News to Me

Bienvenue à Le iPhone

2007-11-29T09:25:00.000-08:00

And now, this francophone blogger can finally rest well tonight, knowing that God's greatest gift to the technology world has been welcomed by loving fingers in France.

Dubbed the "Apple and Orange" combo (a well-balanced diet if you ask me), the iPhone's chosen French phone carrier, France Telecom, is selling the beloved gadget at the Parisien store Orange. The 12 swanky stores around the Eiffel Tower city, including a brand-new boutique on Paris' most famous avenue, the Champs-Elysees, saw lines of hundreds who yearned for the touchy-feely phone.

Bonjour iPhone!

As one can probably imagine, the new release of "Le iPhone" promises to bring about the complaints of unlocking the gadget with hopes to make it compatible with any cell phone service carrier.

We have heard these same threats over and over - but this time, we hear them in the French language, and this time, they are coming from the French government themselves.

According to a recent article at Forbes.com,

Orange's grip on the iPhone will weaken when rival operators get a chance to compete for consumers' attention. French legislation will require the sale of unlocked iPhones with no contract in mid-2008

What? The French legislature is requiring Apple to allow unlocked iPhones with no contract next summer?

I knew I loved France. They have to be some of the smartest people. If I only I could have a "tête-à-tête" with a Senator or Congressman and encourage them to jump on the iPhone bandwagon and bring this same sort of legislature into America, the land of the free, the brave, and the iPhone. Maybe Barack Obama can help...

With unlocking covered, do you think that this promise of iPhone freedom deters hackers? Absolutely not.

...the legal requirements to sell unlocked iPhones were not enough to deter impatient hackers and (it is) estimated that there could be up to 10,000 users of unlocked iPhones in France already.

Finally, after all the moaning, late nights of hacking, and frusterating changes, anyone - I mean anyone - can get an unlocked iPhone. All it requires is a passport, a roundtrip ticket to France, and if you ask me, a few extra weeks to spend in the beautiful country. That is, unless you can wait to get home to play with iPhone on American soil.

Les Français sont très intelligents, non?!?

Businesses on Board the iPhone Bandwagon

2007-11-27T11:04:00.000-08:00

The iPhone has revolutionized the way that world works.

Businesses big and small are adjusting their prices, their products, and their services. Why? To accommodate the iPhone, of course.

Harper Collins, the world's leading English book publisher who has revenues that soar above the $1 billion mark, recently announced a new service geared toward iPhone users.

A consumer newswatch group from the Kansas City Star cited that Harper Collins will allow iPhone and iPod users to browse book excerpts online from the publisher's site. And the best part is that the service is for free. Users can preview new released titles or listen to audio clips before they purchase the entire book.

This move has other businesses sweating, however. Amazon's e-book service called Kindle costs $399 and is only equipped to read digitial books. Hmm, which do you think people will buy?

Thinking of this in different terms, one article suggests that, instead of being concerned with iPhone security, businesses should work to make their applications compatible with iPhone in order to boost employee's more and over productivity of the business.

Security worries about the iPhone are overblown, said Andrew Jaquith (of PC World). To boost employee productivity, enterprises would be better served thinking about how to accommodate the iPhone. It's the best phone and iPod I've ever used.

So, to add to the overwhelmingly long list of delightful ways the iPhone assists in our daily life is : boosting employee productivity. Now, if only I could convince my boss...

2007-11-16T11:29:00.000-08:00

It seems that hackers are not the only problem for Steve Jobs and his company. Despite boasting the nature-friendly logo of an apple, environmentalists are protesting Apple and drowning the iPhone's success in claims that the product is toxic, hazardous to the environment, and hard to recycle, as Wired reports.

After conducting its own "independent lab tests," the Center for Environmental Health (CEH), a non-profit consumer watchdog group, has concluded that the headphone cords for both the iPhone and iPod do indeed contain high levels of phthalates.That, according to the safety group, violates standards.

Was this a mistake or oversight on behalf of Apple?

How could a product so right be so wrong?

After a bit more research, it appears that the problem with the "high level of phalates" is not necessary in the "phalates" themselves, but rather in the lack of a label disclosing to consumers their presence. And in fact, this only violates a California state law.

But the green cries have come from other parts of the world, not just California.

With a release of the new iPhone this past week in the UK, a British Greenpeace group began protests demanding a toxin-free iPhone.

Is it just fashionable to be green or is this a true claim for our world's safety?

Some people view this as simply as easy way to attack the entire mobile phone industry and their pollution as a whole. For instance, waste in the technology world is terrible, and the iPhone seems like a wise platform to use to make a green statement.

According to research in this article, the mobile industry in Britain accounts for about 0.7 per cent of CO2 emissions. That to me, is a fairly small about considering there are greater problems causing the remaining 99.3%.

But what about the recycling issue. After all, in the Western world, phones made to last ten years typically are discarded after 18 months, so recycling can be an important issue. The Irish Times claims that the iPhone's battery is "so well glued in place that recycling is nearly impossible."

It seems to me that Apple is between a rock and a hard place in regards to their iPhone. They probably created a product and tried to release it quickly without considering all the environmental effects. However, I think that is how every technology company operates, as it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

And, as sad as this may be for the world, I would reckon to say that most iPhone users do not care about the environmental issues surrounding their iPhone. That is why we need Greenpeace and other green groups keeping us healthily informed.

God bless America - the land of the free and the brave and iPhone.

2007-11-09T18:34:00.000-08:00

Picture this: It is mid-morning when you wake up, and the first cool winds of November have blown into your room. After a long night of studying and playing xBox, you stay in your bed, under the warm sheets. Your mind starts to wake up and you wonder about what the days holds for you. Lying there, you decide to listen to a little music, play on the Internet, watch a movie, or all of the above, so you reach to your nightstand to grab your glorious iPhone.

But it is not there. Why? Because you realize you are not in America, the land of the free, the brave, and the iPhone.

In fact, you are apparently in a God-forsaken country like, oh say, anywhere in Europe where iPhones were not released at the same time as in America.

But today is your lucky day - the iPhone went on sale at approximately 6:04 p.m.

With the same expected following as in America, Europe is already experiencing the true revolution of what an iPhone can do for a country.

Take Scotland, for instance, where the iPhone launch is beefing up the employment rate. O2, the carrier contracted to sell iPhones in the country, has hired over 300 employees for the iPhone launch this weekend in order to

"cope with the expected unprecedented demand for the phone."

Are we sure that 300 will be sufficient? This is the iPhone we are talking about.

And true to iPhone form, hackers from the UK are already waiting in line, pledging to unlock the iPhone "within hours of the launch." (Like none of us have tried that idea before.)

So Americans, at 6:04 p.m. tonight, whiles masses are waiting for their new gadget, take a little time to remember the freedoms that come from living in America - like getting the iPhone first.

2 + Credit Only = No Hackers...or so they think

2007-10-30T09:24:00.000-07:00

As of October 27, Apple has placed new restrictions on the amount of iPhones that a person can purchase, according to an article in the Los Angeles Times.
By dropping the maximum iPhone purchase from five to two in a single purchase and allowing no cash purchases, the company is hoping to fight the black-market of iPhone hacking and reselling.

Spokesperson Natalie Kerris for Apple told the LA Times

Customer response to the iPhone has been off the charts, and limiting iPhone sales to two per customer helps us ensure that there are enough iPhones for people who are shopping for themselves or buying a gift.

Kerris is a wonderful public relations person for Apple. First of all, there is no way that this product will ever sell out so that I would not be able to buy one for my family member.

Second, I can think of plenty of other ways to "kindly remind" others who want to make money off the iPhone to throw themselves under a bus. You know that is what Jobs is thinking (or at least that is what I would be thinking if I had just created the best product ever only to have people use it and abuse it).

That sad part is that this will be no deterent for those unethical techies. It may slow them down a bit, but it was not as if they weren't already anticipating something like this.

Just today, I searched for unlocked Apple iPhones on Ebay and over 1,100 results came up. If I didn't want to wait for that auction to end, I am sure I could find one using a Google search in no time. If those two options don't satisfy, I know a guy who has a friend...

The point is that Apple is too late. They may think that have control over this hacker situation, but in my opinion, they do not. They are trapped by these techies and somewhat are at their mercy.

Because of this, if you ask me, it is only a matter of time before Apple allows the iPhone to be compatible with ANY carrier that you wish - not just AT&T.

For its European followers, Apple has already partnered with T-Mobile and just recently added affordable rate plans for those iPhoners in Germany.

I have to admit that my experience with any Apple products has only grown in the past year. However, I have seen Apple time after time submit to the public's desire after having tried to make a statement before. This, to me, is an indication of what is to come from Apple in the future.

The Truth Behind Web Apps

2007-10-23T09:29:00.001-07:00

Alright, I may have come on a little too strong for iPhone lovers when I criticized just a teensy bit about the necessity of third-party applications on the iPhone.

Again, I want to emphasize that this is what the iPhone consumers want - they want access to third-party applications. Even though this technology is in a class of its own, most iPhone-ers are seeking for more. They want every possible app under the moon directly at their finger tips. (Again, a concept I thought was accomplished with the creation of, oh say, the iPhone, but boy have I got a lot to learn!)

So the web apps are here. But, according to Forbes, the iPhone seekers will have to wait until February to get some of the "better" web apps.

Roughly 215 web apps are available on Apple's site which, according to this article will hopefully keep "iPhone owners entertained until new offerings from developers begin to appear after February."

If those don't keep the thirsty iPhoners busy, the article also directs them to a very useful website. Testiphone is the name - no gimmicks there - and apparently, it is set up to test-drive what the application will look like on your iPhone.

I tried this site a little bit, but realized that there are about 30 other sights out there just like this one! Apple lovers are techies...not only do they want the latest technology, but they want old technology (like web-apps) to be available on it...AND they want to be able to test-drive the two together!

Could we make this anymore complicated?

At first, I want to say, that yes, this will keep iPhone users occupied until February. But, after a quick thought, it is apparent, that in no way will iPhone users be satisfied. They may grow quiet for a time while they try-on 215 different web apps, but I would venture to say that sometime before Christmas, iPhone-ers will be shouting to Jobs again.

The iPhone Now Whore'd Out

2007-10-18T09:55:00.000-07:00

From the mouth of Jobs himself:

"Let me just say it, we want native third-party applications on the iPhone."

If that is not official enough for you, I verified it on Apple's website.

Call me old-fashioned, but is anyone else worried about security when they download third-party applications on their $400 iPhone? Well, think about it this way. Is anyone else worried about security when they download third-party applications on their $400 iPhone when the makers of iPhone are?

Forbes reported this past Wednesday that, according to Jobs, security is still a valid concern. It is definitely a concern for me, as I would not want my iPhone to catch some WebTD's. (Think STD's for technology.)

Apple Insider Staff reported that over 200 new applications will be available in a directory on Apple's website, which I verified above. Web applications like games, news, sports, and weather will all be available.

I still cannot really wrap my mind around this one. First of all, the iPhone has Internet capabilities, which means that it can access ANYTHING that you want it to, be it games, news, sports, or weather. Maybe I am just not as high-tech as I thought, but why would I want some application on my iPhone, which could cause a potential security threat...when I have access to the World Wide Web?

One more thing...I am typing this on a Mac computer. And besides the brilliancy in Apple products, do you want to know why I spent money for a Mac? One of the persuading reasons was the fact that Apple products do not come boggled down with third-party applications. When I turned on my computer for the first time, I was not greeted with a desktop full of trials, free downloads, and spyware.

I don't really have a need for third-party application, and I don't see why America was so adament about getting them on their iPhone.

We're Close

2007-10-15T09:29:00.000-07:00

Steve Jobs and his wonderful Apple staff have been scurrying about trying to make amends with their customers regarding third-party applications being on the iPhone.

We're so close, I can feel it.

According to Mitch Wagner at Apple Unvarnished, Apple has become aggressive in partnering with others to provide downloadable web applications for the iPhone.

My only problem:

"Apple is copying T-Mobile's application development and distribution model for the SideKick..." and "...the team responds by giving the developers a key to open their 'product' to further testing..."

How can this be? First, the most magnificient company ever created (I'm referring to Apple if you are keeping notes) has to "copy" another product in order to appease their customers?!? Second, Apple is, on a large and official level, allowing "a hacker" of sorts to break into their glorious product, again in order to appease their customers.

I can only rationalize this in one manner: Apple has to "dumb down" their products, their service, and their creativity in order to meet with the expectations of the world.

Furthermore, it is expected that Apple will keep a tight leash on the applications, and it can be expected that Apple is still making a ton of money from this move.

But either way you look at it, we all knew that this was coming. Apple has a strong devotion to their customers and will work to enable third-party applications.

Will Apple Sing a Different Tune? Most Likely...

2007-10-07T16:51:00.000-07:00

The worldwide craze for Apple's latest technology has been undeniable. With over one million being sold since its debut this summer, the iPhone has become synomous with high-status and chic ness. Combining one's phone, camera, iPod, and Internet service provider, the iPhone is light-years ahead of other gadgets in its class.

However, iPhone is only functionable with AT&T. Although the price of the two-year contract is included in the base price of the iPhone, this contract has been a small deterrent to some consumers who prefer other cell phone carriers. Enter the hackers.

This past August, 17-year-old George Hotz, made headlines when he successfully "hacked" the iPhone. The world stood in awe at the self-proclaimed geek who completely re-engineered the iPhone in order to make it work with SIM cards from other cell phone carriers. Hotz seemed very proud of his 500 hours of work.

But, Apple has fought back. Stating that they take security of their product very seriously, Apple sent out updates to all iPhone users on Sept. 27, making any "hacked" phones inoperable.

There is however, one minor problem, which Steven Levy is proud to point out in his upcoming NewsWeek article, called "Honey, I iBricked the New Mobile Phone." The new update sent out to iPhones deleted ring tones or other applications from some "unhacked" phones. But it got worse - some "unhacked" iPhones were rendered completely useless! The main reason - Apple's new update deleted or overpowered any Internet applications that were not theirs.

At this point, Apple is sticking by the notion that the iPhone is really only suited to work with AT&T and Apple software. Anything else on your iPhone (like Internet downloads) is not their problem. So, if your "unhacked" iPhone is no longer in working order, Apple says to buy another one.

This is similar to how Apple originally responded when customers were upset about the drop in price of iPhone. A few months back, after claiming that they would never do this, Apple dropped the price of the iPhone making the product more available to the public. However, Customers who had purchased the iPhone two months back were reasonably upset and demanded action from Apple. After all, they had spent well over $200 more!

But Apple's reply: tough luck.

Then, only after a few days, Steve Jobs changed his tune, and Apple gave those customers who had bought the IPhone at its original debut a $100 store credit.

So here is my point: Apple puts on a tough front at the start. The have a "take-no-prisoners" mentality at first, but have been known to lighten as time goes on.

And their flexibilty with their customers is what makes Apple products in demand. For instance, is there any other technology company that you can name that provides store credit if their product changes or is updated? I have never heard of Bill Gates giving refunds to all Windows 2000 users when he introduced Vista this year. It is simply unheard of, but Apple is willing to make amends with the customers in unique ways.

My advice to those "unhackers" who got stuck with a punishment for a crime they didn't commit: Hold tight to your iPhone – the tide will soon turn into your favor.

I am here!

2007-10-04T09:44:00.001-07:00

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