Category Archives: iPhone

An Extreme Makeover for Windows Phones

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Say goodbye to Windows Mobile (many will say good riddance). Microsoft tossed the whole thing in the Atlantic with this week’s introduction of Windows Phone Series 7.

Despite its unfortunate name this new mobile operating system may actually hold some promise for resurrecting Microsoft in the mobile space.  For a company often criticized for it’s failure to innovate, Microsoft looks like it really got it this time.

However, Redmond may have to fight the too-little-too-late feeling from many consumers. Apple, Google and Palm all have mature operating systems with a couple of years’ worth head start. Android releases a new device hourly and has won the hearts of most major phone manufacturers an many users with a deepening collection of apps. Palm has developed a core group of followers. And we don’t even need to go into Apple’s success. Continue reading →

Apple iPad: Cupertino is in control

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The device you didn’t know you need: a ginormous iPod touch.

Apple’s unveiling of its unfortunately-named iPad this week was a major letdown for mostly one reason: openness. By opting for the iPhone operating system on the iPad, Apple maintains an iron-like grip on the device. Applications must go through the App Store. Want to get work done? You are stuck with iWork. Steve Jobs’ hatred of flash means lots of Lego icons when surfing the web.

Probably the most crippling limitation is that in its current form the iPad can only handle one app at a time. While this is moderately annoying on the iPhone, it is ridiculous on a computer with a 1 Ghz processor.

In fact, the iPad unveiling probably leaves more questions than answers. Will developers start making more in-depth applications specifically for the iPad? (For example, imagine a full-blown version of Office or more detailed magazine and newspaper apps) How well will applications sync between your iPhone and iPad? Will AT&T’s network be able to handle even more connected devices?

It would be unwise to call the iPad a flop. Even with some quirky restrictions, you can never count out a device that comes from One Infinite Loop. The Apple fanboys and geeks will line up to get one of these. The question is if the masses will follow.

One eReader to rule them all?

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Apple tablet rumors will finally cease and desist Wednesday when the The Turtle Necked One saunters on stage with Apple’s “latest creation.”

When these rumors began (somewhere in the middle of the Bush administration) I thought I would never have use for such a device. I’m already happy with my laptop (a Toshiba tablet running Windows 7), iPhone 3GS, and a brilliant 23-inch Samsung monitor attached to my desktop. Seems like another gadget is the last thing I need.

But it looks like this Apple tablet thing is less a replacement for these other devices than what may turn out to be an excellent companion device. We didn’t know we “needed” an MP3 player until Apple made the iPod franchise a hit. My suspicion is that this device will be an eReader/music/video/Internet device on steroids that could over time change how we engage with multiple types of content.  Continue reading →

Ten Wishes for 2010

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The year 2010 is almost here and instead of the trite exercise of New Year resolutions, I am instead blogging about a few ways the new year could be better than 2009. In no particular order:

10. People will stop calling the iPod touch an iTouch.

9. I will never again hear a voicemail from Tiger Woods.

8. Sarah Palin will stop speaking. Not lose her ability to speak, but just realize most of what she has to say is not that bright.

7. The Episcopal Church will brush up on 1 Corinthians and stop suing churches that have left this apostate mess. For an organization that is always shouting about inclusiveness and accepting others, it sure is quick to bring out the lawyers and make threats and intimidation against those who do not follow their beliefs. Here is hoping to a successful 2010 for the Anglican Province in North America. Continue reading →

One Inbox to Rule Them All

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Gmail Gmail just rolled out a fix recently for one of my few, yet longstanding gripes. If you use Gmail to send a message from a different account the sender might see an annoying message like “From username@gmail.com On Behalf Of customaddress@mydomain.com.”  A minor issue to some, but it didn’t look professional and worse yet, I found that for some Microsoft Outlook users the email would end up in the spam folder.

Now by following a few simple steps the problem is fixed. Google lets you route the email through the other account’s server so now the email looks as it should (this fix also applies for Google apps users). If you are a Gmail fan like I am, this is truly great news and means that I can consolidate all my e-mail addresses through my Gmail account. All hail our Google overlords.

I'm back…online

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Dear reader(s),

I have returned from blogging purgatory. The past month I was swamped with teaching two University classes – one online and one on-site. Needless to say that, combined with the day job, left me time for little else. One class has wrapped up and the other is in its last week, so I am looking forward to getting back into the writing game; especially my posting to this blog and AppCraver. Especially since there is quite a bit going on with Apple’s new iPhone, Windows 7 (which I’m sporting on my new desktop), President Obama’s Mideast travels, you get the picture. I am looking forward to the conversation.

iPhone, Verizon, to finally join forces?

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For some it would be the ultimate marriage: Verizon and the iPhone. The gossip raged today about the supposed talks between Apple and Verizon. It is an intriguing scenario – the best mobile device with what is arguably the best wireless network.

It is an intriguing scenario. While I love my iPhone, AT&T’s network is mediocre at best; downright unacceptable at worst. I was along the Embarcadero in San Francisco recently trying to have a conversation and spent 15 minutes wandering the streets to get a signal. At one point I simply shut the 3G radio off because my iPhone kept bouncing between 3G and EDGE, which furthered my connection woes. Continue reading →

New Mobile Site

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If you visit my web site and blog from your mobile device it will now be reformatted. It especially works well on the iPhone. The site has full access to my current articles (forthcoming) and blog posts. Check out the screenshots: