Since Apple released the iPhone it has taken the market by storm. The clamour from people to get their hands on the latest iPhone has been intense. The functionality and availability of applications has expanded with each new model that is released. When Apple finally upgraded the device with GPS and 3G it hit the next level and proved more popular than ever.

The 3G iPhone is positively packed with features. Apple made some tweaks to the popular design introducing some curved edges and a headphone jack which sits flush with the body so you can plug in any kind of headphones you like. The screen and basic functionality are much the same but there are a few very important additions.

When the iPhone originally came out many people were dismayed to find that it lacked 3G capabilities. It was released on EDGE but 3G allows much faster Internet access. This means that web pages will load faster, video content will stream more efficiently and browsing the web in general is a much more pleasant prospect.

The switch to 3G was also combined with another important addition to the iPhone and that was improved GPS. The GPS system has been completely overhauled and is extremely efficient in this model. It is accurate, it can pinpoint your exact location in seconds and it works with Google Maps.

The number of applications available for the 3G iPhone is simply staggering and Apple claim to have over 35,000. Many of them are free, others can be purchased online and you can find an app to perform almost any function you require.

Getting back to the built in features on the 3G iPhone it also features improved audio for making calls. They have increased the volume and quality on the loudspeaker. The device is ideal for listening to music and it even supports high quality lossless audio formats.

If you intend to use the phone for business then Apple has you covered there as well. There is support for Microsoft Office so you can view documents, although you can’t edit them. There is also support for Microsoft Exchange so you can update your calendar and sync emails and contacts.

The phone also has a built in 2 megapixel camera however there is no flash and it lacks the option to record video footage. It also lacks a built in FM radio tuner. In terms of memory you can get 8GB or 16GB varieties.

Perhaps one of the main attractions of the iPhone remains the 3.5 inch touch screen. With a crystal clear resolution of 480 x 320 and a fantastically responsive interface this is a satisfying device to use. It is also great for watching videos on and it supports the H.264 format and will play .m4v, .mp4 and .mov files.

The rechargeable battery offers 5 hours of talk time when fully charged and up to 300 hours of standby. Various bits and pieces come with every iPhone purchase including a stereo headset with a mic, a USB power adapter, a USB dock connector and that all important polishing cloth. It is compatible with Macs or PCs and you can sync iTunes in the same way you would with an iPod to update your music collection.

The iPhone is lightweight, attractive and packed with useful features so it is no surprise that it remains one of the most popular mobile phones available.