The iPhone is a series of best selling smart phones licensed with AT&T. Created by Apple, the iPhone continues the line of innovative Apple products such as the iPod mp3 player. The iPhone has become famous for its application system, a marketplace of downloadable applications that give the iPhone unlimited functionality. Since 2007, there have been four models of the iPhone with a new phone released each year.

The Original iPhone

The original iPhone was created as a hybrid between cellular phone and PDA technology, utilizing new designs such as a touchscreen interface. The glass touchscreen was unique for its multi-touch functionality. The user could touch multiple points on the screen for additional functions (such as zooming). The keyboard and mouse controls were incorporated entirely into the touch interface, similar to a tablet PC. Internet access was provided through the EDGE network. The original iPhone was released with a 4GB and 8GB model, with a 16GB model released later.

The iPhone 3G

The iPhone 3G was the second generation of iPhone, released in July 2008. The iPhone 3G came with much of the same hardware as the original iPhone, but had an increase in software functionality. The major introduction for the iPhone 3G was the Apple App Store. The App Store allowed users to purchase and download applications, small programs which added additional functions to the phone. This became a trademark of the iPhone brand that has continued to this day. The iPhone 3G was also the first iPhone built to use the 3G wireless network for internet access – the original used only the slower EDGE network.

The iPhone 3GS

The iPhone 3GS, released in June 2009, was created with a focus on hardware improvements. The display screen for the phone was updated to use a greater number of pixels and have a richer color display. The processor and memory were upgraded for the first time since the original iPhone, allowing for faster speeds and better performance of applications. A new camera was also added, allowing 3 megapixel photos and video capture in high definition. The iPhone 3GS also included a compass application, using a built in magnetometer.

The iPhone 4

The iPhone 4 is the latest model of iPhone, released in June 2010. The aesthetics of the phone were the focus with an all-new steel frame and glass display. The phone is thinner than previous models – the exterior antenna in the steel housing gives the phone a smaller profile than older iPhones. The iPhone 4 also received a hardware upgrade with a new processor and double the memory of the iPhone 3GS. It also uses a forward mounted video camera (in addition to the rear HD camera) to allow for video conferencing.

This guest article was contributed by Jennifer Bell from Health Training Guide. Check out her site to learn more about vocational nurse training and other exciting health careers.

Photo credit: Burt Lum

iPhone News

Verizon Wireless says it’s ready for Apple iPhone rush – Deep down I hope they crash and burn

AT&T Sued for Overcharging iPhone and iPad Owners

Steve Wozniak Says White iPhone 4 Coming Soon, Delay Due to Paint Issues – You would think that this should be a problem by now

Apple responds: we want a cut of Amazon, Sony e-book sales – This is just BS. If this goes through, expect a call for the government to step in

AT&T Offering Customers Unlimited Data to Get Back at Verizon? – They are scared and will do everything to keep their customers as they renewal comes up

iPhone Apps

Angry Birds Seasons getting a Valentines update

Quickoffice Teases Additional Document Sharing Services For iPad

RunKeep Pro Fitness App Goes FREE for Life

eReader Roundup: Hunting for the Best iPhone eBook Reader

10 Billionth App Download Winner Hangs Up On Apple

iPhone Jailbreaks

Jailbreak Only: CameraWallpaper – Coming Soon To Cydia Store

Untethered iOS 4.2.1 Jailbreak for iPhone, iPad shown off on video

iPhone News

Universal iPhone 4 Bumpers Hit Apple Stores – In case you didn’t know the buttons on the Verizon phone for volume are lower than the ones on the AT&T version. This case will work with both phones

MacRumors: Apple Preps for Verizon iPhone Launch With New Bumpers, Vacation Blackouts – This launch should be huge.

T-Mobile says ‘ask Apple’ on iPhone, hints it’s more likely – People are now wondering who is next

iFixit Begins Offering ‘iPhone 4 Liberation Kit’ to Tackle Apple’s Pesky Proprietary Screws – I am not sure this will impact many people, but its just something to be aware of.

Apple’s now shipping 366,000 iOS devices a day – Holy Sh!t that’s a lot of devices!

What AT&T Is Doing To Make Sure You Don’t Go To The Enemy – They need to go on the defensive to make sure they don’t lose customers.

iOS 4.3 beta 2 reveals iPad 2 Camera, PhotoBooth and FaceTime apps – These are much needed improvements in my eyes.

iPhone Apps

Apple Reveals the Top iPhone Apps of All Times – You may find some gems in here that you

Angry Birds Go LEGO – I love Angry Birds and Lego’s, so this is cool!

iPhone Jailbreaking

XBMC for Apple TV , iPad and iPhone 4 available now [jailbreak] – XBMC is some nice software, so this is a pretty cool motivation to jailbreak.

Top iPhone News

Apple to Challenge Facebook With iPhone “Photo Streaming?” [REPORT] – I know I love taking pictures with my phone and sharing them on FB, so this seems like an interesting feature.

Starbucks Card Mobile now available for iPhone and iPod Touch – If mobile payments are able to go mainstream and not have any major security breaches, this will be awesome.

iPad 2 Picture Getting Clearer as Rumors Ramp Up – This is the next big launch for Apple so everyone is trying to figure out what its going to look like. iPad 2 is coming soon!

Apple Conference Call: 6 Things You Should Know – It’s crazy to think that this company was almost bankrupt a few years ago.

iPad 2, iPhone 5 to have a dual-core PowerVR SGX543 GPU to drive Retina Display? – Dual core baby!

White iPhone shows up in order systems, available Feb 27? – Do people even care anymore?

With Verizon, iPhone’s Flaws May Become More Apparent – AT&T gets a lot of crap over their service from iPhone users, but you have to wonder if any of that falls onto the device.

iPad 2 to Have SD Card Slot & Qualcomm Chip [RUMOR] – almost a necessary these days, I hope this is true.

iPhone Apps

Angry Birds Usurped By 14-Year-Old Boy Atop Free Apps Chart

Bubble Ball: The Best-Selling Free App Made By A 14-Year Old

iPhone Jailbreaking

Apple Asks Federal Government to Put an End to Jailbreaking

Seas0nPass makes for easier AppleTV Jailbreak

Microsoft Claiming Term “App Store” As Generic – It will be interesting to see what the decision on the AppStore trademark will be.

Will there be a Verizon iPhone 5 this summer? (And should I wait?) – if I were a Verizon user, I would certainly wait. If not, you will miss out on the next two generations of the iPhone due to the 2 year commitment.

Confirmed: iOS 4.3 to bring Wi-Fi Personal Hotspot to GSM/AT&T iPhone – This is a feature I have always wanted.

Analysts: Verizon iPhone will put brakes on US Android growth – I think Android has a lot of momentum because the iPhone was not on Verizon. Now that the iPhone is an option, how bad will Android get hit? We will find out soon.

Is Apple Building A Mobile Social Network? – Just another way for us to stay connected with our friends.

Verizon iPhone

Apple, Verizon Took Years to Clear IPhone Differences – How the deal came together over the last few months or years.

CDMA vs. GSM Examined: Which 3G Network is Superior? – Interesting write up that talks about how the networks differ between AT&T and Verizon and why Apple had to build a new phone for Verizon.

iPhone Faceoff: AT&T vs. Verizon – Curious what the difference is? This is a good write up.

Non-exclusive Apple-Verizon deal could allow iPhone on Sprint, T-Mobile – I would imagine T-Mobile would be next

Verizon iPhone has relocated buttons, might require new cases – This is lame, now we have to worry about case differences?

iPhone Apps

GoTasks is the Cure for the Common List – Simple, Free task list.

Reeder App Is Better And Faster With Latest Update – My favorite RSS reader for the iOS. If you haven’t tried this one yet, you are missing out.

Splice – Video Editor Review – Great alternative to iMovie if you are looking for something more intuitive.

Why I’m not switching to the Verizon iPhone: The SIM card – Some people are perfectly happy with AT&T and their coverage, myself included.

Don’t Buy the Verizon iPhone 4 – Remember one thing about the VZW/Apple relationship, Apple is still in control. They will be in charge of the release cycle and they do that once a year, which is coming this spring.

Verizon IPhone to Help Apple Boost Sales, Fight Google – It seems like everyone wants to take shots at Google these days.

Why I’m not switching to the Verizon iPhone: Need for speed – Again, some people love AT&T and don’t see the need to switch. At least now you have the option.

Everything We Know about the Verizon iPhone So Far

Connecting to Denon’s A/V Receivers — Now With AirPlay – This is going to be a huge market this year. I am excited to see how Airplay is used.

iPhone Apps

9 Sites To Find Mobile Apps From Mashable & Others – who doesn’t love finding iPhone Apps.

Kindle for iOS gets background downloads, file support – Finally!

Toy Balls! HD – So far my kids like this game.

Slice It! Update Adds 20 New Levels To Cut Through – This is a new addiction in our household. Right behind Angry Birds

Announcing the January, 2011 App Hall of Fame Inductees – you may find a few new gems in this list.

Top News Verizon News

AT&T Already Attacking Verizon iPhone: “Not Sure iPhone Users Are Ready For Life In The Slow Lane” – When the iPhone hits VZW it will open up a whole new level of trash talk between the carriers. The commercials should be fun to watch.

WSJ: Verizon Is “Confident” It Can Carry The iPhone – There has been debate that the AT&T network went downhill because of all of the iPhone users. Will VZW suffer the same problems.

Analyst: Verizon To Sell Nine Million iPhones In 2011, AT&T To Sell 11 Million – A lot of iPhones are about to be sold.

WSJ Reports That Verizon iPhone Means $30 Unlimited Data – This is expected to compete with the AT&T plans.

Five Ways The Verizon iPhone Will Change The Mobile Landscape – A VZW iPhone is going to change things for sure.

Why the Verizon iPhone Doesn’t Spell Disaster for AT&T – There are a lot of users loyal to AT&T and are also locked into a family deal. It will be hard for all of them to leave.

Top News

WSJ: Verizon to announce CDMA iPhone 4 on Tuesday – Verizon users should be excited to get their iPhone

Kevin Rose: iPad 2 Will Be Announced in 3-4 Weeks – The founder of Digg has inside scoop that the iPad 2 will be announced soon.

iPhone Apps

VLC Media Player For iOS Removed From App Store – VLC is a popular video player that made its way to iOS but its open source license caused problems in the closed App Store world.

Price Drop: Color Blast – This is one of my favorite photo apps on the iPhone. When ever I post pictures that I modified with ColorBlast everyone asks me what I used.

Free Angry Birds – 12 levels that don’t exist in the current game

Jailbreaking

Jailbreak Only: VLC For iOS Still Available, Now On Cydia – Leave it to the jailbreakers to work around the app store problems

Here is a summary chart of what I found while shopping online:

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As you can tell the monthly cost of ownership between the iPhone and the Storm are pretty close.  The G1 is your best cost saver across the board, except for when you get into the unlimited talk, text, and data.  Once you get to that tier, the Palm Pre comes through as the cheapest.

Now some basic disclaimers.  I tried to put some carrier specific disclaimers on each chart listed below.  These prices were effective on 7/20/2009.  When listing the price for the phone, I took into account what offers the carriers had running at the time, regardless of if it was a mail in rebate or instant rebate.  The prices do not include any state or federal taxes.  Finally, all of this is based on signing your life away to a 2 year contract as a new subscriber.

Here are the rest of the charts:
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