Mobile software to the rescue while we wait for the Apple iPhone
About 11 months left on my mobile phone contract and the Apple iPhone coming out by the end of 2007 seems a relevant coincidence. (Announced availability is June 2007 in North America, late 2007 in Europe and 2008 in Asia.)
When I bought a new phone in mid-2006, the choices were so disappointing that I went with the same model that I had used for 18 months. None of the smart phones in the market offered functionality that warranted the extra weight and volume. The Motorola V3 won because of the form factor and I have learned to endure the cumbersome menu system. (Nokia's interface seems designed for people while Motorola's menus seem designed by engineers for engineers.)
Recently, however, the V3 has become more useful to me with the addition of a few pieces of software and a data subscription:
- Gmail Mobile - great email interface for a small screen, full Gmail functionality, even allows me to read information in PDF attachments.
- Google Maps Mobile - maps and satellite photos that work surprisingly well on the small screen.
- Opera Mini - makes browsing the web on a mobile phone bearable.
The T-Mobile Web n Walk plan promises 'unlimited' internet access for £7.50 per month ($14.50) but in reality it has a maximum of 1Gb/month and you are not allowed to use it as a laptop modem or for instant messaging, Skype, music, video etc.
When the Apple iPhone becomes available, will the network operators offer relevant and affordable contracts or will the iPhone become a nice phone with a music play that you can use for semi-mobile internet access only when you are near a wifi hot spot?
Tags: Apple iPhone Apple iPhone Motorola Motorola V3 Nokia Gmail Mobile Google Google Maps Opera Mini Apple iPhone T-Mobile gadgets smartphone
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