Your iPhone 3G Questions Answered!

Posted August 24th, 2008 | 6 Comments


This site seems to have become an unofficial iPhone 3G blog, it was never intended to be. But as it’s what the readers clearly want and it’s a subject I enjoy writing about I don’t have any problems writing yet another iPhone post ;)

Lots Of Questions!

The site is still the top placed ranking in Google for the term ‘iPhone 3G Apps’ and ‘Custom iPhone 3G Ringtones’ but that’s not all people are searching for to find the site. Upon checking my sites log file I found that there were 7000+ different search terms users had typed into Google to find this site!

Many of them were variations of the ringtones and apps searches but many others were asking questions that are not yet answered here.

So I figured I might as well answer them for you! All of the following are genuine questions that users have typed into Google to find this site.

1. How Do I Get/Make Free Ringtones For iPhone 3G

This has been covered in depth on the blog already! See these two posts ‘Create FREE Custom iPhone 3G Ringtones‘ and ‘3 Ways To Get iPhone 3G Ringtones‘

2. Can I Use My iPhone 3G As A Sat Nav?

As the iPhone has full GPS is it perfectly capable of being a sat-nav device. You could use it to an extent with Google Maps but of course it won’t speak to you. The popular sat-nav makers TomTom are said to be developing an app for the iPhone 3G at the moment which should be great.

3. What’s The Best iPhone GTD (Getting Things Done) App?

I have been a follower of David Allen’s ‘Getting Things Done’ program for a few years now. I have tried all the the various GTD apps for Mac.

Things

I love Things for Mac OSX and the iPhone App is just as good.. Now that the two sync together it is my GTD app of choice. It’s use of tags allows it to function as in a GTD system (though some purists don’t like it) but the tagging also makes it even more powerful than a strict GTD app such as…

OmniFocus

OmniFocusOmniFocus is also a great app, although both the iPhone and desktop apps are a lot more expensive than Things.

It does have some amazing features such as it’s location awareness which is fantastic. You can set different lists to appear when you arrive at various locations. Maybe a shopping list when you arrive at a specific store or a to-do list of things to do at the office!

It’s a tough decision choosing between OmniFocus and Things. The best idea if you have never used either is to try Things first as the desktop version is free at the moment and the iPhone app half the price of OmniFocus.

4. How Do I Transfer Files Via Bluetooth With iPhone 3G?

Prepare for a shock. You can’t!

I know, amazing isn’t it? As I mentioned in this post soon after the launch of the iPhone 3G I just can’t believe Apple won’t allow this feature which practically every other phone on the market can do. The phone has full bluetooth capabilities as bluetooth headsets works perfectly.

I think Apple expects us to email everything, which is great, except that most people without iPhones don’t have their phones set up for email (if they even support it at all)

5. How Can I Transfer Files To iPhone 3G/Store Files On iPhone

As there is no bluetooth the best way would be to use an app. There are 2 great choices if you use a Mac. FileMagnet and Datacase.

If you use a PC you’ll have to go with Datacase because Filemagnet is Mac only.

Both are excellent apps which allow the transferring and viewing of various file formats from your iPhone. Datacase effectively turns your iPhone into a portable storage device.

6. What’s The Best iPhone 3G RSS Reader?

I’m a big fan of NetNewWire as I use the desktop version on all of my Macs and they all stay in sync, so being able to use my iPhone to read and sync the same feeds is great.

7. How Do I Take a Screenshot With My iPhone 3G?

Hold down HOME button (middle button on front), then quickly press the SLEEP/WAKE button on the top right of the phone. You’ll see a quick white ‘flash’. This confirms the screenshot was taken.

They are then available to view/send from your Camera Roll in Photos.

8. How Can I Change My iPhone 3G SMS Text alert?

Unfortunately you can’t, at least not without jailbreaking your iphone.

9. What Does Jailbreaking Mean?

Jailbreaking is effectively hacking your iPhone. It allows you to install a large number of apps and addons which Apple don’t allow. It’s not a good idea as future Apple updates can cause problems and even break jailbroken phones.

Many people felt they had to jailbreak the first version iPhone as it lacked too many features. Now with Apple allowing 3rd party apps from The App Store the need to jailbreak is much less.

10. How Do I Foward Texts With My iPhone 3G?

Again this is a feature the iPhone is still lacking. You can get third party apps such as iSMS which allows you to do it but they require jailbreaking your phone. Hopefully a genuine app will appear in The App Store soon which allows this feature.

Any more?

If you have any more questions, feel free to post them in the comments and I will try to answer them, probably other readers will too. If there is enough questions, i’ll maybe post another article like this one.

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6 comments to “Your iPhone 3G Questions Answered!”

  • K-IntheHouse

    25.08.08

    Great list of tips for iPhone 3G. I’d love to see Remember the Milk app for iPhone! :-) Stumbled.

  • Shivram

    27.08.08

    If we do not have WiFi, can we use our Computer’s internet connect on our iPhone 3G connected via the USB?

  • Shaun

    27.08.08

    Shivram: Good question! The simple answer is, it depends… on where you are.

    There is an App called Netshare which does exactly that. It was pulled from The App Stores shortly after it’s release. It is now back in the United States App Store so if you are in the US or you have access to it you are ok. I know it is still not in the UK store though.

  • Shivram

    27.08.08

    Thanks Shaun for your prompt reply.

    I am in India and the App Stores that my iTunes connects to; does not have Netshare software listed. However, would it be possible to get this application by other means (ex: email attachment), save it onto the local PC and then install it on my iPhone?

    Such method can be done for all other high end phones (ex: Nokia N93).

  • Gary

    11.09.08

    Can you cut and paste? For instance, i wanted to paste a txt conversation and email it to my friend.

  • Krod

    12.09.08

    I have a question, is there an app that will backup my 3rd party apps from my 3G Iphone on windows xp. I have been looking, but I have had no luck. I was hoping someone can help me. I saw Ipranks backup utility, but it does not work especially for 3G.



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