Friday, July 16, 2010
Apple Press Conference News: White iPhone 4 Coming at the End of July
And there we have it folks! They ship at the end of July. That means, in all likelihood, Saturday, July 31, they will ship out to stores, and be available from then on. The Apple store online is still not taking pre-orders for it. I'll be staying on top of that, and let you know as soon as it's available.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
iPhone 4 Event Tomorrow! Will Apple Announce White iPhone 4?
Apple today announced an iPhone-oriented press conference for tomorrow, July 16th. While many people have their eyes fixed on the iPhone 4 antenna issue as the reason for this conference, what if it's something else? Could Apple be announcing the release of the white iPhone 4?
Not many mainstream news organizations seem to think so. Most seem to speculate that the conference is in response to the antenna bug, due to the widespread negative publicity garnered by the Consumer Reports review. Well, no doubt Apple will address this in some way. It is also further rumored that the software patch to fix the reception indicator is also coming out today, lending credence to the idea that Apple intends to discuss the antenna bug.
However, consider all the evidence. We haven't heard a word about white iPhone 4 since just before the release. Not a whisper. We even had to piece together on our own why the white iPhone 4 was delayed.
But tomorrow, July 16, begins the second half of July. Their last announcement indicated that general time frame, but gave us nothing more specific than that. I'd guess, at the very least, we'll get some details on white iPhone 4 at tomorrow's event.
In all likelihood, it won't be the center of their presentation. But it will probably make an appearance. Our long wait appears as if it may be coming to its end.
What do you think they'll say tomorrow?
Not many mainstream news organizations seem to think so. Most seem to speculate that the conference is in response to the antenna bug, due to the widespread negative publicity garnered by the Consumer Reports review. Well, no doubt Apple will address this in some way. It is also further rumored that the software patch to fix the reception indicator is also coming out today, lending credence to the idea that Apple intends to discuss the antenna bug.
However, consider all the evidence. We haven't heard a word about white iPhone 4 since just before the release. Not a whisper. We even had to piece together on our own why the white iPhone 4 was delayed.
But tomorrow, July 16, begins the second half of July. Their last announcement indicated that general time frame, but gave us nothing more specific than that. I'd guess, at the very least, we'll get some details on white iPhone 4 at tomorrow's event.
In all likelihood, it won't be the center of their presentation. But it will probably make an appearance. Our long wait appears as if it may be coming to its end.
What do you think they'll say tomorrow?
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Does Consumer Reports Have an Anti-Apple Agenda?
While this line of stories continues to trigger my gag reflex, it just won't die. Today, consumer reports went further in its criticism of iPhone 4. In a new blog post, Consumer Reports states that Apple is obliged to "offer a product that works consistently and reliably out of the box." The post seems also to suggest that consumers ought to return their iPhone 4s. While yesterday I posted that Consumer Reports was a respectable review agency, and that their methods were scientific, their blog post today has shaken that respect, and a statement by an electromagnetic engineer currently working as a tech blogger casts doubt on the credibility of their testing.
1. Consumer Reports' Conclusions Are Irrational
I was initially impressed with the scientific nature of Consumer Reports' examination of iPhone 4. It seemed detached and disinterested. It seemed as if they were just trying to release an objective report coupled with a rational recommendation. However, it seems I might have been wrong.
The antenna issue, which their unscientific (I'll get to that later) testing confirmed, we all know is there. And they originally concluded that the issue could cause dropped calls and lost data connection in low reception areas. They originally contended that because of the issue, they couldn't recommend the iPhone 4. Not the conclusion that I would have reached, but not irrational. Well, today, rationality has been flung out the window for sensationalism.
Their post today starts by functionally declaring that Apple's iPhone 4 doesn't work "consistently and reliably" out of the box, and support this claim with their "scientific" testing and a body of anecdotal evidence. How they got from confirming an antenna issue to making sweeping claims about the consistency and reliability of all iPhone 4s sold is a mystery to me. They only tested three sample phones. While that is a sample sufficient to conclude that some units have an antenna issue, three out of the nearly two million sold comprises a sample size of 0.00015%. Hardly a sample that can claim universality.
Moreover, their body of anecdotal evidence is also inconsistent. While there are some reports of people dropping calls and having data issues allegedly due to the antenna problem, there are also reports of people who note the drop in bars but have no functionality losses, or people who can't even replicate the drop in bars. There is also no noted mad rush to return iPhone 4s. Consequently, it's probably fair to assume that iPhone 4s are working "conisistently and reliably" for most people who bought them. I don't know about you, but I certainly wouldn't continue to use something that didn't work, no matter how cool it was or who designed it. That's just not reasonable.
2. Their Methods Were Unscientific
I was initially impressed by several aspects of Consumer Reports' tests. First, that they used a RF isolation room. This would seem rational, as it would block out interference from other sources, ruling out external causes. They also broadcast their own dummy cellular signal from a base station in the isolation room. Another rational step, considering an isolation room would definitely interfere with AT&T's reception, and it would allow them to modulate signal strength in a controlled manner. This, to the layperson, sounds like a science experiment. You can almost see the guys in white coats milling around this place, pocket protectors, thick glasses and all.
However, an electromagnetic engineer by the name of Bob Egan, who is currently a technology blogger and Global Head of Research & Chief Analyst at the TowerGroup (according to CNET), posted a massive critique of Consumer Reports' method, and his conclusions weren't flattering. Essentially, they did the testing all wrong.
First, they should have used an anechoic chamber. That's a step further than a RF isolation chamber because it prevents signal inside the chamber from bouncing around and creating its own noise. Second, they should have kept the base station outside the room and piped in the signal, again, I assume, to keep it from creating noise in the room. It also seems that their tests are so unscientific that it doesn't even allow for a conclusion that the design is fatally flawed, as part of the reception problem could be software related. According to Mr. Egan, Consumer Reports' testing doesn't rule that out.
This is rendered more problematic by the fact that their results sound scientific. This illusion of scientific rigor is sufficient to entice those who are not experts to believe the result is valid less critically than if Consumer Reports just came out and made bald claims based on anecdotal evidence. Which is actually what they've done. It was good enough to fool me for a bit. Some people might be permanently swayed by such pseudoscience.
3. Their Tone Is Aggitated and Unprofessional
In the first piece, Consumer Reports' tone was detached. But today, their tone is aggressive. It seems to suggest that customers ought to return their iPhone 4s, making certain to highlight the 30-day return policy at the end of the article, and stating:
It seems Consumer Reports is trying to make the problem look worse than it is.
Whether this is for "consumer advocacy" purposes, namely trying to encourage action by Apple through media pressure, or for the advertising revenue that only controversy can bring, remains to be seen. The one thing we know for sure, however, is that Consumer Reports' study of the iPhone 4 has its own design flaws, and they may be fatal.
That said, I believe all of this nonsense will still likely push Apple into some sort of product-recall-like situation. Whether it's a full recall, a quiet "replace as complaints arise" fix (see yesterday evening's post), or an open offer to come in and have a hydrophobic coating applied or grab a free bumper, it seems to me that the media aren't going to let this thing go as a minor problem. If Apple wants them to shut up, it's going to have to make a show of fixing the defect, no matter how minor it is.
Will it cause white iPhone 4 to be further delayed? That has yet to be seen.
UPDATE: Another tech blog, this time at Information Week, has taken this story and blown it further out of proportion, this time with a cringe-worthy cliche. InfoWeek has started calling the antenna issue, wait for it...
Antennagate.
I know. Lame. Weak. Insipid. Someone should execute the writer and the editor that approved it. It does, however, remind me of a funny article I read on cracked once. Find it here, and read Number 4 closely.
1. Consumer Reports' Conclusions Are Irrational
I was initially impressed with the scientific nature of Consumer Reports' examination of iPhone 4. It seemed detached and disinterested. It seemed as if they were just trying to release an objective report coupled with a rational recommendation. However, it seems I might have been wrong.
The antenna issue, which their unscientific (I'll get to that later) testing confirmed, we all know is there. And they originally concluded that the issue could cause dropped calls and lost data connection in low reception areas. They originally contended that because of the issue, they couldn't recommend the iPhone 4. Not the conclusion that I would have reached, but not irrational. Well, today, rationality has been flung out the window for sensationalism.
Their post today starts by functionally declaring that Apple's iPhone 4 doesn't work "consistently and reliably" out of the box, and support this claim with their "scientific" testing and a body of anecdotal evidence. How they got from confirming an antenna issue to making sweeping claims about the consistency and reliability of all iPhone 4s sold is a mystery to me. They only tested three sample phones. While that is a sample sufficient to conclude that some units have an antenna issue, three out of the nearly two million sold comprises a sample size of 0.00015%. Hardly a sample that can claim universality.
Moreover, their body of anecdotal evidence is also inconsistent. While there are some reports of people dropping calls and having data issues allegedly due to the antenna problem, there are also reports of people who note the drop in bars but have no functionality losses, or people who can't even replicate the drop in bars. There is also no noted mad rush to return iPhone 4s. Consequently, it's probably fair to assume that iPhone 4s are working "conisistently and reliably" for most people who bought them. I don't know about you, but I certainly wouldn't continue to use something that didn't work, no matter how cool it was or who designed it. That's just not reasonable.
2. Their Methods Were Unscientific
I was initially impressed by several aspects of Consumer Reports' tests. First, that they used a RF isolation room. This would seem rational, as it would block out interference from other sources, ruling out external causes. They also broadcast their own dummy cellular signal from a base station in the isolation room. Another rational step, considering an isolation room would definitely interfere with AT&T's reception, and it would allow them to modulate signal strength in a controlled manner. This, to the layperson, sounds like a science experiment. You can almost see the guys in white coats milling around this place, pocket protectors, thick glasses and all.
However, an electromagnetic engineer by the name of Bob Egan, who is currently a technology blogger and Global Head of Research & Chief Analyst at the TowerGroup (according to CNET), posted a massive critique of Consumer Reports' method, and his conclusions weren't flattering. Essentially, they did the testing all wrong.
First, they should have used an anechoic chamber. That's a step further than a RF isolation chamber because it prevents signal inside the chamber from bouncing around and creating its own noise. Second, they should have kept the base station outside the room and piped in the signal, again, I assume, to keep it from creating noise in the room. It also seems that their tests are so unscientific that it doesn't even allow for a conclusion that the design is fatally flawed, as part of the reception problem could be software related. According to Mr. Egan, Consumer Reports' testing doesn't rule that out.
This is rendered more problematic by the fact that their results sound scientific. This illusion of scientific rigor is sufficient to entice those who are not experts to believe the result is valid less critically than if Consumer Reports just came out and made bald claims based on anecdotal evidence. Which is actually what they've done. It was good enough to fool me for a bit. Some people might be permanently swayed by such pseudoscience.
3. Their Tone Is Aggitated and Unprofessional
In the first piece, Consumer Reports' tone was detached. But today, their tone is aggressive. It seems to suggest that customers ought to return their iPhone 4s, making certain to highlight the 30-day return policy at the end of the article, and stating:
"But for those who prefer to keep their iPhone, we encourage Apple to step forward soon with a remedy that fixes the confirmed antenna issue, and not one that requires additional consumer expense." (Emphasis added).In today's post, they also highlight their duct tape fix, which looking back, seemed like an odd choice since others have resolved the problem with clear scotch tape. The duct tape, not trimmed to size and globbed onto the corner of the phone unceremoniously in the Consumer Reports video, was in hindsight clearly for dramatic effect.
It seems Consumer Reports is trying to make the problem look worse than it is.
Whether this is for "consumer advocacy" purposes, namely trying to encourage action by Apple through media pressure, or for the advertising revenue that only controversy can bring, remains to be seen. The one thing we know for sure, however, is that Consumer Reports' study of the iPhone 4 has its own design flaws, and they may be fatal.
That said, I believe all of this nonsense will still likely push Apple into some sort of product-recall-like situation. Whether it's a full recall, a quiet "replace as complaints arise" fix (see yesterday evening's post), or an open offer to come in and have a hydrophobic coating applied or grab a free bumper, it seems to me that the media aren't going to let this thing go as a minor problem. If Apple wants them to shut up, it's going to have to make a show of fixing the defect, no matter how minor it is.
Will it cause white iPhone 4 to be further delayed? That has yet to be seen.
UPDATE: Another tech blog, this time at Information Week, has taken this story and blown it further out of proportion, this time with a cringe-worthy cliche. InfoWeek has started calling the antenna issue, wait for it...
Antennagate.
I know. Lame. Weak. Insipid. Someone should execute the writer and the editor that approved it. It does, however, remind me of a funny article I read on cracked once. Find it here, and read Number 4 closely.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Is Apple Already Fixing the Antenna Issue With a Hydrophobic Coating?
Remember a few weeks ago, when I discussed contact with an Apple rep who confirmed that a missing hydrophobic coating on the iPhone 4, a manufacturing oversight, was causing the antenna issue to emerge on some units, but not all?
Well, after that meme never panned out, no further confirmation emerged from any other sources, and Apple announced its alleged software fix, I put that idea on the back burner, relegated to my bin of unconfirmed theories that didn't pan out. But it may have actually been spot on.
I found this rumor on a relatively obscure blog. It reported that a person who sent his iPhone to Apple over the reception issue noted a difference in his iPhone 4 after getting it back from Apple. Specifically, he noted that the antenna seemed to be less smooth and appeared to be more matte. The antenna issue was also resolved. This is of course a rumor, but a particularly poignant one that lends credence to the idea that Apple may be already at the task of repairing iPhone 4, or replacing defective units with units that were properly coated.
If this bears out, it bodes well for white iPhone 4 purchasers, whose phones will surely have been subjected to a much more aggressive quality control on this issue, or repaired before shipping.
So what do you think? Is there any credibility in this rumor? Let us know what you think.
Well, after that meme never panned out, no further confirmation emerged from any other sources, and Apple announced its alleged software fix, I put that idea on the back burner, relegated to my bin of unconfirmed theories that didn't pan out. But it may have actually been spot on.
I found this rumor on a relatively obscure blog. It reported that a person who sent his iPhone to Apple over the reception issue noted a difference in his iPhone 4 after getting it back from Apple. Specifically, he noted that the antenna seemed to be less smooth and appeared to be more matte. The antenna issue was also resolved. This is of course a rumor, but a particularly poignant one that lends credence to the idea that Apple may be already at the task of repairing iPhone 4, or replacing defective units with units that were properly coated.
If this bears out, it bodes well for white iPhone 4 purchasers, whose phones will surely have been subjected to a much more aggressive quality control on this issue, or repaired before shipping.
So what do you think? Is there any credibility in this rumor? Let us know what you think.
A Possible iPhone 4 Recall and What It Means for White iPhone 4
Over the past few days, reports have been all over the web about Consumer Reports' rating of iPhone 4. Namely, says the respected consumer products review agency, the iPhone 4 has a design flaw that seriously upsets its reception.
Normally, I'd dismiss such a statement as alarmist, and probably based on anecdote. Normally, I'd probably be right to do so. But remember those rational reviewers I was talking about? Consumer Reports used similar (actually more exacting) methods, and a diverse sample of iPhone 4s in its tests. This morning, I began to see stories discussing the need for Apple to recall iPhone 4, and I began to wonder. What does this mean for the white iPhone 4?
The Consumer Reports test, as I said, was exacting. They first bought three different iPhone 4s from three different stores around New York. They then tested the reception using a simulated cellular signal in a radio isolation room, to avoid any interference. There, they confirmed that iPhone 4's signal degrades significantly when held in the lower lefthand corner, to such a degree that calls could be dropped and data transmission interrupted in low signal areas.
They repeated the tests with a 3GS, a Palm Pre, and other phones, and could not replicate the same signal problems. So they concluded that as much as they liked iPhone 4 overall, they couldn't recommend it because its voice and data function is impaired by a design flaw.
When I first read this story yesterday, I didn't immediately report on it. I needed a bit of time to think about how to approach it. They did merely confirm what I'd already read elsewhere, that the problem, while arguably somewhat minor (at least more minor than the Droidbags make it out to be), is definitely a design flaw, one not shared by other handsets with internal antennae. What to say about a respected agency, using methods I respect, tearing down something I think is awesome?
Well, my pause let the story develop further, because this morning I was greeted by news that PR experts are saying Apple needs to issue a recall to actually repair or replace the hardware. Craziness? In light of all we've seen, I don't think so.
Apple is, as we know, a smart company. They've no doubt already run similar tests, and are similarly aware of the problem. They no doubt have figured out what a solution will entail, and if anything is left to be done, it's for the solution to be implemented, or for Steve Jobs to OK the solution. Another thing we know about Apple is they love to keep things quiet, especially bad news. Hell, it took them a week to make a tortured three-sentence admission about the absence of white iPhone 4 from launch-day sales.
Is a recall necessary? Probably not. The problem is a minor one. But public pressure, from the Droidbags in the tech media in particular, is mounting. And a recall that permanently put the issue to bed would hurt in the short term, but would shut up the naysayers as soon as the story was old news (so long as the fix worked properly). So I think it would be smart of Apple to do a PR-motivated recall. I think Apple will actually do it.
However, white iPhone 4 is still off the market. They don't have to recall it. It's hasn't been sold yet. So maybe while they mix up a vat of hydrophobic coating for the antenna band, they'll just hang onto it. They surely can't release the white one with the antenna fix applied before they're prepared to fix the black one as well.
This is all extreme speculation, but my guess is that we won't see the white iPhone 4 until at least the end of July now, because a recall is probably going to happen. Then again, you never know. Maybe they'll fix it on white first, and then recall the black ones. Maybe they'll continue to treat it as a minor problem (as it is), and not bow to public pressure for a recall. Maybe they'll just give out free bumper cases (I really hope not, I'm not planning on casing my iPhone 4, it's too pretty).
Tell us what you think of the problem. Is iPhone 4 going to get recalled? Will the oleophobic coating on the glass spontaneously combust when introduced to the hydrophobic coating on the antenna? How will continuing antenna problems affect the release of the white iPhone 4?
More to follow. Stay tuned.
Normally, I'd dismiss such a statement as alarmist, and probably based on anecdote. Normally, I'd probably be right to do so. But remember those rational reviewers I was talking about? Consumer Reports used similar (actually more exacting) methods, and a diverse sample of iPhone 4s in its tests. This morning, I began to see stories discussing the need for Apple to recall iPhone 4, and I began to wonder. What does this mean for the white iPhone 4?
The Consumer Reports test, as I said, was exacting. They first bought three different iPhone 4s from three different stores around New York. They then tested the reception using a simulated cellular signal in a radio isolation room, to avoid any interference. There, they confirmed that iPhone 4's signal degrades significantly when held in the lower lefthand corner, to such a degree that calls could be dropped and data transmission interrupted in low signal areas.
They repeated the tests with a 3GS, a Palm Pre, and other phones, and could not replicate the same signal problems. So they concluded that as much as they liked iPhone 4 overall, they couldn't recommend it because its voice and data function is impaired by a design flaw.
When I first read this story yesterday, I didn't immediately report on it. I needed a bit of time to think about how to approach it. They did merely confirm what I'd already read elsewhere, that the problem, while arguably somewhat minor (at least more minor than the Droidbags make it out to be), is definitely a design flaw, one not shared by other handsets with internal antennae. What to say about a respected agency, using methods I respect, tearing down something I think is awesome?
Well, my pause let the story develop further, because this morning I was greeted by news that PR experts are saying Apple needs to issue a recall to actually repair or replace the hardware. Craziness? In light of all we've seen, I don't think so.
Apple is, as we know, a smart company. They've no doubt already run similar tests, and are similarly aware of the problem. They no doubt have figured out what a solution will entail, and if anything is left to be done, it's for the solution to be implemented, or for Steve Jobs to OK the solution. Another thing we know about Apple is they love to keep things quiet, especially bad news. Hell, it took them a week to make a tortured three-sentence admission about the absence of white iPhone 4 from launch-day sales.
Is a recall necessary? Probably not. The problem is a minor one. But public pressure, from the Droidbags in the tech media in particular, is mounting. And a recall that permanently put the issue to bed would hurt in the short term, but would shut up the naysayers as soon as the story was old news (so long as the fix worked properly). So I think it would be smart of Apple to do a PR-motivated recall. I think Apple will actually do it.
However, white iPhone 4 is still off the market. They don't have to recall it. It's hasn't been sold yet. So maybe while they mix up a vat of hydrophobic coating for the antenna band, they'll just hang onto it. They surely can't release the white one with the antenna fix applied before they're prepared to fix the black one as well.
This is all extreme speculation, but my guess is that we won't see the white iPhone 4 until at least the end of July now, because a recall is probably going to happen. Then again, you never know. Maybe they'll fix it on white first, and then recall the black ones. Maybe they'll continue to treat it as a minor problem (as it is), and not bow to public pressure for a recall. Maybe they'll just give out free bumper cases (I really hope not, I'm not planning on casing my iPhone 4, it's too pretty).
Tell us what you think of the problem. Is iPhone 4 going to get recalled? Will the oleophobic coating on the glass spontaneously combust when introduced to the hydrophobic coating on the antenna? How will continuing antenna problems affect the release of the white iPhone 4?
More to follow. Stay tuned.
Monday, July 12, 2010
More Pictures of White iPhone 4, But No Word Yet on Release
While Monday came and has mostly gone with no white iPhone 4 news, I did manage to come across some more pictures, which I think are from the same set as the ones I put up in an earlier post. Check out some more angles, detail, and even the packaging! We've got to be getting close...
In the absence of news, I hope this holds everyone over for awhile. Be assured I'm keeping on top of things, and when I read something new, I'll look into it, write it up, and post it here. Cheers, my friends. The wait is almost over.
Camera close-up...
A view from the top.
Another.
To the left, the sim tray.
To the right, the volume controls.
The volume controls up close and personal.
In profile, elevated.
To the front, a thing of beauty.
A vessel for dreams...
Friday, July 9, 2010
An Artful Case and Antenna Solution in One! Check These Out!
In a much earlier post, I pointed out the cool iPhone 4 stuff you could find on etsy.com. It seems a designer there has come up with the coolest, most elegant way to protect your phone's stainless sides and style it up at the same time. If you haven't seen these yet, you're going to want them for your iPhone 4. I guarantee it.
The Etsy store designer Lucky Labs is selling the ultimate protection and antenna solution for iPhone 4. It's stylish. It's elegant. And it doesn't alter the iPhone 4's form factor.
The solution? A vinyl decal that's been cut to fit your iPhone 4's stainless steel antenna. It comes in 3 pieces, in sets of 3, for just $9.99. You can even mix and match colors in your set of 3, so you can change them out when you get tired of the color you're using. (Keep in mind though, once you take them off they're probably best thrown away. Vinyl stretches.) There are a number of colors to choose from.
So you're probably wondering if they're cheap and crappy-feeling. Not according to macrumors.com's forums. Every review there has been very positive, with a few people noting the hole cutouts aren't perfectly aligned, and they leave some stainless steel exposed. Others on the forum say, however, that if you apply them carefully, it looks great even with a bit of exposed stainless (you don't want people to forget it's under there, after all).
Overall, this looks like an awesome idea. What colors would you go for on a white iPhone 4? White on white would be pretty sweet, and I'd bet a black band around your white iPhone 4 would look very unique. How about red? Tell us what you think.
Stay tuned for a comprehensive review of this product, as I plan to order a set.
The Etsy store designer Lucky Labs is selling the ultimate protection and antenna solution for iPhone 4. It's stylish. It's elegant. And it doesn't alter the iPhone 4's form factor.
This one's red. But it comes in a wide array of colors.
The solution? A vinyl decal that's been cut to fit your iPhone 4's stainless steel antenna. It comes in 3 pieces, in sets of 3, for just $9.99. You can even mix and match colors in your set of 3, so you can change them out when you get tired of the color you're using. (Keep in mind though, once you take them off they're probably best thrown away. Vinyl stretches.) There are a number of colors to choose from.
So you're probably wondering if they're cheap and crappy-feeling. Not according to macrumors.com's forums. Every review there has been very positive, with a few people noting the hole cutouts aren't perfectly aligned, and they leave some stainless steel exposed. Others on the forum say, however, that if you apply them carefully, it looks great even with a bit of exposed stainless (you don't want people to forget it's under there, after all).
Overall, this looks like an awesome idea. What colors would you go for on a white iPhone 4? White on white would be pretty sweet, and I'd bet a black band around your white iPhone 4 would look very unique. How about red? Tell us what you think.
Stay tuned for a comprehensive review of this product, as I plan to order a set.
What Happens When Everyone Has One? The Smartphone Omega Point and the Future of iPhone
In 2010, smartphone owners are still only a small segment of society. We surf the web, download movies and music and more all while on the go. We hold in our hands the future of computing. But it won't always be so. Someday soon, the entire user base will be installed. In that world, where will iPhone fit?
The automobile. The telephone. The television. The personal computer. These were all once elite products, that not everyone had adopted. There was a time when frugal people would say things like, "An automobile? No thanks. I'll stick to my trusty old horse." Or when skeptics would say things like, "Television will never take off. Radio is the only thing I or anyone else really needs."
But eventually, all of these products and more have found almost ubiquitous adoption. From cars and landlines to DVD players and personal computers, you can probably think of hundreds of products that once were new technology, that not everybody bought into right away, but now everyone can't live without. These things are now as basic a part of life as forks, knives and spoons.
New technologies are constantly joining these ranks. For example, Finland just made broadband access a legal right. So what about smartphones?
For the purposes of this article, I'm calling the point at which a technology becomes ubiquitous or universally adopted that technology's omega point. At that point, manufacturers of that technology are competing for an already-installed user base. Usually, this means competition between companies for market share is tighter. It takes more to get loyal customers to switch than it does to get new customers to pick a side.
A great example of this is in personal computers. As long as a competitor doesn't have too much of an edge in making a widely adopted product, market share will be about static. That's why nobody really cares if they've got an HP, a Dell, a Gateway or a Vaio. They're all pretty much the same animal, and each of those companies has to fight really hard to gain even a little on one of its competitors. Even Apple, who offers a distinctly different and higher-quality product, has to battle it out for small changes in market share because of the difference in price. When the user base is fully installed, it's hard to get them to budge one way or the other.
I have no doubt in my mind that companies know this concept.
So with the smartphone omega point sweeping up quickly, where does the iPhone fit into the picture?
1. It Was the First
Apple's iPhone, like Henry Ford's model T, broke through a barrier, and became the first smartphone widely adopted by non-business consumers. Sure, Blackberry was technically there first, but it wasn't something you really wanted, it was something your boss made you carry around. Like Ford's cars, Apple's smartphones will be destined for a prominent role in the future marketplace. However, as we all know what kind of cars Ford produces, the comparisons between Apple and Ford seem incomplete. Apple's a luxury brand with a bit of a European design bent. If we're comparing smartphones to cars, Android platforms are really more of a Ford-like smartphone. So while iPhone's firstness is important, it's obviously not the deciding factor.
2. It's the Most Luxurious
While Ford did it first, it could be argued that the likes of Mercedes Benz, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, BMW, and Ferrari did it best. The Europeans took the concept of the automobile and turned it into an art. iPhone did the same thing to smartphones. iPhone 4 is, strangely enough, uniquely European in its design proclivities. Clean industrial lines, a minimalist aesthetic, and a functional yet luxurious user experience are all hallmarks of that design philosophy. We seem to be getting warmer.
3. It's Got the Richest Ecosystem
Apple's got iTunes, the App Store, iBooks, tons of 3rd party app developers, the likely soon-to-be-reinvigorated Apple TV, a slew of high-end PCs and laptops, and a potentially strong cloud presence with MobileMe. All these things make owning an iPhone better, and switching away from one harder to do.
So with all of these factors, iPhone is battling it out with Android, Palm, RIM and Nokia for the easiest-to-grab share of the market. Once those numbers solidify, it's going to be knock-down drag-out warfare for the hard-to-win elderly demographic and the harder-to-win convert demographic.
Based on the above factors, it seems to me that Apple looks to land in a slightly better place than it is in the PC-Mac balance, because it was first, and because of its ubiquitous ecosystem. Its luxury status will keep its market share smaller, however, and I'd bet we can count on Android to play the smartphone-for-the-masses counterpoint to Apple's fashionable luxury exclusivity.
What are your thoughts?
The automobile. The telephone. The television. The personal computer. These were all once elite products, that not everyone had adopted. There was a time when frugal people would say things like, "An automobile? No thanks. I'll stick to my trusty old horse." Or when skeptics would say things like, "Television will never take off. Radio is the only thing I or anyone else really needs."
But eventually, all of these products and more have found almost ubiquitous adoption. From cars and landlines to DVD players and personal computers, you can probably think of hundreds of products that once were new technology, that not everybody bought into right away, but now everyone can't live without. These things are now as basic a part of life as forks, knives and spoons.
New technologies are constantly joining these ranks. For example, Finland just made broadband access a legal right. So what about smartphones?
For the purposes of this article, I'm calling the point at which a technology becomes ubiquitous or universally adopted that technology's omega point. At that point, manufacturers of that technology are competing for an already-installed user base. Usually, this means competition between companies for market share is tighter. It takes more to get loyal customers to switch than it does to get new customers to pick a side.
A great example of this is in personal computers. As long as a competitor doesn't have too much of an edge in making a widely adopted product, market share will be about static. That's why nobody really cares if they've got an HP, a Dell, a Gateway or a Vaio. They're all pretty much the same animal, and each of those companies has to fight really hard to gain even a little on one of its competitors. Even Apple, who offers a distinctly different and higher-quality product, has to battle it out for small changes in market share because of the difference in price. When the user base is fully installed, it's hard to get them to budge one way or the other.
I have no doubt in my mind that companies know this concept.
So with the smartphone omega point sweeping up quickly, where does the iPhone fit into the picture?
1. It Was the First
Apple's iPhone, like Henry Ford's model T, broke through a barrier, and became the first smartphone widely adopted by non-business consumers. Sure, Blackberry was technically there first, but it wasn't something you really wanted, it was something your boss made you carry around. Like Ford's cars, Apple's smartphones will be destined for a prominent role in the future marketplace. However, as we all know what kind of cars Ford produces, the comparisons between Apple and Ford seem incomplete. Apple's a luxury brand with a bit of a European design bent. If we're comparing smartphones to cars, Android platforms are really more of a Ford-like smartphone. So while iPhone's firstness is important, it's obviously not the deciding factor.
2. It's the Most Luxurious
While Ford did it first, it could be argued that the likes of Mercedes Benz, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, BMW, and Ferrari did it best. The Europeans took the concept of the automobile and turned it into an art. iPhone did the same thing to smartphones. iPhone 4 is, strangely enough, uniquely European in its design proclivities. Clean industrial lines, a minimalist aesthetic, and a functional yet luxurious user experience are all hallmarks of that design philosophy. We seem to be getting warmer.
3. It's Got the Richest Ecosystem
Apple's got iTunes, the App Store, iBooks, tons of 3rd party app developers, the likely soon-to-be-reinvigorated Apple TV, a slew of high-end PCs and laptops, and a potentially strong cloud presence with MobileMe. All these things make owning an iPhone better, and switching away from one harder to do.
So with all of these factors, iPhone is battling it out with Android, Palm, RIM and Nokia for the easiest-to-grab share of the market. Once those numbers solidify, it's going to be knock-down drag-out warfare for the hard-to-win elderly demographic and the harder-to-win convert demographic.
Based on the above factors, it seems to me that Apple looks to land in a slightly better place than it is in the PC-Mac balance, because it was first, and because of its ubiquitous ecosystem. Its luxury status will keep its market share smaller, however, and I'd bet we can count on Android to play the smartphone-for-the-masses counterpoint to Apple's fashionable luxury exclusivity.
What are your thoughts?
New White iPhone 4 Pictures Surface
So there are some shiny new pictures of a white iPhone 4 someone managed to get their hands on in Japan. This thing is BEAUTIFUL. Check it out.
These images, especially the first one, really highlight the beauty of the device. Check out the contrast between the white and the metal. Wow.
These images, especially the first one, really highlight the beauty of the device. Check out the contrast between the white and the metal. Wow.
On a dock. That white is gleaming!
From the front. Gorgeous.
... and the back. The contrast between the chrome
and the white is stunning.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The "Death Grip" Sinks Apple Haters to New Lows
Of all of the noise about iPhone 4's alleged antenna issue, the loudest seems to come from those who would be hating on iPhone 4 no matter what. Here's why it's just Droidbags who've found a new key to whine in.
The Droidbags are at it again. Now, I call them Droidbags, but their community consists of pretty much any anti-Apple person. They include the true Droidbags (Android phone enthusiasts), the Contrarians (who hate iPhone because so many fashionable/cool people like it, or who hate iPhone because they want to irritate someone specific who has one), and the Fuddy-Duddies (who think anything more than a free Nokia candy bar phone on the lowest possible minute plan with no free texts is a waste of money, and that iPhone is the ultimate symbol of excess).
They are all yelling at the top of their lungs these days, but their voices have taken on a distinctly gleeful tenor. For the first time, they have a bead on what appears to be an actual flaw in an iPhone, one that was mistakenly allowed to pass quality control.
You know what I'm talking about. The antenna issue. The "Death Grip," as the Droidbags like to call it. They cite fake emails, they cite reception tests that really are designed to test data transmission speeds and use it as evidence that voice calls are dropped, they deride any attempts to minimize the issue, as some rational reviewers have done, as disingenous.
Their critiques, in fact, are the disingenuous artifact in this particular debate, however. Using fake emails to prove a point is irrational. Attacking rational reviewers of the issue as biased is, well, biased. But the real lies are in their use of reception tests designed to test data transmission speed to comment on both the data functionality of the iPhone 4 and the frequency of dropped calls. Here's why.
First, if you grip the iPhone 4 in a way that bridges the two antennas, it is true that you get some interference, per those rational reviewers (one of which I linked above). However, that interference is insufficient to drop a call under most circumstances. iPhone 4 actually performs better than 3GS as a phone all the time. So there really is no correlation between how you hold your iPhone 4 and whether a call gets dropped. There just isn't.
Enter the Droidbag.
After baselessly discrediting the rational reviewer that pointed it out, the Droidbag will cite to a data speed test app study, and say, "So there! It DOES lower reception! Apple's lying to you, the design of iPhone 4 is flawed, you're a sheep, that review was biased in Apple's favor, blah, blah, blah," ad nauseum et infinitum. They'll then point to the fake emails and emphatically declare Steve Jobs is fiddling while his personal Rome burns, or that he doesn't care about customers, etc. You've probably read this same argument in different forms and in varying degrees of completeness and quality for the past two weeks.
The problem is, the Droidbags' logic is flawed, and they know it. First, a reduction in signal quality doesn't drop a call, as noted above. When you point that out to them, they respond with something like, "Well, the data speed is still slower! FAIL! I'm so 1337 for using FAIL so much! NYEH!" They then take a boisterous gulp out of a 3 liter bottle of Sam's Club Moutnain Lightning, stuff a fistful of Walker's potato sticks down their gullets, and go back to trolling Apple forums with their WOW characters grinding away in another open window.
The problem with that logic is, nobody holds the phone in the lower left corner while using data-transmitting functions. You turn the phone sideways for that, with the lower left side up to keep from bumping the volume controls. So unless you intentionally block the antenna while using data services, you're going to have no signal problems whatsoever.
Try pointing out this second logical flaw to them. They'll probably devolve immediately into personal attacks on you as a commenter, or just stop responding. At the very least, they'll feel bad about themselves and eat a donut stick instead of doing the soda-and-chips ritual. It's an argument that can be won every time, making it a really fun one to have.
But the Droidbags are still doing damage! They're using their chorus of whines to change the conversation away from all the awesome things about iPhone 4. They're dominating the discussion with misleading information and outright lies.
Today, I saw a story by a Droidbag tech blogger who compared iPhone 4 to Windows Vista. I kid you not. Windows Vista, the virus that comes infected with an operating system. WTF? This is what people who google iPhone 4 are seeing. They're trying to make us all look like lemmings jumping off a cliff becuase we're a bunch of morons who've been duped by a snake oil salesmen peddling a phone that doesn't make phonecalls. It's total crap.
So what can we do about it? Present the above counter-argument anytime you're faced with the viral smear-campaign noted above. Keep it respectful, write with good grammar (type in your word processor first, use spell check and grammar check, then copy-paste into the browser), and shut them all down. Eventually, the tech bloggers will see that people recognize the logical error in their analysis and start writing more balanced stories. Fight back! There should be no comments thread dominated by Droidbags. If you come across it, write a response. You can even save a canned one and paste it in. If you don't want to take the time to sign up for a site that requires a sign-in for commenting, go to bugmenot.com and get one for free.
There's one tried and true thing about the iPhone demographic that trumps the Droidbags in all their forms. We're smarter. We'll make the arguments more articulately, more artfully and more convincingly than any Droidbag can muster. So let's hit back, before the whole internet accepts their lies as folk wisdom, and regards us as the fools.
The Droidbags are at it again. Now, I call them Droidbags, but their community consists of pretty much any anti-Apple person. They include the true Droidbags (Android phone enthusiasts), the Contrarians (who hate iPhone because so many fashionable/cool people like it, or who hate iPhone because they want to irritate someone specific who has one), and the Fuddy-Duddies (who think anything more than a free Nokia candy bar phone on the lowest possible minute plan with no free texts is a waste of money, and that iPhone is the ultimate symbol of excess).
They are all yelling at the top of their lungs these days, but their voices have taken on a distinctly gleeful tenor. For the first time, they have a bead on what appears to be an actual flaw in an iPhone, one that was mistakenly allowed to pass quality control.
You know what I'm talking about. The antenna issue. The "Death Grip," as the Droidbags like to call it. They cite fake emails, they cite reception tests that really are designed to test data transmission speeds and use it as evidence that voice calls are dropped, they deride any attempts to minimize the issue, as some rational reviewers have done, as disingenous.
Their critiques, in fact, are the disingenuous artifact in this particular debate, however. Using fake emails to prove a point is irrational. Attacking rational reviewers of the issue as biased is, well, biased. But the real lies are in their use of reception tests designed to test data transmission speed to comment on both the data functionality of the iPhone 4 and the frequency of dropped calls. Here's why.
First, if you grip the iPhone 4 in a way that bridges the two antennas, it is true that you get some interference, per those rational reviewers (one of which I linked above). However, that interference is insufficient to drop a call under most circumstances. iPhone 4 actually performs better than 3GS as a phone all the time. So there really is no correlation between how you hold your iPhone 4 and whether a call gets dropped. There just isn't.
Enter the Droidbag.
After baselessly discrediting the rational reviewer that pointed it out, the Droidbag will cite to a data speed test app study, and say, "So there! It DOES lower reception! Apple's lying to you, the design of iPhone 4 is flawed, you're a sheep, that review was biased in Apple's favor, blah, blah, blah," ad nauseum et infinitum. They'll then point to the fake emails and emphatically declare Steve Jobs is fiddling while his personal Rome burns, or that he doesn't care about customers, etc. You've probably read this same argument in different forms and in varying degrees of completeness and quality for the past two weeks.
The problem is, the Droidbags' logic is flawed, and they know it. First, a reduction in signal quality doesn't drop a call, as noted above. When you point that out to them, they respond with something like, "Well, the data speed is still slower! FAIL! I'm so 1337 for using FAIL so much! NYEH!" They then take a boisterous gulp out of a 3 liter bottle of Sam's Club Moutnain Lightning, stuff a fistful of Walker's potato sticks down their gullets, and go back to trolling Apple forums with their WOW characters grinding away in another open window.
The problem with that logic is, nobody holds the phone in the lower left corner while using data-transmitting functions. You turn the phone sideways for that, with the lower left side up to keep from bumping the volume controls. So unless you intentionally block the antenna while using data services, you're going to have no signal problems whatsoever.
Try pointing out this second logical flaw to them. They'll probably devolve immediately into personal attacks on you as a commenter, or just stop responding. At the very least, they'll feel bad about themselves and eat a donut stick instead of doing the soda-and-chips ritual. It's an argument that can be won every time, making it a really fun one to have.
But the Droidbags are still doing damage! They're using their chorus of whines to change the conversation away from all the awesome things about iPhone 4. They're dominating the discussion with misleading information and outright lies.
Today, I saw a story by a Droidbag tech blogger who compared iPhone 4 to Windows Vista. I kid you not. Windows Vista, the virus that comes infected with an operating system. WTF? This is what people who google iPhone 4 are seeing. They're trying to make us all look like lemmings jumping off a cliff becuase we're a bunch of morons who've been duped by a snake oil salesmen peddling a phone that doesn't make phonecalls. It's total crap.
So what can we do about it? Present the above counter-argument anytime you're faced with the viral smear-campaign noted above. Keep it respectful, write with good grammar (type in your word processor first, use spell check and grammar check, then copy-paste into the browser), and shut them all down. Eventually, the tech bloggers will see that people recognize the logical error in their analysis and start writing more balanced stories. Fight back! There should be no comments thread dominated by Droidbags. If you come across it, write a response. You can even save a canned one and paste it in. If you don't want to take the time to sign up for a site that requires a sign-in for commenting, go to bugmenot.com and get one for free.
There's one tried and true thing about the iPhone demographic that trumps the Droidbags in all their forms. We're smarter. We'll make the arguments more articulately, more artfully and more convincingly than any Droidbag can muster. So let's hit back, before the whole internet accepts their lies as folk wisdom, and regards us as the fools.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The Ultimate White iPhone 4?
Just when you thought a white iPhone 4 couldn't get any more rare, this comes along. But is it art?
Stuart Hughes has just blown the doors off. Way off. And the roof, and the walls, and possibly the floor. Oh, and the planet too. 6.5 carats of diamond will provide you with all the bumper case you could need. And if that isn't enough, a diamond-and-platinum Apple logo will adorn the back:
For $20,000.00, you could own one of these guys. Only 50 will be made. Oh, and it might actually ship before us mere mortals can get ahold of white as well.
Personally, I think it's about as gaudy as glitter on a fine fur coat, and as classy as ketchup on filet mignon ordered well-done. But I am somewhat of a minimalist, so my opinion is slanted. One thing's for sure, it's exclusive.
What's your take? Want it? Want to pry out the diamonds and sell them, and use a small portion of the proceeds to buy a new, unspoiled white iPhone 4? Let us know.
2 Weeks with iPhone 4: The Good, the Bad, the Beautiful
It's been about two weeks since launch day, and I've been test-driving a black iPhone 4 since then. As you may have seen from my previous postings, I promised a review. Well, instead of getting one out after a week with the unit, I moved from a two-bedroom house into a one-bedroom apartment. While it was an overall terrible experience, I had iPhone 4 with me the whole way.
All the reviews you usually read have to do with what iPhone 4 is like when life is good, and you've got all the time in the world to play with your shiny new toy. I spent the first week doing that. The second week, however, saw me using iPhone 4 when life is at its most challenging and taxing. Few reviews will tell you what kind of companion iPhone 4 makes in the roughest times. This one will.
I. The First Week
On launch day, June 24, 2010, I got a box from UPS. Though I knew what it contained was just a test unit, and not my still-absent white iPhone 4, I was excited. Really excited.
I opened the box slowly, a piece at a time, savoring the moment. Inside, I was rewarded with one of the most beautiful pieces of technology I think has ever been produced. The phone, as soon as I lifted it from the box, was immediately in a class by itself. It was elegant. It was well-crafted. It was perfect. As I held it there, at that moment, I forgot even about the white one. The black iPhone 4 is beautiful.
It reminded me of the first time I sat behind the wheel of a Mercedes or a Jaguar, or of the first time I put on a designer watch, or of my now three-years-gone Nokia 8600 Luna. iPhone 4 isn't just technology, it is technology enmeshed with design. It is your thoughts translated to fine prose, a masterpiece that does your bidding, an interactive objet d'art. Even now, looking at it as I write this two weeks later, it hasn't lost any of its impact upon me.
I then set about examining and testing its new features. I'll leave iOS 4 upgrades out of this review, since I already reviewed it. I'll simply say iOS 4 was clearly designed for this phone.
1. The Retina Display
Wow. That's all I can say. If you haven't yet had the opportunity to check it out in person, you will be blown away by this screen. I sat it next to my iPhone 3GS, which when I first heard about Retina I couldn't believe could be improved upon very dramatically. I was dead wrong. The display is sharp, clear, crisp, colorful, and way easier to see. I can't relay in words how much better it is. Really. I just can't. You have to see it.
As for whether any pixels are visible, I couldn't find any, not at normal viewing distance. And I have good eyesight. And it is so much brighter, the screen is easier to look at in full sunlight. Granted, it's still an LCD, so it isn't perfect in sunlight. But it is much better than the 3GS.
Viewing angle is incredible as well. If you can see the screen, you can see the image. It's as simple as that. It might as well be printed on the front of the thing, because the only limitation is your own comfort with the viewing angle.
Bottom line, the upgrade is worth this feature alone.
2. The Camera
After playing with this iPhone for awhile, I can comfortably say it is, at least for me, the death of the point-and-shoot. I've never been much of a photographer. I usually find cameras annoying and distracting when I'm trying to have a good time. But not anymore. I love this camera.
Here's a test image I took on day 1:
The fine detail in the image, the vivid color, everything just looks better. Since this photo, I've actually started taking pictures regularly. And I'm actually enjoying it.
The video camera is sweet too. I went ahead and downloaded iMovie, and though it's not perfect (it doesn't let you use multiple tracks of audio in the same movie), I've managed to make some pretty cool stuff with it. To give you an idea, I created this movie biopic of my move. I hope it isn't too traumatizing:
The front-facing camera, though I have yet to find someone else to test FaceTime with, is pretty awesome for taking self-portraits and shooting video introductions, as you noticed in the above movie. (It doesn't make everyone look like a hobo, I promise. I'd had a long day.)
To conclude, the new camera rocks, and the new video functionality with iMovie opens up a whole new realm of creative possibilities.
3. The New Battery
I'll be brief here. It is waaaaay better. You know how your 3G or 3GS runs out of battery part way through the day if you use it heavily? Forget about that. I don't have to re-charge iPhone 4 during the day. Ever. I use it all the time, and I don't sleep much either. The battery just won't run out if you charge it to full once every 24 hours. In short, the battery is a huge improvement. In fact, the time is now 1:00 p.m. here, and the battery's at 86 percent. If you're using a 3G or 3GS, where's yours? Case in point.
4. FaceTime
I haven't tested it. But based on the front-facing camera's functionality, I'd say it'll be pretty sweet as well.
5. External Speaker
This is one that nobody seems to ever mention, but they've improved it dramatically. I like to use my iPhone as a stand-alone music player, and iPhone 4 seriously raises the bar in this respect. First, you don't have any crackling or distortion from using it at full volume. Second, the sound quality is better and the volume greater. It works, like everything else I've discussed so far, really well.
6. External Antenna
The external antenna, much-maligned lately, actually seems to enhance signal quality. Now, as I noted before, I didn't notice any reception issues with it at all. In fact, I didn't even notice the drop in bars until I read a report about it online. Consequently, I've been surprised about the vitriol surrounding this enhancement. It really does seem to get me better reception in more places than my iPhone 3GS got. I will be writing another post very soon regarding all the information surrounding the glitch, correcting a few of my own errors, and really digging into the problem. Until then, on to week two...
II. The Second Week
On the second week, I had to put iPhone 4 in my pocket, and get on with life. It sucked, but I didn't have a choice. However, it allowed me to answer a question that few reviews get a chance to touch. How does it work in real life?
The answer? Exceptionally well.
1. The Good
The iPhone 4 does just about everything better than 3GS and 3G. However, its most practical features are where it really shines in real life. It's got longer battery life, better reception, and a better external speaker. Let me break down for you how this helped make my move better.
First, the longer battery life meant that when I spent the entire day relying on iPhone as my only media source (my home theater, stereo, TV, video games, lap top and WiFi router were all packed away), I was able to freely access my media all day long whenever I needed it.
Check the weather to see if rain's coming at 3 a.m.? No problem. Listen to music all day long? Got it. Surf the web for a bit to decompress or shop for some things you realize you're going to need (like storage)? You're covered. Do all that stuff, while only having to recharge once a day during your move, in the few hours you get to sleep? Only iPhone 4 can do that.
iPhone 4, it would seem, is as much of an insomniac workaholic as I am.
Second, better reception ensured I was able to keep my access going even when driving through the middle of nowhere in a uHaul truck. Long story short, I had to store some things in a barren, unpopulated part of the Midwestern state where I grew up. This required a uHaul truck and a trek across miles of desolate highway. When I've made the drive with my 3GS, I've lost all reception regularly. With iPhone 4, the connection, though tenuous at times, remained for the entire journey. Goodbye scary out-of-civilization moments! You won't be missed.
Third, and I think most importantly, the new external speaker kept my head bobbing when it should've been hitting a pillow all week long. After all of my speaker-equipped media players were packed, I had only iPhone 4 to keep me company with a steady stream of music. With 3GS, this was a pain in the ass. You had to drag it around with you, so as not to let it get more than a few feet away.
Not so with iPhone 4. I was able to set it in one room in my house, and still hear the music a few rooms away (disclosure: my house was open floor-plan with wood floors). And in my new apartment, it could sit anywhere and still be heard clearly (second disclosure: as you saw, my new place is small). Needless to say, it's a dramatic improvement.
2. The Bad
The iPhone's only weakness in the real world comes from one of its greatest strengths. As our last poll noted, the iPhone 4's design is probably it's greatest asset. During a move, it becomes iPhone 4's greatest liability. You worry about hurting it.
There were times I felt like Smeagol from Lord of the Rings with it, stopping to protect "the precious" from potential danger in the middle of my move, while at the same time not wanting to be away from it. I found myself regularly telling my girlfriend and friends to "hang on a second" while I set the iPhone 4 out of harm's way in another room. As soon as the dangerous task or series of tasks was done, however, I went back and grabbed it and resumed carrying it around with me. I did this every time. I couldn't help myself. I didn't want to damage it, but at the same time didn't want it to sit off in a room unused for a day by itself.
Consequently, its beautiful aesthetics make you afraid it's going to be easily broken. This is definitely different from 3GS, and is probably something we'll all just have to get over. Nonetheless, it made me uncomfortably aware of how attached I am to it, and would prefer iPhone didn't rub it in so much.
III. Conclusion
To conclude, iPhone 4 is better in every way. Sometimes, that makes it worse in the real world. Is it worth it? Absolutely. When the white one hits, be prepared to lose your souls, and do so happily.
All the reviews you usually read have to do with what iPhone 4 is like when life is good, and you've got all the time in the world to play with your shiny new toy. I spent the first week doing that. The second week, however, saw me using iPhone 4 when life is at its most challenging and taxing. Few reviews will tell you what kind of companion iPhone 4 makes in the roughest times. This one will.
I. The First Week
On launch day, June 24, 2010, I got a box from UPS. Though I knew what it contained was just a test unit, and not my still-absent white iPhone 4, I was excited. Really excited.
I opened the box slowly, a piece at a time, savoring the moment. Inside, I was rewarded with one of the most beautiful pieces of technology I think has ever been produced. The phone, as soon as I lifted it from the box, was immediately in a class by itself. It was elegant. It was well-crafted. It was perfect. As I held it there, at that moment, I forgot even about the white one. The black iPhone 4 is beautiful.
It reminded me of the first time I sat behind the wheel of a Mercedes or a Jaguar, or of the first time I put on a designer watch, or of my now three-years-gone Nokia 8600 Luna. iPhone 4 isn't just technology, it is technology enmeshed with design. It is your thoughts translated to fine prose, a masterpiece that does your bidding, an interactive objet d'art. Even now, looking at it as I write this two weeks later, it hasn't lost any of its impact upon me.
I then set about examining and testing its new features. I'll leave iOS 4 upgrades out of this review, since I already reviewed it. I'll simply say iOS 4 was clearly designed for this phone.
1. The Retina Display
Wow. That's all I can say. If you haven't yet had the opportunity to check it out in person, you will be blown away by this screen. I sat it next to my iPhone 3GS, which when I first heard about Retina I couldn't believe could be improved upon very dramatically. I was dead wrong. The display is sharp, clear, crisp, colorful, and way easier to see. I can't relay in words how much better it is. Really. I just can't. You have to see it.
As for whether any pixels are visible, I couldn't find any, not at normal viewing distance. And I have good eyesight. And it is so much brighter, the screen is easier to look at in full sunlight. Granted, it's still an LCD, so it isn't perfect in sunlight. But it is much better than the 3GS.
Viewing angle is incredible as well. If you can see the screen, you can see the image. It's as simple as that. It might as well be printed on the front of the thing, because the only limitation is your own comfort with the viewing angle.
Bottom line, the upgrade is worth this feature alone.
2. The Camera
After playing with this iPhone for awhile, I can comfortably say it is, at least for me, the death of the point-and-shoot. I've never been much of a photographer. I usually find cameras annoying and distracting when I'm trying to have a good time. But not anymore. I love this camera.
Here's a test image I took on day 1:
The fine detail in the image, the vivid color, everything just looks better. Since this photo, I've actually started taking pictures regularly. And I'm actually enjoying it.
The video camera is sweet too. I went ahead and downloaded iMovie, and though it's not perfect (it doesn't let you use multiple tracks of audio in the same movie), I've managed to make some pretty cool stuff with it. To give you an idea, I created this movie biopic of my move. I hope it isn't too traumatizing:
The front-facing camera, though I have yet to find someone else to test FaceTime with, is pretty awesome for taking self-portraits and shooting video introductions, as you noticed in the above movie. (It doesn't make everyone look like a hobo, I promise. I'd had a long day.)
To conclude, the new camera rocks, and the new video functionality with iMovie opens up a whole new realm of creative possibilities.
3. The New Battery
I'll be brief here. It is waaaaay better. You know how your 3G or 3GS runs out of battery part way through the day if you use it heavily? Forget about that. I don't have to re-charge iPhone 4 during the day. Ever. I use it all the time, and I don't sleep much either. The battery just won't run out if you charge it to full once every 24 hours. In short, the battery is a huge improvement. In fact, the time is now 1:00 p.m. here, and the battery's at 86 percent. If you're using a 3G or 3GS, where's yours? Case in point.
4. FaceTime
I haven't tested it. But based on the front-facing camera's functionality, I'd say it'll be pretty sweet as well.
5. External Speaker
This is one that nobody seems to ever mention, but they've improved it dramatically. I like to use my iPhone as a stand-alone music player, and iPhone 4 seriously raises the bar in this respect. First, you don't have any crackling or distortion from using it at full volume. Second, the sound quality is better and the volume greater. It works, like everything else I've discussed so far, really well.
6. External Antenna
The external antenna, much-maligned lately, actually seems to enhance signal quality. Now, as I noted before, I didn't notice any reception issues with it at all. In fact, I didn't even notice the drop in bars until I read a report about it online. Consequently, I've been surprised about the vitriol surrounding this enhancement. It really does seem to get me better reception in more places than my iPhone 3GS got. I will be writing another post very soon regarding all the information surrounding the glitch, correcting a few of my own errors, and really digging into the problem. Until then, on to week two...
II. The Second Week
On the second week, I had to put iPhone 4 in my pocket, and get on with life. It sucked, but I didn't have a choice. However, it allowed me to answer a question that few reviews get a chance to touch. How does it work in real life?
The answer? Exceptionally well.
1. The Good
The iPhone 4 does just about everything better than 3GS and 3G. However, its most practical features are where it really shines in real life. It's got longer battery life, better reception, and a better external speaker. Let me break down for you how this helped make my move better.
First, the longer battery life meant that when I spent the entire day relying on iPhone as my only media source (my home theater, stereo, TV, video games, lap top and WiFi router were all packed away), I was able to freely access my media all day long whenever I needed it.
Check the weather to see if rain's coming at 3 a.m.? No problem. Listen to music all day long? Got it. Surf the web for a bit to decompress or shop for some things you realize you're going to need (like storage)? You're covered. Do all that stuff, while only having to recharge once a day during your move, in the few hours you get to sleep? Only iPhone 4 can do that.
iPhone 4, it would seem, is as much of an insomniac workaholic as I am.
Second, better reception ensured I was able to keep my access going even when driving through the middle of nowhere in a uHaul truck. Long story short, I had to store some things in a barren, unpopulated part of the Midwestern state where I grew up. This required a uHaul truck and a trek across miles of desolate highway. When I've made the drive with my 3GS, I've lost all reception regularly. With iPhone 4, the connection, though tenuous at times, remained for the entire journey. Goodbye scary out-of-civilization moments! You won't be missed.
Third, and I think most importantly, the new external speaker kept my head bobbing when it should've been hitting a pillow all week long. After all of my speaker-equipped media players were packed, I had only iPhone 4 to keep me company with a steady stream of music. With 3GS, this was a pain in the ass. You had to drag it around with you, so as not to let it get more than a few feet away.
Not so with iPhone 4. I was able to set it in one room in my house, and still hear the music a few rooms away (disclosure: my house was open floor-plan with wood floors). And in my new apartment, it could sit anywhere and still be heard clearly (second disclosure: as you saw, my new place is small). Needless to say, it's a dramatic improvement.
2. The Bad
The iPhone's only weakness in the real world comes from one of its greatest strengths. As our last poll noted, the iPhone 4's design is probably it's greatest asset. During a move, it becomes iPhone 4's greatest liability. You worry about hurting it.
There were times I felt like Smeagol from Lord of the Rings with it, stopping to protect "the precious" from potential danger in the middle of my move, while at the same time not wanting to be away from it. I found myself regularly telling my girlfriend and friends to "hang on a second" while I set the iPhone 4 out of harm's way in another room. As soon as the dangerous task or series of tasks was done, however, I went back and grabbed it and resumed carrying it around with me. I did this every time. I couldn't help myself. I didn't want to damage it, but at the same time didn't want it to sit off in a room unused for a day by itself.
Consequently, its beautiful aesthetics make you afraid it's going to be easily broken. This is definitely different from 3GS, and is probably something we'll all just have to get over. Nonetheless, it made me uncomfortably aware of how attached I am to it, and would prefer iPhone didn't rub it in so much.
III. Conclusion
To conclude, iPhone 4 is better in every way. Sometimes, that makes it worse in the real world. Is it worth it? Absolutely. When the white one hits, be prepared to lose your souls, and do so happily.
White iPhone 4 Rumor: It's Coming this Weekend?
Well, we'll start off today with a fresh rumor. Alex, a commenter, recently posted the following:
1. Is White iPhone 4 Available this Weekend? - Likelihood: 40%
At first blush, it seems too soon. But I gave this rumor a pretty high rating, for one key reason. Apple said white iPhone 4 would be available in the second half of July. If they shipped this weekend, that would be pretty close to the second half of the month.
Why didn't I go higher? Well, two reasons, really.
First, there hasn't been a change on Apple's store yet. One would think they would begin to allow pre-orders for the white iPhone 4. This would give them the opportunity for a second launch day, and a headline-grabbing maneuver at the same time. As we know, Apple likes to give everyone about a week to stew in their desire before offering a product for pre-order or order. So the fact that we have yet to hear anything from Cupertino makes me think we've got a bit to wait yet.
On the other hand, maybe they don't want the publicity right now, considering the late white iPhone 4 ship date is the result of a problem, and the resulting headlines could be largely negative.
Second, the second half of July covers a large range of days, including those after the 24th. While I'm sure Apple wants to get the white iPhone 4 to market as quickly as possible, they probably also want to prevent black iPhone 4 purchasers from switching and flooding the market with used black iPhone 4s. Therefore, unless they intend to offer an official black-for-white exchange, they'll place the launch of the white iPhone 4 after the 30-day return policy expires for launch-day adopters.
On the other hand, again, Apple might want to let these folks switch, just for some good PR.
Consequently, this rumor has a good chance of being true, but I remain skeptical. I found no other news, information, or rumor corroborating or undermining this rumor, so it really is up in the air. Another possibility is that they will be shipped this weekend, but not released until around the 16th. We'll just have to wait and see.
"I work in the Mall of America in MN. I heard from a friend who works for AT&T here that they will be receiving white iPhone 4's next weekend (7/9-7/12) when they receive replenishment of the black models!!"Is it true? Read on to find out the likelihood.
1. Is White iPhone 4 Available this Weekend? - Likelihood: 40%
At first blush, it seems too soon. But I gave this rumor a pretty high rating, for one key reason. Apple said white iPhone 4 would be available in the second half of July. If they shipped this weekend, that would be pretty close to the second half of the month.
Why didn't I go higher? Well, two reasons, really.
First, there hasn't been a change on Apple's store yet. One would think they would begin to allow pre-orders for the white iPhone 4. This would give them the opportunity for a second launch day, and a headline-grabbing maneuver at the same time. As we know, Apple likes to give everyone about a week to stew in their desire before offering a product for pre-order or order. So the fact that we have yet to hear anything from Cupertino makes me think we've got a bit to wait yet.
On the other hand, maybe they don't want the publicity right now, considering the late white iPhone 4 ship date is the result of a problem, and the resulting headlines could be largely negative.
Second, the second half of July covers a large range of days, including those after the 24th. While I'm sure Apple wants to get the white iPhone 4 to market as quickly as possible, they probably also want to prevent black iPhone 4 purchasers from switching and flooding the market with used black iPhone 4s. Therefore, unless they intend to offer an official black-for-white exchange, they'll place the launch of the white iPhone 4 after the 30-day return policy expires for launch-day adopters.
On the other hand, again, Apple might want to let these folks switch, just for some good PR.
Consequently, this rumor has a good chance of being true, but I remain skeptical. I found no other news, information, or rumor corroborating or undermining this rumor, so it really is up in the air. Another possibility is that they will be shipped this weekend, but not released until around the 16th. We'll just have to wait and see.
And We're Back!
Hello everyone! I have officially concluded the bulk of my move, and am back in the saddle, so to speak. The bad news? I've missed out on the craziest parts of the Great iPhone 4 Deathgrip Crisis. The good news? Now that the dust has settled, there's some genuine data out there to debate. We also have a white iPhone 4 rumor to report. More to follow.
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