Apple iPhone 3.0 software review

Launch price £440 (16GB, PAYG)

Loading...

Stuff says

The combination of the iPhone's new 3.0 software and its burgeoning app store makes it an unrivalled smartphone

* * * * *

• WATCH

While the iPhone 3G S is certainly a tasty looking treat, it's nothing without its jam filling – Apple's 3.0 software, now available as free download now for current iPhone owners.

We've given our full verdict on the iPhone 3G S in our in-depth review, but now it's time to look at our Top 10 reasons why you need the iPhone 3.0 software:

1. Never lose your phone
Forgetful phonies rejoice – the Find my iPhone feature allows you to log into a web browser to see the location of your phone on a map. Still can’t find it? Just activate an alert sound and get hunting. And if it’s really gone, you can delete all your personal info remotely. Requires MobileMe sub (£59 pa). 

2. Cut, copy, paste – and undo
Yes, it’s unbelieveable that it’s taken Apple two years to give the iPhone one of the most basic features of modern computing – but it’s here, it works well, and you can even activate ‘undo’ by shaking the phone if you accidentally cut something you didn’t mean to. Works with text, links and images. 

3. Type properly
Another feature from the ‘basic requests’ file: the ability to type in landscape mode. Combined with ever-improving error correction software, this seriously speeds up emailing and note-taking. And your text notes can now be synchronised with your PC or Mac, too.  

4. Buy or rent movies 
The iTunes software now allows you to rent or buy movies direct from your phone. The pricing and quality is exactly the same as using iTunes on a computer, and you can even sync half-watched films to your PC or Apple TV. The 3G download limit remains at 10MB though, so movies are Wi-Fi only.

5. Stream music wirelessly
Bluetooth Stereo streaming has been enabled on iPhones 3G and iPhone 3G S (but not the original iPhone because it doesn’t have the right hardware). Simply pair the iPhone with a set of Bluetooth headphones or Bluetooth-enabled hi-fi, open the iPod software and hit ‘play’. 

6. Picture messaging
Picture messaging, or MMS, hasn’t been the success that the networks were hoping, but it might get a boost now that all models of the iPhone are finally compatible. Mind you, it’ll cost you four of your SMS credits, whereas it’s free to send a picture by email or upload it to the web. 

7. Share your 3G connection
You can now use iPhone as a 3G modem for your laptop, via USB or wirelessly over Bluetooth (though this will cane your iPhone’s battery) But you’ll have to pay O2’s full mobile broadband tariff – which starts at £15 a month. 3G S only

8. Turn-by-turn navigation
This is a biggie – you can now download proper in-car satellite navigation, with turn-by-turn voice directions. TomTom has already demonstrated its software, which looks like a match for dedicated sat-nav units. TomTom will be selling an in-car kit to go with its software later this summer too

9. Multiplayer gaming
We always knew the iPhone would be great for web and multimedia. But we never realised how successful it would prove to be as a gaming platform. With iPhone 3.0 software, multiplayer gaming via Bluetooth and over the web is possible, as are in-game purchases for new levels and power-ups. ?

10. You can find anything
With over a billion apps downloaded, it’s a relief that you can now search your iPhone rather than flicking through page after page of icons. As well as apps, it’ll search for contacts, music, Facebook messages and emails - even scouring your mail server if you can’t find what you want on your phone.