obstacles can kill

Well let’s see how well the Wordpress app from Apple’s AppStore works…

la dee da…

Seems to work well. Although needs some work…

Eric :: Jul.24.2008 :: Apple, Mobile Applications, Software :: No Comments »

As if those that know me didn’t expect it or anything…

Yeah, I picked up the iPhone 3G last Thursday just for the hell of it. Got the white 16GB model. I must say that it does have a world of improvements over the first version. For example, the sound quality and the volume is much improved. Anyone that may be reading this post has surely already read plenty of reviews on the iPhone 3G so i’ll save my editorial points for another time. However, when people say that the battery life sucks, they are making an understatement. It’s flat out freakin’ horrendous.

And no, I have not and never will give up my love for my Nokia devices. I don’t even plan on using this iPhone for too long. But of course, the geek inside me just had to pick one up for a while just so he can say he did…

More to come…

Eric :: Jul.24.2008 :: Apple, Hardware, Mobile Devices :: No Comments »

This made me lol…

Eric :: Jul.15.2008 :: Apple, Hardware, Mobile Devices :: 1 Comment »

If you own an N800 or an N810, I highly recommend performing the firmware update that was announced on the Maemo site. I performed the update shortly after yesterday’s blog post and have to say that this is much more than your standard minor bug fix update. The default Modest e-mail client rocks (bye bye crappy default e-mail client of the past!), the unit is running a lot smoother and quicker than it did on the day it first arrived, and the web browser is a lot more stable than it previously was (haven’t had any of the freezing or stuttering issues I used to). You do not need to worry about anything stored on either the internal or external memory card. None of that data will be touched during the process. But if you have data that you need stored to the device’s RAM, make sure you have it backed up. I chose to not back up my user data before flashing because some of my stuff like my contact list needed a cleanup anyways.

I’ll be spending a good amount of time over the next couple days reloading all my favorite applications again. I’ll report any stability issues that are found. Go Diablo!

Eric :: Jun.25.2008 :: Hardware, Maemo, Mobile Devices, Nokia, Nseries, Software :: No Comments »

The long awaited and highly anticipated firmware update has been released for OS2008 and is currently available for download for your N800/N810. According to the Maemo site, this update includes the Seamless Software Update feature so future updates should be available OTA and without the need to re-flash the device. Unfortunately this time around requires the need to re-flash the unit. A small price to pay for bug fixes and new enhancements. According to Engadget, the changelog is very lengthy. However, they do point out that the update includes the very long awaited replacement of the default e-mail client with one based on Modest (which is what I was using anyways).

Once my N810 is done charging, I’ll be performing the firmware update. As much as I don’t want to re-flash, it’s a small price to pay. Besides, I can start with a clean slate and re-load just the stuff I want. Werd to your firmware flash!

Eric :: Jun.24.2008 :: Hardware, Maemo, Mobile Devices, Nokia, Nseries, Software :: 1 Comment »

No intro needed for this entry. Let me just jump right to the list…

• Still no MMS. And I am tired of the fanboys rebuttal of “just use e-mail”. MMS is about CONVENIENCE. Not everyone is completely tech savvy. And the majority of my friends have messaging plans and not a data plan. If I want to send a quick pic to my friend, I want it to be simple, quick, and easy for the recipient.

• No turn by turn navigation. Even though I use GPS for other tasks such as geotagging and fun satellite imagery, it’s main function is turn by turn navigation. I use it on either my N95 or N810 all the time. And with the substantiated rumor that Apple is not allowing the development of navigation software is appalling after bragging about the iPhone 3G’s on-board GPS.

• Overly restrictive terms. I’m not even referring to the data plan (but I will get to that in a minute). Having worked in the industry for six years, I fully understand and support the need for subsidies and contracts. What I don’t appreciate, however, is the lack of non-contract options for the iPhone (even with the original non-subsidized version. I paid $499 for my 4GB model on June 30th last year WITH a 2 year contract and kicked myself in the ass for it). Allow the users the option to pay the unsubsidized price in exchange for no contract. And apparently there is the threat of fining buyers who do not fully activate. It’s ridiculous.

• The data plan (it’s not the price that bothers me). I actually do not mind the $30 price tag at all. It is the price I was expecting for the original iPhone data price. With it’s full HTML support and (virtual) QWERTY keyboard, I was expecting AT&T to treat it as a PDA phone all along. What bothers me about the data plan is that with any other PDA device, in AT&T’s lineup, the data plan is an option. You could add/remove it as you please (yes, that’s true even if the commission hungry sales rep says otherwise). The iPhone is the one product that has the mandatory data requirement. I personally would get it. But I can’t help but think about other users out there who may only be looking for their phone to be a widescreen iPod that they can casually use internet on while at a WiFi hotspot enjoying coffee.

• Apple’s lack of listening to the consumer. The iPhone has been one of the most widely discussed topics in the cellular world over the last year and a half. Users speak their mind daily about their gripes, their wants, and their issues. Has Apple heard their cries? Just adding (limited) GPS, 3G, and a flush headphone jack does not constitute an upgrade to me. A “breakthrough device” and the “cellular leader” would have had such functions from day one.

Let me point out one last thing… I love the iPhone. I truly do. I think it is a great device that has opened the doors to a new world of mobile offerings. I was an early adopter and had some good times with it. But it still leaves a lot to be desired. In fact, way too much for me to consider it an all-in-one device as Apple likes to claim it is.

Eric :: Jun.12.2008 :: Apple, Hardware, Mobile Devices :: No Comments »

Apple has just announced the second generation of it’s iPhone, the iPhone 3G. The new model will be available on July 11th. Pricing is $199 for the 8GB model (available in black) and $299 for the 16GB model (available in black and white). Continue on for a full run down of the updates…

Continue Reading »

Eric :: Jun.09.2008 :: Apple, Hardware, Mobile Devices :: No Comments »

The s60 team has released an update to their s60 Touch UI demo video. I’m keeping this one short and sweet….. please please PLEASE at least make a formal device announcement already!

Eric :: Jun.08.2008 :: Hardware, Mobile Devices, Nokia, Software, Symbian s60 :: No Comments »

When it comes to multimedia support, Nokia never ceases to amaze me. Their Internet Radio program is no exception. This program was publicly released as a beta back in December yet I didn’t start using it on a regular basis until the last couple weeks. It has its quirks but such is to be expected from a beta application. So how well does Nokia Internet Radio perform during regular use? Continue on for a full review and screenshots…

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Eric :: Jun.04.2008 :: Mobile Devices, Nokia, Software, Symbian s60 :: No Comments »

Nokia has listened to the voices of it’s customers and have implemented a change in the N-Gage game licensing policy that I discussed yesterday! From the same source as the original news, Symbian Guru reports today that Nokia has issued a temporary fix for the issue until a permanent solution is implemented by allowing game owners to call in and transfer their license to another IMEI regardless of what reason it’s for. Nokia’s Conversations blog has been helping keep users updated. Way to go Nokia! It’s no wonder why we love you so so much…

Eric :: May.23.2008 :: Mobile Devices, N-Gage, Nokia, Software, Symbian s60 :: No Comments »