How much internal storage does the iPhone have? Can it be expanded? Does the iPhone have a MicroSD slot?

The iPhone has 4, 8, or 16 GB of internal flash memory. It cannot be expanded.

An increasing number of high-end phones from Motorola, Samsung, LG, Nokia and others have a MicroSD slot that makes it possible to inexpensively add more memory to the device, but the iPhone does not have this capability.

For readers not familiar with the MicroSD standard, it is a tiny flash memory card -- "about the size of a fingernail" -- designed specifically for mobile phones to hold "music, movies, video clips, pictures, ring tones and more". For more information regarding the history of the standard, please refer to PhoneScoop.

Photo Credit: Kingston.

What is the battery life of the iPhone? Can you replace the battery?

Upon its unveiling on January 9, 2007, Apple reported that the iPhone was to provide "up to" 16 hours of audio playback and "up to" 5 hours of "talk, video, and browsing". On June 18, 2007, Apple boosted these numbers to "up to" 8 hours of talk time, 24 hours of audio playback, 7 hours of video playback, and 6 hours of web browsing. Apple also revealed that the iPhone provides "up to" 250 hours of standby time.

In real-world tests, the always excellent MacInTouch reported that:

We ran the battery down to 10% with just shy of nine hours of usage. (iPhone tracks "usage", which is all the time it spends not in standby since its last complete charge.) A majority of that time was spent using Internet via WiFi, with some EDGE, occasional photo taking, and about an hour and a half of phone calls.

Apple claims up to 6 hours of Internet use, or up to 8 hours of talk time. We didn't measure closely, but our first day appears to bear out these claims. It will take a few weeks of use to get a sense of how long the battery lasts with typical a day to day usage, but we guess that we'll be charging it every two or three days as we drop to less frequent use.

Unlike the majority of mobile phones which have a battery that is easy for an end user to replace, the iPhone does not compromise the sleek design with a battery "bay" or a "sliding" rear cover.

EveryiPod.com was optimistic that it would be possible for a technically minded end user to replace the iPhone battery -- without resorting to soldering -- in the same way many "full size" iPod, iPod mini, and iPod nano batteries can be replaced with a good deal of effort, but unfortunately, upon disassembly, the always excellent iFixit discovered that the battery is soldered to the logicboard.

Nevertheless, for the patient and highly technically inclined, iFixit has released step-by-step instructions for desoldering the existing battery -- and soldering a new one in its place -- as well as instructions to replace other parts in the iPhone. GearLive also has released a video tutorial of the same battery replacement process.

Obviously, replacing -- or attempting to replace -- the battery in the iPhone yourself could damage the hardware and voids the warranty.

After the one year warranty, Apple offers to replace the battery for US$79 plus US$6.95 for shipping. The service takes three business days and a "loaner" iPhone is offered for US$29 while the battery replacement is in progress.

Does the iPhone support Bluetooth?

Yes. The iPhone supports Bluetooth 2.0, as well as Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) and the Cingular EDGE network. However, the Bluetooth functionality is somewhat restricted.

Can the iPhone use iPod accessories? Can you use the iPhone with an external keyboard?

The iPhone has a standard USB-based iPod "dock connector" port on the bottom, so the majority of iPod accessories that are compatible with modern iPod models should be compatible with the iPhone as well. The Engadget blog has provided a nice run down of compatible and incompatible iPod accessories.

Although no official information is available, it could be possible either for Apple or a third-party accessory manufacturer to create a keyboard for the iPhone either using the USB-based "dock connector" port or wirelessly via Bluetooth 2.0 (although the iPhone currently does not support peripherals via Bluetooth). Of course, for a third-party manufacturer to develop a keyboard it likely would require Apple's approval and cooperation.

A simple folding keyboard -- as have been available for other handhelds for years -- could be created for the iPhone, which might be of particular interest for those who appreciate tactile feedback when typing.

Additionally, a "virtual laser keyboard" (shown at left) theoretically could be developed as well.

Photo Credit: I-Tech