As far as 3rd party apps go, Windows Mobile will still reign in terms of variety and the overwhelming options available. But with the 2.0 firmware update now, that's probably gonna change in just a matter of time.

Frankly speaking, the one thing I love about the iPhone more than anything else in the world is the ease of manageability using iTunes and all. I mean, of course, there always ActiveSync for PPCs, but I find iTunes a far more elegant solution to constantly keeping your phone backed up and ready for updates. A biased opinion, perhaps, but most definitely not without reason

Most of us don't have use for that either, mate. Additionally, the brushed aluminum backing is a big plus to me. Plastic, regardless of its benefits as causing less interference to your cellular radios, requires a lot more of cleaning and protection constantly, no matter how sexy it can be

Thing is, it's not gonna be easy to find yourself the 1st Gen now, mate. Even if you do manage to find one, chances are it's gonna be second hand. Apple ran out of stocks for the 1st gen WORLDWIDE approximately 1-2 months prior to the Aifontriji's release, Hence even the eBay sales went into a frenzy with everyone fighting for the last remaining units while they lasted. Still, all the best, mate! Wise choice

Well, my dearest 1st Gen Aifonej is also my first Apple product. So, trust me when I speak from experience, the user satisfaction is seriously unlike ANY other IT product I've ever got myself. Somehow, I'm still utterly obsessed and infatuated with it despite having used it for a year now. Not even an RM7k desktop PC has that sorta effect on me

First lesson in getting the iPhone and other parallel imported items in high demand, prices at retail stores like the one you saw in the Digital Mall are 99% of the time = CUTTHROAT. And by that, I mean like an additional RM1k+ compared to the prices you could land yourself in the forums. But of course, if you have the spare cash lying around, I guess it wouldn't hurt

Guys, let's not start getting too much into pricing details and comparing traders in here, it's probably not the best place to be doing so Perhaps PMing the TS on offers and better suggestions would be a better way of helping him without any entanglements with the "law enforcement"

TS, during COD, check the backing of the phone and the box to compare and match the IMEI and serial numbers, to ensure that you're not getting a different phone. Test your SIM card to ensure that the phone and text messaging functions work flawlessly. Test the audio and volume control buttons to make sure that nothing's wrong with the speakers. Aside from that, some minor inspections of the external condition, and you're good to go!

LOL, I doubt you'd wanna test SO MUCH during a COD. Of course, if you're paranoid or concerned about such details, then yeah, it would be wise to test thoroughly. After all, it's no small investment, right? But yeah, I couldn't imagine someone bringing along all the testing equipment/gear in the world for a 1-hour testing marathon in let's say, McDonalds? The seller would feel rather awkward too....

Usually there's no specific Date of Manufacture on the item. But you can tell roughly when it was manufacturer by looking at the first 5 digits in the serial number. For instance, 7S739xxxxxx means it was manufactured in week 39. Something like a batch number

Or, if it's really the warranty info you're after, as in Date of Purchase, that you will require the official receipt from the Apple Store to tell instantly. Usually for other Apple products available locally, your serial number will serve as a record for your date of purchase, meaning you can RMA your product without the receipt because Apple will keep track of your serial numbers in their databases. That's why Apple is able to offer and implement International Warranties smoothly. However though, with the iPhone locally, it's a different story because it's not even registered as a legitimate purchase from an authorized Apple reseller locally, so you won't be able to check or inquire regarding your warranty status locally, unless you're able to contact the Apple Retail Outlets in your iPhone's country of origin.

This post has been edited by Samanoske Akechi: Jul 24 2008, 12:10 AM

Just take it and stop thinking twice. There aren't many 1st gen iPhones left to go around at that price, mate. You'll have plenty more questions to post here after you've got it, that's for sure.

Irrelevant to the threadstarter's discussion here, as heartbreaking as it may be. Post it up in the iPhone Club instead, mate