features will be available for the iPhone and sales will make another step function leap. iPhone is wireless digital communication for the masses.
Edwin: Interesting that you call this a product “for the masses”, since it rather seems to be a traditional niche market device, just like their computers.
“Is it possible to delete text messages (SMS) one by one?”
What the… How can this be possible? Does this mean in theory that when your memory card doesn’t have any room left, the memory card becomes useless?
“Is it possible to charge the iPhone 3G battery while the device is turned off?”
Oh yeah, how practical! And what about when the battery becomes completely empty? Or is there some kind of a seperate recharger?
“Q: Can I replace the iPhone 3G battery myself?
A: No.”
This doesn’t sound good. How can I travel to anywhere for more than few days trip? I suppose that the battery lasts only about 4 days because of the large screen and the other features, am I right? What if I’m planning to travel for instance to India where I probably wouldn’t easily find any relieable guy to change the battery of my iPhone…
Well, if these doesn’t bother you, ok then…
“Q: Is it possible to send multimedia messages (MMS) using the iPhone 3G?
A: No.”
actually, it is: go to http://www.iphoneapps.org and you can buy a pack with 10 different good programs for iPhone 3G.
“Q: Is it possible to charge the iPhone 3G battery while the device is turned off?
A: No.”
I totally agree with Albino: what if the iPhone completly runs out of battery, we can’t recharge it???
“Q: Does the iPhone 3G have video camera features?
A: No.”
Once again, go to http://www.iphoneapps.org
“Q: Does the iPhone 3G virtual keyboard have buttons for Scandinavian letters Ä and Ö?
A: No.”
ARGH! Stop answering No when you don’t know the real answer!
Apple is working in keyboard languages, and still, each country has two languages:
English and the current country language.
E-mail me for reply.
Keyaku: I don’t think that 3rd party applications can be counted as product features? Sure, I can install a web server on my phone, but I still don’t see the manufacturer promoting it’s web server features.
And regarding the Scandinavian keyboard - the scandic letters are hidden behind their counterparts “A”, “O” and so on. So they do not have dedicated keys on the virtual keyboard.
Yes you’re right, you can hold a letter, appearing a lot of different ways to write it.
Also, I found out that you can run any application in the same time you hear music.
Also, here is a question that might interest you:
Is any of the IM enterprises creating the PCs and Macs IMs for iPhone?
For Keyaku and everyone else: http://www.theiphoneblog.com/2008/07/19/warning-dont-fall-for-fake-apps/