But at least he would be out in decent scenery. Sounds better than playing Left for dead indoors on a pc. :p
Printable View
But at least he would be out in decent scenery. Sounds better than playing Left for dead indoors on a pc. :p
Hehe no zombies in the British countryside though :p
Daniel.Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
The updates so far have been free. You just download them from iTunes
And as for the Windows phone, I hope they do come up with something that you can rave about.
Variety is the spice of life.
:s mokin:
Don't tell him that Race.. please. He still thinks anything with the name "Windows" involved is going to be "fixed" soon. I've remembered hearing that story ever since I've owned Windows!Quote:
Originally Posted by race aficionado
I look forward to hearing how WinPhone9.5 Revision B, Service Pack 2 problems have been sorted out. :D
Geocaching app is £5.99, pricey as apps go, but I think for the amount of times I use it, it's probably one of the best value apps I have!
It does help to have premium membership on the geocaching.com so you can download pocket queries so you don't have to rely on the phone network.
Apple does indeed release a new OS every year and it's free! I don't recall Microsoft ever releasing Windows Mobile updates for free, you had to buy a new phone!
It's strange that MS have decided to release an OS which is clearly unfinished. A year ago it would have been fine, but no multitasking and no copy+paste is just handing their competitors a rod to beat them with! Sure it'll be updated, but there will be lots of publicity now about what it can't do, but the update will no doubt appear with little fanfare and there won't be many stories printed about what it can do!
I know they could keep it in development forever but that's a fairly major omission, and a surprising one since previous versions of Windows Mobile - even my iPaq back in 2003 did multitasking and copy+paste!
My apologies then, not quite sure where I got confused :pQuote:
Originally Posted by race aficionado
For people like Andrewmcm and airshifter who seem to want to slag off every Microsoft product, I say this, Windows mobile has been rubbish for years and I would never buy a windows mobile product before Windows Phone 7.
People who buy Microsoft stuff are honest about its faults, they admit that Pre WinPho7, Windows mobile wasn't up to much and that Vista was nowhere near as good as it could have been and that Windows 7 is what people really wanted.
Go try one, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
One thing about phones at the moment is in the same way as a desktop OS is that once you're in, you're in! People using iOS, Android, WM7, whatever will likely pay for several applications for their device and become accustomed to using them. Switching to another device further down the line will at the very least involve paying for those applications again, if they are even available for that platform.
So when it comes time to upgrade you are much more likely to take the newest version of something that can run all your existing software rather than something entirely different. Microsoft (and PCs) have been using this trick since the year dot!
Ah, now I've seen it ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
I think that's very true. I think it's even more true with older people (not OLD, just older! :D ). One of the primary reasons that I continue to run older versions of some trading and business software is because the newer versions have features that would require me to essentially relearn the programs. Often they're the same features that I have now, but the process of getting from A-Z changes with the newer versions. And the same is true of smartphones. My girl, her sister and brother-in-law all have iPhones (and Macs). So even before I got the iPod Touch, I was somewhat familiar with the user interface... and found it intuitive and intriguing. So now, if I was to get a smartphone, I would likely go for an iPhone. If not an iPhone, I'd probably look at an iPhone-like device (like the HTC Incredible?) running Android. After that, Blackberry and this new Win Phone 7 might be options. But I've never cared for Blackberries and even refused to carry one where I used to work. And so far, I haven't heard of anything that really sets the Win Phone 7 apart from the crowd (in a way that I care about). If I was a gamer, I understand it closely links to the Xbox. But I don't have and don't want an Xbox, or any other game system. So far, I just haven't heard about a game-changing feature that the Win Phone 7 has that would compel me to buy one, in the event that I decide to get a smartphone.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark
From what I've read on various sites, the Win Phone 7 is getting decent reviews. But the key issue it's going to have here in the States is whether or not Microsoft will be able to convince the carriers to REALLY back it. Verizon/Vodaphone is now set to get the iPhone next year and they're already doing really well with Android phones. AT&T has made a mint with the iPhone and they're also doing well with Android phones. Sprint/Nextel is also on the Android bandwagon. Other than Nextel, where we got our company phones, I don't recall which ones carry the Blackberry, but I assume most of them do. So long story short, the space is beginning to get crowded. And by being (once again) late to the game, it'll be interesting to see what strategy Microsoft chooses, and whether or not they'll be able to put any sort of meaningful dent in the market.
Will MSFT be a (real) player in the smartphone market, or just an also-ran? Time will tell...
Windows Phone 7 doesn't bring anything OMFGWTFBBQ special to the table, these days there's little that can amaze people. It's simply a very competent phone with a lot of things integrated. To look for a particular feature in WP7 is to miss the point a bit. It integrates a whole lot of stuff very well. Facebook, Windows live, Xbox Live, Skydrive, Office, Sharepoint etc etc all integrate very well and very deeply.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jag_Warrior
Use one and I'll be very surprised if even the dedicated Mac users don't at least see some merit in it. Well known Apple lover Stephen Fry even likes WP7...... http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...indows-phone-7
Actually Daniel, I am as much of an Apple "fanboi" as you are. At this stage in my life I am wise enough to make my own mind up about the electronic products that I purchase - it just so happens that I have purchased an iPhone and use a Macbook Pro for work because they suit my needs the best. When it comes to making purchases in the future I will survey the market at the time and choose the configuration that is right for me, be it Samsung, Nokia, Apple, Microsoft or whatever.
And in keeping with this objectivity, you should try an iOS/Symbian/Android Phone. You know, just for comparison's sake. I'm sure you'd dislike being called a fanboi as much as I would.
Stephen Fry is an open-minded kind of guy. Using Apple products does not automatically make one anti-everything-else-made-by-anyone-else.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...review-htc-hd7 - so Daniel, how do your experiences compare with those of the author of this article?
Daniel, let's discuss this nicely thanks !Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
The article is OK. But there are a lot of omissions, mistakes and personal preference in there. A little like Richard Hammon marking a car down for being too spacious inside for him. How many times in an article does he say "OMFG said feature doesn't work!!!!!" only to then say Update: I'm a bit of a tool and I've not actually don't my reading which shows that it's done in a particular way or that Microsoft is going to provide an update for it later.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrewmcm
I certainly don't think it's worth a 5/5 or anything, especially because multitasking doesn't work but there's no way it's a 3/5 as this grauniad monkey says.
I think he's wrong to complain about there not being enough information on the screen too. IMHO WP7 strikes the right balance between having too much info on the screen and not enough. If you want tonnes of detail then use a laptop or a PC. I know that sounds like an excuse or something but it isn't.
Here's a review worth reading IMHO
http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/20/w...hone-7-review/
It doesn't gloss over the faults and it provides videos which help show the UI in motion. One thing I will agree with the article you posted is the notification area. I definitely hope that Microsoft release an update to make it stick to the top, this is a phone after all right? Not being able to see battery power and signal strength at all times is a bit of a joke....
I forgot to inform you that my MacBook Pro has been replaced by Sony Vaio :p :
I got a new smartphone for Christmas, its a PAYG Orange San Francisco also known as the ZTE Blade. At £99 RRP I wasn't expecting very much but after unlocking, rooting etc and flashing it with a custom Android Rom to get rid of the slow clunky orange UI and bloatware I've been pleasantly surprised at how good a phone it now is, nice OLED capacitive screen and it now zips along and can play the more demanding games no problem.
The camera isn't great but other than that I couldn't recomend it highly enough.
If you are looking for a cheap PAYG smartphone.. its a bargain!
Review here.. http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pho...-901915/review
Sounds good. I think soon even the cheapest phones will effectively be 'smart phones' running the likes of Android, with the competition being based upon the hardware capabilities of the device, rather than so much on the software contained within it.
It was said when the iPhone came out that it would fail because Apple wouldn't allow carriers to put all their bloatware onto the phone, however I think it [i]succeeded[/b] because of that! I mean who ever uses or likes that stuff?
I forgot to mention that Nokia are rumoured to be releasing a windows phone 7 model this year. Should be good if true
I have been pondering buying an iPad as a gift for a little while now. Seeing as Apple usually have around a 1 year life cycle before they release a new model I've done a little googling and the rumours are that the iPad 2 is due to be unveiled in the next couple of weeks with a release date in April. This timescale seems to tie in with Apple announcing and launching the iPad last year.
Anyone have any thoughts on the IPad 2?
I don't know any details about it but for sure more "goodies" will be added and I personally think that these features could have been added on the first one but that's the way Apple marketing works.Quote:
Originally Posted by GridGirl
Those that can afford it can jump on what is offered and then purchase the upgrades as they come.
In my case, I just wait for the version that will make me want to purchase it.
i don't have one yet, let's see what they come up with on this version.
:s mokin:
I was all set to get my MacMafia girl an iPad for Christmas. But then the rumors started to come out that the iPad2 would have front & rear cameras - she and her sister have become FaceTime junkies... and pulled me and my lil iPod Touch in with them. So I decided to wait for the release of the new one - and was forced to do what I never do: buy a girlfriend jewelry for Christmas (that usually starts the Armageddon clock a ticking :( ).Quote:
Originally Posted by GridGirl
But most of the rumor sites have put lighter, faster, dual cameras and possibly a USB port as very likely. I have my doubts about the carbon fiber case, but we'll see. And there will most likely be an unexpected feature or two that will "Wow!" the crowd, and at the same time, keep the competition behind the 8 ball. Until RIM can get their battery life issue figured out on the Playbook and Android can prove itself on a tablet form factor, I figure the iPad remains about the only game in town. But the others will eventually get it right... and then Apple will move the bar again on them.
So yeah, I'll wait to get gal-pal an iPad2, and there's a MacBook Pro in my immediate future (loaded with Windows as a secondary OS).
Life is good then . . . .Quote:
Originally Posted by Jag_Warrior
:s mokin:
Assuming the iPad2 lands in time for her birthday, hopefully! If not, then I'm going to have to get really creative so that I can stay away from the jewelry store. I need the boys & girls at Apple to be good elves, work some overtime and not let me down on this one.Quote:
Originally Posted by race aficionado
At minimum I would expect it to have the same features that are present in the iPhone 4, forward facing camera (maybe not rear facing, but who knows!), improved GPS and the same dots per square inch as the iPhone, as the present iPad has only very slightly more res than the iPhone, despite a far bigger screen.
With phones as they are these days, what need is there to buy a new phone or upgrade from your existing one (unless it breaks)? Surely you're just fanning the flames of consumer capitalism and disposable technologies...
Sorry to put a damper on the thread ;)
It depends if the new version has a technology or way of doing things you find better than your current model.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndySpeed
You say it like it's a bad thing? :pQuote:
Surely you're just fanning the flames of consumer capitalism and disposable technologies...
If it's genuinely better and will help you out then I can't criticise that - after all, I have just bought a new camera body to replace my old one just because it's better.
It just seems some people buy and replace just because the marketing material tells them to. Honestly, hand-on-heart, I refuse to change my Sony Ericsson C905 until it breaks or the battery goes dead. When it does I shall rever to my even older K800i until that breaks. Unless in the meantime I get a job that requires me to read emails in the field...
I hope you understand my point - so many people upgrade their phone just to keep up with the trends created by marketing (or, perhaps, to make themselves appear more like those busy professionals checking their email on their phone every 5 minutes, wishing they were themselves in such a good job....).
There'll be so many Android and Windows tablets on the market in the next few months that the iPad2 will almost certainly be an overpriced underspecced waste of time. Apple need to pull something spectacular out of the bag, not merely adding features that should have been on the original iPad (camera, decent screen resolution, better connectivity etc).Quote:
Originally Posted by GridGirl
Plus I'm not convinced that a 10" screen is the way to go. Once you get to that size you might as well buy a netbook for half the price which does twice as much. 7" seems to be becoming a far more popular screen size, and far more transportable. I suspect that for all Jobs' posturing over screen size, Apple will release a 7" nano-iPad before the end of the year.
and it'll be a triumph and it'll be magical and so on and so forth.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave B
that goes for everything . . . if it's good, why not?Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
I like it when I see that the competition is out there doing it's thing and participating in bringing up the bar. I am even glad that Windows latest venture has been so far a success - it was getting embarrassing, specially coming from a company that had a successful track record many years ago.
As for Steve Jobs and his team, I am one that is in awe with what they have accomplished and look forward to their latest products *and this includes not only their iPhones, iPads, iPods but also their video editing and graphic products.
I am a MAC man, coocookachoooo!!!!
:)
Some great offerings at CES this year http://dvice.com/archives/2011/01/tablets-youll-a.phpQuote:
Originally Posted by Dave B
Not just tablets either :D Intel has debuted their Sandy Bridge line of CPU's, one of which is sitting in MY PC at this very moment :DQuote:
Originally Posted by rah
Really?? That was quick! I only saw them anounced the other day, they look nice. Nothing slows my 4 year old pc down like RAW and other image file processing. It will definately be in my next PC hopefully this year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
With his latest leave of absence, I have a feeling that Steve Jobs' reign at Apple will mostly be ceremonial going forward... if that. Tim Cook (COO) has apparently been running the day-to-day for some time. But even as capable as Cook is, it will be hard to replace the greatest turn-around artist in corporate history (bar none).Quote:
Originally Posted by race aficionado
As for those who keep saying the iPad will soon be an afterthought, that sounds like nothing more than wishful thinking to me. Not a single (reputable) analyst sees that. Certainly not by the end of the year. I think Android, and maybe the RIM OS, will eventually gain significant share in the tablet market. But as long as the pie keeps getting bigger, and as long as Apple remains ONE of the dominant players... who cares (from a shareholder standpoint, I mean)?
By that time we'll probably be onto Ivy Bridge :) I'd wait for that for sure :)Quote:
Originally Posted by rah
Just had a read about it, looks good. I guess I will have to stick with the old pc for now. Still looking at a netbook / tablet in the next few months, for tafe.
I think it's naive to think that Apple will continue on nearly as strong without their snake oil salesman at the helm. No one else can sell you a phone with an antenna that's fundamentally flawed in its design and come out smelling like roses.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jag_Warrior
I still think that tablets as a whole are just a fad, not just the iPad. How long that fad lasts is anybody's guess. If you can do something quicker on a tablet then I think that this says that either your computer is slow or you're just not that quick with a keyboard and mouse.
I do agree that Jobs' absence COULD make a (negative) difference in Apple's strategy over the longer term. He is a visionary like Silicon Valley (or the business world) hasn't seen before. Tim Cook is apparently a supply chain genius. He's the one who has been making the trains run on time for the past several years. But no one yet knows how effective he and the others will be at picking the right product at the right time. In the sort term (2-4 years), most analysts believe that Apple has it covered, with or without Jobs at the helm. And at only 17 times earnings, it's not as if they're a Facebook or some vaporware company. For the time being, I'm leaving my chips on the table. If you go back and look at where the stock was when this thread was started, and compare it to where it is now, you'll see why I say that it's often wishful thinking that Apple won't deliver. I believe the phrase "kicking @ss and taking names" is appropriate. And BTW, it's actually quite funny to go back and read many/most of the posts on the first few pages of this thread now. Not to pat myself on the back or anything... but ya know *pat pat pat* :D
As for tablets, Bloomberg reported yesterday that the tablet market is poised to triple, from 17.1 million units in 2010 to 57.6 million units by 2014. That's what I was referring to when I spoke of making the pie bigger, even if their share is somewhat less than it is now. I think tablets were a fad. But now they're big business. And as they evolve from where they are now, I see no reason why that won't continue. Most people who buy tablets don't use them as their primary computing device, I would say. So they probably have access to either a desktop and/or a laptop. But tablets are far more convenient (and portable) than a desktop, and they're much lighter than a laptop (and cooler on the lap). As of right now, I personally don't have a need for a tablet. The iPod Touch perfectly fits my needs when I'm not by my computers. But if/when I can justify one, or want a bigger form factor (my eyes, they no so good no more), I'll get one too. I'll keep my desktops, laptops and iPod Touch as well - just like the millions who are gobbling them up right now.
OK
So the new iPad is out.
Any comments?
:s mokin: