Revenge of the iPhone 3G questions

Apple iPhone 3G

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

Reader questions about the iPhone 3G continue to pour in, so I'll take another stab at answering them in a special edition of On Call. If you still have a query, check out my previous columns from last week or the week prior, my iPhone 3G FAQ, and CNET's iPhone 3G review.

Q: Will applications purchased from the App Store take up storage space?
- David

A: Applications absolutely will take up space in your iPhone 3G's memory. As such, your usable memory for videos and music will be affected not only by the number of saved applications, but also by your saved photos, videos, and contacts (to name a few).

Q: I have the first iPhone, which was hacked in Hong Kong. Do you think Apple will open the Bluetooth for File Transfer Profile (FTP)? I think not, but there should be a software for this.
- Malcolm

A: This is something Apple could do via a software update, but I think it's pretty unlikely. In my cynical view, Apple would rather have you transfer files via iTunes. That way, the company can control the experience.

Q: Thanks for the unbiased iPhone review. Currently I have a BlackBerry Pearl, but I am eligible for a new phone and I'm having trouble finding a good comparison between the iPhone 3G and the upcoming Blackberry Bold. Which one would you recommend? Also, do you know if you can sync podcasts through the iPhone, or does it have to be done through the desktop version of iTunes?
-Chris

A: I'll take your last question first. Currently, you can sync podcasts only through the desktop versions of iTunes. I know this isn't the most ideal scenario, but it's what we have to do right now.

Since I haven't spent a whole lot of time with the BlackBerry Bold--its release date remains under wraps and we have yet to review it--I passed your question to our smartphone expert, Bonnie Cha. She had the following to say:

"Chris, it's difficult to give a definitive answer since we haven't done a hands-on review of the BlackBerry Bold, but given that you'll want a phone for personal use and Web browsing, I would say go with the iPhone. While BlackBerrys have come a long way in becoming more consumer friendly and "personal," it's still very much a business- and messaging-centric tool. The iPhone's Web are better, plus you get a pretty decent camera and plenty of third-party apps."

I hope that helps!

Q: I currently own the original iPhone. I know that Apple will soon be switching to their MobileMe service. Will this only be available on the new 3G iPhone, or can I use this on my existing iPhone?
- Ross

A: You'll be able to use MobileMe on the current iPhone with the 2.0 software update. But based on our initial impressions of MobileMe, I wouldn't be too eager to use it.

Q: I currently have the AT&T Tilt (which I am happy with), but I'm considering switching to the new iPhone. What are the main differences and is it worth the switch?
- Karen

A: I didn't review the Tilt but I know it's one of Bonnie Cha's favorite smartphones. Again, I yield to her expertise:

"Karen, there are a couple of major differences between the iPhone and the AT&T Tilt. First, they run on two different operating systems: Windows Mobile 6 for the Tilt and obviously, Apple OS X for the iPhone. You also get a tactile keyboard with the Tilt. As with the Bold, I would say the Tilt is definitely more business friendly, so if you need a smartphone for work and you've been happy with the Tilt so far, I don't see a need to switch."

Q: I want to get an iPhone, but the city where I plan to use it does not have 3G. There is EDGE coverage, but I have no way of getting the original iPhone, which would be fine me. If I want an iPhone, must I get a 3G iPhone, pay for 3G service and not be able to use it?
- Daniel

A: Though you no longer can buy the original iPhone new from AT&T or Apple, you might consider getting a used model. The handset won't be new, but you'll get full use out of it after you update the software. What's more, you can activate the handset via iTunes (and save yourself going to an AT&T store), and you can sign up for the cheaper monthly plan.

But, if you have you heart set on a new model, you will have to buy the iPhone 3G at its normal price and sign a standard contract, regardless of whether you use the 3G or not. As consolation, your city may get 3G in the near future (inquire with AT&T to make sure), but for the time being you will pay more than a bit of money for a cell phone that you won't fully utilize.

Q: I've seen a pretty long list of missing features on the iPhone 3G. Of all the items on your own wish list, which ones can't be fixed via a software/firmware update?
- Regi

A: You're quire correct, Regi, that the iPhone doesn't deliver a few features for which we were hoping. These include: Apple multimedia messaging, stereo Bluetooth, video recording, a landscape keyboard for messaging, cut and paste, voice dialing, and Flash support for the Web browser. Apple could add these features with an update, but both a removable memory card slot and (possibly) Haptics feedback would need a completely new device. But of all the possible features that Apple could add, those two are last on my list.

Q: I have a secondary phone on my AT&T account with a first generation iPhone. The primary account holder lives in a different state. Does the account holder need to be present when upgrading my iPhone to iPhone 3G?
- Ryan

A: I know that AT&T requires iPhone 3G buyers to be in the store at the time of purchase to sign the new contract. Of course, that means you'll have to be there, but I'm not sure if the primary account holder needs to be along as well. Since that person isn't buying the iPhone, I would say no. But since your purchase will result in changes to their plan, then I would say yes. I advise you to check with AT&T for confirmation.

[Dekim99]

Isn't it possible that tactile feedback could also be created via a software update? The iphone does already have a vibrate mechanism. Wouldn't it just be a matter of activating a brief vibrate when the screen is touched? Not that this is a feature that I am dying for, but it seems to me that it shouldn't take more than a software change to implement it.

[mr_c0w]

I think that would be more like 'haptic' feedback. In order to get a tactile response the phone would need to have some bumps that you could feel before you press the key in.

However, in all honesty, I have been very pleased with the virtual keyboard on the iphone. With it I have been able to type much faster than I could with my old blackjack.

[bigmc6000]

I've got a question - I've got the original iPhone but think I might end up upgrading sometime around Christmas when (most likely) a 32GB version comes out with, possibly, a better camera. Do you think AT&T will continue to allow current iPhone V1 owners to upgrade without paying the "early upgrade" fee?

[dcdttu]

Has anyone noticed their iPhone having horribly unusable 3G reception, yet stellar 2G reception? I get 3G about 20% of the time in Austin, TX (a city covered in 3G). Last night in downtown, I was next to my friend who had a Nokia N75 with full 3G signal, my iPhone 3G had 1-2 bars at best, and was often switched to 2G. There are posts on the Apple site and howardforums.com about this global issue. It's not the carriers, it's the iPhone itself!

[mrichman]

Has anyone figured out how to make the ringer volume stay on maximum? If I slide the volume to maximum and then use another application, I find the ringer volume resets to about 40%. I'd like to lock it at 100%. Any advice?

Thanks!

[rigelstuff]

A possible deal breaker for me is the lack of stereo Bluetooth, as I've been spoiled with my BT headset on my Kaiser.
Other personal wish list items are a landscape keyboard and haptic feedback on the screen.

Can anyone give iPhone alternatives that fulfill the shortcomings mentioned in this thread?

[berock]

There's a detailed point-to-point comparison of the Blackberry Bold and the Apple iPhone 3G entitled "Blackberry Bold vs iPhone 3G: yeah, we definitely went there" at http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/07/16/blackberry-bold-vs-iphone-3g-yeah-we-definitely-went-there/ , with a summary of findings at http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/07/cheat-sheet-tbg.html .

[dollyh45]

hi I have an old Iphone and have purchased a new one which i have not received yet. but I tried to upgrade my old one with the 2.0 ad lost my safari browser and now all it says is welcome to internet explorer 7 . i have no idea what has happened. can you help me out? I have restored the old iphone 2x's and still keep getting explorer. UGH!!! thanks.. pam

[perkler]

Kent, I want to clear something up that is very important, and i hope you get this. The last question was about a family plan and if the primary account holder has to be there. The answer is YES. I stood in line for 2 hours and come to find out my mom has to be there for me to get the phone since i am not the primary account holder. If you go to an at&t store, you have to be a retail user on the account which means the primary holder has to give at&t permission to give you the power to purchase the phone. This is a very unclear topic and i learned it first hand (unfortunately). When i asked the apple associate why this was never posted on their website.....he said it was a problem that occurred after they started selling the phones on Friday. I am not impressed with apple on this one.

[loki82]

I'll confirm what perkler has said, I'm currently an AT&T sales consultant in NY and when you upgrade from an iphone to iphone 3G you have to enter into a new 2 year agreement. Since its a new agreement only the account holder can enter into the agreement. The only exception to this is if AT&T cannot qualify you for for service can you get one at a without a contract, but a higher price.

[metabret]

Here's a quick story from me - a very very loyal Apple customer:

I've had an AT&T wireless account for 8 years. My monthly bill averages $200, so a little quick math says that I have paid them $19,200 in wireless service fees. In that time I've had two refurbished phones, so it's not like I've cost them a lot in subsidizing my hardware.

Two days ago I stood in line at the Apple Store to finally purchase an iPhone 3G. It was time.

Imagine my surprise that when the guy in front of me paid $299 for his 16GB iPhone because he WASN'T already an AT&T customer, and I was told by the Apple employee that I had to pay $499 for mine because I was an AT&T customer but "wasn't yet eligible for an upgrade".

After two days of phone calls to AT&T I've decided I'm returning my iPhone and canceling my AT&T service after 8 years. Verizon actually WANTS my business and is giving me a great deal on a new Blackberry at a lower monthly service cost.

The worst part is that I'm a very, very loyal Apple customer. I own several Macs and am a true Apple aficionado. But this experience has left a really, really bad taste in my mouth.

For 8 years I was an AT&T customer, paying them $19,200 with very little hardware subsidy (if any). Now Apple and AT&T tell me that I have to pay $200 more for my iPhone than the guy in front of me because I'm already an AT&T customer and he's not?

That's just unconscionable.

Shame on you, Apple, for entering into a deal that treats loyal customers like that.

[tonyg19]

Agree. The AT&T upgrade policy is applied when you purchase a "discounted" phone. It should not be applied when you are willing to pay the retail cost of the Iphone.

[bigmc6000]

Well - enjoy your time at Verizon. I think it's funny if you think it's going to be any different because all the US carriers are the same way. Verizon sure as heck isn't going to give you subsidized pricing unless you're eligible - I guess you'll find that out in about a year when you want a new phone but they say too bad. And really - if you're paying $200 a month I can't imagine that $200 to you is really that much... (Also, I don't have a clue in the world how you're paying that much since Unlimited voice + unlimited text + unlimited data is 100+30+20...)

[absolute59]

I have an iphone 3G and when I got on my work computer to sync email; contact etc. my computer could not download itunes 7.7.1 It would get 3/4 of the way through the download and the give me an error message. I use windows xp pro. Anyone have any ideas of what I can do to get 7.7.1?

[absolute59]

I have an iphone 3G and when I got on my work computer to sync email; contact etc. my computer could not download itunes 7.7.1 It would get 3/4 of the way through the download and the give me an error message. I use windows xp pro. Anyone have any ideas of what I can do to get 7.7.1?