Yahoo! Singapore Answers blog

As with anything new and trendy in Singapore, one must be prepared to queue. Singtel will be launching the long-awaited iPhone in Singapore starting tomorrow! Yes, the iPhone has finally arrived at the Little Red Dot while other choice countries (*ahem* Hong Kong *ahem*) have already seen, touched and *gasp* used the finger-happy communication device.

(Photo thanks to Jakrapong)

Many folks in the office have been asking around wondering if it’s really worth parting with a huge sum of money per month to Singtel just to have the opportunity to own THE 3G iphone that seems to be taking the world by the storm. A colleague of mine is already using the older version of the iPhone and even though I must admit the photo-taking function on her phone is much better than mine, I still don’t see what the fuss is? Call me old fashion, but I prefer my phone to be simple – easy to send sms, can personalise my ringtone, can take simple photos – ok!

I feel that a mobile phone should never try to be more than just a phone. If I want a portable music device, I’d rather buy a professional portable music device. If I want a camera, I may as well buy one with 8+ mega pixels and a great optical zoom. If I really want to surf the net, I’d even rather get one of those mini laptops than increase my eyesight by squinting into the tiny screens. Think of it this way, we can definitely do all that on a mobile phone this day and time, but would you rather carry a slim and light phone or one that’s starting to look like a flat piece of ciabatta bread? I’d rather stick to my slim phone, thank you very much. What about you? Will you be there at Singtel’s shop bright and early tomorrow morning?

The hype about iPhone has been steadily building ever since it first appeared at Macworld 2007. But even though it had the requisite cool factor with the touch screen (and it’s an Apple product!), there were also problems such as the price, inability to use it locally with our SIM cards unless you unlocked it illegally, it wasn’t a 3G phone, and we can’t buy it in Singapore. Why? Why? Why?

(Photo by ntr23)

But a week or so ago, Steve Jobs announced the arrival of iPhone 3G, the second-generation iPhone. It is lighter, cheaper and has 3.5G technology which gives it faster internet access! Don’t be too happy too soon though. Singapore is not in the first list of countries to receive the new phone on 11th July (again, why?) If we’re lucky, we may only get it at the end of the year!

Actually, is the iPhone really worth all the hype that it’s generating? Or are we Singaporeans just too eager to get our hands on the newest technological toy to play with? I must admit that my eyes will gleam at seeing a new techie toy (yes, I’ll always be one of those squeezing through the crowds at the annual IT shows etc. ), and everytime I meet my cousin-in-law, he’ll always have a new phone to show us. So what do you think? Are we slaves to technology?