Why iPhone 4 Users Should get Fring
The iPhone 4 is certainly one handset that people love. Apple managed to sell 1.7 million units in just three days, which is a major retailing feat by any standards. Of course, there is more to the iPhone 4 than just the Apple brand (though it cannot be denied that that also served as a major factor in sales); the smart phone is indeed a device that lives up to the reputation of the iconic handset.
Aside from having organized folders, new customizable settings and multi tasking, the iPhone 4 also features a front facing camera. This new addition has been on the wish lists of Apple iPhone users since the 2G version came out. Now, about three years later, the feature has been added.
While we all celebrated the news when it was announced a couple of months back, the joy suddenly turned to disappointment after Apple suddenly announced the FaceTime app that would be limiting how users will be able to use the new front facing camera. Video chat is only enabled for WiFi networks, and only other iPhone 4 users can be contacted.
Not only was the new rule restrictive, but it basically made any reason for owning a handset with a front facing camera a moot point. The VoIP specialists of Fring however, had different ideas in their mind.
The new Fring app turns the Apple iPhone 4 into the handset that it is supposed to be –at least, in terms of video calling capabilities. Video calls can now be done on 3G and WiFi, depending on the preference of the user. Also the iPhone 4 will allow users to chat with Android and Symbian handset owners too.
This video chat app for the Apple iPhone 4 is already out and users can download it straight from the Apple iTunes store.
Nokia X6: Keep Your Batteries Running Longer
The Nokia X6 is an impressive smart phone, it can do plenty of things and it also looks great to have around. The one thing that people ought to be careful about however, is to ensure that the batteries are being optimized. After all, nothing ruins a nice afternoon of easy listening than realizing that the handset does not have enough juice to keep playing for the rest of the trip.
Here are a few simple tips for Nokia X6 owners who would like to make the most out of a full charge.
First off: plan ahead. Not everyone gets to come home on time and there is no telling how long a party or an event will last. Pack an extra battery or a travel charger with you, because no matter how much one conserves the battery, it will certainly, eventually drain. Also, there are some devices that are called portable chargers which basically hold about two to three extra charges –keeping one in the car is always a good backup.
Second, turn off the idle apps. Processors are one of the most restricting technologies for smart phones. After all, unlike desktop computers that get an unlimited supply of electricity from a wall outlet, a smart phone gets power from a small battery behind the unit. This battery can only hold so much charge, and having a high speed processor is a quick way to drain it down. This is why apps should be turned off whenever possible. There is an option in the multitasking menu to turn off specific apps that are not in use.
Lastly, find good reception. Phones tend to seek out a signal whenever the device is placed in area with little to no coverage. If you have to put your phone down, ensure that it is located in an area that it can get several bars of coverage.
iPhone 4 Problem List Grows Long, This Time the USB Port Catches Fire
Yet another problem has reared its ugly head, much to the dismay of Apple fans all over the world. The issues keep on piling up, possibly because these smart phones were wheeled out much quicker than it should have been before strict quality checks could be performed. This time, the issue has caused many a burned hand as iPhone 4 USB ports end up malfunctioning and catching on fire.
As if yellow screen blotches, dwindling reception issues and broken displays were not enough, now the device suddenly catches fire by simply plugging it in for a charge.
The USB malfunction results in a messy goo of burnt plastic and melted metal near the USB port. This looks to be the most dangerous flaw yet, leaving the owner with skin injuries and an expensive mobile phone paperweight.
According to reports, one such owner verified that he only plugged his device in to charge the iPhone 4 when its connection caught on fire. The owner of the toasty device then tried to return his dangerous mobile phone to Apple via their official store. Unfortunately, he went home with nothing due to the unavailability of a replacement handset.
Apple Store techs confirmed that the unlucky owner’s iPhone 4 did indeed have a malfunction when it was plugged in, which can be attributed to a defective USB port.
Because of all the bad publicity, Apple still refuses to go for a mass recall or give out freebies for their unsatisfied customers. At least they did offer a full refund to those who would rather be rid of their iPhone 4 devices, but this is hardly enough to address the prevalent (and now, utterly dangerous) issues that the initial iPhone 4 batches are experiencing. It is truly shocking the way that the mobile phone giant has skimped out on the quality of their fast selling device.
Apple’s Solution: Not Working
According to Apple, there is no problem with the antenna on the iPhone 4. The issue is that users are not able to make calls when they are in areas with low reception. Unfortunately, since the iPhone 4 (and all the other iPhones) are not able to show the proper amount of signal strength in a given location, users are unable to determine where they should be able to make a call.
Now that is basically how we sum up Apple’s recently posted letter regarding the iPhone 4 issue. In order to rectify the situation, Apple has decided that they would be releasing a new patch that would accurately depict the signal strength in a given area. This is hard to believe. Sure, Apple is pointing out a real problem with the iOS, but that is not the root of the antenna issue.
The root of the antenna issue is the antenna itself. The problem here is that the phone loses all reception when that antenna is touched by a hand. Hands apparently, have not been tested properly at Apple’s super sterilize laboratories. Apparently, a dirty, greasy hand is more likely to drain signal than newly washed hands wearing sterilized gloves in a tech room.
While Apple’s letter will not fix your iPhone’s antenna, here is a quick list of solutions that do work. First off, use nail polish. When we do not exactly recommend this tip that has been circulating the net, it does take minimum effort and is a great fit for those who do not want to resort to using a large case. And that is another solution; getting a case. Since this would prevent the hand from touching the antenna directly -that will no longer be an issue.
Lastly, unsatisfied users can return the handset within 14 days of purchase –and buy an Android smart phone instead.
Smart Phone GPS: Splitting the Demographic Map
Back then, people just needed any GPS. Typically, a standard GPS device would provide you with just as much information as other would. While some had extra features such as points of interests, the common features were all one and the same. Of course, the big defining factor was also the fact that the service was paid for.
But these days, getting access to voice guided sat nav is a simple matter of turning on the feature on your smart phone. Many Nokia handsets have the feature, and so does all Android smart phones that have GPS and use versions 1.6 Donut and above, like the popular HTC Desire.
Many believe that the emergence and growth of GPS on smart phone technology will be killing off companies such as Garmin and TomTom. While these may seem likely, the reality is far from such. Aside from the fact that Garmin and TomTom are established, reliable and well respected brands in the GPS industry, they also cater to a very specific market of people who cannot afford to switch to the free GPS services offered by mobile phone makers: professional who need very accurate GPS services.
These include the police, delivery personnel, medical response teams, and other groups and institutions that have to rely on “paid” maps –maps that they can count on (or sue the company if the data contained is misleading or incorrect).
While Nokia and Google’s maps are often more than enough for the average person, they are also not accountable for the accuracy of the data they supply.
With that said, it is obviously more than enough for the average person to use the free voice guided sat nav services as opposed to having to pay a monthly service (with the average cost of a high end smart phone –it is something that is almost expected now). According to recent news, free GPS is now being brought to the iPhone thanks to Skobbler.
Disney to Establish Footing in iPhone App Development
It looks like the iPhone OS is going to be the next gaming platform that Disney Interactive is setting its eyes on.
Disney has already been an established brand in the video game market –especially in the past few years. With their purchase of the Kingdom Hearts license from (then) Squaresoft (now known as Square Enix) to the development of the Disney Interactive studios that focuses heavily on creating games internally. This latest game, Epic Mickey is an expansive third person adventure game for next generation consoles.
Now, it appears that Disney is seeing the value of games on smart phones and would like to start creating their own apps particularly for the Apple iPhone. Their Apple-preference is seen in the acquisition of Tapuluous, the developer of successful iPhone apps such as Tap Tap Revenge. Tapulous is not just a well known app developer, but they are also an established Apple supporter. The choice to get Tapulous is also quite strategic; the company is currently working on social games for the iPhone.
In any case, this makes purchasing an iPhone 4 (or sticking to the older iPhone 3G/3Gs) a pretty nice alternative for any Disney fans –because with this, no official Disney apps will be released for other platforms.
So far, there has been announcement as to exactly what apps and games will be made available for the iPhone -though some expect some tie-ups with existing console titles or even some functional apps that provide insight into the history of Disney and its works.
In many ways, it is not surprising to see Disney making such a move. The entertainment company has always been at the forefront of the industry and with smart phones becoming a heavily influential media channel –it is natural that Disney would step into the industry as well.
AppleCare Up and Ready to Handle iPhone 4 Reception Complaints
Everyone knows that the iPhone 4 has topped all the mobile phone sales charts. In fact, it sold a whopping 1.7 million units just this weekend. Unfortunately, the device has also, gotten quite notorious for its signal issues and screen blotches. That being said, it comes as no surprise that a lot of clever lawyers are encouraging people to band together for a class action lawsuit against the mobile industry giant.
Since modern consumers are more savvy about the gadgets they buy, the concept that Apple might have made a very poor design decision has been accepted easily. The antenna seems to have been placed in an unforgiving position for those who are left handed.
While Apple has kept quite mum about the way they designed their iPhone 4 units, they have at least prepped their customer care representatives for the number of incoming complaint calls:
"Keep all of the positioning statements in the BN handy – your tone when delivering this information is important."
It seems that AppleCare representatives are still supposed to push suggestions about changing their customers’ grip in order to improve the iPhone 4’s performance. To solve the reception problem, all the customer has to do is to avoid having skin contact with the black strip attached to the metal band’s lower-left corner.
Or buy a Bumper so they can hold the unit any way they want. No freebies will be offered to customers though and no trouble shooting will be performed unless the problem occurs while the iPhone 4 unit is laying flat on a table.
Because the issue does not seem to have stopped people from buying their products, Apple is not recalling first batch units or even trying to appease anyone. Would this lack of concern be the core argument of impending lawsuits? We will have to wait and see.
Why the HTC Desire is in the Running for the Best Smartphone of 2010
Picking a competent mobile phone to purchase for one’s personal use is hard enough. There are literally hundreds of different available models in the market and for the uneducated consumer, it can truly be confusing. Perhaps an even more difficult task is identifying the best Smartphone for the whole year. There are just too many categories to consider and way too much mobiles to choose from. However, one Smartphone that we believe should be on the list of any critic is the highly impressive HTC Desire. Here are some reasons why we believe so.
The Screening Process
If we were to identify a number of outstanding features of the HTC Desire, then one of them has got to be its mega-sized 3.7-inch touch screen display. Not only is it one of the largest in the business, but it also delivers picture quality of the highest calibre (480 x 800-pixel resolution). The screen also makes use of the AMOLED capacitive technology which guarantees hassle-free and extremely responsive touch functions on the device.
Improving the Android
The Google Android is already quite impressive in itself. However, what the HTC Desire does is it pairs it up with its Sense UI, thereby creating a one-of-a-kind combination that duly delivers. This is by far the best UI + OS combo we’ve ever experienced and the fact that the Anroid Eclair (the OS version installed on the Desire) was already top class even before it was infused with the Sense UI makes the enhanced combination all the more impressive.
On the Horizon
While all the praises sent towards the way of the HTC Desire are all well and good, one thing we must keep in mind is that 2010 is also the year that has seen the launch of the latest addition to the iPhone family – the Apple iPhone 4G. The 3G performed pretty well in the market since it was launched last year and if this is any indication of how the 4G will do, then the Desire will definitely have its work cut out for it.
First ELSE Cancelled by Emblaze, Might be Sold to Other Companies
Last year, we got to have a sneak peek at the new operating system and user interface design by Emblaze, the First ELSE. The unique user interface system was based mostly on the use of just one finger to navigate throughout an entire phone’s worth of features and content. While it is also possible to use the device with two hands, the fact that the entire handset can be used with just one is a big convenience –especially for people who are often on the go.
The actual handset later appeared at the MWC last February where Emblaze showed off their brave and innovative design ideas when it came to interface design. The First ELSE is one of the few UI’s that focused on the real strengths of smart phone and touch screen technology –as most user interfaces feel like mock ups of desktop interface designs.
Sadly, it has been reported that Emblaze will be cancelling the production and development of the First ELSE. According to various sources, the company has been taking some severe financial trouble and would need to re-allocate the funding that was originally made for the new smart phone. The money would be re-circulated to help the company re-stabilize. However, there is no word that they would continue the First ELSE development later on and it has been said that the company is considering selling the technology to other developers and manufacturers.
While it is unlikely that we see Access Linux being used in newer smart phones, the possibility that the UI design might get adapted is pretty high. Many who saw the demonstrations of the OS gave pretty good reviews and feedback regarding the design ideas which means that it is likely that companies would actually adapt the one-finger control UI –if they purchase it from Emblaze.
Apple iPhone 4 Parts Breakdown: Estimated Cost of 125 GBP
That might seem cheap, but the Apple iPhone 4’s parts practically sum up a total cost of 125 GPB. Of course, that is just the parts alone, while it may seem like Apple is making a killing with every single iPhone they are selling –and with over 1.7 million units sold in a span of just three days of sales, one can only do the math and wonder. Of course, the fact that Apple is pricing every iPhone at a hefty 499 Pounds (for the 16GB version) will make people think that the folks at Cupertino are money hungry evildoers.
In some ways, they are, but no so ruthlessly that they would charge so much for a phone that is cheap to make. The estimated 125 GBP cost for parts simply covers parts and nothing else, but there is so much more to how a smart phone gets designed. First off, the development and design teams spend months and even years working on the technology, prototypes, testing and plenty of work is first done before the phone is finalized and ordered from manufacturers to be produced in bulk.
Of course, the parts will need assembling and you have to consider the packaging cost. End users have to take all of these components into account for the price and not just the cost of the parts.
Still, this study does shows that replacing the iPhone’s touch screen and internal memory will be costly. At the same time, it is surprising to know that the high speed processor actually has a rather cheap price.
According to experts, Apple is still able to make a substantial earning for every iPhone that is sold and that the Cupertino based company is currently one of the companies with the largest income reserves, second only to Microsoft.