Iphone, IPad and Mobile Phones

Everyone is looking forward to the launch of iPad from Apple. With more than 1, 40,000 applications and many creative accessories, this product is all set to hit the markets sometime in March ‘10 end. People are eagerly waiting for it to launch. This is considered to be the biggest launch from Apple in last three years and this is adding to the excitement associated with iPad. There are many press reviews and people have only one question in their mind, “Do I need an iPad?”

No doubt that the user interface has been developed extra ordinarily in this product in order to give ultimate experience to users for reading online. Apart from that, this fact can not be denied that iPad will open a venue of huge opportunities to various sectors of business market, especially gaming and publishing market segments. This product is said to be available with WiFi and 3G connections. With the launch of this product in market, it is expected that the market for apps and accessories will also see a rise. Who would not want his or her iPad to be accessorised? Well, all users would want to decorate their iPad. With the ability to carry a mini laptop around, for sure the business prospects for this product looks bright. In long run, this product can be used as most portable laptop with technology at user’s wish. Initially, it is expected that the low priced model will do more sales however in long run the model with 3G connections will also find its market at large. If this product actually turns out to be better than laptops then there should be no looking back for the manufacturers.

People have mixed reactions about iPad. Some people say that this does not have a camera. For these people Apple has got an answer ready stating that there is a camera connection which can be used as an accessory as per the need. This connection can import and export pictures and videos in easy manner. Looking at the product and its accessories together, it seems that it will definitely do long term business. If the question is whether iPad will be a successful alternative for desktop or laptop? Well, the answer is, it purely depends on the consumer’s individual needs and requirements. No doubt that iPad will come with almost everything a desktop has got. In fact, it might have some features which are not in desktop. Still, the critics for this product are not sure whether to support it fully or not. This product gives the facility to users to create amazingly beautiful and useful presentations, spreadsheets, documents etc. One should also not forget that this is much more handy than any desktop and laptop.

The excitement is on and people are waiting for the launch with their breath on hold. This product for sure has got a long way to go. With excellent technology and apps in this device, it will surely win hearts of all its users.

The iPhone is one of the most successful phones in recent history. The ability to integrate numerous features makes the phone desirable, the image, design and styling make it more so. The fact its a must have accessory for a large majority of the population speaks volumes about the success Apple have had since the release.

One of the reasons the apple iPhone is so successful is because it brings all types of new digital media to the table. In fact some would say its responsible for a large part of the development of new media. For instance, Would sites like Facebook and Twitter be so popular if they weren’t accessible on your mobile phone?

Harnessing this new media is a challenge for all companies wanting involvement in the iPhone revolution, making an add-on that actually improves the features of an iPhone is somewhat difficult. Apps can be created relatively easily depending on the subject and performance targets, and of-course the skill of the development team behind it. However the devices that physically connect to the iPhone face entirely different obstacles. A good example was the power chance from 12v to 9v and 5v charging.

One of the problems when trying to integrate the iPhone with external hardware (None computers) is that the software on the phone is complex, computers can obviously install compatible software to integrate well, however when trying to integrate into something more simple in design i.e a car stereo more problems are encountered. Software is obviously not available to install on car stereos so certain features on the iPhone are not transferable.

The major problem when connecting an iPhone to a device without software is that the iPhone locks out and goes into flight mode. In the case of iPhone car kits, If you wanted to control the iPhone through the stereo or steering wheel controls the kit will lockout the iPhone, basically turning it into an iPod. Which isn’t a problem when navigating through your music collection, however you will not be able to make or receive calls or texts.

Dension have created a new iPhone car kit which allows the connection of the iPhone without it going into flight mode, you control the iPhone’s music from the phone its self so you still have full phone features combined with the music integration into your car. The iPhone is charged while connected and the stereo retains all of its usual controls, I.e volume controls.

The Gateway Lite is the next generation of iPhone car kits specifically designed for such purpose, have you mobile jukebox in full operation in your car and you phone if required. The Gateway lite is not a phone kit and does not offer any handsfree functions, but is the best solution for integrating your iPhone into your vehicle.

The basic idea is that there are over 100 new user features, but 7 major ‘tentpoles’ that have been discussed in depth. These will also be the main noticeable things that you’d first come across when you first start to use OS 4. These 7 items were (I might have the titles slightly wrong): Multitasking, Folders, Mail Improvements, iBooks, Game Centre, Enterprise and iAd. Some obvious, some less so, I’ll look at some of the features in each of these categories below.

Multitasking
After switching over to the iPhone from Windows Mobile the main thing that I found difficult was the lack of Multitasking. On WinMo, I’d been using CorePlayer for music and MSN application for IM. Both of these aren’t on the device by default but can be run in the background. On the iPhone, last.fm can’t be run in the background, which shocked me. The main benefit I see from this is that you’re not tied to any of apple’s default apps as you’ll now be able to keep 3rd party ones running… hopefully. Then of course there’s all the usefulness of having the ability to run applications x and y in the background, you will find your own uses for it.

Folders
For people who may have jailbroken their iDevices, folders won’t be new but the news that Apple is supporting them is great news. Hold your finger to make icons jiggle then drag one App over another to make a folder automatically, sounds so… simple.

Mail improvement
Being able to open attachments seems like a logical thing for an email client to do, so here it is. The feature I’m most excited about though is the ‘Unified Inbox’, one inbox for all your accounts. None of this tap in, in, in, out, out, out, in… and so on.

iBooks
Great I’m sure, if you’re into that sort of stuff good for you, on a screen that size, I’ll stick to the non-i varient, but if it’s your thing.

Enterprise Features
Again, if you’re a business and have been after these new features that’s great for you, but for the average user including me, this one just doesn’t excite me.

Game Centre
AKA Xbox LIVE I suppose. This ‘Social Game Networking’ is promised to offer Inviting Friends, Matchmaking, Leaderboards and Achievements. I’m sure you know what these are, it worked for Microsoft. This is Apple, I’m sure it’ll be great.

iAd
This is mobile advertising, despite it not really being a service an end user would use like Game Centre or Multitasking, it actually seems quite innovative. At first I was worried Apple simply wanted more money and were going to paste adverts over my beautifully serene lock screen, but I got it all wrong.

The basic idea is that Apple wants to change the type of adverts it’s users see and interact with. Currently these adverts are in free games, so that developers can still make money even though they don’t charge for the actual application. But as you may realise, if you’ve ever clicked one, you’ll be taken out your game to visit a website or play a video, which ruins the gamin experience, so few people actually click the ads.

iAd appears to be a built in advertising engine, that allows adverts to be run almost as mini applications over the application you’re currently running to give you a seamless transition into the advert and then back to the application you were running to start with. As I said earlier it’s not a user feature, nobody will be saying: Oh have you tried iAd, it’s fantastic (well developers might). I’s the most visible underlying feature I’ve seen, if there must be adverts, it seems like a great way of going about it. If it keeps Apps free, you can’t complain.

If you’ve been counting, you’ll realise that’s the 7th big feature so that’s it. Developers can apparently get it now. Though I’m sure that if you’re a developer, you’ll already know about it so won’t be reading this.

RESTRICTIONS – When I thought the news was about over, one major slide was posted that drew my attention. Despite my recent post, I definitely did buy my iPhone 2G at the wrong time.
Only the 3GS and 3rd gen iPod Touch devices will get the full features of OS 4, 3G and 2nd gen will be able to run someof the features but not all ‘like multitasking’. I can understand why multitasking would be the first feature to pull on older devices. The processor would work harder so the battery life would decrease, but I’m all up for losing some battery life for the sake of multitasking. After all, I would probably leave the feature off 90% of the time and only use it for specific applications like Last.fm.

OS 4 will be arriving on the iPad this Autumn… or Fall if you’re that way inclined. That’s it, they’ve done the presentation and finished the Q&A session. It’s lunch time over there! I was just thinking about finding something good on TV.