reviews

There are many new problems, both hardware and software related, with the iPhone 3G. Here are some problems that bothered me enough that I remembered them. This was actually written on the iPhone 3G, so if you see improper words blame the not always accurate auto-correct, which happens to have been a problem from the very beginning. Haha.

The Temperature:

During the first 20 minutes of use, I noticed one big difference between the original iPhone and the iPhone 3G. The iPhone 3G felt about 5 times as hot as the original. Perhaps it was because of the aluminum backing that the iPhone could dissipate the heat. Or maybe the new 3G HSDPA chip and GPS chip made the phone run hot. Either way, the new phone can sometimes get too hot for comfort, which is a feature not needed in the dead heat of the southern Californian sun.

Yellow Screen:

What is up with this? Apparently this was a deliberate feature to make the phone more warm feeling and natural. I even tried the full restore to no avail.  The thing I liked about the… more...

A lot of people are going to create cases for the upcoming iPhone 3G. I think a lot of people are going to also be buying more cases for their iPhone 3Gs. Why? Well, the iPhone 3G is going to sport a glossy back that just screams “scratch me!”

I never have been a big fan of cases, but with the upcoming iPhone 3G, I will definitely consider it. One cases I will consider is a style I love in cases. The “folio” style case design has always been an interest to me.

Marware made a similar cases for the iPhone 2G so it come as no surprise that they have created the C.E.O. Premiere for iPhone 3G.

Marware’s new C.E.O. Premiere for iPhone 3G is a leather sunglass-style holster for the iPhone 3G, using a microsuede interior and a non-detachable belt clip to hold the device at waist level.

C.E.O. Premiere is designed to provide access to the headphone port while inside, so that you can listen to music or take calls with the iPhone 3G’s headset while you’re walking.… more...

Unfortunately, I was not one of the lucky ones that got a chance to play with the iPhone 3G for a little bit, but there are a few people that were.

It is a general consensus that the iPhone 3G looks and feels the same, only the iPhone 3G being a little more sturdier feeling in the hand because of its slight bulkiness. It is good to say that the reports are mostly positive.

Gizmodo’s Brian Lam had these first impressions regarding the iPhone 3G: “In my hand, the 3G iPhone is lighter, fits better, and noticeably thinner feeling as it doesn’t have the same squarish shape. (You won’t notice that it is thicker at all.) I made a call with it, side by side with my 1st generation iPhone, and the reception is noticeably better as well. I can’t even believe this is frigging AT&T anymore.” I never had reception problems with my iPhone but it is always a great thing that I wont start getting them with the iPhone 3G. That is one reason for the plastic back - to enhance all… more...

I have been using a great program for quite some time called SugarSync. SugarSync allows you to sync and backup your files and media across all of your computers, the web and mobile phone. Best of all, SugarSync takes care of everything automatically in the background so you never have to make backups or email files to yourself.

A small client is required on your Windows PC or Mac. The application client runs in the background to monitor and synchronizes a copy on a secure central server. Files can then be available and accessible via web browser directed to http://sugarsync.com/or from a mobile phone browser at http://m.sugarsync.com/.

Following that link on the iPhone will tell you why it is such a great web app to use for your iPhone. The staff over at Sharcast want to make it clear that the same features for your desktop or laptop PC or Mac are also available on your mobile. However, for use iPhone users, the syncing from the iPhone is not yet there, however, when you log on using your… more...

Earphones are a tricky thing to review. The reason is factors like sound quality, although objective, has such a wide range of acceptable levels that only the finely tuned are picky. But, while sound quality is certainly a huge factor to whether a set of earphones are successful, there are other variables at play too. Thee include, comfort, price, style, and additional features.

But with all f the earphones, earbuds, and headphones that I have reviewed over the years, there have been very few that concentrate on the health of your ear. That is, the level of sound that the unit spits out and how it affects the health of your inner ear. Sure, some throw in a small note about how their earbuds fit within the acceptable level of sound pressure to the inner ear by various groups, but it is always classified as “just another feature.” Most concentrate on sound quality, style, comfort.

So when I had the opportunity to review the AirDrives Interactive Headphones I was intrigued. This product bucks convention and decides to market itself as a “smarter listening” choice. This product… more...

It may seem like a tiny accessory not worthy of a mention. But anyone that has tried to listen to their iPhone with their existing favorite pair of headphones realize the importance of such a product.

It’s simple actually. The recessed 3.5mm port in the iPhone is not terribly friendly with some existing earphones or earbuds with shallow jacks. If it can’t reach the hole, you just won’t get a sound. Some people will just submit to using the ones included with their iPhones. But for those who prefer to use their tried and true phones or buds, you need an adaptor.

This 3.5mm Stereo Head Jack Converter from WirelessGround.com is built especially for the iPhone. It does exactly as advertised: by extending the jack in a giant “L-shaped” it allows full flexibility with all headphones. At a great price of $9.95 you can’t go wrong. Check it out here.

Previously I reviewed Marware’s Quickvue for the iPhone and was positive about the case. Last week and today I concluded my review of Marware’s offerings for the iPhone.

You can read my review for the Sidewinder at Apple Matters alongside the Sportsuit Convertible.

To sum it up, the Sidewinder makes for an awesome holster that will grip your iPhone setting aside any fears that may arise due to the holster only holding onto the bottom of your iPhone.

The Sportsuit Convertible on the other hand takes Marware’s original design for the Sportsuit and applies it to the iPhone but the sleeve’s protective covering tends to be overly clingy to lint which dirties the iPhone’s screen.

Connect Four anybody? Connect Four is also sometimes known as Four-in-a-Row or Four-in-a-Line. Asside from battleship, this is another game that I enjoyed playing during the few minutes I had for recess at my elementary school. Yet another childhood (board) game brought back as a web app on my iPhone. All a player has to do to win is line up four of thier pieces either diagonally, horizontally, or vertically. The game design was executed cleanly, therfore the game is very responsive. There is no P2P option, so the player faces a series of CPUs which increase in level as the player progresses.

Perfect for a day when there is nothing else to do. Add this one to your selection of iPhone games by bookmarking this link. 

This one is not specially made for the iPhone, but works great with Safari. Have you ever thought of something that you needed to remember, but knew you would forget? For those who can empathize with this situation, this app is for you. Oh Do Not Forget allows for a person to send an SMS to the future. If you needed to remember to buy eggs at 9am, just tell ODNF (Oh Do Not Forget). At 9am you will receive the SMS you sent to the future reminding you about the eggs. You can set any date you want in a variety of different ways.

I have used this service many times. It is extremely useful because I do not remember anything. The simplicity of this idea is what amazes me. I cannot believe I did not think of this idea myself.

Point Safari over to OhDontForget to check it out.

Want to spoil your ears this holiday season? How about spoiling them in style with the Vibe Duo noise-isolating hi-definition earphone/headset from V-Moda?

The Vibe Duo offers hi-definition sound quality, trendy styling, fine detailing, all at an affordable price. After a week of testing, I feel the Vibe Duo will maintain their position as my iPhone earbud of choice. The Vibe Duo does everything the Apple supplied earbud does including a hands-free microphone and call and music control buttons.

Finding a fit was no problem. The Vibe Duo came with 3 sizes of silicone fittings that should fit any ear. I did, however have a pretty uncomfortable fit with all sizes tried. Although, I must admit, I may have whack ears. The fittings are soft to the touch but maybe it’s the shape of the them (they are wider rather than longer) that just doesn’t mesh with my ears.

The styling is lightweight and very trendy. It comes in Black (Nero), Red, and Chrome and it comes with a leather carrying pouch. It boasts durable black fabric cable and a handy clip to keep it attached. This is… more...