IPhone | Castellini on Computers - Computer help for beginners

Posts Tagged: iPhone

Riding Shotgun with Rick — No Comments
9
Jun 08

Are Macintosh computers poised to make a run?

iPhone 3G JUNE 2008 UPDATE:

I wrote the article below two years ago, ran across it tonight and wanted to write an update to it. At the time I wrote it, I think the now famous Apple and PC guy commercials had just started ramping up and the ominous steps towards Windows Vista were getting closer. My words probably weren’t unique at the time, and I don’t claim to be a sage, but it is astonishing how much the market has really changed since 2006. Linux continues to make a bigger splash world wide, and I continue to install it on more computers here in Western Colorado. Apple’s sales and stock price are literally going through the roof. My Macintosh service calls (mostly for ordering and training…rarely for troubleshooting) continue to escalate as well. Almost 18 months into Windows Vista, I see the machines on only about 10% of my appointment mostly because no one is buying them.

Today, Apple announced their new iPhone version 2.0 will be released in July. Three to four years ago, Microsoft was starting to increase market share of their mobile operating system with their mobile Windows in the smartphone arena. Palm and Blackberry used to dominate that market, but Microsoft was predicted to dominate. Then in June 2007, Apple released the iPhone to extremely positive reviews and cell phone consumers who couldn’t get their hands on one fast enough.

Since then, all other smartphone operating systems have take a hit and iPhone users, largely, couldn’t be happier. I personally have 5-6 clients who are pretty picky phone users and have owned literally dozens of phones over the years, but say they wouldn’t trade their iPhone for anything at the moment. The new iPhone 3G (faster cell speeds) announced today improves on every facet of an already excellent product. The new iPhone 3G will be cheaper, faster, slightly smaller, have a longer battery and talk-time life, offer GPS navigation and incorporate a brand new platform that will allow developers to invent new ways to use this already versatile tool.

What are your thoughts on my older story below and this new story you just read? Also, what do you think of the new iPhone 3G…hype or substance? Leave me a comment below!!

Story below originally posted on 2006-05-09 16:40:45 -0600

I helped a customer configure a new Macintosh laptop today. This was the third time in a month that I did that. And if I think back over the past year, my Macintosh calls for both help and learning how to buy a new one have escalated by at least double. Is Western Colorado indicative of a bigger national trend?

Maybe so. Macintosh computers are hands down the prettiest machines in the market today. Apple takes great strides to engineer the look and feel of the Mac to make it not only pleasing to the eye, but pleasing to the rest of your house. Certainly a pretty machine does not make the Mac worthy of consideration by itself. However, Apple continues to innovate and deliver solid products to the marketplace. They are easy to adapt to (even for Windows’ faithful), safer to use on the Internet (most likely because of their small market share), and provide ease of use for the most common computer functions; email, Internet, music, pictures and video.

The fact that their prices have steadily decreased doesn’t hurt either. The laptop I helped configure today was their ultra-portable iBook with a 12.1 wide screen with 1 GB of RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, wireless, CD/DVD Burner and more for under $1400.

Last month, Apple announced that a program (Boot Camp) is available for owners of the new Intel Mac computers that allows them to install and run Windows XP side-by-side with the Mac operating system. Only geeks really raised an eyebrow at this, but the more I think about it, the more I think that some huge changes may be in store in the computer market in the upcoming year to eighteen months.

Yelp – Real world reviews

On my most recent travels, I discovered yet another great travel web site that I will be using every time I travel. The site’s name is Yelp. Yelp bills themselves as a site of Real People. Real Reviews. Yelp reviewers review everything from restaurants to schools to religious organizations. As their slogan describes, anyone can write a review about any service. I think the service works so well because it works like the feedback on eBay. Everyone has an opinion about everything, but after reading a dozen or so reviews for whatever topic (I used it for finding good restaurants) you can easily titrate the advice into something usable for you.

I found the reviews to be extremely helpful and fun to read. And acting on the advice that I found most helpful, the resulting restaurants and fare they served were excellent. Another added bonus if you travel with a phone that can access the Internet like the Treo, Blackberry, iPhone, etc, you can access Yelp with your phone at mobile.yelp.com.

Internet Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 2 Comments
4
Apr 08

2 fantastic alternatives to Mapquest maps

Mapquest.com used to be synonymous with online maps. They offered online maps when few others did and did a good job. Unfortunately, Mapquest hasn’t changed much since the late 90’s except get more and more advertisements hovering around their slow and out-dated system. Their innovation and improvements seemed to stop around the same time AOL bought them.

For faster, easier, and better online mapping, I like two products; Google Maps and Microsoft’s Live Search Maps.

First and foremost is Google Maps. Like all of Google’s services, they designed their Maps product for speed and accuracy. The system is extremely intuitive and easy on the eyes and lightning fast. Customizing a map and searching for nearby businesses with Google Maps takes very little effort. You can also get online traffic for some cities, sattelite maps, and special hybrid maps that combine street maps with satellite maps. In addition to their awesome desktop product, many of today’s cell phones (and all smart phones like Blackberry, iPhone and Treo) can access the power of Google Maps on the road from anywhere you have a cell signal. If you haven’t tried Google Maps, I highly suggest you start.

I don’t use it as often, but Microsoft has a product called Live Search Maps. While not as fast as Google’s map system, the maps are clear, uncluttered and also highly customizable. One downside is that some of their features are crippled in any other browser except Internet Explorer. However, I would use Live Search Maps before using Mapquest if Google Maps weren’t accessible.

Give these two online mapping giants a try, and I think you will quickly forget all about Mapquest and wonder why you didn’t leave them sooner!

Riding Shotgun with Rick — 7 Comments
25
Oct 07

10 Phrases that we never thought we would utter

I know I’m missing some awfully good phrases, but I wanted to write some of them down. Leave a comment and tell me some other strange, modern tech phrases that would be so out of place 15 years ago and before.

“How much RAM do you have in the PC?”
“Send me a text message on your cell.”
“Do you have an optical or laser mouse?”
“Does this hotel have free wi-fi?”
“I need to defrag my hard drive after I run the disk cleanup.”
“Did you google your that?”
“I shopped on eBay, Craig’s List, Amazon, Newegg, and ecost and still can’t find it.”
“If you don’t have an optical or laser mouse, you have to clean your mouse’s ball so it runs smoothly.”
“Should I buy an 8 megapixel or 10 megapixel camera?”
“Which smart phone is the best, the Treo, iPhone, Razr, or Blackberry?”

These are 10 that I came up with, but I would love to hear tech phrases that you come up with that would have sounded ludicrous in the 20th century…so leave a comment!

Riding Shotgun with Adam — 10 Comments
29
Sep 07

Now I remember what I don’t like about Apple and Macs

Apple products are beautiful and functional. Many people brag about their iPod or Mac’s stability, but there is a good reason that Macs are so stable. Apple is very restrictive as to what others are allowed to do with their systems.

For example, if you have a iPod, you can only use iTunes if you want to sync music to it. If you have another brand of media player, it will not work with iTunes.

Most standard hardware such as keyboards, mice and printers are compatable with both Macs and PCs, but when it comes to software, Apple has some very strict standards that developers must meet and money must exchange hands to apply for Apple approval.

This week, Apple pulled the biggest “Apple move” of all, they released an update that rendered $500 iPhones unusable because people had changed the devices to run on cell networks other than those approved by Apple.

The iPhone was designed to run on AT&T here in the States and it could only run software that had been approved by Apple. Resourceful hackers found a way around these restrictions and released a few small software patches for free that would allow users to customize their iPhones more and run them on whatever cell network they were currently subscribed to.

Apple could have allowed the changes and sold more iPhones, but their relationship with AT&T was more valuable than the relationship with those who had paid $500 for the device.

So, they released an update to fix some functional issues with the phone and along with it, they broke the phone and voided the warranty for anyone who had installed theses unapproved patches.

Now, many iPhone users who bought the iPhone because they wanted to be one of the cool kids and conform to the hype are learning their first lesson in the drawbacks of Apple products.

Apple products are beautiful, they are easy to use, they are sexy, and they are cool, but like other cliques, they don’t like to play with anyone outside of their circle.

Even for Apple though, this is the biggest bully move they have ever made. I wouldn’t be fix is released in a few days or weeks that will restore the broken iPhones to factory standards but with updates that prevent the previous hacks from working.

This is an important business technology story to follow. If they get away with it, it could set a new precedent for other companies. If they get trampled and their reputation becomes tainted, it could mean that Apple loosens their restrictions more in future products.

Hardware Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — No Comments
7
Sep 07

iPhone Web Applications

I setup my third iPhone today. I like them (especially now that they are $200 cheaper), but I still prefer the Treo. The web experience on an iPhone is superior to any phone I’ve used to date and some useful and fun web based applications are starting to develop specifically for iPhone users. This site links up their Top 25 iPhone Web Applications.

Riding Shotgun with Rick — 2 Comments
23
Jul 07

First iPhone setup

I helped setup an iPhone for the first time today. Here is a quick summary of my findings:

Pros

Amazingly easy setup on the Windows XP machine we installed it on. No disks or CD’s ship with the iPhone at all. The only requirement is that you have the latest version of iTunes installed. The activation and installation were SIMPLE…the way all installations should be.
Nice form factor. Felt like a large candy bar and had more heft (a good thing) that I anticipated. Curved edges allow for easy pocketability and feels good in your hand.
Amazing screen clarity and color.
Web looks good and the ability to switch from portrait to landscape and zoom in and out of a page all work to make it a good experience overall.
Synchronizes bookmarks and editing bookmarks is easy on the device.
Out of the box, the phone is very responsive. Very little waiting when switching between applications.
Large screen makes it easy for folks who use reading glasses to see and use a smart device.
Sound clarity seemed good on both ends of the call. Did not try a headset with it yet.

Cons

Cut, copy, and paste not available. This is a huge omission, in my opinion.
Typing isn’t nearly as fast as on a keyboard smartphone like a Treo or Blackberry, but I have to admit that it was easier and more accurate than I anticipated.
No one should ever use a cell phone when the drive, and the iPhone will make for some awfully distracted drivers if their owners attempt to use this device while driving except for maybe answering calls.
Navigating contacts is really slow. With practice, perhaps an iPhone user can access their contacts at maybe 2-3 times that of a Treo user. Even after practicing a little, it took a full 20-30 seconds or so to look up and dial a contact and you have to use both hands. On my Treo, I can perform that feat one handed in under ten seconds.
At this time customizing the “home screen” is not possible, and that is diappointing. Adding quick web links or frequently called numbers to the home screen would vastly improve the product.
No task or To Do list application.

Although impressed at the ease of setup, the seamless synchronization to Microsoft Outlook, the nice interface and presentation, I wouldn’t trade my Treo 755p for an iPhone. If Apple through a real keyboard on it, allowed cut, copy, and paste, and enabled the highest speed wireless Internet, I would only then consider it…but definitely not jump on it.

Hardware Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — No Comments
21
Jul 07

iPhone Research

I have a friend who I’m going to help setup his new iPhone next week. He will be syncing it with Microsoft Outlook and needs tasks and memos(notes). Out of the box, the iPhone will only sync contacts and calendar information, but I’ve discovered that enterprising souls are already finding solutions to overcome this oversight:

A nice little site is starting to form called iPhone Applications which is a must have bookmark for any iPhone user.

Keep in mind that most of these sites are accessible and usable by anyone using a computer or phone with web browsing functions.

Riding Shotgun with Adam — 3 Comments
28
Jun 07

The missing iPhone disclaimer

I am throwing this into the newsletter this week. But I will post it here because I spent too much time writing it.

The Apple iPhone came out this Friday. We have taken the opportunity to write up the disclaimer that should appear on the device, but does not.

The Apple iPhone is operated by touch screen only. There are no hard buttons thus it should not be used while driving. Checking messages and dialing requires constant site of the screen as the buttons are not distinguished by touch. Dialing can only be done by keeping your eyes on the dial-pad. This prevents hitting the wrong buttons. The Apple iPhone display and touchscreen are only visible in low light. Direct sunlight prevent the screen from being viewable until you go in doors. When showing your iPhone to friends and family, make sure to wipe the screen of any face goo before letting them handle or view the device. Do not show the Apple iPhone Internet capabilities to friends or family unless you are operating it under a WiFi signal. The slow AT&T data speeds will not allow observes to be as impressed as they should be with a $500+ phone. Should the battery run down in 18 months, you can send your phone into Apple and it will be replaced within two weeks, any data on the phone should be backed up prior to sending in the phone. When showing off the great features of the iPhone, you must show the following:

1. Voice mail and text messages can be checked in any order.

2. You can drag icons around.

3. You can view YouTube videos (don't try this unless you are operating under WiFi as stated above).

4. Show them a video, some pictures and how it plays iTunes music.

Do not do the following when showing off your iPhone. Do not let any non-iPhone owner type on the onscreen keyboard. Do not mention that the Internet based features are only worth using when you are in a library, outside of an upscale appartment complex or anywhere else that you may happen across an open WiFi broadcast. Do not answer questions about coverage or how well it works as a phone. Do not get into a feature comparison with any Palm Treo owner. Should you be confronted by Treo owner simply insist that the Treo sucks and that the Treo screen is tiny and some models don't even have WiFi. If the Treo owner shows you features that are not available on the iPhone, simply say, "Sheeea! That's stupid who needs that feature? Say this even if the feature really is cool like the easy to feel and press buttons, the ability to view and listen to online video and radio (kinoma player), removable battery, expandable memory, the D-pad, The ability to beam data, the long list of thousands of third party apps, compatability with all 3G networks, the 1.3 megapixel digital camera/camcorder or that it's available on all major cell netorks for under $300.

Congratulations on selecting the new iPhone.

Riding Shotgun with Adam — No Comments
16
Jun 07

Microsoft Sideshow to compete with iPhone

This week the tech world was given a nice surprise as Microsoft and many partners announced the SideShow device. The SideShow is a PDA-like device designed to be used with a Vista PC.

While details are still vague and only prototypes have been shown, the SideShow looks like it may prevent many windows users from switching to iPhone.

The SideShow is designed to link up to a computer via Bluetooth and it can be used for chat, email, playing solitaire, media player and perhaps even web browsing and document creation.

Other than the lack of a phone and PC compatibility, the main difference between the SideShow and the iPhone is the price. SideShow is expected to cost between $80-$150. Thats over 1/4 the price of iPhone.

Hopefully the more expensive versions will feature WiFi and users can choose to carry an inexpensive Bluetooth cell phone giving them far more features and versatility than the iPhone.

Or buy a Treo and have it all now.