| iPhone | |
|---|---|
| The iPhone 4, the most recent generation of iPhone. |
| iPhone models |
|---|
| Related articles: iPod Touch, iPad |
An iPhone functions as a video camera, camera phone with text messaging and visual voicemail, a portable media player, and an Internet client with e-mail, web browsing, and both Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity. The user interface is built around the device's multi-touch screen, including a virtual keyboard rather than a physical one. Third-party as well as Apple applications are available from the App Store, which launched in mid-2008 and now has well over 300,000[2] "apps" approved by Apple. These apps have diverse functionalities, including games, reference, GPS navigation, social networking, security[3] and advertising for television shows, films, and celebrities.
There are four generations of iPhone models, and they were accompanied by four major releases of iOS (formerly iPhone OS). The original iPhone was a GSM phone which established design precedents like screen size and button placement that have persisted through all models. The iPhone 3G added 3G cellular network capabilities and A-GPS location. The iPhone 3GS added a compass, faster processor, and higher resolution camera, including video. The iPhone 4 has two cameras for FaceTime video calling and a higher-resolution display. It was released on June 24, 2010. On January 11, 2011, Apple and Verizon together launched a CDMA2000 compatible iPhone 4 specifically for the Verizon network in the US, due for release on February 10, 2011. The CDMA2000-compatible iPhone 4 has a slightly revised antenna design to accommodate CDMA2000 communication. This moves the ringer switch and volume buttons slightly down, requiring many cases for the phone to be redesigned. Other than this cosmetic change, the CDMA iPhone 4 is identical to the GSM/UMTS one. With the release of a forthcoming firmware update, both the CDMA and GSM/UMTS iPhones will have a Personal Hotspot feature, though offering this feature on their network will be the option of each carrier.
History and availability
Original iPhone
iPhone 3G
iPhone 3GS
iPhone 4
Original iPhone was available; now iPhone 4
iPhone 3GS and 4
Coming soon
Main article: History of the iPhone
See also: List of iOS devices
Development of the iPhone began with Apple CEO Steve Jobs' direction that Apple engineers investigate touchscreens.[4] Apple created the device during a secretive and unprecedented collaboration with AT&T Mobility—Cingular Wireless at the time—at an estimated development cost of US$150 million over thirty months.[5] Apple rejected the "design by committee" approach that had yielded the Motorola ROKR E1, a largely unsuccessful collaboration with Motorola. Instead, Cingular gave Apple the liberty to develop the iPhone's hardware and software in-house.[6][7]Jobs unveiled the iPhone to the public on January 9, 2007 at Macworld 2007. Apple was required to file for operating permits with the FCC, but since such filings are made available to the public, the announcement came months before the iPhone had received approval. The iPhone went on sale in the United States on June 29, 2007, at 6:00 pm local time, while hundreds of customers lined up outside the stores nationwide.[8] The original iPhone was made available in the UK, France, and Germany in November 2007, and Ireland and Austria in the spring of 2008.
On July 11, 2008, Apple released the iPhone 3G in twenty-two countries, including the original six.[9] Apple released the iPhone 3G in upwards of eighty countries and territories.[10] Apple announced the iPhone 3GS on June 8, 2009, along with plans to release it later in June, July, and August, starting with the U.S., Canada and major European countries on June 19. Many would-be users objected to the iPhone's cost,[11] and 40% of users have household incomes over US$100,000.[12] In an attempt to gain a wider market, Apple retained the 8 GB iPhone 3G at a lower price point. When Apple introduced the iPhone 4, the 3GS became the less expensive model. Apple reduced the price several times since the iPhone's release in 2007, at which time an 8 GB iPhone sold for $599. An iPhone 3GS with the same capacity now costs $99. However, these numbers are misleading, since all iPhone units sold through AT&T require a two-year contract (costing several hundred dollars), and a SIM lock.
Apple sold 6.1 million original iPhone units over five quarters.[13] The sales has been growing steadily thereafter, by the end of fiscal year 2010, a total of 73.5 million iPhones were sold.[14] Sales in Q4 2008 surpassed temporarily those of RIM's BlackBerry sales of 5.2 million units, which made Apple briefly the third largest mobile phone manufacturer by revenue, after Nokia and Samsung.[15] Approximately 6.4 million iPhones are active in the U.S. alone.[12] While iPhone sales constitute a significant portion of Apple's revenue, some of this income is deferred.[16]
The back of the original iPhone was made of aluminum with a black plastic accent. The iPhone 3G and 3GS feature a full plastic back to increase the strength of the GSM signal.[17] The iPhone 3G was available in an 8 GB black model, or a black or white option for the 16 GB model. They both are now discontinued. The iPhone 3GS was available in both colors, regardless of storage capacity. The white model was discontinued in favor of a black 8 GB low-end model. The iPhone 4 has an aluminosilicate glass front and back with a stainless steel edge that serves as the antennae. It is available in black; a white version was announced, but has as of January 2011[update] not been released.
The iPhone has garnered positive reviews from critics like David Pogue[18] and Walter Mossberg.[19][20] The iPhone attracts users of all ages,[12] and besides consumer use the iPhone has also been adopted for business purposes.[21]
On January 11, 2011, Verizon announced during a media event that it had reached an agreement with Apple and would begin selling a CDMA2000 iPhone 4. Verizon said it would be available for pre-order on February 3, with a release set for February 10.[22][23][24]
[edit] Hardware
Screen and input
The touchscreen is a 9 cm (3.5 in) liquid crystal display with scratch-resistant glass.[25] The capacitive touchscreen is designed for a bare finger, or multiple fingers for multi-touch sensing. The screens on the first three generations of the iPhone have a resolution of 320 x 480 (HVGA) at 163 ppi, while the display on the iPhone 4 has a resolution of 640 x 960 at 326 ppi.The touch and gesture features of the iPhone are based on technology originally developed by FingerWorks.[26] Most gloves and styluses prevent the necessary electrical conductivity;[27][28][29][30] however, capacitive styli can be used with iPhone's finger-touch screen. The iPhone 3GS also features a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating.[31]
The display responds to three sensors. A proximity sensor deactivates the display and touchscreen when the device is brought near the face during a call. This is done to save battery power and to prevent inadvertent inputs from the user's face and ears. An ambient light sensor adjusts the display brightness which in turn saves battery power. A 3-axis accelerometer senses the orientation of the phone and changes the screen accordingly, allowing the user to easily switch between portrait and landscape mode.[32] Photo browsing, web browsing, and music playing support both upright and left or right widescreen orientations.[33] Unlike the iPad, the iPhone does not rotate the screen when turned upside-down, with the Home button above the screen. The 3.0 update added landscape support for still other applications, such as email, and introduced shaking the unit as a form of input.[34][35] The accelerometer can also be used to control third party apps, notably games. The iPhone 4 also includes a gyroscopic sensor, enhancing its perception of how it is moved.
A software update in January 2008[36] allowed the first generation iPhone to use cell tower and Wi-Fi network locations trilateration,[37] despite lacking GPS hardware. The iPhone 3G, 3GS and 4 employ A-GPS, and the iPhone 3GS and 4 also have a digital compass.[38]
Audio and output
The 3.5 mm TRRS connector for the headphones is located on the top left corner of the device.[40] The headphone socket on the original iPhone is recessed into the casing, making it incompatible with most headsets without the use of an adapter.[41][42] Subsequent generations eliminated the issue by using a flush-mounted headphone socket. Cars equipped with an auxiliary jack allow for handsfree use of the iPhone while driving as a substitute for Bluetooth.
While the iPhone is compatible with normal headphones, Apple provides a headset with additional functionality. A multipurpose button near the microphone can be used to play or pause music, skip tracks, and answer or end phone calls without touching the iPhone. A small number of third-party headsets specifically designed for the iPhone also include the microphone and control button.[43] The current headsets also provide volume controls, which are only compatible with more recent models.[44] These features are achieved by a fourth ring in the audio jack that carries this extra information.
The built-in Bluetooth 2.x+EDR supports wireless earpieces and headphones, which requires the HSP profile. Stereo audio was added in the 3.0 update for hardware that supports A2DP.[34][35] While non-sanctioned third-party solutions exist, the iPhone does not officially support the OBEX file transfer protocol.[45] The lack of these profiles prevents iPhone users from exchanging multimedia files, such as pictures, music and videos, with other bluetooth-enabled cell phones.
Composite or component video at up to 576i and stereo audio can be output from the dock connector using an adapter sold by Apple.[46] iPhone 4 also supports 1024x768 VGA output via a dock adapter. The iPhone did not support voice recording until the 3.0 software update.[34][35]
Battery
Apple runs tests on preproduction units to determine battery life. Apple's website says that the battery life "is designed to retain up to 80% of its original capacity after 400 full charge and discharge cycles",[49] which is comparable to iPod batteries. The original iPhone's battery was stated to be capable of providing up to seven hours of video, six hours of web browsing, eight hours of talk time, 24 hours of music or up to 250 hours on standby.[25] The iPhone 3G's battery is stated to be capable of providing up to seven hours of video, six hours of web browsing on Wi-Fi or five on 3G, ten hours of 2G talk time, or five on 3G, 24 hours of music, or 300 hours of standby.[50] Apple claims that the 3GS can last for up to ten hours of video, nine hours of web browsing on Wi-Fi or five on 3G, twelve hours of 2G talk time, or five on 3G, 30 hours of music, or 300 hours of standby.[51]
The battery life of early models of the iPhone has been criticized by several technology journalists as insufficient and less than Apple's claims.[52][53][54][55] This is also reflected by a J. D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction survey, which gave the "battery aspects" of the iPhone 3G its lowest rating of 2 out of 5 stars.[56][57]
If the battery malfunctions or dies prematurely, the phone can be returned to Apple and replaced for free while still under warranty.[58] The warranty lasts one year from purchase and can be extended to two years with AppleCare. Though the battery replacement service and its pricing was not made known to buyers until the day the product was launched,[59][60] it is similar to how Apple (and third parties) replace batteries for iPods. The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a consumer advocate group, has sent a complaint to Apple and AT&T over the fee that consumers have to pay to have the battery replaced.[59] Since July 2007 third party battery replacement kits have been available[61] at a much lower price than Apple's own battery replacement program. These kits often include a small screwdriver and an instruction leaflet, but as with many newer iPod models the battery in the original iPhone has been soldered in. Therefore a soldering iron is required to install the new battery. The iPhone 3G uses a different battery fitted with a connector that is easier to replace, although replacement by any besides Apple still voids the warranty.[62]
Camera
The iPhone and iPhone 3G feature a built-in Fixed focus 2.0 megapixel camera located on the back for still digital photos. It has no optical zoom, flash or autofocus, and does not support video recording, however jailbreaking allows users to do so. Version 2.0 of iPhone OS introduced the capability to embed location data in the pictures, producing geocoded photographs.The iPhone 3GS has a 3.2 megapixel camera, manufactured by OmniVision, featuring autofocus, auto white balance, and auto macro (up to 10 cm). It is also capable of capturing 640x480 (VGA resolution) video at 30 frames per second,[63] although compared to higher-end CCD based video cameras it does exhibit the rolling shutter effect.[64] The video can then be cropped on the device itself and directly uploaded to YouTube, MobileMe, or other services
The iPhone 4 introduced a 5.0 megapixel camera (2592x1936 pixels), also located on the back, which is equipped with a backside illuminated sensor capable of capturing pictures in low-light conditions, as well as an LED flash capable of staying lit for video recording at 720p resolution, considered high-definition.[65] In addition the iPhone 4 has a second camera on the front capable of VGA photos and SD video recording.
Storage and SIM
The SIM card sits in a tray, which is inserted into a slot at the top of the device. The SIM tray can be ejected with a paperclip or the "SIM eject tool" (a simple piece of die-cut sheet metal) included with the iPhone 3G and 3GS.[68][69] In most countries, the iPhone is usually sold with a SIM lock, which prevents the iPhone from being used on a different mobile network.[70]
The iPhone 4 features a MicroSIM card that is located in a slot on the right side of the device.[71]
Liquid contact indicators
The iPhone is equipped with liquid contact indicators which change from white to red in color when they come in contact with water. These suggest whether water damage has affected the device. The indicators on the iPhone include a small disc which is located at the bottom of the headphone jack and with the iPhone 3G and all later models an additional one is located at the bottom of the dock connector.[72] The indicators are often used by Apple employees to determine whether the device qualifies for a warranty repair or replacement. If the indicators show that the device was exposed to water, they may determine that the device is not covered by Apple. However, the liquid contact indicators may be triggered through routine use, and if a device is worn while exercising, the sweat from an owner may dampen the indicators enough to indicate water damage.[73] On many other mobile phones from different manufacturers, the liquid contact indicators are located in a protected location, such as beneath the battery behind a battery cover, but the indicators on an iPhone are directly exposed to the environment. This has led to criticism of the placement of the indicators, which may also be affected by steam in a bathroom or other light environmental moisture.[74]Included items
Models
| Discontinued | Current |
Main article: List of iOS devices
| Model | iPhone | iPhone 3G | iPhone 3GS | iPhone 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial operating system | iPhone OS 1.0 | iPhone OS 2.0 | iPhone OS 3.0 | iOS 4.0 |
| Highest Supported operating system | iPhone OS 3.1.3 | iOS 4.2.1 | iOS 4.3 Beta 2 | |
| Display | 3.5 in (89 mm), 3:2 aspect ratio, scratch-resistant[79] glossy glass covered screen, 262,144-color LCD, 480 × 320 px (HVGA) at 163 ppi | In addition to previous, features a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating[80] | 3.5 in (89 mm), 3:2 aspect ratio, aluminosilicate glass covered IPS LCD screen, 960 × 640 px at 326 ppi, 800:1 contrast ratio | |
| Storage | 4, 8 and 16 GB | 8 and 16 GB | 8, 16 and 32 GB | 16 and 32 GB |
| Processor | 620 MHz (underclocked to 412 MHz) Samsung 32-bit RISC ARM 1176JZ(F)-S v1.0[81][82] | 833 MHz (underclocked to 600 MHz) ARM Cortex-A8[83][84] Samsung S5PC100[83][85] | ARM Cortex-A8 Apple A4[86] | |
| Graphics | PowerVR MBX Lite 3D GPU[87] | PowerVR SGX535 GPU[88][89] | ||
| Memory | 128 MB DRAM[90] | 256 MB DRAM[83][84] | 512 MB DRAM[91] | |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), USB 2.0/Dock connector, Quad band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR Cambridge Bluecore4[92] | In addition to previous: Assisted GPS, Tri-band UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz),[93] Includes earphones with mic | In addition to previous: 7.2 Mbit/s HSDPA, Voice Control, Digital compass, Nike+, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR Broadcom 4325,[94] Includes earphones with remote and mic | In addition to previous: Penta-band UMTS/HSDPA (800, 850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz),[95][96] 5.76 Mbit/s HSUPA, 2.4 GHz 802.11n, 3-axis gyroscope, Dual-mic noise suppression, microSIM |
| CDMA model: Dual-band CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A (800 1900 MHz) | ||||
| Camera | 2.0 MP | In addition to previous, 3.0 MP with VGA video at 30 fps, tap to focus, and focus, white balance, macro focus & exposure | In addition to previous, a rear 5.0 MP backside illuminated CMOS image sensor with 720p HD video at 30 fps and LED flash | |
| Front 0.3 MP (VGA) with tap to focus and 480p SD video at 30 fps | ||||
| Audio codec | Wolfson Microelectronics WM8758BG[97] | Wolfson Microelectronics WM6180C[98] | Cirrus Logic CS42L61[99][100] | |
| Materials | Aluminum, glass and plastic | Glass and plastic; black or white (white not available for 8 GB models) | Aluminosilicate glass and stainless steel; black (white announced) | |
| Power | Built-in non removable rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery[101][102][103] | |||
| 3.7 V 1400 mA·h[citation needed] | 3.7 V 1150 mA·h[102] | 3.7 V 1219 mA·h[104] | 3.7 V 1420 mA·h[105] | |
| Rated battery life (hours) | audio: 24 video: 7 Talk over 2G: 8 Browsing internet: 6 Standby: 250 | audio: 24 video: 7 Talk over 3G: 5 Browsing over 3G: 5 Browsing over Wi-Fi: 9 Standby: 300 | audio: 30 video: 10 Talk over 3G: 5 Browsing over 3G: 5 Browsing over Wi-Fi: 9 Standby: 300 | audio: 40 video: 10 Talk over 3G: 7 Browsing over 3G: 6 Browsing over Wi-Fi: 10 Standby: 300[106] |
| Dimensions | 115 × 61 × 11.6 mm (4.5 × 2.4 × 0.46 in) | 115.5 × 62.1 × 12.3 mm (4.5 × 2.4 × 0.48 in) | 115.2 × 58.6 × 9.3 mm (4.5 × 2.31 × 0.37 in) | |
| Weight | 135 g (4.8 oz) | 135 g (4.8 oz) | 135 g (4.8 oz) | 137 g (4.8 oz) |
| Released | 4 and 8 GB: June 29, 2007 16 GB: February 5, 2008 | July 11, 2008 | 16 and 32 GB: June 19, 2009 Black 8 GB: June 24, 2010 | June 24, 2010 |
| Discontinued | 4 GB: September 5, 2007 8 and 16 GB: July 11, 2008 | 16 GB: June 8, 2009 Black 8 GB: June 4, 2010 | 16 and 32 GB: June 24, 2010 Black 8 GB: In production | In production |
| Type Allocation Codes | 01/124500 | 01/161200, 01/181200 | 01/194800 | 01/233800 |
Software
Like the iPod, the iPhone is managed with iTunes. The earliest versions of the OS required version 7.3 or later, which is compatible with Mac OS X version 10.4.10 Tiger or later, and 32-bit Windows XP or Vista.[108] The release of iTunes 7.6 expanded this support to include 64-bit versions of XP and Vista,[109] and a workaround has been discovered for previous 64-bit Windows operating systems.[110] Apple provides free updates to the OS for the iPhone through iTunes,[107] and major updates have historically accompanied new models.[111] Such updates often require a newer version of iTunes — for example, the 3.0 update requires iTunes 8.2 — but the iTunes system requirements have stayed the same. Updates include both security patches and new features.[112] For example, iPhone 3G users initially experienced dropped calls until an update was issued.[113][114]
Interface
The interface is based around the home screen, a graphical list of available applications. iPhone applications normally run one at a time (not including iOS 4, which includes running applications in the background [115]) , although most functionality is still available when making a call or listening to music. The home screen can be accessed at any time by a hardware button below the screen, closing the open application in the process.[116] By default, the Home screen contains the following icons: Messages (SMS and MMS messaging), Calendar, Photos, Camera, YouTube, Stocks, Maps (Google Maps), Weather, Voice Memos, Notes, Clock, Calculator, Settings, iTunes (store), App Store, and (on the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4) Compass. Docked at the base of the screen, four icons for Phone, Mail, Safari (Internet), and iPod (multimedia) delineate the iPhone's main purposes.[117] On January 15, 2008, Apple released software update 1.1.3, allowing users to create "Web Clips", home screen icons that resemble apps that open a user-defined page in Safari. After the update, iPhone users can rearrange and place icons on up to nine other adjacent home screens, accessed by a horizontal swipe.[36] Users can also add and delete icons from the dock, which is the same on every home screen. Each home screen holds up to sixteen icons, and the dock holds up to four icons. Users can delete Web Clips and third-party applications at any time, and may select only certain applications for transfer from iTunes. Apple's default programs, however, may not be removed. The 3.0 update adds a system-wide search, known as Spotlight, to the left of the first home screen.[34][35]Almost all input is given through the touch screen, which understands complex gestures using multi-touch. The iPhone's interaction techniques enable the user to move the content up or down by a touch-drag motion of the finger. For example, zooming in and out of web pages and photos is done by placing two fingers on the screen and spreading them farther apart or bringing them closer together, a gesture known as "pinching". Scrolling through a long list or menu is achieved by sliding a finger over the display from bottom to top, or vice versa to go back. In either case, the list moves as if it is pasted on the outer surface of a wheel, slowly decelerating as if affected by friction. In this way, the interface simulates the physics of a real object. Other user-centered interactive effects include horizontally sliding sub-selection, the vertically sliding keyboard and bookmarks menu, and widgets that turn around to allow settings to be configured on the other side. Menu bars are found at the top and bottom of the screen when necessary. Their options vary by program, but always follow a consistent style motif. In menu hierarchies, a "back" button in the top-left corner of the screen displays the name of the parent folder.
Phone
The iPhone includes a visual voicemail (in some countries)[122] feature allowing users to view a list of current voicemail messages on-screen without having to call into their voicemail. Unlike most other systems, messages can be listened to and deleted in a non-chronological order by choosing any message from an on-screen list.
A music ringtone feature was introduced in the United States on September 5, 2007. Users can create custom ringtones from songs purchased from the iTunes Store for a small additional fee. The ringtones can be 3 to 30 seconds long from any part of a song, can fade in and out, pause from half a second to five seconds when looped, or loop continuously. All customizing can be done in iTunes,[123] or alternatively with Apple's GarageBand software 4.1.1 or later (available only on Mac OS X)[124] or third-party tools.[125]
Multimedia
The layout of the music library is similar to that of an iPod or current Symbian S60 phones. The iPhone can sort its media library by songs, artists, albums, videos, playlists, genres, composers, podcasts, audiobooks, and compilations. Options are always presented alphabetically, except in playlists, which retain their order from iTunes. The iPhone uses a large font that allows users plenty of room to touch their selection. Users can rotate their device horizontally to landscape mode to access Cover Flow. Like on iTunes, this feature shows the different album covers in a scroll-through photo library. Scrolling is achieved by swiping a finger across the screen. Alternatively, headset controls can be used to pause, play, skip, and repeat tracks. On the iPhone 3GS, the volume can be changed with the included Apple Earphones, and the Voice Control feature can be used to identify a track, play songs in a playlist or by a specific artist, or create a Genius playlist.[121]The iPhone supports gapless playback.[126] Like the fifth generation iPods introduced in 2005, the iPhone can play digital video, allowing users to watch TV shows and movies in widescreen. Double-tapping switches between widescreen and fullscreen video playback.
The iPhone allows users to purchase and download songs from the iTunes Store directly to their iPhone. The feature originally required a Wi-Fi network, but now[when?] can use the cellular data network if one is not available.[127]
The iPhone includes software that allows the user to upload, view, and e-mail photos taken with the camera. The user zooms in and out of photos by sliding two fingers further apart or closer together, much like Safari. The Camera application also lets users view the camera roll, the pictures that have been taken with the iPhone's camera. Those pictures are also available in the Photos application, along with any transferred from iPhoto or Aperture on a Mac, or Photoshop in Windows.
[edit] Internet connectivity
Internet access is available when the iPhone is connected to a local area Wi-Fi or a wide area GSM or EDGE network, both second-generation (2G) wireless data standards. The iPhone 3G introduced support for third-generation UMTS and HSDPA 3.6,[128] but not HSUPA networks, and only the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 support HSDPA 7.2.[129] AT&T introduced 3G in July 2004,[130] but as late as 2007 Steve Jobs stated that it was still not widespread enough in the US, and the chipsets not energy efficient enough, to be included in the iPhone.[28][131] Support for 802.1X, an authentication system commonly used by university and corporate Wi-Fi networks, was added in the 2.0 version update.[132]
By default, the iPhone will ask to join newly discovered Wi-Fi networks and prompt for the password when required. Alternatively, it can join closed Wi-Fi networks manually.[133] The iPhone will automatically choose the strongest network, connecting to Wi-Fi instead of EDGE when it is available.[134] Similarly, the iPhone 3G, 3GS and 4 prefer 3G to 2G, and Wi-Fi to either.[135] Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 3G (on the iPhone 3G, 3GS, and 4) can all be deactivated individually. Airplane mode disables all wireless connections at once, overriding other preferences. However, once in Airplane mode, one can explicitly enable Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth modes to join and continue to operate over one or both of those networks while the cellular network transceivers remain off.
The iPhone 3GS has a maximum download rate of 7.2 Mbit/s.[136] Furthermore, files downloaded over cellular networks must be smaller than 20 MB.[137] Larger files, often email attachments or podcasts, must be downloaded over Wi-Fi (which has no file size limits). If Wi-Fi is unavailable, one workaround is to open the files directly in Safari.[138]
Safari is the iPhone's native web browser, and it displays pages similar to its Mac and Windows counterparts. Web pages may be viewed in portrait or landscape mode and supports automatic zooming by pinching together or spreading apart fingertips on the screen, or by double-tapping text or images.[139][140] The iPhone supports neither Flash[141] nor Java.[142][unreliable source?] Consequently, the UK's Advertising Standards Authority adjudicated that an advertisement claiming the iPhone could access "all parts of the internet" should be withdrawn in its current form, on grounds of false advertising.[143] In a rare public letter in April 2010, Apple CEO Steve Jobs outlined the reasoning behind the absence of Flash on the iPhone (and iPad).[144] The iPhone supports SVG, CSS, HTML Canvas, and Bonjour.[145][146]
The maps application can access Google Maps in map, satellite, or hybrid form. It can also generate directions between two locations, while providing optional real-time traffic information. During the iPhone's announcement, Jobs demonstrated this feature by searching for nearby Starbucks locations and then placing a prank call to one with a single tap.[4][147] Support for walking directions, public transit, and street view was added in the version 2.2 software update, but no voice-guided navigation.[148] The iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 can orient the map with its digital compass.[38] Apple also developed a separate application to view YouTube videos on the iPhone, which streams videos after encoding them using the H.264 codec. Simple weather and stock quotes applications also tap in to the Internet.
iPhone users can and do access the Internet frequently, and in a variety of places. According to Google, in 2008 the iPhone generated 50 times more search requests than any other mobile handset.[149] According to Deutsche Telekom CEO René Obermann, "The average Internet usage for an iPhone customer is more than 100 megabytes. This is 30 times the use for our average contract-based consumer customers."[150] Nielsen found that 98% of iPhone users use data services, and 88% use the internet.[12] In China, the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS were built and distributed without Wi-fi.[151]
Text input
For text input, the iPhone implements a virtual keyboard on the touchscreen. It has automatic spell checking and correction, predictive word capabilities, and a dynamic dictionary that learns new words. The keyboard can predict what word the user is typing and complete it, and correct for the accidental pressing of keys near the presumed desired key.[152] The keys are somewhat larger and spaced farther apart when in landscape mode, which is supported by only a limited number of applications. Touching a section of text for a brief time brings up a magnifying glass, allowing users to place the cursor in the middle of existing text. The virtual keyboard can accommodate 21 languages, including character recognition for Chinese.[153] The 3.0 update brought support for cut, copy, or pasting text, as well as landscape keyboards in more applications.[34][35]
E-mail and text messages
The iPhone also features an e-mail program that supports HTML e-mail, which enables the user to embed photos in an e-mail message. PDF, Word, Excel, and Powerpoint attachments to mail messages can be viewed on the phone.[50] Apple's MobileMe platform offers push email, which emulates the functionality of the popular BlackBerry email solution, for an annual subscription. Yahoo! offers a free push-email service for the iPhone. IMAP (although not Push-IMAP) and POP3 mail standards are also supported, including Microsoft Exchange[154] and Kerio Connect.[155] In the first versions of the iPhone firmware, this was accomplished by opening up IMAP on the Exchange server. Apple has also licensed Microsoft ActiveSync and now[when?] supports the platform (including push email) with the release of iPhone 2.0 firmware.[156][157] The iPhone will sync e-mail account settings over from Apple's own Mail application, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Entourage, or it can be manually configured on the device itself. With the correct settings, the e-mail program can access almost any IMAP or POP3 account.[158]Text messages are presented chronologically in a mailbox format similar to Mail, which places all text from recipients together with replies. Text messages are displayed in speech bubbles (similar to iChat) under each recipient's name. The iPhone has built-in support for e-mail message forwarding, drafts, and direct internal camera-to-e-mail picture sending. Support for multi-recipient SMS was added in the 1.1.3 software update.[159] Support for MMS was added in the 3.0 update, but not for the original iPhone[34][35] and not in the U.S. until September 25, 2009.[160][161]
Third party applications
- See also: iPhone SDK and App Store
Once a developer has submitted an application to the App Store, Apple holds firm control over its distribution. Apple can halt the distribution of applications it deems inappropriate, for example, I Am Rich, a US$1000 program that simply demonstrated the wealth of its user.[166] Apple has been criticized for banning third party applications that enable a functionality that Apple does not want the iPhone to have: In 2008, Apple rejected Podcaster, which allowed iPhone users to download podcasts directly to the iPhone claiming it duplicated the functionality of iTunes.[167] Apple has since released a software update that grants this capability.[148]
NetShare, another rejected app, would have enabled users to tether their iPhone to a laptop or desktop, using its cellular network to load data for the computer.[168] Many carriers of the iPhone later globally allowed tethering before Apple officially supported it with the upgrade to the iOS 3.0, with AT&T Mobility being a relative latecomer in the United States.[169] In most cases, the carrier charges extra for tethering an iPhone.
Before the SDK was released, third-parties were permitted to design "Web Apps" that would run through Safari.[170] Unsigned native applications are also available for "jailbroken" phones.[171] The ability to install native applications onto the iPhone outside of the App Store is not supported by Apple, the stated reason being that such native applications could be broken by any software update, but Apple has stated it will not design software updates specifically to break native applications other than those that perform SIM unlocking.[172]
Legal action
In December 2010, Reuters reported that some iPhone and iPad users were suing Apple Inc because some applications were passing user information to third party advertisers without permission. Some makers of the applications such as Textplus4, Paper Toss, Weather Channel, Dictionary.com, Talking Tom Cat and Pumpkin Maker have also been named as co-defendants in the lawsuit.[173]Accessibility
The iPhone can enlarge text to make it more accessible for vision-impaired users,[174] and can accommodate hearing-impaired users with closed captioning and external TTY devices.[175] The iPhone 3GS also features white on black mode, VoiceOver (a screen reader), and zooming for impaired vision, and mono audio for limited hearing in one ear.[176] Apple regularly publishes Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates which explicitly state compliance with the US regulation "Section 508".[177]Intellectual property
Apple has filed more than 200 patent applications related to the technology behind the iPhone.[178][179]LG Electronics claimed the iPhone's design was copied from the LG Prada. Woo-Young Kwak, head of LG Mobile Handset R&D Center, said at a press conference, "We consider that Apple copied Prada phone after the design was unveiled when it was presented in the iF Design Award and won the prize in September 2006."[180]
On September 3, 1993, Infogear filed for the U.S. trademark "I PHONE"[181] and on March 20, 1996 applied for the trademark "IPhone".[182] "I Phone" was registered in March 1998,[181] and "IPhone" was registered in 1999.[182] Since then, the I PHONE mark had been abandoned.[181] Infogear's trademarks cover "communications terminals comprising computer hardware and software providing integrated telephone, data communications and personal computer functions" (1993 filing),[181] and "computer hardware and software for providing integrated telephone communication with computerized global information networks" (1996 filing).[183] Infogear released a telephone with an integrated web browser under the name iPhone in 1998.[184] In 2000, Infogear won an infringement claim against the owners of the iphones.com domain name.[185] In June 2000, Cisco Systems acquired Infogear, including the iPhone trademark.[186] On December 18, 2006 they released a range of re-branded Voice over IP (VoIP) sets under the name iPhone.[187]
In October 2002, Apple applied for the "iPhone" trademark in the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, and the European Union. A Canadian application followed in October 2004 and a New Zealand application in September 2006. As of October 2006 only the Singapore and Australian applications had been granted. In September 2006, a company called Ocean Telecom Services applied for an "iPhone" trademark in the United States, United Kingdom and Hong Kong, following a filing in Trinidad and Tobago.[188] As the Ocean Telecom trademark applications use exactly the same wording as Apple's New Zealand application, it is assumed that Ocean Telecom is applying on behalf of Apple.[189] The Canadian application was opposed in August 2005 by a Canadian company called Comwave who themselves applied for the trademark three months later. Comwave has been selling VoIP devices called iPhone since 2004.[186]
Shortly after Steve Jobs' January 9, 2007 announcement that Apple would be selling a product called iPhone in June 2007, Cisco issued a statement that it had been negotiating trademark licensing with Apple and expected Apple to agree to the final documents that had been submitted the night before.[190] On January 10, 2007 Cisco announced it had filed a lawsuit against Apple over the infringement of the trademark iPhone, seeking an injunction in federal court to prohibit Apple from using the name.[191] More recently, Cisco claimed that the trademark lawsuit was a "minor skirmish" that was not about money, but about interoperability.[192]
On February 2, 2007, Apple and Cisco announced that they had agreed to temporarily suspend litigation while they held settlement talks,[193] and subsequently announced on February 20, 2007 that they had reached an agreement. Both companies will be allowed to use the "iPhone" name[194] in exchange for "exploring interoperability" between their security, consumer, and business communications products.[195]
The iPhone has also inspired several leading high-tech clones,[196] driving both Apple's popularity and consumer willingness to upgrade iPhones quickly.[197]
On October 22, 2009 Nokia filed a lawsuit against Apple for infringement of its GSM, UMTS and WLAN patents. Nokia alleges that Apple has been violating ten of Nokia's patents since the iPhone's initial release.[198]
Restrictions
Activation
The iPhone normally prevents access to its media player and web features unless it has also been activated as a phone with an authorized carrier. On July 3, 2007, Jon Lech Johansen reported on his blog that he had successfully bypassed this requirement and unlocked the iPhone's other features with a combination of custom software and modification of the iTunes binary. He published the software and offsets for others to use.[201]Unlike the original, the iPhone 3G must be activated in the store in most countries.[202] This makes the iPhone 3G more difficult, but not impossible, to hack. The need for in-store activation, as well as the huge number of first-generation iPhone and iPod Touch users upgrading to iPhone OS 2.0, caused a worldwide overload of Apple's servers on July 11, 2008, the day on which both the iPhone 3G and iPhone OS 2.0 updates as well as MobileMe were released. After the update, devices were required to connect to Apple's servers to authenticate the update, causing many devices to be temporarily unusable.[203] Apple avoided this by releasing the 3.0 software two days before the iPhone 3GS.
Users on the O2 network in the United Kingdom, however, can buy the phone online and activate it via iTunes as with the previous model.[204] Even where not required, vendors usually offer activation for the buyer's convenience. In the U.S., Apple has begun to offer free shipping on both the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 3GS (when available), reversing the in-store activation requirement. Best Buy and Wal-Mart will also sell the iPhone.[205]
Unlicensed third party software and jailbreaking
See also: Jailbreaking for iOS and iPhone Dev Team
The iPhone's operating system is designed to only run software that has an Apple-approved cryptographic signature. This restriction can be overcome by "jailbreaking" the phone,[206] which involves replacing the iPhone's firmware with a slightly modified version that does not enforce the signature check. Doing so may be a circumvention of Apple's technical protection measures.[207] Apple, in a statement to the United States Copyright Office in response to EFF lobbying for a DMCA exception for this kind of hacking, claimed that jailbreaking the iPhone would be copyright infringement due to the necessary modification of system software.[208] Jailbroken iPhones may be susceptible to computer viruses, but few such incidents have been reported.[209][210]SIM unlocking
United States
Most iPhones are sold with a SIM lock, which restricts the use of the phone to one particular carrier, a common practice with subsidized GSM phones. Unlike most GSM phones however, the phone cannot be officially unlocked by entering a code. The locked/unlocked state is maintained on Apple's servers per IMEI and is set when the iPhone is activated.
While the iPhone was initially sold in the US only on the AT&T network with a SIM lock in place, various hackers have found methods to "unlock" the phone from a specific network.[211] Although AT&T and Verizon are the only authorized iPhone carriers in the United States, unlocked iPhones can be used with other carriers after unlocking.[212] More than a quarter of the original iPhones sold in the United States were not registered with AT&T. Apple speculates that they were likely shipped overseas and unlocked, a lucrative market before the iPhone 3G's worldwide release.[213] iPhones are unlocked by users who wish to use networks other than AT&T's.[11][not in citation given]
AT&T has stated that the "iPhone cannot be unlocked, even if you are out of contract".[212][214] On March 26, 2009 AT&T in the United States began selling the iPhone without a contract, though still SIM-locked to their network.[215] Such iPhone units are often twice as expensive as those with contracts, because Apple and AT&T lose the deferred income.[216] Outside of the United States, policies differ, especially in US territories and insular areas like Guam, where GTA TeleGuam is the exclusive carrier for the iPhone, since neither AT&T and Verizon have a presence in the area.[217]
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