24/09/2008 by Gavin.

BBC Internet Blog

Only on WiFi apparently and not streaming, i.e. you must download fully on WiFi before listening.

Hmm, OK, good to see but a slightly odd approach.  Possibly an agreement with O2 to minimise any impact on 3G data.

Posted in BBC, streaming, Apple, iPhone | Print | 1 Comment »

16/09/2008 by Gavin.

Still sim locked though!

A swift cost comparison:

It works out at £530 on Pay & Go for the 8GB (£10 top up X 18 months plus £350)
It would cost £720 for the same on the contract (£45 a month for the 1st 9 months then £35 a month for the 9 after that) = a saving of £190
However, you lose the visual voicemail and call merging plus the unlimited WiFi & Browsing for the last 6 months worth £60.

Posted in 3G, Apple, iPhone, Phones | Print | 1 Comment »

12/09/2008 by Gavin.

I’m really enjoying my 3G iPhone.  However, battery life is dreadful (based on its intended purpose, i.e. a phone).  I do have it syncing with my Exchange account all day but typically if I unplug it at 8am and make 3 or 4 20 min phonecalls during the day, it is on 10% charge by 10PM.  That’s OK but throw in a 1/2 hour game of poker and maybe some time spent Evernoting or other apps and you’re looking at 4PM!

The past couple of days I’ve turned off 3G and am getting 2 days out of it, based on my initial useage description, and not really missing 3G to be honest.  I’ve surfed a bit and use my usual Apps with no real detrimental effect.  I do switch it on now and again for uploading to Evernote or downloading an App from the App store but that’s it.

I reckon that’s what I’ll be doing from now on to ensure at least a true 24 hour battery life.

Posted in Apple, iPhone, Phones | Print | 1 Comment »

01/09/2008 by Gavin.

O2 have released details of the release date and pricing of the the PAYG iPhone.  It’s only £50 for a 16Gb version.  Of course you could also take out an O2 Simplicity contract with 30 days notice, something I did when I purchased my iPhone from ebay.

Pay & Go - iPhone - O2

Posted in iPhone | Print | No Comments »

29/08/2008 by Gavin.

GottaBeMobile - Cheap Calls From Your iPhone : Tablet PC & Mobile PC News & Video Reviews, and Tablet PC Forums

Surprised to see something like this on the App store given the tethering app being removed!  Looks like it’s lso available for Symbian. Off to give it a go now.

Posted in VOIP, S60, Sony, Apple, iPhone | Print | 1 Comment »

13/08/2008 by Gavin.

Mobilecrunch  is reporting on the latest rumoured date for the new Android Mobile Operating System.

Now, take that with a healthy pinch of salt, but it got me thinking on where the mobile OS is going.

The major players in this market are Windows Mobile,  Apple, Symbian, Blackberry and now Google enters the fray with Android.  What could it possibly bring to the party that the others don’t already provide?

The iPhone UI is second to none, no question about it but it misses the flexibility of its competitors such as running tasks in the background (an instant messaging or GPS app for example), customisation and skinning is not really possible and misses out basics such as cut and paste.  Although not really an issue with the OS, more by design, the iPhone has a crippled bluetooth stack as well.

That being said, what could we expect from Android.  If I’m honest, I’d hope for the rich user experience of the iPhone, combined with the flexibility of Windows Mobile and Symbian.  Now that could be the killer sell, finger friendly operation without the locked door approach of the iPhone.

Posted in Palm, Blackberry, Android, S60, iPhone, Windows Mobile, Phones | Print | No Comments »

07/08/2008 by Gavin.

Well, it had to happen to some poor punter who wasn’t paying attention!  Link.

Posted in Apple, iPhone, Are you having a laugh? | Print | No Comments »

07/08/2008 by Gavin.

Brando have released an unlock clip for the iPhone 3G.  This doesn’t ‘unlock’ the phone in the traditional sense as it is a solution which fools the phone into thinking a valid sim is installed.  I’ve ordered one and will be testing on my iPhone as soon as it arrives.

The clip should also work in other smartphones.

Posted in Apple, iPhone | Print | 1 Comment »

30/07/2008 by Gavin.

So, been playing with the App store on my iPhone and iPod Touch.  One thing I’ve discovered is that you can install the same app on many devices.  If you have already purchased an App store application and then log in on a different device it comes up with a message saying  you have already purchased the app and proceed to redownload.  This is excellent and allows for fair use if you own more than one iPod.

It also means that if you change or lose your iPhone there is no need to repurchase, which is exactly as it should be.

Posted in Apple, iPhone, Phones | Print | 1 Comment »

22/07/2008 by Gavin.

OK, so as my contract with T-mobile was up for renewal, and given how well served I currently am by my Nokia N95 if things don’t work out (!) I caved, and my new iPhone 3G arrives tomorrow.

Expect a review and an N95, N95 8Gb, HTC Advantage, iPhone 3G, shootout  soon.  I might even be brave and do my first video review.

Posted in Apple, iPhone, Phones | Print | 2 Comments »