iPhone FAQ : Feature
- Where are the buttons and keyboard?
- iPhone uses a touch-screen instead of a dedicated number keypad or keyboard. It has several buttons on the sides and top, including ringer silence/volume and iPhone wake/sleep buttons.
- Does it have a speakerphone?
- Yes. It is very quiet, but clear.
- Does it have a handsfree set or earphones?
- Yes, iPhone includes a combination, stereo earphones with a microphone in one cord. Music fades out when you take or make a call, then comes back when the call is completed. Bluetooth wireless handsfree sets also should work with iPhone, but stereo bluetooth devices such as music-quality headphones do not work.
- Does it support handsfree/voice dial?
- No. (This glaring omission is a standard function for any phone supporting a handsfree set.)
- Does the Dock connector work with my iPod accessories?
- Maybe. Apple says that most accessories should work, but we found many accessories such as voice recorders and FM Transmitters that did not work. It should work with most iPod speaker systems (such as Apple's own iPod Hi-Fi) but may recommend going into Airplane Mode to prevent sending radio interference to the speaker. (iPhone transmitted occasional static buzzes to our iPod HiFi.)
Apple states: iPhone has the same 30-pin dock connector as the iPod, so many properly designed accessories can be used with both iPhone and iPod. However, iPhone may cause audio interference with some iPod accessories. Products that are engineered and certified to be compatible with the iPhone will carry the Works with iPhone logo on their packaging.
In short, devices must be immune to radio interference and certified by Apple. Look for Apple's new "Works with iPhone" logo. - What's "Visual Voicemail"?
- This is Apple's name for iPhone's voicemail interface. iPhone can access voicemail from a list, rather than listening through them sequentially as in traditional mobile phones. Voicemail listings include caller ID (if available) and appears to link to caller information in iPhone's Address Book.
- Does Visual Voicemail work when roaming non-AT&T networks?
- Visual Voicemail appears to depend on EDGE. If EDGE-compatible data service is available, then it should work, but data roaming fees may apply. Until this is clear, we will use fallback voicemail (next item) when traveling outside the US.
- What is the "fallback" function when/if Virtual Voice Mail is not available?
- Call your own phone number to access traditional voicemail.
- Can I use iChat?
- No, iPhone does not support iChat, AOL Instant Messenger, or any other messaging service. However, David Cann has created an experimental iChat web interface.
- So what's that iChat icon on the home screen then?
- SMS Texting. iPhone presents text messages like an iChat-style conversation.
- How about MMS messaging?
- iPhone does not appear to support MMS-style messaging, only SMS text and email.
