Archive for the ‘Technology’ Category
How do you one-up a revolutionary mobile device? You don’t. At least for now when other manufacturers are trying to catch up to Apple’s iPhone. The first generation iPhone was revolutionary due to its incredible integration of different applications. For example, using the Google Maps application, one can find directions to a restaurant and with one touch, could either call the establishment or bring up its web site. The multi-touch capabilities were also revolutionary compared to other mobile devices.
Other revolutionary concepts of the iPhone:
- Multi-touch interface - zoom in and out on webpages and images
- Accelerometer - Auto-detect in landscape or portrait mode for integrated camera and web browsing
- Safari browser - First (nearly) full-featured web browser on a mobile device
- Smart virtual keyboard - Its ability to learn a person’s typing is uncanny and its “trust in the Force” mentality is a nice nod to Star Wars fans
- Minimal hardware buttons - Features and applications can be modified and installed through software updates, which can be tied to virtual buttons/icons
While the first generation iPhone was revolutionary, the second generation, the iPhone 3G, is not. It merely builds upon the original device. This is not to say I don’t like the new version, I really do, but anyone who has the first version is just as well off as owners of the 3G one.
The only major new change of the iPhone 3G that I really like is the curved plastic back. While I initially thought the change to plastic was a step back, it’s actually really good. The curved mold feels more natural in the hand while the plastic makes the iPhone less slippery and lighter. Many people may like the flushed headphone jack but it doesn’t look as sleek as the first device. I’m also biased because the headphones I had bought actually fit in the first generation’s jack out-of-the-box. The new 3G speed is wonderful but eats through the battery like crazy. Not a problem in the office or at home due to easy power connection, but out and about folks might have concerns and of course, what’s supposed to help such folks out (e.g. no Wi-Fi) actually hurt them more. Until turn-by-turn vocal directions can be integrated, the GPS isn’t all that special. It’s nifty to look at the dot move on the map as you move, but doesn’t provide much practical application… yet. I haven’t explored geo-tagging images, so that might be interesting.
The most major update to the iPhone is via the 2.0 firmware, which nearly puts the first generation iPhones on par with this later version. If you’re new to the iPhone craze, a 3G is a good choice. However, if you can get a really good deal on a first gen, I’d suggest going that route, especially if you’re not an AT&T customer that’s eligible for a device upgrade.
I have left all reason behind and surrendered to the siren call. Do not fear for me as I have not fallen into a fatal trap, but sunk willingly into the embrace of my fate. I wear the adornments of the Chosen, not shackles of bondage for the enslaved. I fear not the crux of my journey for it is the blissful resolution that I seek.
This temptation is not sin, nor folly. It is all that I am and all that I desire. Pity me if you will, but I am not ashamed to choosing this path. You may think I am superfluous, yet I am content and see you as empty. I am whole.
I am complete.
Welcome to my techno-lust.
Years ago, I had watched a Japanese Anime series called Bubblegum Crisis. Of course, being Sci-fi and a cartoon there were many fantastical gadgetry and neat technology. One such combo, that pertains to this entry, was a laptop one of the protagonists used. It was sleek looking and had a cool OS, but the nifty part? It was used as an alarm to wake the protagonist up. Now, there are many programs out there that could be similar, however how many of them could wake a computer from sleep and activate the alarm? That’s right, the laptop was in sleep mode and the alarm triggered and woke the laptop and blared its incessant buzzing. Ever since, I always kept an eye out for an application like that. Unfortunately, I didn’t find anything for Windows, however my search ended when I got a Macbook Pro.
The first application I encountered was Aurora. It did the job fairly well but settled into the dust for a time. Recently I stumbled upon Awaken and I must say that its sleeker and sexier (not to mention cheaper than the current release of Aurora). While both hook into iTunes so you can play your music, use the Apple remote to snooze or turn off an alarm and both have a sleep setting to play your tunes and stop, putting the system into Sleep mode, after a defined amount of time, Awaken’s presentation is very well done and just looks better. Call me superficial but it’s one of the big reasons why I have a Macbook Pro and an iPhone. They look hot and work pretty darn good. One thing going for Aurora at the moment is its support of EyeTV, which Awaken doesn’t. I don’t use EyeTV so it’s not a problem for me, however for those that do, you might want to keep that in mind. Perhaps the cost of Aurora is worth it then?
I’ve been using Awaken for a week and half now and have been very satisfied. The full screen mode doesn’t emit too much light to be bothersome when using it at night during Sleep mode, but the text is large enough for me to see from my bed to check the time, either at night or when the alarm is blaring in the morning. Oh, and the developer is on Twitter so be sure to check out what he has to say about the new version of Awaken.
This is pretty easy and I don’t know why I never thought about it before, but I just added Twitter and Brightkite SMS numbers (40404 and 80289 respectively) to my contacts on my iPhone so whenever a new message comes in, it’ll label as the name and not the number. I never really thought about doing that until I had a momentary lapse in recognizing Brightkite’s SMS number.
With the introduction to the new iPhone, I figure many folks will be picking it up when it gets tossed into the wild on July 11. Why? Well, not just because of the increased speeds, GPS capability, actual native applications developed for the device or its impressive battery life. The most outstanding feature? Its cost; $199 for the 8gig model and $299 for the 16gig one. A two year contract with AT&T is needed, but personally, it’s not like I’m going anywhere (I don’t like the other carriers, except for T-Mobile, but we’ve moved on). The data plan will be $30 for unlimited data. If unlimited text messaging isn’t included, I’m going to be a sad panda.
When I bought the first generation iPhone (and its still kicking… never had to exchange or repair it), I promised that the only way I’d buy a new model was for increased storage capacity. I couldn’t care less about GPS (unless there’d be an app like TomTom). I even didn’t really care much for 3G (although I admit, EDGE is hella irritating). However, a friend of mine did bring up a good point about 3G, which was that we could use our iPhones in Japan; just need to get a local SIM card. Other hardware features didn’t really matter to me (my N80 took really oustanding photos… the iPhone’s camera doth sucketh), mainly because I was focused on the software/firmware stuff. While most phones, smart or not, have hardware (buttons) tied to their software, the iPhone doesn’t have these limitations. Many new features can be added to the iPhone, even if they’re the first gen models. That impressed me and got me to buy one. It’s also a strong point for not getting a newer model just because it’s new.
But now, I wouldn’t complain if the new iPhone came with GPS capability. I don’t mind the fact that 3G has been incorporated, because Apple purports that the battery life hasn’t suffered, in fact, it’s improved even with the new candy. Most of all, none of these features have increased the cost of the device itself. For me, I’d get one because every point of interest seems to have aligned just perfectly.
Would you get one? Why or why not?
