I went to the Apple Store today to check out the new iPhone 3G. It isn’t that different from the old one, but it has much faster data speeds (getting internet data over the cellphone network), and GPS, not to mention iPhone OS 2.0 and a new back design:
The new design is actually slightly thicker than the old one, but it isn’t that noticeable, since it’s also slightly curved in the back. It feels better in your hand, and also a tiny bit heavier than the old one. It has more…presence than the old one, I think.
The 2.0 software is nice, the new App Store allows you to download applications written by people who aren’t Apple, stuff like games and apps for social networks like Facebook and MySpace, plus an official AIM client by AOL. Some of the stuff (most of it) is free, but a lot costs between $.99 and $9.99 (Super Monkey Ball, the most popular item on the store at the moment, weighs in at $9.99). The software is a free upgrade for people with the original iPhone, but unfortunately it’s $9.99 for iPod Touch users such as myself.
The new iPhone costs less than the old ones did, only $199 for the 8gb variety and $299 for 16gb. Unfortunately, the upped data speed means that the monthly plans cost more, $10 more for the faster data (mandatory), and $5 more for 200 text messages (optional, but there are no text messages included with the data plan), bringing the monthly cost to $85/month. The 16gb model also comes in white:
