iPhone Wonder

Once you've entered the iPhone universe, the chances are good that you'll never go back. When it comes to making calls, it's simply a matter of tapping a name or number - forget having to scroll down a tiny display.

But making calls is just the tip of the iceberg. The iPhone has SMS with a QWERTY keyboard, visual voicemail, a 2-megapixel camera that takes beautiful images, and a half million possible ringtones are all at your fingertips - literally. The iPhone gives you all of the features of an iPod, and then some. Its widescreen display lets you listen to audiobooks or watch videos, movies, and television shows. You have instant access to the Internet, email, maps, and a YouTube player that launches from the home screen. The iPhone maps feature ensures that you'll never get lost, and myriad widgets keep you endlessly delighted. But a list of features doesn't begin to express what's at the heart of the iPhone revolution. It's gorgeous, it's intuitive, it's sleek, and it's absolutely cool.

iPhone Portals

Best of all, when you buy an iPhone, what you pull out of the box is just the beginning. The possibilities are virtually limitless. That's why an increasing number of iPhone aficionados are turning to what are, in essence, iPhone portals - gateways to accessories, downloads, and information for this technological wonder.

The right iPhone site will unlock a world of resources for both new owners and old-timers. In the accessories department, you'll be able to find leather cases, gel skins, and even books to help you get the most out of your iPhone. You can also find tutorials and software for your device, as well as information about iPhone repair.

Download Services

But perhaps the most useful aspect of an iPhone gateway is that it presents a number of services to download music, music videos, movies, games, and much more. For example, you can find a service that, for a one-time fee, provides you with access to unlimited downloads. This circumvents the cumbersome pay-per-download fees of most sites.

When deciding which service to purchase, make sure that the service you choose has millions of files from which to choose, that it's free of spyware and pop-ups, and that it offers free online help and 24-hour tech support.

Media Transfers

Typically, when you sign up with a download service, you'll also receive easy-to-install software and tutorials on how to transfer media from a DVD or a PC to an iPhone. Look for software that supports multiple video formats, such as .avi, .mpg, .mov, .wmv, and .mp4. Similarly, the software should support a variety of types of images, such as .gif, .jpg, and .bmp.

The iPhone was undoubtedly the best invention of 2007. Now that the iPhone is available in 16GB and 32GB (as well as 8GB), it's easy to download movies, music, and videos to your heart's content. Finding the right iPhone portal will enable you to load up your iPhone and get out the door in no time at all.