Apple iPhone and related items (cont.)

[paolo]

Interestingly, Android may have the same limitation...

See : http://www.intomobile.com/2007/11/12/did-anyone-notice-that-android-doesnt-support-multitasking.html

But then writing about Android isn't going to be capturing hits in the same way the iPhone does...

Quite.

The video referenced by that article (), from the Android team, explains the state-save model very well. Same model for iPhone 3rd party apps if I've understood it correctly.

 

[editor]

Here's the BBC's Rory Cellan-Jones wishlist for the iPhone. Is there really no search?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/technology/2008/03/an_iphone_wishlist_for_steve_j_1.html

I met him a few weeks ago and he was telling me how good the iPhone's camera was - and then went ahead to take a really shit picture of me! (Mind you, seeing as I only had my Treo with me, mine would have been far worse).

 

[paolo]

I'm not sure what you'd search for. There's no document storage.

 

[editor]

I'm not sure what you'd search for. There's no document storage.

Addresses? Emails? Contacts? Songs? Videos?

 

[paolo]

hmm. Email would be useful. I don't have a problem with the rest - they're all structured and organized for you.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

Looks like you'll soon be able to run any windows app you want on the iphone legitimity.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/03/prweb752204.htm

Also Sun are porting Java to the iPhone.

http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/07/sun-iphone-java_1.html

MSN Messenger is the first thing that pops to mind, this is big news and will make the iPhone that bit more appealing.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

After reading loads of stuff about the SDK I think Apple are really going in the right direction with the iPhone.

I agree, I wouldn't be surprised if they took the number one spot in the smartphone market in the next two years...

 

[Sunray]

I agree, I wouldn't be surprised if they took the number one spot in the smartphone market in the next two years...

The keyboard does it no favours. Ok for light typing, but I'm with the Ed on this.

Proper keyboard is essential to make it more than a nice toy.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

The keyboard does it no favours. Ok for light typing, but I'm with the Ed on this.

Proper keyboard is essential to make it more than a nice toy.

It's fine imo. Interestingly I was reading this piece the other day by a former Palm Treo user saying he finds the iPhone easier to type on.

 

[editor]

It's fine imo. Interestingly I was reading this piece the other day by a former Palm Treo user saying he finds the iPhone easier to type on.

He's in a minority if the many reviews and user comments are anything to go by.

I've tried the iPhone keyboard many times and the lack of tactile feedback makes it uncomfortable and awkward to use for anything other than short notes.

That's not to say that some people won't prefer the iPhone's keyboard - or indeed will particularly care much either way - but hardware keyboards have fairly well recognised usability advantages - that's why I'd imagine you'd prefer to type on a real keyboard on your PC/laptop rather than on a slab of flat glass.

Testers give iPhone virtual keyboard the thumbs down
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/11/14/iphone_vs_blackberry/

 

[Kid_Eternity]

Here's some one who thinks the next twenty years belong to Apple:

What we saw today was the spark. The explosion will continue for twenty years. We will all feel the warmth.

What we saw today was the beginning of two-decades of mobile domination by Apple. What Microsoft and Windows was to the desktop, Apple and Touch will be to mobile.

And while mobile platforms have been around for a while, they never really gained passionate traction. Palm sorta had it for a while. Windows Mobile has been getting better. RIM is the current choice for business email on the go.

But just like there were a lot of players in the portable music space, there were no clear leaders. Until Apple came to town.

 

[paolo]

The keyboard does it no favours. Ok for light typing, but I'm with the Ed on this.

Proper keyboard is essential to make it more than a nice toy.

User satisfaction ratings are higher than RIM

 

[jæd]

The keyboard does it no favours. Ok for light typing, but I'm with the Ed on this.

Why would you want to do anything more than "light typing" on a mobile phone...? It'd be ok in an emergency, but I wouldn't want to tyoe up a report/essay on *any* smart-phone...!

 

[skeen]

I'm an iPhone user, switched over from a BlackBerry. I'll admit, the keyboard was a bit awkward for the first couple of weeks, but after you've forgotten you don't have tactile feedback, and you're just used to it, it's easy sailing. I can probably type faster on the iPhone that I could on my BlackBerry (which was pretty fast, by the way).

I agree with Apple's move to limit iPhone apps with regard to background processing - given the complex apps you'll be able to create on the platform, issues will inevitably arise with processes clogging up memory. I assume, though that Apple will license this ability to larger software developers, like AOL for example, for their AIM app.

I think the next version of the software update will feature improvements for the iPhone's native apps, hopefully including search and (the long awaited) copy & paste (which I used immensely on my BlackBerry).

 

[editor]

Why would you want to do anything more than "light typing" on a mobile phone...?

Because some people are journalists and need to send in reports from their phone, perhaps?

Or maybe they're bloggers? Or writers? Or bulletin board users? Or IRC/IM chatters who like to keep in touch? Or people with jobs that involve taking a lot of notes? Or road warriors who have to send a lot of email through the day?

Try using your imagination - I can think of a lot of reasons why people may want to do a lot of typing on a smartphone.

Here's some one who thinks the next twenty years belong to Apple:

"What we saw today was the spark. The explosion will continue for twenty years. We will all feel the warmth."
"the cool, the lust, the vision zzzzz"

What a load of nauseous, fan boy nonsense. And why you think his wild guesses about what's going to happen in the nest 20 years are worth posting up is anyone's guess.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

What a load of nauseous, fan boy nonsense. And why you think his wild guesses about what's going to happen in the nest 20 years are worth posting up is anyone's guess.

So we're not allowed to post speculation now?

Perhaps you'd like to post up new guide lines on what you find acceptable in terms of Apple related posts?

 

[jæd]

Because some people are journalists and need to send in reports from their phone, perhaps?

Or maybe they're bloggers? Or writers? Or bulletin board users? Or IRC/IM chatters who like to keep in touch? Or people with jobs that involve taking a lot of notes? Or road warriors who have to send a lot of email through the day?

Try using your imagination - I can think of a lot of reasons why people may want to do a lot of typing on a smartphone.

If I had to do a lot of mobile typing I'd be looking at a Sony TZ, Mac Air, or even that Thinkpad thing for a few weeks ago. Trying to write a well balanced article or a blog post of more than a few paragraphs is a pain on the widdly keyboards + screens of any smart-phone...

As to "bulletin board users", I've posted using an iPhone and its fine. As have few others here... But then, as you've always been one to tell us, personal tastes vary...

 

[jæd]

So we're not allowed to post speculation now?

Perhaps you'd like to post up new guide lines on what you find acceptable in terms of Apple related posts?

Yep, this would be handy. I wonder if it would include "trotting out the same tired points every third page", and "always be terribly serious all times"...

Oh look. I'd spending my time on the same tired subject instead of something new + interesting...

<unsubscribes>

 

[editor]

So we're not allowed to post speculation now?

You can post what you like, just like I can point out the nauseous fanboyness of the content. That ludicrous "We will all feel the warmth" comment was totally deserving ridicule

If I had to do a lot of mobile typing I'd be looking at a Sony TZ, Mac Air, or even that Thinkpad thing for a few weeks ago.

Great thinking! But remind me how you fit one of those into your pocket. Whoops! You've clearly missed the point!

Perhaps you've missed all the recent developments in mobile blogging? It's becoming rather big, you know. Journos are using their phones for both writing reports and filing video clips - even the BBC are bigging it up

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/technology/2008/02/news_from_a_mobile.html

<unsubscribes>

If only you could keep to your word.

 

[skeen]

Seriously, typing on the iPhone is just fine when you get used to it.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

Seriously, typing on the iPhone is just fine when you get used to it.

I agree, although I think some will always have a mental block with it and find it hard to 'just go with it'.

 

[editor]

Seriously, typing on the iPhone is just fine when you get used to it.

Seriously, I've tried it many many times and prefer a real keyboard. Why do you think laptops and desktops have real keys and not virtual keyboards?

I agree, although I think some will always have a mental block with it and find it hard to 'just go with it'.

Ah. So it's the user's fault that they find them difficult to use?!!

LOL

 

[Kid_Eternity]

Seriously, I've tried it many many times and prefer a real keyboard. Why do you think laptops and desktops have real keys and not virtual keyboards?
Ah. So it's the user's fault that they find them difficult to use?!!

LOL

Different strokes for different folks. Some people respond differently to others when it comes to things like this, it's called individuality.

If you can't get on with the iPhone's keyboard but millions of others can it probably isn't for you. Me I find I'm fine with it(as I've said elsewhere so fine that I managed to type on it while under the influence with nearly a 100% success rate).

When they up the storage and add 3G I'll be seriously tempted by it, they could give away a free Ferrari with it and you probably still wouldn't be. Such is...

 

[skeen]

Seriously, I've tried it many many times and prefer a real keyboard. Why do you think laptops and desktops have real keys and not virtual keyboards?

What difference does it make how many times you've tried it? You're not used to it. It wasn't your device.

It took me a while to get good at typing with my BlackBerry, too.

And re: virtual keyboards - give it time..

 

[han]

I had a go on an iPhone yesterday. Love the thing. Definitely the best smartphone I've had a go on yet.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

And re: virtual keyboards - give it time..

Yep...ah here's the thing I was thinking of:

David Pogue of The New York Times and Walt Mossberg of The Wall Street Journal both tested the iPhone for two weeks and found learning to use it initially difficult, although eventually usable. Pogue stated use was "frustrating" at first, but "once you stop stressing about each individual letter and just plow ahead, speed and accuracy pick up considerably." After five days of use, Mossberg "was able to type on it as quickly and accurately as he could on the Palm Treo he has used for years," and considered the keyboard a "nonissue." Both found that the typo-correcting feature of the iPhone was the key to using the virtual keyboard successfully.[17][38]

 

[editor]

Looks like Herr Jobs is saying "Nein!" to Java.

http://www.regdeveloper.co.uk/2008/03/10/iphone_jvm_pipe_dream/

 

[jæd]

Looks like Herr Jobs is saying "Nein!" to Java.

http://www.regdeveloper.co.uk/2008/03/10/iphone_jvm_pipe_dream/

<resubscribes >

This should've been obvious to Sun from the SDK licensing terms from the start. Bit silly of them if they didn't read them, or discuss this with Apple directly...

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

apple are really not going down the route of being open


though it does look like a nice little sdk


for some reasaon i'm reminded of visual studio (pity it only runs under leopard)

 

[Kid_Eternity]

<resubscribes >