What Will You Use Vid Chat On The Next iPhone For?

Video-conferencing is coming to the iPlatform.  You know what else would be cool?  If you can toggle between the frontal camera and the back camera. It's a reporter's dream.  Cameramen, you're screwed!  

I am sure by now, you know that the next iPhone has a frontal camera for video conferencing.  So what does that mean for the future of visual communication?

I think most folks are still thinking about this.  We've seen in on TV in scifi but we hardly use it in real life.  Almost every I know has a webcam in their laptops, certainly on their Macbooks. And it's rare that we sit there and actually chat with anyone for a length of time. I've communicated with folks overseas.  Families mostly.  

But the iPhone offers a true mobile experience.  Can you imagine talking to a friend while you sit at a Starbucks or stroll through the mall?  Yeah, I think I'll be doing stuff like that in the beginning.

And if I'm a reporter and I see a news breaking event, I'm gonna whip out my iPhone and start reporting live on the spot.  And since this is Apple, we can pretty safely say that the video quality is going to be excellent, this can really sideline some cameramen in some instances.

What's more, suppose the iPhone allows you to toggle what the viewer(s) see on the other end.  Instead of the frontal camera, you allow the video to stream from the regular camera.  Then when you're done showing what you want, you can toggle back to your image.  Like I said, a reporter's dream.

How will you use the vid conferencing feature on your new iPhone?

People Who Quit iPhone (For Whatever Reasons) Are Making A Mistake

I will be getting an Android device soon. I already have a G1 and I am looking for an upgrade. I've yet to decide if a phone with Android 2.2 installed is my next phone or the next iPhone with iPhone 4.0 installed.

That's the point.

Now, before I go further, I just want to make somethings clear. Some Android devices, at this time and point, are excellent alternatives to the iPhone 3GS. Take the HTC Incredible for instance. I got the opportunity to play with the Nexus One over the weekend for an "extended period of time" and I think I can be happy with it. The Droid, well, not so much. So, I repeat: some Android devices are good alternatives to the iPhone and with the right one, you can't get go wrong in that direction.

However, folks are comparing Android 2.2 to iPhone 3.0 and making the switch. Hey, if they're happy with that comparison, more power to them. I know that many folks who have made this mistake end up coming back to the iPhone, sometimes, at great expense (canceling pre-existing contracts and paying for the cost of a new iPhone).

Flash. Please. In a video posted today by PocketNow, Android's browser does have Flash. Great, just as advertised. And just as advertised, Google said Android has the fastest mobile browser.

Well, that was not the case in the tests conducted by PocketNow. In fact, Nexus One is far slower than than the iPhone 3GS. I guess Steve Jobs was right all along that Flash is slow as well as a resource hog.

Now, anyone who quit the iPhone, after all these years, because of ATT aren't making much sense here either. You've spent 2-3 years on the ATT just to use the iPhone. Why give up now? You should never have been with ATT in the first place.

For anyone quitting the iPhone two years after the App Store is available because of Apple's app approval policies. Why? Again, it doesn't make sense at all. You knew Apple would create a walled garden. It's been going on and on for years and will continue to be the case.

Anyway, the main issue is folks who are quitting the iPhone now aren't doing it because they're comparing apple to apple (I don't apologize for the pun). Even if folks want to compare iPhone 3GS to the current crop of Android devices, Apple is still outselling Google's latest and best.

Me? I'm doing the smart thing and I'm gonna way for Steve Jobs to convince me that next iPhone along with the whole ecosystem is still the mobile platform to beat. And just like many other times before, Steve will convince me that going with the iPhone is the best choice for me and tens of millions of others.

Here's the main selling point about the iPhone that has made it so success and why other Apple products are so popular these days. It's because Apple's products just work.

Impact For Mobile Users: The reason I am writing this post, more than anything, is convey that we need to explore all aspects of a mobile platform before deciding which serves us best.

Note: A search note today says that 17% of Verizon subscribers will join the iPhone camp if Apple makes it available on the CDMA network. That's more than 15 milions new iPhone users who will be making the right decision.

Another note: I am a big Android fan. If I don't get another Android device as my next mobile, I am certainly looking forward to an Android tablet should it be a good iPad competitor.

3rd Note: A new test was conducted by PocketNow with Flash disabled. Why? Flash is an advertised feature of Android's Web experience. Users can't be expected to turn off Flash when they want faster browsing. It's all or nothing for anyone who professes having Flash as a reason why they quit the iPhone.

4th Note: I got the inspiration for this post from this by PC World post by some guy name Cross. Well, it's just a blog, just like this one is. He's entitled to his opinion. His claim of millions switching is quite infantile though. For full disclosure, I'm linking to the post.


-- Post From My iPad

Apple Fans Should Rejoice At Android's Success

For the majority of users of Apple products, we really don't care too much about the struggles in wireless politics and the open warfare between Apple and the rest of the industry. Nevertheless, it's good to know the maddening pace of innovation and the visions for the mobile computing future from Apple, Google, and others.

As you may have heard, Android is doing well. Even if you don't get the iPhone as your next mobile device, going with an Android would be a wise choice. That's how good it is now. In the past, I wouldn't have recommended it. But with Nexus One, Evo, and Incredible from HTC powering Google's mobile growth, it has highlighted some shortcomings of the iPhone.

However, with iPhone 4 release weeks away and, possibly, a new iPhone, Apple will practically erase any advantage the Android has and put the mobile market back even further.

So right now, sit back and see how Steve Jobs will dazzle us at Apple's next press event in June.

For more about the Apple and Google rivalry, visit Onxo on how this war benefits Android and iPhone users.

iPhone OS Is The Future For Apple

The regular OS X the backbone of everything Apple these days.  It's used across the board on all of Apple's hardware.

Mac.  iPad.  iPhone.  iPod Touch.  And even Apple TV.

However, it's the iDevices that is getting the bulk of the attention these days.  It used to be that when new Macs are freshed, websites trip all over themselves trying to report on the specs, benchmarks, and any changes in the exterior aesthetics.  Sure, we love a looking Mac these days but with the Macs in parity with the PC computers because of the Intel chips everyone pretty much use now, there just really isn't a lot to get excited about.

Now, it's the iDevices that hold the backbone of Apple's growth engine.  The iDevices are Apple's ambassadors to the world to convey what Steve Jobs see the future of computing, entertainment, and content distribution should be like.  

With it, it'll be the iPhone OS that will be the differentiating factor.  Development on OS X will continue because Macs are still an important part of Apple's business.  But any new innovation in the core of OS X will likely be shared with the iDevices.  And on top of this, Apple engineers will work to improve the mobile experiences iDevice fans have come to expect.

I'm bring this up now because WebOS is still around while RIM is about to introduce Blackberry OS 6.  Meanwhile, Windows Phone 7, very very delayed, should not be discounted (remember how Steve likes to remind us about those copiers that Redmond has to copy Mac OS features?).  

And Apple's greatest competitor today appears to be Google.  And Google is firing on all cylinders.  In fact, it's adding new cylinders all the time.  It's partner with Adobe to bring Flash into Chrome and Android even as it continues to work on HTML 5 features.  Furthermore, Android 2.2 was just introduced today, bringing it ever so much closer to matching iPhone OS.  

Android Competition.  I hope, and I'm confident this is the case, that Steve and Apple know that Google is a different kind of competitor that Microsoft is in the las decade.  Google is just as capable of innovation as Apple is (san a visionary like Steve) with a completely different take on mobile.  

It's important for Apple not to think simply it can out-innovate Google.  iPhone OS that powers the iDevices is the key to everything at this point.  In 1984, it "thought different" with the Macintosh.  In 1997, Apple thought different with the iPhone.  

It's time for Apple to "think different" with the iPhone OS and change the dynamics of the mobile landscape again.

Personally, I'm glad there is a Google that is pushing Apple team so hard.

iPhone And iPad Taking Spotlight from Macbooks

It used to be that any time Apple introduces a new Macbook revision, it was cause for celebration in the blogosphere. These days, unless we get something extraordinary, you hear it for a day, maybe two, and it's back to iPhones, and now, iPads.

What does this say about the state of mobile computing? How about our expectations of of a digital mobile life?

Arguably, we are more excited about the next iPhone that we just were with the last Macbook Pro refresh and today's Macbook update. And believe me, the 2.4Ghz speed increase and a 43% uptick in battery life to 10 hours ain't nuthin' to sneeze at.

I am sure the Macbook will be a huge hit with the fans and anyone looking for a first rate laptop. Still, it isn't the huge attention draw it once was.

I do foresee a day when Apple blurs the line between the iPad and the low-end Macbook. How? Adding more traditional Macbook features to the iPad, such as camera and mouse support while simply killing off the Macbook all together.

iPads will be able to compete effectively with the low-end Windows laptops and the assortment of netbooks on the market. Furthermore, it will help Apple solidify its position as a provider that offers a range of mobile solutions based on the users specific needs.

What it does say about mobile computing is that we demand mobile to put a light device with a long battery life for consuming. While the iPad and iPhone are not perfection solutions for productivity in areas where you need a keyboard, Apple does offer solutions on that end.

I imagine the iPads to be more modular - Apple and 3rd party accessory makers will be able to offer modules to enhance users' needs. This may be the same for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Macbooks and Macs remain integral parts of Apple's line-up but for now and likely from here on out, the iDevices will dominate the spotlight.

Don't despair, my fellow mobile warriors, this is a good thing. Perhaps this is why in a recent e-mail spat with Gawker, Steve Jobs said PC guys are feeling like things are slipping away from them.

Steve is right.

My Tweets About Apple, AT&T, and the iPhone

This is today’s blog-tweets on the iPhone. It’s incredible how stories on Apple suddenly have a life of its own.

But that’s because Apple is a beloved company that came out with product after product that changes the computing and mobile experiences. Most of us, mobile warriors, like it.

Of course, there are those out there will unwilling or unable to accept it. If even you aren’t fine with how Apple does its business (which is to make money), you have to at least appreciate what they’ve done to shake things up.

The latest story is Apple’s contract with AT&T and that has provided the Internet a lot of posts, clicks, and ads. Fine with me.

Now the tweets:

iPhone: lots of reports on Apple_AT&T contract. Engadget found court documents declaring the contract was for 5-years, through 2012. (part 1)

iPhone: USA Today previously reported contract ended in 2009 but AT&T negotiated extension. No one will know for sure. . (part 2)

iPhone: 5-year old contract between Apple-AT&T might be old and things could have changed in between. Opt-out clauses. . (part 3)

iPhone: Speculation that the great iPad data plan from AT&T was a concession to Apple to extend iPhone exclusivity. . (part 4)

iPhone: Maybe AT&T will get newer iPhone while other carriers will have to wait 3-6 months down the road to avoid mass exodus. . (part 5)

iPhone: Could be Jobs hate VWso much that they’ll never see the iPhone. Could be true if Sprint & T-Mobile gets it first (part 6)

iPhone: Based on the past, we are less than 2 months away from seeing the 4th gen iphone. Not an iPhone based on 4G wireless (part 7)

iPhone: Gizmodo’s exposure of the next iPhone could have accelerated 4th gen iPhone launch (part 8)

iPhone: there is a video of 4th gen iPhone assembly that looks like the one exposed by Gizmodo http://bit.ly/dzQHf5 (part 9)

iPhone: New iPhone should be out for $199 base. Hope to see iPhone 3G for $49 or free, iPhone 3GS for $99. (part 10)

iPhone: I still believe we’ll see the iPhone on T-Mobile before VW or Sprint (part 11)

iPhone: Crunchgear sayz VW is working on their iPhone ad campaign for later in the summer http://bit.ly/94asKd (part 12)

4th Gen iPhone Assembly Footage

I just stumbled across this video on The Unofficial Apple Weblog that shows some guy assembling the next generation iPhone.

For the most part, I don't like trafficking in rumors but given the similar looks between this device and the one Gizmodo uncovered (bought, stolen), it's a lock. It's not a rumor.



The only thing that matters really is when we'll see this device. Any guesses?

more at TUAW.