In a recent survey by Access Systems, 73% users indicated text messaging to be the most important feature in a phone, 61% for Internet access and 63% for emailing. This totally trumpets the music features with only 34% preference and video capability at 34%.
Well its really comes as no surprise obviously, even though some people do get blind sighted by flashes of glitzy gizmos. But a phone is all about communication first and foremost. Adding an mp3 player to it is secondary, or didnt you already know? And while Apple has in fact managed to come away with just the right mix with iPhone, right look and right interface for its device... it does however, let you down in the main function: communication. Primarily text or email, basically anywhere you need to have more keystrokes than just dialing a number, you'll have a bit of a struggle with the iPhone, unless you have fingers that look like knitting needles. Or you text like this guy does on his ancient phone, using a pencil!
Though it may be hard for some users to admit it because their iPhone so cool and er... they've already spent a real good sum of money on it. The novelty does wear off for some, specially those who actually do need a serious phone, particularly smartphone users.
Bottom line: a phone HAS to be good for "communication"
I've never had any problems communicating with people, and I think its cuz my phone does the job for me quite well:
Bilal
http://elanist.com/bilal/
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Showing posts with label Apple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Apple. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Text Messaging still No.1
Labels:
Apple,
communication,
email,
gizmos,
internet,
iphone,
mobile,
mp3,
phone,
smartphone,
SMS,
text messaging
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
iPhone 3G Complaints Start Early
Apple claims more than a million units got sold within three days of its launch. But this time it seems that iPhone has some serious quality issues, literally end-to-end.
Much lower battery life (roughly 3 hours less than its predecessor), mostly attributed to being 3G and its push mail feature. Some users suggest turning it off. Some sources have tried to brush aside this problem, claiming that its battery life is still better than other mobile phones. But its quite interesting to note that they compare it only with Windows Mobile phones. Ok why is that a surprise? Secondly, I don't believe its accurate to call iPhone a "smartphone". Its a mobile infotainment device, and yes has the capability of becoming a smartphone, once it has the right software available. But its not a smartphone *yet*, and would not be fair to compare its efficiency and battery life with other smartphones, even Windows Mobile phones.

Problems with its Safari browser freezing up or frequently taking back to home screen.
Even the beautiful display didn't escape quality issues. Many users have been complaining their 480 x 320 has a dead pixel or two.
Many of the expensive third party iPhone accessories cant be used with the new iPhone 3G.
Even MobileMe (iPhone equivalent of Exchange) has had its own issues.
So much so that Apple has decided to drop the word "push" from MobileMe's description.
Worse of all, even reports of iPhones being bricked! so be very careful when doing any firmware updates on it.
I am sure Apple will sort these issues out over time, and these problems would not deter most users. But then again, what sort of users are we talking about? Face it, majority of the users are not getting the iPhone because of its capabilities. Those who do get caught up in the hype and buy it for its capabilities as a "smartphone" end up selling it off pretty quickly. I've seen such examples among my friends.
One of my really cute friends, Valerie (i'll post her shots another time), once asked me "is iPhone a good phone?" I promptly replied "its a cool phone". That just about sums it up. Sure I love the beautiful sleek design, the nifty user-interface. All very nice, I love it. But when I wanna communicate or do something useful where you need an actual "smartphone", I would quickly put it aside on the desk and pick up my trusty old E61 in a heartbeat or would get the newer N71. When I need a feature rich smartphone with massive multimedia capabilities, I don't have to think twice before getting the powerhouse N96 or even N95 8GB. No comparison.
Bilal
http://elanist.com/bilal/
Much lower battery life (roughly 3 hours less than its predecessor), mostly attributed to being 3G and its push mail feature. Some users suggest turning it off. Some sources have tried to brush aside this problem, claiming that its battery life is still better than other mobile phones. But its quite interesting to note that they compare it only with Windows Mobile phones. Ok why is that a surprise? Secondly, I don't believe its accurate to call iPhone a "smartphone". Its a mobile infotainment device, and yes has the capability of becoming a smartphone, once it has the right software available. But its not a smartphone *yet*, and would not be fair to compare its efficiency and battery life with other smartphones, even Windows Mobile phones.

Problems with its Safari browser freezing up or frequently taking back to home screen.
Even the beautiful display didn't escape quality issues. Many users have been complaining their 480 x 320 has a dead pixel or two.
Many of the expensive third party iPhone accessories cant be used with the new iPhone 3G.
Even MobileMe (iPhone equivalent of Exchange) has had its own issues.
So much so that Apple has decided to drop the word "push" from MobileMe's description.
Worse of all, even reports of iPhones being bricked! so be very careful when doing any firmware updates on it.
I am sure Apple will sort these issues out over time, and these problems would not deter most users. But then again, what sort of users are we talking about? Face it, majority of the users are not getting the iPhone because of its capabilities. Those who do get caught up in the hype and buy it for its capabilities as a "smartphone" end up selling it off pretty quickly. I've seen such examples among my friends.
One of my really cute friends, Valerie (i'll post her shots another time), once asked me "is iPhone a good phone?" I promptly replied "its a cool phone". That just about sums it up. Sure I love the beautiful sleek design, the nifty user-interface. All very nice, I love it. But when I wanna communicate or do something useful where you need an actual "smartphone", I would quickly put it aside on the desk and pick up my trusty old E61 in a heartbeat or would get the newer N71. When I need a feature rich smartphone with massive multimedia capabilities, I don't have to think twice before getting the powerhouse N96 or even N95 8GB. No comparison.
Bilal
http://elanist.com/bilal/
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The Handheld Media Powerhouse - N96
if you've glanced through my blogs you know I love the N95, no other phone comes close to it in features and capabilities (go ahead and argue with me about it) and the only fair comparison would be with the iPhone. while iPhones has its strengths, based on a prototype of iPod with a phone, beautiful design and interface (never expected less from Apple), it is still very underutilised and very limited in available software and utilities and easily beaten by the good old N95 in that. Obviously Apple will be working hard to make up for in the subsequent models and will be learning from its mistakes as the newcomer in the smartphone world.
Well... if you still haven't bought either one of them, then dont! iPod I am sure will mature in those areas in due course of time like all new products. As for N95, the long awaited successor N96 is here and lives up to the expections! its a real media powerhouse of a phone with an endless feature list.
I am sure we'll be getting a lot of buzz around this baby with reviews and comparisons, for now just check out this video here:
5MP high quality camera with Carl Zeis lense, dual flash and really bright video light (check the video clip at the bottom), 30fps VGA video recording with video stablisation, 2.8" screen with the sound through stereo "3D" speakers for gaming and music, built-in digital TV reciever (its actually got a little stand so you can put it down and watch videos or TV, check the video clip above). GPS with assisted GPS support and automatic insertion of capture location (for pictures), 16GB memory (which can be beefed up to 24GB with a microSDHC card and of course, HSPDA (3.5 G) and WiFi... *phant phant* please excuse my while I wipe off my drool!
and obviously its running on the Symbian S60 - OS 9.2 Feature Pack 2.0
you gotta see to believe how bright its video light really is:
Bilal
http://elanist.com/bilal
Well... if you still haven't bought either one of them, then dont! iPod I am sure will mature in those areas in due course of time like all new products. As for N95, the long awaited successor N96 is here and lives up to the expections! its a real media powerhouse of a phone with an endless feature list.
I am sure we'll be getting a lot of buzz around this baby with reviews and comparisons, for now just check out this video here:
5MP high quality camera with Carl Zeis lense, dual flash and really bright video light (check the video clip at the bottom), 30fps VGA video recording with video stablisation, 2.8" screen with the sound through stereo "3D" speakers for gaming and music, built-in digital TV reciever (its actually got a little stand so you can put it down and watch videos or TV, check the video clip above). GPS with assisted GPS support and automatic insertion of capture location (for pictures), 16GB memory (which can be beefed up to 24GB with a microSDHC card and of course, HSPDA (3.5 G) and WiFi... *phant phant* please excuse my while I wipe off my drool!
and obviously its running on the Symbian S60 - OS 9.2 Feature Pack 2.0
you gotta see to believe how bright its video light really is:
Bilal
http://elanist.com/bilal
Monday, February 4, 2008
iPhone lubbers beware
If you use an iPhone you want to be aware that the first iPhone trojan is has been floating around on the net for couple of weeks in the guise of an update called "iPhone firmware 1.1.3 prep". Its not a very malicious trojen but it does overwrite some of iPhone's utilities and caution is advised.
Its been suggested that "...the first rule of caution with the iPhone is, if a piece of software doesn't come from Apple, be sure it's from a trusted source."
Bilal
http://elanist.com/bilal
Its been suggested that "...the first rule of caution with the iPhone is, if a piece of software doesn't come from Apple, be sure it's from a trusted source."
Bilal
http://elanist.com/bilal
Thursday, January 31, 2008
the Killer is back!
Last year there was quite a bit of hype gathering around rumours of the iPhone killer from Google. When in October it was revealed by an insider at the International Herald Tribune that it was actually a mobile OS, it was pupoted to be Windows Mobile killer. People really seem to love the killer term, or they really wish some things to be killed (I know I do too).
But iDoubt that iPhone would be killed and iHope it isn't. Thanks to Apple, this toy finally made smartphones come out of the dull boardrooms and made them fashionable! Remember the saying "All work and no play makes a phone a BlackBerry"? As for Windows Mobile being killed, while it has amounted to little outside the limited US market, Symbian totally dominating the rest of the world, given WM's weak market position (and its built) it really wont matter if it gets killed or not. Just when the smartphone market has started to heat up a little, already some of the big names supporting Windows Mobile, like Motorolla is doing pretty bad, and Plam, the new Windows Mobile player, is closing shop.
And now... they say the iPhone killer is back. Thats right, the Android is back. This time its rumoured that Dell and Google are partnering to build the first "Gphone" running on Android. Like I had said before, this is not good news for the already shaky Windows Mobile. Android is open source. Developers take note.
There are couple of fake pics of the Gphone circulating on the net, but still interesting concepts.


Bilal
http://elanist.com/bilal
But iDoubt that iPhone would be killed and iHope it isn't. Thanks to Apple, this toy finally made smartphones come out of the dull boardrooms and made them fashionable! Remember the saying "All work and no play makes a phone a BlackBerry"? As for Windows Mobile being killed, while it has amounted to little outside the limited US market, Symbian totally dominating the rest of the world, given WM's weak market position (and its built) it really wont matter if it gets killed or not. Just when the smartphone market has started to heat up a little, already some of the big names supporting Windows Mobile, like Motorolla is doing pretty bad, and Plam, the new Windows Mobile player, is closing shop.
And now... they say the iPhone killer is back. Thats right, the Android is back. This time its rumoured that Dell and Google are partnering to build the first "Gphone" running on Android. Like I had said before, this is not good news for the already shaky Windows Mobile. Android is open source. Developers take note.
There are couple of fake pics of the Gphone circulating on the net, but still interesting concepts.


Bilal
http://elanist.com/bilal
Labels:
android,
Apple,
google,
Gphone,
iphone,
open source,
OS,
symbian,
windows mobile
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Windows Mobile latest vapour
Well a startup is giving a to go to tactics that are made famous by Microsoft itself; cheap vapourware tactics. As in touting software that doesn't exist. Their latest attempt for Windows Mobile: Skyfire... err... note to Microsoft and its affiliates: if you can't stop copying everyone else's products, can you try being original in at least naming the copied products? you know... just to differentiate yourself from software pirates.
ok so what is Skyfire? well its a browser for Windows Mobile, akin to one Microsoft had promised in December it will kick iPhone's butt (laughing already? waite, there's more to come). Ok so couple of questions:
Q: Why does Windows Mobile need Skyfire?
A: cuz its current browser sux.
Q: So what makes it so cool?
A: well it can browse the web that will support features which... umm... well some of the other smartphone browsers already support and have been in the market for a while. (check S60 based smartphones for instance)
Q: So its like a normal web browser?
A: Not really, normal browsers download webpages direct to your phone as opposed to Skyfire's approach which uses a proxy-server to send out web content to your Windows Mobile phone. Meaning, another computer does the browsing then sends out supposedly cached content to your Windows Mobile based smartphone (Ahem! does anyone else hear several alarm bells ringing?)
Q: So if the actual processing is done on some other server not my phone, they can see what I am browsing?
A: Interesting question, and here is some really interesting read from Skyfire's private info:
""When you use the Browser, Skyfire has access to, and in many cases will monitor, your Browser Usage."
"Browser Usage Information includes such information as which websites and programs you access or download on your Device, how long you visit such websites and use such programs, your activities (such as products purchased or advertisements viewed) on such websites, which specific areas of a website or webpage you use and for how long, websites you bookmark, search terms you use, referring/exit pages, browser and platform types, the geographic location in which your Device is being used and information you provide on third party websites."
Whoa.... like are you serious? Sounds to me if the US government had gifted Osama with a Windows Mobile phone running Skyfire, he would be long caught and dead by now, they could have monitored his every move! With this kind of browser, who needs spyware or viruses??
But wait, there is one more question...
Q: Where is Skyfire?
A: At the moment, nowhere actually. Like no one has seen it or used it, or download it or allowed to test it or know if it really exists. OK of all the people, even the staff of msmobiles.com, which provides daily news and information to help Windows Mobile users make better use of their devices, has to say this "...we must conclude that it is just another vaporware product ... that in reality may never materialize as a commercial product." - 28 Jan 2008.
not laughing yet? well neither are the Windows Mobile users. So what about the one that Microsoft had promised in December? Here is some interesting buzz their announcement is creating like from electronista.com:
Bilal
http://elanist.com/bilal
ok so what is Skyfire? well its a browser for Windows Mobile, akin to one Microsoft had promised in December it will kick iPhone's butt (laughing already? waite, there's more to come). Ok so couple of questions:
Q: Why does Windows Mobile need Skyfire?
A: cuz its current browser sux.
Q: So what makes it so cool?
A: well it can browse the web that will support features which... umm... well some of the other smartphone browsers already support and have been in the market for a while. (check S60 based smartphones for instance)
Q: So its like a normal web browser?
A: Not really, normal browsers download webpages direct to your phone as opposed to Skyfire's approach which uses a proxy-server to send out web content to your Windows Mobile phone. Meaning, another computer does the browsing then sends out supposedly cached content to your Windows Mobile based smartphone (Ahem! does anyone else hear several alarm bells ringing?)
Q: So if the actual processing is done on some other server not my phone, they can see what I am browsing?
A: Interesting question, and here is some really interesting read from Skyfire's private info:
""When you use the Browser, Skyfire has access to, and in many cases will monitor, your Browser Usage."
"Browser Usage Information includes such information as which websites and programs you access or download on your Device, how long you visit such websites and use such programs, your activities (such as products purchased or advertisements viewed) on such websites, which specific areas of a website or webpage you use and for how long, websites you bookmark, search terms you use, referring/exit pages, browser and platform types, the geographic location in which your Device is being used and information you provide on third party websites."
Whoa.... like are you serious? Sounds to me if the US government had gifted Osama with a Windows Mobile phone running Skyfire, he would be long caught and dead by now, they could have monitored his every move! With this kind of browser, who needs spyware or viruses??
But wait, there is one more question...
Q: Where is Skyfire?
A: At the moment, nowhere actually. Like no one has seen it or used it, or download it or allowed to test it or know if it really exists. OK of all the people, even the staff of msmobiles.com, which provides daily news and information to help Windows Mobile users make better use of their devices, has to say this "...we must conclude that it is just another vaporware product ... that in reality may never materialize as a commercial product." - 28 Jan 2008.
not laughing yet? well neither are the Windows Mobile users. So what about the one that Microsoft had promised in December? Here is some interesting buzz their announcement is creating like from electronista.com:
- Pfft. More like, "Microsoft copying iPhone Safari in next WinMobile."
- Always, MS is saying their next version of vapor/crapware will attempt to copy what [already] works now, except to add 10 steps and requires help from IT department.
- more vaporware from Micro$oft..... Promising tomorrow what already exists on the market today.
- Ha Ha Ha... "Microsoft has not issued a schedule for when it expects any of the updates to appear", oh that brings tears to my eyes .. good luck with that Microsoft..
Bilal
http://elanist.com/bilal
Labels:
Apple,
browser,
electronista.com,
iphone,
microsoft,
msmobiles.com,
osama,
S60,
safari,
skyfire,
smarphone,
spyware,
vapour,
windows mobile
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
how to make S60 browse like iPhone
if you wanna get more out of browsing from your smartphone, there's this guy Harri Salminen who's come up with a pretty cool way to make websites think your S60 phone (come on, its about time you found out your phone is running Symbian (or it should!)) is actually an iPhone. and why the h*ll does that matter? well like Harri says, thanks to all the marketing buzz behind iPhone, many major websites have special optimized pages for browsing on the iPhone, when your S60 phone can render pages just as well, or better.
The screen shots give a general idea about the difference between a standard webpage on the phone screen compared with iPhone optimized:
normal S60 browsing
The screen shots give a general idea about the difference between a standard webpage on the phone screen compared with iPhone optimized:

with the iPhone hack
So your Nokia or any other phone running S60 (depending on what model you have) can do just the same with this little hack. You can download the hack from Harri's website below:
S60 to iPhone hack
Harri had actually encountered a little bug which wasn't letting his N95 make the most of this phone, but thanks to another genius, Robin Jewsbury, there's a fix for that little bug too:
S60 to iPhone bug fix
happy browsing!
Bilal
http://elanist.com/bilal/
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Notebooks and iPhone for sale
well guys a friend of mine is selling some notebooks and an unlocked iphone at below market price. if any of you is interested you can call Wahab at +65 98552210 (singapore) or email him at abdu6839@yahoo.com
The items and prices are listed below in Singapore dollars:
- HP 6510B Business Notebook (New) @1650 Market price 1999
- Compaq B1971TU Notebook (New) @1550 Market price 1799
- Sony Fusion PC VGC-LA38G (New) @2250 Market price 2599
- Lenovo G400M (New) @950 Market Price 1099
- Acer Extensa 4620Z (New) @850 Market price 929
- Sony Vaio VGN-C15GP/W (Used but condition like new) @1550
- Apple iPhone 8GB Unlocked @850
Bilal Zaheer
http://elanist.com/bilal
The items and prices are listed below in Singapore dollars:
- HP 6510B Business Notebook (New) @1650 Market price 1999
- Compaq B1971TU Notebook (New) @1550 Market price 1799
- Sony Fusion PC VGC-LA38G (New) @2250 Market price 2599
- Lenovo G400M (New) @950 Market Price 1099
- Acer Extensa 4620Z (New) @850 Market price 929
- Sony Vaio VGN-C15GP/W (Used but condition like new) @1550
- Apple iPhone 8GB Unlocked @850
Bilal Zaheer
http://elanist.com/bilal
Sunday, November 4, 2007
N95 Vs iPhone (seriously!)
few days back I had posted a video clip from CNet giving a comparison betweenNokia N95 and the iPhone. It looked like a pretty close call. But there is this guy named Steve Litchfield who is considered some sort of an online legend when it comes to testing mobile phones. And I gotta say, his recent comparison of the two smartphones is quite detailed with some really interesting preceding discussion on the comparison as well. In Steve's own words "Nokia N95 8GB is simply awesome as a piece of technology, winning by a landslide (over the iPod) on data connectivity, camera, video camera, GPS and application openness".
Bilal Zaheer
http://elanist.com/bilal
Bilal Zaheer
http://elanist.com/bilal
Labels:
Apple,
heptics,
ipod,
mobile,
n95,
nokia,
smartphone,
Steve Litchfield,
symbian 60,
tactile feedback,
windows
Monday, October 22, 2007
Feedback Touch Screens ...and Nokia N95 Vs. Apple iPhone
Hey anyone tried a feedback touchscreen before? like anyone wanna share their experience of the iPhone interface yet? Looks like Symbian is "touch sensitive" too now. Nokia is has already come up with their own touchscreen interface, but they've taken a step further: Tactile Feedback. What the #&*$ is that? well thats the reason why touch screen never really caught up in 25 years! On touch screens, you cant feel what you're touching, which is what even iPhone is sort of "suffering" from. But the touch screen on Nokia not only gives feedback, but each "button" or touch could feel different! so your hand knows what its doing with the phone! haha. Certainly looking forward to check it out!
There is an interesting comparison from CNet between the Nokia N95 and the Apple iPhone. I would say its a pretty close call. I guess its more about how a person wants to use their smartphone.
Anyone heard of any plans for Windows phones coming up with feedback touchscreen?
Bilal Zaheer
http://elanist.com/bilal/
There is an interesting comparison from CNet between the Nokia N95 and the Apple iPhone. I would say its a pretty close call. I guess its more about how a person wants to use their smartphone.
Anyone heard of any plans for Windows phones coming up with feedback touchscreen?
Bilal Zaheer
http://elanist.com/bilal/
Labels:
Apple,
feedback,
iphone,
mobile,
nokia,
phone,
smart,
smartphone,
touch screen,
touchscreen,
windows
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Apple taking notes from industry leaders?
Looks like even Steve Jobs has to take ques from industry leaders now and then. Like he is doing now citing Nokia and Palm? (Apple loosens grip on iPhone software)
Smart of him to open up iPhone to third-party developers, but perhaps they should have done it in the first place. Now its going to take them till February to come out with an SDK! but I suppose at least this delay is justifiable to make their phones more safe from viruses:
"... While this makes such a phone less than 'totally open,' we believe it is a step in the right direction," Jobs wrote of Nokia's stance. " - CNN, 17 October 2007.
Bilal Zaheer
http://elanist.com/bilal
Smart of him to open up iPhone to third-party developers, but perhaps they should have done it in the first place. Now its going to take them till February to come out with an SDK! but I suppose at least this delay is justifiable to make their phones more safe from viruses:
"... While this makes such a phone less than 'totally open,' we believe it is a step in the right direction," Jobs wrote of Nokia's stance. " - CNN, 17 October 2007.
Bilal Zaheer
http://elanist.com/bilal
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