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iPhone Review: Forget The Phoney Talk

GeekSugar — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:00:28 -0700

Yes, we attended the iPhone launch at the Apple Store in downtown San Francisco and a neighboring AT&T store. No, we did not buy one on launch day. At the time, waiting for the crowd to die down seemed like a good idea (two days spent interviewing the people in line turned out to be a real energy blaster). A few days later, I succumbed and joined the 40 percent of you that said you would be buying the iPhone this year and ordered it from the nearby AT&T store. While I half expected it to make my dinner and wash my hair, I am honestly more impressed with it than I am disappointed. Here is part one of a series of reviews I will be doing on the gadget of the moment.

Touchscreen: The rave reviews about the iPhone's multi-touch screen are all true. As soon as I began navigating my way around the menu and web browser, my finger effortlessly tapped its way through the screens. With two fingers I could shrink and expand web pages, as well as move the page around with one finger to zoom in on a particular spot. Even typing letters for messages and pressing numbers on the dial pad turned out to be easy.

Browser Speed/Edge Network: When connecting to the internet with the iPhone, I noticed that using a WiFi connection is much faster than using the EDGE network. Even when I couldn't pick up a wireless connection, using EDGE wasn't that painful - despite what all the critics say.

For the rest of the review, read more

Smudging: Either I have really greasy fingers or the iPhone's new screen is super shiny because after a few minutes of playing, the screen was covered with finger-prints and smudge marks. I'm guessing that the large 3.5-inch screen only contributes to the appearance of smudges. But then again, the screen on my BlackBerry Pearl is covered as well and I hardly touch that. My advice is to get yourself a soft screen cloth so you can keep your iPhone's screen looking brand new. My second piece of advice is to quit worrying about smudges because you won't be able to avoid them.

Blackberry Comparison: I'm a dedicated Blackberry Pearl user so I've been a little squeamish about the idea of a transition. Overall, my Pearl is much smaller and lighter than the Apple iPhone (the Pearl is 89 grams while the iPhone is a noticeably heavier 4.8 grams), but the iPhone's widescreen makes it much nicer for web browsing and watching videos, which was near impossible on the Pearl or my older 8700. In terms of loading time, the Blackberry and iPhone run on the same EDGE network and don't seem to have any obvious speed differences. The issue for me lies in the fact that the iPhone's e-mail is updated every 15 minutes, which is too infrequent for my liking. Conclusion: I like the iPhone, but that doesn't mean I'm dumping my Pearl.

iPod: When I first heard the iPhone would be controlled via a touchscreen and feature an iPod I was a bit baffled and wondered what it would be like to use an iPod without a traditional click wheel. I found there's no major difference, and the iPhone's touchscreen is so uber sensitive that it's a joy to play with the phone's iPod features. Of course, the iPhone does not have a click wheel and is controlled instead by an intuitive bar.

Complaints: I've found the iPhone's e-mail to be less than revolutionary. It does not update often enough for my "on the go" personality (it updates every 15 minutes) and I'm so used to my BlackBerry's reliability in that department that it's hard to compare. Of course, I'll have to use it for a few weeks to really get the hang of it.

How is your iPhone relationship working out? Share your reviews, tips and observations in the Geeky Things I Love group. To learn how to share, see list below.

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Geeky Things I Love
Click "Create and Share!" on the left hand side
Choose "Blog"
Give your photo a Title
Leave the category as "general"
Change the channel to "technology and gadgets"
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this post was "museum, Lego")
Click on the "Add Image" link below the "body" box
A popup window will happen - click on "Browse" to find your image on your computer
Once you have the image chosen, click "Submit"
The popup will show you your image, choose size: "normal" - if you want, you can give it a title (which will show up as a caption)
Click "Insert" and the popup will go away
Your "body" box will now have some text in it. Leave it as is. If you want to add some text before the picture telling me why you love the download, do it before the code that has appeared.
Click Submit

So join the Geeky Things I Love and start sharing your observations. They might end up on the geeksugar homepage.

A Whole New World: My Fave Things About the iPhone 3.0 OS

GeekSugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:56:05 -0700

Since downloading the iPhone's new 3.0 OS, I've had a chance to try out pretty much everything and decide what I love and what I like (so far, nothing to hate).

I will say this: the copious changes are like having a whole new iPhone - I definitely felt like I had a new device, the experience is so different. What do I like the most? To see my favorites, just read more.

Spotlight: I have to say, Spotlight is definitely my favorite thing to have on the iPhone, as simple as it is. It's probably because I keep swiping my main screen to the right and accidentally going into the search, so that does take some getting used to. I'm still impressed, though, that Spotlight searches everything: apps, contacts, songs, and video. I like it best for apps since I've downloaded so many and they're not organized in any fashion at all.
Email Search: Sense a trend? I'm a simple girl. Having gotten used to Google and Gmail, I simply need to be able to search efficiently and get extremely frustrated when I can't. But the new search changes all that - before, if you wanted to use Gmail's great search function, you had to sign in to your account from Safari, which was such a hassle, I just wouldn't use search unless it was an emergency. Now that the mail app has search, I can finally hunt for stuff in my mail without going anywhere. But beware: this is not Gmail search. You can't search your chat records like you can in Gmail, but you do have access to your entire inbox. And it's pretty freakin' fast.
Find My iPhone: The one feature I hope I never have to use! Since I have MobileMe, I get to use Find My iPhone and tested out pushing a message on my phone. Take that, would-be thieves!
MMS: Not having the multimedia messaging functionality was the one thing that drove me nuts. It wasn't even that I loved being able to receive MMS, but getting a message saying I had one and could check it only online with some crazy username and password just meant that I never ever saw those videos or photos. I'm still looking forward to it though - soon, please, AT&T?
Copy/Paste: Sure, I'm psyched to get copy/paste, but it's not an everyday feature that I need like search. But still, knowing I can cut, copy, and paste is certainly comforting.

Of course, there are a ton more new features - an improved camera, Voice Memos, a landscape keyboard, but the above features have already made a big difference for me. What's your favorite thing about OS 3.0?

Protect Your iPhone With Elan Snap-In From Griffin

GeekSugar — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:00:30 -0700

The release of a new device like the Apple iPhone means a whole new market of cases, protectors, sleeves and of course cell phone bling. Because of the iPhone's touch screen, the cases for the device have a unique challenge - protect the screen, but allow the user easy access to the device's functions. While there will inevitably be a small army of cases released in the near future, I have picked through the "first season" in an attempt to find the best case for my own iPhone. One of my favorites, is this Elan Snap-In from Griffin.

It's $24.99, a very small price to pay after springing for the $499+ iPhone, and protects the phone while allowing you to make calls, use the browser or listen to music. I'm pretty opposed to keeping my cell phone on my belt (really, who besides Courteney Cox or your office copy guy does that?), but the case also includes a small clip that swivels 180-degrees on your belt or bag strap.

To read the rest of my review and check out additional images of the Elan Snap-In case from Griffin, read more

For months, geeks have worried about whether scratching the iPhone's screen is unavoidable, to which I say, "yes, it is." The great thing about this cover is that you can use it as a clip/cover while the iPhone is in use and then you can flip the phone around so that the touchscreen faces inward and is protected by the lining of the case. Also, it covers the iPhone’s ambient light sensor, causing the display to darken and saving valuable battery power. If you are organized (i.e capable of turning your phone around in the case when it's not in use) and seeking a light, but sturdy leather case, this one is for you.

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iPhone Gripe: Headphone Issues

GeekSugar — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:00:09 -0700

My first complaint about the otherwise luxurious Ableplanet Noise Canceling Headphones I reviewed this week was the fact that they don't work with my new iPhone. Why? The iPhone has a recessed headphone port and requires an adapter. Sure, the iPhone ships with a regular white Apple iPhone Stereo Headset, but what if you want to take it up a notch and use a more comfortable and sound-focused set? You are in trouble. If you plan on using a third party set you'll have to buy an adapter like this one from Belkin, $10, which lets you plug in to the recessed port. Of course, that means you have to plug one end of the adapter into the audio jack of your iPhone and the other to your existing headset. A tad clunky, no?

Bodyguardz: No Kevin Costner, But It's Working

GeekSugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 10:00:20 -0700

The clear skin protecting my iPhone's screen and body has long worn off, so I was excited to test out BodyGuardz's clear film for the iPhone. The company is known for its film that's specially made to fit all types of gadgetry - from media players, PDAs, phones to cameras - and I read the protectors are made from the same material that is used to protect the front of automobiles from stones and other abrasive elements, so I figured it was legit enough to test out on my own iPhone.

The BodyGuardz was easy to apply: You just clean your device, spray the application solution on your hands and the film and carefully cover your device. It's a clear skin, so all you really have to worry about is creating bubbles in the plastic, and even those can be pushed out with a credit card or the kit's included "Scueegee."

Did it work? read more

Overall, I'm pleased I put the BodyGuardz on my iPhone - it was getting terribly scratched without it. I can't really complain or rave about it because once the bubbles settled (you can see a few in my pictures, which were taken right after my application) it just looks like a clear film and isn't exactly a flashy, noticeable case. I appreciate how firmly the skin is cemented on the device, but am a little bummed about how I applied the corners around the phone's buttons and corners. Had I pushed out the kinks in the beginning, the edges would probably be cleaner. After spending $600 on the device, the BodyGuardz is certainly worth $24.95, even if it only lasts a few months. Like any good body guard, you can't really tell it's there until you need it, which I suppose is a really great thing.

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How to Shop For a New Cell Phone

GeekSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:13:00 -0700

I was pretty set on buying a new iPhone 3GS as soon as I could, but that doesn't mean I'm unfamiliar with the anxieties of choosing a phone. Remember when you had maybe three phone options to choose from? My first phone was a clunky Nokia with a changeable faceplate - my toughest decision was figuring out which color to choose! Obviously, your phone choices could be limited by your wireless carrier and contract obligations.

An article in the New York Times this week gives great cell phone purchasing advice. (Hint: their advice is to do the exact opposite of what my less-than-tech-savvy mom did last week: purchase a phone online sight-unseen because it was pink.)

To read a quick summary of their recommendations, read more.

Compare phones, plans, and companies online. Go beyond provider websites - try a site like GotReception to check coverage in your area and LetsTalk to enter your phone preferences and narrow your selection. The article also recommends visiting a review site like Cnet to check out reviews of any phone you choose.
Come up with a list of two or three models you're interested in and go check them out in person. The article suggests checking both big-box stores like Best Buy and individual carrier stores for best results. Take each phone for a trial run in the store. Do you like the keyboard? Is photo quality important?
After deciding which phone is for you, purchase it online. That way, you'll be able to compare a few different sites' prices and rebates.

Daily Tech: All the Pros and Cons of the PSPgo

GeekSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:02:25 -0700

Check out a full hands-on review of the PSPgo, which hits shelves on Oct. 1 - Gizmodo
Here's how you can get the most out of your phone's camera - Lifehacker
If you're a Palm Pre owner, don't expect to be syncing your iTunes library with your phone anytime soon - The New York Times
Halo 3: Oribital Drop Shock Trooper gets taken for a test drive - Green Pixels
Brits will now have the choice of getting an iPhone with O2 or Orange, which will start selling the iPhone later this year - MobileCrunch
It's giveaway and game time on GeekSugar! Be sure to log in and play our Best Video Game Ever bracket! - GeekSugar

New Case Offers Complete iPhone Coverage

GeekSugar — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 08:00:42 -0700

A close cousin to the new Elan Snap-In iPhone case, the Elan Holster from Griffin offers all around protection for your iPhone. Instead of having to turn your device around in the case when you aren't using it (like you do with the Snap-In), the Holster serves as a full body suit for your iPhone.

The phone can easily be pulled out, but you can transport it or keep it in your purse or pocket without wondering if it's turned itself on or automatically dialed your mother in law.

The case also has a nifty removable clip, which threatens to ruin your street cred if you attach it to your belt buckle, but can serve as a perfectly chic option for clipping the device inside your bag or laptop carrier. It's made of an embossed black leather shell with a no-scratch lining and costs $29.99.

To check additional images of the case, read more

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GeekSugar Explores Macworld and the iPhone

GeekSugar — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 17:55:05 -0800

Apple Addicts Attack! Well not really, but plenty of Mac groupies did all gather at this week’s conference here in San Francisco. Macworld is a whole little world in itself, with tons of new flashy goodies and software for everything Apple. Of course, Steve Jobs' announcement about the new iPhone was a crowd pleaser - and there were plenty of geeky girls on hand that were willing to share their thoughts on the hot new gadget.

So, who needs an iPhone?

Last but Not Least: Yelp For the BlackBerry

GeekSugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:50:14 -0700

I don't know if Yelp is very popular in your neck of the woods, but here in San Francisco, it's one of those sites that everyone uses. Whether you're trying to find the address of a restaurant or are looking for a decent dry cleaner near your office, Yelp delivers the goods and then some.

Being both an iPhone and BlackBerry girl, I usually do all of my yelping from my iPhone, but good news today, folks: Yelp has just launched a BlackBerry Yelp app. The app will let you search for nearby businesses, read reviews, and access a moveable map that is surprisingly powered by Bing and not Google.

You can download the app from here.