A Mother's Review of the IPhone 3G

I've had an iPhone 3G for almost two years now. I realize there have been an update with the 3Gs and the new iPhone 4 is set to be released next month, however I wanted to give a review after having the phone and using it for a while. I can't say for certain newer phones will hold up as well, but I've been very impressed with my iPhone and will be upgrading. I expect to be just as happy, if not happier, with the upgraded iPhone.

I bought a smart phone because I am, like any other mom, busy and needed to keep track of schedules and lists. I was in the market for an iPod for my own personal use as well as a new cell phone. When I saw all of the features on the iPhone I decided to just have one device instead of a separate iPod. This also helped justify the cost of the phone.

What I didn't expect as to be getting a phone, MP3 player, mini computer, GPS, video game player, phone book, organizer, calendar, and more in one device. The commercials say "There's an app for that" and they are right! I have yet to pay for a single application for my iPhone and I have about fifty on my phone.

I use my iPhone as an iPod for hours a day. I love being able to create playlists on the computer and on the go playlists on the phone. I have it connected to my car stereo to use in the car rather than CDs or the radio. I can load children's songs on it for the kids and my own music for myself.

The best feature of the iPhone for a busy mom, in my opinion, is the calendar. I can input all of our appointments right while I'm making them. Before it never failed that I would make an appointment and call back to change it when I got home to check the calendar. I can even set up to two reminders for each event. I set a reminder for a day before and an hour or two hours before. The iPhone 4 will be able to sync with Internet based calendars for more flexibility.

My kids have a lot of doctor appointments and activities. Normally I don't let them play many games because I don't think they need to be entertained constantly, but when a child is stuck going to a sibling's doctor appointments all the time it gets unfair. I have downloaded game apps for them to play while waiting at the doctors or in the car on the way there. There are even a few games they can play at the same time such as Tap Tap 3.

Unfortunately, my iPhone is so cool that my kids like to sneak it. They love taking photos and editing them. I can't even begin to tell you how many times my younger two have dropped it and it is still going strong. My son even got it with the garden hose and it still lives on! The case is scratched and chipped, but it works just as well as the first day I got it.

I am able to make lists on my phone for shopping. When I realize we need something I put it right on my phone so I won't forget it. I keep them separated by store so I know exactly what to get where. I even hid my Christmas shopping lists on my phone feeling confident that the kids wouldn't open a boring app like a list maker. It was very handy to know who I'd gotten for and what else I needed.

The Weather Channel app is another one that's used daily on my phone. My oldest son could easily check the weather before school to make sure he was dressed appropriately.

As a mother driving alone with three children, the 3G Internet has come in handy for looking up addresses and phone numbers. If I am out and need to get ahold of someone I can easily use the Google app to find the number and click to be connected. It also has GPS navigation and I can see exactly where we are on the route to our destination.

My iPhone is used for hours a day between me and the kids. It's help up wonderfully other than some cosmetic damage. It is so easy to use that my two year old can navigate her way through the screens to find what she needs. I will definitely be upgrading to another iPhone when the time comes. Other phones I've had were nothing but problems but the iPhone is fast and easy to use. For a phone to suffer the abuse of little hands that get it while mommy is still sleeping and to still work is a great phone for any mother.