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Posts Tagged ‘iphone’

Happy Anniversary to the TechChicks!

Episode 27

Happy Anniversary! It’s been one year since our first episode, and what a year it has been! Thanks and appreciation to all of our listeners and subscribers–we’ve enjoyed sharing our passions with you and interacting with many of you via the forums and email. We are totally looking forward to another great year, and as always, please let us know what you want to hear!

For this episode, we dragged out all the cool gadgets and tech toys that we carry around in our backpacks and purses! These are our faves and a few of the toys that we wish we had. We would love to hear about your favorites, so share on the forums or drop us a line via email. Stay tuned for our next episode–on location in California as we head off to ADE camp!

Gadgets

BTW: We missed out on NECC 2007, but hope to see you at NECC 2008 since it will be in the Lone Star state! Make plans to join us in Texas next summer—yee-haw!

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Posted on : Jul 08 2007
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Posted under links, podcast, updates |

iPhone First Takes

Now that I’ve had a few days to play with my iPhone, here are my first takes…

Likes Not Quite Likes
  • Super easy. I didn’t have to read a manual for anything. Well, no I read up on what that little “E” was for (Edge)
  • When the synching is done, it’s done. You don’t have to eject the iPhone before unplugging it. You just unplug it. I wouldn’t have considered that a big deal had I not had that capability but now that I do, I marvel at the convenience.
  • Switch from WiFi to Edge on the fly. You have to set up protected WiFis but it’s not a big deal and once you have your WiFi info in there, it just swaps to WiFi as needed. And if there’s no WiFi, you go to Edge. Edge is not unbearably slow. It’s much better than what I was experiencing on my RAZR so I’ll deal.
  • Visual Voicemail is AWESOME! I hated hearing “you have four messages” and not knowing who left them without listening. I might have 7 missed calls and 4 message. I know not to bother listening to Mom’s messages for the most part because they just say “call me back” or “I’ll try you at home” (though I’m not sure why she tries me at home where she leaves me a message that says “call me, I tried your cell.”). Now I can see a list of the NAMES of the people that left me a message and choose to listen to those messages - in whatever order I want - or touch a button to just call back. If you try to call me, chances are, I’m not going to answer. Because I like to look at my list of voicemail. :)
  • SMS is also tres cool. One thing I hated about text messages was when I was texting more than one person and I’d get all confused with the replies because I didn’t know who sent what without going back and forth and then if they sent me a response three hours later from when I sent them a message, well then I’d have to remember what I’d asked in the first place. Remembering things is not my strength. But the iPhone handles SMS kind of like instant messaging. Everyone you’ve texted, or who has texted you, is listed separately and when you select their name, you see your conversation just like an IM window would look. Brilliant!
  • The SMS handling and the virtual keyboard have made me into a texting fool. I didn’t like the keyboard much at first. It felt too small and my fingers fumbled to hit them right and so I was so slow to type and I kept having to hit the backspace because I’d type wrong. But then I started to trust the phone and I’ll be darned but it’s VERY forgiving. When I touch the wrong key, I can keep typing because nine times out of ten it knows what I MEANT to type and it will make the correct word appear so that when I hit space to move on, the RIGHT word, and not my mangled word appears. I can now two thumb text with no real issues. I’m still not as fast as my 19 year old niece who can text without looking. We raced. I was close though. She says she couldn’t use the iPhone’s keyboard because she can’t text without looking, which is apparently crucial for her while driving. I try not to think about that, by the way.
  • I love how you can flip through cover art by sliding your finger across the screen. The same way you do pictures. I love that the phone recognizes that you’ve turned the phone and it turns the display - not on all screens, but all the ones that count. I love how you zoom in and zoom out by sliding your fingers out or in. I REALLY love that when the phone goes dark when you’re talking on it it automatically brings back up the screen when you pull it way from your face. It’s sleek and beautiful.
  • And this one is very minor, but just proof in my mind that the designers were really thinking. There is an icon for the calendar, and in icon view it shows the day of the week and the date instead of a static icon. And there’s an icon for the weather that shows the current temperature for the default location even in icon mode. [update: was a coincidence that it was 73 degrees when I looked at the phone - it always shows 73 degrees.]
  • The earbuds stink. I think my ear hole is smaller or something. I can’t use the earbuds I have because they don’t have a built-in mic. I could use my bluetooth, and I have, but then I can’t hear the music or podcast through an earpiece - I have to hear it from the less than preferred speaker.
  • The camera doesn’t have video which I didn’t think I’d miss, but I do. The display before taking a picture is gorgeous. So big. But the pictures are kinda blurry. And when you send them, they’re 640×480. Supposedly if you sync with iPhoto you get the full 2 megapixels but um… I can’t figure out how to sync them. They don’t just move over.
  • I’ve never been a ringtone fanatic. I usually pick a special one to use for my husband - usually make it myself with recording directly in. But now I *can’t* download ringtones. You have to use one of the ones that come on the iPhone. They’re not bad, but I don’t want to have to use them. I’m convinced that will be one of the earlier updates we see - the ability to download ringtones. And like everyone else, I’m guessing they’ll be 99 cents from the iTunes Store.
  • Hitting the Phone button when I want to look up a contact is confusing to me. Sometimes I don’t want to call. I might need an address or something. But I have to hit Phone first. Would be nice to have a contact button though, and just select one to call… but then I’m not sure where they’d put the other options under the Phone heading so I guess that’s really the better way to go. It just takes some getting used to and it’s not a real complaint.
  • No games. :( The only iPod game I played is iQuiz, but even just that would have been nice on the phone.
  • If I turn on music or a podcast and then leave that screen to surf the ‘net or look at the weather or just play around with stuff, if I don’t have the headset plugged in, I haven’t found a quick way to pause the music. I have to touch the iPod button and then pause. I want to be able to do it quick, without leaving what I’m already doing.
  • Something is up with my contacts. I added a contact on the phone but after synching, it was gone. This has happened twice. And I don’t see an option of the phone overriding the computer or the computer the phone. It just says to sync or not. That’s kind of a problem. I need to be able to add contacts directly to the phone. Not a deal breaker, but still.
  • No video out. Well, unless we get an accessory later, but I don’t see the option to output the video to a tv or projector. That would be really nice - especially with the YouTube
  • No MMS. The only way I can send a picture is via email. I want to send a picture to someone’s PHONE not just their email.
  • No record feature. I like to make quick recordings of things - like reminders and such. Or capturing my kids saying cute things. I even tried attaching the external mic for my iPod but it said the accessory wasn’t supported.
  • This is on the con side, but only because most people think its a con… but the iPhone doesn’t have flash support and can’t play quicktime movies - at least not embedded in a web page. But gosh neither could my RAZR so, so what? It’s first and foremost a PHONE. The rest is gravy. A rich, delicious, gravy.

So overall, I LOVE my iPhone. I still have to bring along my iPod so I can record on the fly. Oh, and so Nathan can watch Dora because with only 8GB, I just don’t have room for the entire season of Dora the Explorer. Besides, I don’t want my 3 year old playing with my iPhone.

I found this link on Lifehacker with 10 apps for the iPhone. I’ve bookmarked them all! And now I’m going shopping for a skin over here. Though I might wait a bit on the skin because I don’t want to cover my beautiful phone and people not know what it is! :


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Posted on : Jul 02 2007
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Posted under ponderings |

The iWait is Over!

So… I’ve been in line for an iPhone since a little after 11am. There are two spots here in Killeen selling iPhones. I drove to one and asked how they were handling things. They directed me to where the line would begin outside. No waiting for iPhones inside, which of course makes sense since they’ll be closing at 4:30 to get ready to re-open at 6. There was no one in line when I came by then, so I left, filled my gas tank, got lunch, and stopped at my mom’s to work with Helen via Google Docs & Spreadsheets on our article for the School Library Journal. Then it was off again to the AT&T store. At this point there were three people in line. I’m number four. It is just after 4pm and my arms are sunburned, when I take my fliptops off it still looks like I’m wearing them. I was smart enough to bring a camp chair and my mom and my friend, Frank, have both brought me water and other drinks. There are now about 12 people in line. Just 12. Which means I was way early getting in line but I just couldn’t risk too many people getting here before I could. And there’s a bit of satisfaction knowing that I’m going to be fourth in Killeen, Texas to get an iPhone. Well… maybe more like eighth since there are two locations here.

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Photo 119
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Photo 118

First in line is a guy that the next three in line, including myself, are blaming for us being here as early as we were. Why did he get in line when no one was here yet? It was because we saw someone in line that the rest of us stopped! It’s all in fun, but of course there’s some truth to that. I’m not sure his phone status - whether or not he’s already an AT&T customer. The next guy in line came prepared with laptop, camp chair, book and drink. A lady I assume is his wife and two children I assume are his came to wait with him after some time. They brought and shared water. The boys are cute - playing music on their iPod - not my taste but it’s nice to hear some music - and they’re SO fun to watch. The younger one is maybe five but probably four and he’s doing some kind of martial arts… dance? Moves? Very adorable. If he were my kid I’d go over and kiss his cheek just to embarrass him. This guy and his wife(?) are switching from Verizon. They’re apparently a little concerned because the AT&T people said they are just selling us the phone and we’re going home to activate it with iTunes. But they’re switching service and want to keep their phone number.

Next in line is Mr. Unprepared. I’m not sure what town he came from, but I think he came to Killeen figuring there’d be less people there for the phone. But he thought he’d get to go home and get a chair and water and a book… but no. Well, he did have a book, but other than that, he’s relying on others for water. I had Frank bring an extra chair so Mr. Unprepared isn’t sitting on the ground now. If Mr. Have to be First hadn’t gotten in line when he did, Mr. Unprepared would have been able to be prepared. He’s switching services, too. He’s coming from T-Mobile. What… no, he did that a long time ago. He’s now a current AT&T customer.

Then there’s me. In my capris which I’ve discovered is way too much fabric for the heat and direct sunlight. I have a farmer’s… burn. It’s not going to feel too good tomorrow. I was fourth and last for a VERY long time, making me wish I’d gone back to Mom’s for a little while longer to sit in the A/C. I’m already with AT&T so I’m assuming my purchase of the iPhone will go pretty smoothly.

Behind me is a social lady who goes to sit in the shade a lot. She’s smart. I should do that. Behind her is a women seven months pregnant in line for her husband. She doesn’t even want the phone - or want him to get it. Wow. that’s love. To hubby’s credit, he thought she’d just be holding his place for awhile, but he had to go back to work. And he did bring her a chair.

A few people back from the pregnant lady is my babysitter’s boyfriend. He’s standing in line for my mother who can’t get here for a little while. Mom is paying him $5 an hour to hold her place. I think he’s mostly doing it as a favor. And he brought a friend.

We’ve had a few hecklers while sitting out here. “What are you out here in line for? Oh, the iPhone? Ha ha ha ha ha!” or my personal favorite, “I guarantee you my phone will call the same people that phone will.” Yeah, okay, buddy. Move along, move along. Our core four at the front of the line (which includes No. 2’s wife) were making jokes among ourselves about not speaking our thought bubbles. And that it wasn’t worth losing our place in line to deal with them.

And speaking of losing places in line… a few of us joked about passing out from the heat and everyone agreed we’d call from help, but you’d SO lose your place. A pack of hyenas, we are.

Update: 4:22pm and they line has nearly doubled. Wow. The new people don’t have chairs nor water, but I guess they’re only going to be here an hour and a half. I’m actually starting to get antsy and excited about getting the phone. I’ve been waiting for this phone since the announcement of it way back whenever. And I’ve been excited all along. But right now, right this second, it’s like I’m seven and getting to open my Christmas present and I already know it’s something I’ve wanted desperately for a very long time. I’ve been teased a bit by our core four for having hired a babysitter and putting one of my kids in daycare. I tried to explain that really this makes me a better mother, no? I mean, I don’t have my kids here *with* me, right? Because either way, I’d be in this line!

It’s still pretty hot out here, but finally we’re about to be in the shadow of the building. The lack of wireless connection is making me twitch a bit. My current cellphone, a RAZR, is revolting at being replaced. The battery is running down very fast and it’s shutting down for no apparent reason. So I can’t reliably check mail from it.

4:45pm
The store is closed now and a few people have come by to pay their bills or get some other kind of service and have been locked out, much to their surprise. Except for this last guy just now they’ve all been pretty darned angry. One women gestured at the store hours posted on the door as if that would make someone come let her in. Riiiight. One women actually said, “F- the iPod!” Well, we only forgave her because she is obviously ignorant to say “iPod” but we did all give her quite the stare. Don’t curse something we’ve been in line for for 5 hours, lady. As she drove away, she stopped the car, rolled down her window and said, “You know there’s going to be a new one in another year.” Poor thing got no reaction. Everyone this dedicated to being the first at getting this phone knows the risk and likelihood of something better, bigger, cheaper coming out soon afterwards. We’re okay with that. We laughed as she drove away because you could tell the response she got - none - was not what she was expecting.

We’ve been told that there will be 13 sales associates from 6pm to midnight so we’re hoping that means at least 13 iPhones. I said I only cared that there were four, but my mother, back further in line - she’s replaced her placeholders now - explained that if she didn’t get an iPhone she was getting mine. Nevermind that I’m an adult - she’s still the mother! But 13 phones will be plenty for me to be happy. We watched a UPS driver pull up and all half thought he was bringing in the iPhones. When he came in with one small box, we decided we’d have to riot if he was really bringing in the iPhones.

The line is curving around the building now. I think there are about 30 people behind me but I’m not sure if people are here together or separate.

That part about being in the shadow of the building? I couldn’t figure out why the people in front of me are now all nicely shaded, but my back is still burning and I have a hard glare on the laptop. I finally looked back and because of the shape of the building, I’m still in the sun! Maybe the fact that I’ve been sharing water and chairs will let people keep my place in line if I pass out. I exaggerate of course. It’s hot, my nose is sunburned, but it’s not heat exhaustion hot. But it is boring waiting. Particularly without Internet access.

5:05pm. In less than an hour, I may be holding an iPhone. Supposedly they’re getting the demos ready in there. I don’t care to see the demo. Just sign me up! Oh! Oh! Someone is coming out to talk to us! One iPhone per person. Only 15 people will be allowed in the store at a time. They’re taking names and stuff. I’m going to put my chair in the car and get ready! I’m probably going to shut this down now…. Next update should be with iPhone in hand…

[Update: Just after closing down the laptop and putting up the chairs and the like, I sent an SMS to a few people to let them know how little time was left before I would be getting my phone. Not too long later, my friend, Dan, called me. He was in line in Lincoln, Nebraska. He got in line before I did and was further back in the line, but he was definitely getting a phone and we were both excited. I'm really glad he called because it was fun to share short stories of our wait and to pass the time of the last few minutes that seemed to drag on and on.]

6:52pm iHave the iPhone! I’m downloading the new version of iTunes right now so that I can activate my phone and select my plan and everything. On the way home, I ripped open my bag, carefully opened my box and lovingly caressed my new phone. I turned it on and started at the beautiful Apple logo as it started up. Then I nodded understandingly as it asked me to activate with iTunes and shut it back off. The new version of iTunes is being painfully long to download… Oh! It’s done! Here I go… Updating iTunes library… Come on… come on… Okay, I’ve plugged it in! “Let’s Get Started!” it tells me… Okay, let’s! Okay, entering my info… verifying my data… Omigosh, I can’t remember my Apple ID password! Oh wait… yeah, that’s it. Hmm…. not letting me choose the Family Plan like April said it would. I’m trying not to be concerned… I’m sure I’ll be able to clear that up later. Okay, processing my activation… Oh look! My iPhone says it’s activated! And it’s synching! Well, I’m sure I’ll get an error some where because I don’t have enough room to sync it all.

Omigosh! My husband called me! Not even a full minute after the phone said it was activated! Aww… too cool! So now I’m selecting what to synch and then I’m going to make the promised first calls and then I’m going to meet up with my friends for dinner finally. Yay! I didn’t set up the family plan, but I’ll call AT&T later.

I’m going to update this entry later when I have some time…

[Update: 11:31pm I’m having a blast with my phone. I talked to Dan again with my iPhone but he was synching his at the time. I made that call a three way call and called Helen. We were disappointed to get her voicemail. I also did a three way call with my husband and our friend, Frank, which probably wasn’t exciting for them because they were standing next to each other at the time. I had fun shuffling through pictures, zooming in and zooming out with my fingertips. I had WAY too much fun sending SMS and viewing them like IMs. I had people call me while I played my music. And then I had them leave voicemail so I could see my list of messages and purposefully listen to them in no particular order. I found my home on the map. Set my location for the weather. Took pictures of my husband. Watched a video on YouTube. Took a picture of strawberries. Turned my phone from landscape to portrait and back again to watch my view change. Went to this web page to read what I’d posted. Zoomed in on the photos. Checked my email. Basically, I was incredibly boring company at Frank and Amy’s because I kept fiddling with my phone and showing everyone what else it could do. It was a lot of money, to be sure, but so far it was worth it…


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Posted on : Jun 29 2007
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Posted under ponderings |