Got Blue Balls?
Are you experiencing antenna-related reception issues on your new iPhone 4, but have not found the perfect case? No problem. I think I may have found a case that all iPhone 4 users can be proud of. Are you ready?
I stumbled on the PhoneBalls case. The silicon-based case will protect your precious phone from the daily grind and resolve the antenna issues. The nut sacks are available in blue balls or peach fuzz colors.
Jailbreaking Is Legal
If you did not already know, the Copyright Office has ruled that bypassing a manufacturer's protection mechanism DOES NOT violate federal copyright laws. What does the ruling mean to iPhone and Android users? It means that jailbreaking or rooting your phones is legal!
Unlocking phones and ripping DVDs for 'educational' purposes are legal too. Oh, before you run off to jailbreak or root your device, keep in mind that it might void the warranty. Read the statement from Apple below:
"As we've said before, the vast majority of customers do not jailbreak their iPhones as this can violate the warranty and can cause the iPhone to become unstable and not work reliably"
White iPhone 4 Delayed
During the iPhone 4 Press Conference, Jobs announced that the White iPhone 4 would be available by the end of July. Well, it appears plans have changed. Read the statement from Apple below. The availability date is unknown at this time.
White models of Apple’s new iPhone® 4 have continued to be more challenging to manufacture than we originally expected, and as a result they will not be available until later this year. The availability of the more popular iPhone 4 black models is not affected.
iPhone on T-Mobile
It is rumored that the Jesus Phone aka iPhone is coming to T-Mobile in Q3. Can you believe it? I almost fell out of my chair when I read the news. Apple's exclusive contract with AT&T is FINALLY coming to an end, so Apple is apparently shopping for other carriers.
The move to T-Mobile makes sense, because both AT&T and T-Mobile use similar networks based on GSM technology. Offering the iPhone to Verizon is possible too, but it will require some re-tooling (chip) to support its CDMA-based network.
I have no preference. I am just happy that AT&T is getting kicked to the curb. Plus, iPhone users will have a choice of carriers versus being forced to sign with one carrier. Let's keep an eye on this one!
Oh Yes They Did
I was going to publish another post, but decided to kick the iPhone antenna fiasco in the nuts one more time. If you did not know, Apple claims that all smartphones have the same signal loss (antenna) issues as the iPhone. Well, RIM and Nokia disagree. Double biatch slap!
RIM (Research In Motion):
"Apple's attempt to draw RIM into Apple's self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple's claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public's understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple's difficult situation. RIM is a global leader in antenna design and has been successfully designing industry-leading wireless data products with efficient and effective radio performance for over 20 years. During that time, RIM has avoided designs like the one Apple used in the iPhone 4 and instead has used innovative designs which reduce the risk for dropped calls, especially in areas of lower coverage. One thing is for certain, RIM's customers don't need to use a case for their BlackBerry smartphone to maintain proper connectivity. Apple clearly made certain design decisions and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple."
Nokia:
"Antenna design is a complex subject and has been a core competence at Nokia for decades, across hundreds of phone models. Nokia was the pioneer in internal antennas; the Nokia 8810, launched in 1998, was the first commercial phone with this feature.
Nokia has invested thousands of man hours in studying human behavior, including how people hold their phones for calls, music playing, web browsing and so on. As you would expect from a company focused on connecting people, we prioritize antenna performance over physical design if they are ever in conflict.
In general, antenna performance of a mobile device/phone may be affected with a tight grip, depending on how the device is held. That's why Nokia designs our phones to ensure acceptable performance in all real life cases, for example when the phone is held in either hand. Nokia has invested thousands of man hours in studying how people hold their phones and allows for this in designs, for example by having antennas both at the top and bottom of the phone and by careful selection of materials and their use in the mechanical design."
Free iBumpers
The iPhone 4 Press Conference is history. Apple's resolution to the iPhone 4 antenna issue is free cases. Whatever it takes to make the whiners go away, right Steve? If you missed the press conference, you can watch it at your leisure.
Now that Apple has addressed the problem, can we move on to some real news? I am tired of reading about this shit. Oh, on an unrelated note the White iPhone 4 will be available in "limited quantities" at the end of the month.
iAntenna Fix
Apple is holding an iPhone 4 press conference tomorrow. I am not sure what is up, because I am out of the loop. If it is regarding the iPhone antenna issues, I have a fix. Duct tape! No unsightly bumper, no costly recall, and it is available in over 20 colors and patterns.
Windows Phone 7 Tools Beta
Hot off the press, literally. Microsoft has released a couple betas of their Windows Phone 7 Tools. Specifically, Microsoft has released the Windows Phone Developer Training Kit - Beta Refresh, Windows Phone Developer Tools Beta, and a couple of FREE virtual classes. Nice!
- July 20, 8:00am - Getting Started with Microsoft Windows Phone and Silverlight
- July 20, 1:00pm - Programming Game Applications with XNA
- July 22, 8:00am - Programming Applications with Silverlight
- July 22, 1:00pm - Review and Wrap Up
App Inventor Beta
Last December, I learned of Google's Android App Inventor visual programming tool. At the time it was in an alpha state and available to only academic organizations. Well the wait is over, because the tool is out of alpha and "almost" ready for the masses.
The first app I am going to "develop" is appropriately named, "Google Biatch Slaps Apple". I will flush out the details in the coming days while I wait to hear back from Google regarding my application. Come' on guys and gals; spread the Android App Inventor love.
Fanboy Day!
Yup, today is 'THE' day. No need to go into details, just check out the image below. I had a chance to check out the iPhone 4 and it is alright. Nothing revolutionary. Back in 2007, the iPhone was the hottest thing since slice bread.
Today, the iPhone is just another phone. The iPhone 4 is not the most advanced phone by any means and lacks in several areas. No big deal. I think the frenzy is more about the 'cult' Apple has created versus a true demand for their hardware. Pre-order iPhone 5 NOW, ha!
