Apple iPhone 3G

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A (relative) oldie but a goldie. This controversial handset is still the device I get most questions about, bar none, so let’s clear up these issues once and for all.There has never been a mobile phone which more embodied the spirit of JtBP because boy-oh-boy are the good points good (in fact revelatory and revolutionary), but as for the bad points – well…

The preamble: My cult and contentious reviews’ system. Designed as a time saver to highlight the potential deal breakers in a product before you commit to reading lengthy reviews on your favourites sites and/or magazines. For a more detailed description please read: the Rules

Just the Bad Points Review: Apple iPhone 3G:

• No multitasking. End any programme (even an IM) and it closes completely
• Famously, no copy and paste (this surely can’t last forever)
• Equally famously no MMS (Email with attachment is get around)
• Ditto fame/frustration: no video recording of any kind (without jailbreaking the handset)
• Basic GPS integration: no 3D mapping, no turn-by-turn directions, no audio guide
• Limited Bluetooth functionality: no file transfer, lack of A2DP means no wireless music listening
• Third party solutions (Google Sync, NuevaSync) required for multiple calendar support
• Exchange support limited to a single account meaning no way to mix potential professional and social Exchange accounts
• iTunes tie: media content locked to specific computer, no simple drag & drop way to add files
• Limited codec support excludes likes of Ogg Vorbis audio and – crucially – AVI video so lengthy format conversion required with third party software
• Locked in battery so it can’t be swapped out on long journeys & requires expensive procedure to replace at an Apple store should it degrade outside the warranty
• A new model should be announced by June judging by Apple’s past track record

and

• No SDHC/microSDHC expansion card slot. The internal memory you get is what you’re stuck with. (Thanks for pointing out the omission ravmania)

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