Sunday, July 13, 2008

Little things about iPhone 3G that you (may) have missed

We're often missed the little things in life, maybe it's because we're busy doing something else. Or perhaps, you prefer to focus on more important and big things? Or something is distracting you from the details?

In that case, I'm here to bring you another round of iPhone 3G news, like usual time on the end of the weekend. Where I'm sure you must've know almost everything to know about iPhone 3G, from the launch till the hands-on reviews are all over the net in these last couple of days.

So that's why I won't be talking about those here now, but instead I'll take you on the ride to see some little details surrounding the famous iPhone 3G:

The battery can be replaceable, kinda...

At first no one expect this one, cause Apple has been known to limit users to tamper with its gadgets. Such as hiding any visible screws on its iPhone or iPod line-ups, making even the savviest technician hard to open up those gizmos without making few small scratches around the edge.

But Apple seems to be changing its mind on iPhone 3G's battery, which we have learned that using the 3G signal will drink the battery juice faster than the older 2G network. So that's why now iPhone 3G has two small screws the bottom of the device on either side of the standard docking connector (pictured right, click to enlarge it).

It's all confirmed when iFixit disassembly iPhone 3G, they reveals that device’s battery is not soldered unlike in the first-generation iPhone’s. What more is, that iPhone 3G’s LCD screen is separate from the capacitive touchscreen, theoretically making replacement of a broken glass layer much less expensive.

So far, there's no way to self replace the battery without breaking your new iPhone 3G's warranty. And this means Apple is trying to fight back those fast spreading iPhone/iPod repair technician, who're willing to repair your Apple gizmos for cheaper service fee.

Apple keeps the bond with Intel even in iPhone 3G

Whenever we're to talk about Intel, our mind will automatically connect the biggest processor manufacturer with Microsoft, and we know Microsoft and Apple is like water and oil; they just don't mix together or in other words they're an eternal couple of nemesis.

Apple surprised everyone when Steve Jobs decided to start using Intel's processors in its Mac families, and I suppose it'll only natural to expect that Apple will continue this flirting behaviour with Intel into its most prized product: iPhone. The tear-down of iPhone 3G by iFixit reveals another surprise; Apple sourced components from TriQuint Semiconductor, Intel, Samsung, Infineon, ARM, SST and Skyworks, among others. TriQuint is a new supplier offering a range of components for the iPhone 3G's telephony features, including parts for UMTS, HSUPA and WCDMA/HSUPA.

While flash memory has been provided by Intel, at least in the model disassembled over night. The processor combines a Samsung ARM-based chip with the flash memory. There must be a hidden agenda on why Apple insist on using Intel's flash memory, instead of using other brands. Intel may be the leader of processor race, but it's certainly not in flash memory.

iPhone 3G is wider than the first one

This is a very trivial thing indeed, like the little bulk we find on the new iPhone 3G compared to the first gen of iPhone. But I don't remember anyone talked about it, and I've just realized it when I watched the hands-on video by TiPB.

Too bad iFixit didn't make a comparison of iPhone 3G's screen with the first iPhone's, when they disassembled it. It's interesting to know, whether it's the screen which is wider or is it the screen frame of iPhone 3G's body that make it wider?

iPhone 3G's "paper-clip"

I'd love this tiny-little accessories that comes along with the shiny new iPhone 3G, "paper-clip", that's how I like to call it. Why? Because it does look like one ;-p It's ridiculously small, fragile, but yet of course useful if you're planning to often change the SIM card.

Which remind me back again, ain't this iPhone 3G is (officially) locked into AT&T's network? Or maybe this is another way for Apple to encourage iPhone 3G owners to switch to other mobile wireless carriers more often? ~LOL~

iPhone 3G display is warmer by design
The screen display, the most noticeable changes that straight away visible. When people are getting their "greedy" hands-on the iPhone 3G, many have commented on the fact that colors on new phone’s display appear noticeably different than ones on the original model when placed side by side.

Jason Snell (Macworld) managed to get words from Apple’s senior director of iPhone product marketing, Bob Borchers, who indicated that this definitely isn’t a bug or a display defect. Yes, the display on the iPhone 3G has a warmer look—and that’s by design. The previous iPhone’s white was more of a cool blue (Borchers likened it to harsh fluorescent lighting), while this one’s is warmer and more of a sunny yellow.

“We moved the white point in order to make (the display feel) more natural,” Borchers said, suggesting that consumers are more likely to appreciate warmer images, especially when viewing photos. But Borchers didn’t rule out a future software update to allow users to adjust the display’s color temperature in the event of massive user demand, but said that Apple doesn’t currently have any plans to offer such a feature.

Microsoft helps Apple sell iPhone 3G

What?! No, there's gotta be some kinda mistake there!

That must be your first expression too when you read that line up there, same like I did. But it was Mr. James Kendrick from jkOnTheRun who has spotted that Apple Store and all of its staffs are using Symbol's mobile PoS (Point of Service). A wireless handheld device, which specially made for mobile cashier and uses Microsoft's Windows CE OS.

iPhone 3G is tougher

Yup, you heard it right. According to the Tim Moynihan (PC World) the tests include dropping, scratching, and dunking the iPhone 3G. One of the cruelest test, for me, is when they put the iPhone 3G into a bowl of Froot Loops! And that didn't kill it, so now you know it's okay to drop your new iPhone 3G into your morning cereal breakfast; assuming in your case it happened by accident. ;-D

Only after subsequent drops chipped away at the screen, producing a spider-web-like matrix of cracks by about the 5th drop. The touchscreen, iPhone's 480-by-320-pixel trademark visage, no longer responded to human touch. And then there was that unfortunate motorcycle event. Go to PC World's website to watch the heart-breaking video, warning: not for the faint heart of Apple-fanboys/girls.
Sources are from:

[blogged with my Treo 750v]

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