Category: Apple

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My iPhone 3GS has become my Travel GPS

When I travel I sometimes have to rent a car. Although in the past I had been simply adding on the Hertz Neverlost option (or as my buddy Scott refers to it as Everlost), I stopped doing that once the portable GPS units became good enough. My first one was the Garmin Nuvi 350, then the 360, then the 400 series and finally a Nuvi 765t that I love. I also briefly used the Navigon 2100. They are all great units and I really didn't have any complaints with them. The 765t has performed perfectly for me and never misses a beat/turn. Nonetheless, I was still very intrigued when Apple announced the iPhone 3.0 OS update and that it would allow 3rd party apps to have turn-by-turn navigation abilities. The first one that I tried was Navigon. It certainly had promise, but the 1.0 version was missing key features such as text-to-speech. TomTom also came out with their app and it was also missing many of the same key features in its 1.0 version. This kept me from wanting to go solo with just an iPhone GPS app. Well a lot has changed since then!

 

The iPhone 3G/3GS and even iPod touch GPS Navigation Apps are ready for prime time

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Three iPad Questions

I'm excited about getting my hands on the iPad. I think it will be a cool device. However,  I have three questions:

 

Does the iPad have MS Exchange support?

if the rumors are true, I will be a lot less excited than I was on day one. Which rumors? The rumors that the iPad doesn't have MS Exchange support. Now I know that you can't put a lot of faith into rumors. I would also find it hard to believe that Apple would build in Exchange support into the iPhone OS (which the iPad runs on) and even include it in the Mac OS Snow Leopard, but not include in their shinny new tablet. Even the iPod touch has it. Sure there could be licensing issues or issues with allowing users to do corporate email over AT&T's data connection without buying a business plan but it would seem that Apple would work all that out and give users options for checking work email. You can hate Microsoft all you want. You can say how much they suck and that you wish they would die, but the truth is that more corporations rely on MS Exchange for corporate email/calendar/contacts than the ones that don't. So does the iPad have Exchange support?

Apple makes no mention of Exchange support on the iPad features page:

Continue reading “Three iPad Questions”

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Apocket proves that technology doesn’t always have to cost a lot

Apocket for iPhone 3G/3GS

Every now and then I come across a deal that is simply too good to pass up. I subscribe to the DealMac RSS feed in Mac Mail and 99% of the time I hit delete on each deal. However, there are those times where I click to buy within a heartbeat. 

I was already quite happy with my TruePower IV external battery for my iPhone 3GS. It easily doubles the battery life and provides charging to other USB devices. It also gives me an LED light to take photos in low light situations. Great! The only downside to this case s that it's big. 

The alternatives like the popular Mophie Juice Pack are smaller, but cost almost as much as my more capable TruePower IV. 

Apocket iPhone 3G/3GS Multifunction Case/Charger for only $25???

So when I saw the deal on the Apocket case for only $24.99 I jumped on it. Not only did I jump on it for me, I bought 5 of them for friends and family. I didn't know what to expect. I surely didn't expect it to be great for almost 1/4 the cost of similar products, but when it arrived, I was actually quite pleased. First off it has a 30 pin doc connector on the bottom. So you just charge it using your existing cables and chargers. That's a plus right off the bat and of course reduces costs. No need to include a separate charger. Although 30 pin connector is backwards on the bottom (plug you cable in the opposite way that you would into your iPhone), it works great. 

The top of the case is spring loaded for easy insertion and removal of your iPhone.

Continue reading “Apocket proves that technology doesn’t always have to cost a lot”

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All of my sites in one App and it’s FREE

World of Terry White

I've just released my second App for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. It's called….wait for it…."Terry White".
 

What's in the App?

Well you get one tap access to all of my current and future content (with the exception the exclusive bonus material in my Learn the Adobe Creative Suite with Terry White App) in one spot. The App includes feeds from:

techblog in the app

So if you like what you see here and you're an iPhone, iPad (soon), or iPod touch (2nd or 3rd generation) user, then you'll probably like the App.

My Photography in the app

Head over to the App Store and grab it here.
If you'd like the back story on how the App was developed, check it out here.

TerryWhite

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International Power!

Frequent international travelers have got the power thing figured out. When you travel from the US to another country the question becomes what do you need to charge/use your electronic devices. My friend Michele who was headed to the UK asked me this very question. So I thought I spend a few minutes here giving you some tips along with my favorite power adapter.
 

Converter vs an Adapter

Many of the electronics designed to be traveled with (like notebook computers, iPods, iPhones) are already geared to be used in different countries. An easy way to know is to look at the description on the power adapter for your gear. If it says that it can handle 100-240 volts then you're all set. All you need is a plug "adapter" so that you can plug it in the wall of the country you're going to.
However, if your power adapter has a max input of 120 volts. That means that it was designed to work in the US only and in order to use it in another country that has 240 volt wall outlets you're going to need a power "converter" something that can regulate the 240 volts down to 120 volts. Or you might just go with a compatible 3rd party adapter like the ones from iGo.
 

For your Mac, iPod or iPhone

appleworldtravelkit

If you have a portable electronic device from Apple, your supplied adapter already works in other countries. All you need is an adapter and Apple sells a nice kit called the Apple International Travel Kit. This kit has everything you need to adapter your MacBook/PowerBook adapter as well as a USB power adapter (actually it's there older version with the removable prongs) and sync cable With this kit you'll be all set in the US, UK, Australia, Korea, etc.  You can get the Apple kit here.

appleintl
 

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Apple Introduces the iPad

iPad

As expected Apple introduced the iPad. Here's what it is in a nutshell. First think of it as a big iPod touch. It can run all of the existing over 140,000 Apps (except the ones that are iPhone specific). Apps can and will be updated to really take advantage of the larger screen size. However, even existing apps will fill the screen using built-in pixel doubling technology. 

 

What it has:

  • 10 hour battery life/1 month standby
  • iWork suite available for it offering Pages, Keynote and Numbers ($9.99 each)
  • Can do:
    • Photos
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV shows
    • Contacts
    • Calendars
    • Bookmarks
    • and of course Applications
  • Height:
    9.56 inches (242.8 mm)
    Width:
    7.47 inches (189.7 mm)
    Depth:
    0.5 inch (13.4 mm)
    Weight:
    1.5 pounds (.68 kg) Wi-Fi model;
    1.6 pounds (.73 kg) Wi-Fi + 3G model
  • 9.7" LED Dsiplay
  • Wi-FI 802.11n
  • 3G Versions do up to 7.2Mbps HSPA
  • Speaker and Microphone
  • New iBook Store for eBooks! Cool look. You can choose the font you want to read the books in. Buy and download iBooks right on the device.
  • 2 models in 3 configurations: WiFi and WiFi + 3G
    • WiFi Models: 16GB $499, 32GB $599, 64GB $699 (All Available in 60 days)
    • WiFi + 3G Models:  16GB $629, 32GB $729, 64GB $829 (All Available in 90 days)
  • The 3G models will be UNLOCKED! Wow! and AT&T will be the US carrier offering two data plans $14.99/month for 250mb of data and $29.99/month for unlimited. NO CONTRACT! Wow!

 

What it doesn't have:

  • No built-in camera so no video chats
  • No Flash support, so web browsing will still be challenging for many sites (still).
  • No multitasking improvements (running multiple 3rd party apps simultaneously)
     

 

Accessories (the real one more thing)!

ipadconnection

The Keyboard dock is cool! However, what wasn't talked about is Apple is doing a "iPad Camera Connection Kit" for being able to bring in your images from your digital camera! Very exciting (not so much for Epson)! This I can't wait for!

 

 

What we didn't see

Rumor score card: As usual the rumor sites get a lot of things right and a lot of things wrong. We didn't see anything regarding Verizon. We didn't see iLife 2010. We didn't see iWork 2010 for Mac, no iPhone 4.0 OS announcements, no multitasking improvements and of course we didn't see the Beatles catalog come to iTunes (that one cracks me up every time. Someday it will happen 😉 )

 

The Bottom Line

It's cool! I was expecting a little more (not sure what, but more). With that said, I'm impressed with what you will get for the price range and the data plans are attractive. It certainly is more exciting than a kindle and fills the need for MANY consumers that need something larger than a touch, but don't need a laptop. I could also see this device being the travel/vacation device of choice. When I travel for leisure I need my emai, web, music, movies, and photos. This does all of that in a nice form factor. I also thought it was brilliant to do iWork for the iPad because with the ability to do word processing, spreadsheet and presentations it means one (or three) less reason(s) to have to carry a notebook. 

I'm also anxiously awaiting to see what app developers do with the ability to have a larger display and more power processor wise.

 

Will I buy one?

Nope, I'm buying two! What? Why two. I'm a tech guy and kind of expected to review these kinds of things as quickly as possible. So I'll start with the 16GB WiFi model (because it will be the one that's available first) to kick around with at home and then hand it over to my  family. Then I'll probably go with the 64GB WiFi-3G version when it's available for my own use. 

See the complete specs here. See the iPad Video Here.

UPDATE: Watch the Steve Jobs/Apple iPad Keynote Video here.

 

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Is it Apple Tablet Day?

Apple012710

 

Well today is the day! Apple is holding a special media event at 10 AM PST for the press and industry experts to see their "latest creation." Of course there is heavy speculation that this will be introduction of the long awaited Apple Tablet Device. 

Other items on the rumor table

Speculation that Apple will roll out iPhone OS 4.0 and iLife 2010. 

The big one is that AT&T's iPhone Exclusivity will end with this event. Not sure if this is true or again wishful thinking, but we will certainly see today. If the tablet has 3G connectivity and that connectivity is via Verizon, whether Apple announces anything about the iPhone or not, I think we'll have our answer. I have lot of Verizon using buddies waiting in the wings for this. So if this happens today, there will be champagne corks popping around the country. 🙂

As usual I will have my take on what Apple actually introduces, so check back here later in the day and I will post my thoughts.

As cool as the "latest creation" will probably be, imagine if it were something like this:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H0K1k54t6A&feature=player_embedded

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GorillaMobile 3G/3GS holds your iPhone

gorillamobile3g3gs

I remember when I first saw the GorillaMobile when it was announced and I kinda mentally dismissed it. Don't get me wrong, I love the GorillaPod line of products. It's just that this wasn't what I was looking for in terms of a "holder" for my iPhone to watch videos on the plane. I was looking for something smaller. I never really found the "right" solution. Most were either too bulky to travel with or didn't allow me to lean the iPhone back far enough for a comfortable viewing angle. 

 

I see the light now

I didn't look at the GorillaMobile again until Joby released their FREE Gorillacam App (which I've reviewed here today). I'm very excited about what the app offers in terms of features and of course many of the features can only be realized if you have a way of holding your iPhone still long enough. For example, doing time lapse photography isn't going to be very exciting holding it by hand. This is when I wanted to look at the GorillaMobile again. So I got one and had a ball using it to take pictures. Once I was done playing with the app for the day I started just playing with the positioning of the GorillaMobile itself and realized that THIS IS the holder I've been looking for! It ships with a case for your iPhone 3G/3GS that has a cutout on the back to place it right on the GorillaMobile. This way you don't have "stick" anything on the back of your iPhone.

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Are camera phones the new point and shoot cameras?

cellphonecamera

I have two cameras that are with me 99% of the time. One is a Canon Powershot ELPH 870IS the other is my iPhone. Of course I have a couple great DSLRs (Nikon D700 and D5000). It goes without saying that when it's an important event I'm shooting with a DSLR. However, when it's just casual just out and about you would think that I pull out my Canon ELPH, but the reality is that I pull out my iPhone, take the shot (edit it in the FREE Photoshop.com Mobile App if need be) and share it immediately via Facebook/Twitter/Flickr/Email using the Best Camera App. 

You would think that more camera manufacturers would take the hint and be looking to add wi-fi (if not 3G capabilities) to their point and shoot cameras and redesign the interfaces on them for easier image sharing. 

Honestly I can't remember the last time I used my "Point and Shoot" camera. Sure I realize that your best or only camera may be your Point and Shoot camera and that you may use yours all the time. However, for me my best camera is my DSLR and for everything else I use my iPhone. Apparently I'm not alone! Look at this interesting set of stats on the 400% increase in mobile photo uploads to Flickr via the iPhone 3GS. What about you?

tplight

For those interested in more Flash/Light for low light photos, that's one thing I love about my Truepower IV iPhone external battery. Not only does it double my battery life but it also provides a bright LED light on the back for photos.

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Great little mic for your iPod touch

ipodmic

 

When Apple introduced the 2nd generation iPod touch one of the features was built-in Audio In support. However, even with the current (3rd generation) iPod touch there is no built-in mic. So you have to get a 3rd party microphone if you want to use Apps that bring audio in. One of my favorite apps is Shazam which can listen to a song that's playing say at a party or on the radio, or even in a movie and then "Tag" it via the internet and tell you what the name of the song, artist and even provide a link to buy it right in iTunes. Well now this kind of app can be used on the iPod touch.

 

I found this great little Mic 

This mike looks like a push pin that goes right into the bottom of your iPod touch. That's it. No software to install or configuration necessary. At this point you can use any 3rd party app that allows you to bring in or record sound. The protective cap is a nice touch and there's also a small loop so that you can string this on a key chain or other type of strap like a Thumb Drive.

miconiPodtouch

What's even more amazing is the price! You can get these for just a couple of bucks here.

 

What about VoIP Apps?

This mic is not really suitable for VoIP because while it's a great Mic (I just tried a Skype call with it using the Skype App), because it plugs into the same port that the iPod uses for headphones you can't hear the person on the other end of the conversation. It's a mic, not a speaker. Also while it's plugged in it disables the internal speaker. So if you want to do VoIP you're better off getting Apple's Headphone, Microphone and Remote combo here.