The Apple iPhone Blog

Curious about the Infogear iPhone?

Several other people believe it to be the newly launched mobile phone from Apple. But the fact is, the first company that released an iPhone was a company called Infogear, and their device then was a telephone that had an internet terminal so users could access the World Wide Web. That was in 1998.

Let’s talk more about the Infogear iPhone.

Features

The Infogear iPhone was considered one of the most advanced gadgets at the time, when it first launched. Infogear’s iPhone looks very much like a regular fax phone, except that it had a web terminal, a black-and-white touch screen that is 7.4 inches big, and a small keyboard.

It also had the regular features of a phone like a speakerphone, an interface for other telephone services, speed dialing, voice mail and caller ID.

The Infogear iPhone was clearly a technological marvel at the time, and was relatively inexpensive considering all the things it can do. However it was not well accepted by consumers for a variety of reasons.

As you may see on the photo on the right, size was a bit of a problem, it was even bigger than most laptops.

Another thing was the size of the keyboard, too small for the average adult’s fingers.

Lastly, many were not happy with additional monthly charge for using the iPhone, so if you already had your own Internet provider, it made things a little more expensive for you.

These guys were then bought in 200 by San Francisco based tech group, Cisco Systems, who then put out an iPhone a year later but discontinued production due to its lackluster performance. No telephone apparatus was sold using the iPhone moniker until the launch of Linksys iPhone, a new iPhone model, by Cisco’s subsidiary Linksys.

The new Linksys iPhone has very similar features to the old Infogear iPhone. However, the new one is sleeker and much faster. The new iPhone kit comes with a landline and a Voice Over Internet Protocol cordless phone, which support Skype. Cisco learned from the past and made sure that the new generation of iPhone will pass the high standards expected by finicky consumers.

The Linksys iPhone isn’t connected with Apple’s iPhone, which is a mobile phone with various features, including MP3 and Internet access. Although Cisco and Apple had a legal dispute over the iPhone name, the two companies entered into an agreement a few days before the release of Apple’s iPhone.

Photo Credits:
http://asapblogs.typepad.com
http://www.schwimmerlegal.com

With today’s rising prices, it is only natural to be more careful with every dollar spent. This is especially true for purchases that aren’t a priority, like accessories for your new iPhone. Now that you have an iPhone and must have already spent hundreds for it, it is wise to spend less on iPhone’s accessories.

eBay is an online auction site that is open for anyone who has access to the World Wide Web and one of the cheapest places to find and buy iPhone accessories. Here are some tips to remember when buying iPhone accessories on eBay.

Know The Market Price
Before you bid on eBay auctions, first check the market prices of the accessory that you are planning to buy. It would be pointless to buy at an auction if the price you are going to pay is higher than the cost of just purchasing the accessory at your local store.

Check Seller’s Background
Always check the background of the seller before making a deal. There are numerous unscrupulous individuals on the Internet who will not think twice of ripping you off. Look at the seller’s ratings and the feedback given by previous customers. If there are many negative feedbacks left about the seller, skip to the next.

Check For Authenticity
When buying an iPhone charger, USB adapter, cables, docks and other accessories that will affect the mobile phone’s performance, always check if they are indeed authentic or genuine Apple iPhone gadgets. Some sellers don’t specify if what they are selling is original, they could be reproductions.

Be sure to remember and follow the tips above for safe and hassle free shopping of iPhone accessories on eBay.

In a previous post, we gave you some guides on purchasing an iPhone, in this post we will give you important tips on how to buy a used iPhone.

Apple Inc’s newly launched iPhone is one of the hottest commodities on the mobile phone market today. Even months before the versatile mobile phone was launched, it had created so much buzz. However, only a few can afford a brand new iPhone because they are very expensive.

If you really want this new gadget but don’t have the money to buy a new one, you could settle for a used iPhone. There are quite a number of used iPhones available on auction sites on the Internet. But before you spend a cent for a used iPhone , you have the read the guide on buying a used iPhone below.

Buy from the seller you know

It is always best to buy used items, particularly an Apple iPhone, from the people you know and trust. If you buy from your close friends and family, at least you can ask them for discounts and they will be more than willing to entertain your questions about the condition of the phone. If you are buying from an auction site, however, it is best to check the seller’s ratings and the feedback from his or her previous customers.

Don’t be afraid to inquire

The first thing you need to ask the seller is his or her reason for selling the phone. Ask if the phone is still under warranty. You should also know whether the phone has scratches or has been dropped. If you are buying from an auction site, you should be more careful because you don’t have the phone physically for inspection. Thus, you need to really ask the seller for information about the phone.

Ask for a return policy

You need to have a return policy arrangement with the seller because you won’t be able to check if the phone works if you are just dealing through the Internet or if your friend just showed it to you for just a few minutes.

Check for damages

When you have the phone, be sure to check for water damage. You should also check for dents, scratches and other damages. You don’t want to pay for something that is damaged, unless the seller specifically told you the truth and you accepted it.

Determine arrangement with the service provider

Since Apple’s iPhone is locked to AT&T until 2008, you need to make prior arrangements with the exclusive service provider, especially if you have a plan from other phone companies. You may also want to discuss this issue with the seller. Furthermore, check if you have options to unlock the SIM.