Second generation Iphone - who else is planning on getting one?

123oleary

leopard - i'm pretty sure that you can't connect iphones to other phones via bluetooth , the bluetooth function only connects to hands free kits.

Cavey

I thought I replied to this, but I don't think I posted it (browser might have crashed or something).

But an iPod Touch can only do it where there's a WiFi signal. Hence my interest in the 3G iPhone because that can also do it where there's a cellphone signal.

Is this really a feature? How does it work if your computer is not switched on? Or is this Blackberry-esque in that all your data is stored on remote servers so that it can accidentally be released to all and sundry and wont work if Apple fsck's up?

d123

Cavey wrote: »

I thought I replied to this, but I don't think I posted it (browser might have crashed or something).



Is this really a feature? How does it work if your computer is not switched on? Or is this Blackberry-esque in that all your data is stored on remote servers so that it can accidentally be released to all and sundry and wont work if Apple fsck's up?

The Touch (and the iPhone) don't use your computer to connect so it doesn't matter if your computer is on, off or even if you don't have a computer, they connect to the router like any other wireless device (like a laptop).

You connect the Touch/iPhone to the wifi (whether it's your home network or a public network like BT Openzone) and then surf the internet, download email or whatever else you might do on a laptop on the internet.

Leopard

Cavey,

There are various constituent parts to it but the whole thing is properly thought-out and they combine to make the entire process automatic, reliable and seamless.

It used to be called ".Mac" (Dot Mac) but Apple has just changed the name to "Mobile Me".

It's a complete and comprehensive system. You can find out more about it by following these links:

http://www.apple.com/mobileme/features/

http://www.apple.com/mobileme/features/idisk.html

http://www.apple.com/mobileme/

http://www.apple.com/mobileme/guidedtour/


I've been using it for over 8 years and have never had a problem with it.

It also ties in with another, recent, Apple facility called "Back to my Mac" which enables you to retrieve files remotely and directly from your Mac(s) (or your server) at home if you leave them switched on (obviously).

Should you want to understand it fully, ask someone who owns a Mac and subscribes to ".Mac" / "Mobile Me" to demonstrate how his/her "iDisk" works.

Cavey

The one thing I never get abut subscription services is how they can manage to exist. I used to have servers and desktops and with things like VNC, NFS shares, Apache, DynDNS and SCP I could access my data from pretty much anywhere. I now have a laptop and so carry most of the data on it, but there is still a server, which I can access from anywhere from my phone via a bunch of services, for other files I don't normally need.

It's the syncing over the air thing that interests me (which I take it you have not been using for 8 years given the iPhone is only a year old). Does it rely on Apple's servers to send/receive your data? I mean, RIM/Blackberry is the "industry standard" for mobile email (which is kind of odd because other free protocols work just as well... almost like selling ice cream to an Eskimo) and they have allowed peoples' data to leak and had their entire system go down, so these services, cool as they are, generally worry me.

And I understand the connectivity thing. My phone uses active sync and it is quite clever in how it creates a virtual network (over bluetooth or USB) between the phone and the computer for it to use. Sadly, it can't do this over the air (either by Wifi or over the GPRS) as it was removed for being a security risk, but it CAN sync with an exchange server (if you have one lying around).

Now I don't have an exchange server (little expensive tbh), so would be nicer to be able to sync over the air without one, but if I have to subscribe to a service to do this, it seems a bit excessive.

Anyway, the reason why I came back to this thread was I just got a text from O2. It said....

"O2: Apple iPhone 3G lands 11/07. We will text you shortly before with order details. As demand is very high, orders will be on a first come first served basis"

I guess that means a lot of people have expressed an interest... I wonder if they are like me and only "interested" and not desperate to get their hands on one.

mrflib

O2 are not allowing customers on non-iPhone contracts to upgrade to a new iPhone contract (like last year). You will need to sit out - or buy out - your current deal before going to iPhone.

Mind you, I'm going to work on this one. I'll let you know if I get any success, o2 are usually very good so we'll see.

Cavey

Strange, I thought they were, I can't have read it right.

The initial offering late last year you had to buy out of your contract. I think that was designed to attract more customers to O2. However, I am fairly sure from February they allowed you to change contracts without buying out your old one, you just had to start a new 18 months minimum term.

Checking their site it says

"Existing O2 customers can also switch to iPhone 3G. We'll contact you when you're eligible for an upgrade and talk you through the best options."

Looks like they are going through the motions again - get more new customers for a few months and then, when interest drops from new sign ups, try to get people to upgrade their tariffs.

mrflib

Vaja have just announced the release of their ultra-high quality leather cases for the iPhone. No discounts I know of, unfortunately.

http://www.vajacases.com/home/home_en.html


Long waiting time on some orders (45 days) as they're hand made - but definitely worth it.

incesticde

Cavey wrote: »

Anyway, the reason why I came back to this thread was I just got a text from O2. It said....

"O2: Apple iPhone 3G lands 11/07. We will text you shortly before with order details. As demand is very high, orders will be on a first come first served basis"

I guess that means a lot of people have expressed an interest... I wonder if they are like me and only "interested" and not desperate to get their hands on one.

Heard rumours of a shortage as well, thought i'd phone my local 02 shop to see what the score was. O2 staffer answered (and the voice sounded very familar) and I started talking asking questions , they open at 0702 on friday, they are expecting q's. No pre-register option etc etc. and then it dawned on me.. I was talking to my nephew!!! :rotfl::rotfl:

I had no idea he worked for o2, so anyway let's just say I'm more confident of picking up an iphone now.

Less than one week to go.......:cool:

BettiePage

I'm starting to get excited now. Can't wait!