I guess it was inevitable that I would write a post relating to Apple’s new iPhone and MobileMe service. I’d held off a little so that I could see some of the fall out and what the deals are like over here in the UK.
The price is clearly the biggest thing about the iPhone 3G and it seems that, for once, we are receiving a better deal than the US. It’s possible for us to get a free iPhone, depending on the price plan, and even on other price plans its a very reasonable price (£99) for such a device.
I’m personally most stoked about the GPS capabilities. As someone who is looking to buy a Sat Nav this summer, I’m looking forward to seeing how well the iPhone can handle being used on a long drive. I’m a little sceptical about how the Google Maps implementation (no view as if you are driving) can work for this. Maybe with the 3rd party applications available once the App Store launches the Sat Nav specialists like Tom Tom will be able to implement their software. Either way, it looks like even more potential has been added to the iPhone.
MobileMe looks like an extremely good implementation and consumer product, I unlike many others don’t have an issue with the branding either. The inline version is my preferred version, but the cloud icon communicates perfectly to people just what the service does. I’m looking forward to trying the service and, if it stands up well, losing the horrible GMail IMAP implementation.
Since it’s been a few days since the keynote, I’ve had the opportunity to see how everybody is moaning about the new iPhone. It seems to have done well, apart from the issues with price plans in the states, the only moan I have seen is regarding the camera. More specifically the lack of a front facing one and consequently the lack of video chat. Everyone harps on about it, and in all honesty I think the people who are bothered about it are those who have never had a phone capable of it.
My last three mobile phones have been capable of it. They have all had a front facing camera and the opportunity to video call. Many of my friends have also had such capabilities on their phones. I’d say in the last 3 years it’s been quite a widespread option. But that’s what it has always been, an option. In those 3 years, I’ve never used or even wanted to use the function, nor do I know anyone who has. It’s a feature that everyone seems to want, but it also seems to be a feature that no body uses.
All in all I’m pleased with the update, the price point and 3G addition make it a very appealing phone (not that it wasn’t anyway) here in the UK. The GPS, at least in my eyes, has made the iPhone a real deal breaker. There is now the scope to not just replace my iPod and mobile with one device, but also the Sat Nav I’ve been planning on buying this summer.
I'm a Christian, a designer, and a gadget fan who lives in Cheltenham, UK.
This is my blog, a creative outlet to mess around and play with as well as a place that logs my thoughts and inspirations.