REVIEW NATION

The iPod Touch: An iPhone Minus the Phone.

2007-11-28T16:59:00.000-08:00

The iPod Touch: An iPhone minus the phone, and plus some welcome extras

Tests of Apple’s new iPod Touch confirm that it is indeed essentially an iPhone without the phone. You get the same generous, 3-in.-wide multi-touch screen, the same superb interface that seamlessly links a multifaceted media player with a powerful Web browser, and the same Internet access via Wi-Fi.

Shedding the phone allows the Touch to be few millimeters shorter and thinner than the iPhone and about a half-ounce lighter--just 4.2 ounces. Of course, it also deprives of you of being able to make calls, easily send-e-mails, or surf the Web on the cell network. But phone performance on the iPhone is only so-so anyway, and the phone is married to AT&T, whose middling performance we document in our most recent survey on cellular service providers.

The Touch costs $300 for our 8-gigabyte (GB) test model, which holds about 2,000 songs, or $400 for the 16 GB version--the largest capacity of any flash player on the market.

Source: ConsumerReports.org

iPhone Release in Canada

2007-11-26T17:56:00.001-08:00

Canada is getting ready for the release of the iPhone just in time for the Christmas season. Even with the hefty price tag, I am sure Santa will be getting a lot of requests for this awesome piece of technology.

T-Mobile Now Selling Unlocked iPhone in Germany

2007-11-21T15:03:00.000-08:00

T-Mobile is getting in on the iPhone Track. T-Mobile Germany is now releasing unlocked iPhones. It is even possible to get an unlocked iPhone without signing up with T-Mobile, and as announced on November 21, 2007, T-Mobile will be selling iPhones without a contract or SIM.
T-Mobile has been selling selling the iPhone in Germany for 399 euro and a lock in period of 2 years. This was done after months of testing and seeing that T-Mobile was the only wireless subscriber in Germany capable of handling the features on the iPhone.

T-Mobile’s policy was contested by Vodafone and they filed a case against T-Mobile because Vodafone believed that T-Mobile’s policy of marketing the iPhone on a contract was against German Law. As a result, T-Mobile was served a temporary injunction and was informed by the court that they had until November 21, 2007 to change their policies regarding the sale of the iPhone.

T-Mobile Germany has said that they will contest the injunction, but until the case is reviewed a couple of weeks from now, T-Mobile has no choice but to comply.

The Five Most Important Things about the iPhone!

2007-11-19T06:40:00.000-08:00

1. The release

Released on June 29th in the U.S., the Apple iPhone will retail for $499 (4 GB) or $599 (8 GB) with a two-year AT&T contract. A steep price tag for many, but compared to other ground-breaking phones in recent years, it's not that bad.

2. The display

The iPhone's most important feature is a 3.5-inch, 320 x 480 pixels touch screen display, easily beating other multimedia smartphones currently on the market. Its recent surface upgrade from plastic to optical-quality glass, also makes it pretty much scratch-proof.

3. The user interface

The iPhone's second most important feature is its Mac OS X user interface, which obviously cannot be easily replicated by competitors. Apple will not open for third party developers though, which are left in the dark with Widgets only to develop. Combined with EDGE-only connectivity when being on the road, your Mac OS X themed travel application will load slowly, if it loads at all.

4. The iTunes support

If there's one thing every phone manufacturer has struggled with since the introduction of multimedia phones, it is multimedia management on the computer side. With iTunes support, the iPhone is easily filled up with top-notch multimedia content.

5. The YouTube support

Like SMS messaging was the mobile service for youth back in the 90's, photo and video sharing will easily become the mobile service for today's youth, as long as it's easily accessible. Smart move, Apple, but we're not convinced that EDGE connectivity (and Wi-Fi connectivity, for that matter) will provide smooth access.

These are the five most important things about the iPhone!

Source: Sindre Lia

Is China Ready for the Iphone?

2007-11-18T08:41:00.000-08:00

Apple wants in on the world’s largest mobile market, China. At least that’s what China Mobile wants the world to know. With a 523 million subscriber base in mainland China alone, that’s a lot of iPhones.

If current talks gain any positive ground, that would bring Apple to a brand new market larger than the total population of Europe. But the question remains. Is China ready for the iPhone?

Chinese mobile subscribers are not used to having locked in contracts, much less long term contract obligations. The iPhone is network locked everywhere else. In the United States, AT&T has exclusive rights to the iPhone. Elsewhere in Europe, the iPhone is locked to France’s Orange, T-Mobile in Germany and O2 in the UK. For China, it’s either China Mobile or the slightly smaller China Unicom based in Taiwan.

Although Apple usually gets its way, dealing with the Chinese nation state may be an entirely different thing. Apple has already announced plans of making the iPhone available in Asia by 2008.

What makes the iPhone so enticing?

2007-11-17T17:02:00.000-08:00

Cell phones have become a part of daily life, and many people feel lost without them. But there's a new cell phone on the market that has had people everywhere buzzing. What makes the iPhone so phenomenal and so enticing is that it's a mobile phone that has touchscreen keyboard, but it's also an iPod that has a powerful internet browser -- all in a very cool package. "This is going to be the gadget for any technology lover," says AuWerter. Many expect this product to change the cell phone business overnight.

The drawback: The iPhone will be sold to AT&T customers only. The company has exclusive access to this phone for five years. So if you're currently under contract with another cellular provider, that may mean an early termination fee, which can run as high as $200. Add in the fact that the iPhone will cost a minimum of $400-600. "The switch is not a cheap proposition," says AuWerter.

Given the hype surrounding the iPhone, you may want to wait to get one. As with any new technology, the conventional wisdom is that unless you're the type who has to be the first kid on the block to have a new toy, you're better off waiting for any potential kinks to be worked out. "If you can resist the temptation, wait about three months or so before you make the purchase," says AuWerter.

iPhone Questions and Answers. What can the iPhone Do?

2007-11-15T17:23:00.000-08:00

Q. Will iPhone work with my PC and Microsoft Windows?
A. Yes. iPhone works with Windows XP Home or Professional (SP2), and Windows Vista.

Q. Can I use my iPhone internationally?
A. iPhone is a quad-band GSM phone and will work around the world. Before you travel, make sure that international dialing and roaming are enabled through AT&T and that the places you’re going offer GSM coverage.

Q. What email systems does iPhone support?
A. iPhone supports the most popular email standards — IMAP and POP3. Check with your email provider to make sure the provider uses these standards. iPhone works with most popular email services, including Yahoo! Mail, Google Gmail, AOL, and .Mac Mail. Yahoo! Mail supports “push” email and can automatically deliver new email messages to your iPhone.

Q.What kind of security features does iPhone offer?
A. You can protect access to information on your iPhone with a four-digit password, which is then required whenever iPhone is turned on or wakes from sleep. For secure Internet access, iPhone supports industry-standard Wi-Fi security and virtual private networking (VPN).

Q. How do I charge my new iPhone?
A. Like an iPod, your iPhone charges using the included USB 2.0 cable connected to your computer or to the included USB Power Adapter.

Q. When does iPhone sync my contacts and calendar?
A. iPhone syncs your contacts and calendar whenever you connect iPhone to your computer.

Q. Can I view regular websites on iPhone or just mobile websites?
A. With the Safari web browser on iPhone, you can surf websites just as you do on your personal computer. You’re not limited to mobile WAP sites.

Q. Can I surf the web on iPhone without a Wi-Fi connection?
A. Yes. When a Wi-Fi connection is not available, you can access the Internet using AT&T’s EDGE data network.

Q. How does iPhone send and receive email?
A. iPhone sends and receives email over Wi-Fi and EDGE wireless networks.

Q. Can I send and receive email from more than one account?
A. Yes. You can send and receive email from multiple email accounts on your iPhone.

Q. What types of email attachments can I view on iPhone?
A. iPhone displays most picture attachments (JPEG, GIF, and TIFF) in-line with the text in email messages. iPhone can also view PDF, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel email attachments.

Q. Can I “unlock” iPhone and use it with another wireless carrier?
A. AT&T is the exclusive wireless carrier for iPhone in the United States. If you currently use another wireless carrier, you can choose to transfer your number when you activate your AT&T account.

All of the above iPhone questions and answers were provided by Apple.

iPhone Accessories: Everything You Need for your iPhone

2007-11-15T06:46:00.000-08:00

Here are some iPhone accessories for your iPhone

iPhone Bluetooth Headset
Answer iPhone calls wirelessly with this compact and lightweight Bluetooth headset. The iPhone Bluetooth Headset features a single button that lets you receive phone calls simply and intuitively. And it delivers up to 5.5 hours of talk time and up to 72 hours of standby time thanks to its built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

Apple USB Power Adapter
Use this compact, convenient USB-based adapter to charge your iPhone or iPod at home, on the road, or whenever it’s not connected to a computer.

iPhone Dock
The iPhone Dock offers easy access to a USB port for syncing or charging, and audio line out for connecting to powered speakers.

Apple Dock Connector to USB Cable
This USB 2.0 cable connects your iPhone or iPod — directly or through a Dock — to your computer’s USB port for efficient syncing and charging, or to the Apple USB Power Adapter for convenient charging from a wall outlet.

iPhone Dual Dock
Give both your iPhone and your iPhone Bluetooth Headset a place to call home. The iPhone Dual Dock also includes an Apple USB Power Adapter for convenient charging.

iPhone Universal Dock Adapter 3-Pack
These Dock Adapters enable your iPhone to connect to the iPod Universal Dock and other products that use the Universal Dock system. You can even conduct speakerphone calls with your iPhone in the Dock.

iPhone Stereo Headset
The iPhone Stereo Headset is designed like the Apple iPod headphones and features a high-performance microphone fitted with a windscreen. You can quickly answer and end iPhone calls and control basic music playback simply by pressing a button on the mic.

iPhone Bluetooth Travel Cable
Use this cable to charge your iPhone Bluetooth Headset while you sync or charge your iPhone.

iPhone TTY Adapter
This adapter lets you use your iPhone with standard TTY devices. Just plug the cable from your TTY device into one end of the iPhone TTY Adapter, then plug the other end of the adapter into your iPhone.

The above iPhone accessories will make your iPhone more enjoyable to use.

The iPhone Video: A Closer Look at the iPhone Features

2007-11-14T05:33:00.001-08:00

For those of you who already have an iPhone or for those of you who are thinking of getting one, check out the video above. It highlights some of the cool features of the iPhone.

The "Not-So-Perfect" iPhone: The Imperfections of the iPhone

2007-11-13T10:25:00.000-08:00

Unless you have been in a sensory-deprivation tank for the past little while, you already know that the iPhone is a tiny hand-held computer whose screen is a slab of touch-sensitive glass. It is sleek and versatile and is quite the piece of eye candy. But with all its beauty and functionality, it is not perfect.

Besides its hefty price tag ($500-$600, depending on the gigs of storage), it has other faults too.

1. There is no memory card slot, no voice dialing and you cannot install new programs from anyone but Apple.

2. The two megapixel camera takes good pictures provided the subject is not moving and well-lit.

3. After about 300-400 charges the battery will start to lose its capacity and you will have to send the iPhone to Apple for a replacement battery and get charged a fee.

4. The tiny keyboard makes it hard to type, especially for a man's fingers.

5. Lastly, some say the reception in certain areas is not the greatest.

Will these drawbacks be a deal-breaker for some or are iPhone lovers everywhere willing to forgive the the little things in order to have this sleek piece of sophisticated eye candy.

The Best iPhone Unlimited Download Sites. Get Unlimited Music, Movies and Games!

2007-11-12T12:29:00.002-08:00

Do you want to be the Master of your iPhone universe? Do you want to get your favorite music, movies, games and software for your iPhone. Do you want to learn all the secrets Apple doesn't want you to know? If you answered yes, then go to the links below and check it out.

These sites enable you to download all your favorite movies, music, games, software, etc. and get unlimited access 24/7. A few of these sites have been ranked #1 by CNN, NBC, CNET and AOL.

You get unlimited downloads. You can download all your music, watch all your favorite movies, play games and even burn unlimited CDs on your PC.

So, if you do want to be the Master of your iPhone universe and leave everybody wondering how you always manage to have the latest music, movies and games, check out the links below.

1. For music: go here

2. For movies: go here

3. For games: go here

4. For software: go here

5. For shows: go here

Please know that all the above links will give you all the download options. You can download movies, music, software, games and shows on all of these web sites.

The iPhone Hype

2007-11-11T16:08:00.000-08:00

In the past six months, the iPhone has been the subject of 11,000 print articles and it turns up about 69 million hits on Google. As it turns out, the hype is justified. This is because the iPhone does things no phone has ever done before.

Everyone has probably seen the ads showing how things on the screen work. The ads show how you can scroll with the flick of your finger, how e-mail messages collapse into a trash can, how you can check your voice mail with the push of one button, etc. All these things make the phone fun and easy to use.

One of the greatest features this phone has is that you can enlarge a web page or an e-mail message or a photo by simply spreading your thumb and forefinger on the glass. That is very, very cool.

The iPhone is also an iPod. You can watch movies, YouTube videos, and movies on the 3.5", high-resolution screen.

For those of us who are directionally challenged when driving (that would be me), the Google Maps feature lets you view street maps or aerial photos of any address. It also provides driving instructions.

As you can see, the iPhone is an amazing piece of technology and it is also one heck of a status symbol. The hype is justified!

*Source: The New York Times-David Pogue

The iPhone Phenomenon

2007-11-09T20:12:00.001-08:00

I am sure that by now everyone who has not been living under a rock has heard of the Apple Iphone. This revolutionary phone has captured the interest of many people and, according to some, these phones are a hot commodity and are hard to get your hands on but for others, once you do get your hands on one, it is impossible to stop. But what is this iPhone phenomenon?

I actually do not have one myself but from everything that I have heard and read, this little piece of technology is light years ahead of any phone availalble on the market today. This palm-sized creation can access the internet, download movies, music and can pretty much do anything but cook you a gourmet meal, although you could probably get a pretty darned good recipe for one.

This phone has so many features, it can take a lifetime to figure them all out. Below are some tips and tricks, according to CJ Prato, to get the most out of your Iphone experience:

1. If you tap once at the very top of the screen when you are on the internet, it will take you back to the top of the window rather than having to scroll all the way back up. A nice time saving feature.

2. If you set the font to the smallest size, you can read more in the internet window. An advantage of this is that when you want to click a link, you can pinch (expand) that area and the link will come up very large, making it much easier to click.

3. Rather than posting the full address of internet sites in bookmarks, you can post the equivalent RSS address instead into Apple's RSS reader and save that as your bookmark. This way you can quickly see if there's anything interesting on your favorite site rather than downloading the whole homepage.

4. If you are writing something and the iPhone flags a word as misspelled that you know is not misspelled, cancel the correction 3 times and the word will be put into the dictionary. If you write a lot, this feature is quite useful!

5. The magnifying glass is a nice iPhone tool when you are typing an email or any other text. If you tap once and hold, a magnifying glass will pop up showing you a zoomed in view of your words and cursor. You can now easily place the cursor wherever you want. This makes editing your writing very easy.

6. You can move icons around, but not on the home screen. You have to go to the ipod section. Go to iPod > More > Edit. Now you can drag your icons all around. This can also be done in the phone section.

7. To reset your iphone, hold down the right button and the "home" front button for about 6 seconds. To power it back on, push the top button. This is different than a regular shutdown, which can be done easily by holding the sleep/wake button for 6 seconds.

8. If you get a lot of spam e-mail or other unwanted e-mail, pay attention to this time saving feature. Add a link to Yahoo mail in Safari bookmarks. From there you can check 'delete all' to remove all unwanted e-mails. This is much easier than deleting hundreds of spam e-mails one at a time.

I hope this was helpful to all "Iphonies."

LeapFrog FLY Fusion Pentop Computer! Technology on the FLY!

2007-11-08T11:04:00.000-08:00

LeapFrog FLY Fusion Pentop Computer! Technology on the FLY!

Attention parents, grandparents, siblings, children, high school and college students and anybody who needs to FLY through their homework or organize their notes in a snap...this is the item for you. This new product seems to be amazing. I am a mother of two children and if I can do anything to help my kids with their homework, I am willing to try it. This item will help organize notes and breeze through homework in a jiffy. This technological wonder can do the following things, as outlined on their web site:

Blast Through Your Math Homework. Get quick calculations or hear step-by-step advice on your homework problems.

Write Essays with Power & Speed. Spell-check handwritten work with powerful editing tools.

Upload, Search & Edit Notes. Back up your notebook, search notes and edit essays on your PC.

Keep Tunes at Your Fingertips. Download and listen to your MP3s or create your own music.

Get Translations in a Snap. Write a word in English and hear its Spanish or French translation instantly.

Play Games on the Go. Test your smarts or challenge.

Can you imagine your kids doing their French or Spanish homework in a snap without bribes and stress.

How FLY Fusion™ Works

The FLY Fusion Pentop Computer puts sophisticated computing power right in the palm of your hand.

How it works: When you write with the FLY Fusion Pentop Computer on FLY™ Paper, everything is automatically captured and digitized. You can then upload it to your PC and convert to text. Touch your pentop computer to FLY Paper, and you can quiz yourself on history, get help with a quadratic equation, or even play your favorite MP3. And when you're ready for new software, simply connect to your PC again to purchase and download custom homework and gaming applications directly to your FLY Fusion Pentop Computer. Can you imagine...a computer in a pen!!!!!!!!!!! AWESOME.

The FLY Fusion Pentop Computer has earned 4 out of 5 stars from PC Magazine.
– PC Magazine, August 2007

This computer is amazing in all that it can do. In my opinion, this will be the next wave of computers. This will probably blow up the education and business industry. Since Christmas is coming, guess what my kids are getting for Christmas? Come to think of it...my hubby could probably use it for work to organize his notes too.

If you want more information on this wonderful piece of technology, go to their web site and see for yourself. http://www.flyworld.com/index.html. All the information about this product is there, including extra software. Where will technology take us next?

LeapFrog FLY Fusion Pentop Computer! Technology on the FLY!