The short answer to that question is “maybe.”
(You know how sometimes you swear you hear a little voice that sounds like Steve Jobs whispering in your ear, telling you to buy an iPhone 3G? Hey, don’t judge me.)
Even though the new iPhone’s up-front cost is cheaper, at $199 or $299, depending on the model, the monthly fees are higher by at least $10. And because buying iPhone 3G at that price locks you into a two-year contract, you’ll pay a monthly fee of at least $69.99 (and that’s without text messaging) every month for 24 months.
So what’s so good about iPhone 3G, which goes on sale at Apple and AT&T stores at 8 a.m. Friday? For Chicagoans, it’s AT&T’s fast 3G network. Internet browsing is several times faster than the pokey EDGE network on the first-gen iPhone. And, with 3G, you can talk and surf simultaneously, something you can’t do with EDGE.
Oh, and GPS. While Apple says iPhone 3G isn’t suitable for turn-by-turn directions, the GPS will help you find your way home — or at least to the nearest Thai takeout spot — in a hurry.
Beyond that, truthfully, there’s not much else. It’s still 8 gigabytes or 16 gigabytes of storage space. The audio is supposedly much improved and the 16-GB model comes in black or white, but that’s really the end of the innovation. You’ll find the rest of the cool-factor on all iPhones, new and old, in the form of Mobile Me and the iTunes App Store.
With Mobile Me, which costs $99 a year, you can access and manage e-mail, contact lists, your calendar, photos and files on your computer or iPhone. And when you make a change in either place, the change is instantaneous on the other device, no syncing required. And, you know how fast your e-mail is at work or on your BlackBerry? Now, it’s just as fast on your iPhone.
The App (short for “application”) Store is just like the wildly successful iTunes music and movie store, but for applications like games, Facebook and Instant Messenger. Some will be free and some will cost you, but thousands of programs that do everything from controlling the lights in your living room to balancing your checkbook will be up for grabs starting sometime Friday. And buying an app will be just as easy as buying that new Coldplay song.
So, what to do? Well, the decision to buy is one only you can make. I’ll see you in line Friday morning at the Apple Store on the Mag Mile or at the State Street AT&T Store — whichever is shorter. I’ll be wearing a black Apple cap. Stop by and say hello.
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What now, old iPhone?
Hear that? That’s the sound of your old iPhone crying. Why? Because you decided to toss it aside and purchase a new iPhone 3G. But breaking up doesn’t have to be hard to do. Here are some potential uses for your first-gen iPhone.
Use it as an iPod
Once you migrate your phone number from your old iPhone to a 3G, the functions on the old model will shut down. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use your old iPhone as the coolest iPod ever. Bonus: Your new iPhone will have a free remote control application from Apple that allows you to control that old iPhone-turned-iPod from across the room.
Here ya go
Nothing says I love you — or I want you to love me — more than the gift of iPhone. Simply have the lucky beneficiary sign up for a plan from AT&T, and the first-gen iPhone can bring happiness (and rollover minutes) to someone else.
One word: eBay
Even though the iPhone eventually will be available in more than 70 countries, there are plenty of folks who want one now. You could make quite the international business deal, since there’s no sign that demand for the first-gen model is waning.
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This is your brain on iPhone
With so many functions and so much storage capacity, it’s not too far-fetched to imagine the iPhone eventually replacing your brain. RedEye offers a look at some of the things the new 3G can take off your mind.
Park and go
Dude, where’s your car? Don’t remember? Doesn’t matter. G-Park bills itself as a simple parking application for the iPhone. Park your car and hit the “Park Me!” button. Then, when you need to know where you parked, hit the “Where Did I Park?” button for turn-by-turn directions that take you right back to where you started. Available Friday in the new iTunes App Store. Price not available. posimotion.com.
Store your secrets
You need your credit card number, but who has time to take a wallet our of his or her pants or purse? That’s three seconds of your life you’ll never get back. eWallet from iLium Software stores your credit card numbers, passwords, emergency phone numbers, bank account numbers – anything with government-level 256-bit AES encryption. That means it’s secure. Available soon in the iTunes App Store. Price not available. iliumsoft.com.
Talk it out
Yeah, you can use your fingers to swipe, pinch, tap, drag and zoom on your iPhone. Or, you could get hooked on Fonix and just talk to it. A new application called iSpeak allows users to interact with their iPhones by speaking basic commands. Saying a name or number dials a contact, while saying the name of a song fires up the iPod. No word yet on pricing or availability. fonix.com
Amen
Now, even the Bible fits in your pocket. Several religious texts are available now in the App Store, and prices range from a few bucks for something basic to $29 for a Bible that lets you highlight your favorite passages.
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ADD IT UP
Sure, the 3G is faster, and the phone itself is cheaper than the original iPhone. But will it save you money in the long run? Check out this cost comparison of the 3G versus the original over the life of a two-year contract. [ RedEye ]
Original iPhone
Phone cost: (8GB) $399; (16GB) $499
Plan cost: (900 minutes per month): $79.99 per month
Unlimited data fee: Included
Text messages (200 messages per month): Free
Total over two-year contract: $2,318.76 ($2,418.76 for the 16GB phone)
3G
Phone cost: (8GB) $199; (16GB) $299
Plan cost: (900 minutes per month): $89.99 per month
Unlimited data fee: Included
Text messages (200 messages per month): $5 per month
Total over two-year contract: $2,478.76 ($2,578.76 for the 16GB phone)
* Totals do not include activation fee, cost of accessories or taxes and charges included on monthly bill.
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skleinberg@tribune.com
