The Apple iPhone
First launched on June 29, 2007, in the United States, the Apple
iPhone, is an Internet-enabled
smartphone
that combines mobile phone capabilities with a wireless Internet
device, and an iPod into one product. The iPhone features include a
camera, media player (iPod), Wi-Fi connectivity, a touch screen and
many other features. Newer models include
3G capabilities and a built-in
GPS.
The iPhone also includes a 3.5-inch multi-touch screen, rather than
a keyboard, that can be manipulated by users with by two finger
touches. The iPhone runs on a special version of Apple's Mac OS X
operating system, called the iPhone OS.
When it was first launched, there were two
available models: a 4-GB model for $499 and an 8-GB model for $599.
The iPhone was sold only in the U.S. through Apple's retail and
online stores, and also through AT&T's select retail stores. Nearly
three months after its initial U.S. release, the 4GB model was
discontinued and the price of the 8GB was cut by one-third. Later,
in February of 2008, Apple released a new 16-GB model. |
Key Terms To
Understanding the iPhone:
Related Articles
on Webopedia:
|
Specifications for the Apple iPhone include the following:
- Screen size: 3.5 inches
- Screen resolution: 320 by 480 at 160 ppi
- Input method: Multi-touch
- Operating system: iPhone OS
- Storage: 4GB or 8GB
- GSM: Quad-band (MHz: 850, 900, 1800, 1900)
- Wireless data: Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) + EDGE + Bluetooth
2.0
- Camera: 2.0 megapixels
- Battery: Up to 5 hours Talk / Video / Browsing, Up to
16 hours Audio playback
- Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.4 x 0.46 inches
- Weight: 4.8 ounces / 135 grams
With its first release, Apple used Cingular to be
Apple's exclusive carrier partner for iPhone in the U.S.
The Apple iPhone 3G
The iPhone 3G was announced in 2008 and on July 11,
the new iPhone was released in 22 countries. The iPhone 3G differs from
the iPhone in that it used 3G networking and included built-in GPS for
expanded location based mobile services, and new iPhone 2.0 software,
which included support for hundreds of third-party applications that
were built with the iPhone SDK. At U.S. launch the iPhone 3G was priced
at $199 for the 8-GB model, and just $299 for the 16-GB model.
Specifications For the Apple iPhone 3G include the
following:
- Screen size: 3.5 inches
- Screen
resolution: 480W320 pixels at 163 ppi
Input method: Multi-touch plus home button-
Operating system: iPhone OS
- Storage: 8-GB or 16-GB
-
GSM: Quad-band (MHz: 850, 900, 1800, 1900)
- Tri
band UMTS / HSDPA: UMTS 850 / 1900 / 2100
- Assisted GPS
- Wireless
data: Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) + Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR
-
Camera: 2.0 megapixels
- Battery: Up to 5 hours Talk
/ Video / Browsing, Up to 16 hours Audio playback
-
Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.4 x 0.48 inches
- Weight: 4.7
ounces / 133 grams
The iPhone 3G also
requires a two-year service commitment. Apple and partner AT&T also
require activation at time of purchase, so those who want to unlock the
phone and use another carrier will have to pay AT&T/Apple first.
The
Biggest Differences Between the iPhone and iPhone 3G:3G
speed capability
- Dramatic price drop
-
3G requires activation at time of purchase
(two-year service commitment)
- The
iPhone 3G includes a built-in GPS.
- The 3G is a bit thinner at the edges and includes
a headphone jack that is flush to the side.
The Apple iPhone 3G S
In June of 2009, Apple released the latest iPhone
incarnation, the iPhone 3G S—the S is for "speed". For the most part,
the new iPhone 3G s is more of an improvement or upgrade to the 3G.
While Apple has made changes to the hardware inside that has made the
device faster, it is the new consumer features that has everyone
talking. The new 3 megapixel camera has an autofocus lens and it can
also capture VGA video at 30fps. In this version you also have voice
commands, a digital compass, and up to 32-GB of storage on the top
models. The iPhone 3G S also supports HSDPA networks for faster
downloading.
Specifications for the Apple iPhone 3G S include the following:
- Screen size: 3.5 inches
- Screen
resolution: 480W320 pixels at 163 ppi
Input method: Multi-touch plus home button-
Operating system: iPhone OS
- Storage: 16-GB or 32-GB flash drive
-
GSM / EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- Tri band
UTMS / HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- Assisted GPS
-
Wireless compass
- Wireless data: Wi-Fi (802.11b/g)
+ Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR
- Camera: 3.0 megapixels
-
Battery: Up to 5 hours Talk (3G) / Video / Browsing, Up to 30 hours
Audio playback
- Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.4 x 0.48 inches
-
Weight: 4.8 ounces / 135 grams
The Biggest Differences Between the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S:
3 Megapixel camera- Improved performance
- Voice control
-
Compass
- Available in standard black or white
Pricing for the Apple iPhone 3G dropped to $99 when the iPhone 3G S
was released at a price of $199 (16-GB) and $299 (32-GB) with a two-year
contract with AT&T.
|
DID
YOU KNOW...
According to Apple Inc, Between June 29 and
October, 2007 1.4 million iPhones were sold. 250,000
of those phones were not activated to run on AT&T's
wireless network. Apple believes that the 'missing'
250,000 iPhones were bought by people who intended
to unlock the phone for use on other cellular
networks. When the 3G launched, a 2-year service
commitment was required at time of purchase, so
anyone wanting to 'unlock' the phone would have to
pay AT&T first. |
By Vangie Beal
Last updated: July 30, 2009
New
iPhone 3G S Costs $179 to Make: iSuppli
A "teardown analysis" by iSuppli gives a detailed
estimate of Apple's costs, which are slightly higher than the earlier
iPhone 3G.
3G iPhone: What's the Real Cost?
Monthly fees aside, it looks like the cost
consumers will pay for the new 3G iPhone isn't that much more than what
it costs Apple to make them.
Apple's iPhone: The 3G Sequel
UPDATED: The iPhone 3G is quicker, lower priced,
and offers nifty new software -- you just can't buy it quite yet.
Apple Watchers Salivate Over 3G iPhone Rumors
Developer conference expected to be launch venue
for new iPhone.
iPhone Grabs Market Share, But Not Yet in The Enterprise
The iPhone isn't ready for the work world -- but
it's not that far away either.
|
