iPhone

[iron]

Great all in one tool and they look swanky as heck, I'm toying with the idea of buying one but they are really dear in the UK (or will be) - If I got one from the US would I have any issues using it in the UK?

[JenniP]

All iPhones (apart from I think France and somewhere else) are network locked, Apple have already said that they will be bricking unlocked iPhones. So best not to.

Personally I think the iPhone is just a over hyped piece of junk designed for a US market and no-where else, it lacks a decent camera, doesn't do video recording at all, so you may be thinking its a business phone, well it doesn't do 3G, doesnt do Microsoft Exchange email etc, and its memory just isn't up to being a proper music/video player.

While its a great gadget, its not a great phone, personally I would get a iPod Touch and a decent phone.

Jen

[alicelas]

Yeah - I'd agree with that. I personally have my iPod Nano and a BlackBerry, which handles everything I need perfectly. It's really up to you, but I don't want one and don;t intend on getting one (I'm in the UK too).

[iron]

Interesting comments from both of you there, I certainly had not realized that they were network locked - they are centrally contracted with O2 in the uk?

[JenniP]

I think O2 have an exclusive contract for at least 18 months, and Apple get a monthly kickback on the line rental.

Hackers have already unlocked the iPhone, however Apple every software release are making unlocked ones stop working (at least as a phone) and voiding the waranty so you cant get it replaced.

Also because it isnt 3G it uses a technology called EDGE for its fast (well faster than GPRS but slower than 3G) data access, and I think O2 is the only company who has EDGE support on their network.

Jen

[Parin]

I'm of the same opinion that the iphone is not for our market. We are way ahead of the states in mobile comms and so are used to alot more services ie high speed internet access, very good camera's etc..- something that the iphone does not give.

Additionally the unit is very very expensive and if you manage to damage you are going to take a big hit on a like for like replacement.

On the other hand I do expect the phone to sell well but for the consumer market.