iPhone Questions

[HeyHomie]

I’m thinking about buying an iPhone as a Christmas gift for myself. Here are a few questions I have:

1. I understand that there is a model that retails for around $99. Is this correct? I understand that the cheaper model probably won’t have as much memory, but I don’t plan to put a lot of songs/videos on it-- I have a Zune for that. Will the $99 model (if it exists) be enough to support the apps I want (GPS, Altimeter, Sirius/XM)?

2. How much is the GPS app? How reliable as a GPS is it? Does it offer turn-by-turn directions? Is it voice compatible (as in, it speaks to me, rather than me speaking to it)? Does it come with an altimiter, or do I need to download the separate altimiter app?

3. How much is the Altimiter app?

4. How much is the Sirius/XM app?

5. Any other ultra-cool apps that I have to have?

Thanks!

[pan1]

The $99 version does not run some apps, mostly dealing with the video camera that is not presesnt on that model. but 99% of the apps in the appstore will run on the $99 (8GB 3g) iphone. I have this phone and have no complaints - other than the lack of video camera.

The GPS does not speak or accept spoken directions.

The GPS is built in and free, there are free altimeter apps.

siriusxm.com/oniphone has information on Sirius pricing - if you’re already a subscriber it’s free.

[Munch]

1) I understand that there is a model that retails for around $99. Is this correct? I understand that the cheaper model probably won’t have as much memory, but I don’t plan to put a lot of songs/videos on it-- I have a Zune for that. Will the $99 model (if it exists) be enough to support the apps I want (GPS, Altimeter, Sirius/XM)?

AT&T is selling the 8GB iPhone 3G for $99. Apps take up extremely small amounts of memory, and the 8 GB non-3GS version will handle those just fine.

2) How much is the GPS app? How reliable as a GPS is it? Does it offer turn-by-turn directions? Is it voice compatible (as in, it speaks to me, rather than me speaking to it)? Does it come with an altimiter, or do I need to download the separate altimiter app?

The GPS feature is already built-in. There are other GPS apps available for various prices - but just look them up on iTunes to see what you need/want. The built-in is not voice compatible. There is a TomTom app that is turn-by-turn for $99. I believe there’s also a monthly fee. As for an altimeter app - those are like $0.99 at most.

4) How much is the Sirius/XM app?

The app is free. But you need a subscription to Sirius.

5) Any other ultra-cool apps that I have to have?

Of course! But it all depends on what you’re looking for - there’s something for everyone/thing.

[Fubaya]

The oldest iphones didnt have a gps chip but the next two generations do. Theyre called the 3G and 3GS. The smallest size is the 8gb 3G, which is what I am typing this on. The 3GS has a faster processor and more ram, making it a little faster, and it also has a compass and a video camera.

The GPS is part of the phone hardware and all iphones come with google maps which uses the gps. You can get other gps apps but they arent necessary. Google maps does turn by turn. There are some apps with voice direction that usually cost money but I dont know about them. Try going to tappler.com and browsing around the apps. My GPS has always been accurate.

Some apps are only available for the 3GS because they use it’s compass and video camera. Otherwise, all apps should work on both phones.

[Cliffy]

Note that for U.S. customers the iPhone, of any iteration, requires a two-year subscription to AT&T service, including a data plan (which is $50/month, IIRC). So if you’re really interested in cost savings, you might consider an iPod Touch, which has much of the same hardware except the phone, camera, and (d’oh!) GPS. The Touch can access the Internet through WiFI, if you’re near an unprotected signal. It also can fake GPS pretty well by identifying the addresses on WiFi signals nearby, even protected ones, so it has pretty reliable coverage in urban areas. However, since the maps application downloads street maps on the fly, it won’t reliably work with the Touch.

–Cliffy

[HeyHomie]

Follow-up question: On competitors’ commercials, they show a “3g coverage” map that only includes small portions of the country. My current AT&T-compatible phone works just about everywhere excluding small pockets of ruralness that I don’t plan to go to anyway. What’s the significance of that “3g coverage” map?

[Rumor_Watkins]

@HeyHomie

Follow-up question: On competitors’ commercials, they show a “3g coverage” map that only includes small portions of the country. My current AT&T-compatible phone works just about everywhere excluding small pockets of ruralness that I don’t plan to go to anyway. What’s the significance of that “3g coverage” map?

3g is a faster transmission (it it the “name” for HSDPA). the normal transmission protocol is GPRS, iirc. (correction. Normal ATT seems to be EDGE, not GPRS)

i believe GPRS is fast enough for text-and-image browsing, but is not good for streaming video and the stupid shit that they try to get cell phones to do today.

[HorseloverFat]

Note that for U.S. customers the iPhone, of any iteration, requires a two-year subscription to AT&T service, including a data plan (which is $50/month, IIRC)

Close, its $35. But with the cheapest phone plan and the most basic texting plan its $90 a month minimum. Not cheap.

i believe GPRS is fast enough for text-and-image browsing

EDGE is terrible for browsing, except mobile only sites. Youre not casually browsing the internet with EDGE. GPRS is fraction of the bandwidth of edge.

[Munch]

@HorseloverFat

EDGE is terrible for browsing, except mobile only sites.

Meh. EDGE is terrible compared to 3G. But if it’s all you have, it’s pretty darn good.

[Sunspace]

@Rumor_Watkins

3g is a faster transmission (it it the “name” for HSDPA). the normal transmission protocol is GPRS, iirc. (correction. Normal ATT seems to be EDGE, not GPRS)

i believe GPRS is fast enough for text-and-image browsing, but is not good for streaming video and the stupid shit that they try to get cell phones to do today.

Note: these are all data-transmission standards. Voice and SMS travel via different methods.

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) was the first GSM data standard; it’s comparable to medium-speed dialup. EDGE (Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution) is faster. HSPA (High-Speed Packet Access) was the next. It includes HSPDA and HSPUA–the D stands for Downlink, the U for Uplink. I believe that the maximum speeds for HSPA are 3.6 Mb/s downlink, improving to 7.2 Mb/s. Carriers are now moving to HSPA+, which has a max download spead of 21 Mb/s.

The three big carriers in Toronto (Bell, Telus, and Rogers) have just gotten HSPA+ in the past few months. Unfortunately, there aren’t many phones out there yet to support the higher speed; the iPhone 3G is limited to 3.6 Mb/s and I’ve never seen more than about 2 Mb/s in Toronto, and that on a good day. Rogers now offers an HSPA+ USB stick and data-only plans for use with computers, or you can tether your phone at lower speeds.

[Chimera]

Reiterate that the $99 price that you might find on an iPhone is the subsidized price based on signing a 2 year contract that will run you a good $100 a month or more.
They are closing in on 100,000 apps. Go to the iTunes store and check them out.
The exclusive arrangement with AT&T ends in June 2010, if you don’t like AT&T.

There are several different 3G standards. The one the Verizon network uses is slower than the one AT&T uses, so it’s a bit of a trade-off. Wider coverage, slower speed versus less coverage, faster speed.

I’ll also note that the AT&T network is of epic levels of suckitude in East Texas/Louisiana, parts of New Jersey and Connecticut, among other places. In some places (parts of Chicago as one example), AT&T has pretty much come out and admitted that they’re incapable of improving the network in those areas and are doing all they can simply to maintain what they have. (I spoke to a guy who lived within spitting distance of Wrigley Field - he said that on game day, he couldn’t even dream of making or receiving calls.)

[Fubaya]

@HeyHomie

Follow-up question: On competitors’ commercials, they show a “3g coverage” map that only includes small portions of the country. My current AT&T-compatible phone works just about everywhere excluding small pockets of ruralness that I don’t plan to go to anyway. What’s the significance of that “3g coverage” map?

AT&T is disputing that map. I can’t believe Verizon’s attack is very accurate since they only show a small blip of 3G coverage in my state and it isn’t anywhere near me, yet I only lose 3G in rural areas. Every small town I’ve been around in this area has had 3G.

I never get online with Edge because most websites time out. It does work decently for sending email though.

@HorseloverFat

Close, its $35. But with the cheapest phone plan and the most basic texting plan its $90 a month minimum. Not cheap.

Mine is $85 with texting. There are apps that provide free texting, but the $5 text plan is all I’ve ever used. If a person has more than one ATT phone they can get the family plan and the bill will be less.

[sevenwood]

@HeyHomie

5. Any other ultra-cool apps that I have to have?

If you’re a golfer, you absolutely have to look at the GolfShotapp. It turns your iphone into a golf GPS unit, taking great advantage of the iphone’s touchscreen interface.

One of my golf buddies has this app, and it’s the one thing he has that makes me really envious of his iphone.

[Roadfood]

@Chimera

The exclusive arrangement with AT&T ends in June 2010, if you don’t like AT&T.

Do you have an official cite for that? I have not heard of anything concrete from Apple or AT&T that gives an actual end date.

[Chimera]

PC World says “sometime next year” here

Apple Insider says they’ll have a phone capable of running on Verizon’s network by Q3 of 2010 here and notes that the exclusivity agreement ends next summer.

Could find more, but that’s two cites.

[Shalmanese]

It’s absolutely worth going for an iPhone 3GS over a 3G. Everything happens with noticably less sluggishness and there’s a slew of cool apps coming out soon using the augmented reality features of the 3GS compass.

Another option to consider is getting a Motorola Droid which comes with free Google turn by turn navigation.

[Chimera]

Also, the 3G won’t shoot video and the 3GS will.

If you’re using a secure Microsoft Exchange server, you absolutely want the 3GS. The 3G used to pretend that it worked with the required security crap, but it actually didn’t. Then when they patched that OS hole with the 3.1 OS, lo and behold the 3G wouldn’t work with those security settings anymore. Only 3GS has the chip functionality to do it.

[cochrane]

@Cliffy

Note that for U.S. customers the iPhone, of any iteration, requires a two-year subscription to AT&T service, including a data plan (which is $50/month, IIRC).

@HorseloverFat

Close, its $35. But with the cheapest phone plan and the most basic texting plan its $90 a month minimum. Not cheap.

The data plan is $30 a month. You’re correct about the total bill being up there, though, HorseloverFat. My bill this month is about $82.

[Do_Not_Taunt]

@Chimera

I’ll also note that the AT&T network is of epic levels of suckitude in East Texas/Louisiana, parts of New Jersey and Connecticut, among other places. In some places (parts of Chicago as one example), AT&T has pretty much come out and admitted that they’re incapable of improving the network in those areas and are doing all they can simply to maintain what they have. (I spoke to a guy who lived within spitting distance of Wrigley Field - he said that on game day, he couldn’t even dream of making or receiving calls.)

I totally believe you; AT&T has great suckitude across Seattle, too. But I’m curious if you have a cite about AT&T’s statements about their intentions (or lack thereof) of improving their network. Curious to learn more…

[St.Urho]

@Fubaya

AT&T is disputing that map. I can’t believe Verizon’s attack is very accurate since they only show a small blip of 3G coverage in my state and it isn’t anywhere near me, yet I only lose 3G in rural areas. Every small town I’ve been around in this area has had 3G.

Actually, AT&T isn’t disputing the accuracy of the map.

AT&T doesn’t argue that the maps are incorrect in terms of showing its 3G coverage. But it says that Verizon is misleading customers by implying that they cannot use their phones or access the mobile Web when they aren’t in 3G coverage areas. The reality is that customers can make phone calls and access the Internet from their phones using the company’s slower EDGE or GPR networks.