iPhone 4 for Dummies: Turn the iPhone to silent

The best way to turn your iPhone on silent is to using the Ring/Silent switch.  That's the switch on the far right of the picture on the right.



Undoubtly, we forget to turn our mobiles to silent sometimes.  When it does ring in a meeting, I am frantically finding a way silence it.

The good news is that if you were to press the volume buttons located on the side of the iPhone, the ringing stops.  However, you can't reject a call that way.

My preferred method is by pressing the physical ON/OFF button on the top right corner.

1st push of the ON/OFF button stops the ringing.

2nd push of the ON/OFF button will reject the call.

iPhone 4 for Dummies: Display numeric percentage % battery life

By default, your iPhone does not display the % (percentage) of battery charge remaining on your mobile.

To get this to display you just need to follow these 4 easy steps:

1) Click on the <Settings> icon

2) Select <General>

3) Select <Usage>

4) In the first row, you will see <Battery Percentage>, toggle this field to "ON".

That's it!  You should be able to see the % battery life left on the top right hand corner where the little battery icon is.

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!

Review of the NUDE case. Don't get it!

Here's a review of the NUDE case for the iPhone 4 that is offered free by Apple as part of the free case program to protect the antenna.

Don't get it!

Speed up iOS4 on iPhone 3G

It appears that by turning off Spotlight in the iPhone 3G with iOS4 will help speed things up a little.

I have done this just a few minutes ago and will be checking if this really does speed things up.

If it does, I will report back here.

To try this yourself, navigate to Settings -> General -> Home Button -> Spotlight Search.  In here, uncheck as many of the search items listed.

If this improves the performance of your iPhone 3G with iOS4 please post your results below.

Motorola Droid X antenna problems

Apple has released videos to demonstrate industry wide challenges with mobile phone antennas.  These videos compared the signal displays of the iPhone 4, BlackBerry Bold 9700, HTC Droid Eris, Nokia N97, Samsung Omnia II and iPhone 3GS.  When held tightly, the signal drops without exception on all phones.

Understandably, competitors have rejected the suggestion that their products share the same antenna problems as the iPhone 4.  BlackBerry and Nokia have responded as blogged here.  Samsung has responded since.

Apple certainly isn't shy when it comes to bringing its competitors back down to earth.  As this cage match continues, the latest to be thrown into the ring is, the new Motorola Droid X.

It will be interesting to watch how this plays out.....

77% iPhone owners will buy again.

According to an article on CNNMoney, iPhone 4 has strong customer loyalty.  This is based on a survey by the Yankee Group.

To quote the article, "...The iPhone is also the gift that keeps on giving: 77% of iPhone owners say they'll buy another iPhone, compared to 20% of Android customers who say they'll buy another Android phone.."

This is still early days.  I am not sure about the survey's sample size.  To be fair to Android, earlier versions are not as impressive as the latest Android 2.2 Froyo.  Customer loyalty might change in the future.

Either way, having Android around means the iPhone will innovate faster to keep up with  competition.  This can only be good for iPhone owners.

iPhone 4 drop test

Ever wondered how tough an iPhone 4 with a bumper is?

A web citizen has kindly donated their iPhone 4 for this exercise.  He dropped the iPhone 4 from 4, 6, 8 and 22 feet.  The first three heights represent a very reasonable range for normal use.  If you ever drop your phone from 22 feet it's a tragedy.

The author for the video has done a good job in making the experiment as scientific and genuine as possible without being a scientist.  Kudos to that!

A great video for us who wonder how tough an iPhone is but do not dare put our precious mobiles in harm's way.

Free Bumper! Get your Free Bumper!

Planning to get a free bumper?

Joel from ZDNet has an article with his views and tips.

It appears there is a 3 to 5 week wait on bumpers.  So unless you can wait...  you might probably just get them yourself!

If you just wanted instructions on how to get your free bumper Adrian from ZDNet can help here.

Skype Multitasks on the iPhone

Skype now multitasks on the iPhone.
Features include:

• calls over 3G network;
• receive calls when other apps are opened;
• during a call you can switch to email to check details or another app for movie listings;
• calls appear even when your phone is locked

The best feature... it is FREE!  Over 3G.  Awesome.  Not sure how long that's going to last but here's hoping.

The link -> Skype blog.

iPhone 4 Antenna Problem Blown Way Out of Proportion

Here's an article describing how the iPhone 4 antenna problem has been blown way out of proportion.

This brings some balance to the "hoopla" created by the media. 

To summarise, the author goes to Best Buy to purchase an iPhone 4 and asks how many complaints have they received.  To which the sales person said none. 

Perhaps the antenna problem in real life is not much of a problem and is only mentioned in isolated cases.

I will keep my eyes peeled for more news.... good or bad.

Bumpers fix the iPhone antenna problem

Consumer Reports is a US based independent, non profit organisation providing product reviews.

I didn't realise how highly regarded Consumer Reports are.  In the future I will certainly be using them for reviews on other products.

They have an article about the bumper solving the antenna problems.

I have always purchased protective cases for my phones and hence I am not fussy about this "issue".  I will probably end up getting a screen protector too for the iPhone 4 screen.

iOS4 multi tasking and battery life

This post might be techie for some, however I will try and keep it as simple as possible.

Multi tasking provides a user with the ability to run applications in the background. For example, you can have iPod playing music on the iPhone 3G while you surf the internet. This exact form of multitasking permitted by Apple has always existed. However, you were unable to open 3rd party applications such as Pandora (music streaming app) and surf the internet at the same time.

With iOS4, 3rd party applications can now open in the background. However, only for applications using the phone's multi tasking services for audio, location and voice over ip (eg. Skype). Technically there's task completion too as a service.

Some say this is not full multi tasking.

However, Apple is quite clear about why they have designed multi tasking in this way. To preserve battery life and maximise performance. Gizmodo has an article on this.  This appears to be a very reasonable design goal.

Android allows for "full" multitasking, however it drains battery life.  Google has acknowledged it.