The iPhone 3G : A Year Later

I have always wanted an iPhone ever since the first version came out a few years back. But just like the Pocket PC devices at the time, the cost was prohibitive and it held me back a lot. Not to mention that data plans were just too expensive.

The iPhone 3G caused quite a bit of a stir when it was announced for Canada. There was excitement about the popular product finally being available north of the border as well as the relatively cheap cost of the unit. Then there was the outrage that Rogers, the only carrier with the iPhone, has placed a hefty price on the data plans. The cheapest data plan at that time was $60 for 100MB of data a month. Yep, a measly 100MB. Of course, the plan did include a voice package, but 100MB is just not enough to fully utilize the device.

After a lot of boycott threats and protests against Rogers, they relented and provided a plan that will allow a person to use 6GB of data for $30 in addition to the cost of the voice plan. This was not what the petition asked for (which was unlimited internet at that same cost), but it was as close to unlimited as they were willing to give for a limited time. So that's when I took the plan and hoped for the best.

As it turned out, a monthly 6GB of mobile data was pretty much unlimited for the regular user. Even in months of heavy Youtube use over 3G, I could barely break 1GB. The internet is also the heart of the iPhone. Some may scoff at being locked in a contract, but so far, I have not found any problems with it. In fact, data plans have gone up considerably after the iPhone 3G's release so the lock in actually shielded me from extra costs.

As for the device itself, it is great, but not perfect. The lack of cut and paste aside, I really miss being able to use a stylus. Entering data into the phone is a chore at times and I am used to having handwritting recognition and a pen in hand for precise taps. As a document processing device, it is sadly way below par.

Still, the integration of the iPhone with so many network services does a lot to overcome it's shortcomings. In particular, email and social networking at the tip of my fingers at almost anytime and almost anywhere. This is pretty much why I wanted a mobile data device in the first place and I am very happy with my investment.

This is not to say I don't plan to replace it. Should a device allow me to actually work on documents as well as maintain my networking services, it will undoubtedly cause me to shelf the iPhone. The HTC Diamond looks promising, but it will require a lot of research to determine if it can be my iPhone's successor.