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Useful iPhone Stuff 2

Entry 858, on 2008-09-25 at 22:39:43 (Rating 2, Computers)

This entry extends my original blog post where I briefly mentioned useful iPhone applications. So what is the current status of my iPhone experience, almost a month later? Generally I would say that the phone has been far more stable since I installed version 2.1 of the system and firmware so I'm very happy with it now (but see below).

In fact, I haven't had any crashes at all since installing 2.1; backing up, syncing and installing is much faster (its quick enough that you can do it any time instead of having to plan on waiting 30 minutes) and there are other minor enhancements and improvements in speed. I haven't noticed any difference in the 3G reliability (but it was working fine for me to start with) and the battery life is still a bit of a concern (I have to recharge every evening but I do work the phone really hard during the day) but those aren't critical problems.

Some of the enhancements I had hoped for still aren't there - the number one missing feature being copy and paste between applications - but I am prepared to wait for that in a future release. The old bugbears of lack of video support and no pxt messages remain as well. I still think Apple were right to work on the performance and reliability issues first though. Now that they have a solid foundation they can build on that.

The Apple app store is working really well but it is beginning to draw more criticism from developers and some users. I can see why. Rejecting applications because they compete with Apple programs is just not fair. And adding non-disclosure notices to rejection letters is just an example of Apple being a bully. I love Apple for their technology but I hate Apple Legal (along with almost all other lawyers engaged in this sort of corporate work).

The tightly controlled model of the apps store does have the advantage of ensuring programs meet a certain minimum quality level but I would like to see a more open model available than what we have now. Maybe the recent release of the first Android phone will force Apple to treat their developers and customers with a bit more respect.

Comment 1 (1727) by SBFL on 2008-10-10 at 08:15:09:

Heh - I think it was Apple's protectionist approach that led them to lose the battle with Microsoft/IBM-compatibles.

Anyway they're back now with some good products. I'm not geeky or techie enough to oogle at shiny new technological toys so maybe you can help me...what I would like to buy is a device that:
- plays mp3 music similar to iPod iTouch (32 GB)
- music that I can synchronise with a program on my laptop (like iTunes)
- like the full colour, keyless touch screen
- cellphone (basic features at least)
- check pop3 mail (but doesn't remove from incoming mail server)
- synchronize cellphone numbers with program on my laptop (Outlook?)

I'm not a huge fan of pics and video on the device (so don't care if it has limited functionality in this area). I am amazed at peoples obsession at this on such tiny screens when at the same time these people also drool over the lastest widescreen plasma/LCD TV/monitors.

Would be great if I could get some advice from you on this.

Comment 2 (1729) by OJB on 2008-10-10 at 11:27:34:

Yes, I think that Apple have sacrificed market share to maintain control over the product. It happened with the cloning debacle a few years back now too. I think they need to open up the iPhone app store a lot more than it is currently.

A device that would do all of that? Well obviously the iPhone would do that (and a lot more) very well. Unfortunately you only get 16G, not 32, so you would need to have a music management system (I cycle through different play lists based on tags I have added).

The iPhone screen is a lot bigger than other devices and also high resolution. Its actually quite practical for movies and photos. Try it and you might be converted!

I have used many devices (both for myself and when helping out clients) and the iPhone is just in a different world. There is no comparison with Windows Mobile, Palm, or Blackberry - although the latest Blackberry (not yet released) and Android phones look interesting they are nowhere near as "polished" as the iPhone.

Comment 3 (1733) by SBFL on 2008-10-10 at 17:32:38:

Great. Now I have to work out how to acquire one without being tied to a national network. Is selecting and playing music as good on the iPhone as it is with iPodTouch? Or is the iPhone a watered down version of the iPod w.r.t music? I guess I could wait until a 32GB model is launched, or make do with 16GB like you have managed to. I assume this storage is in the form of flash memory like with the iPodTouch?

Even though I am relatively young and with an IT background I have steered clear of all those palmpilot type devices, preferring the visibility and accessibility of a old school diary (the one you handwrite in). Of course I have a cellphone (usually Nokia), a digital camera and an iPod, but wouldn't it be great to have a device that combines all three, and with quality. I am happy to forgo the camera actually since I think that they are quite specialised and if I want a good one, it ain't going to be an add-on to a cellphone. Maybe that will change over time - maybe it has already! However if a device can wane me off the paper diary to use it's digital calendar, then it is truly brilliant. Of course it needs to overcome the limitations I perceive - slow to find the date, slow to enter what I want to write, difficult to edit or change easily, hard to search for previous items. If it can overcome these obstacles and achieve what I want as fast as a paper diary, then out comes my chequebook.

The next feature I need is globalisation - I mentioned earlier I don't want to be tied to a national network. So in NZ is sign up with Vodafone NZ for calls, internet browsing and pop mail checking (with any ISP I presume), but what if I go overseas and need to set up with a telecoms provider in a different country. Can I just sign up with one of their packages and swap out the SIM cards? What of the iPhone hasn't been released in that country yet, can I still use it and get the internet/mail aspects as well?

Also I care not for the superfluous nonsense that comes with mobile phones these days - WAP, ringtones, games, PXT - all that teenager stuff. I wonder if they'll bring out a 'businesspersons' model, or is the iPhone structured well enough that all that silly stuff doesn't get in the way?

Comment 4 (1734) by OJB on 2008-10-10 at 21:57:03:

You can buy one full price and "jailbreak" it if you want to avoid Vodafone plans, but I just went with the $80 per month plan. Its simple and it works well.

When Apple released the iPhone they said it was their best iPod ever. They were right. Essentially the iPod Touch and iPhone are the same from the point of view of playing music. There are rumours of a 32G model soon but they might not be true and its likely to be expensive. Storage is flash.

The iPhone is an excellent combination phone, music player, diary, and handheld computer, but the camera is only good for casual photos. Of course I am a photography fanatic and have high standards! Go into a Voda store and play with an iPhone for a while then you'll see if you like the diary.

Do you currently have a GSM (Voda) phone? When I go overseas I just choose a network and it just works. It can cost a small fortune to run though! You can use email form any provider, not just Vodafone.

I have set up iPhones for senior management at the Uni and they use them as a business tool. I use mine for a far greater range of functions (including games). You just set it up for what you want.

Hope this helps. Go find someone who owns one (or got to a Vodafone store) and have a play!

Comment 5 (1738) by SBFL on 2008-10-16 at 18:36:23:

Thanks for that update, forgotten about the iPod now, will have to be the iPhone! Might wait for the 32GB, which allows for my music collection of 20GB plus room for expansion. Will just be a hassle swapping songs etc, I have little patience.

Yes my Vodafone mobile has always worked overseas but it has been a work phone and they won't buy iPhones. So I want to buy my own iPhone and pop in the work SIM card. Hopefully I can still check a POP account though the work mobile account.

I see it has won several awards recently:
The Stuff Gadget Awards
T3 Gadget Awards

Had a chance to play with the BlackBerry Storm? Similar to iPhone apparently but they have textured touchscreen. I wonder how their music app stacks up.

Comment 6 (1739) by OJB on 2008-10-16 at 19:52:03:

The Storm is nice but I think there are 3 major deficiencies. First, it doesn't have wifi. That makes it a lot less useful to me. Also, it doesn't have a keyboard which is the one reason many people prefer the Blackberry. And the user interface and environment for applications is hugely inferior to the iPhone. The mp3 player is unlikely to be as good as the iPhone's. This is all from other people's opinions because I haven't used one. Are they even released yet?

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