Tag: iPhone

Apple Product Replacement Support

Apple Product Replacement SupportI own an Apple iPhone five and it is one of the best devices I’ve ever used. Not only do I use it for a phone I also use it for most of my business. I have a to do list which keeps track of all the things that I need to keep track of. It helps me know when I should get them done. I also use it for my calendar, my banking, and of course updating and writing blogs like this one. I decided to write a blog about this particular subject because my iPhone five needed to be replaced. As a result I was totally impressed with the way that Apple handled my service requirement. Their service was truly amazing.

My iPhone five is only about eight months old and unfortunately it started to have shadows on the screen. I could still use the screen without any problem. But I thought that I should have it checked out by Apple. I called their telephone support line and spoke to one of their support people and described the issue that I was having.

Apple Product Replacement Support – Fantastic

Without hesitation he decided on the fly to provide me with a replacement iPhone. Which he arranged to have shipped by UPS to my home. It would have arrived within two business days except that there was a weekend in between. I was not home on the day that the UPS driver arrived on his first attempt to deliver.

On the third business day I received my iPhone five and proceeded to transfer everything from the old phone onto the new phone. The first step is to make sure that everything from my old phone is backed up to the iCloud. Once this is complete you can then erase everything from the old phone. You also must transfer the Sim card from the old phone for the new card. There are instructions provided to show you how to do that.

Once the new phone was turned on it needed to be upgraded to the latest iOS. After this was complete it was a simple matter to back up the new phone from the iCloud and place everything back onto my new iPhone. This was simple and straightforward and only took a few hours for everything to download.

Areas to Improve

The only wrinkle was that I needed to reenter all of my passwords for the various systems and applications that I use on my iPhone. I personally choose not to store any passwords on my iPhone to provide additional security but that is just something that is peculiar to my own way of doing things.

I was totally happy with the support and service that Apple provided to me. They even provided the box that I was to use to ship my old iPhone back to Apple along with the routing tag and shipping information.

Apple provides an excellent service and I would strongly recommend their company anytime. For more Apple details, click here.

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iPhone 5

We have been reading about the iPhone 5 and the benefits of this model over the iPhone 4. There are mixed reviews out about the iPhone 5 some by competitors and others by reviewers without any agenda. We have tried to glean out the facts and present them here.

Comparison of the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4

As more and more people use the iPhone 5, we are confident that more information will be available. For now here is our summary of the differences and some of the improvements as well for this phone based on a few reports that have come out so far.

  • Much faster processor
  • Weights 3.95 ounces
  • 4.9 inches tall
  • 2.3 inches wide
  • .3 inches deep
  • 18% thinner
  • 20% lighter
  • Back of the iPhone is aluminum instead of glass
  • Screen is 4 inches tall
  • A6 processor with twice the speed of the previous model
  • Apps run twice as fast and load instantaneously
  • 1GB of Ram
  • 1.3 megapixel front facing camera
  • 8 Megapixel shooter with better dim shot capability
  • Panorama mode picture capability
  • No dropped calls
  • Voice calls are sharper
  • Battery life on 3G or 4G is supposed to be 8 hours and 10 hours on WIFI
  • Average user should be able to charge the battery once per day
  • Heavy use may need more charges per day
  • Map app still needs some work with accuracy issues at time of writing
  • New cable required for charging

Much Prefer the iPhone 5 vs the Android Platform

Either way, whether you love the Apple products or not, this iPhone has the competition beat hands down. As an Android user, I can tell you that the operating system of the Android is like using a PC. It is clunky and needs adjustment and it is not intuitive in the way that Apples iPhone is with its IOS operating system. When my contract is up for the Android phone that I have, I will be switching to an Apple iPhone!

Way to go Apple! Can’t wait for the next phone that comes out. What will be the options on the next one. I can just imagine the Apps that will be written for this new phone with the twice the speed processor. More and more functionality will be added with all of the new apps. as of this update Apple has introduced a new set of phones based on the iPhone 5 platform. Not enough for us to consider upgrading at this point, we will wait another year for a more significant change to the platform.

I have used the iPhone 5 now for 5 months and absolutely love it. It is far superior to anything android has in my opinion! I love the larger screen space and the speed of using all my applications. In my case it is virtually my office away from home. I use it for everything.

for more details about the iPhone 5 and other Apple products, click here.

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Upgrading Your Smart Phone, iPod

Smart Phone SecurityI recently starting considering whether I would upgrade my iPod to the latest version. It got me to wondering what are the issues associated with an upgrade. Also what about upgrading my cell phone to a smart phone at the same time. The costs that are pretty high. But I can also sell my existing iPod to recoup some of the expense of upgrading.

This Is What I Currently Have

First let me tell you what I have at the moment. I have an older Samsung flip phone which works well although the battery only lasts about three days before needing a charge. Other than that it works very well. I also have an iPod touch which is a year old, so it does not have the built in cameras. I purchased it with 32 G’s of memory and even with loads of pictures and music on it I am not even close to using all of the memory.

Now you may wonder why I just don’t upgrade to an iPhone. Well we live in Canada and the rates for cell service plus data service is ridiculous. That’s why with the iPod, I just use WiFi and the data does not cost me anything. Sure I have to find a WiFi site, however I have discovered that there are so many around that I always have access when I need it.

I am currently paying about $85 a month for 500 minutes of local and long distance service shared between two phones to Bell Mobility. I know this is high by USA levels, but that is what we are stuck with in Canada. This includes voice mail and text messaging. It does not include any data at all.

The best part is that I am coming to the end of my contract and I can now negotiate with Bell, my current provider and with Rogers who are the main competitors.

What Smart Phone Should I Upgrade to?

What I would like is a new Smart Phone, an iPhone 4 as an upgrade with data and voice at a much better price that what I am currently paying. I am used to the iPod and really like all of the current apps that I have. I would like the current configuration that I have on my iPod plus voice.

So I have to wait another month for my contract to end and then we will see what kind of deal Bell and Rogers will offer to me. Bell to keep me and Rogers to transfer me and pick me up as a new customer.

If I can get a new iPhone 4, then I will sell my iPod. I have seen them going for roughly $140 to $170 on Ebay and considering I have had it for one year and I paid $300 for it, this is not a bad deal.

Can Anyone Suggest a Better Approach?

If anyone has a better suggestion about how to get a better deal or what I should expect for a proposed offer for service, I would really like to hear your comments now. The end of May is my drop dead date for making a decision on a new phone of some kind. If they will not give me a good deal, then I might just keep what I have?

For more iPod touch information, click here.

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Apple iPhone 4

Stolen iPhones and SecurityThis weeks Cell Phone Review is the ” Apple iPhone 4″ offered by AT&T, Bell, Rogers and other wireless carriers throughout the United States and Canada. While this is an older iPhone, they are up to 7 now with 8 on the horizon, many people still use this iPhone.
With the iPhone 4, Apple again shows that it is a powerful player in the smartphone wars. It won’t be for everyone, the call quality and reception vary if you don’t use a case, and AT&T’s network remains a sticking point for US users, but the handset’s striking design, loaded feature set, and generally agreeable performance make it the best iPhone yet and a leader in the smart phone wars.

The issues with call reception and call dropping seem to have gone away. Users now know how to hold the device and they also know that they should invest in a case which not only helps with call reception / dropping, the case also protects the device as well. Overall a good investment. These are sought after devices and in the writer’s opinion is the best smart phone on the market. However that being said, it may not satisfy everyone’s need. If your prefer the tactile feel of regular keyboard, then the Apple iPhone 4 will not meet your needs. Once you get used to the on screen keyboard, I have found that you can actually type as fast if not faster than with other more tactile keyboards.

Apple iPhone 4

Price Range: is listed as $299.99, however if you sign a contract, you can get it for a lower price, so negotiate. If you want to buy it outright, it is probably going to cost you in the neighborhood of $700.00

Features:

  • Candy bar design with internal antenna
  • Polyphonic ringer,
  • Voice dialing,
  • Call timer
  • Conference calling
  • Voice recorder
  • Caller ID
  • Speakerphone
  • Video editor, multitasking, integrated digital compass
  • 32 G of memory
  • SMS, Skype, email, POP2 , IMAP4, GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA
  • Internet browser
  • App store, Itunes, video calling
  • Supports MS Excell, Word and PDF
  • Download iBooks, Audio files, Video files, Games, iTunes music
  • 5 megapixel camera, auto focus, Video recorder and GEO Tagging
  • GPS maps and compass
  • Alarm clock, calendar, reminder, calculator
  • LCD display, 900*640 pixels, scratch resistant glass with retina display
  • Digital player – Apple Lossless, WAV, MP3, AIFF , AAC
  • 1 x Headset jack – Mini-phone 3.5 mm, 1 x Dock connector – 30 pin dock connector, USB cable
  • Lithium Ion battery
  • Talk time – Up to 840 min (2G), Up to 420 min (3G)

The Good: The iPhone 4 offers enhanced performance, a lovely new display, and an improved design. It also adds a ton of sorely needed features, both by itself and through the iOS 4 update.

The Bad: Multitasking entails some trade-offs, and home screen folders are limited to 12 apps. AT&T reception continues to be spotty, and you’ll need a case for the best calling reception. Also, we’d prefer a 64GB model.

From Reviews:

Display: LCD display, 900*640 pixels, scratch resistant glass with retina display

Keyboard: Built in Qwerty keyboard on screen

Audio Playback: Digital player – Apple Lossless, WAV, MP3, AIFF , AAC

Video Playback: Digital player – Apple Lossless, WAV, MP3, AIFF , AAC

Capacity: 32 G memory

Connectors: 1 x Headset jack – Mini-phone 3.5 mm, 1 x Dock connector – 30 pin dock connector, USB cable

Accessories: 1 x Headset jack – Mini-phone 3.5 mm, 1 x Dock connector – 30 pin dock connector, USB cable and many 3rd party accessories

Sensors: GPS & Maps

Headphones: 1 x Headset jack – Mini-phone 3.5 mm,

Size & Weight: 2.31 inches wide, .37 inches thick and 4.5 inches high weighing in at 4.8 oz’s

Colors: Black

External Buttons & Controls: Most are on screen, however there are volume, power buttons on the sides

Cellular & Wireless: WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM in the following bands WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900

Power & Battery: Lithium Ion battery, Talk time – Up to 840 min (2G), Up to 420 min (3G)

Languages: Multi language support

For more information about Apple iPhones, click here.

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Apple iPad 2

Apple iPad 2The Apple iPad 2 is rumored to be released in the 1st quarter of 2011 and the ideas and feature rumors are rampant. We have searched a number of sites to compile a list of new features that Apple may be adding to the new iPad. Well 2011 has come and gone. It is now 2013 when we are updating this post and the Apple iPhone 4th generation is out, the iPhone 5 is out  and there are rumors about other updates on the way. Apple is continuously updating their devices and it is expensive to keep up with them.

One of the best ways to keep up is to sell your old device before it gets too old, recover some of your investment and grab the latest and greatest model. Of course if you are buying an iPhone, you must buy the phone unlocked so that it is much easier to sell. Prospective buyers can easily insert their own SIM card for their carrier of the choice.

Here is the rumored list:

  • a 7-inch display.
  • a mini or micro USB port.
  • the 9.7-inch model will actually stick around.
  • a new, smaller model would be “in addition” to the larger, original-sized iPad.
  • the device will feature Apple’s Retina Display.
  • include 128GB of memory.
  • will feature a camera.
  • will feature a camera in the front as well as in the back.
  • be lighter to hold in the hand.

Non of these features have been confirmed yet. Apple may even be letting them continue to keep the competition guessing. And it seems to be working. Since all of the competitors are aiming to introduce new tablets by the summer of 2011. Apple would appear to have the advantage since it’s product has been out there for longer. It has had a chance to stabilize.

Even so, the developers for Android are  working hard to catch up and surpass the Apple juggernaut. Android may have the lead by the summer time in terms of other competitors, but it is any ones guess at this time how quickly they will catch up to the new iPad!

Camera

However, while everyone can assume that Apple will put a camera on the new iPad, nothing has been confirmed. And if earlier reports are true, and Apple is indeed creating several different physical models of the new iPad, to throw off any “leaks,” then it may be awhile before we start seeing a clear picture as to what Apple has up their sleeve for their new tablet device.

Rest assured, Apple will aim to be head and shoulders above the competition when they introduce there new iPad. In addition their other products will also not be far behind with feature additions as well. This was demonstrated by the releases of the iPhone 4 and the new iPod Touch in 2010.

More to come as we enter 2011 and Apple gets closer to the eventual release. Comments and rumors welcome! For more details about using iPads, click here.

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Smart Phone Applications & Use

Smart Phone ApplicationsThe following is a repost of an article we saw online and felt that our readers might find it interesting. Unfortunately we did not catch the author of this post. So if you happen to know who the author is, please leave a comment. We will be glad to update this post with the authors name and give full credit to him or her. We do not like to copy other peoples work. But when we see a really good post, that we think fits with our work, we like to add it to our blog.

We thought this is so interesting because it really heralds the new trend in marketing. Advertisers should take note as well as people who regularly write posts for a living. Your audience is going to someone using a smart phone in the future!

Smart Phone Applications

Enjoy the post!

Advertisers take note: People who have phones with Android operating systems are more likely to open an advertisement inside an app than are iPhone users. That, at least, is what the Nielsen  Company says in a new report that it released on Monday about how people use mobile apps.

The report is the result of the company’s Mobile Apps Playbook survey of 4,000 people, which Nielsen embarked upon last December. It opens with a dose of realism, saying that “most Americans can’t imagine leaving home without their mobile phones,” and pointing out that one in four of the respondents own a smartphone that is “more powerful than the computers initially used to send men to the moon.”

DESCRIPTION

What did the respondents do with these phones? Download a lot of apps. As of June 2010, according to the report, 59 percent of the smartphone owners surveyed, and nearly 9 percent of the feature phone users, said they had downloaded a mobile app in the last month.

Playing Games

The respondents also are playing a lot of games. The report states that 61 percent of smartphone owners surveyed said they had bought and used a game within the past month.

They’re checking the weather, too. After games, the second most-used category of apps on the mobile phone were weather related, with 55 percent of phone owners surveyed using such applications, the report said. The smartphone owners surveyed also like mapping and navigation apps, social networking programs that access Facebook and Twitter, and music-related apps, according to Nielsen.

The respondents in the survey rarely download instant messenger apps and those used to make Internet voice over phone calls, the report found.

When comparing the different applications based on the type of phone used, the results were almost uniform across platforms.

Facebook, The Weather Channel, Google Maps and the music service Pandora were in the top five apps used on the iPhone, Blackberry, Android and Windows Mobile platforms.

In a blog post on the company’s Web site, Nielsen said. “One of the main challenges facing apps publishers is making sure consumers discover their apps.” And so Nielsen asked the phone owners how they discover and find new apps.

According to the researchers, 40 percent of those surveyed said they found new programs directly on their phones, while 36 percent said they heard about new apps from friends and family.

In addition to the finding about how Android and iPhone users treated advertisements on their phones, the report found that teenagers were “much more receptive than their elders” in engaging with mobile advertising inside an app, with 58 percent of teenagers telling the Nielsen researchers that they look at mobile ads.

Nielsen app market
For more information about smart phones and content, click here.

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iPod Touch Reviews

iPod Touch Reviews I bought my first iPod in March 2010. Ok, I know I am a little late getting on the bandwagon, however I really have been a PC type for all of my computer lifetime.  I bought it for $300 in the spring of 2010, and have really fell for this little piece of technology, and I haven’t bought a CD since as well.

This Generation iPod cost $300 and was the size of a half a deck deck of cards or perhaps even thinner. I purchased the 32 G model and have a huge amount of space for a lot of apps as well as pictures and music. It also apparently has a faster processor than some of the older models.

iPod Touch Reviews

IOS8.01 and iPad

The biggest complaint that many iPod owners have is that they cannot upgrade to IOS 8.1 because they do not have sufficient memory. They have to erase material from their iPad to allow for the upgrade. The other complaint is that older models just cannot handle the new software and are slower as a result. Time to upgrade to a more powerful model.

IOS7.0 and iPod

My version of this device also runs IOS 4.1. It has all of the same features as the iPhone except for the camera and of course the phone.  Apple has sold more than 260 million iPods. Its latest iterations look less like a deck of cards and more like a hand of poker. Since we purchased this iPod, apple is now releasing IOS 7. Although Apple indicates that our iPod will run IOS 7. We are not planning to upgrade it since it is an older slower machine compared to the devices now being sold. It would be just too much headache due to slowness and unsupported apps in our view.

I really like this little machine. I read most of my email at coffee shops that offer free WiFi, read the news, check on the weather, listen to my favorite radio station, check my Facebook status, even keep up on my banking. This is a really great little device and as long as there is WiFi around, I can connect and be live on the internet. I can even make phone calls over Skype! When I call other people on computers including smart phones running Skype it is a free call. No data plan and no minutes! Utterly fantastic.

Now the company’s newest generation of music players is set to be released into the wild, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the new model.

If you own the last version of the iPod touch, the design of the latest version shouldn’t come as a major surprise. Instead of aping the iPhone’s new glass-sandwich looks, the new touch hews close to its roots with a super thin profile made up of one part glass screen and one part all-metal back. The device still bears the smudge inviting chrome rear panel, and continues the trend of shrinking the thickness as far down as possible. We thought the iPhone 4 was crazy thin, but the new touch looks like a toothpick by comparison.

More Recent Ipods

We especially like the latest iPods. Specifically enjoying the front-facing camera of the iPod Touch. But was “less enthusiastic about Ping, Apple’s first attempt at social networking. Because it didn’t do well enough with the socializing aspect. With the camera front and back, we can take pictures, take videos. Also hold video conference calls with our family all from the iPod Touch!

Ping’s other socially awkward characteristics include its inability to notify you when other people comment on or like something you’ve posted or commented on. Apple says these will appear in the Recent Activity page within a week. But not as easy-to-see notifications at the top of the page.

Some changes to the iPod in the past, which is updated each year, have seemed forced. But that this year’s updates are welcome. There are thousands of app’s available that cover just about any situation you can think of. More are being added everyday. The older ones are being updated to utilize 4G speeds. This is truly a great winner for Apple.

iPod Touch Reviews  – Time to Upgrade

There are no design missteps this year, though, at least none as egregious. The 2010 iPod crop takes some design risks and, in some cases, subtracts some longstanding features. But in general, the trade offs are worth it. I cannot wait to get my hands on the new iPod model and put it through its paces. Now that IOS 7 is out and we are several versions behind on the iPod I think it is time to upgrade and purchase a new device.

If you have one, feel free to add your comments here so other readers can find out more about Apple’s latest creation. Please note that spam comments will be deleted. For more details, click here.

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New Ipod Touch From Apple

Smart Phone SecurityThe latest iPod touch is almost here with the announcement from Apple that they are updating the popular iPod touch. I have been using one for the past 6 months and I must say it is the best investment I have made in terms of tools and gadgets. The 4th generation of the iPod touch promises to be even better!

We will list the features that Apple has added in just a moment, however we want to emphasize something first. For those of you who want everything that the iPhone has to offer the iPod touch may be the answer with out the proverbial contract that is tied to all iPhone systems. As long as you have a WiFi connection you can do pretty much everything the iPhone can do without the data charges on an expensive contract.

Using Skype

Using an application such as Skype, you can make and receive phone calls on your iPod, and there are multiple applications that also allow you to send and receive sms messages as well. The only drawback is that you do need a WiFi connection. In my personal experience, I have found so many places to connect that I would never even consider moving to a data contract of some sort with the major carriers.

Ipod Touch Features

However I am digressing. Here is a summary list of the major feature improvements of the new iPod touch as release from Apple, which is scheduled to ship in Sept 2010.

  • Same stainless steel back, with about 15 % shaved off the thickness of the device
  • Same rounded corners, lighter than the original and certainly from the iPhone
  • Improved screen with more vibrant colors and crystal clear display
  • Addition of two cameras, front and back
  • HD video recording capability
  • Video calling with Apples Face time video calling app
  • No Contract
  • 3.5 inch, 960 by 640 pixel resolution retina display

Now you can take pictures and videos and send them to your contacts via email. Also conduct video chats with family and friends and stay in touch with all of your contacts. As long as you do not need to have emergency phone service you can use your iPod touch for much of your communication with everyone.

It Does not Replace a Cell Phone

Note that we think it does not replace a traditional cell phone, which many of us need to stay in touch, conduct work activities and in general stay in touch with the world by voice. However you can purchase an inexpensive voice plan for your cell phone and use the iPod touch for all of your data needs, surfing, downloading videos and music and much more.

Apple has done it again! This could be another one of those game changers that shakes the industry and continues to put pressure on the telephone and wireless carriers. They still get to carry the traffic, since they feed the WiFi connections, they just do not get to charge the high rates for a data connection. There may be a revenue impact as more and more companies offer data service through Wifi service. Just visit almost any coffee shop and you can get free service!

More details about the iPod Touch from Apple can be found here.

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Iphone vs Android Wars

Iphone vs Android Wars Currently as of this post BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIMM) commands 41.6% of the market, according to technology data tracker comScore. Apple’s iPhone OS is is second place with 25.3%, and phones that run Google’s Android operating system are in 5th place with 5.2% of the market. The smart phone data market has been heating up for some time, however with the introduction of Google’s android, the market is about to heat up and perhaps change the dynamics as well. A year makes a huge difference. We just heard that Android is outselling iPhone outside of North America and Apple is very concerned. Rim is now a distant third and not likely to make it in the next 5 years.

What is really interesting is that Google and Apple are getting a lot of press with the introduction of the Android platform and the Ipad respectively, however they are not the largest smartphone makers by a long way. RIM is well ahead of the pack with over 41% of the market! RIM is probably quite happy for these two to fight it out while they continue to focus on building apps and selling their products.

Iphone vs Android Wars

However the real question is what is driving traffic on the network? Turns out that data from smartphones and specifically Apple and Droid phones is driving 86% of the data traffic to these smartphones.  Apple I-phones and Ipod touch devices already have over 100,000 applications developed with more being added every day. Android phones now have over 20,000 apps and there is a huge army of developers developing more. Unfortunately Rim has only just passed the 1000 mark for apps that work on the RIM smartphone products.

Revenue Streams

The future appears to be the development of applications and they drive several revenue streams for many companies. The developer makes money when his or her app is purchased. Even if they are just charging a dollar a download, there are thousands being downloaded every day driving revenue into the developers hands.

Compelling apps also drive hardware sales of the smart phones themselves for Apple and for any manufacturer of the smartphone using Android. In addition Apple is taking a cut of the revenue for each app, while google makes money through traffic and searches that are conducted via the smartphones.

Finally the telephone companies who run all of this data over their networks are seeing traffic sky rocket through the roof. Although they are spending millions to beef up their networks they are also collecting millions on increased data traffic and smartphone monthly fees as more and more customers  purchase monthly subscription plans from them.

In fact while voice stagnates in terms of revenue growth on cellular networks, and landlines are sliding, data growth represents one of the few bright spots for the telephone carriers.

The Contenders

There appears to be 4 main contenders for the OS systems driving smartphones.  Apple’s OS , Google’s Droid, Rim and Microsoft’s Windows phone 7 appear to be the main contenders. Rim is improving their browser and making it more internet friendly. Apple currently leads the pack with over 100,000 approved applications, Android is approaching 20,000 and Rim has just surpassed the 1000 mark.

Apple has the momentum and needs to bring out more functionality in their OS and support even more applications.  Google with its droid OS is new and has momentum as well simply because of its size and deep pockets as well as the popularity of existing applications that work very well on the computers of today. The question is can they morph this success onto the smartphone and catch the leader ?

What Are Their Strategies ?

Google has made their interface open attracting many developers of applications.  The data traffic runs on three carriers in the US and on 10 smartphones.

Apple on the other hand has a close standards approach to approving apps. It can take several months to approve an app which turns off many developers although it can be argued that you have better higher quality apps as a result. The OS runs on 3 devices, the sG S,  3G Iphone, and the Ipod touch.

5 ways iPhone and Android differ

Google is carrier agnostic while Apple runs on ATT’s network only.

Google is carrier agnostic while Apple lets carriers take a cut of the app revenues

Also Google is offering Android on more phones with varying price points, while Apples OS runs on 3 proprietary smartphones.

Google has an open standards approach while Apple is my way or the highway approach to smartphone apps.

Google’s strategy isn’t about keeping one carrier happy but about enabling mobility, hardware and software to a variety of different tiers, while Apple has focus on one carrier only.

Who Will Win the War? Iphone vs Android Wars

It is much too early to make a call on who will win the smart phone war.  Rest assured there will be lots of new smart applications  for consumers to play with and incorporate into their everyday lives. The main contenders are not going to sit back, they will do everything they can to grab their portion of the data market.s

If you are planning to purchase one of the new smart phones along with the monthly data plan, take the time to assess just how many apps you will be using and how much data you will send or receive. Data traffic with these smartphones will become the single largest expense on a monthly basis unless you have an appropriate plan from your carrier.

For more posts about wireless evolution, click here.

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iPad – What you need to know

There have been over 400,000 iPads manufactured at the time of writing this blog, iPadhowever before it gets actually published there could quite possibly be thousands more iPads in consumers hands. We have looked at a number of areas that consumers may want to consider when buying an iPad. Although it is not billed as a computer and does not have the flexibility of a computer, many people are lining up to get this latest Apple product. It does have a lot of benefits. However there are some drawbacks as well which may or may or not be important to some users.

Review

Apps – It can run most if not all of the apps developed for the iPhone and for the iPod Touch, however they will most likely be the size of the small screens of the iPhone. If you expand them on the iPad, you will probably get pixelization.  Apps are being upgraded and or developed all of the time.

Cost – The price varies from $499 to $899 with memory and 3G connectivity being the main differences. Note that if you opt for the 3G version you will also need to subscribe to a monthly data plan with AT&T adding further cost. All iPads support WI-FI. If you spend $899, you may as well purchase a computer that has more features and business applications that you can add.

Display – similar display to the iPhone and the impound Touch. If you are already familiar with these devices, you will find that iPad the same with a larger screen

Web –Excellent for browsing the web with the same drawbacks as on the smaller devices. iPad uses Safari, which does not support tabs and does not support Adobe Flash, so if you go to sites that require Adobe, you are going to get error messages.

Wireless

The iPad supports WI-FI and AT&T’s 3G wireless plans. If you really need wireless on the go, you will need to pay the extra monthly cost. The iPad is fast and displays web pages with lightening speed.

Books – must be purchased from Apples book store with many titles and newspapers getting into the program there will be lots of content to review. Some reviews indicate that the iPad may be a little hard on the eyes vs. the Kindle if you do a lot of reading.

Email – reading email is similar to the iPhone, with a large screen of course, however the onscreen keyboard although better than it’s smaller cousin, is still not ergonomically sufficient for typing long emails.

Keyboard – Typing long emails is tough on the iPad and there is no USB connection to add an external keyboard.

Size – The iPad weighs a light 1.5 pounds and can be carried easily in your hands or in your briefcase. Most people are shown reclining with the iPad propped on their knees. This is not ergonomically designed , however convenience and ease of use are the primary benefits.

Games

Supports all of the iPhone games and more are expected. Brilliant screen makes games on the iPad especially great to play on.

Music – Play all of your favorite songs with the iPad. Listen on the built-in mono speaker, stereo headphones or plug it into an external system to listen to your music.

Photos – The iPad does not have a built-in camera, so you must import your pictures from other devices. Pictures can be displayed full screen or in groups. Note that if your pictures are taken with low resolution you might get pixelization when displayed full screen, which is a problem with the picture not the iPad

Movies – great for watching movies with the sharp clear screen. But the iPad doesn’t support the wide screen 16:9 format of most movies. So viewers will have to look at thick black edges on two sides.

Hardware – The iPad features a standard 3.5-mm jack for headphones, a dock connector port, a built-in speaker and a microphone. The 3G models also include a tray for a micro SIM card. Noticeably absent: USB and HDMI ports.

Battery – A built-in battery that cannot be replaced by the user. Apple can replace the battery for a fee. It is important to use your iPad properly , draining the battery every time so that you do not prematurely build in battery memory effects. As will all devices of this type, keep them away from water and high temperatures.

For more information about the iPad and smart phones, click here.

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IPAD vs. Laptop Computers

All of the experts are weighing in on the new Apple iPad. It has just been released and how it will take over the world, Experts feel that it will make all other Laptop Computers obsolete and not worth the money you would spend on them. So what are Laptop Computersthe issues that people should be aware of. Why would you want to purchase an iPad and/or also have a regular computer?

The short answer really depends on what type of user you are of computers in general. We will try to break this down and let you decide for yourself, however recognize that it is early days yet and we have not had the opportunity to play with an iPad. We have been reading articles by various experts who have managed to get their hands on one of these new devices.

IPAD vs. Laptop Computers

Surfing the Internet, Social Networking sites, Email

Like the I-phone and the iPod Touch, the iPad should excel at this application. With touch screens and relative straightforward typing or input requirements, the iPad is ideal for this. With built in wireless WiFi capability,  fast computing and surfing capability, we expect that users will be more than satisfied with the iPad.

Smaller and less weight to carry around, with the touch screen, it is ideal for carrying around with you to the coffee shop or to work or to a meeting were you can keep up with emails , read the mail or monitor podcast presentations from anywhere you can gain access to the internet via WiFi.

Convenience and ease of use is the major selling point of the iPad. Anyone can use it, in fact it is intuitive surfing of the net. Whether it is your grandmother or your uncle who has never had a computer, the iPad will be the device of choice. The larger screen makes the difference for those who find reading small print difficult.

There is a large market for this general application of computers.

Laptop Computers -Apps

Currently we have read that any app that works on the iPod Touch or the I-phone will work on the iPad.  We doubt that Apple has had the opportunity to test every one of the 100,000+ apps that work on the smaller devices, however rest assured that within a month, they will be identified and updated.

Many developers are already working on new apps, with many available for the release of the iPad.  Those of you that like the I-phone and the iPod Touch for the app’s will continue to enjoy the same app’s on the iPad.

Preparing Presentations, Writing Small Documents, and Spreadsheets

Yet to be verified by users in the general market place, the iPad can be used to generate presentations, documents and spreadsheets as well as many other application of this type.  However the on screen keyboard and the lack of an external mouse may limit the number of hours that someone is willing to spend using this on screen key board.

Much has been made about ergonomic keyboards, mice, posture and screen angles for heavy users of computers. Small documents , etc should pose no problem, however we are concerned for those who spend long hours using a computer.

Developing  Music, Podcasts, Videos etc

Even though the eventual product is an app (music, podcast or a video or a an app) to be used by iPad owners on their iPad , developers will likely use Macs or perhaps even PC’s to develop these app’s. These app’s will the thoroughly tested on an iPad, however we doubt that they will be created on an iPad. Simply because to the ergonomics mentioned earlier as well as the computing power and ability to support more intensive programs that will not run on the iPad.

The jury is still out on this of course. However it will be interesting to see how this area of iPad use evolves.

Complex Graphics, Documents and Spreadsheets

Developing App’s, Programming detailed complex programs and documents takes long hours and sometimes significant computer power, display and various interfaces. We seriously doubt that the iPad will fit into this category of computer use.

The ergonomics are bad. The screen size is small for most developers are used to several large screens. The lack of an external keyboard makes the iPad not the ideal computer for this type of application.

Conclusion

There is still life after iPad for traditional computers. However the growth potential may be limited. They are both going after the user whose primary application is surfing the internet. Also responding to emails and social networking sites.

Power users, developers may also have an iPad. However they will continue to use their main computers for all of the traditional workhorse activities.

Give your comments and opinions about our thoughts and opinions either in agreement or disagreement.

For more information about the iPad and smart phones, click here.

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Apple iPhone Review

We will be reviewing a variety of cellular phones on this web site. It starts with the Apple I-Phone, which is the current leader of the pack. We will also cover the i-Pad as well in another post along with many other phones over the coming months.

The Apple iPhone has literally thousands of applications that have been Apple iPhone Reviewdeveloped by Apple as well as 3rd party developers. The Apple iPhone comes with a stunning display and sleek design. When you hold it in your hand it just feels right for the hand. The touch screen display is also dynamic and rotates as you rotate the iPhone from vertical to horizontal. With the safari browser it offers a superb browsing experience. Fast and futuristic, many customers are very happy with this product. The negative side of the iPhone is that it has variable call quality which can be a major issue for many users who depend on their phone to take calls and manage their business or their personal lives. It does not support stereo Bluetooth and the integrated memory is a bit stingy. Consumers must sync with their PC to manage music content.

The Apple iPhone got off to a slow start in some cases with the slow network provided by AT&T, however it is really setting the benchmark for other small intelligent phones . Average user rating on Cnet gives it a 3.5 out of 5 for over 782 reviews at the time of writing. Cnet provides an in depth review of the Apple iPhone. Some of the highlights of the review include:

Apple iPhone Review

  • Trim lines , no antenna,
  • Solid feel , perhaps a little weighty
  • Glass display instead of plastic
  • Brilliant color display, sharp graphics and fluid movements
  • menu is intuitive
  • Superior touch screen more than meets expectations
  • Keyboard for typing emails is only displayed when the iPhone is vertical
  • Zoom in or out by moving two fingers together or away from each other while touching the screen
  • Thousands of applications available for users to utilize
  • Amazing iPod application

This is by no means a complete review, just a few of the Cnet highlights. Readers are encourage to review the specifications below and to add your own comments about likes and dislikes about this latest Apple iPhone.

Features:

  • 3 mega pixel camera with auto focus and tap to focus
  • Video recording , VGA up to 30 ps with audio
  • Photos and video geotagging

iPhone and 3rd party application integration

Display:

  • 3.5 inch wide screen multi touch display
  • 480 by 320 pixel resolution at 163 ppi
  • Fingerprint resistant oleophobic coating
  • Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously

Audio Playback:

  • Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
  • Audio formats supported: AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
  • User-configurable maximum volume limit

Video Playback: Video formats supported: H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 3.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats

Capacity: 16GB or 32GB flash drive

Connectors: 30 pin dock connector, built in speaker, microphone, SIM card tray, 3.5 mm stero head phone minijack

Accessories:

  • Apple In-Ear headphones with remote and Mic
  • MobileM Subscription
  • Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic
  • USB power adapter
  • Apple Universal dock
  • Apple Dock connector to SB cable
  • iPhone 3G Universal Dock Adapter 3-Pack
  • iPhone TTY Adapter
  • Apple Component AV Cable
  • Apple Composite AV Cable
  • AirPort Extreme Base Station
  • Nike + iPod Sensor
  • World Travel Adapter Kit

More Details

Sensors:Accelerator, proximity sensor and ambient light sensor

Headphones:Apple head phones with remote and Mic, volume control, frequency response :20hz to 20,000 Hz

Size & Weight: 4.5 inches high, 2.4 inches wide, .48 inches deep, 4.8 oz

Colors: Black or White

External Buttons & Controls: Sleep / wake, Volume up/down, ring / silent, Home

Cellular & Wireless: Supports UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 Mhz), GSM /Edge (850,900,1800,1900 Mhz), Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR wireless technology

Location: Assisted GPS with digital compass and Wifi

Power & Battery: Built in re-chargeable lithium ion battery Charging via USB to computer system or power adapter Talk time – up to 12 hours on 3G, up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi Standby time – 300 hours Internet use – up to 5 hours on 3G, up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi Video playback: up to 10 hours Audio playback : up to 300 hours

Languages: Multiple languages are supported

For more iPhone reviews ,click here.

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