I don't remember where I was on June 29, 2007, but I know where I wasn’t: in line at I the original iPhone launch. I wanted Apple's new smartphone, but I didn't buy one at first because of the BGB version's $599 opening price, lack of 30 network support, and absence of third-party applications. For me, the iPhone’s killer app—checking email and websites—was moot. I had already hobbled together a method of getting email on an old Palm Zire 72 for personal use, when I wasn't testing a smartphone for an assignment. As the iPhone's price dropped, I was tempted many times, but I shuffled past Apple and AT&T stores with my eyes downcast, never stopping. And yet, in between AppIe's announcement of the iPhone 3G and its launch, I bought a used original from a friend. I haven't turned on my beat-up Zire since.
I didn’t realize how much better the iPhone handles email and Web browsing until l started using one myself. With gentle gestures to navigate and zoom, the iPhone interface is as playful as it is productive. And more than a year later, iPhone Safari still crushes the mobile competition, as we found in our comparative reviews of five iPhone competitors. But the new killer app is the App Store itself, with more than 1500 apps that add fun, functionality, and other features to your stock device. We’ve devoted much of iPhone Handbook to introducing these tools and toys, from app reviews to tips on using social networking and security apps. If you’re considering an upgrade from the original to the 3G, be sure to browse our illustrated comparison. l made the transition to the iPhone 3G myself, but since the App Store works on both, I recommend sticking with the original if you're happy with its performance. Now that I own two iPhones, I've more than made up for my initial indifference. But the lPhone’s potential isn't about your needs being exactly the same as mine.
The iPhone is truly personal in a way that few gadgets are. lf you just want a great phone that seamlessly syncs your contacts, try the iPhone. Want to jam to portable music without carrying a separate device? One word: {Phone. Need to connect to an`office VPN, order movie tickets? iPhone, {Phone, {Phone. A first for smartphones, the iPhone’s flexibility makes it more than just a smartphone—it's an extension of your lifestyle.
