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Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

#31
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6/22/09 at 9:53am
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Carlo,

Surprised to hear you bring up the battery. Honestly, the battery life
on the 3G S is noticeably better than the 3G. After a day's use my battery
was nearly dead. Now I have 25% power left.

I did invest in a Richard Solo 1800 which quickly recharges my iPhone.

You may also want to look at something called a Juice Pack that
I also considered, but felt it added too much bulk to the existing phone.

if needed. There
Ronald J Epstein
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#32
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6/22/09 at 10:00am
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Terry White's in depth 3GS review:
http://terrywhite.com/techblog/?p=2470

Terry confirms you CAN NOT use voice dialing over Bluetooth. Yet.

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#33
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6/22/09 at 10:14am
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Ron, I think I bring it up only because this is my first time really using the Internet and 3g and I'm used to having to charge every 4 days or so. Bu that's because I only used my berry as a phone and rarely for anything else. I think once I'm accustomed to it I'll be fine. For long travel though I may look at an external battery solution. I get really bored at airports.
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#34
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6/22/09 at 10:15am
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

How is that "stupid" phones have had this for years but "smart" phones still can't do bluetooth voice dialing?
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#35
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6/22/09 at 10:22am
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Dave,

I have two schools of thought on this.

First, the iPhone was released before it was actually ready for
prime time. Apple rushed it out and it lacked many, many features.

Two years later the most requested features are finally showing up,
however at the expense of some of us that have shelled out close to
$1300 for three generations of iPhone.

Which brings me to my second thought....

Apple just wants to keep giving people a reason to upgrade.

I think the phone could have been released with a lot more stuff
that other smart phones have had for years. However, put too much
into a phone and people will not have a reason to buy it again a year
from now. Unfortunately, this seems to be Apple's business model.
Ronald J Epstein
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#36
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6/22/09 at 10:31am
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

The odd thing is that it's not just the iPhone. The Treo's couldn't do it. The Pre doesn't have it. Don't know about Blackberry.

I understand not having a compass or GPS the first go. But not having voicedialing is like saying your phone doesn't yet support dialing phone numbers...it's just basic

This is consistently a weakness of high-end phones, not Apple per se.
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#37
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6/22/09 at 10:34am
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

To be fair, all phone makers want you to upgrade. It's just that Apple's costs so much more people notice it more. The truth is that a lot of people (not all, but a high percentage of smart phone users) plan on upgrading their device every 2 years when their plan expires. It just makes sense to take advantage of the system, to be able to get the latest and the greatest for relatively cheap every 2 years. Apple is just following that trend of releasing more appealing/powerful products every year to keep feeding the "upgraditis" demands of today's average smart phone users.

The nice thing about the iPhone though is that through the OS you can increase the feature set of existing phones (to a certain degree) through updates, which Apple has been willing and eager to do. By the time the hardware limitations are really hindering the deployment of new features (i.e. the original iPhone won't do a lot of what's new in OS 3.0), you're eligible for an upgrade. I have no doubt in a year when the new OS is out my 3GS will do about 85% of what is new on there, and then in 2 years when 4.0 comes out it will do 50% or less of what is new, but by then I'll be signing a new contract and buying a new phone.

It is a vicious cycle.
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#38
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6/22/09 at 2:07pm
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

I upgraded from the original iPhone and for me there is a huge difference b/t the 3GS and the 1st gen. Its much faster, apps open in no time, even surfing the net through my wifi is faster. I'm loving this phone. Having GPS is great. Can't wait 'till the TomTom app is out.
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#39
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6/22/09 at 3:06pm
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Any thoughts on whether the new screen coating makes a difference when deciding to use or not use a screen protector? I didn't use one on my original and I like how easily the new screen cleans up, but a protector will probably come with the case I buy.
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#40
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6/22/09 at 3:10pm
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Definitely no problems swapping SIM cards back and forth between a 3G and a 3GS.
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#41
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6/22/09 at 4:04pm
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidJ
Any thoughts on whether the new screen coating makes a difference when deciding to use or not use a screen protector? I didn't use one on my original and I like how easily the new screen cleans up, but a protector will probably come with the case I buy.

dunno about that but the screen is REALLY fingerprint resistant! Dunno why they didn't promote it more, it's not "hype" if really works!

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#42
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6/22/09 at 4:47pm
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

I was wondering how long it would be before we heard the first story of someone using "Find My iPhone" to track down a stolen phone. As it turns out, not long at all:

The Intermittent Kevin - Find My iPhone works, and it is awesome.

Pretty amusing, although I might have at least tried to get the police involved.
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#43
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6/22/09 at 4:49pm
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam Posten
dunno about that but the screen is REALLY fingerprint resistant! Dunno why they didn't promote it more, it's not "hype" if really works!
Amen! The screen gets less fingerprints, and those it does get wipe off very easily. The 3GS case I got came with a screen protector, but I didn't install it. Not worth the hassle, IMO.
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#44
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6/22/09 at 5:13pm
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig S
I was wondering how long it would be before we heard the first story of someone using "Find My iPhone" to track down a stolen phone. As it turns out, not long at all:

The Intermittent Kevin - Find My iPhone works, and it is awesome.

Pretty amusing, although I might have at least tried to get the police involved.
I don't know what's more amazing, that it actually worked (assuming he didn't make it all up) or that it took him less than a week to lose his iPhone.
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#45
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6/22/09 at 5:13pm
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig S
I was wondering how long it would be before we heard the first story of someone using "Find My iPhone" to track down a stolen phone. As it turns out, not long at all:

The Intermittent Kevin - Find My iPhone works, and it is awesome.

Pretty amusing, although I might have at least tried to get the police involved.

I twittered that earlier but forgot to cc it here. Sounds like a good way to get your damn fool ass killed.

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#46
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6/22/09 at 8:45pm
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Just got your first iPhone? Stop here FIRST:
So You Just Got an iPhone? A List of Games to Get. | Touch Arcade

"Best Of" iPod Touch and iPhone Games - A 2008 Holiday Guide (Review) | Touch Arcade

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#47
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6/22/09 at 9:54pm
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carlo Medina
I don't know what's more amazing, that it actually worked (assuming he didn't make it all up) or that it took him less than a week to lose his iPhone.

A guy at work last year lost his iPhone, got it back amazingly enough (because of a "call for reward" sticker on it) and celebrated his good fortune by losing it for good a week later.
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#48
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6/23/09 at 3:07am
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Sam,

Thanks for all the cool links you provided. Been looking over the
stuff this morning.

I wouldn't say that the new iPhone screen is fingerprint resistant.
There are plenty smudges on my phone already. I would say it
is more resistant than the 3G and certainly is easier to clean.
Ronald J Epstein
Home Theater Forum co-owner
Email me at: repstein@hometheaterforum.com 
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#49
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6/23/09 at 4:36am
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

I'll put a picture up tonight of my gen 1 ipod touch and my iphone 3gs, they are oceans different. It's not perfect but its enough to give me a big goofy smile.

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#50
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6/23/09 at 5:54am
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Ars Technica's MASSIVE review:
Review: iPhone 3GS lives up to its speedy claims - Ars Technica

Those of you with questions on Bluetooth and stereo integration jump right to page 8

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#51
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6/23/09 at 6:36pm
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Anyone got input on good car charging docks? I would buy the TomTom one if they would just A. deliver it and B. not price it ridiculously.... I need something to charge in the car till then tho...

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#52
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6/23/09 at 8:37pm
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam Posten
Anyone got input on good car charging docks? I would buy the TomTom one if they would just A. deliver it and B. not price it ridiculously.... I need something to charge in the car till then tho...

When my old Belkin car charger for my first gen iPhone broke, I bought the cheapest charger I could find at the Apple Store, which was made by XtremeMac. I realize it isn't a dock, but it's been great. Have used it for all three iPhone models now with no problems.

I will say since I started using the 3GS, the battery doesn't seem to charge as rapidly as it did with the 3G. I'm willing to give that a pass though since I get more juice out of the 3GS battery.
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#53
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6/23/09 at 8:39pm
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam Posten
Anyone got input on good car charging docks? I would buy the TomTom one if they would just A. deliver it and B. not price it ridiculously.... I need something to charge in the car till then tho...

The TomTom one looks nice... I'm hoping it will be affordable.

-EJ
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#54
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6/23/09 at 8:48pm
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael_K_Sr
Definitely no problems swapping SIM cards back and forth between a 3G and a 3GS.

so you were able to switch the new sim with the old sim and nothing else had to be changed?

as I mentioned before, my old iphone goes to Mrs D, i get new iphone
we switch sim cards and all is right in the world?

I hope to get a 3Gs thursday.
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#55
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6/23/09 at 8:51pm
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyD
so you were able to switch the new sim with the old sim and nothing else had to be changed?

as I mentioned before, my old iphone goes to Mrs D, i get new iphone
we switch sim cards and all is right in the world?

Yep...that's exactly right. No problems at all.
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#56
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6/24/09 at 11:55am
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Giz + Bill Nye = rawwwwk.
Gizmodo - Giz Bill Nye Explains: The iPhone 3GS's Oleophobic Screen - Oleophobic screen

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#57
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6/24/09 at 2:48pm
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam Posten
Anyone got input on good car charging docks? I would buy the TomTom one if they would just A. deliver it and B. not price it ridiculously.... I need something to charge in the car till then tho...
Before going on a car trip many years ago, soon after I had bought my 2nd gen iPod I got this amazing kit for $50, which included EVERY conceivable thing you could have wanted at the time (and all the cables were great quality): cassette adaptor (audio out), charger (lighter), every conceivable adaptor cable -- to RCA, to minijack stereo, male, female, extensions... If someone were to out an equivalently full service kit for the iPhone I would be ecstatic, but that was a once in a lifetime event...

I mourned the switch from standard Firewire to USB as that killed the cassette and the charger for future gen iPods... Though come to think of it my old (20GB!!! -- that was $499 at the time, boys and girls) iPod is still fully functional --that thing is totally indestructible. I can bring it for my next car trip -- too bad cassette radios are gone from rental cars -- or are they?
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#58
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6/24/09 at 4:43pm
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

for the new screen, fingerprints aren't an issue for me, I'll still put a
screen cover on there to keep minor scratches and accidental umps from
damaging the screen.

also I'm deciding if i want to go to best buy for their comprehensive
warranty service or go with an outside warranter(is that a word?)

I found this on a mac board.

https://www.squaretrade.com/pages/

looks like accidental coverage, 2 years for $120.

any thoughts?
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#59
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6/25/09 at 8:33am
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Coding Horror: The iPhone Software Revolution

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles..._software.html

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#60
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6/25/09 at 12:20pm
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Re: Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ted Todorov
I can bring it for my next car trip -- too bad cassette radios are gone from rental cars -- or are they?
While that is true, I've noticed that more and more cars have a front aux input, so all you need is a 3.5mm - 3.5mm cable and you're all set. I also prefer to use a little dock adapter with stereo lineout to get the unmodified sound from the device and have the car stereo control the volume, and not the headphone jack controls.

-Christian

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." (Benjamin Franklin)

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