Ok, so admit it gang, no one really reads my iPhone blog, and rightly so. Not only is the content regurgitated, but my sentence structure is atrocious. I was thinking of abandoning this particular blog, but I decided not to, on account of the new iPhone hardware coming this summer. I am sure I will have plenty to talk about at that point in time.
Posted with LifeCast
Now I have suddenly forgotten the purpose of much more useful apps, like Fring. Not. Fring and Nimbuzz are two applications that integrate Skype along with any other chat client you can name. I personally think Skype was a little slow on the uptake here and it's going to take some real wowing for me to ditch Fring. I am hopeful that the next iPhone hardware revision will include a front-facing camera, which would make Skype much more useful. At that point I'm sure Fring and Nimbuzz will have fresh updates that support video chat, so I guess I really don't understand Skype's move here.
Posted with LifeCast
Beta testers of the new iPhone 3.0 software are displeased so much that some are actually rolling back to the 2.2.1 firmware. To me this indicates a few things. Apple will definitely be
improving the software for adequate operation on the iPhone 3G however, this information points to the theory that a new device launch will coincide with the release of the 3.0 software this summer. Everyone is thinking it but Apple will never admit it. When the fancy new iPhone comes out, it seems they will not be able to release identical firmware for all existing iPhones. We know that the original iPhone cannot handle the stereo Bluetooth or MMS which is part of the 3.0 update. The iPhone 3G cannot handle video recording, sources say, and there is plenty of evidence to indicate video publishing is part if the iPhone's future. Will the new über iPhone have different software needs than previous models? I think so. How different each firmware revision will be and how much better the new interface will operate on each handset is still up for debate.
Posted with LifeCast
Now that we are fully aware of the capabilities of our iPhones, I think I can speak for everyone in saying, "I'm bored". Everytime I launch an application, all I can think about is how much better the aplications will be now that Apple has unleashed the hardware for developers to manipulate. The possibilities are endless but we have to wait until June or so before being appeased. Not to mention, some of these features should have been implemented long ago such as copy/paste and MMS. My beef with Apple is that they could easily release a 3.0 update with copy/paste, MMS, landscape keyboard, spotlight and more. These updates are not tied specifically to the non-Apple applications and a later 3.1 update could be issued to provide compatibility with all of the developer's new integrations with push, Bluetooth, GPS, etc. Why are we waiting for MMS???
Posted with LifeCast
Apple has me on the edge of my seat. I really can't wait for the new iPhone 3.0 software to be released. It's sad that a lot of these features come stock on many smartphones out on the market already. There's no denying that once the iPhone 3.0 software is released, it will destroy the competition further. Every single issue discussed in every forum post I have ever read and any complaint I have ever heard about the iPhone's shortcomings, will all be addressed with this single release. I think all of the habitual complainers are shell-shocked and bored now. Oh, we have to wait until summer for this software update? The complaining resumes.
Posted with LifeCast
The event today was rather exciting and as it "turns" out (no pun intended), Apple has heard the cries of it's people. Yes, turn by turn GPS navigation is now supported by the iPhone and Apple has opened up most of the iPhone's hardware for the developers to manipulate. Other highlights include MMS, Push notifications for apps and copy/paste functionality. I was surprised at all of the things Apple is cramming into this software package. The list includes: Spotlight search feature, landscape email and text, Bluetooth stereo support, tethering support, Bluetooth file sharing, developer access to proximity sensors, Bluetooth, GPS, and the list goes on. There are so many goodies in fact, Apple is not releasing the 3.0 software until this summer. This should give developers plenty of time to create lots of fun new applications for me to buy. :) Do I smell a new iPhone handset around the bend? Perhaps...
Posted with LifeCast
This is a wishlist for the next iPhone handset, culminated from rumors and some of my ideas.
-Front-facing camera... Video chat with Skype support would put this device above and beyond all competitors.
-Better camera... I'm thinking at least 3.2 megapixels with a built-in flash and possibly optical zoom.
-Cordless charging... You know, like the electric toothbrushes? Imagine no dock connector and syncing over wifi/Bluetooth.
-Support for upcoming 4G wireless connectivity.
-Bluetooth A2DP... Bluetooth stereo headset support.
-Video recording capabilities.
-What else?
Posted with LifeCast
There are so many rumors floating around about the upcoming iPhone 3.0 firmware, I thought I would interject. Please advise, these are only my opinions/wishes and have no factual value.
-MMS... Let's face it, no matter how much better emailing photos is than sending a picture message, we need MMS so all of our non-techy friends will shut up already.
-Copy/Paste... I am not sure how often I would use this feature, but I am sure Apple would love for iPhone-groaners, like myself, to shut up already.
-Video Recording... According to the latest info, this feature is not ideal for the hardware and could actually damage the iPhone's flash memory. Whatever, gimme gimme.
-Flash Support... Adobe flash of course. Sounds like a battery drainer, but at least give us the option to use flash in Safari.
-Support for Turn by Turn... We need turn by turn voice-prompted navigation with the iPod function running in the background. Imagine: music fades as if your iPhone is ringing and then, "turn left," and the music fades back in.
-Last few thoughts: The calendar alerts are too limited if I need a reminder one week in advance, for instance. The home screen is a disaster to navigate with 9 pages of apps. Voice dialing??? Voice control for iPod??? (as you can probably tell, my iPhone is used in the car quite a bit)
-Theres always more...
Posted with LifeCast
So I walked into the Apple Store with my broken silent/ringer switch and walked out with a new iPhone. The end.
Posted with LifeCast
My iPhone has taken a turn for the worse, as the silent/ringer switch is no longer attached. I wanted to turn my ringer on and noticed the plastic piece that toggles on and off has slipped into a black hole apparently. It is simply not there. I have never dropped my iPhone and I'm really careful when I use it as a doorstop. Between this and the dust stuck under my glass, I hope Apple will take care of me.
Posted with LifeCast
I thought I would take a moment to complain about the apparent worthlessness of the Bluetooth chip built into my iPhone. The only purpose for Bluetooth on the iPhone is pairing with a headset for handsfree talking. Borrrringggg. My last phone was a little Motorola that could pair with a headset, sync all contacts and calendars using iSync as well as share files with other Bluetooth devices. Now imagine a world in which your iPhone had these capabilities. I see no reason why I should have to use cables to sync my technological gem. It's a shame and I hope it is somewhere on Apple's todo list, along with MMS, video camera and Flash support.
Posted with LifeCast
I finally decided to leave my Bluetooth permanently switched on. It seems that I decide I want to make a phone call a few moments after starting down the road, almost everytime I hop in the car. If you have ever tried turning on your iPhone's Bluetooth while driving, you understand my frustration. It's like trying to color inside the lines while someone is jerking your coloring book all over the place and you feel just as helpless as a child, hence the coloring book reference. Here's my idea: an app that is nothing but a gigantic toggle switch for your Bluetooth. You launch the app and touch the screen and it's either blue for on or red for off. Simple enough? The application would probably be a cinch for most developers however, I am pretty sure this is a limitation by Apple. Someone hear my cry!!!
Posted with LifeCast
Just because I blogged about how obselete MMS will be very soon, doesn't mean I am not interested in getting MMS to work in the meantime. In fact, I hate that I can't receive the messages properly without visiting a website and punching in the obscure log-in information. I am testing as many of the MMS apps as I can, while ruling out the ones that seem to be completely worthless. While I have no official results yet, I will let you know that one of the more promising applications is giving me major problems. According to the developer whom I have been corresponding with, I am experiencing a unique issue which will be addressed in a future update. I am doubtful they would release an update for my "unique issue". The application is set up so that MMS messages are sent to the email of your choice. I have tested the application and these emails are nowhere in sight. Where's the update?
PS. I am purposefully not disclosing the name of the iPhone application, for their sake.
Posted with LifeCast
What is it about certain iPhone app icons that catch our eye? I have definitely found myself wondering whether I need a particular application, based purely on how nifty it will look on my screen. Is this just insanity or good marketing? Well, I am a little crazy, but these app icons are designed to look great against the black background of the iPhone. I constantly arrange my applications to appear aesthetically pleasing. There are far too many blue icons and I find it challenging to space them apart and make the screen look good. I just went back and proof-read this blog and have decided I need an iPhone psychiatrist who is specialized in obsessive app-order disorder.
Posted with LifeCast
I have many large annoying particles of dust stuck between the front panel and LCD on my new-ish iPhone 3G. Apparently Apple is not aware of this issue and their genius bar employee wasn't terribly interested in doing anything about it. I was told to "come back if it got worse". Blech. I also noticed that one of the screws by the dock connector on my iPhone was loose and probably the culprit, letting in dust. I tightened the screw but that doesn't change the fact that my iPhone is now dusty.
Posted with LifeCast
What is it good for? I have come to the sick realization that, as evil as Apple may seem at times, they are probably on the right track in regards to MMS. The truth is that more and more new handsets are Internet capable and most carriers are starting to offer affordable data plans. Emailing pictures makes a lot of sense because the pictures can be accessed from any computer or even printed at home. There is a really great app for the iPhone called Pixelpipe, which I highly recommend, that allows multiple photo uploads (from library or camera!) to a virtual smorgasbord of websites including; Facebook, Myspace and flickr just to name a few. So, I revert back to the question: what is MMS good for? absolutely nothing, or at least not much. In a few years MMS will be a page in mobile history and email will be standard on any mobile.
Posted with LifeCast
