With the onset of touch screen technology and competitive deals from rivals such as the Nokia 5800 music phone, the iPhone's key selling point is rapidly becoming obsolete. However, for Mac enthusiasts and die-hard Apple fans, the iPhone will surely still be number one in the touch phone category. With the recent installment in the iPhone saga (the iPhone 3G S), style, functionality and a multitude of apps at your fingertips can be found in this model. Teething problems encountered in the original 2G and 1st generation 3G versions have now been rectified and users are now able to forward messages (through the cut and paste option), MMS and type in landscape mode; small changes, some would say, but for this iPhone user, definitely features which create life as an iPhone-ite that little bit easier.
However, many other companies are eager to get a slice of Apple's pie. With notable challenges coming from LG, Nokia and Blackberry, consumers are able to get smart phone and touch screen technology for a fraction of the price. These competitors aren't restrained by the biggest negative for Apple, whose coupling with O2 means that expensive contract prices are the nasty flipside to owning the swish and stylish iPhone. These prices are liable to put off many potential customers: Orange, for example, offer unlimited music downloads, 600 anytime minutes and unlimited texts for £29.36 a month (online price), with the equally flashy Nokia 5800. Compare this to O2's £34.26 a month contract, which whilst includes unlimited internet browsing, has no capability for free music downloads and limits customers to 600 free minutes and 500 free texts. Add to this the additional initial cost of the iPhone - £87.11 for 16GB - and customers are given another reason to go for one of Apple's competitors.
All is not bad in the world of Apple however. In less than a year, Apple have made the 8GB phone redundant, and cut the initial cost of the mobile phone by £13 whilst adding an extra 8GB. This is surely an incentive for those willing to pay for their smart mobile phone - previously customers were offered the 8GB for £100 on this contract - something that became hugely disappointing once it was clear that this amount of memory would be no where near sufficient for the multitude of opportunities offered by the iPhone; opportunities such as a built in iPod, easy access app and iTunes stores, email sync and Safari internet explorer, all at the simple touch of a button. These are all features which make the iPhone not just a smartphone, but a mini-computer in your pocket and for those iPhone owners who also use Mac, iLife offers the capability to sync your computer and phone. With a current free trial period it is easy to try before you buy.
This is clearly where the iPhone streaks way ahead of competitors. With Apple's technological know-how and innovation, others who have tried to emulate the MP3 player still have the iPod, and now iPhone, to contend with. Having a fully functioning iPod included within your phone is somewhere near to perfection - and worth the added cost. Furthermore, the apps available for the iPhone are numerous and as the adverts say, there is surely an app for every occasion. Whilst Blackberry is the leading smartphone for business users, Apple are clearly trying to gain a footing in that market, adding apps which make life as a small business that little bit easier. Already installed items such as maps, stocks and weather are other benefits Apple offer to the business market.
The Apple iPhone takes the key features of the MacBook series and pops them into a handy, pocket sized piece of technological perfection. If you are prepared to pay the premium, then the iPhone is definitely for you. By offering style and practicality and adding value for money, Apple have once again cornered the market. However, if you are short of cash, or unprepared to pay the high costs demanded by Apple and O2, then shop around - there are plenty of offers on touchscreen smart phones, all of which will be trying, and undoubtedly coming close, to give Apple and O2 a run for their money.
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