We’ve talked consistently about how Apple has managed to turn iTunes into a successful user interface for mobile consumers. Generally speaking, almost all the relevant entertainment related media is available through the iTunes interface. It also serves as a means of updating OSs providing Apple with valuable marketing information to the total number iPhone and iPod Touch owners using their hardware and software. We believe it’s this first-mover advantage in creating iTunes as a software interface that has kept the iPhone squarely in the minds of consumers.
We believe it’s this first-mover advantage in creating iTunes as a software interface that has kept the iPhone squarely in the minds of consumers, and we’re not the only ones that believe this is the case, the industry analysts here also think so.
Other mobile platforms have attempted to address this issue by creating their own attempts of a unique app store concept. Living examples are, Android’s Marketplace, Nokia’s Ovi store, Palm’s App Catalog, Symbian Foundation, etc – however, although some players have established their stores prior to the iPhone revolution, Apple has used the iTunes interface to influencing customers that this is the only user interface that works. This dominance is what has ensured that the iPhone is the phone of choice for consumers.
The iPad – tablet computing gets new life from Apple
The hotly anticipated iPad was released on January 27, 2010 by Steve Jobs in his annual press event in California. Touting the device as a new technological revolution for media fans around the world, the device itself has been the focus of many rumors for months on end with spyshots being released tantalizing potential buyers about the specs and features of the device. What’s interesting to note is that the tech world is defining new media in terms of newspapers and books finally gracing the online world in a more comprehensive manner than the traditional online subscription models, and the iPad leading the charge.
Now that some of the hype has died down, we plan on taking a developer viewpoint about the iPad and what are the things that we are really liking and other things that definitely need to be addressed.
Source - guardian.co.uk
Before we launch into the real details, here are some basic specs about the device itself.
Display: 9.7 inch IPS
Size and Weight: 9.56 by 7.47 by 0.5 inches, and 1.5 to 1.6 pounds
Processor: 1GHz Apple A4 Chip
Storage: 16, 32, or 64GB flash
Battery life: 10 hours battery life, over 1 month standby
Connectivity: 802.11n Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Other Features: Accelerometer, compass, speaker, microphone, 30-pin connector
Price: $499 onwards moving to the full 64GB with 3G version costing $829
- (Source)
Our initial impressions about the iPad have been somewhat related to the original rumors circulating. The device is coming with the same hype that the iPhone has but we feel is still missing out on some key aspects. The four main issues that are bothering us are:
Google’s Nexus One Released: Is it an iPhone killer?
Apple’s success with the iPhone has run for a long time, however, it seems like there’s a potential iPhone killer in town, namely the Google Nexus One. With Google employees almost immediately Tweeting about the release of the new phone, a hype has started building.
Recently I managed to get some one-on-one time the Nexus personally. Unfortunately, pictures were not allowed due to the impending release date of January 5, but the initial impressions were fantastic.
Feel
Starting with the overall feel of the phone, it just feels like a weighty and well-built phone. The Teflon coating on the back of the phone is absolutely fantastic. Smooth, sophisticated and polished – words that weren’t necessarily associated with the previous Android phones. The Nexus still maintains a link with its predecessors with its distinctive curves and buttons – remnants of the original G1. The smooth lines and slim profile helps portray the image of a durable yet oddly sophisticated and technical phone. Normally it’s hard to get all three areas correct but the Nexus just portrays this undue sense of nobility that’s hard to define. It’s got multiple personalities would probably be a better explanation – there’s the corporate image (utility grey, work productivity suites, etc), the sophistication (massive vibrant 3.7 inch screen, sleek lines) and the fun side (light, durable, easy to use aspect). Nonetheless, the most striking part of the phone has to be the screen.
Screen
The screen area is just impressive; it puts the iPhone’s screen to shame in comparison. The clarity and responsiveness is amazing, gentle finger movements are accurately recorded. The nice large screen definitely made the virtual keyboard easy to use. However, the vibrant 3.7 inch screen is absolutely stunning. The screen is clearer than the Droid’s and the 3GS which is great considering that in well-lit conditions most screens become very difficult to see. Rather difficult to use a screen without an OS, so how’d the user interface compare to the infallible iPhone?
The blame game continues with the AT&T and Apple with statements fired across from both parties blaming the poor service and issues that arise with AT&T’s network and Apple’s hardware. The result of much investigating and numerous firestorms from both sides, AT&T is in the limelight again for its network capacity. The problem that AT&T’s network faces is primarily related to the way the network is geared to handle data traffic. Although the network is optimized for voice calls, data traffic moves on a different spectrum. The overall effect is that when data traffic is flowing is that voice spectrum conflicts with the transmission of data. People have often complained about the poor quality of the network causing AT&T due grief about their network.
Nonetheless, AT&T was quick to blame the hardware of Apple’s iPhone. The primary complain was that the radio signal that the iPhone handles switches from active to idle rather than turning itself off. This means that the signal is constantly accessed causing a strain on the network. However, iPhone users in other countries have not complained about similar problems, therefore, it makes little sense that the iPhone is to blame. However, an anonymous tipster has said the following about the way the iPhone OS conserves the power:
“All iPhone apps, including Phone.app, cause the radio to switch from “active” to “idle” mode when accessing the network far more often than traditional phones do. This causes the signaling channel, responsible for such functions as SMS messaging, initiating, maintaining, or ending a phone call, voicemail notifications, and DHCP requests, to become overloaded.” – (Source)
Apple’s App Store has passed the 100,000 app mark within 16 months
Congratulations are in order for Apple; Apple’s App Store has passed the 100,000 app mark within 16 months. This is no small achievement considering that the concept of an app store along with the product life of the iPhone has been a few short years in comparison to some industry giants such as Nokia, Palm, Samsung, LG, and Sony Ericsson.
The number is milestone considering the tough review that most apps go through when submitted to Apple. With a wait time of weeks to months, Apple’s iPhone is a consumer success along with the App Store that created a massive storm of developers moving into to develop apps.
However, the competition is heating up with Google’s acquisition of specialist social media and web design companies. Clearly, the Android Marketplace seems like it will get a revamp to ensure that it can compete with the integration of iTunes-App Store. The social media will probably integrate with Google searches ensuring that the developers and Marketplace both receive webtraffic.
Secondly, Palm’s holding a conference soon in an effort to attract more customers to its webOS. Interestingly enough, Palm has a number of high-quality apps that have been developed by specialist firms already available. As mentioned previously in the blog, Fandango has its own version available for webOS, which helps build customer trust in the platform itself. The Palm Pre and Pixi will help spread the word of webOS, provided Palm markets them aggressively on Sprint’s network.
