Apple has, of course, become synonymous with innovative, yet beautifully designed and easy to use, gadgets over the years. The Apple iPod, now ubiquitous in all its forms, first appeared in 2001and, while it was not the first MP3 player, it was by far the best. The Apple Powerbook 100 was chosen as the “greatest gadget of all time” by U.S. magazine, Mobile PC, and the tradition has continued, with the release of the iPhone in 2007, and the iPhone 3G in 2008.

Apple iPhone Vs. iPhone 3G
In terms of physical dimensions, and weight, there is very little to choose between the iPhone 3G and its predecessor, the iPhone. The same 3½”, 480 x 320 pixel resolution, screen is used in both models, although in the iPhone 3G this is complemented by a smooth, piano black or white finish, and shiny metal buttons. The colour balance and viewing angles do differ slightly, however, with the iPhone 3G displaying a slightly yellow hue, compared to a bluish tint on the original iPhone, and viewing angles being, if anything, slightly better on the original model. The shape, too, is slightly different, with a more rounded feel than its predecessor. Both models also have a 2 megapixel digital stills camera, but no facility for recording moving pictures.

The iPhone 3G supports Bluetooth, GSM and WiFi, as does the iPhone, but the introduction of 3G (”3rd Generation”) download speeds means that Internet browsing, etc. is all the more satisfactory. Support for UMTS (”Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service”) and HSDPA (”High Speed Downlink Packet Access”) technologies means that you can browse the Internet, download email, etc., at speeds up to twice as fast as 2G EDGE networks, even while you are making a voice telephone call. Unlike the original iPhone, the iPhone 3G also supports GPS (”Global Positioning System”), so finding your way around, and locating local amenities and services, etc. can be accomplished with a selection of applications from the iPhone Applications Store.

Increased speed and functionality must come at a cost somewhere and in the case of the iPhone 3G it is at the cost of battery life. The iPhone 3G typically provides just 5 hours of talk-time on a single charge, 3 hours less than the original iPhone. The piano black finish of the iPhone 3G also shows up finger prints and smudges much more readily than the matte finish of the original iPhone, so be prepared to make extensive use of the included cleaning cloth, or choose a white one instead.

Popularity: 4%