Archive for Apple
Review: iPhone 4
Posted by: | CommentsAfter close to a month of waiting, my new iPhone 4 arrived last Friday courtesy of TNT.
I was kind of glad that it turned up on Friday as it gave me something to do on Friday night. So with the phone at home I backed up my iPhone 3G and then proceeded to wipe it and then gave it to Jade once it had been restored to factory settings (one happy Barbie Doll). Everything worked with no issues once she plugged in her SIM and she was away loading it up with what I call “Doof Doof Barbie” music 
The new phone on the other hand was a different story; the iPhone4 uses a micro-sim, not a full size one, so I would have to wait till tomorrow morning to head to a Vodafone store and get a new SIM accordingly.
The next day I was feeling a bit disappointed that the phone wasn’t already up and running but looking forward to what should be a simple process at Vodafone as the transferred my number to a new SIM.
After arriving at Cairns Central (the closest Vodafone store), we stood in line for about 5 minutes and then the guy behind the counter mentioned that there were a steady stream of people coming in looking for micro-sim’s, and not just for iPhones. After about another 10 minutes, the new micro-sim was installed and the phone working.
By this time, Matt was getting hungry so we went and had a sandwich in the food court and I started playing around with the phone.
Retina Display:
Asides from the slightly thinner (20%) form factor of the phone, this is probably one of the biggest things about it. The display is at a higher resolution and it shows hen you place it alongside a 3G or 3GS. Every thing is so much crisper and easier to read. Reading text on a phone was never this easy and it’s definitely a major improvement and something that is best seen with a 3GS or iPod Touch beside the iPhone 4 to appreciate.
iPhone4 screen shot
Face Time:
Although I do not know anyone else with an iPhone 4 yet, this has a lot of appeal, although this is restricted to Wi-Fi connections, mobile video conferencing is here and this is something that I’m keen to try out if I can find someone with an iPhone 4 to test it with
Folders:
This was one of the main items in the release of the iOS 4; folders allow you to group your apps together so that you do not have some 5+ pages of apps (and that is conservative with some people). This was a God send to me as I think I had 5 or 6 pages before it was released. Folders are supported on the iPhone 3G and 3GS as well.
A4 Processor:
Another move forward with this model of the iPhone is the new Apple A4 processor. The processor is nice an fast with a noticeable improvement in speed over the iPhone 3G processor whereas the hanging that I experienced with the 3G is no longer an issue. The phone is fast and very responsive to say the least.
16Gb base size for iPhone 4:
This is something that I am glad that Apple realised, the 3G at 8Gb while large quickly approaches capacity once you load your music, apps and photos onto it. Even with all my “stuff” on it, I’ve still got 10Gb free for using the HD video camera module.
HD Video Camera:
This is one of the Major reasons that I purchased the phone, the ability to record HD video is a big one for me. Several times while out fishing, I’ve wanted to record the scenery and the new iPhone provides this facility for me. I’ve done some testing but will give it a good run in the boat over the coming days which I am really looking forward to. Also looking forward to looking at a bracket for the 4WD as well so as we can record some of our trip segments.
Choice of provider:
Buying direct from Apple also afforded me the ability to change providers as and when I choose to do so. Although it greatly increased my outlay, I am no longer locked into any one provider and I can take the phone to any that I wish or choose to do. Up here in Far North Queensland, Telstra is pretty much the only provider once you get past Port Douglas, and even then on Vodafone you will lose reception a couple of times on the Bruce Highway. As Matt and I intend doing some trips to Bathurst Bay, Lakefield National Park and the tip of Cape York in 2015, being able to communicate in an emergency or if you break down is essential. Coupled with our UHF radio and Telstra we should be as prepared in that regard as we can possibly be.
Overall I’m happy with it and I have not been able to replicate the reception issues that have apparently plagued the iPhone 4 since it’s release despite how much I try. Still, I’m not complaining at the free case that is on offer as a result either way.
New iPhone on the way
Posted by: | CommentsA few weeks ago I ordered the new iPhone 4 online. My main reasons for this are that firstly, the new iOS releases are causing my 3G iPhone to slow down to a crawl with some apps, and secondly, I love the idea of the HD video capability in the new phone.
Apple iPhone 4
Secondly, although I have had no trouble with my current Vodafone contract, it is up at the end of next month and the coverage here in North Queensland is a bit flaky. You can lose coverage about 3 times just driving from the Northern Beaches of Cairns to Port Douglas, and that’s only about a 40 minute drive away. Sadly, Telstra is the only way to go with regards to coverage up here, but to my surprise based on my current plan; I can actually save about $20 per month with Telstra. By buying the phone direct from Apple I am not held down by any contracts and I can move from carrier to carrier if I want with no penalty.
I received an email from Apple yesterday advising that the phone had been shipped and a link to TNT’s tracking site so I could keep an eye on it’s location.
Despite me spending a lot of money on the phone to buy it outright, I like the idea of not being locked into one carrier if I don’t want to be. The 3G has been a faithful companion handling everything that I’ve thrown at it and I’m excited to be getting the new phone, possibly by the end of the week if the shipping gods are kind to me
What a week
Posted by: | CommentsWell with the week just gone it has been a roller coaster one to say the least.
I finally managed to pick up Matt’s cold after some 4 odd weeks of miraculously avoiding it; work has probably been the most inefficient I have been in months, mainly due to feeling like death warmed up for two to three days. On top of that Matt’s behavior hasn’t been the best at school and I had to go to a meeting with his teacher about that.
By Thursday, I was feeling a lot better and with the help of Codral day and night tablets; I was a bit closer to human again but still a bit lethargic so the week on that front wasn’t fun by any means.
With Karumba coming up in the next fortnight I was fearful of a dose of Bronchitis which I normally get with any flu once I get rid of it, but so far so good.
I had to put the Mac into Apple to have it fixed due to a crack in the chassis so have been using Windows for close to a week now and should get the Mac back on Tuesday thanks to a public holiday on Monday this coming week. Windows is seriously doing my head in and I can’t wait to get the Mac back again. To Apple’s credit though, I had the laptop put in on Monday last week and it was fixed ready to be picked up from the Chermside Apple Store in Brisbane by Wednesday; can’t complain about that and10/10 Apple for customer service!!
With this Monday being a public holiday, I decided to take Matt on a last 4WD trip before I leave him for close to a week to go fishing with my Dad in Karumba some 10 hours away for 7 days; it’s gonna hurt the little guy but I intend to to get a pre-paid Telstra USB dongle so I can Skype the little monkey and send him some photos from Karumba each night and chat for a while before he goes to bed. Once we get back we’ll go for a few trips as well as he will be on the second week of his holidays much the same as me so it won’t be too bad and I’m sure that he will be spoiled rotten to go with it
Speaking of Karumba; it’s peak Grunter season when we are there and there will be tons of “Grey Nomads” there as well, but this time (unlike last time) I have the benefit of experience with fishing the Gulf and even just looking back of the North Australian Fish Finder book in the Karumba section, I see so much more this time round than I did last time. I’m seriously excited this time and can feel that we will come home with some nice fish and great photos to go with it!
Ah well, best think about getting some sleep soon as it’s an 8:00am departure tomorrow morning to Cooktown via the Bloomfield Track. Lunch at the Lions Den Hotel and then to Cooktown to Grassy Hill with Matt and get some more photos on what is supposed to be a beautiful clear sunny Far North Queensland day. I Filled up the Ranger with Diesel today and reset the trip meter, so it will be interesting to see what mileage we get this time round for the trip.
