Tablets and mobile devices are incredibly popular in Australia today. It has been reported that 50% of Australians who use the internet regularly do so using mobile devices such as the iPhone and iPad. Which to buy depends on use - do you want it as a handy accessory or as a phone? If you intend to use your new purchase primarily for apps or for reading and already have a good phone, maybe go for the iPad.

The launch of the iPad 2 in March 2011 brought further functionality to the iPad with the introduction of a still and video camera and a secondary still camera on the front. The iPad 2 is thinner than the previous version (by 33%) and lighter and prices start from $499.

The iPad boasts a number applications or apps which are said to be improved versions of the apps previously seen on iPhones. One functional extra worth bearing in mind is the smart cover, which magnetically attaches to the front of the iPad as a screen protector and also functions as a back stand when viewing or typing on screen.

The main advantages that the iPad bring to users are its flat, lightweight appearance and large interface. The large touch screen interface allows for reading e-books, magazines and newspapers, leaving multiple publications at a users disposal at all times.

iPhone Apps are functional applications which can be accessed through the touch screen user interface on iPhones. Apps can be purchased through Apple’s App Store.

The Apple App Store has been in existence since 2008 and as of January 2011, there were a reported 10 billion App downloads worldwide. Apps vary in price and many, such as the YouTube and Google Maps apps come as standard with the iPhone. A number of other Apps are offered to iPhone users free of charge but the general cost of Apps ranges between $3 and $5.

The App Store can be accessed through iPhones and iPads. It comes as no surprise that the Facebook app is the most popular free app worldwide with Google Earth understood to be the second most popular free app.

In total in early 2011, there were over 350,000 known apps available according to Apple, with downloads exceeding 10 bn for the first time in January.

Since earlier this year, Apple has also made an App store available specifically for Mac computer users, aptly called the Mac App Store.

The main carriers of iPhone in Australia – Telstra, Vodafone, Optus, Three and Virgin Mobile – all offer a legitimate unlocking services for current and previous models (iPhone 3 and iPhone 4) but the phone can also be purchased unlocked directly from Apple, either through their numerous retail stores or through the Apple Online Store.

The iPhone is considered the must-have purchase of its generation so being able to unlock them for different networks is definitely a plus but it’s the other features such as Apps, internet access and an improved dual camera that make the iPhone 4 stand out.

The user interface is a default touch-screen home screen which shows most of Apple’s standard applications, including iTunes, App Store, Calendar, Photos, YouTube, Google Maps, Weather, Notes and Clock. Further applications, known as apps, can be bought through the App Store.

The iPhone 4 includes two cameras for rear-facing and forward-facing photos. The camera is 5 megapixels and there is also a backside illuminator and LED flash which enables low-light photography and video recording.

Internet access is available with the iPhone 4 when connected to a Wi-Fi network. Use of mobile devices such as the iPhone to access the internet is at an all-time high in Australia, with 50% of regular internet users in Australia accessing the internet through mobile devices.

Thousands of Australians have imported the iPhone from overseas only to discover that a 3G network enabled phone for close to half the price would soon hit the Australian shores. Vodafone was first to secure the deal before Optus and Telstra joined the bandwagon before tomorrow’s launch.

Russell Hewitt Vodafone’s chief executive said

“Vodafone Australia is enormously pleased to be included in the agreement to sell the iPhone to our customers later this year”

Vodafone will sell the iphone at a discount to their existing customers and lock it into their network. An unlocked version will be available at apple.com.au after tomorrows launch.

Telstra has joined the July 11th launch and have released information that their mobile plans will start at $30 per month with an upfront cost of $279 for the 8GB model and $399 for the 16GB version of the i Phone.

Telstra predicts that there will be delays for months stocking their customers with arguable the gadget of the year. The 3 network still shows no signs of participating in the launch on Firday the 11th of June.
Check out the where to buy page to find a Telstra, Vodaphone or Optus Store.

It seems that the Australian iphone website is missing a vital component compared to its American counterpart. Screencasts! The American site showcases 13 screencasts explaning the relevant applications. Don’t bother browsing the Australian site to get an insight into the phone instead head over to www.apple.com

Click to visit the Apple American iPhone site

Not as bad as Canada it seems. A website has been created named Ruined Iphone showing great distaste for Rogers/Fido (The major cell phone provider) for “poor data/voice plans” that will make the iPhone very expensive to use. Similar to the 3 Network an online petition has been created. If you feel strong enough you can put the following graphic website on your website, picture below:

The code is:

<a href=”http://www.ruinediphone.com” mce_href=”http://www.ruinediphone.com” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://www.ruinediphone.com/img/banner.gif” mce_src=”http://www.ruinediphone.com/img/banner.gif” width=”250″ height=”30″ alt=”RuinedIphone.com” /></a>

The iPhone has been spotted in the new Sex and the City movie as the main weapon of communication by Samantha Jones. The phone was featured in a number of scenes including background shots and featured in a scene where Carrie Bradshaw states that she “can not operate this” when presented with the iPhone interface.

Despite numerous rumors 3 has no plan to take on the iphone on the launch date of July 11th. Three has set up a web based petition located at: www.three.com.au/iphone the blog allows users to comment on the online petition titled: Sending Apple your iPhone message.

Over 1,000 people have backed this blog petition with response varying from “I love the iphone and three. Can’t we all just get along?” to “IPHONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE on THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE”.

If you are an existing customer you can text the word iPhone to 333 000 to receive a phone-based form. Three users are also able to sign up on the blog www.three.com.au/iphone to keep updated as news develops.

Well the wait for the Apple iPhone will soon be over as the new apple phone will be available in Australia from July 11, 2008.

The Apple iPhone has been receiving positive reviews since it was introduced to the USA and overseas markets last year.  Steve jobs from Apple on July 8 in San Francisco announced that the 8GB apple iphone will be available for just US$199.

Both Vodafone and Optus have confirmed that they will offer the apple iPhone to both pre-paid and customers on longer term contracts. There is no doubt the apple phone will create huge competition amongst Australian operators so we suggest consumers wait to see which operator offer the best data plans and bundles on the apple iPhones.

Australian get ready for the apple iphone