The Apple iPod Phone is the most popular and most sort-after smartphone on the market today. It is known more by its trademark name, iPhone, and was first introduced on January 9, 2007, by Steve Jobs at MacWorld San Francisco, and first went on sale June 29, 2007, in the USA.

This mobile phone combines the iPod's music and video playback features with, a high-end smartphone, and internet accessibility.

Now instead of you carting around a number of different electronic gadgets for various functions, all you now need is the single iPhone that provides you with the following services:

• A high-end smartphone with built-in Bluetooth wireless
• An iPod music and video media player
• internet access with email, web browsing, and Wi-Fi connectivity
• A camera feature ranging from the fixed-focus 2.0 megapixel 3G model to the auto-focus 3.2 megapixel 3GS model
• email and text messaging program
• visual voicemail

All these features offered on the iPhone, are accessed via a 9cm (3.5 inches) multi-touch screen with a virtual keyboard instead of the regular physical keyboard most smart-phones use. Along the bottom of the screen are four mode operation buttons – Phone, Mail, Web, and iPod.

Smartphone Service

The main function of the iPhone is as a mobile phone. With your iPhone you can audio conference, call hold, call merge, caller ID, and also integrate with iPhone functions and other cellular network features.

The earlier models enable voice dialling only through third party applications. The 3GS (the S stands for Speed) however, offers voice dialling, allowing you to say your contact's name or telephone number, and the iPhone will dial the number.

Multimedia Player

To play music or watch videos on your iPhone you would use the iPod mode. Here, instead of using a Click Wheel to control operations, you would navigate using the touchscreen.

When watching videos, while the phone is in an upright position, you'll get a portrait view. And when the phone is turned on its side you'll get the widescreen (landscape) view.

Internet Connectivity

The iPod Phone uses the Safari web browser for quick and easy access to the Web.

Texting Messages

Like all smartphones today, with the iPhone you can also send text messages.

Email

The iPod Phone has the ability to send and receive emails. It shows full HTML email onscreen and allows you to attach photos and music files to your emails.

Camera Function

The earlier generation of the iPhone has a built-in 2megapixel digital camera. The later 3GS model has a 3.2 megapixel camera.

For more on the current iPhone models.

• Top of iPod Phone page
• To Best Electronics Guide Homepage

Advertising Sponsors