IPhone 3G

The iPhone 3G was a July 2008 update of Apple's hugely popular iPhone. It kept the features of the original iPhone while decreasing the smartphone's overall size. iPhone 3G also added support for 3G wireless networks, GPS technology, and enabled users to install third-party applications using the iPhone App Store.

In June 2009, Apple announced the iPhone 3GS, which became the most powerful model in the iPhone range. At the same time, an 8GB version of the iPhone 3G, priced at $99 in the U.S., was introduced to attract more price-conscious consumers.

In June 2010, Apple announced that the iPhone 3G would be discontinued, and the iPhone 3GS would be reduced in price and become the new entry level model. The iPhone 3G continues to be supported and will be able to run the latest version of the iPhone operating system iOS4 when it is available.

On April 8, 2010 Apple announced the latest generation of the iPhone operating system, OS 4.0. This has over a 100 new features and will be available for iPhone and iPod Touch users in the summer.http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-20001876-37.html

However, not all features will work on the iPhone 3G, with the most significant of those not supported being multitasking.http://www.tuaw.com/2010/04/08/iphone-os-4-0-no-multitasking-for-iphone-3g-and-second-gen-ipod/

Apple has as yet not clarified which other features will and won't work on the 3G. The most important other features that were announced in OS 4.0 are listed below.http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-20001998-233.html

1) Folders. Applications and web shortcuts will be able to be organised into folders on the home screen, removing the need to navigate between a large number of screens to find an app.

2) mail accounts much easier, including a unified in-box.

3) iBooks. Just as with the iPad, it will be possible to buy and read books from Apple's new online bookstore. Books will be able to be shared between devices in the same ways as music.

4) Enterprise features. Various improvements that make it easier for corporations to use iPhones, such as support for Exchange 2010 and SSL VPN.

5) Game Center. This will allow easier social gaming with friends online.

6) iAds. This feature is aimed more at app developers, and provides more ways to add richer forms of advertising into apps.

In October 2009, AT&T removed its restrictions on iPhone apps making VOIP calls over its 3G network. With the launch of the iPad in January 2010, Apple removed all restrictions on VOIP calls effective immediately, and changed its development software accordingly.

The iCall and Fring applications immediately took advantage of this functionality. Skype, the most popular provider of calls over the Internet, said that it planned to provide its own new release "in due course", after working to ensure high-quality calls would be possible.http://share.skype.com/sites/en/2010/02/an_update_on_skype_for_iphone.htmlhttp://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2358553,00.asphttp://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10443564-1.html

Early experiences with iCall and Fring suggested that these services worked, but quality and reliability could be variable, with apps sometimes having to be stopped and restarted. However future development may well resolve these early issues and lead to more stable performance.http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10443564-1.html