Whats this?

Apple’s release of the iphone 4 was really no surprise. An employee of Apple lost the prototype, which engadget got, which made it’s way all over the internet, so really, Steve Jobs wasn’t amused. “some of you have already seen this”, said he at the Keynote speech.

So, the iphone 4. It’s got a substantial array of improvements over the 3GS, such as a higher resolution display, 5 megapixel camera, GPS, video calling, a new OS and supposedly better reception. But is it REALLY capable as compared with other smart phones such as the upcoming Nokia N8/N9 or the new HTC’s that will feature Windows Mobile 7? Most if not all those features of the iphone 4 were available on the Nokia N95 3 years ago…

Multi-tasking?

The multitasking capabilites of the iphone 4 are limited, very many websites and authors have reported this. i’m yet to hold a physical unit but in my opinion, i think Apple could have done a better job in that area. Perhaps their piecemeal approach of adding features with each update will address this. The iphone is a serious competitor to the corporate Symbian and Blackberry devices. It’s used in very many organizations. Perhaps its the segment in which it’s being marketed could be the reason. In my opinion Even a Symbian 8 device circa 2005 can multi-task better! I wish they could have allowed totally free multitasking in the device, this would have easily kept the device ahead of the competition…

And the camera?

5 Megapixels. The N95 and the LG KG910 pioneered this resolution. 5 megapixel unit is becoming standard now, just the way many of the older Nokias (and some new ones as well) used reliable 2 megapixel units. For the average consumer 5 megapixels is fine. The 720p recording should be more than enough for regular consumers both business and personal levels. For further future proofing though, Apple should have fixed an 8 mega pixel unit. I mean, look at the beast Nokia’s about to release, the N8 has a whole 12 megapixel unit!

I suppose they didn’t want to alter the image of the iphone into heavy imaging device. Some lower end Samsung units offer basic 8 megapixel units. I will assume they had their reasons.

That screen!

A high resolution 960×640 LED screen is fantastic! If you’re an avid Internet user (most iphone users are) and you love streaming videos or watching movies stored, then this screen is just perfect! i’m fascinated about how they achieved this technology. HTC should be up to something as well….

It has Multi touch capabilities, sort of like a macbook’s touch pad. Pinch and swipe. Gaming should be quite fun on this device.

Music

16 or 32gb. Really, The N97 has 32gb but the audio quality cannot match the premium sound produced by the iphone 4. Audiophiles will be VERY happy with the quality produced by it.

Worth getting then?

The iphone commands a very interesting image. Business companion or media device, and being a brand of Apple expect the highest quality in terms of build standards. Glass, metal and ceramics. Artsy or corporate, even regular consumers should be very pleased.

I look forward to this device landing here in Kenya. If Orange Kenya are smart they will offer decent bundles that caters for the whole market, and not a select few as seen with the iphone 3g.

Batian

In the release, Steve Jobs says, “We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it. We’ve decided to do something about it…We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours.”

Taiwan-based HTC was the first company to manufacture a cell phone based on Google’s Android operating system, which has emerged as a significant competitor to the iPhone, AP reports. It’s also making the Nexus One phone that Google is selling directly to consumers.

It looks like the Nexus One, and other HTC phones, may have hit too close to home for Steve Jobs.

Earlier, we supposed that Apple’s multi-touch user interface could be the basis for the lawsuit. But after examining the complaint, it appears that Apple is NOT suing over multitouch, but rather a bunch of other software. (When Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone, he touted its multitouch screen, then said, “And boy, have we patented it.”)

Meanwhile, Apple is already tied up in a patent lawsuit with Nokia, claiming Nokia is stealing Apple technology. Nokia says Apple is stealing its technology. Kodak is also suing Apple claiming technology theft.

Basically, Apple’s patent lawyers are going to be busy for the next year or so.

This is sure to come in handy should you ever get the urge to grab that brand new app while you’re climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, or while making your way across the beautiful Sahara desert.

Because of the way the iPhone SDK agreement works, inclusion in the new App Stores is not automatic—instead, developers need to log in to Apple’s iTunes Connect portal and request that their apps be added to the new distribution channels.

After months of speculation, Apple finally unveiled its “tablet pc” the ipad. With mixed reactions, many hailed the iPad as an industry-redefining device, especially as an e-book reader destined to save print media.

While others laughed at the name, iPad and criticizing it as an over-sized iPhone.  So what exactly is the ipad, which at the moment has more of a negative opinion that a positive one?

The  iPad does indeed resemble a large iPhone or iPod touch. It has a 9.6-inch multi-touch screen, is a 1/2-inch thick, and is made of aluminum and glass. Like the iPhone, iPad has just four physical buttons. It can run most of the applications in the iTunes App Store, just like an iPhone or iPod touch.

While iPad can run those apps, it has been mainly designed for reading books, newspapers and magazines, surfing the Web, playing games, and enjoying media such as YouTube videos, HD movies, music, photos, and TV shows. You can also use iPad to send e-mail, touch up photos, edit documents and spreadsheets, and view PDFs. You hold iPad in your hands like a clipboard or book.

The iPad has a software keyboard just as the iPhone has. Early reports say this keyboard is fine for basic text editing, but probably isn’t ideal for complex word processing. Apple is offering two external keyboards to help with that (extra costs).

All versions of iPad have built-in Wi-Fi, while three versions also have 3G wireless capabilities &it should be possible to make VOIP and Skype calls from iPad, as it now is with 3G and 3GS.

Now the iPad may be an over hyped product lacking quite a bit

Notable features lacking on the iPad include a camera or webcam, SD card port (though Apple is offering an adapter for SD cards), support for Flash, and true system multitasking.

It’s surprising that iPad lacks a camera, maybe we will see on in the next generation iPad? Multitasking should have been part of the iPad as it is a “tablet pc” using one app at a time tends to become very annoying. This though is likely a feature in the next version of the iPhone operating system which powers the iPad. If iPad supported multitasking now, it would likely have far less haters.

The lack of Flash will be iPad’s major shortcoming for many. Most popular websites make use of  flash on their sites.

So, just a slight sum up of what we know about the iPad so far. What does it mean for the African market? Will we use it in our offices? Will we use it to read our daily newspapers? Our e-books? How about introducing it into our schools?

Really, I do not see any of that happening any time soon. Priced at $500 its too pricey for the African market. Many of us have the more pricey iPhone but its usefulness is more than that of the iPad.

Would be extremely interesting to hear what you guys have to say about it, so feel free to post your views and thoughts too.