(1) (InternetPhone) See IP phone and softphone.
(2) A smartphone from Apple that integrates cellphone, iPod, camera, text messaging, e-mail and Web browsing. Data and applications can be sent to the phone wirelessly or via Apple's iTunes software, which is used to organize music, videos, photos and applications (see iTunes).
iPhone and iPhone 3G
Introduced in the U.S. in mid-2007, and available in the U.S. exclusively from AT&T until 2010, the iPhone was superseded by the iPhone 3G in July 2008. The 3G added higher data speed (the 3G), GPS and an application platform that turned the iPhone into an ultra-mobile, general-purpose computer. With the 3G, the iPhone was finally introduced in Canada by Rogers Communications and its Fido subsidiary. It was also made available in many other parts of the world (see SIM lock).
iPhone 3G S
In June 2009, the 3G S was introduced with a faster processor for greater overall performance ("S" means "speed") and many additional features, including a video camera, voice phone dialer and improved battery life. The 3G S uses the third-generation iPhone OS (see iPhone 3.0).
Entirely by Touch
The iPhone is operated almost entirely via an innovative 3.5" touch screen. A major breakthrough in usability (see multitouch), the user interface was also carried forward in the next-generation iPod (see iPod touch).
Quite a Frenzy
In the history of the cellular industry, no phone ever created so much buzz; people actually camped out overnight to be first in line. AT&T stores closed early Friday, June 29, 2007 to set up the displays, reopening at 6pm and staying late to accommodate customers. Considering more than 20 million iPhones were purchased in the following two years, the enthusiasm was justified.
Specifications and Network Speeds
The iPhone is a quad-band GSM phone with music and video playback, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and a two-megapixel still camera (three megapixels in 3G S). Powered by an ARM processor, it uses a custom version of the Mac OS X operating system. The maximum flash storage started out at 8GB, increasing to 16GB and 32GB in subsequent models.
Often called the "2G," the first iPhone used only the EDGE cellular network, while the iPhone 3G and 3G S support both EDGE and the higher-speed HSDPA 3G network. For example, HSDPA downloads are 200-1000 Kbps compared to 70-150 Kbps for EDGE (see EDGE and HSPA). Although EDGE/HSDPA service is generally always available, and Wi-Fi hotspots are not, Wi-Fi still provides the fastest data transfer (see Wi-Fi and hotspot).
One major inconvenience is that, like the iPod, the iPhone has a sealed battery and must be sent to Apple or to a third-party company for replacement if not under warranty. There is also no memory card slot for expansion. See iPod, iPod touch, iBricking and iClone.
The Home Screen
Pressing the only physical button on the front of the unit displays the home screen, which is the main menu to all operations. The iPhone is a handheld computer with an extraordinary user interface in a case less than a half inch thick. (Image courtesy of Apple Inc.)
Beautiful Presentations
The iPhone set a precedent for attractive screen presentations and clever functions. The weather panels of selected cities are scrolled horizontally with the finger.
Version 2.0 - The iTunes App Store
The iPhone 3G introduced Version 2.0 of the OS and the iPhone development platform. Turning the phone into a general-purpose mobile computer, iPhone and iPod touch users can download thousands of free and paid applications from the App Store. For example, in late 2008, this encyclopedia became available as an iPhone app. With the 3G, Apple also targeted corporate users by including synchronization with the Microsoft Exchange mail server. See iPod touch and iPhone 3.0.
(2) A smartphone from Apple that integrates cellphone, iPod, camera, text messaging, e-mail and Web browsing. Data and applications can be sent to the phone wirelessly or via Apple's iTunes software, which is used to organize music, videos, photos and applications (see iTunes).
iPhone and iPhone 3G
Introduced in the U.S. in mid-2007, and available in the U.S. exclusively from AT&T until 2010, the iPhone was superseded by the iPhone 3G in July 2008. The 3G added higher data speed (the 3G), GPS and an application platform that turned the iPhone into an ultra-mobile, general-purpose computer. With the 3G, the iPhone was finally introduced in Canada by Rogers Communications and its Fido subsidiary. It was also made available in many other parts of the world (see SIM lock).
iPhone 3G S
In June 2009, the 3G S was introduced with a faster processor for greater overall performance ("S" means "speed") and many additional features, including a video camera, voice phone dialer and improved battery life. The 3G S uses the third-generation iPhone OS (see iPhone 3.0).
Entirely by Touch
The iPhone is operated almost entirely via an innovative 3.5" touch screen. A major breakthrough in usability (see multitouch), the user interface was also carried forward in the next-generation iPod (see iPod touch).
Quite a Frenzy
In the history of the cellular industry, no phone ever created so much buzz; people actually camped out overnight to be first in line. AT&T stores closed early Friday, June 29, 2007 to set up the displays, reopening at 6pm and staying late to accommodate customers. Considering more than 20 million iPhones were purchased in the following two years, the enthusiasm was justified.
Specifications and Network Speeds
The iPhone is a quad-band GSM phone with music and video playback, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and a two-megapixel still camera (three megapixels in 3G S). Powered by an ARM processor, it uses a custom version of the Mac OS X operating system. The maximum flash storage started out at 8GB, increasing to 16GB and 32GB in subsequent models.
Often called the "2G," the first iPhone used only the EDGE cellular network, while the iPhone 3G and 3G S support both EDGE and the higher-speed HSDPA 3G network. For example, HSDPA downloads are 200-1000 Kbps compared to 70-150 Kbps for EDGE (see EDGE and HSPA). Although EDGE/HSDPA service is generally always available, and Wi-Fi hotspots are not, Wi-Fi still provides the fastest data transfer (see Wi-Fi and hotspot).
One major inconvenience is that, like the iPod, the iPhone has a sealed battery and must be sent to Apple or to a third-party company for replacement if not under warranty. There is also no memory card slot for expansion. See iPod, iPod touch, iBricking and iClone.
The Home Screen
Pressing the only physical button on the front of the unit displays the home screen, which is the main menu to all operations. The iPhone is a handheld computer with an extraordinary user interface in a case less than a half inch thick. (Image courtesy of Apple Inc.)
Beautiful Presentations
The iPhone set a precedent for attractive screen presentations and clever functions. The weather panels of selected cities are scrolled horizontally with the finger.
Version 2.0 - The iTunes App Store
The iPhone 3G introduced Version 2.0 of the OS and the iPhone development platform. Turning the phone into a general-purpose mobile computer, iPhone and iPod touch users can download thousands of free and paid applications from the App Store. For example, in late 2008, this encyclopedia became available as an iPhone app. With the 3G, Apple also targeted corporate users by including synchronization with the Microsoft Exchange mail server. See iPod touch and iPhone 3.0.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- iPhone replacements
- Reader suggestions and comments on a potential iPhone replacement. by Dan Kusnetzky
- Blog posts 2009-11-24
- New iPhone worm found in the wild
- A second and more nefarious iPhone worm has been discovered that connects to a Lithuanian server to upload stolen data and turn control of the device over to the bot master. Lovely. by Jason D. O'Grady
- Blog posts 2009-11-23
- Apple iPhone sales rise in Europe after end of exclusivity agreements
- Sales of the Apple iPhone in Europe are actually rising in the face of the end of exclusivity agreements thanks to wider distribution. What of AT&T in the U.S.? by Andrew Nusca
- Blog posts 2009-11-23
- Second iPhone worm behaves like botnet
- A second iPhone exploit has been identified by security vendor F-Secure, which claims the new worm has botnet capability and is more threatening than its predecessor. A second iPhone exploit has been identified by security vendor F-Secure, which claims the new worm has botnet capability and is more threatening...
- News items 2009-11-23
- Med Mnemonics for iPhone 4.0 (Mobile)
- Med Mnemonics for iPhone puts over 1400 clever acronyms, rhymes, and memory tricks on your iPhone or iPod Touch, covering topics ranging from anatomy and Biochemistry to Pharmacology, and Surgery. The database is fully searchable and can be quickly filtered by discipline and by system. Create a favorites list, and...
- Software downloads 2009-11-23
- Drugs and Medications for iPhone 1.0 (Mobile)
- Drugs and Medications for iPhone contains top 200 prescription drugs available via iPhone. Perfect for anyone that pharmacists, nursing, physicians and students. It features over 200 prescription drugs, brand name and generic names, detail information regarding their usage, ability to save favorites, advanced Search capability by name or by keyword,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-23
- The Merck Manual for iPhone 1.0 (Mobile)
- The Merck Manual for iPhone designed specifically for the iPhone and iPod Touch, the app has an easy-to-use interface for finding the right information quickly. In particular, an emergencies and injuries section that is accessible from the home screen was developed expressly for this application. It features access the content...
- Software downloads 2009-11-23
- Dog Dodge for iPhone 1.1 (Mobile)
- Dog Dodge for iPhone is a fast paced game that requires you to steer your dog around the screen as quickly as possible to gather as many fire hydrants as you can before your lives run out. Crazed cats are trying to run you down. Their unnerving honking cars will...
- Software downloads 2009-11-23
- Illness Tracker for iPhone 1.7 (Mobile)
- With Illness Tracker for iPhone, simplifies this task by allowing you to touch a day on the calendar to record various notes. Your data then appears as icons on the calendar, allowing you to see your records at a glance. Keep track of yourself and an unlimited number of people....
- Software downloads 2009-11-23
- Childhood Diseases for iPhone 1.1 (Mobile)
- Childhood Diseases for iPhone is a medical atlas offers you quick text reference and illustrations of more than fifty of the most common diseases in childhood. The application is created for parents, kindergarten teachers, and health care workers. It gives you a short description of each disease including: general information,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-23
- Green Thumb Free for iPhone 1.1 (Mobile)
- Green Thumb Free for iPhone is an original, one-thumb casual game. Touch the screen once to drop water. Seeds that hit the water make flowers. Seeds touching flowers earn more points, so longer chains of flowers boost your score quicker. Choose your drop spot carefully so that all seeds turn...
- Software downloads 2009-11-23
- Green Thumb for iPhone 1.1 (Mobile)
- Green Thumb for iPhone is an original, one-thumb casual game. Touch the screen once to drop water. Seeds that hit the water make flowers. Seeds touching flowers earn more points, so longer chains of flowers boost your score quicker. Choose your drop spot carefully so that all seeds turn into...
- Software downloads 2009-11-23
- Nursing Trainer for iPhone 1.0.3 (Mobile)
- Nursing Trainer for iPhone is a fully-featured flash card app that helps you learn about important concepts in nursing. Individual cards can be added to or removed from a built-in faves deck at any time. Use the faves deck to study only the cards that really give you trouble. Cards...
- Software downloads 2009-11-23
- Memory Primer for iPhone 1.0.3 (Mobile)
- Memory Primer for iPhone is a fully-featured flash card app that helps you learn about human memory. Individual cards can be added to or removed from a built-in faves deck at any time. Use the faves deck to study only the cards that really give you trouble. Cards can also...
- Software downloads 2009-11-23
- Veterinary Technician for iPhone 1.0.3 (Mobile)
- Veterinary Technician for iPhone is a fully-featured flash card app that helps you learn over 200 terms frequently used by veterinarians. Individual cards can be added to or removed from a built-in faves deck at any time. Use the faves deck to study only the cards that really give you...
- Software downloads 2009-11-23
- Nursing Pharmacology for iPhone 1.0.2 (Mobile)
- Nursing Pharmacology for iPhone is a fully-featured flash card app that helps you learn about nursing pharmacology. Individual cards can be added to or removed from a built-in faves deck at any time. Use the faves deck to study only the cards that really give you trouble. Cards can also...
- Software downloads 2009-11-23
- Speed Angiology MD for iPhone 1.0 (Mobile)
- Speed Angiology MD for iPhone is a fun and addictive game that tests your speed and challenges your memory. It features dozens of images, contains hundreds of labeled parts from all the main regions of the body, earn points for precision, bonus points for time, bonus points for five right...
- Software downloads 2009-11-23
- Surgical Anatomy for iPhone 1.0 (Mobile)
- Surgical Anatomy for iPhone includes search, scrollable contents list, complete text and illustrations, easy navigation, and add to favorites option. This appbook includes the complete collection of 1247 illustrations with annotations, full published text, text captions, scrollable contents list, and biography of Joseph Maclise.
- Software downloads 2009-11-23
- Grays Anatomy Deluxe for iPhone 1.1 (Mobile)
- Grays Anatomy Deluxe for iPhone includes search, scrollable contents list, complete text and illustrations, easy navigation, and add to favorites option. This appbook includes the complete collection of 1247 illustrations with annotations, full published text, text captions, scrollable contents list, and biography of Henry Gray.
- Software downloads 2009-11-23
- Grays Anatomy for iPhone 1.1 (Mobile)
- With Grays Anatomy for iPhone access the table of contents and scroll down the contents page to see links to each illustration. This Appbook includes the complete collection of 1247 illustrations with annotations, captions, full contents list, and biography of Henry Gray.
- Software downloads 2009-11-23
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