
People sometimes point out that there are many other phones that boast better cameras, removable batteries, and offer 3G, wi-fi, internet and mp3 playback capabilities. What makes the iPhone so special? "Well, other than being built on an optimized version of the Mac OS X architecture combined with multi-touch technology...nothing really."
In simpler terms, software is what makes the iPhone shine where no other phone can. The good thing about software is that you can always change it. With iTunes being the master controller for the iPhone, Apple can easily issue a software update that can change any feature that they currently provide. Thus, users of the original iPhone literally have the same functionality as 3G iPhone customers sans GPS and 3G (as these are hardware related)...but there's more...Apple calls it the App Store and already it seems destined to follow in the successful footsteps of its bigger brother the iTunes Store.
You see, before iPhone 2.0, developers were not excited about mobile platforms because there was no easy way to reach customers. Through the App Store, Apple has created an environment where third-party developers can directly reach every iPhone customer and where customers can browse through and purchase applications on the go.
Last week, we reviewed the iPhone 3G hardware, now let's take a look at the iPhone 2.0 software. iPhone 2.0 software reigns supreme in being the most intuitive and graphically appealing user interface on any mobile device.The most impressive thing about first using an iPhone is how realistically it responds to your touches and gestures. For example, using cover flow in iTunes on a computer and on the iPhone are two totally different experiences. The first feels like a programmed response to a mouse action while the second creates the illusion that the data is not on a device but that you are actually holding it in your hand. Read More »