Saying the iPhone ‘is just a mobile phone’ is like saying ‘Wham were just a band’, and just like George and Andrew, Apple’s newest hardware release is making fingerless gloves cool again thanks to it’s touch screen features and cooler than green fluro styling. It makes me want to Jitterbug like it’s 1984 again, and I think that’s a good thing.

For those of you live in a plastic bubble due to a rare condition that prevents you from viewing TV, reading the internet, scanning the odd newspaper or listening to the radio, the iPhone is a new communication device with a touch screen interface running a mobile version of Apple’s OSX. I say communications device, because the iPhone incorporates not just a mobile phone but also mobile email, even from an exchange server. Also included is a GPS device streaming Google Maps to help you find your way to the nearest public toilet.

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Of course the iPhone also includes an mp3 player, video player, web browser, alarm clock, address book, game player, stock exchange information viewer and toaster. Actually, I lied about the toaster, but that’s ok, because I don’t like toast. Thanks to the iPhones unique online store licensing, anyone can make applications for the iPhone to either sell or simply give away for free. A quick survey of the office here at my work told me that 89% of people like free stuff, and that the other 11% don’t understand simple questions. Along with all the other fantastic iPhone features this leads me to believe that the iPhone may just be the greatest device released this Month. I give it two fingerless gloved thumbs up!

Review by Brett Fitzgerald, Cybershop

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iPhoibles

The iPhone has more than enough new and revolutionary features to warrant the hype. However, the iPhone is not a perfect creation, and here’s before you buy here’s a rundown of some of the 5 biggest gripes about the hottest phone.

1) ‘Bill Shock’ – The iPhone’s web capabilities and download options have led the ACCC to warn consumers to read the fine print before they start adding apps to their phone. So, keep track of your downloads and take advantage of the great free apps available (Pangea VR, Stanza and Tap Tap make our list of favs).

2) Battery Life… or Death – The iPhone battery sadly is not as revolutionary as the actual phone. Prepare to charge the phone at the end of everyday.

3) Not so Snappy – The phone-camera has almost made little digital point-and-shoots obsolete, but iPhone users may need to keep the old digi camera handy. With the iPhone camera, you get 2.0 megapixels and that’s really about it.

4) GPS Navigation – It’s got the whole GPS, Google map thing going on and that’s awesome. However, don’t chuck out (er, we mean, recycle) the street directory just yet. The GPS does not come with navigation software, which means it will not give voice command step-by-step directions and is not really practical for use while driving. For those of you who think that you can still use it by glancing at your phone, well, you can probably text while driving too right? iDiot.

5) Download Speed – Maybe this is looking a gift horse (or not so much gift as an $800 – give or take – horse) in the mouth, but the download speeds are pretty average. In fact, they’re really on par with the rest of the field.

Megan Smith