Ten Things You Didn't Know About the iPhone

 

It’s smaller, lighter, better-looking—and slow. What else would you like to know?

Even before it went on sale, Apple’s first foray into mobile phones was dissected, diagrammed, and deified. Tech-loving Apple fans have called it the “Jesus phone,” blogs have been launched specifically to cover it, and any bit of information about its looks, feel, and functionality has been breathlessly spread around the internet.

But Apple’s wonder gadget still has its share of secrets and surprises. Here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about the iPhone—and a few things Apple probably doesn’t want you to know.

It’s Lighter Than You Expect

Forget using the iPhone as a paperweight. Though a bit wide, the 5-by-3-inch internet-ready iPod camera phone weighs just under five ounces, about the same as the average cell phone. And the full screen up front and the lack of buttons make it look smaller than it otherwise would.

It’s Already Had a Face-lift

The prototype iPhone had a plastic screen similar most of its cell competitors. Earlier this month, Apple announced a last-minute shift to glass. This was probably the company’s way of avoiding the Nano fiasco of 2005, when customers sued Apple over that iPod model’s highly scratchable screen.

It Isn’t on the Fastest Network

The iPhone is limited to AT&T’s EDGE system, which is a second generation cell-phone network. The fastest system is 3G, or third generation. It isn’t clear why Apple chose the slower system, but probably the iPhone’s sophisticated equipment was easier to implement on the older network. Jobs has promised that future iPhones will use 3G.

Apple Has a Patent on Your Fingers

LG’s new Prada Phone, the iPhone’s closest rival, also uses advanced touchscreen technology, but it doesn’t have Apple’s patented two-finger touching. The iPhone is the only device that allows you to stretch, shrink, and move items with your index finger and thumb.

The iPhone Is Only for Humans

According to experts, the Apple touchscreen recognizes only human skin. Curious cats, slobbery dogs, or even people using a stylus won’t be detected by the iPhone. Finicky users afraid of getting the glass screen dirty are out of luck.

You Can’t Get All the Flash You Want

The iPhone surfs the Web and plays iTunes videos, but its limited Flash animation capability means that the video on most websites, including the New York Times and Billboard, isn’t watchable. But at least YouTube changed its format last month to ensure compatibility with the iPhone.

Google Maps Won’t Find You If You’re Lost

Google Maps works beautifully on the iPhone, but you still need to enter a starting address—the phone’s not equipped with G.P.S., which could pinpoint your location automatically. The next generation of iPhones is expected to correct this mistake.

You Can Make It Your Own

For months, journalists, analysts, and evildoers were trying to figure out what would fill the blank menu square shown in early iPhone screen shots. Turns out, it’s up to you. Apple allows you to customize the menu with downloadable options that can be used to track stocks, check weather, or, likely in the future, give airport flight data.

Your Contacts May Be Stuck

Apple claims that the iPhone can import your current digital Rolodex from a computer, but it hasn’t mentioned whether the contacts in your iPhone can be transferred back to your machine—or to the next phone you purchase. Apple also hasn’t said if the SIM card, the little chip that retains cell-phone data, will be removable.

New iPhones Are Coming in a Year

The next generation of iPhones will be here sooner than you think. In January, Jobs himself said that a 3G, high-speed-network version of the iPhone would be coming in the near future. Knowing Apple, this probably means nine months.