Omair Haneef asked:


The Apple iPhone first took launch during the month of June in the year 2007. The iPhone is a remarkable device with many capabilities. The iPhone is a camera phone, a media player, and an internet device. There are currently two generations of iPhones. The original being the first generation, and the new version (iPhone 3G) is the second generation. The second generation adds 3G data capability that allows for faster 3G data speeds and also assisted gps. Yes, GPS is supported in the iPhone!

Each generation of iPhones comes in two models: 8GB and 16GB. The only difference between the two models is the amount of memory supported. The cost of the iPhone depends on the generation and also the model (either 8GB or 16GB). The newest iPhones are of course the 3G versions.

So now the main question is how much does an iphone cost? To answer that question one must consider if they are looking to purchase a locked or unlocked iPhone 3G. Locked iPhones are ones that are locked to cell phone carriers (e.g. Cingular) and can only be used with that specific carrier. For example, if you buy an iPhone that is locked to Cingular Wireless then you can only use that iPhone with Cingular and not with say another carrier such as AT&T.

Locked iPhone 3G 8GB and 16GB can cost around $600-$700 CAD. On the other hand, if you are looking to purchase an unlocked iPhone the prices are noticeably different. Unlocked iPhones can be used with any gsm carrier. You must be aware that there are three different versions of unlocked iPhone 3Gs. There are software unlocked, turbo sim and officially unlocked (never locked) versions direct from apple. Software unlocked iPhones are ones that are taken out of their packaging and are manually unlocked by use of some unlocking software.

Turbo sim unlocked iPhones are ones that are also removed out of their packaging but instead of software they are unlocked by a device called a turbo sim. The problem with iPhones that are software or turbo sim unlocked is that they have problems when it comes to upgrading the iPhones firmware. For instance, after upgrading these iPhones would go back to locked mode, meaning they would be locked back to a carrier.

Officially unlocked iPhone 3Gs or also known as the “never locked versions” are iPhones direct from apple that are unlocked (never locked). These legally unlocked versions do not experience any problems at all when it comes to upgrading firmware. The cost for an officially unlocked iPhone 3G 8GB is a little over $900 CAD and the 16GB is a little over $1000 CAD. The cost is higher because these versions are rare and are not easily obtained.

Sure, the cost is higher but it is worth it because these versions are directly unlocked by apple and will not experience any upgrade problems. In the end it all comes down to personal choice, which do you prefer?

Stig Kristoffersen asked:


AppStore has over 30.000 applications on offer to you at the moment. Apple AppStore is a success with almost 1 billion downloads up till now.

However, there is a flip side to this story. Lot of developers’ makes applications for the Apple products IPhone and IPodTouch but their products never makes it to the AppStore.

 

Applications that utilize certain functionalities in the iPhone like cut and paste, video recording, streaming, MMS, filesharing through Bluetooth and batch processes does not make it to the AppStore.

Apple also reserves them to prohibit applications that do not fit into the vision of Apple iPhone usage, like podcasting, direct access to the GPS and competing email and web browser clients.

iPhone 3.0 firmware will make it possible to utilize some of these functionalities, but not all. Therefore there is a development of jail breaking of the iPhones. These hacked versions of iPhones can utilize the capabilities that Apple do not want users to use, even in the new firmware 3.0.

Some developers complain about the discrimination of applications launched on AppStore as they seem to be of competition reasons mostly, to the disadvantage of Apple.

This question the AppStore as a sole provider of applications to the iPhone, and will maybe force the upcoming of competing AppStore’s in the near future.

Apple has not taken any special efforts in fighting the distribution of applications made for the hacked versions of the iPhone as it may have a positive effect on the iPhone concept, as it creates a positive buzz and creative development around the product.

There are 10 applications that Apple does not promote on the AppStore, and they are;

Clippy that make it possible to cut and paste text between applications. This is a functionality iPhone users have asked for since the launch of the iPhone. You can copy a text message and paste it into an email. Clippy does not work with Mobile Safari though. This functionality is promised to be in the 3.0 firmware version of the iPhone.

Cyntact makes it possible to get pop-ups of the pictures of your contacts when you browse through your contacts list and not only when they call you as you do in the original iPhone software.. This enables you to quick get information you have on a person, either using names or pictures.

Voicemail Forwarder can forward sound messages to anyone with an email address. As iPhone solution acts as a receiver portal for sound messages only. The purpose of being able to do this is to either archive or forward funny messages to others.

Cycorder: enables you to take both pictures and videos with your iPhone, which is not possible on the standard edition of your iPhone today. The software makes it possible to record a video with up to 15 captures pr second in a resolution of 384 x 288 pixles.

MxTube: makes it possible for you to see Youtube videos on your iPhone if you do not have access to internet. MxTube enables you to watch your favourite Youube videos offline.

MiVTones: software makes it possible to play any video as a ring tone when someone is calling you. So its an advanced ring tone, instead of the standard audio version you can do on your standard iPhone. You can select between various videos for the various contacts you have in your contacts list, and share videos with others that use this application.

Adblock: is a add-on to Mobile Safari, as it filters out most of the advertisments on the websites you surfe. Then you do not have to suffer from slow downloads of web pages filled with ads in them.

FindMyi: makes it possible to find your phone at any time, anywhere through FindMy’s web page. The application makes it possible to track your phone with the help of the built in GPS functionality of your phone. FindMyi runs in batch mode all the time and does not conflict with other operations on the phone.,So if you fear your phone is stolen or lost, you can salvage data and lock the phone through this software and their web page.