The General iPhone Thread and FAQ

[krlock3]

	Quote:	Ed Pummelon
	How's the general speed (app opening and so on). Can you notice any difference?

might be too early to say. speed bumps seem most apparent in graphical applications like coverflow, which zooms along with no particular draw time at all.

on the other hand application opening and like does not seem much faster than the 3g.

i like the feature where the map integrates with the compass, thus showing which way you are pointing at any one time, however i have had this functionality drop a few times. i just restarted my phone and it worked again. im not sure if its a bug or not, but it doesnt seem normal. actually, it has just dropped out again so maybe something is wrong there. what say you on that dawiz?

edit: i just worked out that compass is toggled on and off by repeated presses of the find me button on the lower left part of the map. so it does work fine. even though i have a good natural sense of direction, using the compass in conjunction with the map is really nice and intuitive.

edit 2: the search function, called spotlight, is excellent. it makes it much easier to for example find a tune you want to listen to, rather than searching through the ipod part of the phone. anyone who has used mac computers knows how good spotlight is to use, its the same excellent user experience with the iphone.

[krolley]

I'm still iphone-less. I just went down to the Apple store in Glattzentrum, and was told that they don't sell the iphone without an abonnement and sim lock. Is this true? I have a sim from Sunrise provided by my work, and I wanted to use that in the iphone.

If apple doesn't sell the phone without abonnement and sim lock, who does?

[Nathu]

Digitec does.

[dawiz]

So I got my Orange 3G S last Friday. Everything's fine (network coverage is worse than Swisscom's and the absence of EDGE is a major let-down, but I knew that so that's my own problem) except for Visual Voicemail - I just can't get it to work.

On Friday, it would tell me that it can't connect to the voicemail server. I called customer service and was told they'd call me back within an hour. I never got a call. Instead, they apparently disabled Visual Voicemail altogether now. When I click on the Voicemail button, it just starts dialling my Orange box.

Anyone know what I can do to get thing sorted out?

Peter

EDIT: just found out that tethering doesn't work either. Called customer support again - the guy had no idea and also claimed that VVM was activated, which clearly isn't the case :-( Is Orange's customer support always that bad?

[Ed Pummelon]

	Quote:	dawiz
	So I got my Orange 3G S last Friday. Everything's fine (network coverage is worse than Swisscom's and the absence of EDGE is a major let-down, but I knew that so that's my own problem) except for Visual Voicemail - I just can't get it to work. On Friday, it would tell me that it can't connect to the voicemail server. I called customer service and was told they'd call me back within an hour. I never got a call. Instead, they apparently disabled Visual Voicemail altogether now. When I click on the Voicemail button, it just starts dialling my Orange box. Anyone know what I can do to get thing sorted out? Peter EDIT: just found out that tethering doesn't work either. Called customer support again - the guy had no idea and also claimed that VVM was activated, which clearly isn't the case :-( Is Orange's customer support always that bad?

I have the same problem with Visual Voicemail - I had a 3G on Orange and VVM was no problem, however since upgrading to the 3GS I also get cannot connect to server. I haven't tried to sort this out yet, but I'm not surprised to hear of your experience with them.

Regarding Customer Service, I find that the call centre is useless: the staff are hopelessly under-informed and you get a different answer to the same question depending on who you ask. I've given up calling them altogether, and now email any service requests. It takes 24-48 hours for them to get back to you, but the request is usually properly executed at least. Plus you have an answer in writing to refer back to should they try and tell you black is white if/when you ever have to go back and argue the toss with them.

[Castro]

I usually just walk into the Orange shop if I have issues. A lot of the guys there already have iphones so they're pretty clued up.

[dawiz]

	Quote:	Ed Pummelon
	Regarding Customer Service, I find that the call centre is useless: the staff are hopelessly under-informed and you get a different answer to the same question depending on who you ask. I've given up calling them altogether, and now email any service requests.

After my last conversation with them I have the feeling that I won't be calling them again, either - what e-mail address do you use for contacting Orange?

Peter

[dawiz]

	Quote:	Castro
	I usually just walk into the Orange shop if I have issues. A lot of the guys there already have iphones so they're pretty clued up.

I also prefer the stores - sometimes they're more knowledgeable there. And if they aren't, at least you can simply refuse to leave until they've talked to tech support.

Unfortunately, I don't have any Orange shops anywhere nearby, so it's always a 45min tram ride to get support

Peter

[Ed Pummelon]

	Quote:	dawiz
	After my last conversation with them I have the feeling that I won't be calling them again, either - what e-mail address do you use for contacting Orange? Peter

I log on to My Account on the website, then use the Contact section on there. That way they can see exactly which account it's concerning. The My Account section is actually pretty handy, I set most of my stuff up through there, and you can see your unbilled usage etc.

By the way, in case this is of any use to anyone else, I have an email from them confirming that they will be able to unlock my old 3G handset now I've upgraded to the 3GS, but it will take about 10 days. There's no way I'm going to trust anyone in the call centre to handle this, so will be requesting it by email later. If they get it right, it will be nice way of having a back-up iPhone for travelling without mucking about with crazy roaming charges or jailbreaking.

[Worm_Buffet]

	Quote:	Ed Pummelon
	By the way, in case this is of any use to anyone else, I have an email from them confirming that they will be able to unlock my old 3G handset now I've upgraded to the 3GS, but it will take about 10 days. There's no way I'm going to trust anyone in the call centre to handle this, so will be requesting it by email later. If they get it right, it will be nice way of having a back-up iPhone for travelling without mucking about with crazy roaming charges or jailbreaking.

This is very interesting if it holds up.

They sent you this e-mail because you asked them about it specifically, or automatically on account of you receiving the 3GS?

Have they quoted you any fee for unlocking?

[dawiz]

	Quote:	Ed Pummelon
	I log on to My Account on the website, then use the Contact section on there. That way they can see exactly which account it's concerning. The My Account section is actually pretty handy, I set most of my stuff up through there, and you can see your unbilled usage etc.

I really like their account management tool - just sent them a support request via the web form.

regards,

Peter

[Ed Pummelon]

	Quote:	Worm_Buffet
	This is very interesting if it holds up. They sent you this e-mail because you asked them about it specifically, or automatically on account of you receiving the 3GS? Have they quoted you any fee for unlocking?

No, I asked them the question. No fee quoted, but I didn't ask about it specifically Here's the reply in full:

	Quote:	Orange
	Dear Sir, Thank you for choosing Orange. Your new iPhone order is readily available on My Account. You can order it now and it will be sent between Friday and next Wednesday. You other iPhone can be unlocked. Please make te request via our Hotline on 0800 700 700. It will take about 10 days to get it unlocked.

[itnas]

	Quote:	Castro
	Here is a comprehensive list of updates and bug fixes in Iphone OS 3.0 New Features in 3.0 Firmware 1. Cut/Paste 2. Copy/Paste [...] 113. A space is no longer needed between two words for predictive texting to function

Thanks a lot for this. As an earlier adopter of the iPhone, I am still going through the process of unlocking/jailbreaking every time a new update is released; and after updating my iPhone 2G to 3.0 yesterday, I was a bit disappointed not to find any "flashy new things" :-D specially the Voice Control...

Anyway, I am still very happy with the phone and has proved quite tough (dropped twice from bike); so will need to look for a very good excuse to buy the new one...maybe I'll wait for the next big thing ;-)

PS: Does Swisscom run a point system that entitle customers to free upgrades? (that would be a reasonable excuse!!) :-D

[Aunt B]

I'm going out today to, hopefully, get an iPhone. After all of this, which company is better -- Swisscom or Orange? I need it mostly for apps and calling people in the rest of the world (ok, I love new toys too).

[Ed Pummelon]

	Quote:	Aunt B
	I'm going out today to, hopefully, get an iPhone. After all of this, which company is better -- Swisscom or Orange? I need it mostly for apps and calling people in the rest of the world (ok, I love new toys too).

I'd compare the packages available from both on the respective websites before you go out.

Personally, I find that Orange have the better deal on international calls, however you should be aware that their coverage is not as good (depending on your location) and they have no Edge service.

If you read German, also have a look at this post on Macprime.ch. They did a good side by side comparison of the offers from both.

[dawiz]

	Quote:	Aunt B
	I'm going out today to, hopefully, get an iPhone. After all of this, which company is better -- Swisscom or Orange? I need it mostly for apps and calling people in the rest of the world (ok, I love new toys too).

Calling people abroad is (a lot) cheaper on Orange (well, depending on where abroad they are, of course). If you live in a major city, the coverage is alright as well. What's important to know: Orange doesn't have EDGE: once you leave their 3G coverage, internet is going to be very slow.

Swisscom is generally more expensive but has better coverage and EDGE.

Peter

[dawiz]

For those of you who've been waiting for turn-by-turn navigation on the iPhone: Navigon is now available in the App Store. Works on the "old" iPhone 3G as well.

Just bought it as I can't wait to get rid of my old dedicated navigation system in the car. Would have had to invest 150+ Fr. in new map material - the Navigon app for the iPhone is "only" 109.-

Peter

EDIT: I don't suggest purchasing the app directly from the iPhone :-) (probably not possible anyway). The installation process takes about 10 minutes
EDIT2: the 109 Fr. is an introductory price valid until June 30
EDIT3: and another one: to my surprise, the software doesn't require a data connection so it can safely be used abroad. Maps of pretty much all of Europe are included.

[Aunt B]

Thanks guys! The Macprime website is exactly what I was looking for - I like to analyze my expenditures. Thanks also for the info on EDGE, I don't have patience for slow connections.

[Castro]

	Quote:	dawiz
	For those of you who've been waiting for turn-by-turn navigation on the iPhone: Navigon is now available in the App Store. Works on the "old" iPhone 3G as well

Would be interested to hear your opinions once you've given it a good road testing. Personally I was waiting for the TomTom release, however impatience might get the better of me

[dawiz]

	Quote:	Castro
	Would be interested to hear your opinions once you've given it a good road testing. Personally I was waiting for the TomTom release, however impatience might get the better of me

I took it for a spin during lunch-break. Here's the essentials:

Pros:

- very easy usage
- fast (very fast, faster than my dedicated Navigon...) - recalculates routes almost instantaneously
- quick satellite acquisition
- cheap - 105 CHF for software with maps for all of Europe is sensational
- stable - no issues so far but I've only used it for 30 minutes

Cons:

- not very many features: no live traffic (although these never really work well in Switzerland anyway), no speed-cam add-on (which is illegal here)

I have the feeling that the TomTom software will probably have more features but will cost (a lot) more. Navigon will probably add new features in future releases. They concentrated on the essentials to make sure their software gets released before TomTom's - and they succeeded. The essentials work flawlessly and the price is hard to beat.

Peter