When Apple released the long awaited iPhone it completely changed the mobile technology forever. Gone were the days of flip phones, mobile computers that could make phone calls became the bar. Every technology company has tried to create a rival to Apple's iPhone technology and have failed miserably. What's strange about the apparent lack of competition is the fact that Apple created a product that was far superior to AT&T service capability which in turn has created a lot of very unhappy customers. Since the beginning it has been one thing right after the other with the iPhone features and AT&T's inability to make certain features work. I personally know several people who gave up on the iPhone altogether, in search of finding a better product that can facilitate their needs. Google is one of those companies who have taken on the challenge of trying to provide mobile Internet users what they need. Their success with the Android was little and didn't do much to weaken Apple's grip on the market; so what did Google do, they went out and tried to make a better product.
Now, Google readies launch of an iPhone rival, the Nexus One. Named after the 'replicants' in Ridley Scott's science-fiction film Blade Runner and the Taiwanese company HTC procured the contract to create the Nexus One. Google will have full control over the Nexus One and it will have the Google logo right on the phone. Retailers expect Google to sell the Nexus One direct to customers through its website. I am optimistic that Google with not make the same mistakes that Apple has made and I am hopeful that they will create a product that is not hindered by the network providers inability to serve its customers.
All I can say is that in the UK there are four network providers that can service the iPhone, but in the United States there can be only one. "Google has approached several mobile phone operators in the UK, including T-Mobile and Vodafone, to gauge their interest in supporting its rival to the iPhone ahead of its launch in Britain next year", reports the Guardian. How is it that an American company like Apple could throw their American customers under the bus?
I feel like I am part of a group that feels that Apple is not letting us use our iPhones to the fullest. The iPhone is amazing, its abilities surpass all others and that should be noted; however, the restrictions that Apple has can be bothering regarding bluetooth keyboard ability, tethering, and having to have AT&T. My iPhone is not cracked and I have no plans to jail break my phone, but I feel like Apple is not letting us use the iPhone the way its designers intended; in turn this causes people to want to jail break their phones - go figure. Fortunately, independent companies have been working on ways to harness bluetooth capabilities with the iPhone; it gives us with iPhones running OS a preview of what we could have if Apple would come to their senses.
Modder ZodTTD, creator of the iControlPad, uses a Wiimote to play a MAME game on the iPhone. Zod has not announced the availability of this mame4iphone version yet. The same principle could easily be applied to a bluetooth keyboard and make every iPhone user's life that much easier. Those are just my thoughts, I encourage you to watch the short video below:
Push notifications will not work on your unlocked iphone. There is a problem with push which appeared few weeks ago when Apple released the iPhone OS 3.0 which included support for Push notifications. Weather the application is free or a paid version it will not work.
Keep in mind if you did not go through the process of unlocking your iPhone, which means you are still using AT&T as your carrier, you will not encounter this problem. I personally have not tested the push notifications personally yet but majority of the people using it on an unlocked phone said it either did not work or was not working correctly.
Will there be a solution? Probably not. Apple decided to sell the iPhone to AT&T and no other carrier. Therefore, this is not a problem Apple plans on resolving. Perhaps in the future if the iPhone is available on other carriers such as T-Mobile, then there might a possibility.
Why would anyone want to risk breaking an iPhone worth few hundred dollars to use on another carrier? They say unlocking any phone allows you to use it on other carriers. Jailbreaking an iPhone allows you to install applications that have not been approved by the App Store (which also have the possibility of causing harm to your phone).
Now, why would someone want to risk buying an expensive phone for that? A better approach to using an iPhone is just signing up with AT&T. The best part of having an iPhone with AT&T is support. Since they are the only carriers for that phone, they are the only ones who can provide network support.
What are your thoughts on the risk involved with unlocking/jailbreaking your iPhone?
Still waiting for that Google Voice Beta Invite? Are you an iPhone user? Why Wait?
Announcing the new AT&T Virtual Receptionist. It's AT&T's new multi tiered business phone system that comes free with 60 toll-free minutes per month. So download the app and get your own toll free number right now!
And if you ever need more minutes, and who doesn't? You can add more time to your account. There is even an all you can eat package for $25 bux a month.
With AT&T's new Virtual Receptionist you wont be Lampooned, there are no long-term contracts and no hidden fees or surcharges of any kind! And according to AT&T the new Virtual Receptionist App does not change your current AT&T wireless or data plans or rates one dime.
Time to update your signature line with that shiny new toll free number!
Darin R. McClure
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AT&T Announces the release of the Fuze (HTC Raphael 101). For those of you familiar with the Diamond that came out not too long know how the new HTC interface, HTC TouchFLO 3D, which is convenient and addicting to use.
Sprint released their version of the same device but kept the original name, Touch Pro. For the most part the devices are the same except Sprint's Touch Pro is running on a CDMA frequency and AT&T's Fuze is running on GSM (which can be used as a world phone by unlocking it).
Spring may have kept the name the same but AT&T kept everything else. RAM capacity on the Fuze is 288MB where as the Touch Pro by Sprint has 256MB (This could be because of the bloated software installed).
Both HTC devices allow you to watch TV, browse the internet, and even listen to XM radio via 3G network.
The best part is it has a 640 x 480 pixel resolution screen. Yes, a VGA screen on a Windows Mobile device. Has a 3MP camera on VGA screen that allows you to record videos as well; having a separate digital camera pointless.
This is quite an amazing phone starting at $300 with a contract (price is a bit high but should come down soon). If you like this, you’ll fall in love with HTC Touch HD (coming soon).
What do you think about the phone? iPhone competition or not quite?
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