I’ve installed various other ROMs & software to get my phone to where it is now and is completely useful. I would have got an iPhone import if it didn’t lack 3G.

I want the iPhone to store all my photos (7GB atm in native 5-10MP mode, downsized this should be halfed at least). I want all my music on my phone. I don’t want to carry around three devices – I want one that fits snugly in my pocket. Although the camera isn’t as sweet as a Sony Ericsson it should do the job, the TyTN II’s phone is crap.

As far as I can see, the 3G iPhone is best phone available (from Jully 11) until the Android phones start landing. There is someone in NZ working on getting the Android OS working on the TyTN II, which is interesting and he has made great progress…

I’m on an old plan of $149 = $1000 cap, includes everything (provider doesn’t do video calls yet). My usage has moved from heavy phone usage (use skype more now) to excessive data usage. At $0.02 / KB I get enough data for now. I’d like 100MB but that’s ok, just use Google Maps less :P

I’m looking to get an 3G iPhone in the 4th quarter.

if the iPhone release does cause change in data pricing, at least that’ll be one function it does well…

The easiest way to see this is by starting your phone without a sim card or, if your phone requires one to boot up, put in a non-activated prepaid card (should be able to get one for less than $10) and you will be able to see that it still connects through the Wifi even though there is no active mobile network connection.

I’m not saying you’re not being charged, but whatever it IS for, it’s not for local, privately-owned WLAN access. O.o

Good luck getting it nutted out.

- Matthew

I think that before people start demanding a phone which pulls data at broadband speeds, we need a regional wireless broadband provider that doesn’t make it completely unnafordable to use!

Well… there are two main reasons for this… The first is obvious – it costs more to supply a megabyte of wireless data through the mobile network than a megabyte of data through a fixed copper or fiber-optic line (but it’s something like 10c vs. 2c probably – I’m not saying aussies don’t get stiffed), and the second reason would be logistical; Optus is still currently in the process of migrating its millions of fixed phone, fixed internet, cable tv, wireless voice and wireless data accounts all to a single system, a process which has been ongoing for upwards of 6-8 months now (the main delays are legal- and customer-service-related ones, preservation of legacy contracts and rate plans etc). At the moment your Optus fixed-line account could be in a couple of different systems, and your mobile (personal or small business) account could be in any one of three systems, and that’s before you even get to corporate accounts or services older than about 10 years.

The only easily visible sign of this progress is if you have an optus mobile account and have changed from a blue bill to a yellow bill – the good news so far is that after your second yellow bill you have access to things like usage alerts during the month on any of the current plans, and certainly once that migration process is complete (I suspect they’re about 80-90% through) there will be other benefits announced then.

I’m not sure what you’re saying about Telstra ‘owning’ 3G at the moment, Tim, but Optus’ wireless broadband coverage can be checked through www2.optus.com.au – with reported coverage for areas that are due to be upgraded within the next 3 months. That site can be a bit flaky though, it’s not designed for public use but you can give it a try.

Gotta agree with Tim on the SMS part though – I can’t recall the exact figures but it costs something like 0.1-1c for carrying a text message within the network and about 0.5-2c for one to a different national network. Out of the 3 or 4 people I had in this week who had gone over their cap amount, the bulk of the charges were for texting, and it’s ridiculous having to pay $100+ in a month for what cost the provider less than $8.

Back to data plans though… I tried to post this earlier but didn’t make it past the filters due to included links, but I’ll repost here:

***snip***
The data pricing has changed dramatically over the past 6-8 months and I expect it will continue to do so; it is probably also worth getting your hands on an ABN (in some cases, this is possible through an authorization letter from work or partner if you don’t hold your own) since business data plans have already been revamped even if they aren’t being publicly advertised yet. Old biz data pricing (available from smb[dot]optus[dot]com[dot]au/web/ocaportal.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=Template_woRHS&FP=/smallbusiness/mobile/3gmobile&site=smallbusiness) is $5=5MB, $15=30MB, $25=50MB, $35=75MB. This was last changed around 8-9 months ago I believe.
In contrast, the new pricing is based off the current Optus Wireless Broadband pricing, available here: smb[dot]optus[dot]com[dot]au/web/ocaportal.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=Template_wRHS&FP=/smallbusiness/internet/wireless&site=smallbusiness
which is MUCH nicer, with 1GB/2GB/6GB at $20/$35/$50 respectively. :)
***snip***

Legal crapola: I work in an optus shop, but I don’t speak for optus; if you take any of my advice or go to the website above it’s your fault if your cat explodes or you get abducted by little pink marshmallow alien wombatpeople, yadda yadda yadd, purple monkey dishwasher.

P.S: I still reckon the HTC Diamond or later releases by HTC will surpass the iPhone 3G, but I guess we’ll see. ;)

- Matthew

I currently own a Nokia N95 (HSDPA is fantastic) and use it almost every day for reading blogs and news sites, I also frequently use the built-in GPS functionality of my mobile and have no problems using it – BUT I will be getting an iPhone once they are available.

The only reason I didn’t import a first gen iPhone was because of the lack of 3G – I couldn’t believe Apple released a 2G mobile – what a waste, I thought. The large screen, excellent browser (I have an iPod Touch so I know how great these features are first hand) and now with the handy GPS, I think the iPhone is going to an excellent mobile phone.