Not Another iPhone Review

This is not just another iPhone review. I want to go over the usability of the iPhone so you can have a better idea if the iPhone is right for you. And I want to help you determine if this is the right time to get it.

I got the 16GB model a month ago. I'm glad I didn't wait.

And I know that a new iPhone is just around the corner but when you need it, you need it. Plus, I am in the middle of my two-year T-Mobile contract.

Why did I need it? My dad was recently admitted to a hospital and had to be there for a few days. I was there quite a lot and while the hospital did offer guest access to the Internet, it was spotting, slow, and had an overactive filter in place. Just like my immune system in the spring. I needed access and I wanted the iPhone. It was the perfect opportunity.

So, how do I like it? If you're reading this, you already know about the specs and probably have seen it. So I won't go into it. This is a review of the iPhone's usability.

TYPING:

Let me get the most important thing out of the way. Typing on the iPhone is no where near as difficult as critics make it out to be. In fact, I prefer it much more than the Blackberry or the Treo. Its an issue of preference and what the user is more accustomed to.

Generally, the "predictive typing" function of the keyboard allows me to type faster than when I'm using other devices. I simply glide my thumbs over the letters I want and the iPhone gives me the word I need.

Now, it does take a little getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, you're are off flying. Apple made sure that this function works for the everyday person. Me.

Plus, not having a physical keyboard is the deal-breaker. I find that I only use the keyboard about 10-15% of the time, and as far as the rest of the time, having a large screen for video, surfing the web, or reading ebooks is a great asset.

So again, big screen from the iPhone.

MAKING A PHONE CALL (OR RECEIVING ONE):

It's a phone. Simple as that. And it's AT&T. Or if you unlocked your iPhone like I did, it's T-Mobile. What do you expect? Reception depends on where you live.

The iPhone fits comfortably in the hand. I'm not wild about the headset that came with it though.

Please note that I'm making a lot of references to the US digital phone market. If you're somewhere else in the world, your choice of provider and reception will be very different from mine.

I don't use a lot of text messaging. So, I don't have too many complaints about it. Do note that Apple not only likes to "think different", but from time to time, it also likes to "do different". I have heard some quirky things happen with SMS. I don't claim to know a lot about it. Not sure if it's Apple’s or AT&T's doing here.

Visual voicemail was a big deal that Steve Jobs made at Macworld 2007. I don't have this functionality because I've got an unlocked iPhone, and T-Mobile doesn't provide this "visual voicemail" functionality. I'm sure it is useful to have but it’s certainly not a deal-breaker for me. Probably isn't for you, either.

I can't say it's the best or worst phone out there. My guess it's probably somewhere in the middle. It makes calls. Great.

INTERNET ACCESS:

WiFi. I don't understand why more phones don't have this one simple function. When you're on the WiFi access, it's very fast. Nothing more to say. You don't need me to glorify something that's a given.

EDGE access. That's another story. Coming from someone who is used to use GSRP on my Palm V, I can tell you EDGE is plenty fast for e-mailing, updating MeBlog on Cirqo or on Twitter, checking stocks and weather, and using the location function on the map to reassure myself that I'm still within a 3/4 mile-radius of where my actual location is.

If you want to complain about the lack of 3G speed and it's so important that you get it, the iPhone isn't for you. If you're fine with decent speed, go for it.

E-MAILING:

Adequate. Nothing to see here. Move on.

Okay, it's got a regular e-mail program that's simple to use.

Now, it doesn't have "push mail". This and certain business-friendly features that are more appropriate for corporate use will be released, free of charge, in June when the software for the iPhone, iPhone 2.0, is released.

For now, the other smart phones got the iPhone beat as far as corporate usage is concerned.

WEB-SURFING:

There isn't a close second here to the iPhone. Heck, there isn't even a close third. Maybe a distance sixth? A full-featured Safari web browser with multi-touch is just perfect. You don't have to limit how you see the information from the Internet just because you've got a smaller screen than a full size LCD screen from a laptop or desktop.

It doesn't support Flash or Java. Other phones may but imperfectly.

I don't know nor do I care why Apple doesn't support these two standards. I can do without Flash-based ads.

Now, Opera's mobile implementation is decent. If you're able to download it and give it a try, do so. Then try the Safari on the iPhone. Chances are, you'll decide that the surfing the Web with Safari is more efficient and provides a richer user experience.

THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE:

"Jail-breaking" your iPhone. It's the only way to get un-authorized applications onto the iPhone. Otherwise, Apple had pushed web-based applications. I generally find the web-based apps insufficient substitutes for traditional apps. And if you're in a place where reception is poor, you're not going to be able to connect to the web sites hosting the webapps. We're simply not there yet.

In this respect, Windows Mobile and Palm are more obvious choices for you when it comes to third party software selection.

Apple has announced the availability of iPhone 2.0 in June. A plethora of third party software will be available for installation through iTunes.

Until then, the other platforms will have a two months advantage over the iPhone.

There is also the issue of requiring iTunes. As a typical user, having iTunes serve as the intermediary between you and other software providers is a good reason to get the iPhones. Why? Because Apple has pledge to go through with a fine tooth comb over every application that is made available for download. You don't have to worry about incompatibilities or malware.

For those of you who like to ticker, you probably can still jailbreak the iPhone and install third-party software that way, same as what I'm doing now. And if you want even greater flexibility to ticker around, the iPhone will never do for you.

For ease and peace of mind, go with the iPhone.

WHY I THINK IT'S FINE TO GET IT NOW?

Isn't a new iPhone due to come out in a few months? Yes and no. Conventional wisdom says that the iPhone is due for a refresh. Everyone agrees on that point. As far as when that'll happen, it's a good bet to say between June through the end of July. A good bet but not a sure bet. If you're new to the Apple scene, you should know this: Apple likes its secrets and it doesn't let the cat out of the bag until it feels its the right time. And it always happens when you least expect it.

Here's the biggest thing about the next iPhone: 3G access. Faster browsing (no one knows how much faster). Faster downloads (download what? Apple will like limit what you can download in the name of protecting you from unfriendly elements on the Internet). However, there is the possibility that 3G phones may cost more. There is also the possibility that 3G access will cost more than EDGE access. AT&T just spent a chunck of money to upgrade or install 3G access. They'll want that investment back and then some. You can bet you'll be paying for it.

What about for people who want to use the iPhone on T-Mobile? I don't know too much about T-Mobile's 3G plans but I've heard almost nothing about it. It's why I went ahead and got the 16GB iPhone. I've got another year on my contract and I might as well go through with a great phone. And once my contract is up, I can decide in a year what I want to do. Plus with T-Zone at $5.99 a month, it's a bargain.

For those of you in the middle of wireless contract with T-Mobile or even AT&T, you're in a great position. For example, I'll be skipping the upcoming version. By that time, the third version of the iPhone could be out. Lots can change in a year. More memory. Faster access. Longer battery life.

So, if you need it now, get it. It's a great phone. You won't be disappointed.

On a personal note, I started monitoring how I use the iPhone. So, what have I used it for?

1. Surfing the web.
2. E-mail.
3. Make Calls.
4. Watching The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.
5. Listen to audiobooks.
6. Use it as an ebook reader.
7. Play games.
8. Writing notes, blogs, & manifestos. I only take my Powerbook with me when I absolutely need it.
9. Trying to impress women with it (so far, no luck).
10. Taking pictures.
11. Companion research assistant.

Hope this usability review helps you to determine if you should get the iPhone and, if you decide to, when to get it. Love to hear how it goes for you.

Starcraft II: New Video Footages

Here is an excellent piece of Starcraft 2 video review on IGN: http://pc.ign.com/dor/objects/850126/starcraft-2/videos/starcraft2preview.html. It has about 5 minutes worth of actual gameplay that showcases the new units and unit-abilities in the upcoming blockbuster game from Blizzard Entertainment.



I am really looking forward to this game, it is going suck up all my free time and sleeping time when it is finally released. Starcraft 2 still doesn't have an exact release date yet, but it is rumored to come out during this year's holiday season. Meanwhile, back to gold-farming in World of Warcraft. Peace !!!

Kenny Smith vs. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant can really jump! I mean, REALLY jump! Check out the video below:



But can Kenny Smith from TNT do this as well? Find out:

Apple: Always Think A Few Moves Ahead

Apple has bought out chipmaker, PA Semi, for $278 million. It’s all over the news. Any move Steve Jobs and Apple make these days is breaking news. It’s analyzed, parsed, and feeds dozens if not hundreds of sites dedicated to the Cupertino-based company, not to mention mainstream news outlets just trolling for hits.

Well, we’re no different. But we like to offer something more concrete for this piece of raw red meat.

This is a potential game changer. No one has any idea what Apple will do with it for now. Conventional wisdom says that Apple will be planning on using its brand new chips in their upcoming products. Look for Macworld 2009 but we don’t mind being surprised by the developer conference in June. C’mon, Steve. One more thing … please.

Until this buyout took place, Atom from Intel was the designated chip that Apple is supposedly going to use in their upcoming mobile devices. So, leave it to Cupertino to take the fun out of conventional wisdom and go into a totally different direction.



I’m not a chip expert so I won’t go into any idea and regurgitate stuff you can already find on the web yourself (assuming you know only the basics about mobile chips like I do). So, I’m surmising that this new PowerPC chip is beyond anything Intel’s Atom can do in terms of performance and power usage and an outright buyout of PA Semi is a way so Apple can keep the chips off the hands of its competitors.

Apple has done its homework. Pa Semi’s chips work as advertised and it’s what Jobs wants. Of course, it could also be a shot at Intel to remind them who wears the pants in their relationships. Assuming that’s what Jobs also intend to do with this buyout.

But we all know Steve’s not like that at all.

Puzzle Game to Kill Time at Work

For all of you bored at work, here is a little puzzle I came across today on the Internet. Supposedly its a Mensa puzzle game for really smart people to test their intelligence. Want to see how smart you really are, and how your IQ score measure against others? Take the test below to find out. First question is done for you as an example. If you can answer 23 or more, then you are at "Genius" level according to some sites.

Congratulations, your current IQ score is the same as an Ant

Puzzles	Answers	Status
0. 24 H in a D	24 Hours in a Day	Correct
1. 26 L of the A
2. 7 D of the W
3. 7 W of the W
4. 12 S of the Z
5. 66 B of the B
6. 52 C in a P (W Js)
7. 13 S in the U S F
8. 18 H on a G C
9. 39 B of the O T
10. 5 T on a F
11. 90 D in a R A
12. 3 B M (S H T R)
13. 32 is the T in D F at which W F
14. 15 P in a R T
15. 3 W on a T
16. 100 C in a D
17. 11 P in a F (S) T
18. 12 M in a Y
19. 13 is U F S
20. 8 T on an O
21. 29 D in F in a L Y
22. 27 B in the N T
23. 365 D in a Y
24. 13 L in a B D
25. 52 W in a Y
26. 9 L of a C
27. 60 M in an H
28. 23 P of C in the H B
29. 64 S on a C B
30. 9 P in S A
31. 6 B to an O in C
32. 1000 Y in a M
33. 15 M on a D M C

Gran Turismo 5: Prologue (to the REAL thing)

So how many of you have bought a Playstation 3 just to play Gran Turismo? I admit I am one of these people. The full version of Gran Turismo 5 won’t be ready for another year or longer, but Polyphony is giving us an early preview of what GT5 looks like. Thus we have the Gran Turismo 5: Prologue version. It is released in the US on April 15th, 2008, you can get it here from Amazon store.

Although it will cost you $40 to purchase the Prologue, it is well worth the money and wait, since the game has enough contents to be a stand-alone game. GT5: Prologue contains over 70 different cars, and 6 race tracks. And for the first time in Gran Turismo history you can play this game online, pit your racing skill against other players, and move up (or down for some) the ranking ladder.



If your racing skill isn’t quite top-notch yet, you can also get enjoyment from GT5 simply by sit back and watch it on your HD 1080p television. Every detail of the game, from the race track, to the crowd, to the car itself is rendered to perfection on the screen. Sound effects are also just stunning, for example, you can tell the difference of each car’s horse power by the vibration coming from the engines.

If you like cars, or racing, or just the need for speed, then try this game. It’s a must have for PS3 owners. Sorry Xbox and Wii owners, you are just not cool enough to play this game yet.

Call of Duty gets a Modern Make-over

I just recently upgraded my desktop, and it has all the hardware necessary to play the latest PC games. Here is my system spec: AMD phenom Quad-Core 2.3 GHz, 4 GB of RAM (of course Windows XP can only access 3 GB of it, but that’s for another story), 512 MB Nvidia 8500GT, 500 GB SATA HD. Total cost? $550 including case, power-supply, etc. Not a top-of-line system, but enough to get by and able to play most of the graphic-intensive FPS games running at decent frame-rate.

Anyway, I am a huge Call of Duty fan. I played since CoD 1, then the expansion, and CoD 2. Never played Call of Duty 3 though, because I only play FPS games on PCs and Call of Duty 3 does NOT have a PC version. I was just so fascinated by the whole WWII setting in Call of Duty franchise, but I am also ready to move on to the next stage in world conflict, so the first thing I did after I got my new system is to install Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. I was really looking forward to play it. After installation complete, I dived right into the single-player campaign, and started playing as the British special-op, code-named "SOAP". Cool name, eh?

As the name suggests, this game takes place in a setting similar to what the world is currently going through: middle-east conflict, renegade Russian general armed with nuclear warheads, and all these good stuff. As either a British agent or US Marine, you will go on various missions such as assassination, search-n-rescue, and my favorite mission is playing air-support for ground troops from a high-flying aircraft. I especially enjoy the sarcastic comments from the co-pilot as I set the little dots (enemy personals) on the ground in seas of flames, KAAABOOOM ....



As for performance of the game, I have all the video settings at moderate levels, and I see no lag what-so-ever at all, I guess I was been too conservative, and when I play this game again, which is soon, I will try to crank up the settings to see how my system handles it under the pressure.

Overall, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is one of the best first-person shooter out there right now. Especially if you are a CoD fan, some of the cool things you can do in the game are just mind-boggling, but I don’t want to spoil too much of that for you right now, go try it out for yourself. Only negative thing I can say about this game is that the single-player mode ended too fast, I think I finished the easiest mode in less than 4 hours, I wish it was longer and I can’t wait for the next expansion of this game.