Apple iPhone 4 Mobile Phone: Plans and Specifications

Posted July 20th, 2012 and last modified January 7th, 2013

There are many reasons to buy an iPhone 4 on one of many Apple iPhone 4 Plans and Deals. The Apple iPhone 4 not the least being the fact that it's considered trendy and you have something to show off among your friends. Along with all its predecessors it has a large touch screen that can even be described as being beautiful in its own right, much of this owing to its vividness. It's all of three and a half inches across but still feels at home in your hand. The multi-touch gives you a fantastic feeling as you zoom in and out of apps and when you tip it sideways it changes from portrait to landscape, ideal for viewing crisp clear photos, maps, videos and web sites.

Compare iPhone 4 Plans

	Phone	Provider	Deal	Total Cost / Month	Est. Minutes	Est. SMS	Data
	iPhone 4 8GB (Black)		$30 Vodafone Plan over 24 months	$30Min. Total Cost is $720 over 24 months			200MB	Call1300 304 516orLearn More

* Comparison Calculations by Mobile Phone Finder - The estimated number of minutes quoted is based on a standard national call of 2 minutes with a standard flagfall fee. Estimated minutes do not include calls on the same mobile network (also referred to as "on-net calls"), calls to overseas numbers, calls made while you are overseas, calls and messages to premium numbers, and voicemail deposits and retrievals.

iPhone 4 Plans and Deals within Australia

iPhone 4 Key Features

Other features of the iPhone 4 you'll be attracted to will include:

Its usefulness with capabilities similar to a small laptop computer
The iPhone’s built in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities
An ability to watch movies and videos
One of the best smartphones around for listening to music with, especially when it's connected to any one of hundreds of accessories and iPod speakers
Comfortable web browsing
Its usual smartphone features such as receiving and sending email, note keeping, map reading, calendar and address book
And of course there's always the seemingly endless number of apps that are available

However, with all this going for it, it can be criticised, probably the main criticism being that it's not a 4G smartphone. It's still a 3G phone but because of its processor speed this will not be a deterrent in most situation as most networks around the world are still at the planning stage on setting up their 4G networks. Some of its most obvious drawbacks are as follows:

Not all third party apps can be downloaded. The only way this can be done is by jailbreaking the phone
It doesn't support flash and this means you won't be able to use some web sites
Its 2.5g Edge network for web browsing can be quite slow
Activating on a network other that the one supplied at purchase can cause damage.

Best iPhone Model and Plan

Your decision to buy a new iPhone was usually determined by Apple. The time to upgrade was when a new model came out and how much storage space you needed. Many people might argue that the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 3GS are the same phone but this isn't necessarily so. It's true that they do look familiar but that where it stops. For instance:

The iPhone 4 has a Retina display that smooths jagged pixel edges and gives a higher quality image. This improvement is noticeable in text where font edges and curves are much smoother than previous iPhones
FaceTime video calls are available on the iPhone 4 via a second camera that faces the user. This allows face to face calls over Skype or iPhone to iPhone users

The iPhone 3GS had none of these features plus its camera wasn't as good as the iPhone 4.

The iPhone 4S is better again in keeping with Apples consistency in making marked improvements with every new model, particularly with the introduction of Siri and its faster processor, but the introduction of the 4S has made the iPhone 4 cheaper and this might just be enough to give an advantage to the iPhone 4.

History of iPhone 4

The history of the iPhone 4 started with the first iPhone that was unveiled by the then Apple CEO, the late Steve Jobs, in January 2007. This announcement started a new world of smartphones that took the world by storm, particularly after the release of the phone to the general public in late June the same year. The first iPhone was a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) phone. GSM being a standard developed and set by the European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI) for second generation 2G mobile networks, a replacement for the previous 1G analogue networks. It set the precedent for all other iPhones in matters such as button placements and screen size. The iPhone 3G was an upgrade to work on 3G networks at a much faster speed and the 3GS came out faster again as well as bringing with it video recording at 480p and a higher resolution camera. The iPhone 4 major improvement, when it was released on June 24, 2010, was the introduction of a rear and front facing camera giving it the ability to deliver FaceTime video when calling on Skype and other such applications for face to face conversations.

Concept

The idea of a smartphone incorporating a touch screen began with Steve Jobs in 2005, two years before it was finally made ready for public use. Jobs had Apple engineers work on the concept of a mobile phone that could be controlled simply by touching its screen. His intense pushing of this idea for a mobile phone, in some ways retarded the development of the iPad, simply because of the amount of time put into its development. The touch screen concept in turn saw the development of access to the internet by a hand held mobile phone and a platform for the use of various applications resulting in a smartphone that caught the public's imagination like nothing else before it.

Advertising and Promotion

Apple has become one of the most successful computer companies in the world, partly through it producing a quality product that is easy to use but mainly through its marketing. Apple has put into practice what many sales people have long theorised about. Never sell the product, always sell what it can do. Most people buy because of a need, create that need in their mind and they will buy. The product is only a means of getting what you need. The iPhone is no different to other Apple products in that Apple first built up an awareness in the community of what life would be like if you had a mobile phone that could connect with the internet, send and receive emails, check in with your office computer and download thousands of songs. A mobile phone that could give you freedom while at the same time keep you in contact with friends through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

iPhone was fortunate to have the TGWA/Chiat/Day advertising agency marketing its products. As from 1997, when jobs returned to Apple, this company it proved its capabilities with the 'Mac versus PC and Think Different' advertising campaigns. Campaigns that turned the company around financially and despite much of this marketing success being attributed to Steve Jobs, the reality is that Jobs wrongly took credit for the company's advertising success when in fact it's claimed he actually ridiculed the advertising agencies initial approach. When he realised they were on to something he came on board and took ownership of it.

The iPhone ads began well before the iPhone was actually launched in 2007 with the 'Hello' ad and continued with a similar message for many years after. The ads were always clear , easy to understand and precise, 'an iPhone will allow you to check the weather, buy tickets to the movies, check in to your office computer when out and about, check your emails before you get to work and more latterly quality FaceTime with your grandparents.' People got to recognise the same music running in the background and instantly knew it was an iPhone ad. The Apple brand was a worldwide household name and everybody felt comfortable with it.

Release Dates by Regions:

The original iPhone was introduced to the world on January 9, 2007, by CEO Steve Jobs, at a Macworld Exhibition in the United States. It was released to the US public on June 29 the same yea. In November 2007 it was released in Germany, France and Great Britain and in 2008 it went to Austria and Ireland.
The upgraded iPhone 3G was launched on July 11, 2008 in twenty two countries throughout the globe as well as the original six countries, it was eventually sold in more than 80 countries. The iPhone 3GS was released in June, 2009, starting with the U.S. and Canada. It sold in the major European countries from June 19 that same year.
The iPhone 4 was initially released on June 24, 2010 in the U.S., Germany, France, Japan and Great Britain. It was being sold in 18 other countries by July the same year that included, Australia, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, Norway, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy, Ireland, Hong Kong, Finland, Denmark, Canada, Belgium and Austria. It went to an additional 24 countries by August and a further 44 by September.

iPhone Hardware

All iPhones, going back five years to its inception in 2007, have a nine centimetre scratch resistant glass touch screen consisting of a liquid crystal display first developed by FingerWorks. In fact it's this very touch screen that motivated Steve Jobs to persist with the iPhones introduction in the first place. The original screen that's designed for use with a bare finger, or multiple fingers, had a resolution of 320 x 480 HVGA (Half sized Video Graphics Array) at 163 ppi. The latest iPhones, the 4 and 4S, have a resolution of 640 x960 at 326 ppi. A considerable improvement. The screens on the iPhone 3GS and all subsequent upgrades have been given an oleo phobic fingerprint resistant coating.

The hardware interface itself only features four or five buttons, depending on which generation of iPhone you're using:

The menu or 'Home' button is at the bottom of the display. This button closes any app you have open and brings you back to the home screen. It's recognisable as a rounded square, the same shape as the various icons on the home screen
There's a sleep/wake button at the top of the phone that's multi-functional as it also controls calls and acts as a power on/off button. When a call comes through all you need do is press this button once and the ringtone stops, press it twice and the call switches to voice mail
The volume control button is on the left spine. It consists of two circular buttons as far as the iPhone 4 is concerned, the top button for increased sound and the lower one for diminished sound. Earlier iPhones had a rocker switch under a plastic strip which worked on the same principal
Immediately above the volume buttons in the ring/silent control button. This button mutes the telephone ringing sound, the email alerts, camera shutter sound, keyboard clicks, voice memo sounds, text message sounds, spoken auto-corrections and other push notifications. It doesn't affect the alarm clock app

The iPhone 3GS added a compass, video recording at 480p,a higher resolution camera and a faster processor when it was launched and the iPhone 4 added a front facing camera along with its rear facing camera for FaceTime video calls and connections to Skype type apps.

Network

Mobile phone development basically followed the development in network speed around the world, for instance 2G is used to describe a GSM standard on most mobile phones meaning the second generation of development of that particular technology. A quad band GSM standard mobile phone supported 850, 900, 1800 and 1900MHz. It soon became outdated however but was kept available as a fall back when the next generation of 3G wasn't available. In Australia the only 2G networks made available were 900MHz and 1800MHz.

The 3G networks operating in Australia are usually referred to as WCDMA, or UMTS/HSDPA frequencies, these are on either a 850MHz or 2100MHz. In rural areas the 900MHz 2G band is used to provide 3G. Telstra is the only provider so far providing an LTE network at 1800MHz to provide 4G speeds, ironically this is the same network frequency that originally provided 2G connection.

When the iPhone 4 was launched there was much expectation that it would be a 4G phone but Apple chose to stick with 3G to the disappointment of many of its adherents. This was probably a commercial decision owing to its contract obligations with AT&T until the end of 2011, but whatever the reason it has probably been a good decision as many providers had not even completed rolling out their 3G networks when 4G became available. Because of this many 4G capable smartphones have been having low battery life because of the phone continually searching for a 4G signal that isn't available.

iPhones can also connect to the internet wirelessly through using Wi-Fi signals. Wi-Fi is generally faster than other connections and the phone will be searching for a Wi-Fi signal to connect with whenever you are out and about. Some Wi-Fi connections are available at no cost where others charge a small fee for so many minutes used. If you are out of range of your mobile phone providers coverage area and no Wi-Fi is available you can not connect with the internet.

Screen

The iPhone screen has retained its same size since day one, a traditional feature of Apple that people have now become used to, that of keeping the phones appearance as familiar as possible while undertaking most of the upgrades inside. The iPhone 4, while keeping with a similar outward appearance, has made a dramatic change to its screens performance by introducing what it calls a 'Retina Display.' This feature has added clarity to the screen by smoothing out the fonts giving it a vividness it never previously had.

Speakers and Sound

iPhones have always given good sound and speaker performances except the speaker-phone could have had a bit more grunt in it to better suit those with less than perfect hearing. Despite this, it's rather obvious that Apple has been at work behind the scenes in improving sound quality particularly speaker-phone quality on the iPhone 4. There's no doubt the sound is louder and the clarity improved from previous iPhones. It had previously been argued that Motorola produced the best sound going around with its Droid phone but the iPhone 4 would be at least as good if not better. This is best appreciated when you walk along a busy city footpath with all its associated noises and get to realise the noise cancelling microphone is doing what it's intended to do. Even when a police car or ambulance goes by wailing its siren you can remain in conversation. You can easily hear what the person on the other end is telling you and he or she can clearly hear you. It's clearly a step above the 3GS and gives as good as its nearest competitor the EVO. The speaker-phone can be loud without any distortions, a problem many other smartphones can't handle.

Battery and Charger

With all the extra features your iPhone 4 has to handle these days it’s no wonder its battery life is continually challenged. The original iPhone back in 2007 had nothing like the load the iPhone 4 now carries. Despite that it does a remarkable job when you think about what it has to do. A recent test over 68 hours gave the following result:

Two hours of playback music
Browsing photo's for 40 minutes
Game playing for 40 minutes
Browsing web sites for 40 minutes
Making voice calls for 40 minutes
Video playback for 90 minutes
Thirty minutes of general use

At the end of this marathon it was getting a bit tired but there's not many other smartphones around that could do better. The biggest advantage you have with an iPhone, besides the obvious functions it's able to carry out for you, is the time you have between recharging. It's little use having the most capable smartphone in town if it's continuously plugged into a charger. It's a serious problem all manufacturers are aware of but if you can achieve the same results as the above test did over a three day period should be quite happy. If your battery is starting to age a little, especially if it's over a year old, there are some things you can do to help keep it off the charger a little longer, these are:

Find out what apps draw the most power and ditch them. These apps usually have software bugs and programming errors that use up more power than they should. An app called Carat can help you find out the apps that need ditching.
iPhones batteries can be effected by extreme heat. Therefore you should always keep it in a cool place and not expose it to heated conditions. Even taking it out of its protective case when charging in the summer can help extend battery life. A cold iPhone will return to its usual self once brought back to room temperature but an overheated iPhone will be permanently damaged.
Don't overcharge as this can cause overheating. It's always best to plug your iPhone into a charger when the battery is starting to get low rather than letting it run out altogether.

Camera

It appeared that the first iPhone camera was a bit of an afterthought, only placed there because other smartphones were doing it. It's a different story with the iPhone 4. This phone has two cameras, one at the back of the phone and one at the front for FaceTime, talking face to face with another iPhone 4 user, or when on Skype, or other like software. Besides that, its camera is so good you can confidently throw away your dedicated camera and use you iPhone 4 for all your photographic needs. The iPhone 3GS was the turn around point when Apple decided to get serious and put in a good camera and from then on its only got better.

The iPhone 4 has a 5 megapixel camera that's capable of shooting a 720p video. It's sheer pleasure being able to take good photographs and going about your editing with one of the many photography apps that are available from the Apps Store. Although the iPhone 3GS was the beginning of big things as far as Apple's approach to its camera capabilities were concerned, it was only 3 megapixel and no flash was included and Dingy bar photographs were out of the question. This is not true with the iPhone 4 as even these types of shots can now be taken with the same quality as if you had your own studio lights with you at the time.

Storage

When the iPhone was first released in 2007 it only had storage capacity of 4 GB or 8 GB. Three months later it discontinued producing 4 GB models and by the following February it added a 16 GB model. When the iPhone 3G came on the market it gave buyers the choice of either 8 GB or 16 GB storage space. The 3GS offered phones with either 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB capacity. The iPhone 4 was originally only available at 16 GB and 32 GB but 8 GB was added later when the 4S came on the market to allow for an iPhone offer at a reduced price. All iPhone data is stored on its internal flash drive as iPhones don't support a memory card slot, or any storage on its SIM card.

Bluetooth and Connectivity

An iPhone is a multi-media and internet capable smartphone that features a mixture of connectivity options. These include mobile data, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Bluetooth is included to assist in wirelessly linking the iPhone with peripherals such as keyboards and headsets as well as multi player gaming. Many new cars have features that can synchronise your iPhone so that it can play music via the car radio speakers. However, before any of this connectivity can occur the two devices have to be authorised, or paired, after this is done the connection is able to be turned off and on whenever you wish. To do this you'll have to carry out the following four tasks:

Tap 'Setting' on your iPhone home screen, then tap 'General,' then 'Bluetooth'
Toggle the on-off switch you'll find next to 'Bluetooth' to the 'on' position to allow the iPhone to be discovered. You'll then have to turn on your Bluetooth device, it'll show up in a list of available devices
Finally you'll have to tap the name of the Bluetooth device you want to pair up with and the connection should be made. If you're asked to provide a passkey that's been provided with the Bluetooth device do so.
You can now turn the Bluetooth on-off switch to the 'off' position.

GPS

GPS is a Global Positioning System made up of a network of 24 satellites that have been put into orbit around the world by the U.S. Department of Defence. It was initially designed for military use but was made available for public use during the 1980's. These satellites circle the globe twice a day in a precise orbit. While orbiting they transmit a signal back to Earth that gives information that by triangulation can pin point an iPhones exact location. Basically it measures the time taken by the various satellites to reach an object and have it returned. The differences in the time tells the GPS receiver, in your case your iPhone, where it is anywhere in the world in reference to the satellites.

Since the iPhone 3G was introduced Apple has been using what is termed an A-GPS, or assisted GPS. This simply means that where satellite positioning isn't available, such as when you're inside a solid building and have no clear view of the sky, the server gives the system additional information, such as mobile phone towers and Wi-Fi hot spots, to assist in giving a precise location. The iPhone 4 goes a step further and includes an integrated digital compass to discover which direction you're facing. A very important innovation if you're using mapping software. This information can then be transformed into a voice guided service by your provider which results in you receiving a genuine navigational service.

SIM

A SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card is a removable memory chip that's used in mobile phones to allow them to operate on the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) network. They contain your personal information including your phone number, text messages, address book and other necessary data. When you change phones you are usually able to remove the card from your old mobile phone and insert it into the new one. In this way you can carry on without having to activate a new account.

When you buy a new SIM card from a provider and have it placed in your mobile phone it'll have to be activated before it's able to work. This means the provider will have to allocate a unique number to the SIM cards microchip. This can often be done online or over another phone. Most Apple retailers prefer to activate SIM cards at the place of purchase before you leave the shop. SIM cards tie you in with a particular provider, or carrier, which means you're only able to use the iPhone on that specific carrier’s network.

The iPhone 4 doesn't have slot for a SIM card as do Android smartphones although it's not a hard task inserting one. First up you'll need a special tool but if you haven't got one you can make do with a paper clip. All you need do is carry out the following steps:

Insert the end of the tool or paper clip into the hole on the SIM tray and press it hard enough for the tray to pop out. Pull the SIM tray out and place your SIM card in it. It can only be placed the right way because of the little angle on one corner of the SIM card that has to match up with the shape of the tray. Align the tray with space for it in the iPhone and carefully press it into place the same way it came out. Once the SIM card's inserted properly the iPhone and the carriers network will recognise it and you'll be able to go online or make a call.

Comparison of iPhone Models

Each new iPhone that's been produced by Apple has been an improvement on its predecessor. The original iPhone in 2007, although a world leader in its own right at that time, is now looked on as being pretty historic, and it's no longer produced. The best comparison you can therefore pit the iPhone 4 up against is its immediate predecessor the iPhone 3GS and it's best to do this by looking at it item by item:

First up you look at their outward appearances and the most notable here comes down to available colours. The iPhone 3GS was originally made available in both black and white but the white was discontinued in 2010. The iPhone 4 has returned white to the fold alongside the black model.
The iPhone 4 at 9.3mm is thinner than the 3GS at 12.3mm although it's a wider by 3.5mm. The iPhone 3GS is lighter than the 4 at 135g compared to 137g.
Both the iPhone 3GS and the 4 have an A-GPS and compass to determine precise locations. The iPhone 4 has gone one better here by including a six axis gyro that gives it greater accuracy of movement when you're playing certain games or dealing with some apps.
Battery performance is always important. Standby time for both the iPhone 4 and 3GS is stated to be 300 hours. The iPhone 3G gave up to seven hours talk time whereas the 3GS and the 4 lowered this to five hours. Probably owing to the extra features they were given.
For the tech heads who want to know the details concerning Wi-Fi capabilities the iPhone 4 has 802.11n whereas the 3GS has an older 802.11b and g. You won't notice any effective difference here though unless you connect it to an 802.11n router. Data downloading speeds are much faster with the iPhone 4 but this of course has many variables before any precise speed can be determined one way or another.
The biggest differences between the two iPhones is the display screen. Although they are of the same size the 3GS with its 480 x 320 display looks completely out of date when you line it up with the 960 x 640 high resolution retina display of the iPhone 4, especially when taking into account its 326ppi. The iPhone 3GS only had 163ppi. The video quality is also improved with the iPhone 4 boasting a 720p HD leaving the 3GS behind with its VGA quality video.
Apple is now taking its camera performance much more seriously than it did on its earlier models. The iPhone 4 camera with its five megapixels is much improved on the 3GS with its three megapixels and on top of that the 4 has also been given a LED flash and added a front facing camera that allows for FaceTime, or face to face talks in software programs such as Skype.
In the area of storage both iPhones originally provided 16GB or 32GB storage capacity. The iPhone 3GS can now only be purchased new with 8GB storage. This is in keeping with Apples policy of making the older generation phone cheaper in price when a new model is launched. The memory of the iPhone 4 at 1GB is double that of the iPhone 3GS at 256MB.

iPhone Operating Software

Apple iPhones run on Apple's own iOS operating system which can be updated through iTunes as can any new or improved features and security patches. Updates can be obtained automatically and wirelessly through iCloud. The iOS name was adopted following the release of the iPhone software development kit (SDK) in 2008. Prior to then it was referred to as a version of OS X. It was initially referred to as iPhone OS but became known officially as iOS in June 2010. The version of iOS running the iPhone 4 (GSM and CDMA) is 5.0.1.

User Interface

Although many technicians had toyed with the idea of producing an interactive user interface, it was Steve Jobs at Apple who pushed his technicians hard to come up with one easily operated and understood by the average person such as that which the first iPhone provided. User interface through direct manipulation by touching and pinching the screen to get a reaction from inside the device allowed users to control what they wanted to do simply by touching with no need for a cursor. The iPhone changed the way of communicating forever. Physical buttons and switches have been kept to a minimum and the user interface allows users to open apps for an unlimited variety reasons, from finding out the weather forecast to how to design an aeroplane, access the internet with all its wonders to opening emails before you get to work each day.

Email and Text Messaging

Text messaging on an iPhone is simply the exchanging of a short written message with another similar device or computer. It's typed out on the iPhone screen that contains a virtual keyboard and when finished sent wirelessly to the appropriate person. This practice is known as using the SMS (Short Message Service). It can have attachments sent with the message such as documents, images or videos. Text messages or SMS are used to order products, participate in online contests and even interact with automated systems. It's a common way for advertisers to reach a targeted market and for businesses to notify customers of overdue debts. In fact SMS has virtually wiped out writing and posting letters. It's use has been greatly enhanced with the advent of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Email, or electronic mail, has developed alongside that of the internet and is today the most widely used application on the internet. When the iPhone was developed and mobile internet connection was made available the inclusion of email capability was a natural development. This made the need to start up your laptop computer on the way to work to open your emails unnecessary as this could now be handled in the palm of one hand on your iPhone.

Internet Capabilities

The iPhone 4 can be connected to the internet in two ways, one is by Wi-Fi and the other through a carrier or internet service provider (ISP):

Wi-Fi is often faster than that provided by a carrier but this depends on the speed made available through the router providing the wireless signal for the Wi-Fi connection. Many Wi-Fi connections are password protected and some free where others charge a fee for a certain period of time usage. You know when you are in an area where a Wi-Fi signal is available by the universally recognised icon that will become visible at the top of your iPhone screen. Your iPhone will automatically search for a Wi-Fi connection, if it can't find one it will look for your carrier's signal.
Your iPhone is also capable of picking up your carriers signal when you're in the carriers coverage range. This will show up in your status bar as E, 4G, or 3G depending on your providers network capability. If you intend travelling overseas you can pay your provider to activate its roaming capability that'll allow your phone to access a network in another country. You can adjust which network you want to use, Wi-Fi or your carriers, from within your iPhones own settings.

Ringtones on iPhone 4

A certain ringtone on your iPhone 4 is a way you can stamp your own personality on it. You can of course choose a ringtone that you have to pay for but if you're already paying a large sum for a contract you mightn't feel inclined to fork out any more. If this is the situation you can still choose from a wide range of free ringtones, you can do this in the following way:

Open your iTunes and select an MP3 audio file.
On your computer click on the same file in your library to bring up the context menu.
Click on 'Get Info.' This will open a new dialogue box, then select 'Options.'
Check the boxes next to 'Stop' and 'Start Time.' While here enter how long you want the new ringtone to go for, 40 second is usually the longest allowed. Once this is completed it should return you to your music library.
Click on the same file again and select 'Convert Selection to AAC.' iTunes will briefly process what you're doing, when it's finished insert the new ringtone file under the original in your library.
Click on the new file and select 'Show in Windows Explorer,' if you're using a Mac select Finder. This'll cause a new dialogue box to open showing the location of the file.
Select the file name and give it another changing the file extension from m4a to m4r. You'll probably get a warning at this stage that the file's unstable. Ignore this warning.
Back in iTunes delete the ringtone you've created from your library and import the renamed file m4r.
Connect your iPhone and sync your playlist. You might find you'll have to drag the new m4r file into the Ringtone section of your iPhone. It should now be ready to use at no cost.

iPhone 4 Apps and Games

10 Applications for iPhone 4

As chosen by NBC News Entertainment:

NBC Olympics Live Extra made available by NBC Universal Inc.
NBC Olympics from NBC Universal Inc.
Catapult King by Chillingo Ltd
InstaCollage Pro from Pic Frame and Pic Caption for Instagram Free
Where's My Perry? Free by Disney
London 2012: Official Results for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games from the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Organising Committees
Flick Kick Football by PikPok
Instagram from Burbn Inc.
SongPop Free from FreshPlanet Inc.
Flow Free by Big duck Games LLC

Top 10 Games for iPhone 4

The latest available top 10 games according to Megacritic (Source: http://www.metacritic.com/feature/best-ios-games-may-2012 ) include following:

The King of Fighters i2012 from SNK Playmore. Probably the best fighting game released on iOS so far.
LostWinds2: Winter of the Melodias from Frontier Developments
Air Mail an adventure simulation from Chillingo
Bee Leader from Flightless a younger age game collecting nectar
The Sandbox a simulation for the young ones from Bulkypix
Score! Classic Goals, a football game from First Touch
N.O.V.A. 3- Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance, Science fiction first person shooter from Gameloft
Shoot the Zombirds an action game by Infinite Dreams
Slingshot Racing a racing game by Crescent Moon Games
Spellsword a retro slash and hack action game from Everplay.

iPhone 4 App Development

Apple provides a SDK ( Software Development Kit) to help developers produce and distribute top line apps on the iOS iPhone platform. These third party apps have to be written in Asynchronous Java script (Ajax). The SDK is a free download software that carries Apple registration. The apps developed with this tool will be able to be used on both the iPhone and iPad. Before you actually get to run your app creation you can test it on an iPhone simulator. Although there's no fee as such to load your app onto the real thing you will have to pay to become a member of Apple Developer Connection. You can then run your app for free or charge a cost that you will set. This will depend on yourself. If you do charge a fee Apple will keep 30 percent of its earnings. If you don't charge no cost will be involved other than the membership fee. If Apple feel the app in inappropriate it reserves the right to stop its distribution.

Activation of iPhone 4

The iPhone 4 allows for self activation, if you choose to do this you will have to follow the following steps:

Turn your iPhone 4 on. When you do you should see a connect USB to iTunes icon
Connect your iPhone to your computer and start iTunes
iTunes will bring up a iPhone activation screen. Give all the required information and click continue
Accept the terms and conditions
Accept your carrier and wait for the process to complete. This is the critical part of the process because if the server is busy you won't be able to complete the activation.

Following activation your iPhone will restart and disconnect as instructed.

Jailbreaking Device

What is Jailbreaking?

Jailbreaking has been around ever since the first iPhone was released as a way a user could free him or herself from third party restraints imposed by Apple, particularly in relation to third party apps. Certain hackers have put together a set of tools that will allow you to install third party apps on your iPhone that you won't be able to find in the App Store. The legality of doing this has always been arguable but if you've purchased your iPhone outright it will belong to you as much as your radio receiver does and what you do with it is legally your business and not Apple's. This does make jailbreak tools free however, so as to not to break any copyright rules. Many jailbreakers do so to free themselves from being stuck with the one carrier, maybe they're looking for a better mobile coverage or a better plan from a competing provider but if you do choose to jailbreak your particular iPhone, don't expect any Apple technical support from then on in.

Unlocking iPhone 4

iPhone 4 users who are contemplating unlocking their phone to allow usage with another carrier should only do so with caution. In fact the need to run unnecessary risks has lessened somewhat in recent times as once your iPhone is completely paid for your carrier will usually unlock it for you for no charge. If you haven't paid for the phone it will most likely pay you to remain with the carrier until your plan is completed as pulling out of your agreement will also cost you quite a lot of money. Especially if it still has a long way to go. If circumstances are such that you need to have your phone unlocked you'll find advice on how to do so on the internet. Unlocking software is available but once again check the cost out first before proceeding. You might find it cheaper to buy an already unlocked iPhone from your Apple distributor and sell your old phone.

Timeline of Series

On June 29, 2007 the first iPhone was released to the general public.
June 9, 2008, the iPhone 3G was launched to cater to the faster 3G technology network becoming available. Apple allowed third party apps for the first time and the Apple App Store opened for business.
June 8, 2009, iPhone 3GS appears with a faster Arm A8 processor. The RAM was increased up to 256MB and a digital compass installed. The camera was improved and 32GB downloading capacity became available.
June 7, 2010, the iPhone 4 arrived with a faster A4 processor, improved Retina display, a wrap around antenna, front facing camera, longer battery life and a gyroscope.
June 6, 2011, the iPhone 4S was launched with expanded RAM and some amazing features such as the Siri software and an improved camera.

Buy iPhone 4

Buy iPhone 4 Outright

The iPhone 4 can be purchased in Australia both outright and unlocked for $699 but unfortunately it's only available in the 8GB version but you still have a colour choice of either black or white. No larger storage iPhone 4s are available anymore, probably due to Apple getting ready to launch the iPhone 5 soon. The advantage of buying your iPhone 4 outright is that you can take it to any carrier and simply purchase a SIM card without the need to enter into an expensive plan. You can follow whichever provider is giving the best deal and you cam remain independent.

iPhone 4 Security

Security Tips for iPhone 4

Follow these steps to keep your phone and data safe:

Enable auto-lock
Enable passcode lock
Be careful how you use you Wi-Fi connections. To make sure you don't innocently connect to a Wi-Fi network as you're moving around, enable your iPhones, 'Ask to Join Networks' function.
Access corporate web mail cautiously through either Microsoft Exchange Server or Lotus iNotes ultralite. For non-corporate users you can't go far past Gmail.
Do all your web browsing through Safari, block pop-ups and regularly clear your cookies.
Set your iPhone usage restrictions and block all explicit images and music tracks.

iPhone 4 Tracking

You can use your iPhone 4 as a GPS tracking device and it, in turn, can be tracked by anybody wanting to find where you are. You're also able to watch on your computer as the location of your iPhone is being pinpointed to within a couple of feet. This is a useful tool for keeping track of where your children are. This is achieved through the 'Find My iPhone' service that comes with iCloud. To activate iPhone tracking all you need do is to carry out the following instructions:

On the iPhone to be tracked track you go to 'Settings' first then 'iCloud'
Enter the necessary iCloud information
Scroll down iCloud options and make certain that 'Find My iPhone' is turned on,

You can now go online on any computer look up www.iCloud.com and sign in. You'll need your email address/iTunes account and password. Once in select Find My iPhone and after you re-enter your password your iPhone will show up on the left of the screen. Click on it and a map will appear giving its location. If it's moving click the refresh button to update its location.

Top 10 Security Apps for iPhone 4

Following are the top 10 apps which will give you improved security above that of your iPhone's own default software. As the risks are always there, it's appropriate your iPhone 4 is as secure as possible:

Intego VirusBarrier. Your iPhones malicious content best scanning software.
Lookout Mobile Security warns you when unsecured networks are online.
McAfee WaveSecure iOS a personal data back up software. It will remotely lock lost or stolen iPhones.
GadgeTrak can photograph the person using your iPhone and email it to an address showing you who's using it. The location is also recorded. It can be turned on remotely any time you want to activate it.
Firewall iP. Firewall protection by blocking outgoing connections on a jailbroken iPhone 4.
Ilocalis. Your iPhone must be jailbroken to use this app but it can give you the location of a stolen or lost phone. You can also remotely communicate with it by letting you make calls or delete data even record audio and even lock it from afar. It's available on the Cydia app store.
Webroot SecureWeb is an iPhone 4 web browser that blocks malware sites.
Splash ID allows you to set up a master password to protect all your passwords, site information, user names and any other sensitive data such as account data.
Accellion allows you to connect to Cloud storage service at Accellion Secure Workspaces.
Junos Pulse ensures a secure connection for corporate applications.

Accessories for iPhone 4

Top 10 iPhone 4 Cases and Covers

Case Mate Barely There. A thin Apple design, useful for protecting your iPhone 4 glass back with a rubber coating.
Case Mate Tank gives solid protection, including a screen protector.
Case Mate dress you iPhone 4 up with a penguin, panda, clown fish, or owl.
CalypsoCase both Sparkling and Dazzling, Hand crafted with first grade Italian leather or if you prefer, laser cut Titanium.
Pico Genie A100 a protector case that doubles as a projector and also increases sound with its two watt speakers.
Opena Case, comes with an inbuilt bottle opener so you're always ready for that coldie on a hot day.
Schreer Delight, a retro case that gives the appearance of yesterday.
Proporta Microbial Case that includes an anti-microbial agent that protects your from germs.
Incipio OffGRID Pro allows you to carry a spare battery.
The Le Deux, comes in two pieces combining a polycarbonate bumper with a brushed stainless steel backplate.

Connectivity With Accessories

Freeloader PICO a solar charger that delivers power to your iPhone when no power point is available
Throat Mic allows you to whisper and still be heard on the other end as it picks up your voice through your neck
GoRide. Use your iPhone 4 while out riding. Convenient and offers no risk.
TK-421 a protector case with a flip out keyboard
Sound Clip improves volume and clarity for movies and music
AirCurve. No batteries but an alarm clock without draining the batteries on your iPhone 4
IsoniTalk just one press to answer an incoming call. It will automatically pause your music, press it again and your music resumes
Kensington PowerLift is a stand, dock and back up battery all in one.
Vestalife Ladybug.Two speakers on either side of your iPhone 4 and a big sound from an inbuilt sub woofer
SE115m+ superior quality sound what else do you want.

Repairing iPhone 4

iPhone 4 Warranty

Your iPhone 4 comes with a 12 month warranty that covers you for accidental hardware damage. You also get three months complimentary technical support. When you register with AppleCare your protection coverage will be extended to 24 months. You are only allowed two claims and each claim will cost you a $49 service fee. Apple Support will be able to solve most of your issues over a phone call. If the problem can't be solved in this manner Apple will forward you a prepaid box and tell you how to ship it back to them. After the repair has been completed Apple will send your repaired iPhone 4 back to you. There is no charge for these shipping costs.

Tips to Avoid Damaging your iPhone 4

Double check your clothing before doing your laundry
Invest in a good quality protective case
Treat your iPhone 4 as you would a delicate package
After exposure to wet weather blow dry it before using
Buy a screen protector

Refurbished iPhone 4

If you're contemplating buying a refurbished iPhone 4 make certain that the battery still has plenty of life left in it. Most batteries don't last much longer than two years. If the iPhone 4 you're looking at is over a year old insist that the battery be replaced with a new one before you make the purchase, otherwise you could be better off buying a new iPhone 4 while they're still available, even though the storage is only 8GB to account for the lower price now being charged.