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boss1

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 8, 2007
978
36
iPhone F.A.Q. and Resources!


UPDATED: Sunday, 11March2007 (NOTE: Most recent updates are in blue colored text. makes life easier)
Updated VOIP claim, 3rd party Application support tidbit previously overlooked, Namco also claims to be Game Dev.



Preface: General thread stuff
Section 1: Tech Specs and such
Section 2: F.A.Q.
Section 3: Resources and links.

Preface:

I can't promise frequent updates but I'll do what I can as my time permits.
Rate this thread and/or ask the mods to sticky this if you find it useful. Remember this is your thread as much as it is mine, I will update it with information you post to it. I don't have every answer nor do i claim to have every answer known to mankind in regards to iPhone. I'm hoping the readers here can fill in the gaps as information becomes available. This thread will, hopefully, avoid many redundant threads and serve as a valuable resource for all things iPhone.



What's an iPhone?
iPhone is an Apple product that is primarily a cellular phone, iPod, and internet communicating device.

Where are you getting your facts from? I think you a lie.
Most of what's in this thread is not fact. Nor do I represent any entity in this thread in any shape or form. Information in this thread either comes from A. official websites B. general internet websites. C. You the posters. D. My personal experience with the product at hand. So if you have additional information or wish to correct anything I may have overlooked or got wrong, post away and I'll update.

I'm not getting an iPhone because it's only available through Cingular and or because it can't be used with 3rd party apps and because of the price and because of storage space and because it doesn't have CDMA and because it doesn't sing me to sleep at night and because the battery doesn't come off.
Fine, to each his/her own and you should feel free to express your gripes in whatever form they may come. Just be sure to post it in a separate thread. Let's keep this thread resourceful and not emotional.

Why are you so mean?
I'm whatever you wish to call me, although I prefer shrewd and to the point, it's more fitting.

But I really hate Cingular
So do I friend, so do I. next question please




Section 1: Tech Specs and such

iPhone version as announced in January 2007 per Apple's website:

Screen size: 3.5 inches
Screen resolution: 320 by 480 at 160 ppi
Input method: Multi-touch
Operating system: OS X
Storage: 4GB or 8GB
GSM: Quad-band (MHz: 850, 900, 1800, 1900)
Wireless data: Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) + EDGE + Bluetooth 2.0
Camera: 2.0 megapixels
Battery: Up to 5 hours Talk / Video / Browsing
Up to 16 hours Audio playback
Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.4 x 0.46 inches / 115 x 61 x 11.6mm
Weight: 4.8 ounces / 135 grams
Processor: Samsung Manufactured Chip (Model identity unknown)






Section 2:

Can I get an iPhone without a contract?
Not definately known. Very very most likely not.

Where can I buy an iPhone in the U.S.?
Through the Apple store and through Cingular in the U.S.. Other popular retailers and service carriers will be added in time.

Where can I buy an iPhone in Canada?
Roger's will provide cellular service for Apple's iPhone
Where can I buy an iPhone in Europe?
iPhone is scheduled to be available for purchase in Europe in the 4th Quarter of 2007 and will be available through ______________.

Where can I buy an iPhone in Asia?
iPhone is scheduled to be available for purchase in Asia in 2008 and will be available through ____________.

Where can I buy an iPhone in Australia?
no info atm. someone that has information please let me know.

I Don't live in any of those places, where can I buy an iPhone?
no info atm. If updating where you can purchase and get service for iPhone's world wide becomes overly tedious I may just delete this section and direct you to www.apple.com

Can I use a Stylus pen type thing with my iPhone?
No. As of now it is believed that the iPhone touchscreen only responds to human skin touch. I'll update this answer later as I'm sure others will try touching their iPhone with various objects in the future o_O

Is there really a full scale version of OS X running on iPhone?
No. It's a scaled down version of OS X specifically developed for use on iPhone.

Can i make calls using VOIP ?
A 3rd party developer, Jajah , now claims that it will support iPhone in June. (http://blog.jajah.com/index.php?/archives/172-Apple-iPhone-+-Jajah.html) . Users will need to register with Jajah (registration is free)



Does the iPhone ship with a charger?
While it is more than likely that the iPhone will ship with a USB connector and AC charger for that cable, no definitive answer is available yet.

My friend says he's getting an iPhone from Sprint is this true?
No. Your friend is either A. a liar B. a fool C. mislead himself or any combination of A, B, C or D. all of the above. iPhone is a GSM phone http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM and will not work with any cellular service provider that does not provide service on a GSM network. Sprint is a CDMA network as are others. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CDMA

Can I play games on an iPhone?
Apple has made no mention of games such as the ones availabe for iPod to be available in the June 2007 version of iPhone. If this changes I will update this answer. ( http://www.insidemacgames.com/news/story.php?ID=14691 ) Article sites Bus. Week Online claiming EA is in talks with Apple on releasing games for iPhone Namco also claims to be one of the few handful of exclusive game developers working on games for the iPhone

Speaker phone?
Yes

How do you type on the iPhone?
iPhone has an error correcting miniature QWERTY type keyboard that is software based.

What does that mean?
it means the software intuitively corrects your typing for you if you hit the wrong keys.

What kind of browser does iPhone use to view webpages?
Safari

What if the websites viewed on the iPhone include media such as Quicktime audio, video, other?
Unknown at the moment, will update. Chicago Sun reporter who claims having used Apple's iPhone for an extended period of time states that Apple is developing it's own plug in versions for it's iPhone safari browser. No details are available at this time.

I'm downloading my email on my iphone and there's a HUGE file attached. It's taking a long time to download :::sadface::: Can I still do other things on my phone in the meantime?
Yes. Apple states the phone is fully multi-tasking. I'm sure some will test the limits of iPhone multi-tasking and I'll be sure to post those findings (limits) as the phone becomes available.

I have a strange urge to put my iPhone in my blender?
Yes feel free to do so of your own accord, just don't hurt yourself or others in the process. Be sure to video your blender project and post the link for video to this thread so I can update this section.

Does iPhone have a vibrate mode?
As of now it believed that the iphone does have a silent mode, however actual vibrating is not yet known.

Can I use my iPhone with my old iPod Peripherals?
Yes. While it is currently assumed that all iPod peripherals will work iPhone, I will update this answer and let you know which ones don't as information becomes available.

Does it really have GPS?
No

How does chat work on iPhone?
It's believed to be strictly SMS based ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS ) at the moment. While this type of messaging allows you to send text messages with just about anyone with a phone number regardless of whether they're using chat software or not, it also allows cellular service providers to keep track of and charge you for indvidual SMS messages if they see fit.

How about support for MMS?
unknown, although it would seem logical in that the technology is fairly old and supported by many carriers it is still yet not know if iPhone will allow it and if it will be dependent and whether the carriers support it on iPhone.

Can i use a java based or web based text messaging application on my iphone to avoid potential SMS costs or just avoid SMS completely?
As of right now im not really sure, I do however remember seeing this conversation carrying on in a thread recently, I dont recall the details. If someone could fill me in please post. Also David Pogue's blog claims to have come to the conclusion that while Javascript is built in the the iPhone, Java and Flash are not at the moment. I will update this as more information becomes available.

What Applications and widgets come with the iPhone?
SMS texting, Calendar, Photos, Camera, Calculator, Stocks, Google Maps, Weather, Notes, Clock, Phone, Email, Web Browser, iPod (audio/video). Information based on images from Apple's iphone webpages. Google CEO Eric Schmidt claims to be in works with apple on several projects and that they have similar goals and competitors (http://www.macnn.com/articles/07/03/05/google.apple.projects )

How do I get instant email on my iPhone?
Apple partnered with Yahoo to provide free push email service to owners of Apple's iPhone. That basically means that any email sent to your @yahoo.com email account will be sent to your iPhone as soon as yahoo servers recieve the email. While makers of other handsets such as Blackberry have their own enterprise servers or allow organizations to create their own servers for the purpose of instant PUSH email among other features, There seems to be nothing of this sort available from Apple in this initial release of iPhone even though their dotMac servers would seem like an ideal collaboration for this purpose.

What does the iPhone sync with on my Mac?
As released by Apple (untampered/unhacked), the phone should sync your media through iTunes, photos through iPhoto, Mac OS X iCal app, Mac OS X Address book app, Mac OS X Notes app. No other syncing information available at this time.

What does iPhone sync with on my PC? (windows)
As released by Apple (untampered/unhacked), the phone should sync your media through iTunes. No other syncing information available at this time.

How do I sync my iPhone?
By using the provided USB cable. No other forms of syncing via wifi or bluetooth are currently known at this time.

What kind of files can my iPhone use, edit or view?
So far it only looks like the following are supported by Apple's iPhone (untampered/unhacked):
-Images (format 1, format 2, format 3, format 4)
-PDF files,
-HTML through the web browser and email apps.
-Audio (MP3, AAC, format 3, format 4)
-Video (Mv4, format 2, format 3, format 4)

Can I download and use 3rd party apps on my iPhone?
It seems Apple will be the only developer for applications on the iPhone during initial release however, NY times article claims there may be some sort of 3rd party developer certification program in the works in order to get 3rd party apps aproved by apple and sold through iTunes (http://iphonespy.com/steve-jobs-clarifies-third-party-application-support-on-the-iphone-22.html). I'll try to update links to any software that does not come from Apple or Cingular as long posting such links are A. Legal B. Legal. and C. Conform with the guildlines of forum use. Still be advised to use anything not intended to be used by Apple or Cingular with extreme caution.

Can I or others develop software for use on iPhone or for use on my PC/Mac in conjunction with iPhone?
While it is almost certainly inevitable that there will be apps developed for use on your Mac or PC that will allow you to interact with your iPhone in a manner not originally intended by Apple, actually creating apps for that function on the phone itself seems to be strictly limited by Apple to be developed by Apple and Apple only. for now. See section 3 for resources as the become available

Can I use the iPhone as a harddrive like the iPod? enable disk use option?
unknown

What about flash?
unknown

What about Java apps?
Very Very Likely not.

Expandable memory? SD cards? miniSD cards?
Nope

Can I use the iPhone as a modem for my laptop?
unknown

I haven't tried to use an iPhone yet, is the keyboard easy to use as some say it is or as horrible as some say it is? I have chubby thumbs but a pointy right index finger which is slightly larger then my left one. is the iphone for me?
The answer is in your question. Walk into an Apple store or Service Carrier store (cingular US) when the iPhone becomes available and try it for yourself. No two persons will feel identically identical about their experience with an iPhone.....ever.

What is the best leveling spec for an undead horde priest in World of Warcraft?
Try another forum cheif

But I'm really having trouble leveling.
Fine go shadow spec newb. now go away.

I need to replace my iPhone battery, how do I go about it?
The iPhone battery seems to be non removable. At the moment there's no definitive answer on how to go about replacing it, I am hoping however this will be available at Cingular Stores as well as through Apple. Fingers crossed.

Does the iPhone ship with anything protective in nature? iPhone case? iPhone clothies?
not yet known

I dont want an iPhone screensaver of my ugly brother in law, where can I get amazing backgrounds specifically made to take advantage of the iPhone screen size, resolution, etc?
See Section 3 below

What about ringtones?
Based from visual information from the keynote it seems Apple is going to give users some control over which ringtones are used on your iPhone. The questions that remain are ringtones from 1. where and 2. how. So here's the begining of the ringtone list. You can get ringtones from:
a. The ones that come with the phone
b.
c.

I'm all about hacking, voiding my contract and potentially ruining my iPhone in an effort to customize it the way I want?
See Section 3 below


Section 3: Resources


Official Resources:
Apple http://www.apple.com/iphone
Cingular http://cingular.com

iPhone accessories:
::::Buyer Beware, it seems many sites are starting to claim iPhone accessories without having tested their products on the actual iPhone::::
PMP Product skins,skins comming soon http://www.pmpproducts.com/iphone-skins.htm
ExtremePDA, Claims comming soon http://www.extremepda.com/page/XPDA/CTGY/apple_iphone_accessories
GriffinTechnologies, Created an iPhone section http://www.griffintechnology.com/devices/iphone
GoMadic http://www.gomadic.com/brand-apple-accessories-apple-iphone-accessories.html
Incipio, iPhone cases http://incipiodirect.zoovy.com/category/apple_iphone_accessories
ThePocketSolution has a bunch of accessories http://www.thepocketsolution.com/apple_iphone_accessories.html

iPhone Apps, wallpapers fit for use on iPhone, etc:
Site now hosting images 320x480 formated for iPhone http://iphonelive.org/
more to come

iPhone Mods, Hacks, Guides other:
MacRumors iPhone Guide http://guides.macrumors.com/iPhone
How To Paper iPhone (some people have way to much time ) http://www.sneakmove.com/2007/01/diy-cut-and-fold-paper-iphone.html
more to come

Developer Resources
Software Developer Certification Program in the works?
http://iphonespy.com/steve-jobs-clarifies-third-party-application-support-on-the-iphone-22.html
to be updated
 
Thanks for the FAQ. But can you please answer these questions?

Apple has a remarkably good development environment in general, but it's unclear how much flexibility it will give to iPhone programmers. How much work would it take to alter a simple game, spreadsheet or text editor for OS X to run on the iPhone? Or will the iPhone be as closed as the iPod? Can existing JavaScript-based widgets for OS X be used without any modification, which some developers believe is likely? A search for "iPhone" on Apple's official developer Web site turns up nothing.

It doesn't appear that Apple is targeting corporate customers with the iPhone, but executives and salespeople have so far been the biggest smart-phone customers, at least in the U.S. Will Apple support push e-mail software from Research In Motion or Motorola's Good Technology?

Apple said the iPhone will use Cingular's EDGE network technology. Cingular said it offers "typical speeds of 75Kbps (kilobits per second) to 135Kbps." That puts it in the same range as a dial-up connection (a little faster, but far from broadband speeds). I suppose Cingular offers a speedier 3G, or third-generation, wireless service--speeds of 400Kbps to 700Kbps with bursts over 1 megabit per second--in dozens of metropolitan areas called HSDPA. ThinkPad laptops announced a year ago use it; so does a Palm Treo 750 announced this week. Why doesn't Apple's iPhone?

Okay, the questions I asked are not "frequently asked", but I would be glad if you could answer that.
 
Your questions are actually more frequently asked than you may think in my opinion. and I've updated the FAQ to reflect your questions although I still don't have all the answers, yet. ;)

Development:
I know nothing of development opportunities or hurdles other than that it seems Apple is keeping all software development for iPhone in house thus far. I added a developer section and will provide links to those resources from around the internet as they become available

Push Email:
Apple seems to be satisfied with allowing Yahoo to provide Push type emailing to iPhone owners for free. Relatively does the same thing that RIM offers. When someone emails you, you get in on the phone instantly.

3G:
Apple claims that they will offer 3G, as it is by far a much faster technology for data in mobile phones, when and only when 3G network coverage areas are large enough in the U.S. to merit such an implementation on the iPhone.
 
Thanks for posting the information. Useful and occasionally humorous as well!

Do you know if it will be possible to use services such as Rhapsody, Y!Music or any other subscription based music service through the iPhone?

Does the iPhone have an internal protected clock (one which automatically adjusts and sets according to the atomic clock...sorry can't remember where it is located!)?

I heard that the primary reason Apple/iTunes does not offer a subscription service is because their iPods do not have this internal clock capability. Do you know if this is true?

Thanks, Look forward to your response!
 
Do you know if it will be possible to use services such as Rhapsody, Y!Music or any other subscription based music service through the iPhone?

Probably not, even though Rhapsody works on Safari, Rhapsody requires that you download and install the Rhapsody plug-in engine and may have other hardware system requirements that the iPhone does not meet. I think Apple is working on their own plug-ins for Safari so that it will handle websites that require commonly used 3rd party media plugins, but this is all hear say, and I don't think Apple is going to create their own Rhapsody plugin for safari.

Does the iPhone have an internal protected clock (one which automatically adjusts and sets according to the atomic clock...sorry can't remember where it is located!)?

Ft. Collins Colorado, and I don't know if the iPhone syncs in this manner

I heard that the primary reason Apple/iTunes does not offer a subscription service is because their iPods do not have this internal clock capability. Do you know if this is true?

Don't know if thats true or not but I would imagine Apple has more compelling (company strategy) reasons not to offer a subscription based service other than the clock.
 
protected clock

Thank you for the link to the atomic clock facility in Boulder; it is great!
 
Hi there.

At the Macworld keynote Steve Jobs said something like the iPhone was the first mobile phone to have a "real web browser".

What does this mean exactly?

I have an in-built HTML browser on my Sony Ericsson K800 plus I also use the java app, Opera Mini. Also, other smartphones come with Internet Explorer for Windows Mobile and Opera Browser too. Are these not real web browsers??

How do you think surfing the web on the iPhone will be a better experience than what is currently available for current phones??
 
Is pocket solutions legit when they copy the same reviews for every single one of their iPhone products all claiming that it was a 5-star product?
 
Hi there.

At the Macworld keynote Steve Jobs said something like the iPhone was the first mobile phone to have a "real web browser".

What does this mean exactly?

I have an in-built HTML browser on my Sony Ericsson K800 plus I also use the java app, Opera Mini. Also, other smartphones come with Internet Explorer for Windows Mobile and Opera Browser too. Are these not real web browsers??

How do you think surfing the web on the iPhone will be a better experience than what is currently available for current phones??

What he is refering to is the FULL HTML access, not using a WAP browser or WAP conversion script to allow it to be viewed on the phone. So essentially you can go to any website and not be limited by the wrapping of the site, with the ability to zoom in and out of certain sections of the site. I have a Blackberry, and I love it, but I have to say it will be nice to get full HTML...
 
What he is refering to is the FULL HTML access, not using a WAP browser or WAP conversion script to allow it to be viewed on the phone. So essentially you can go to any website and not be limited by the wrapping of the site, with the ability to zoom in and out of certain sections of the site. I have a Blackberry, and I love it, but I have to say it will be nice to get full HTML...

Okay, so all current phones are still using super-duper Wap browsers that can access HTML pages.
 
Thanks for the list.

BTW, 72dpi does not matter for wallpapers: if they're 320x480 then they are full quality.

dpi is only meaningful in conjuction with a physical (inches, not pixels) size--and that size is fixed on the iPhone of course.

Also, re games, Electronic Arts Mobile has said they will make iPhone games. Now, having let that slip, it may not happen :)
http://www.insidemacgames.com/news/story.php?ID=14691

Last but not least, one important thing to note about the iPhone's small keyboard: error-correction is NOT its only advantage over other small keyboards. Other keyboards, being physical, make it easy to hit the wrong keys that are adjacent to the one you want. The iPhone is a touchscreen though, and so it's OKAY to press a bunch of keys at once: it assumes you mean the one in the middle. Thus, you might actually make fewer errors than on a compact physical keyboard, once you're used to it.
 
Is pocket solutions legit when they copy the same reviews for every single one of their iPhone products all claiming that it was a 5-star product?

Well how could it be legit, the iPhones not even out...so i would venture a guess that it is a no, but they are hoping for five stars!
 
Thanks for the list.

BTW, 72dpi does not matter for wallpapers: if they're 320x480 then they are full quality.

dpi is only meaningful in conjuction with a physical (inches, not pixels) size--and that size is fixed on the iPhone of course.

Also, re games, Electronic Arts Mobile has said they will make iPhone games. Now, having let that slip, it may not happen :)
http://www.insidemacgames.com/news/story.php?ID=14691

Thanks for pointing that out, and i updated the FAQ to reflect your input.
 
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