Monday, August 11, 2008
Top 10 things to hate about the original Apple iPhone
1. Slow mobile data: EDGE is 2.5G, so the top speed you can get from it is about 100Kbit/s. Also, the only Australian phone network that supports it is Telstra - everyone else will only be able to use slower-than-dialup GPRS. The iPhone would be way cooler with 1.8Mbit/s HSDPA. (See our analysis of why Apple probably used EDGE in preference to 3G in our previous iPhone report).
2. Battery life sucks: Five hours of talk/browsing/email or 16 hours of audio playback? Look, we're not saying the iPhone isn't an amazing device, but you're going to want a charger on your desk at work, one in your car, one on your bedside table...
3. Built-in battery: It must be the only mobile phone on the market that doesn't have an easily user-replaceable battery. We know from the iPod that batteries age pretty quickly, but who wants to send their phone back to Apple for servicing when it needs a new battery? I don't want to have to go back to my dowdy old Nokia while Apple swaps the battery. That's a major flaw.
4. Touch screen: Have you ever stood at a touch-screen terminal in a shop punching away at the screen, trying to get it to register your touch? Despite what Apple disparagingly called "small plastic keyboards" on other mobiles, they're way more likely to work reliably than a touch-screen. No doubt Jobs has licensed the world's best touch-screen technology, but it's still likely to be the weakest point of the phone.
5. Heavy data usage: There's a reason why networks love ‘push email' phones like the Blackberry: it's because a tremendous amount of compression and optimisation can be done at the carrier-side before the data is sent over the air. An ultra-heavy user of a Blackberry might only use 20MB in a month - regular users will use just a few megs. On the other hand, the iPhone uses old-world ‘polling' email methods - POP3 or IMAP, where the phone will check every X minutes for new email and download full emails. The phone might have enough CPU power to rescale that 7MB JPEG, but it still has to download a 7MB JPEG. Either the service fees that go with the phone are going to be huge, or carriers are going to take a bath on data pricing and risk network congestion.
6. Only a two megapixel camera: OK, camera phones are never going to beat a digital SLR, but Sony Ericsson has had a 3.2 Megapixel cameraphone out for months now. Unless S-E tied up exclusive supply on that part, it's tough to see why Apple wouldn't have gone for it.
7. Proprietary tie-ins: Look, I'm not saying that the rest of the mobile industry isn't rife with proprietary tie-ins. Every carrier installs their crap onto mobiles, they disable useful manufacturer features so that you're forced to use their less-useful and more expensive services. But shouldn't we hold Apple to a higher standard? The iPhone can do push email according to Jobs, but only for people who have a Yahoo webmail account. Bad luck if you prefer Gmail or some other mail provider.
8. No video iChat: Er, hello? Apple has an incredible base of customers out there with integrated webcams - doubtlessly more than any other PC or software maker - so what a missed opportunity!
9. Apple chooses your mobile network: Apple has announced that its exclusive sales partner in the US will be the mobile network Cingular. Presumably, that's because even though iPhone is going to be an obvious hit, there are many political battles Apple faces in breaking into the telco world: powerful alliances and rebate schemes between handset makers and networks, the networks' fears that Apple might at some point introduce iTunes purchasing over-the-air, stealing away one of their valuable revenue streams and more. The end result? In each country, the phone will probably be locked to one carrier. (Interestingly, though, in Australia, carriers are legally obliged to unlock phones free of charge at the customer's request - though that doesn't cancel other contractual obligations such as ongoing plan fees.)
10. Only 8GB storage: Ok, ok, sure, it's the biggest storage capacity of any phone on the market, probably, but 8GB is still pretty limited. Considering how good the video playback capabilities of the iPhone are, it's unfortunate that you won't actually be able to fit that much video on the device.
2. Battery life sucks: Five hours of talk/browsing/email or 16 hours of audio playback? Look, we're not saying the iPhone isn't an amazing device, but you're going to want a charger on your desk at work, one in your car, one on your bedside table...
3. Built-in battery: It must be the only mobile phone on the market that doesn't have an easily user-replaceable battery. We know from the iPod that batteries age pretty quickly, but who wants to send their phone back to Apple for servicing when it needs a new battery? I don't want to have to go back to my dowdy old Nokia while Apple swaps the battery. That's a major flaw.
4. Touch screen: Have you ever stood at a touch-screen terminal in a shop punching away at the screen, trying to get it to register your touch? Despite what Apple disparagingly called "small plastic keyboards" on other mobiles, they're way more likely to work reliably than a touch-screen. No doubt Jobs has licensed the world's best touch-screen technology, but it's still likely to be the weakest point of the phone.
5. Heavy data usage: There's a reason why networks love ‘push email' phones like the Blackberry: it's because a tremendous amount of compression and optimisation can be done at the carrier-side before the data is sent over the air. An ultra-heavy user of a Blackberry might only use 20MB in a month - regular users will use just a few megs. On the other hand, the iPhone uses old-world ‘polling' email methods - POP3 or IMAP, where the phone will check every X minutes for new email and download full emails. The phone might have enough CPU power to rescale that 7MB JPEG, but it still has to download a 7MB JPEG. Either the service fees that go with the phone are going to be huge, or carriers are going to take a bath on data pricing and risk network congestion.
6. Only a two megapixel camera: OK, camera phones are never going to beat a digital SLR, but Sony Ericsson has had a 3.2 Megapixel cameraphone out for months now. Unless S-E tied up exclusive supply on that part, it's tough to see why Apple wouldn't have gone for it.
7. Proprietary tie-ins: Look, I'm not saying that the rest of the mobile industry isn't rife with proprietary tie-ins. Every carrier installs their crap onto mobiles, they disable useful manufacturer features so that you're forced to use their less-useful and more expensive services. But shouldn't we hold Apple to a higher standard? The iPhone can do push email according to Jobs, but only for people who have a Yahoo webmail account. Bad luck if you prefer Gmail or some other mail provider.
8. No video iChat: Er, hello? Apple has an incredible base of customers out there with integrated webcams - doubtlessly more than any other PC or software maker - so what a missed opportunity!
9. Apple chooses your mobile network: Apple has announced that its exclusive sales partner in the US will be the mobile network Cingular. Presumably, that's because even though iPhone is going to be an obvious hit, there are many political battles Apple faces in breaking into the telco world: powerful alliances and rebate schemes between handset makers and networks, the networks' fears that Apple might at some point introduce iTunes purchasing over-the-air, stealing away one of their valuable revenue streams and more. The end result? In each country, the phone will probably be locked to one carrier. (Interestingly, though, in Australia, carriers are legally obliged to unlock phones free of charge at the customer's request - though that doesn't cancel other contractual obligations such as ongoing plan fees.)
10. Only 8GB storage: Ok, ok, sure, it's the biggest storage capacity of any phone on the market, probably, but 8GB is still pretty limited. Considering how good the video playback capabilities of the iPhone are, it's unfortunate that you won't actually be able to fit that much video on the device.
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Saturday, July 26, 2008
Top 10 iPhone Applications
Gifter
With Gifter, you can send gifts directly from your iPhone or iPod Touch! Integrated with your Address Book, Gifter can sort contacts by upcoming birthdays so you never miss a special day - and it’s easy to email gift ideas to yourself for later. Quickly access Gifter’s trusted merchants in popular categories and access a wide variety of gifts for all occasions. Only have a second to order something last-minute? Don’t panic - Gifter has you covered.So, if you would like to download this software then please click on this link.
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IM+Skype for iPhone
IM+ for Skype enables voice and text communication with other Skype users and provides cost-effective calling to landlines and mobiles. Pure SkypeOut quality with no extra voice delays! The application is designed especially for iPhone's touch screen complements the design and interface of iPhone and iPodTouch.For using this software you need to create an account with Skype. Once it is done you are set to experience the best quality calls with a very cheap price. The best part of this software is, it uses a P2P format while connecting a call and thus its very efficient.
To download this software please follow this link.
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iPhone Signal Boosters
No matter what type of cell phone you have, there are certain qualities that you wish it had. Perhaps the number one complaint of all cell phones is the fact that they sometimes don't always have great signal strength. Whether you are travelling throughout the mountains, or live in an area of the country that doesn't have a great cell signal. When you have an iPhone, you want to be able to enjoy all of the services that the iPhone will give you, without having to worry about loosing signal strength. There is nothing more annoying than surfing the web, or checking your e-mail on your iPhone, and suddenly you loose service.
While many people think there is nothing you can do except hope they install more cell phone towers in your area, however, there are several things that you can do when you need to have boosted cell signal. The number one way that you can increase your cell signal is buy purchasing a cell signal booster. These are amazing little chips that you place on the back of your cell phone, and they will literally boost your cell phone signal to limits that you never thought could be. Perhaps one of the most popular cell phone signal boosters is the Wilson Cellular Amplifier. This amazing cell signal booster will keep your cell signal as high as possible throughout your day.
One of the greatest features about this cell signal booster s the fact that you can use your cell phone even when you're far away from any type of cell phone tower. Actually, you will have full coverage up to fifty miles away, thus you will rarely run out of cell service. With this signal booster, you will have twice the amount of cell service compared to if you did not have this signal booster. Another great feature about this cell signal booster is the fact that it will make your battery last longer.
Did you know that the amount of power that your cell phone puts out is in direct relation to how close it is to a cell signal site? Since your phone will "think" that it is much closer to the cell site than it actually is, you will experience a longer battery life.
The main time that you loose cell service is when you are travelling in your car. However, when you have The Wilson Cellular Amplifier for your iPhone, than you will rarely experience a loss of signal, this is because your cell signal is being amplified by an antenna that rests on the outside of your car. Thus, the cell signal is being amplified by the antenna that is located on your car, also since this antenna is so powerful you can have a car-full of cell phone users, and they will all experience increased cell service.
This cell service signal booster is absolutely perfect for the iPhone because it works on the GSM and EDGE technologies. If you are always worried about your cell signal power, than you will want to attach this cell signal amplifier to your iPhone, don't go a day without accessing full-power on your iPhone.
While many people think there is nothing you can do except hope they install more cell phone towers in your area, however, there are several things that you can do when you need to have boosted cell signal. The number one way that you can increase your cell signal is buy purchasing a cell signal booster. These are amazing little chips that you place on the back of your cell phone, and they will literally boost your cell phone signal to limits that you never thought could be. Perhaps one of the most popular cell phone signal boosters is the Wilson Cellular Amplifier. This amazing cell signal booster will keep your cell signal as high as possible throughout your day.
One of the greatest features about this cell signal booster s the fact that you can use your cell phone even when you're far away from any type of cell phone tower. Actually, you will have full coverage up to fifty miles away, thus you will rarely run out of cell service. With this signal booster, you will have twice the amount of cell service compared to if you did not have this signal booster. Another great feature about this cell signal booster is the fact that it will make your battery last longer.
Did you know that the amount of power that your cell phone puts out is in direct relation to how close it is to a cell signal site? Since your phone will "think" that it is much closer to the cell site than it actually is, you will experience a longer battery life.
The main time that you loose cell service is when you are travelling in your car. However, when you have The Wilson Cellular Amplifier for your iPhone, than you will rarely experience a loss of signal, this is because your cell signal is being amplified by an antenna that rests on the outside of your car. Thus, the cell signal is being amplified by the antenna that is located on your car, also since this antenna is so powerful you can have a car-full of cell phone users, and they will all experience increased cell service.
This cell service signal booster is absolutely perfect for the iPhone because it works on the GSM and EDGE technologies. If you are always worried about your cell signal power, than you will want to attach this cell signal amplifier to your iPhone, don't go a day without accessing full-power on your iPhone.
Digg
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