AFTER braving the showers along Killiney Road and then being redirected to the Hello! Shop at Parkway Parade, I finally got my hands on a shiny white 16GB iPhone 3G.
First impressions were positive. A welcome modification is the headphone jack. I can now choose to use off-the-shelf, third-party models instead of just Apple's limited offerings.
Another improvement - better quality music from the built-in speakers compared to the original iPhone.
More importantly, I am no longer tethered to a Wi-Fi network for fast Internet linkage. The speeds obtained using the 3G network matched those of a dedicated Wi-Fi network. (See story on the speed test on pages 10, 11.)
However, after fiddling with the phone for about an hour, the bar on the battery life indicator dropped alarmingly quickly.
There were no problems setting up the iPhone 3G to the
Wireless@SG network. Many users have reported problems such as the username and/or password being rejected even when correctly typed in. This was more apparent on networks operated by SingTel. Those by QMax had no problems at all.
I have yet to fully test the GPS capability. The only visible difference is that the circle to mark your whereabouts is much smaller. This translates to a more accurate location on the map. Too bad there is still no turn-by-turn software available.
Setting up an e-mail account to a Microsoft
Exchange server was a breeze with the ActiveSync application. All I needed was to enter the username, password and the server name.
You can choose to synchronise your e-mail, contacts and calendar. In no time, I was receiving e-mail messages and meeting invitations push-mail style.
When receiving a meeting request, you can choose to accept, reject or keep the person in suspense with a "maybe" reply.
The iPhone 3G comes loaded with version 2.0.1 firmware.
Many users in the United States have reported connectivity problems such as poor or dropped reception when making calls on the move.
Fortunately, the 3G network here is more mature than that in the United States. In my tests driving around town, I did not encounter any problems.
If needed, there is a new release 2.0.2 that users can upgrade to from iTunes software. The minute you plug into iTunes, you will be prompted to upgrade.
However, this new version is reportedly plagued by other woes like installed applications not being able to execute properly. I will wait till next month for version 2.1 .
Now, most of my waking hours are spent loading and playing the numerous free applications from the iTunes App Store.
With eight screens fully loaded, the only problem that I am experiencing is the painfully slow backup. (This, the iTunes program insists on performing every time I connect to it.)
I'm still holding on to my trusty Nokia N95, though, for the things that are sorely missing on the iPhone 3G.
First is the turn-by-turn GPS software that I am now enslaved to every time I get into the car.
Next, Bluetooth support.
Many times, I find myself needing to quickly exchange VCards, pictures and other files with friends and colleagues. This presents a real problem on the iPhone 3G, giving no work-arounds.
Although the 2-megapixel built-in digital camera of the iPhone is sufficient, I have come to appreciate the 5-megapixel images of the N95. With the N95, I can also shoot short video clips of surprisingly high quality.
This, I can't with the iPhone 3G.
By MK Wong, an IT entrepreneur and freelance writer
This story was first published in The Straits Times Digital Life on 27 August 2008.
