I'm thinking about getting an iPhone, I hear they are just about to release a new-better version, should I wait ?

What does the term "jail broke" mean ?

It's never 100%, but the Apple Rumor Mills out there are saying a new faster/better iPhone will be released in late June or early July. The phone will have a faster processor, better battery life, video, better camera, and a new OS that will do a whole ton of cool stuff.

Apple tries, although not very hard, to keep some control on the phone software and what you can and can't do with it.

Smart people very early on figured out through some very easy software mean to "break" in to the phone so as to allow "features" and "processes" that are currently not allowed or supported by Apple with a standard, non "broken" phone.

A big "jail breaking" feature that Europe loves is that they can "break" the phone to work with other carriers, other than just AT&T. That's why you can still sell an older iphone to someone in Europe for a lot of $$$. Almost what you paid for it.

While I don't bother to break my phone, it's easy to do. Just download the necessary software, read a couple of instructions, and about a minute later, your phone is "jail broke" and you can start doing all kinds of hacks and crap with it.

Apple will "update" it's phone software with a minor update and all those hacks you just installed won't work - until they are updated, etc. I just don't play that stupid game, as there are literally about a million kick-ass applications you can download for the iPhone.

My advice is to wait a month.

If not, I'll trade you straight across today - my iPhone G3 for your new NULA 7mm-08. Deal?

Seriously - wait until the end of this month. Best free advice you'll get from me tonight.

Thanks for the info Parker, I'll have to think on the trade offer for a spell...

Is there a preffered place to buy these things ?
Is there any way to keep my cell service plan with U.S.Cellular ?
Do you think the new version will have a phazer ?

I got my i Phone about a year ago, there are a couple of things that make crazy.

First the battery life sucks. I would be curious to know how much they improved it.

Second I can't receive pictures via text. If someone sends me text pics of their cromage then I have to log into the At&T website to see them. Kind of pisses me off.

Lastly the 8 gig doesn't hold enough, I should have gotten the 16 gig.

Other than that, I love this thing. If you are thinking of getting one I would recommend you do. I consider my i Phone to be the coolest piece of technology I have ever owned!

a) Apple Store or AT&T Store
b) At the moment, unless things change with the new phone, you gotta switch over to AT&T.
c) Light-Saber, maybe. Phaser, no.



Battery life is directly related to the features you have turned on/off on your 3G phone. Things like BlueTooth, Wireless, 3G, and the GPS features eat battery life. Turn off the features you do not use on a daily basis.

Battery life on the 3G may (or may not) improve with the new iPhone 3.0 is released along with the new iPhones. Battery life management is somewhat software related. Apple does need to improve on that, as the 3G battery life is not stellar during heavy use of the phone.

One of the new features of 3.0 is the addition of MMS - the feature that allows you to send/receive photos. Another feature of 3.0 is the ability to copy/paste.

Even for those of us with the older 3G phones, the new 3.0 iPhone OS will greatly improve your phone. That will be coming out at the same time the new iPhones are out. Soon. End of the month kinda soon.

I think you can zoom in on the pics with an iphone.

I went to Apple's site and watched the demo video on the iphone, that really impressed me, if you are even a little curious (phone curious, not the "other" curious) I recomend the video.

I don't know what to think about hacking into the phone to steal stuff... I'm not too rightous to record movies with a VCR, but then the VCR can't tell on me. These smart phones must be able to track everything you steal with it, and even know when I'm speeding on the freeway.....................................do I need a tinfoil hat ? !

Stam get one of the waterproof phones (if you have Verizon). They rule. A bit large and heavy but it really works. Mine has been in the water 3 times and still works. They aren't expensive either.
I think the iphones are cool and all but I'd be wasting my money as it would surely get drowned.

Stam, you may not need an iPhone, if all you want is a basic phone/text messaging system. It's not much better than your phone at those things, and is maybe worse at just making phone calls (just see how many touches it takes you to call a 7 digit number, vs a regular phone)

The things I think are great about my (original, older model) iphone are:
* Tides & Currents apps for fishing the salt
* Acceptable though not nearly great camera, which can easily email photos (love sending pics to my kids when I'm travelling)
* Very good email client if you are in the USA travelling anywhere you can get/send email easily
* Some decent games can be had (play fieldrunners while flying)
* Podcasts of Robbo/The Outdoor Line (plus any other ipod stuff--music, video)
* Surprisingly useful google maps on your phone -- even fake-GPS's your location on the old phone by cellphone tower signal strength.

In all pretty darn useful--especially in the USA where the data plan is flat-rate, I almost never travel with a computer anymore, just my phone and wallet.

Yes Wait a month, the new one will be so cool I may even get one

They might be announced today.....

Stay tuned. Announcement should happen by 11:00 am....

The iPhone 3.0 OS will be available on June 17th.

They are still yacking away about it......

The new Apple iPhone 3GS....

Speedier
Will come with a new 3MP auto-focus camera
Video Capability w/video capture.
Digital Compass
VoiceOver Support
Data Encryption
Instant Remote Wipe
encrypted itunes backup
9 hours of internet surfing, 10 hours of video, 30 hours of audio, 12 hours of 2G talk time, 5 hours of 3G talk time
Eco Friendly

AT&T PRices:

16GB iPhone 3GS $199. Ships with 3.0
$299 for the 32GB
(for new and qualifying customers)

AVAILABLE JUNE 19!!!!!!!

Apple:

Existing 8GB 3G still only $99

Since I've never had a cell phone do am I a new and qualified customer?

Yes.

AT&T loves new money.

Is the iPod Touch the same animal, just the cell phone feature missing ?