We've set aside two weeks in the Upgrade Research Lab to examine what the iPhone 3G offers for work and play. It is obviously a mobile phone, but it's also a PDA, camera, video iPod and web/email device with a large, crisp touchscreen that lets you easily navigate through menus with the flick of a finger.

The iPhone 3G's two biggest advances on its predecessor (which wasn't officially available in Australia) are 3G data speeds and GPS tracking. We experienced a significant speed boost when surfing web pages using the iPhone 3G using the Optus HSDPA network, as compared to our first-gen iPhone running on the Telstra EDGE network.

We also found the iPhone 3G offers roughly 10% more battery life than its predecessor. While the speed and battery life boost are handy, we don't think they're enough to justify upgrading from our first-gen iPhone on EDGE considering the mediocre iPhone 3G plans on offer, designed to gouge early adopters.

Unfortunately only iPhone 3G users on Telstra's national 850 MHz Next G network will get 3G data speeds in regional areas. Vodafone and Optus run their metro 3G networks at 2100 MHz but their regional 3G networks at 900 MHz, and the iPhone 3G only supports 850, 1900 and 2100 MHz. This means regional users will drop back to GPRS, which would be intolerable. The other new feature is GPS tracking, which is a little hit and miss.

The new iPhone Apps Store will be available to first-gen iPhone users once they upgrade to the iPhone 2.0 software. There are hundreds of iPhone applications available, but many are already available for free to owners of hacked iPhones.

From an entertainment perspective, the ability to flick through photos and zoom with a pinch is amazing. Even so, the iPhone 3G still doesn't offer MMS, video capture or video calls and the camera remains a measly two megapixels.

We still think the iPhone 3G's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, but we're not prepared to pay the early adopter tax and we suggest waiting for better plans to come along.

Next week, iPhone's business offerings.

Apple's iPhone 3G costs $729 (8G prepaid on Optus) on various plans. Call 133 622 or visit http://apple.com/au.

Stay in sync

Seidio's retractable USB iPhone cable is an 80-centimetre cable that folds down to 10 centimetres. The cable lets you recharge and synchronise an iPhone, iPhone 3G or iPod, and retracts back into the hub with a gentle tug.

Seidio's retractable USB iPhone cable costs $14.95. Call 8415 0848 or visit www.expansys.com.au.