iPhone 3G Second Invasion

The long wait and with all the rumors flying around… the much anticipated release of the second generation iPhone is upon us!  And in true shock in awe fashion… the price was slashed in half at $199!!!

 

So what’s new?

 

3G

iPhone 3G owners now have a high-speed alternative in accessing the web using HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) as opposed to the previous model limited to EDGE and Wi-Fi networks.  They claim that browsing is twice as fast with the previous iPhone.

 

Maps with GPS

I watched a clip in YouTube regarding Google Android and I was impressed with their maps feature.  Not only does it display where the user is but also a friend from your contacts with address information.  It’s practically the same with iPhone 3G after watching the demo on Apple’s site but they have raised the bar by including satellite view.

 

App Store

Applications and other stuff like games are now directly available via download over the net.  No more connecting to computers for updating/loading of applications unless it’s a very large application.

 

Microsoft Exchange

This feature is targeted at corporations.  With Microsoft Exchange, iPhone 3G’s e-mail software can now communicate with corporate e-mail servers.  Watch out Blackberry!!

 

Above are just the major enhancements for the iPhone 3G plus the upcoming iPhone OS 2.0.  On the physical side, there are no noticeable changes except that it’s thinner.  Hardware side, it now sports a 2 mega pixel camera, which could have been upped a little bit.  I guess Apple is not really positioning the iPhone 3G as a replacement for digital cameras which Nokia and other mobile phone manufacturers are doing but failed to deliver.  Microprocessor used?  I guess they are still using chips from Samsung, which explains the price.

 

The iPhone 3G is pegged at $199 for the 8 GB model and $299 for the 16 GB model.  It will be available on July 11 in 22 countries out of the 70 target countries including the Philippines.  On our shores, Globe Telecom got the rights for distribution and the good news is that they will offer the iPhone 3G for post-paid and pre-paid subscribers!!!  We just have to wait later this year… most probably, Christmas season.  

 

It’s starting to sound like mobile phone addicts are in heaven but the thing is… what about pricing.  If you go by Apple’s pricing and an exchange rate of 44 pesos to a dollar, the 8 GB iPhone would be 8,756 pesos while the 16 GB model is at 13,156 pesos.  This is mind-boggling for a mobile phone with such functions.  But it’s possible, all they have to do is order more so they get a lot of discounts from Apple.  A friend of mine from MacMall would agree on that.  I just hope Globe Telecoms stay true to their statement of 

 

“We are very excited to be working with Apple to bring Filipino consumers iPhone 3G later this year,” said Gerardo C. Ablaza, Jr. president and CEO of Globe Telecom. “Our customers are our greatest passion and we’re constantly striving to offer them the most innovative products such as the revolutionary iPhone 3G.”

Another of my hopes, they should not copy the Power Mac Center (Apple reseller in Manila) formula.  For example, pricing a MacBook 37% more.  Again ordering more results to lower prices and with a product like the iPhone 3G… I’m sure stocks will not last!

 

But with all the fan fare that is about to come with the release of iPhone 3G, I am more excited with the 3^rd generation iPhone.  Word is out that Apple’s tech gods are experimenting in what is called the “self-powered” iPhone.  An iPhone that would be solar powered but still retaining the physical dimensions of present ones.  How would they pull it off is more mind-boggling!!!

 

Check out iPhone 3G Tech Specs!