November 30, 2008 by hilzfuld on iPhone, Mobile, Software, Tech

My iPod Touch Apps

Just thought I would share a rundown of the current apps installed on my iPod Touch. The list is always changing as new apps come out that are more useful.

Easier than a PC

EasyWriter: Great app that provides a landscape keyboard to type on. I find it much easier to type in landscape mode. After you type the text, you can click on the Mail icon and export the text to an email. Very useful app. I give it a 4/5 just because it is not embedded in the mail client, that would be amazing.
Facebook: Very useful app that, after comparing it to the iPhone Facebook website, is a lot more user friendly. I was a little disappointed you could not edit your profile, but all in all, a great app. I give it a 4/5 because it is pretty much read-only.
Fring: No question Fring is one of my all time favorites. You can Skype, AIM, MSN, GTalk,Twitter, Yahoo, and ICQ from your iPhone and iPod. Very user friendly interface and a great app. Nothing beats being able to call someone from your iPod via Skype. However, it also gets a 4/5 because of the lack of Facebook chat and landscape keyboard. That would make it the perfect app.

So Close to Perfection

Google Earth: Probably the app that blew my mind the most. The graphics on this app just emphasize how truly revolutionary the iPhone’s display really is. Nothing more to say about this app, you know what Google Earth is, I think the iPhone version does everything the desktop version does. Amazing! However, and this is a big however, Apple left out Street View for the iPod Touch, so out of protest, I am giving this app a 3/5. TAKE THAT, APPLE!
IM+LITE: Another IM app that allows you to chat in AIM, MSN, GTalk, Yahoo, ICQ, Jabber, and MySpace IM. Why do I need this if I have Fring you ask? One huge advantage in this app is the ability to type in landscape mode. Huge plus for me. However, no Skype and no Facebook chat. 3/5 sounds fair to me.
iTalk: Cute little voice recorder app made by Griffin. I have used this on numerous occasions, like when you are on the road or in bed with no pen and you need to jot something down, just record a voice note. Useful app with a great interface including a huge record and stop button. I guess 3/5 as it does not do very much.

Very Not Cool, Steve!

Palringo: Yet another IM app that includes iChat in it’s list of IM services. So why do I need this if I have Fring and IM+Lite? Good question, maybe I will delete it. No, I’m kidding, what this app brings that no others have, is the ability to send pictures to your contacts as well as a voice recording, kinda like a walkie talkie feature. It is actually kinda cool, the thing is, I found that when I send these audio clips to contacts, they get it as a link and 99% of the time, they are afraid to open it because of the common issue of IM spam. I give this app a 3/5, no Facebook, no Skype, and no landscape mode, but still a nice app.
RTM: I know Aryeh loves this app, but after a few days of use, I do not share his excitement. Yes, it is probably the best task manager (by the way, I have yet to find a task manager in the traditional sense of the word, you know like the Windows one that shows which processes are running etc.), and it syncs nicely with the Web, but I just do not love the interface, nor do I love the fact that it has a limited license, and after the trial period, you need to pay for it. It’s big advantage as opposed to the other task managers is the ability to write in landscape mode. I give RTM a 3/5.

OK I am going to wrap things up with two great games:

Labyrinth Lite Edition: This game is without a doubt the number 1 most addictive game on the iPod/iPhone. Using the accelerometer, you need to get the silver ball into the hole at the end of the maze. The graphics are awesome and it blows my mind how it picks up on your every move with great sensitivity. Disclaimer: Play this thing at your own risk, there is a major risk of wasted time and addiction. This game gets a 5/5.

Highly Addictive

Mini Piano: A great app that simply puts a piano on your screen and lets you play. Very cute and simple. Nothing else to say about it, watch a demo in the video below. I guess 4/5 due to lack of sophistication.

OK, that sums up my first home screen. I try to keep no more than 4 home screens worth of apps so generally when I download a new app, I delete something from the previous screen. I will post again about the other 3 home screens, but the above apps are most definitely my favorites, hence the fact that they are on the first home screen.

It is also important to point out that I have yet to pay for an app. I simply have not come across an app that was worth paying for or alternatively one that did not have an almost identical free app. When I do, you will be the first to know.

-Hillel

November 26, 2008 by hilzfuld on iPhone, Mobile, Software, Tech

iPod Touch Users Get Compensation in the Form of CPU

Sorry iPhone-ers

Just as iPod Touch users were starting to feel anger towards Apple and their discriminatory decision to leave Street View out of the Touch’s firmware upgrade, we discovered a little piece of news that changes everything completely. It turns out that the 2nd gen iPod Touch is running a faster processor than the original Touch and… (if you have an iPhone, stop reading here) even the iPhone 3G.

While the original iPod Touch and both iPhones run a 400 MHz CPU and a 100 MHz bus, my baby is packing a 532 MHz CPU and a 133 MHz bus. In English? The new iPod Touch moves faster than the original Touch, as well as both iPhones. So it turns out the built in speaker and the hardware volume controls are not the only enhancements to the new iPod Touch. Nice!

In other big news, Apple is going green. They just released an ad showing how the new Macbook is the greenest Macbook ever. It is so green that it runs on a quarter of the power of a single light bulb and its enclosure is completely recyclable. It is so green that even the arrows in its ad are green. Watch the video below.

Lastly, Gizmodo shared their full review of one of the nicest Windows Mobile touchscreen devices out there, the Samsung Omnia. Just a quick reminder, the Omnia packs a 3.2″ touchscreen display, 3.5G, WiFi 802.11b/g, A2DP, a 5MP cam, all in a sleek12.5 mm thick package. Not bad, right? Gizmodo does not seem to agree. Watch the video here.

You Cannot Deny the Beauty

Bottom line is they believe the Storm to be a more “compelling and usable device”. Well, being as the Storm did not do so well itself and is apparently full of bugs, that does not say too much for the Omnia.

-Hillel

If Only its Software Matched up

November 23, 2008 by hilzfuld on iPhone, Mobile, Software, Tech

Google & Apple: Why?

The First Google Phone: Ouch

Just wanted to share some of my thoughts on the latest developments in the cellular world. What better place to start than the infamous Google phone, which turned out, much to most of our disappointment, to not be a phone at all, but a cellular platform or more precisely a mobile operating system? I just do not get a few things, and I would seriously like some explanations here, so please feel free to make use of the commenting tool.

Why would a company like Google, who is known for their innovation and products that just work (Gmail, Picasa, and many others), agree to introduce the world to their new and exciting Android on such a (I literally sat in front of my monitor trying to think of a strong enough word to describe the G1’s ugliness) horrendous looking phone? I cannot think of one aspect of the Dream’s hardware that is even slightly appealing to me! OK, software might be more important when choosing a phone, but there have to be red lines, and the first Android phone crosses them. So, why? There must be an explanation. Anyone?

Furthermore, once Google decided to settle and use the G1, how could they agree to release this phone without a 3.5 mm headphone jack? This phone is supposedly competition for the iPhone and others like it, but as if the G1 was not ugly enough on its own, you now have to use some clunky adapter to plug your earphones in? Why, Google, why?

Connect This to Listen to Your Tunes on Your G1

Connect This Nice Looking Thing to Listen to Tunes on Your G1

These are not rhetorical questions, I expect answers here. Does it really take so much to add a headphones jack? Would it really have been too much to ask for HTC to design a pleasant looking handset for the most exciting mobile platform of 2008? Maybe something like the HD? I would have even settled for a Diamond. I really just do not get it.

Next Gen Cellphone

OK on to other topics. Phone Scoop reviewed the Samsung Behold. They gave it an OK review and were not very excited by it. I read the review and was very surprised to see that the main disadvantage of the phone was not addressed. The camera was OK, the music player was decent, nothing about the fact that it is a closed OS, with no option of installing anything 3rd party. I can tell you that this was for me, pretty much the thing that prevented me from getting the phone. Strange that they did not discuss it.

Behold the Samsung Behold

Lastly, just wanted to give a quick shout-out to the biggest disappointment of my week. The 2.2 iPod/iPhone firmware upgrade. I was so excited to use Street View on my iPod and for some unexplainable reason, that update was only provided to iPhone users and not iPod Touch users. Other updates were implemented on both the iPhone and iPod, like pressing the Home button now brings you back to your first home screen, and enhancements to the App store. So, I ask, why would Apple do such a thing? I find it very hard to believe that it is because of technical restrictions, there is no reason it would work on the iPhone and not the iPod Touch, which leads me to believe that this was a marketing decision.

Amazing!

It is no secret that I love the way Apple markets their products, which leads me to my conclusion that everyone makes mistakes. The hard part is to acknowledge your error and correct it. So, no pressure, Steve, but hurry the heck up and fix this, I want to see my old house on my iPod.

Just to end on a positive note, congrats to Technmarketing on their 100th post, and what a post it is, if I do say so myself.

-Hillel

November 20, 2008 by hilzfuld on iPhone, Mobile, Random, Software

Random Thoughts on Storms and Tubes

Job hunting has kept me pretty busy as of late, but I have already decided that since my last job only gave me a CDMA option for my company phone (so I could not buy a phone and insert the company SIM), as soon as I finally find my next job, one of my first purchases is going to be a phone. Now the big question is, which one?

The Beautiful HD: Hard to Say Goodbye

Well, let me start with what I was considering as of three days ago, and I will conclude with the phones I have narrowed it down to. Remember, I am talking here about my favorite phones, forget for a second the fact that I would never really buy half these phones due to their exorbitant prices. So here are the phones I was considering (in totally random order):

HTC Touch HD: OK I know it is $800 or $1300 if you buy it is Israel, but a man can still dream, no?
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic or Tube: Seems like a pretty sweet phone and with a name like Nokia backing it, how can you go wrong, right?
Blackberry Storm: You gotta love RIM’s attempt at the touchscreen market.
iPhone: Honestly? With its lack of MMS, video camera, and A2DP, this was not an option for me, until I used my new iPod Touch. With that interface and App store, I am willing to use email to send pictures, bring along an additional camera for taking video, and even use wired headsets to listen to my music. Yes, it is THAT good.

The Tube: A Strong Contender

So, these were my options as of a few days ago, but as we all know, a few days in the cellular industry is like a lifetime to normal people.

So here is what I am thinking today:

HTC Touch HD: With the $800 price tag combined with the fact that it runs Windows, this is just not the phone for me. Yes, it is no doubt the nicest phone on earth, but the headache of installing apps over Windows (compared to the experience I have had with the iPod Touch of course), the lack of a camera flash, along with the normal bugs associated with anything Microsoft, even a 4″ screen would not get me to buy it.
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic or Tube: I am not saying a definate NO to this yet, I know I like the price, but Mobile Burn’s review of this toy, did not excite me. I call it a toy because that it what it looks and feels like compared to other handsets.
Blackberry Storm: Well, contrary to the Tube, this one is a definate no go for me. Engadget’s review of the Storm left me very dissapointed, especially the whole press down the screen thing. If I wanted to press down on the screen and not just touch it, I would buy a standard Blackberry, not a touch screen one. Is it just me or does that just make simple sense?
iPhone: Well, I would have to say that at the risk of being boring and unoriginal, this is currently my best option. I just cannot get over how great of a job Apple did with the interface, the App store, and the all around feel of the iPhone. The battery life with push mail activated scares me a bit, but we all gotta make sacrifices sometimes, right?

Blackberry Storm: A Thumbs Down for Me

Bottom line? I am going to have to choose between Apple’s iPhone and Nokia’s Tube. Watch the below video of the Tube, and tell me what you think.

-Hillel

November 16, 2008 by hilzfuld on iPhone, Mobile, Software, Tech

iPhones/iPod Touches Keep you Busy

I know I have not posted in a few days, but there is a totally logical explanation for that and it is not laziness. My wife bought me a 32GB 2nd generation iPod Touch for my birthday, and I have not been able to put it down since. The Apple integration with the app store is like nothing else, and with all my excitement about various Windows Mobile phones, there is no question in my mind that my next cellular handset will be a phone manufactured by Apple inc.

In addition to the amazing app store and its simple integration, the entire Apple interface for the iPod Touch is seriously unbelievable. I have used Windows Mobile and Symbian devices before (hopefully soon to use Google devices too) and not only do these operating systems not compare to that of Apple’s, we are literally talking Apples and Oranges here. Did I confuse you just now with that expression? What I am trying to say here, and I guess we all know this already, is that Apple’s OS is leagues above its competition’s. Sorry Touch HD, sorry 5800, but the truth must be told. Apple did in the software world what the HD did in the hardware world, i.e kicked everyone else’s butt!

I have been spending a lot of time in the app store downloading totally useless and truly entertaining apps, so if you have any recomendations for me, post em in the comments. One app that sticks out is Firemail, which enables you to send emails using a landscape keyboard, very useful and well done.

The input method on the iPhone and iPod is not perfect, I make a few mistakes while typing, but with Apple’s correction software, it is pretty darn close to perfect. I know there are endless posts on the Web on this topic, but for what it’s worth, I need to say that in my opinion, the screen on the iPod Touch is freakin amazing. What else can I say? Until you have held one of these things in your hand, you cannot understand how unbelievably thin it is, not to mention how solid and beautilfully designed the Touch is.

There is one problem I can think of. I need to find a good enough case that will protect my baby on one hand, while not ruining the looks with some bulky ugly looking plastic on the other. Ideas?

Bottom line? I love my iPod Touch and I LOVE my wife!

-Hillel

November 12, 2008 by hilzfuld on iPhone, Mobile, Software, Tech

HTC Touch HD: Leagues Above the Competition

The HTC Touch HD is just so much nicer than any other device, it is ridiculous. Just watch these two videos and tell me I am exaggerating.

-Hillel

November 10, 2008 by hilzfuld on iPhone, Mobile, Random, Software, Tech

iPhone 3G: Best Selling Consumer Handset; You Will Never Guess the Runner Up

In today’s cellular news, the iPhone 3G has officially surpassed the RAZR as the most sold consumer handset. Let me repeat that just in case you did not understand, the Motorola RAZR, with all its shortcomings, was the most sold consumer handset, until today. Granted the statistics refer to the whole RAZR lineup, which includes some pretty decent models, like the RAZR MAXX V6 and the RAZR 2, but all in all, the RAZR really has nothing to offer in today’s market. Someone please explain to me how Motorola managed to milk that cow so long.

The way I see it, there are a few possible explanations. The first one is that the RAZR was the first to offer the slim form factor, and until every other phone copied it, the RAZR was pretty innovative in its slimness. There is no debating that functionality aside, the RAZR was and still is one sexy handset. However, attractive as it might be, that does not explain how its success lasted this long. I mean, the thing has a 2MP camera at most, not even going to mention any form of GPS.

The second possibility of how the RAZR stayed on top this long is the other aspect of this blog, Motorola’s marketing. I do not know the numbers, but I feel like Motorola must have spent a fortune on marketing the whole RAZR concept. Whether it is on ads, like the one below, or the coincidental use of the RAZR by all sorts of TV and movie heroes, it would be interesting to know the total amount spent on RAZR campaigns by Motorola.

Before I share with you my personal opinion, let me just tell you what else was on the list. The top 5 consumer handsets were:

Apple iPhone 3G
Motorola RAZR V3 (all models)
RIM Blackberry Curve (all models)
LG Rumor
LG enV2

If you ask me to explain the RAZR’s success (if you are still reading this, then you are asking me), and I want to believe this to be true, I would say that consumers are finally starting to prefer function over form, and choosing the iPhone 3G over the RAZR is how it implements itself. The fact that the first iPhone did not take the thrown away from the RAZR means that it is not the iPhone’s looks but rather its functionality that does it for consumers.

I do think that the RAZR was the first of its kind and there were not many alternatives for consumers when the original RAZR was announced, but today when there are an endless number of esthetically pleasing handsets to choose from, people are actually choosing phones that provide functionality and not only good looks.

If you need proof of this theory, just check out Cnet’s 5 most wanted gadgets and tell me number 1 is not pure “function over form”. If you are too lazy to watch (spoiler coming up), the most coveted gadget by Cnet users is the G1, one of the ugliest phones around. I don’t think there is anyone out there that will claim that the G1 is anywhere nearly as nice as the iPhone and yet it was number 1 and the iPhone number 6. I rest my case, no further questions, your honor.

-Hillel

November 7, 2008 by hilzfuld on iPhone, Mobile, Software, Tech

Apple Passes RIM and Approaches Nokia in Smartphone Market

Looks like the economic situation did not affect the cellular world as hard as it did other sectors. The smartphone market is booming and we have Apple to thank for that.

Cnet reports that Apple sold 6.9 million iPhones in this quarter (did I understand that right? Sounds a little high to me), grabbing 17.3% of the market. RIM did not do so badly either increasing their market share by 5 points and Blackberry shipments by 83%.

Nokia remains number one, which actually kinda surprises me, I mean how many E71s could they possibly have sold? Microsoft did not have a bad quarter either increasing the number of Windows Mobile handsets shipped by 42% (what do you expect when you partner up with a giant like HTC?). However, a very interesting and amazing stat; Apple shipped more iPhones during the quarter than all the Windows Mobile devices shipped worldwide by Microsoft’s partners.

When it comes to mobile operating systems, big surprise, Nokia’s Symbian is the market leader followed by Apple then RIM.

If you ask me, I personally believe this is all about to change. With phones like the HD becoming available and the amazing Storm hitting shelves, I think Microsoft and RIM are going to be getting a significant boost, whereas iPhone sales are on their way down. That is of course, unless Apple has another trick up their sleeve, which would not surprise me.

-Hillel

November 6, 2008 by hilzfuld on iPhone, Marketing, Mobile, Software, Tech

Apple Does it Again

Apple released a few new videos recently that, as usual, captured my attention. The first one is an explanation or demonstration of the new Macbook’s multi-touch trackpad, while the other is just another genius iPhone commercial.

When it comes to the new trackpad, I would have to play around with it to determine whether it is absolutely genius or just some more shtick, that when it comes down to using, is too difficult for the average user. Maybe I will go down to the new Israeli Apple store and get the answer to that question. Either way, the video is well done and fun to watch.

As for the commercial, I don’t know how they do it, but I have yet to see an Apple commercial that I was not extremely impressed with (as opposed to some other company’s ad campaigns that I have now watched 30-40 times and still do not understand). There is nothing unbelievable about it, they did not spend 30 million on it, and there are no famous actors in it. It is simple, straight forward, and just a very good ad.

-Hillel

November 6, 2008 by hilzfuld on Mobile, Random, Tech

Battle of the 8MP Monsters

If I would have told you three years ago that I would be trying to determine which 8 megapixel cellphone is the best handset, and there are quite a few to choose from, I don’t think you would have believed me, in fact I don’t think I would’ve believed me.

I am not sure which made bigger waves in 2008, the touch screen or the 8 megapixel phones, but what’s for sure, they are both pretty unbelievable achievements.

GSMArena has a detailed comparison between the four 8 megapixel monsters:

Samsung i8510 INNOV8: The most feature packed out of the bunch. You already know what I think of this powerhouse, although there is no question I prefer the full touch screen over the slider form factor.
Samsung M8800 Pixon: According to GSMArena’s conclusion, the Pixon does not meet the image quality of the other touch screen 8MP handset, the LG Renoir. However, its user interface is superior to that of the Renoir’s.
Sony Ericsson C905: I personally like this one the least, but GSMArena claims it has the best camera interface out of the group.
LG Renoir: Out of the two touch screens, this offers the best image quality and video performance.

In any case, I think it is safe to say we are no longer in the era that camera phones are inferior to standard digital cameras, with these 8 MP shooters, no need to carry around an additional camera.

In other big news, the HTC Touch HD is available in stores, and I for one cannot think of a better way to spend $800 right now. The only thing that can stop me now from getting myself a nice HD is some sort of a natural disaster, like say for example, a Storm.

-Hillel

November 2, 2008 by hilzfuld on Random, Tech

Hi-Tech is in Trouble

Motorola just announced that they are going to be laying off a whopping 3,000 employees, two thirds of which are from the handset department. I cannot say I am surprised when they are wasting their time and energy designing phones like the Aura.

The thing is, Motorola is not the only Hi-Tech company that is in the process of layoffs, not even close. The entire industry is going through a major crisis, in fact it is so bad, CNET has a dynamic chart of all the Hi-Tech companies that have laid off employees including the exact numbers. Check it out here.

The companies that have recently laid off employees include Aliph (does that mean the Jawbone is going to get a price reduction or the opposite?), Symantec, Xerox, Yahoo (do I really need to link to Yahoo.com?), and one company that has affected your favorite blogger, yours truly, Comverse. The list goes on.

In trying to shine some light on the very dark situation, I will say, let’s just hope this crisis forces companies to improve their products or lower their prices, after all, with or without a paycheck, I still need to buy new cellphones, don’t I?

-Hillel

Tech N' Marketing

A Blog About The Newest Technology And Marketing

Author: hilzfuld

My iPod Touch Apps

iPod Touch Users Get Compensation in the Form of CPU

Google & Apple: Why?

Random Thoughts on Storms and Tubes

iPhones/iPod Touches Keep you Busy

HTC Touch HD: Leagues Above the Competition

iPhone 3G: Best Selling Consumer Handset; You Will Never Guess the Runner Up

Apple Passes RIM and Approaches Nokia in Smartphone Market

Apple Does it Again

Battle of the 8MP Monsters

Hi-Tech is in Trouble