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How the Apple iPhone is leading the way in the smart phone industry: simple answer is it isn't. In terms of technology, the iPhone packs no more gadgetry than a standard, modern mobile phone. There are various other touchscreen handsets with similar features and pretty much every phone these days takes 8gB memory cards, can play mp3s and take photos. There really is nothing new in the iPhone, it is pure hype which makes people think that it's impressive.

Let's breakdown the features of the handset which most people think make it stunning. It's touchscreen. OK, so it the LG Viewty, a handset with all the same features, only done better. Better camera, better network connection (the iPhone is not a 3G handset), similar mp3 capacity. OK, a touchscreen is nothing new. So what else does an iPhone do? Well it goes on the internet. And so does pretty much every handset. In fact over a year ago the mobile network 3 launched their X-Series of handsets in the UK which featured full Broadband speed web access with Instant Messaging, Skype, Slingbox (mobile connection to your home TV/DVD) and Orb (mobile connection to your home PC media) features as standard. The X-Series of handsets were also much cheaper than an iPhone and again were 3G handsets with better cameras, similar memory, etc. OK, so that's the web covered. What else does an iPhone do? Well, it looks pretty. OK, now forgive me for being all practical and everything, but I'm not buying a phone as a fashion statement. I want something that does the job I ask of it, I'm not really that bothered about how it looks. But If you are the sort of person that picks a phone for this very dubious reason then there are now handsets being designed by the likes of Prada and Armani.

OK, so the hype concerning the iPhone's features is blown slightly out of proportion. But what are they not telling us about them? Well, for one thing the iPhone is not a 3G handset as I stated before, meaning video calling will be a problem. It also doesn't support Multi Media Messaging, so you can only email pictures to people. There's no Bluetooth, with the notable exception (in true Apple style) of the Apple Bluetooth Headset which is the only device that it is compatible with, making file sharing between handsets impossible. Aside from that, it's only got a 2 megapixel camera which by todays standards is pretty pathetic.

So what do you get for your very large amount of money? An iPod with a rubbish phone glued on. It's not exactly brilliant or breathtaking. The technology is far from revolutionary. To me, anyone who buys one has fallen for slick marketing and bought something which is all style and no substance.

Learn more about this author, Angus Macdonald.
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