[Prot]

All right. I know we have some nerds on this forum. I can say that because I am one. I am thinking about buying an iPhone. My current phone is a RAZR V3XX. The reception on it is great and I find it more durable than I expected it to be. I also have a Garmin nuvi 760 gps unit. I use the Garmin on my motorcycle occassionally, but am not really happy with the mounting and I would like to consolidate some gadgets, as I have far too many things in my bag. The iPhone seems like a nice way to combine a phone, an iPod, and GPS. I already have a place in mind that it would mount on my bike perfectly.

Here are my questions. How is the GPS? How is the phone reception? What are some of your favorite applications for the iPhone? I saw there are several VOIP applications in the iTunes store. VOIP is an important feature to me and one that my RAZR lacks. Which one of these is the best? Or do all the VOIP for iPhone suck?

I use a MacBook Pro, so that's another reason I am considering the iPhone. It just seems like things would sync with it easier and better than they do with my RAZR. I also found I have outgrown my first generation iPod nano (4 gigs).

[jb4]

the GPS only works if there is sufficient 3G, or really really good EDGE coverage in your area - as it stores NO maps on the device and will constantly be pulling data from google maps as you move. I'm in a supposedly 'great' coverage area for 3G and the GPS function kinda falters - its nothing like my Garmin Nuvi

the only VOIP app I've heard about is iCall and it still hasn't been released - if you happen to know the names of the ones you saw I'll download them right now and start using them - since I'm in a condo building I get crap service regardless of the carrier so I'm patiently waiting to get my hands on icall so I can use my phone more reliably in my own home

as far as apps - the one I use the most is Shazam - which is able to 'listen' to music and tell you the title/artist within ~60 seconds - other than that I play a couple of the games, but honestly, there really arent any dealbreaker apps that I can't live without - which is also a bit upsetting.

oh, I've jailbroken the phone so I have access to different themes, and some more interesting utilities - my favorite so far is a better 'flashlight' app that allows the phone to go to a white screen and full brightness - the one in the apple appstore only allows half brightness which really sucks in a dark room

[spyder6]

well to put it simply i love my iphone. i walked into it thinking that i was wasting my money and i wouldnt use everything on it - too much phone. after having it for about 4 months now, i dont know where i would be without it.

The reception is great, clarity is awesome. ever since the 2.3 update i have not been dropping any calls and get accurate 3G service.

I have several applications on my phone that are all very useful to me Facebook, iTunes Remote, AIM, Starmap, Wikipanion, Simplicity, Tris, CannonGame, Dual Level, Graphic Calc, LineRide and Labyrinth.

as a note to the GPS, once you get it synced with the satellite and let it triangulate your position it works fairly well, its a little slow as its not 100% dedicated but it works good when you're searching for a location and getting directions from your current local. all the maps are pulled from Google through the cellular data network so they're always updated. the only problem with it is that the phone literally destroys the battery when the GPS is on, so having it plugged into a mobile source fixes that problem. the screen also shuts off after a certain amount of time and it severs the GPS connection, but you can turn that off.

Desktop


GPS (blue pin is me, red are local napa's)


considering I'm inside my house, its pretty close.


Using iPod



my Email

[grogie]

I too love my 3G iPhone. The GPS works great as said above. Last month I was driving all over the place test driving used XJ's and it was great to just plug in the address and follow the google maps. Plus it's nice to check traffic on the way home as it shows how traffic is moving on the interstate.

What I also like is of course having the iPod apart of it, plus all of the applications. Also being a Mac guy, it syncs perfectly with my "dot.Mac" email accounts, as well as my Safari bookmarks, address book and calendar. The available games are fun too.

I had to give up a cheap and old cell phone plan, but it's been worth it. I also bought my wife one.

[jb4]

well since we're throwing screenshots out there

here's my jailbreaked phone - the 'searcher' app allows you to finally search through all of your contacts/emails/sms messages

[spyder6]

i want that NES app...

[jb4]

google quickpwn, download it, follow instructions, install the NES app through Cydia


there's also a genesis emulator (havent gotten around to finding ROMs yet) and a SCUMM emulator (plays all the lucas arts games from the 90's - day of the tentacle, full throttle, monkey island, etc)

[spyder6]

i donno how i feel about jailbreaking my phone. I cant anyway, my firmware is too new

[jb4]

are you sure its 2.3? I thought 2.2 was just released to the developers as a beta?

[spyder6]

i stand corrected. software 2.1

[jb4]

well then you can definitely quickpwn it

its really easy, and won't hurt the phone in anyway if you follow the instructions

even if you do manage to brick it you just put it into DFU mode, and reflash with apples 2.1 OS via itunes and its back to new

[Prot]

What about a dedicated gps receiver via bluetooth? I know there are some pda's and other devices that support true gps via a bluetooth gps receiver, so it's not going through cell towers and acts more like a garmin. I found about five voip applications in the apple store. FRING seems to be a popular one.

I'd like to be able to tether it because right now I am using an express 34 card in my mac for internet access with the laptop connect plan. My original card went out 9 days after the warranty expired so I had to buy a new one and the new one is a newer version which regularly crashes Leopard, drops internet more often than not, locks up, etc. My original card ran natively from the operating system, no software or drivers to install or anything. The new card required downloads, clumsy installation of software, etc.

Ideally, I'd like to get rid of this laptop connect card, get an iPhone, and tether it to my MacBook Pro for my internet access. I don't have dsl or any other internet access, so this card gets pretty heavy usage (well the previous one did, this one doesn't work more than it works).

I'm not heavy gps user. The main thing I use my garmin on my motorcycle for is a long trip, like when I rode it from Atlanta Georgia to Lafayette Louisiana. In my Jeep, I don't use my garmin unit very much either. So if the iPhone gps works decently, then I can sell my garmin.

[jackbauersmom]

you can't tether as far as i know with the iphone unless it is jailbroken. i have the first generation iphone and love it. also have a mac at home and the two go hand in hand. if you buy a mobile me account (like 100 bucks a year) your phone and home computer sink automatically (ical, contacts) without having to connect the two.

[Prot]

I have a mobile me account. The transition from .mac to mobile me was kind of clunky but I have it straightened out.

[jackbauersmom]

good apps: shazam, urbanspoon, asleep, simplify media, apple remote, and weatherbug adds radar.