My Apple iPhone 3G 8GB Review Part Three
‘Wifi and 3G Connection’
I found the Wifi connection to be very steady once it is connected. However, I did notice that for some reason, it is a bit slower in terms of acquiring signals in an area. It usually takes about 2-3 minutes to it to find the signals in an area.
The software also allows it to automatically log on to Wifi signals that had been used before, so its just a question of turning the Wifi on, then the phone will connect automatically with any “familiar” signals it finds out there.
‘iTunes Software’
iTunes offer a lot of software, both free and paid, and I’ve tried a couple. I kept some for one reason or another, but I don’t really find the iTunes applications to be that useful, or interesting (the none game ones, anyway). So having a lot of apps from iTunes is not really for me a major attraction for owning an iPhone. Thank God for Cydia, I couldn’t imagine owning an iPhone without it.
Here are a short list of none-game applications that I have downloaded (and kept) from iTunes:
* iBeer – Software that showcases the iPhone’s “unique” abilities. It basically turns your iPhone into a glass of beer, wherein the liquid behaves almost very much like the real thing, thanks for the iPhone’s fast processor, and accelerometer. Not freeware, though, costs USD 1.99
* Facebook App – Great application allowing you to access your Facebook account from the iPhone. The layout, and options available are just about enough for anybody to be able to do almost anything on their Facebook page using the iPhone
* Koi Pond – Another showcase app to impress your friends. Koi fishes swimming around, and touching the screen will actually create ripples and affect the movement of the fishes. Fun for about five minutes, then you move on to something else. Again, best purpose is for showing it off. LOL
* MultiConvert – Offers realtime conversion of just about everything. Just input one value, and all the other fields or rows are shown per area. Conversion values (i.e., for Currency, etc.) can be updated on a regular basis to give accurate information
‘The iPhone Wii’
Another thing that sold me on the iPhone, was when a friend of mine told me that you can play games on the iPhone like you would play with a Nintendo Wii. I thought, “Hey, that would be cool”.
One thing I like about these types of games, is that you actually have to exert some effort in playing them, allowing you some exercise also. Aside of course, from the fact that is a new way of playing games on your celphone
I found a couple of games thus far, most of them are sports games. In all cases, the iPhone becomes the tool of the particular game, like it becomes the Bowling ball for Bowling, the club for Golf, etc. They are either free, or has free versions with limited options available.
The only reservation I have when playing these games, is that the iPhone might fly off when you become too enthusiastic playing the game, especially with games like Golf, where you need to swing really hard to make the ball go far.
Wouldn’t want that to happen to this precious little thing, he-he-he. I heard you can buy an accessory to secure the iPhone on your hands, gotta look for that soon. In the meantime, I’m sticking more to games that allow me not to swing the phone too hard, like Basketball and Bowling.
Here are what I call “iPhone Wii” games I found and liked so far (search for them on iTunes):
* SGN Golf (Free) – I think would’ve been great, if only I weren’t scared the unit would slip on one of those hard swings; For that reason, don’t really get to play it as much
* iBaseball (Free) – Allows you to either pitch or bat. Batting is harder, as you need to watch where the ball is going first as it is coming towards you (up, down, left, right) for a second before you swing. Kinda predictable, though, and not as fun to play. But adds variety to the available games
* iBasketball (Free) – My favorite. Gives you the opportunity to go for a three-point shootaround almost wherever you can. So immensely satisfying when the ball swishes thru the net. The sounds when the ball hits the board, and/or the rim is so realistic, it is almost like playing it for real. I even flex my knees when I shoot. LOL. You need to have a smooth, consistent follow thru to put the ball thru the hoops.
* Action Bowling & iPlay Bowling (with free versions) – I initially liked these games, but initially discovered that the physics used were not very good, meaning the software did not really make the ball behaved as it should in real life. For example, when I swing the ball from the exact same spot, I would always get the same results, meaning leave two pins at either ends. Pretty disappointing, am hoping better games will come out later
* Flick Sports Fishing (Paid app) – Another favorite of my mine. You cast a line by swinging your rod, er, iPhone, then reel it in by swinging the rod / iPhone back and at the same time spinning the onscreen reel. There are also Tournaments, and “missions” to catch certain fishes for the Lighthouse Keeper
* Rock Skipper (Free) – Interesting game, for about five minutes, as the graphics are not that good. Allows you to throw “rocks” and have it bounce across the top of the water.
(To be continued)
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