Check your iPhone 4: Gyroscope

I have only gotten my iPhone 4 about a week ago.  

There were a couple of features I wanted to have a look at myself.  One of them was the gyroscope on the iPhone 4.  

I downloaded the gyroscope app from iTunes here. 

Fired up the Gyroscope and started tilting the iPhone left to right, up and down.  Then on the spot I was standing on, I turned around with the iPhone turning with me and watch as the app reported how many degrees I was turned.  Impressive!

This will be a neat feature to see in upcoming augmented reality apps.  Go try it out yourself!

iPhone 4 FaceTime Data Usage

Ever wanted to use FaceTime using 3G?  Good news is that you can.

You can always purchase a Mifi (3G modem) to provide a wifi connection over 3G.  iPhone 4 will only allow FaceTime when you're on wifi.

 

9to5Mac has provided some indicative numbers as to how much data FaceTime uses.

Happy FaceTiming!

Life's still great without Flash on iPhone

I have been using my iPhone for a while now, and haven't found the need for Flash.

To date, I am happy to say that life is great without Flash. Even when I am on the PC, I hardly pay any attention to Flash websites.

To understand why, I should explain how I use my iPhone.

I tend to use it when traveling to and from work. I read the news, technology, sports and social information. That is more than enough to help fill up my time. Mainstream websites redirect your mobile browser to their mobile websites. Where the information is purely textual. This means that your news loads up fast without all that mumbo jumbo content you don't need.

Flash was first created in 1996. Realistically, people started using Flash around 2000. So let's assume that Flash has been around for almost a decade. Can you think of any Flash based websites that you use daily? I can think of none.

Depending on your lifestyle, the additional freedom of Flash is not worth the time. When choosing the iPhone, you will choose a simpler and better user experience. When you purchase apps from iTunes, you can are confident that it is secure (eg. Android apps tend to have more security issues as blogged here).

Protect yourself from iOS4 security issue

Some of you might have heard about the security breach in iPhone 4's Safari.

Basically this happens only when you visit a malicious site and open a PDF file.  This compromised PDF file can contain some special code in the font and create something called a stack overflow.  This code can gain access to the phone and control the device. 

Apple has already fixed this problem and an OS update will be coming soon. 

Here's what you can do in the meantime to protect yourself from this:

1. Don't visit sites you do not trust;
2. Alternatively, use Opera Mini for the iPhone in iTunes, as there aren't any reports on that yet;
3. For those who like jailbreaking, that's also an option.

Speed up iOS4 on iPhone 3G - Part 2

Turning off Spotlight as described in my earlier blog did produce any significant speed increase.

However, after upgrading my iPhone to iOS 4.01, it did help.....   a little.

To update your OS, plug your iPhone into your Mac or PC.  In iTunes, click on the iPhone device in the left hand panel.  Then click on the [Check for Update] button.  Follow the prompts.

Apple is planning for another update to the OS, to correct issues with the iPhone 4 proximity sensor and Safari vulnerability.

Android is Top Selling OS in US

Android is now the number 1 selling OS in the US.   

Some interesting statistics on customer loyalty across various smart phones here.

If Android sales continue with the same momentum, I would not be surprised if they eclipse Apple's iPhone in the smart phone category.  Android has the natural advantage of being installed on multiple vendor devices.  Which is not without challenges (as described by an earlier blog).

It will be interesting to see what the future might bring us.  Just sit back and enjoy the show.

Apple Designs the Hardware and Software. It Works!

The only mobile Operating System (OS) worth mentioning besides Apple's iOS4 is the Android.  Some of you might be aware that the Android runs on multiple mobile devices, such as Motorola's Droid and HTC.

Techtree has a detailed article about the challenges Google faces with the fragmentation of Android versions across multiple devices.  Furthermore, different vendors implement the Android User Interface (UI) differently to differentiate themselves.  Apple's iPhone interface is consistent and familiar.  Making it intuitive for most users after the initial learning curve.

Developers are not well supported through the Android app store.  Piracy is also a problem which Google is trying to address.  A problem that does not exist in Apple's app store.  Google supports paid apps in 13 countries, whereas Apple supports 90 countries.

To summarize, the point is simple.  As a consumer, you are looking for an uncomplicated device.  If developers are well supported, it means more applications in the store.  If the platform is intuitive, the user experience is improved.  

Choose the iPhone until Android becomes better.  It hasn't happened yet.

Want security and privacy? Buy apps from iTunes!

Purchasing apps for your new iPhone 4 or iPad?  Worried about security or privacy issues?  Well if you're purchasing apps from iTunes (Apple's App Store), more than likely, you will be safe.  

You might have heard people complain about Apple's approval process for applications published in the App Store.  These complaints are mostly about the process being long and at times ambiguous.  It appears there is a benefit that comes with it.

I am glad that Apple is providing a 3rd party service to quality assure apps in the App Store.  Because of this, I do not worry about obscure developers on the App Store trying to steal my private information such as contacts on my iPhone.  An article here on this.

Like always, people are making a fuss over Apple's App Store over the little things. Apple has provided a service that benefits both the developer and consumer.   Let me explain...

For small developers, getting an application through the approval process and into the App Store means that consumers will more than likely purchase their app.  Feeling safe in the knowledge that Apple has reviewed the application.  Awesome!  Thank you Apple for this service!

A curated platform is a fantastic proposition for consumers like myself.  Chances are, I will hit the "Buy" button more frequently than I would do on an Android.  I think that's a good outcome for all.

Rejoice developers!  Rejoice consumers!