iPhone 3G and the Others
Rohan Naravane, Jun 20, 2008 1333 hrs IST
A first look at three eagerly-anticipated mobile titans - Apple iPhone, HTC Touch Diamond & Samsung i900 Omnia.
User Interface
There are no prizes for guessing who's going to win this one hands-down. This is where the iPhone rules thanks to its smooth flowing interface, completely complemented by their patented multi-touch input method. In my opinion HTC's latest TouchFLO UI has also come a long way to make the otherwise-boring Windows Mobile screen a lot cooler and finger-usable. Its demonstration videos also showed that the interface is a lot smoother than earlier versions of TouchFLO.
I'm not really a big fan of the Samsung's Windows UI modification, but actual testing should tell us which is the better of the two.
Samsung states that the i900 will have built-in support for popular codecs like DivX and XviD. Thus, one wouldn't have to go through great pains to convert their videos before viewing them on the device. Right now we see manufacturers trying to make a business-centric OS like Windows Mobile more multi-media friendly.
But thanks to Windows, HTC Touch Diamond and Samsung Omnia will enjoy its advanced features as well as the large collection of third party applications. As expected, we will also witness the iPhone's pro-entertainment UI doing some business, with its support for Microsoft's Exchange ActiveSync as well as the ability to view MS Office documents.
As of now, Windows Mobile scores for being highly customizable as compared to the 'still-closed-for-apps' Mac OS X on the iPhone. Firmware 2.0 will change all of that, to an extent.
FYI - all three devices have accelerometers for automatically changing from landscape to portrait mode.
Connectivity
Now this department is where all three phones are in full form. They've put every possible technology to keep you in touch with the rest of the world. The only thing I'm a little doubtful is about the GPS implementation in the iPhone. We've seen that the earlier GPS-enabled Samsung and HTC handsets were mostly bundled with proper navigation software. As far as we know, the iPhone will make use of Google Maps for navigation. Google Maps does not currently support turn-by-turn navigation in India. Moreover, Google Maps cannot be called as a proper car navigation application since it does not support voice prompts. Plus, the application will use the Internet every time it has to load the map while proper navigation tools like Route66 from NAVTEQ have all the maps pre-loaded in the phone's memory
So, if you want to use one of these phones as a navigation device, especially while driving, you'd want to make sure that they are bundled with mapping software other than Google Maps.
Another sore fact about the new iPhone is that it does not have a secondary video-call camera, unlike the other two. Thus the 3G support is only meant to give you high-speed Internet and no video conferencing. Not a very great loss, if you ask me, but it would've been nice.
Camera
The iPhone has the same old 2 mega-pixel sensor. There's no news about whether they've added the ultra-basic video recording feature to it yet. The only thing added is the Geotagging feature, which basically uses GPS while clicking a snap in order to save the location data along the photograph. The Touch Diamond raises the bar a bit by pushing the resolution to 3.2 mega-pixels and adding auto-focus. But the Samsung has topped them both by placing a 5 mega-pixel camera with image stabilizer function as well as a flash. Thus, if camera is your priority, then you should keep an eye on the i900 Omnia.
USER COMMENTS
by Riyansh Mundra, Mumbai, on Jun 25, 2008 09:16 PM, Report abuse
does it allow to send and receive data via Bluetooth ? because I heard from somebody, sending data through Bluetooth is not possible in iPhone. It will allow only to receive data.
by Vowval, dumeelkuppam, on Aug 01, 2008 04:11 PM, Report abuse
Yes,iphone does contain bluetooth,but you wiil not be able to transfer data to and fro with all other bluetooth devices.
by Rajesh, Mumbai, on Aug 07, 2008 12:53 PM, Report abuse
hey man i thnk no bluetooth there in iPhone, but wifi is there... a big loss, as u can't connect Bluetooth earphones....
by Shivam, Aligarh, on Oct 04, 2008 08:36 AM, Report abuse
Wrong information about iPhone 3G's processor. Kindly correct it.
by Pat, Mumbai, on Aug 07, 2008 09:55 PM, Report abuse Reply
hi, is the new 3g iphone going to have the sms forwarding feature which was surprisingly absent in the earlier model... i m still surprised as to how come such a technically sound model did not have this basic feature in the 1st place?? rohan,kindly revert.. cheers
by sanjay paranjpe, mumbai, on Jul 01, 2008 03:14 PM, Report abuse Reply
yes,the new iphone 3G will be running on firmware version 2.0 which addresses all the subtle issues such as sms forwarding,contacts search,contact forwarding etc.,which were missing in the earlier version
by Rajesh, Mumbai, on Aug 07, 2008 12:49 PM, Report abuse
by Cristien, Rio de janeiro, on Aug 05, 2008 12:43 AM, Report abuse Reply
send me rate of apple iphone 3g stores in india and when pepole will get in hand.
by manoj surti, mumbai, on Jul 31, 2008 01:07 PM, Report abuse Reply
when i able to purchase it, and whats the exact price of the apple3g
by Samir Patel, surat, on Jul 28, 2008 12:04 PM, Report abuse Reply
send me rate of apple iphone 3g stores in india and when pepole will get in hand.
by Harmohit, Delhi, on Jul 26, 2008 04:22 PM, Report abuse Reply
send me rate of apple iphone 3g stores in india and when pepole will gate in hand.
by rohit roy, pune, on Jul 23, 2008 12:31 PM, Report abuse Reply
Can you tell me where can I find i phone apple 3gb in Delhi india and tellme the price?
by Capt. surjo djo, New Delhi ,INDIA, on Jul 14, 2008 03:49 PM, Report abuse Reply
what is the exact price of apple iphone in india
by Abhinav, Kanpur, on Jul 07, 2008 09:19 PM, Report abuse Reply
what is the exact price of apple 3giphone in india
by kirankumar, vadodara, on Jul 12, 2008 10:57 AM, Report abuse
what is the exact price of iphone?
by micke, itanagar, on Jun 29, 2008 12:00 PM, Report abuse Reply
The iphone looks a lot more classier then the other phones. I would have loved it even more if it has a decent camera, then it would have been unbeatable. One phone which came close to it interms of looks and over all design was the LG Prada but we all know that LGPrada did not have all the features like the iPHONE. Over all the other guys need to do some more polishing but they are almost getting there.
by Muthuraman. S, Chennai, on Jun 26, 2008 02:26 PM, Report abuse Reply
The iPhone you'hv been waiting for. Coming soon on Vodafone. To book, sms IPHONE to 56789 or log on to vodafone.in/ and they will update you soon regarding the Price and Availability of it in Indian market. The basic information they want to book your iPhone is Your Name, Email-id, Your Mobile no. and Location. Vodafone is published a Advt. in leading newspaers regarding this. In fight for launching iPhone first in India before Bharati Airtel, they won the fight. It was speculated that Vodafone is going to launch iPhone only in December end and Bharat Airtel will launch near around Diwal festival to woo customer. But as it seems Vodafone is started booking from today, so Bharati is lacking behind only. With this Vodafone already ended many speculation whether Apple is going to launch iPhone 3G or the older version. iPhone 3G will be avilable in India in 8Gb and 16 Gb version. The date for new iPhone worlwide release is 11th July. May be they will launch iPhone 3G in India on same date.
by Riyansh Mundra, Mumbai, on Jun 25, 2008 09:16 PM, Report abuse Reply
iPhone has a 600mhz++ processor.
by Annkur, Mumbai, on Jun 23, 2008 05:14 PM, Report abuse Reply
You are partly right...the iPhone may have a 620 MHz ARM 1176 processor but it is underclocked to 412 MHz (supposedly to boost the battery life)
by Rohan Naravane, TechTree TechLabs, on Jun 23, 2008 06:57 PM, Report abuse
Not quite support for 3rd paarty apps in iphone, no file trf support from bluetooth in iphone. wm6.1 in both have same functionality.. iphone is not good buy for value for money.
by Aakash Vijay, Jaipur, on Jun 21, 2008 07:31 AM, Report abuse Reply
That is ridiculous ! The new Iphone 3G is costing $199 !!! The Touch Diamond is almost 3 times the price. Yet features are similar. How can you call the Iphone not value for money ????
by Brendon, Mumbai, on Jun 23, 2008 01:02 PM, Report abuse
You are trying to find stone in the butter!! Agree.. No phone can be a complete one.. 1000 people will have 1000 different requirements.. but try to appreciate the beauty of the phone.. Its atleast 3 years ahead from its counterparts.. you agree with it or not!!!
by anonymous, bangalore, on Jun 23, 2008 02:23 PM, Report abuse
Yes I agree too, the availability of this phone around 10k is through selected service providers only and that too is a locked phone.and additionaly what one have to pay on monthly basis to the provider is unknown. In open market the price of this unlocked phone is around 28k-30k.(US$700-800).So Mr Brendon we have to wait and see the actual handy price.
by Raymonds, Riyadh-11444, on Jun 23, 2008 02:29 PM, Report abuse
I don't know teh current market in India but here in US, the market is already experincing the effectes of iphone. Companies are alreday lowering there prices for other models with contracts(in US we do not have that many unlocked phones available). As coming to India I think Iphone is just going to take the market share hands down, even if it is locked! the reality is; the uber cool janta who will be shelling out around 30K for a phone will not mind paying few hundered extra on plans. In big cities like Delhi and Mumbai companies like Vodaphone and Airtel rule the market, and iphone has signed agreement with both the providers in India. Look at the bright side you will get an ultra cool phone, and ipod vedio device, internet browser, camera is a let down but the picture quality is so good that it looks like the snap has been taken from a 3/4 MP camera. I think it will take the market by a strom.
by Rishabh, LA, on Jun 21, 2008 07:46 AM, Report abuse Reply
to say that iphone is a uber cool device is quite ok. it is also a pretty gud video and audio player.... but to say that the pics is something that will look as if taken from a 3-4 mp camera is laughable. image quality of iphone is at best deccent at something that the sony ercison k750 camera would beat. but however that should stop us from applauding a masterpiece from apple.
by promitb, Pune, on Jun 22, 2008 02:42 PM, Report abuse
iPhone is a master piece.. Its spectacular.. Those who do not lie to love apple are actually those who try to stay far behind from technology and invention.
by anonymous, bangalore, on Jun 23, 2008 02:24 PM, Report abuse
compare the htc touch pro (next version of htc touch diamond)with iphone and samsung i900
by vijay jyoti, nashik, on Jun 23, 2008 08:54 AM, Report abuse Reply
checking out d features samsung surely leads d race... but considering the interface quality i guess theres no match to iphone.. just tht apple needs to wake up to d latest tech on time and upgrade its ph with a 5mp cam and odr latest features! HTC on other hand looks like a good blend of class and elegance... looking fwd for more loaded and up to date iphone
by Raunak, Mumbai, on Jun 22, 2008 09:41 PM, Report abuse Reply
I came to know that PHILIPS Xenium X-connect touch panel PDA Phone powered by a 624 MHz processor,3G (HSDPA), GPS and will run Windows Mobile 6,Bluetooth 2.0 and a microSD card slot. This can also alternatly powered by AAA batteries in case of emergencies.It is likely to launch in singapore by year end.Can wait until then before going for iphone.
by Mariya Roschena, Singapore, on Jun 22, 2008 07:21 PM, Report abuse Reply
Rohan, the list looks incomplete without the Sony Ericsson Xperia. I believe its the uncertainty of its launch date that might have put you off?
by Rahul Srinivas, Mumbai, on Jun 20, 2008 09:37 PM, Report abuse Reply
yes, the uncertainty of its launch date is one reason but mainly i chose not to feature it since dimensionally it is different to the above three due to the slide-out QWERTY board. It's rather similar to the upcoming HTC Touch Pro.
by Rohan Naravane, TechTree TechLabs, on Jun 20, 2008 10:38 PM, Report abuse
I heard that Sony Ericsson Xperia was designed by HTC.
by Peter, Taipei, on Jun 22, 2008 12:18 PM, Report abuse
what about the blackberry thunder? Isnt it going to be available in India once out?
by Anonymous, pkd, on Jun 21, 2008 10:40 PM, Report abuse Reply
by alaap anklesari, mumbai, on Jun 21, 2008 08:22 PM, Report abuse Reply
I would go for iphone as I am not only a fan of Apple but I am using the Macbook to the perfection. Innovators can never be compared with imitators and Apples 3G phone is best in the market before it is lunched in July 11/08.
by KC MISHRA MD., Jamshedpur, JHARKHAND, on Jun 21, 2008 07:44 PM, Report abuse Reply
Well I am a windows phone savvy so I would opt for SAMSUNG or HTC. But since I am already using a TYTN from HTC I would go for HTC but need really to know the battery life before I buy one now as the old ones have always been battery hogs.
by Haren Sanghavi, Mumbai, on Jun 21, 2008 05:59 PM, Report abuse Reply
Yes i totally share your concern about the HTC since the Diamond is stated to have a 900 mAh battery...which seems a bit less for a phone that bears such heavy-duty features. But again, only real-world testing will let us know of its battery performance.
by Rohan Naravane, TechTree TechLabs, on Jun 21, 2008 07:12 PM, Report abuse
What about the absence of basic functionalities like "Forwarding an SMS" or "Using a number in an SMS" or "Transfer files via Bluetooth" which aare lacking in the iPhone? There was no mention about the lack of an FM radio too.
by Chris, Mumbai, on Jun 21, 2008 02:48 PM, Report abuse Reply
HTC touch pro should have extra memory slot to enhance the capacity with mini or micro SD memory card.
by Shrikant Kurulk, Pune, on Jun 21, 2008 12:55 PM, Report abuse Reply
You mean "preview", not "first look".
by PoliticallyCorr, Moscow, Russia, on Jun 21, 2008 12:14 PM, Report abuse Reply
The iphone 3G does not have video call feature which is big let down.samsungs omnia seems to be a very nice design.
by sachin, goa, on Jun 20, 2008 11:12 PM, Report abuse Reply
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does the iphone contain blutooth?
by Pathik, Mumbai, on Jun 24, 2008 07:01 PM, Report abuse Reply