iPhone 3G First Impressions

Okay, I admit it, I’m a geek and an early adopter! Usually this simply means I end up paying more to access technology early. With the iPhone 3G, I am beginning to long for a return to my Nokia N95… Now don’t get me wrong. As a gadget, the iPhone isn’t so bad. I am enjoying playing with the applications from the iTunes App Store, and as long as I am on a Wi-Fi network at home or in the office, I get good results. Leave the office and rely on 3G and the problems start – poor signal, sometimes no service and slow download speeds.

Recent head-to-head studies have suggested that the problem is more with the networks than the device itself, with the worst carrier in the world having been identified as Optus. No prizes for guessing which carrier I am with!

My theory is that because Optus offered the best data plans in Australia they have garnered the lions share of the iPhone 3G business, putting undue (and I hope temporary!) stress on their network. Few complaints seem to have been received from Telstra customers. This could be because they have so few customers due to initially high data prices, or related to their operating on a different frequency.

In summary I would recommend holding off on the purchase of an iPhone until the dust settles a bit more. Apple has some imminent updates at the time of writing that may help with signal strength issues as well as rumoured iPod updates. Next month we will take a look at some of the potential benefits of QR codes