iPhone 3G: From 'must have' to 'maybe later'

July 31, 2008 (Thursday) | iPhone

I waited in line for the iPhone 3G. I had actually bought an iPhone just a few months ago, but wanted to upgrade. I didn't really know why: I just figured the next version of what Apple was doing could only be cool. I'm a Mac fan. As I wrote here, however, Apple and AT&T completely botched the activation process, leaving me without the iPhone 3G and, frankly, without much desire to undergo the ordeal again. Apple continues to ration the iPhone 3G for AT&T stores (the one place where you're pretty much guaranteed to have the phone activated), while its Apple retail stores are awash in the iPhones (but also awash in activation problems). Meanwhile, I've yet to talk to anyone that can point to a clear, compelling differentiator between the new iPhone and the original iPhone. Yes, it's faster, but I spend most of my time around Wi-Fi and not enough time around a power outlet to care as much about 3G as I thought I would. ...