The new Apple iPhone 3GS - a review for business owners
Last week, Apple launched its new iPhone 3GS in the UK. Within a week, it had sold over one million handsets. Our editor signed up for a new iPhone and looks at how this stylish product could help small business owners save time.
What is an iPhone?
Essentially, the iPhone is a mobile phone with a mini-computer at its core. Using 3G technology, users can browse the web, send emails, store songs, watch video, and most other tasks you'd usually associate with working on a laptop. In a rapidly growing market of 'smart phones', which includes the Blackberry brand, the iPhone has received excellent reviews and is clearly way ahead of the competition.
Good for business?
As Bytestart editor, the new phone has already improved my working life. Whereas previously, I would rush back to the office to check on emails and online issues, I can now check everything via the iPhone.
You can either use a WiFi connection at home/work, or out and about, and if one isn't available you simply use the O2 3G network to access the web.
In addition to the benefits of web access, which is obviously available on other handsets, the iPhone is streets ahead of the competition with the number of 'Apps' you can download to your handset. These tiny applications, which are either free or cost a few pounds, can perform a number of essential business tasks - such as: enabling you to FTP files to your server from the phone, check the latest news, compile spreadsheets, translate text, keep a track on expenses, and much more.
The non-business benefits are even bigger - easy access to everything from YouTube and Facebook, to storing thousands of songs and photo's within the handset. The new model also includes video, so you'll not need to take a digital camera out with you again.
What models are available?
The new iPhone 3GS comes in white and black, with either 16MB or 32MB of memory. Unless you're planning on downloading a massive number of tracks to use on its inbuilt iPod, the lower memory model should satisfy most small business owners!
Where can you get it from
If you want to have an iPhone, you'll need to sign up to an O2 contract - they have the sole rights in the UK. This has angered users from other networks (I had to switch from Orange), and in other European countries you can bag an iPhone on a choice of networks.
Depending on the tariff you select, you will pay a stepped price for the actual handset (e.g. at the time of writing, for the £35/month monthly tariff on a 24 month contract, you'd pay £87.11 for the handset).
The higher the monthly tariff, the cheaper the handset. You can find out more at the O2 shop. I got mine from the Carphone Warehouse - they seem to be the most knowledgeable and friendly people - certainly more so than some of the O2 people I initially talked to.
Conclusion
There are many other 'smart phones' out there, including the Nokia N97, and various Blackberry devices, but having spoken to a number of business contacts and soaking up a wealth of anecdotal evidence from the web, the iPhone does seem to be in a class of its own... for now.
One thing I've noticed is that the battery can deplete fairly rapidly - especially if you have a penchant for web browsing, and checking emails. Apple reckons you can get between 5-6 hours of constant surfing via the handset before you need a recharge. You can buy a 'Juice Pack Air' direct from the Apple store for around £70 to provide an extra source of power if you're likely to use power intensive applications for long periods.
In case you were wondering... No, we're not getting paid in any way for this glowing report.
James Leckie, Bytestart's Editor.
Posted July 1, 2009
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