Oct 4 2011

iPhone 4S – Everything You Need To Know

So unless you’ve been sleeping or living in a TARDIS recently, you’ll know that Apple have just finished announcing iPhone 4S. Outside the same, inside all different.

Now that Apple’s website is back online, you can watch some video and look at pretty pictures and see how great the iPhone 4S is going to be, but you came here for the lowdown. So here it is.

Essentially, if you have an iPhone 4, I’d say stick with it. If you have a 3G or 3GS (or heaven forbid a classic 2G!) then it’s worth the upgrade. Simples.
If you have an iPhone 4 and you use it a lot then I would recommend the 4S. It’s harder, better, faster and stronger. Here’s why:

A5 dual core processor. The same that’s used in iPad 2 making iPhone’s performance and graphics twice as fast!
8MP Camera. It ain’t about the MP, it’s about the quality. The sensor captures 60% more pixels for sharper and brighter images.
HD Video. Not the HD you’re used to. Full 1080p recorded with live image stabilisation to create stunning video.
Smart Twin Antenna’s. No more dropped calls and it doesn’t matter how you hold it.
Siri the Smart Assistant. Taking voice recognition to a new level allowing you to dictate messages and emails, discuss your calendar and create/change appointments and it literally answers you back. You have to see it to believe it.
Airplay Mirroring. Not just video out, wireless to your Apple TV you can stream everything on your iPhone. Video, web pages and more importantly, games. A wireless controller streaming your games to your TV in HD.
Find My Friend. OK, this is a general iOS 5 thing but this is gonna be awesome. Your friends share their location for brief periods of time and you can check in to see where they are. Perfect if you’re meeting up with friends on a night out or at a festival!!

The release date in the US and the UK is Friday October 14th at 8am. There are no prices confirmed for the UK networks as of yet but I’m sure they’ll follow in the next couple of days. The US prices are $199, $299 and $399 with a two-year contract for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models respectively. The 3GS will now be free with a contract and the 8GB 4 will be reduced to $99.
Apple have hinted at prices for the iPhone 4S in the UK starting at £499 but whether this is with a contract or not, I don’t know.

I could go on all night and talk about the pros and cons and whether you should get one if you already have an iPhone or if you’re a new user. There are 9 variations of iPhone available now. So the world is your oyster. Go and get one and have a play… iDid.

Oct 3 2011

Apple iPhone Event – Tuesday 4th Oct

10am, One Infinite Loop, tomorrow morning. Apple would like to talk about iPhone. Specifically, news of the imminent release of iOS 5.0 for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

Apple iPhone Event

So before we talk about the iPhone, let’s talk about iOS. Tomorrow, Tim Cook will take the pleasure to announce that the iOS 5.0 GM will be available to developers. Apple stick to a familiar pattern when releasing beta releases to developers and last week, Apple skipped a release and that can only mean one thing. It’s ready.

The GM will be available to download immediately on Tuesday allowing for updates to be rushed through before it’s released to the public some time the following week. I expect this to be on Friday 14th October.

So iPhone. What’s going to be announced? There has been more noise on the internet surrounding an unreleased, unannounced product than ever before. Every rumour has been touted for what will most likely be called iPhone 4S.

In reality, the only time we’re going to find out what Apple has up it’s sleeve, is tomorrow. When they want to announce it. I’ll try to cut my way through the shrubbery and get right to the good stuff for you. Here is what I’m pretty sure will be announced tomorrow:

iPhone 4S in White/Black
Available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB flavours.
iPhone 4 8GB in White/Black
iPhone 4S will include A5 dual-core processor
1GB RAM
Improved Camera (Possibly Sony’s 8MP)
Same Size/Shape as iPhone 4
iOS 5.0 will be very fast

As well as minor changes, like the antenna being moved so there will be no/less signal interruption with your hand. The sensors next to the ear piece will have moved near to the side of the phone. Battery life will be improved as will the microphone/noise-reduction. Which will help Apple’s new way of reacting to a long-home button press… Assistant.

There is quite a bit of last minute talk about Assistant which Apple hopes will become the new thing in voice-recognition and voice-powered software. As well as the usual ‘call Dad mobile’ and ‘play music’ Apple hopes to use it’s new acquisition Siri and their new partnership with Nuance to create the ultimate in voice powered apps.

Hoping to allow you to literally dictate messages and emails, ask for directions, book restaurants, check cinema times and book tickets. Literally, your assistant to the real world.

This hasn’t been featured in iOS 5.0 so far, only hinted at with the occasional microphone icon. This could lead to the fact that Assistant needs the RAM and the horsepower of the A5 chip to allow it to understand what you’re saying and what you’re actually asking for. This isn’t voice-recognition, this is voice-understanding.

A photo of what looks to be a 64GB model of an iPhone 4-Shaped device.

There are very heavy rumours about a new device. An iPhone 5. A slimmer, sleeker design with tapered edges similar to the iPad 2. An elongated home button to allow multi-touch commands away from the screen. Less storage to allow for iCloud integration and a SIM-free phone with an Apple-designed chip instead.

Apple could announce something but it’ll be a surprise. If they do, they’ll say it’ll be ready next year. They’ll say “Have this, you love the iPhone 4, well this is faster, better and will last… We’re gonna work on this and it’s gonna be AWESOME.”

They can’t let Tim Cook walk out there saying “Hi, I’m not Steve Jobs, here’s a slightly better phone and it’s not as cool as something Steve would bring but…” They’ve gotta give something more than the iPhone 4S.

As for me, I’ll do my usual. Sell my iPhone 4 the week before release. I’ve already locked in a very nice offer from several recycle websites. I’ll be buying the iPhone 4S on an 18 month contract as soon as it’s released.

Then if/when the iPhone 5 is announced and released. I’ll do the same all over again.

I’ve done this with every iPhone since the very first launch and each upgrade hasn’t cost me a penny.

Aug 28 2011

MobileMe to iCloud. Making the transition…

Last night I decided to bite the bullet and complete the transition from MobileMe to iCloud. In the interest of full disclosure, I must say that I have a complimentary MobileMe subscription from Apple but everything detailed below should be the same for when you have the chance to move to iCloud.

In theory it should be simple. You sign in using your new iCloud details, follow the instructions and Apple should do the rest. Here are the main points which Apple want to make clear. Can Do...

First Apple make it clear what you can still use and how long you can use it for. All MobileMe memberships are being extended to June 30 2012. So you can continue to use iWeb and the such until you find yourself an alternative.

The other benefit Apple are giving MobileMe members is 25GB of iCloud storage! iCloud provides 5GB of free storage for new users and after the date above, I believe this will revert to 5GB. Can't Do

So the things you can no longer use are also highlighted and to be honest, I hardly use any of these. You can still sync most of these manually but no loss for me here.

OK, then you’ve gotta update all other devices to make sure you get it all up to date.

Update Your Devices!

That’s it, iCloud will start to migrate your information over… Or so I would hope.

Starting...

Finishing...

Unfortunately, when it had finished all my data was missing. Now I may have mis-read some instructions as I was eager to move everything over but essentially, I had to revert back to MobileMe; Keep my data on my machine, then login to iCloud to allow my Address Book to sync. It worked after that, so no biggy!

Aug 24 2011

Steve Jobs Resigns

In an open letter to Apple’s board of directors and the Apple community, Steve Jobs wrote:

Steve Jobs Resigns

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.
I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.

Steve

I guess it’s a sad day for Apple fans, colleagues and maybe the future of computing? Will Tim Cook be able to cope as CEO and continue right where Steve left off… I guess we’ll see soon when the next iPhone is released.

Wishing Steve all the best and hoping his health is treating him well.

Aug 20 2011

Twitter Integration in Mac OSX Lion

I thought I’d share a couple of tidbits I found in Mac OSX Lion. As well as integrating Twitter with iOS and allowing you to share photos and videos, Apple have added extra functionality to their Mac operating system too!

Simply highlight any text, pretty much anywhere in Lion, right-click and you’ll see a new option… Tweet!