iPhone
(1) (InternetPhone) See IP phone and softphone.
(2) A smartphone from Apple that integrates cellphone, iPod, camera, text messaging, e-mail and Web browsing. Data and applications can be sent to the phone wirelessly or via Apple's iTunes software, which is used to organize music, videos, photos and applications (see iTunes).
Introduced in the U.S. in mid-2007, the iPhone is available exclusively from AT&T until 2012. The iPhone 3G, introduced in July 2008, adds GPS, higher data speed and an application platform that turns the iPhone into an ultra-mobile, general-purpose computer. With the 3G, the iPhone was finally introduced in Canada by Rogers Communications and its Fido subsidiary. It was also made available in many other parts of the world (see SIM lock).
The iPhone is operated almost entirely via an innovative 3.5" touch screen. A major breakthrough in usability (see multitouch), the user interface was also carried forward in the next-generation iPod (see iPod touch).
Quite a Frenzy
In the history of the cellular industry, no phone ever created so much buzz; people actually camped out overnight to be first in line. AT&T stores closed early Friday, June 29, 2007 to set up the displays, reopening at 6pm and staying late to accommodate customers. iPhone activation can also be done at home via iTunes.
Specifications and Network Speeds
The iPhone is a quad-band GSM phone with music and video playback, a two-megapixel still camera, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Powered by an ARM processor, it uses a custom version of the Mac OS X operating system. The first model included up to 8GB of flash storage, which increased to 16GB a year later. The first iPhone, often called the "2G," used only the EDGE cellular network, while the iPhone 3G supports both EDGE and the higher-speed HSDPA network. For example, HSDPA downloads are 200-500 Kbps compared to 70-150 Kbps for EDGE (see EDGE and HSPA). Although EDGE/HSDPA service is generally always available, and Wi-Fi hotspots are not, Wi-Fi still provides the fastest data transfer (see Wi-Fi and hotspot).
One major inconvenience is that, like the iPod, the iPhone has a sealed battery and must be sent to Apple or to a third-party company for replacement if not under warranty. There is also no memory card slot for expansion. See iPod, iPod touch, iBricking and iClone.
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| The Home Screen |
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| Pressing the only physical button on the front of the unit displays the home screen, which is the main menu to all operations. The iPhone is a handheld computer with an extraordinary user interface in a case less than a half inch thick. (Image courtesy of Apple Inc.) |
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| Beautiful Presentations |
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| The iPhone set a precedent for attractive screen presentations and clever functions. The weather panels of selected cities are scrolled horizontally with the finger. |
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| Version 2.0 - The iTunes App Store |
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| The iPhone 3G introduced Version 2.0 of the OS and the iPhone development platform. Turning the phone into a general-purpose mobile computer, iPhone and iPod touch users can download thousands of free and paid applications from the App Store. For example, in late 2008, this encyclopedia became available as an iPhone app. With the 3G, Apple also targeted corporate users by including synchronization with the Microsoft Exchange mail server. See iPod touch. |