Service Costs Are Getting Out of Control . . . but what phone should you buy?

It looks to me as though wireless carrier markets (read: your cell phone carrier) are being fought over and gradually divided into territorial grids. It's not intrinsically a bad thing, but it will end certain levels of competition. The specific down side? The more data you use/download/upload, the more you're going to be charged. Once again, you get what you pay for? Not necessarily. The problem is mainly that you won't get to choose exactly what you want in the way of data access. While there certainly are a variety of plans from which to choose, true customization is not possible, and there don't seem to be any plans in the pipeline for any sort of granular plan customization. What does it all mean for business users? Most likely, increasing wireless usage costs. From my perspective, a phone or personal digital assistant (PDA) which helps you get the most done (online and offline) is very soon going to be the deciding factor, as opposed to the competitive cost of the access plan which is usually the deciding factor now. The RIM Blackberry Curve remains for me the most effective wireless business tool. Screen, hardware QWERTY keyboard, storage capacity, slick and seamless email connectivity, and the myriad apps satisfy the vast majority of my business needs. Everything else (including the iPhone in my opinion) is second best. I have tried the iPhone and I just don't buy into the hype or the cachet or the cool factor (and the onscreen touch keyboard really sucks for me). The effusive praise heaped on the Apple App Store is not enough to move me off the Blackberry - not by a long shot. Get the Blackberry Curve 8900 here.

Apple Release 2.1 Update For iPhone

Apple have relased their 2.1 software upgrade for the iPhone. This update comes the promise of fewer call drops and a significantly improved battery life. It has purportedly also fixed a lot of bugs.

iPhone Ad Pulled In UK

The UK's Advertising Standards Authority has decided that Apples UK iPhone campaign is telling a lot of porky pies (lies). They taken the step of banning the commercial from airing in its current state. The ASA has argued that "all the parts of the internet" should include Flash and Java webpages, neither of which are natively viewable through the iPhone's mobile Safari. The ASA said: "Because the iPhone doesn't support Flash or Java, you couldn't really see the internet in its full glory, ... They made a very general claim that you can see the internet in its entirety, and actually that's not quite true - so we've upheld." Apple are obviously unhappy about this, but then again this is from the company which people think invented the gui and mouse based computing.

iPhone With Glowing Apple Logo Mod

Gizmodo are featuring a story which features a russian mod of an iPhone in which the modder has made the Apple logo on the back glow. All told the mod isn't cheap to do. It costs about $300, so you really have to be an apple Fanboy to attempt it. Oh ... BTW, it'll also invalidate your warranty.

Apple Raises Ire Of iPhone Users

A purported capability in the iPhone is rapidly raising the Ire of iPhone users. Several Blogs and tech sites are reporting on a reported capability in the iPhone which allows it to call home and then disable unregistered apps. This feature flies in the face of many users assumptions that they are buying their technologies and are therefore free to add whatever they want to their devices. Even Engadget who are big Apple fans are not impressed by this purported capability.

Crunchgear Demo of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed For iPhone

Crunchgear have a video of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed game for the iPhone. The video looks like there has been a lot of work put into the game. It also appears to have a lot of narratives too. The Game is scheduled to be released sometime this fall. September 16 the it the date being talked about, looks like the iPhone might become a bit of a game platform finally.

Canadian iPhone Pricing Plan Is Robbery

Looks like Canada will be getting the iPhone on July 11th, 2008. Rogers Wireless and Apple will release the iPhone 3G into the Canadian market, but at higher prices than pretty much any where you can think of. The 8GB model can be had for just $199, but it will require a three-year service agreement with Rogers Wireless. If you want the 16G, it’ll cost you only $100 more. The big problem lies in their pricing plan, the smallest plan will start at a pricey $60 a month and this doesn’t include caller ID, licensing, access fees and taxes. The four iPhone 3G plans are as follows: $60/month: 150 daytime minutes, unlimited evenings and weekends, 400MB data, 75 text messages, visual voicemail $75/month: 300 daytime minutes, unlimited evenings and weekends, 750MB data, 100 text messages, visual voicemail $100/month: 600 daytime minutes, unlimited evenings and weekends, 1GB data, 200 text messages, visual voicemail $115/month: 800 daytime minutes, unlimited evenings and weekends, 2GB data, 300 text messages, visual voicemail Additionals are as follows: $15 a month will get you Caller ID, WhoCalled, Caller Ring Trax, 2500 text messages, and 2500 call forwarding minutes. For an extra $20 a month, you get much the same, except there are 10000 text messages and 6:00pm early evenings. Add the $60 monthly plan with the $15 value pack, system access fee, 911 fee, and taxes, and you get about $100 a month. Going over your minute plan will cost you $0.35 a minute, more than some prepaid services. If you go over your data plan, it'll cost you $0.50 per megabyte. This has all generated a big outcry and spawned several sites, including Ruinediphone.com. It remains to be seen what effect this outcry will have, but you can be certain of one thing, anyone one, who has any sense will not even consider getting one if they like texting or viewing online media and songs. Stick with getting an older iPhone, or even buy one offline... Even better save your money and stick with a phone which supports Java, Flash and other industry standard services and applications. Thanks to an article over at futurelooks.com for much of the information in this post.

Apple Announce 3G iPhone

So it's official, Apple are to begin selling the 3G iPhone in 22 countries on the 11th of July. This will be accompanied by a price drop. No idea on UK prices as yet but I hope its more in line with the US prices than the typically usurious rates they normally charge us Brits. The US price will be $199 for an 8 GB edition, and $299 for a 16 GB version, which will also be available in white. The iPhone 3G comes in a full black plastic case, metal buttons, the same 480 by 320-pixel multitouch LCD display and a flush headphone jack. The new iPhone also has an integrated GPS receiver. According to Apple it offers improved battery life (up to 300 hours on standby, 10 hours of 2G talk time, 5 hours of 3G talk time, 6 hours of browsing, 7 hours of video, or 24 hours of audio). Update With all the noise about the 3G iPhone, there are also a lot of gripes too ... nice that they've added the 3G and improved on things like the headphone jack and battery life (Still no user replaceable battery though). Other issues include: No A2DP audio on bluetooth No copy and paste 2MP camera No Video recording No MMS. No front camera No flash support inside Safari - although this may be handled in the future via an update. No user uploaded ring tunes No support for Memory Cards Details of O2 Pricing in UK: Monthly Charge £30 £35 £45 £75 Cost of 8GB iPhone £99 £99 Free Free Cost of 16GB iPhone £159 £159 £59 Free

Rumours of Atom Based iPhone Unfounded

The race to find tech news is often with its perils. Yesterday several sites posted news about a possible new iphone which uses intels atom chip as its cpu. The story which has been refuted by intel themselves arose out of a purported statement reported by ZDNet in Germany, where German Intel General Manager Hannes Schwaderer said future iPhones would have the Intel Atom chip. Later posts indicate that Mr Schwaderer was only making general statements of future Atom powered MIDs. Sites like Engadget and ZDNet were quick to post corrections. Only Time will tell if this is true or not. Unfortunately this is one of the dangers of trying to be first at the post.

Nokia's "Tube" - An iPhone Challenger.

Nokia showed a potential challenger to the iPhone late last year. The teaser has since been followed up this week with more images and a little bit more info prompting some speculation on the capabilities of their unit, strangely codenamed "Tube" and no doubt able to compete with the iphone on more than just a touch screen based interface and media support, including Java which is still absent (but promised via Sun) on the iPhone.

Apple iPhone 3G In 2 Months

According to a report at Gizmodo UK the new 3G iPhone will be in stores sometime in June. Tech pundit, Walt Mossberg, from the Wall St. Journal, stated “We all know that when the iPhone came out, it became crystal-clear that you were going to be able to carry in your pocket something that would give you a very good video experience. But again, broadband on these mobile phone networks is limited and I'm not talking about the fact that iPhone isn't 3G, it will be 3G in 60 days.” As Gizmodo inferred, Walt may not be Jobs, but he's that connected that you can be fairly certain he knows what he's talking about.

Apple Files New iPhone Patents

There have been several reports on some of the Tech blogs about Apple filing a new patent relating to making it a lifestyle companion. The patents as they have been reported on look like nothing new. Old ideas that have been rehashed to fit new technology. I can understand companies wanting to protect their Intellectual Property, but some filings have become ridiculous. It's well past time the patent system was overhauled to avoid all this potentially litigious material.

Sun Developing Java For iPhone

Sun Microsystems are developing Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for use on Apple's iPhone. They plan to release JVM in the summer. This will make the iPhone able to run Java applications. The iPhone edition is to be based on the Java Micro Edition of Java and in spite of Apple's apparent disinterest in doing so themselves. Who knows, but maybe this will be extended into support for all the web based Java apps and tools. Maybe Apple's claim of having the "real" Internet on their device will finally become a reality, and not just marketing spin.

BBC iPlayer for iPhone

The BBC have announced that their iPlayer is avaialble for the iPhone. To use iPlayer o all you have to do is access the iPlayer website and then stream the required BBC programme. This is great news for iPhone users and only if you have wifi access. But to use the player on an Edge enabled phone sounds like a recipy for frustration and disaster. Apple need to release a 3G version and pretty damn soon.

Apple Announce SDK & Beta Of Version 2 iPhone OS

With much hurrah, Apple announced the release of the iPhone SDK and a slew of new features for the new iPhone OS at their SDK conference. Details of the iPhone SDK were also released relealing that developers will have access to their "Cocoa Touch" framework and the other APIs being used by Apple for iPhone software development. The SDK provides support for developing hardware-accelerated 3D graphics, location-enabled apps as well as full access to the media capabilities. Developers will also be able to use Xcode (a Mac only option), there is also a new iPhone Simulator which facilitates easy testing of all developed applications. Version 2 will include things like, Microsoft Exchange and ActiveSync support, Push mail and Contacts, Global Address List, VPN, authentication via certificate, and lots more. The Beta will initially be available for developers and selected enterprise IT departments only. Missing from the announcements was any mention of a 3G version of the iPhone ... get with the program, Apple, many of us want 3G, although by the time we get it, it may be old hat anyways.

Apple Increases Storage for iPod Touch & iPhone

Apple have announced that they have doubled the capacity of the iPhone and the iPod Touch for an additional $100. The iPhone comes in an 8GB Model for $399 and the new 16GB model for $499. The iPod Touch has also been enhanced to store more music and videos, with a 32GB model at the top for $499, the iPod Touch is also available in 16GB and an 8GB models. Still no external storage capabilities however.

Apple To Unlock iPhone

It seems that Apple are waking up to customer demands and have realized that they have won no friends with the locked phone issue. They are going to be releasing an unlocked version of their iPhone. They are also going to be releasing an SDK for third party developers. I'll wait to comment on the last issue, as I have no idea what form the SDK will take, but on the unlocking issue, it can only bode well for Apple as many more people will buy their "new cool" thing. I still think the phone sucks in two key areas ... The removable battery (or lack of one) and the lack of support for 3G.

Microsoft iPhone Like Interface...

According to i4u.com and Dial a phone, Microsoft have file a patent for a UI which may be designed for Windows Mobile devices and which looks very similar to that of the iPhone.

Apple Announce iPod Touch

As expected Apple announced an iPod based upon their iPhone and one which uses many of the features found in the popular mobile phone. Coming in 8GB and 16GB versions the new media device looks pretty cool even if the capacity is a little underwhelming. The 8mm-thick iPod looks very much like the iPhone and also features WiFi which when combined with the free WiFi service from Starbucks who are teamed up with Apple and is being rolled out over the next few months. The unit can also display video and photos synched from iTunes. The Safari based browser will allow users to browse the internet via the WiFi interface. Check out Apples Guided Tour for more info. The iPod touch is available now in a $299 8GB and a $399 16GB version. Both versions included earphones, a USB 2.0 cable, dock adapter, stand and Quick Start guide. System requirements include iTunes 7.4, which has just been released.

Nokia Reveal iPhone Type Phone

Engadget are featuring a video which showcases an iPhone-esque cell phone and sports a widescreen format display. The unit also has some features very reminiscent of Apples iPhone. No idea on what this device will be called but it (or something based on it), is rumoured for release sometime early in 2008.

iPhone Proves Expensive.

Over at TG Daily, Wolfgang Gruener has posted an interesting article about the iPhone which more than any I've read exposes the real problem with the iPhone. I'ts worth a read and shows just how silly Apple and AT&T are being with their greed. Which will lose Apple many fans ... We all figured AT&T were a big mistake, and given the figures that wolfgang has cited many peeps will undoubtedly drop AT&T as a service provider and opt to wait for something which can unlock the iPhone. Pop on over and have a read ... TG Daily.

iPhone Preview?

Engadget, who have been very positive about the iphone haveupped a post with comments from an "insider" whos had some experience with the iPhone. it's worth a read and if true will require apple to put some effort into redesigning/upgrading the interface somewhat. It seems the central issue is that the phone will require you to use a finger for text entry as most peoples thumbs will cause too many errors. To read more visit engadget.com.

iPhone To Include YouTube

Apple have announced that iPhone owners will be able to watch YouTube content using a special player and using the higher quality H.264 codec. This is the same codec that YouTube uses for new videos, and for the older ones that need re-encoding. Looks like the net is heating up with rumours and announcements just ahead of the release of this much anticipated device.

Apple Says ...

Apple today announced that iPhone will deliver significantly longer battery life when it ships on June 29 than was originally estimated when iPhone was unveiled in January. iPhone will feature up to 8 hours of talk time, 6 hours of Internet use, 7 hours of video playback or 24 hours of audio playback.* In addition, iPhone will feature up to 250 hours-more than 10 days-of standby time. Apple also announced that the entire top surface of iPhone, including its stunning 3.5-inch display, has been upgraded from plastic to optical-quality glass to achieve a superior level of scratch resistance and optical clarity. So I might have jumped the gun a bit, if these figures prove correct on the playback and usage times ... I still think that Apple screwed up what could have possibly been their best product to date by not allowing users the capability to switch power packs with ease...

Apple iPhone Views

I can honestly say that the apple iPhone has captured the imagination of many... However one of the problems with this tech is that even though it will most likely be a financial success and net Apple Millions the phone itself will suck for several reasons. The first is that it is too cool and although it has a reported battery life that will allow you to play up to 8 hours of music, what happens when that battery has been exhausted and even got forbid it actually fails? I can assume a couple of scenarios (quite probable ones too): 1. The user in the event of the battery being exhausted will have to plug in an external back up power pack (external, because there is not capacity in the unit for exchanging the internal powersupply with a back up). 2. Find a place where you can charge the uselees unit up so that you can use it again. 3. In the event of failure send the phone back to Apple for a replacement power pack because you can't just siply open the unit up yourself to change the power pack ... In the words of many a Brit, Apple are elitist wankers who haven't given a real thought about the consumer in this particular area of the phones usability. To all you poor saps who buy this phone, good luck ... I'll be keeping an eye open for your reactions, when you try to use the phone after watching your first movie on the phone and then run out of juice 5 minutes into the next call you get ... let hope I'm wrong.

Apple iPhone Release Date . . . sort of

As anxious crowds begin to form in the days leading up to the iPhone's June 29 release date in the U.S., a number of other countries are still waiting for release timing. The iPhone will both augment an existing market segment and help to better define a technology segment being carved from the convergence of wireless telephony and wireless mobile entertainment. But don't anticipate iPhone avilability in Canada, the UK, Europe, South America or anywhere else outside the U.S. for that matter, until Apple becomes confident that the high risk first release of the iPhone proves worthwhile, and more important, quickly earns wide consumer demand and acceptance. Apple is banking on the large touch screen, 2 megapixel, high quality audio, high speed network, and streaming internet and video capabilities combined with iPod quality audio and lots of internal storage to take over the existing market and grow it very quickly. Connectivity to the iTunes store will be unique in the industry. iPhones will initially be available exclusively on the AT&T (formerly Cingular) wireless network and can be purchased, locked to AT&T, from the Apple Store beginning June 29.

Apple To Use Enhanced Theft Protection On iPhone

Reports from several sources are that Apple are planning a sudden motion based theft protection system on their New iPhone. the system will purportedly work by allowing the owner to use the motion detection systems built into the item to detect sudden motion such as when devices are snatched. The device will lock itself when this type of motion is detected and will require a security password to unlock it...

Apple Product Rumours

Engadget are reporting on a trio of rumours around Apple, which includes the possibility of discounted iPhones, A Nand drive based Sub-notebook and and early release of Leopard. Not sure how much faith I'm going to place in these rumours but all are quite possible. Visit this page for more info.