iPhone

Disclaimer : This is not another iPhone blog where you can keep track of the latest developments on iPhone hacks. This blog is in response to a lot of queries that I have recieved from my friends ever since i bought the iphone. If you are new to iPhone or if you don't have enough time to search the web and collate the basic details then this blog is ideal for you. If you are already a vivid follower of iPhone developments, then the details here will look as old as 10000 bc :) - in which case I would recommend you to skip this blog. I am not even planning to update this article but will point to some useful resources at the end of this article for the latest updates.

For the in uninitiated, iPhone is 'ipod+Internet device + mobile phone'
from apple as described by Steve jobs...

All the following details are true as on April 23rd of 2008...

Where to buy?
iPhone is available only in USA and in some European countries. Though the launch of iphone in India and Asia is rumored to be very soon, Apple has kept it secret in its typical style.

Price?
In US, 8GB version costs around USD400 and 16GB version costs around USD 500. 7-10% tax is applicable depending on the region of purchase. You can purchase it either in Apple store or AT&T stores. You can even place an order online on Apple online store but will be shipped only to an US address. I got a 8 GB version last September through my coleague at Ittiam and I am lovin' it ... (I hope McDonald's won't sue me for this :)) Price is slightly higher if you buy it from Europe. Check the Europian prices here...

How to get it working?
Iphone is sim-locked with the carrier partner of Apple in the repective countries where it is officially launched (unfortunately it is not yet launched in India/Asia yet). As a result you won't be unable to use it without unlocking it. You need to unlock your iphone before being able to use any GSM sim( Airtel, Vodafone, Spice - are all gsm services). I use Vodafone sim on iPhone.

You will come across a lot of jargons like - jailbreak, unlocking, virginize, bricking etc on the web. Don't bother if it sounds alien. Hacking community has worked hard to make things as simple as possible for you. You can unlock the iPhone in 4 minutes flat (yes its just twice as long as preparing 2 minutes maggi :) ) the best part is the software for this is available free of cost for download.

ZiPhone is an unlocking software that does everthing (jailbreak, unlocking, installing installer.app for your iPhone) required to be able to use any GSM sim. It can't get simpler than using this software to unlock iPhone. It's a single-click-wait-for-4-mins-until-the-'completed'-message-is-displayed solution for unlocking. And the best part of it is you can do it all by yourself without any fuss. However you'll lose the 1 yr warranty from Apple as soon as you unlock it.

What's the big deal if I lose warranty?
Basically, nobody will service your mobile if hardware fails - no replacement of battery etc - you are completely on your own. But don't panic - you need to be a little disciplined in using it. I have added few tips for iPhone maintenance at the end. If you are still apprehensive about unlocking on your own, you can buy one from one of those gray markets at a 3-5k premium. I have even heard that few of them provide you some additional service in case you manage to spoil anything. All said and done - as I said earlier you are on your own and nobody to be blamed once you unlock it.

Pros of iPhone
Multi touch touchscreen
Amazing UI - User Interface experience . I bet, you can't get better than this
A lot of 3rd party softwares are available free of cost
Huge screen
Amazing Internet based applications
High resolution camera - 2 MP. (Don't equate this with other 2 MP cameras. The photos taken by iPhone camera are much better even when viewed on a PC compared to other 2 MP cameras)
8GB and 16GB is quite a memory
Very good display quality
Value for money @17k INR for 8GB 16 GB costs around 22k INR
A sure attention grabber :)

Check out this demo tour video on Apple site.

Cons of iPhone
Not launched officially in India
Warranty is void as soon as it is unlocked
No service provided in India.
No video recording
No copy-paste
No optical zoom
No digital zoom
Can't share files - songs/videos/photos/contacts through Bluetooth
Can't forward an SMS
Can't use iPhone as a portable USB drive
Only way to transfer files is - syncing through iTunes (software provided by Apple)
Can't sync from different PCs (this is the most painful. You can
transfer files only from one PC!)
Even if you manage to sync from a single PC every time, there is a problem. If some file is missing on your PC but is avialable on your iPhone the file gets deleted from iphone when you sync with the PC !!!
The loud speaker is not really that loud
No FM (A hardware limitation)
No support for office files - doc, xl or ppt. You can only read them if you receive them as attachments in your mail.
Not a very great organizer
Internet connectivity is only through WiFi or EDGE. No GPRS

All the software limitations above are in the default iPhone software.
Most of them are already resolved by 3rd party applications. Few of
them can be expected to be updated by Apple itself in future
software/firmware updates.

Tips for maintenance
- You have option to recharge the battery through USB or direct AC. Avoid charging through direct AC whenever possible, as voltage flucuations might damage your battery.Use only USB mode of charging.
- In cases where you have to charge it through direct power use a voltage stabilizer. I might sound a little wierd here but I follow this whenever I go to my hometown where I don't have access to a PC. It will save your dear iPhone.
- Don't upgrade to new firmware releases from Apple unless you find out that it can be unlocked.

Overall experience
I would rate it 9/10. ( I know this number doesn't make any sense as my rating is not benchmarked:) but still it gives you a feel for it) Watch the demo video

Useful resources
iphone hack blog: http://iphone.unlock.no/
iPhone hack site
Apple site
Lot of videos on Youtube
and....
My blog :) - just kidding - don't expect me to update this article any further