What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 3G? Is it right for my needs?

Like any other purchase, only you can make the decision whether or not the iPhone 3G is the right iPod, mobile phone, GPS device, and/or handheld computer for you, but you can evaluate the pros and cons to see if your needs are met. This "run down" may be helpful in making a decision:

Pros:

• Thin, sleek design.
• Bright, high-resolution display designed for video playback.
• Slick "multi-touch" interface, "self switching" accelerometer, "proximity sensors", and ambient light sensor.
• Large storage capacity for a mobile phone (8 or 16 GB).
• Built-in support for 3G, wi-fi, and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.
• GPS support.
• High-quality pre-installed applications, including a "desktop class" web browser, HTML capable e-mail client, and integrated Google Maps, as well as the potential for thousands of third-party applications via the AppStore.
• Support to read, but not edit, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as well as Adobe PDF files.
• Built-in 2 megapixel camera for basic photography.
• Inexpensive (but tied to a contract in many countries).

Cons:

• Tied to expensive multi-year contracts in many countries.
• GPS does not support real-time, turn-by-turn navigation.
• No support to edit Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files.
• No support for Flash or Skype.
• No ability to "copy and paste" between applications.
• Cannot "beam" data between iPhones, no official "disk mode" when connected to a computer.
• Bluetooth prevents file transfer and does not support synchronization, printers, or keyboards.
• Lack of tactile feedback may bother some users.
• Some competitive mobile phones offer superior cameras and additional features.
• Substantially larger capacity iPod models are available for less money per GB.

Ultimately, if you need an iPod nano, mobile phone, GPS device, and handheld computer, and you are not bothered by the often expensive contract, then the iPhone 3G may be a good choice for you.