Posts Tagged iPhone
An Extreme Makeover for Windows Phones
Posted by Derek Walter in Mobile phones, Technology, iPhone on February 17, 2010
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. Read the rest of this entry »
iPhone App Roundup
Posted by Derek Walter in Uncategorized on February 10, 2010
One of the coolest writing gigs I have is reviewing iPhone apps for AppCraver. It gives me a chance to check out what is new and exciting (and sometimes lame) in the app universe. I thought I would give a run down of some of the apps I’ve had a chance to play with lately. Links to the reviews are included.
Awaken – This is a pretty cool app if you are bored of the alarm clock settings on the iPhone. I was especially a fan of picking any song from your music collection to wake up to.
Night Recorder – Part sleep aide, part spy tool. This app records even when your iPhone is on standby, meaning you can finally catch your partner’s snoring or those spirits that haunt the attic.
The Inferno – Dante’s Inferno is all the rage with the launch of the new video game, but this iPhone game avoids turning Dante into a weapon-wielding steroid mutant freak. It’s a nice puzzle game that I found to be quite addicting.
**Shameless self-promotion here: My web site performs quite well on your iPhone or Android device thanks to the WPtouch Wordpress plugin (The above logo is the button it places on your iPhone if you save the bookmark). If you run a web site in Wordpress and want a super easy way to create a great looking mobile site, I highly recommend it.
Apple iPad: Cupertino is in control
Posted by Derek Walter in News, Popular culture, Technology, iPhone on February 1, 2010
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?
Posted by Derek Walter in Media, News, Popular culture, Technology, iPhone on January 19, 2010
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. Read the rest of this entry »
Need Tech Tutoring? Check Out Tutorial Blog
Posted by Derek Walter in Technology, iPhone on August 18, 2009
I am now writing for Tutorial Blog, a great how-to site for anyone that wants reviews and advice on software, web design, and social media. My first post is about the never-ending quest for the ultimate smart phone. You can check it out here.
My First iPhone Video Upload to Youtube
Posted by Derek Walter in News on July 6, 2009
This is a Fourth of July fireworks video I shot with my new iPhone 3G S. I thought the audio was quite good given that I was several blocks away from the site where the fireworks launched. This is going to be a handy tool.
iPhone, Verizon, to finally join forces?
Posted by Derek Walter in Technology, iPhone on April 28, 2009
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. Read the rest of this entry »
New Mobile Site
Posted by Derek Walter in Media, News, Technology, iPhone on April 12, 2009
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:
Edit, view docs on iPhone
Posted by Derek Walter in Technology on November 2, 2008
One of the major gripes iPhone users have will soon be coming to a close. DataViz, maker of he Docs to Go app that is available on Blackberry, Windows Mobile, and other smart phone platforms, is scheduled to be ready for the iPhone in early 2009.
Sometimes when I mention this to others I get a reaction like, “what would you need that for?” It’s not so much that I would be ditching my laptop and turn all my word processing over to the iPhone. But the convenience of being able to open and make a few changes to a doc on-the-go would make my life, especially writing assignments, loads easier. And it continues the case for the iPhone as a business tool, which appears to be slowly growing steam as time goes on.
Now as for copy and paste, that is another story…
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