The Easy Guide To Understanding Iphones

By Author: Lucy Carter
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These days it seems everyone is talking about iPhones. If you're not a techy person, it can be difficult to get your head around just why they've caused such a stir. The following article will help you get to grips with exactly what iPhones are so you can decide on whether it's the right option for you.

Introduction to iPhones

In a nutshell, iPhones are a new generation of smartphones made by Apple Inc. The iPhone 4 is their latest offering, while the first version was introduced in January 2007. The iPhone functionality includes camera phone, texting, portable media player and Internet client which allows you to email, browse and have Wi-Fi connectivity. What seems to grab people is the customer friendly interface, which has a well designed multi-touch screen that allows you to easily access the sophisticated range of applications offered by Apple. These 'apps' allow you to access a diverse assortment of functionalities, such as sophisticated games, GPS navigation, social networking and other media.

The original iPhone wowed the public with design - it set precedents like screen size and button placement ...
... that have persisted through all models. The iPhone 3G introduced 3G cellular network capabilities and A-GPS location. The iPhone 3GS brought a faster processor, compass and higher resolution for its camera, including video. The iPhone 4, first released on June 24 of this year, now has two cameras for FaceTime video calling and a higher resolution display. All in all, they continue to grow in popularity as a must-have for their style and applications.

Appearance

The iPhone range of mobiles are extremely sleek and thin - only 11.6 centimetres thick. The display screen is 3.5 inches wide with a multi-touch interface that boasts an unusually high resolution of 160 pixels per inch.

Navigation

iPhones use multiple taps and drags to navigate through a mobile version of Apple's OS X operating system, they don't use a hardware keyboard or stylus.

PC Compatibility

Like the iPod, iPhones synchronise data with your personal computer, using iTunes as a client software and Apple's proprietary USB port. They are also compatible with Microsoft's Windows operating systems.

Networking Features

IPhones feature automatic detection of Wi-Fi networks. They use quadband GSM and SIM cards to access cellular networks plus a technology called EDGE support for high-speed data transfer where available. Their Bluetooth connectivity allows for short range networking with other iPhones and PCs. Another bonus is that iPhones use mobile phone towers instead of Wi-Fi to connect to online features, meaning tools such as YouTube, the iTunes store, Google maps & weather plus the Safari browser will work anywhere, whereas other phones will not be able to access these features if they are not in a location with a wireless connection.

Battery Life

Apple states that the iPhones internal lithium-ion battery will allow for 8 hours of life talk or video, and up to 24 hours for music mode.

Drawbacks

On top of the price of the iPhone, you will also need to buy a mobile calling plan - the problem with this is that Apple have signed exclusivity agreements with certain mobile network providers who have been known at times to deliver poor reception and a slow 3G service, which amounts to upgrading your mobile only to experience connections as slow as your previous model.

Is the iPhone Right For You?

The bottom line is if you need a new phone anyway, have a contract that's expiring soon, don't have a wireless phone and don't mind paying the monthly fee for the added iPhone features, you have absolutely nothing to lose in jumping at the latest generation of stylish and navigationally friendly smartphones. You should check however if your home region has a 3G service as this is a bonus that make iPhones stand out. In terms of practicality, iPhones are a great choice for people who frequently need their phone, PDA, and camera but don't want to carry around multiple devices. Another major plus with iPhones is automatic wireless Internet access - if you need to instantly view maps, weather reports and email on the go without having to find a Wi-Fi enabled hotspot like a library or coffee shop, then it's a super phone to opt for.

The above guide gives you a good idea on whether iPhones are hype or necessity when it comes to your particular needs. With the latest iPhone 4 now being released worldwide, you will now have enough know-how to assess its basic core features, but it's also important to thoroughly research the improvements it offers to decide on which model will suit you best.
Peter Williams is a mobile phone consultant and iPhone 4 retailer.