iPhone 3G replaces BB

Friday creeps ever closer, bringing the iPhone to dozens of countries worldwide, and the press reviews are thus far turning out well, with one journalist claiming he is giving up his BlackBerry 8300 in favor of Apple's smartphone. Macworld Australia writer Matthew Powell gives the iPhone 3G an overall rating of four out of five, citing its ease of use, "speedy" web browsing, and great media playing functionality, but noted the Mail client needs just a bit more work.

Powell lauds the new plastic backing, which he claimed allowed him to maintain a perfectly coherent conversation seven floors down in an underground parking lot elevator. While the Blackberry allows users to assign any of the 26 letters on the keyboard to a contact, Powell did appreciate the double-tap command on the home button to bring out a scrollable list of favourites.

The iPhone's speakerphone capabilities shone out over the Blackberry, with Powell's contacts sometimes not realizing they were on handsfree mode during the conversation. He also praises Safari, saying it is superior to any other mobile browser he had previously used, that it was responsive and competent.

Powell laments the lack of Bluetooth or USB tethering – using a mobile device as a modem for a computer – and notes that the lack of a central Inbox for multiple email accounts is a small downfall, but forgivable if only one Inbox is used. He also appreciates that the BlackBerry offers complete customization of ringtones and alert bells, while the iPhone only allows users to change the ringtone, and nothing else.

by MacNN Staff