For those that might upgrade, there is one big detail that Apple shamefully does not reveal as it encourages users to upgrade: There is no Google maps app, and the new Apple map is much inferior. Some people have been totally surprised that their beloved Google Maps app and the YouTube app from Google are both gone. The YouTube app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store, but so far there is no new Google Maps app.

This update contains over 200 new features, including the following:

Maps
Apple designed vector based maps
Turn-by-turn navigation with spoken directions on iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (2nd and 3rd generation)
Real-time traffic information
Flyover for photo-realistic, interactive 3D views of major metro areas on iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPad (3rd generation), and iPod touch (5th generation)
Local search results with Yelp photos, ratings, reviews, and available deals
Siri integration for requesting directions and finding places along a route

Apple Inc.

There is no mention that the Google Maps app is no longer included. Of course, many people who stay informed with tech news websites already new about the lack of a Google Maps app.

Apple chose to drop Google and go with a new “Maps” app, a service Apple built in conjunction with GPS mapping company TomTom. According to an Apple Store employee, the reason is that Apple wanted to integrate the Tom Tom turn-by-turn functions and integrate map commands with Siri. They had no control of the implementation into the Google Maps app.

The first most obvious problem is the there is no Google Street View, and Apple’s 3D view is in no way an adequate substitute. Apple has not had any Apple street view cars driving around getting panoramic pictures like Google has been doing for years. This is a big deal for people looking to see what a neighborhood is like, whether they’re planning to buy a house or check the safety prior to a visit.

A second major problem is that the resolution of satellite views is greatly inferior to the satellite views on the Google maps app, and the Google maps app view zooms closer to the subject. In Hybrid mode which shows street names as well as a satellite image, the user has to zoom closer on the Apple map app before the street names are displayed.

A third major problem is that the satellite views are missing data or showing the wrong data. For example, Willis Tower in Chicago is still listed as Sears Tower, and the 3D flyover view doesn’t even show the actual Willis Tower because its not showing the correct location.

Wrong Building and Wrong Location and Wrong Name: The new Apple Map app shows the Sears Tower, which is now known as Willis Tower at East Wacker Drive and North Columbia Drive by the Chicago River (about 1.4 miles away).

A fourth problem is missing public transit information. There is no integrated bus, subway or train information that is crucial to people who are mobile and use public transportation.

A fifth problem is a low quality turn-by-turn 3D driving interface. There is no road speed or speed limit indicator. The ETA and “distance remaining” indicator is very small and unreadable in a driving situation in the top status bar.

A sixth problem is that the color coded traffic indicators (red/heavy, yellow/somewhat congested, and green/smooth sailing) that the Google maps app has are gone, too.

On September 25, 2012 Google’s Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt is quoted saying that there are no plans for a new Google Maps for Apples App Store.

Part of the source of the problem is Google’s fault. Turn-by-turn navigation has been available for years on Android phones, as well as the ability to turn the onscreen map around to orient the map to what you’re seeing in the real world. Google wouldn’t license turn-by-turn navigation to Apple under the terms of the Google Maps API. Apple got huffy about that, and kicked the Google Maps app off of its home screen.

There are some rumors that a Google map app for Apple is in the wings, but it’s not confirmed. The new Google Map app for iOS 6 would have to be approved by Apple Inc. Meanwhile Google is enjoying the bad press that is hammering Apple.

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Whoah! Whoops! Minutes after buying the new Apple iPhone 5 at Chicago’s Michigan Avenue Apple Store, a man dropped his new phone on his way out the door. The Apple iPhone survived.

Word on the street and from is from a teardown shows that cracked screens will be easier to repair.

In this video, ifixit gives an overview of their major teardown findings, including the larger 4″ retina display, the A6 system on a chip processor, the Qualcomm MDM9615 chip, and updated lightning connector.

See also …
ifixit.com

Apple news event summary:

New iOS 6 available to older devices on September 19, 2012, and is pre-installed on the new Apple iPhone 5 and Apple iPod touch.

New Siri features include sports scores, fantasy football, movie recommendations, OpenTable, Facebook status updates.

Google maps is dropped and Apple now has its own map app with turn-by-turn directions, 3D navigation, Siri integration. Some criticism that transit information is not available as it is in Google maps. Some say it is not nearly as good as the former built-in Google map app. It’s not surprising that the Apple map app pales in comparison to the Google map app. Apple’s app will probably be high on fluff (e.g., 3-D maps) and low on getting the job done. A Google map app will hopefully be available soon.

YouTube is also dropped as the pre-installed app on iOS 6, but YouTube will be available from the App Store. Pre-roll ads are introduced with the new YouTube app. YouTube also hopes to make movies and TV shows purchased through the Google Play store available on the iOS app.

Facebook and Twitter is integrated in the Notification Center.

A new wallet app known as Passbook which can be used for movie passes, Starbucks cards, concert tickets, airline tickets and more.

New Apple iPhone 5
(from $199)

Pre-order online starting September 14.

Buy at your favorite Apple Retail Store
starting at 8:00 a.m. on September 21.

Available on AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon

Apple iPhone is powered by a new chip, the A6, which is 22% smaller than the A5 but 2 times faster in processing and graphics.

Apple iPhone 5 is just 7.6 millimeters thin — 18% thinner than iPhone 4S.

Apple iPhone screen has been expanded to 4 inches diagonal with 1136×640 resolution and keeping the same pixel density as the iPhone 4/4S.

Home screen (new row of icons), Calendar iWork apps, iPhoto, Garage Band all tweaked for the new display.

“Ultrafast Wireless” tech supports HSPA+, DC-HSDPA and LTE standards — supported by Sprint, AT&T, Verizon.

Wi-Fi specs: 802.11n (2.4GHz and 5GHz), up to 150 Mbps.

New iSight eight-megapixel camera offers backside illumination, paired with a hybrid IR filter, five-elements lens with f2.4 aperture. A sapphire crystal lens for scratch resistance, dynamic low-light mode, which is claimed to be two f stops improved.

Camera and iPhone supports automatic panorama shots, which composes a 28-megapixel image, removes duplicate people, and uses image stabilization.

Video stabilization is also claimed to be improved.

New Lightning connector will have an adapter available ($29).

Apple iPod Touch
(from $299)

Apple iPod touch available in October — $299 for 32GB, $399 for 64GB.

The Apple iPod touch new design is similar to the iPhone 5 — adding the longer display and shrinking the thickness to 6.1 mm. The polished finish has been replaced with a matte finish.

A new camera sensor brings many of the improvements found on the iPhone 5, but is still held to five megapixels — lower quality than the latest and greatest iPhone 6 at 8 megapixels. The battery claim endurance is 40 hours of music playback, eight hours of video.

Apple Nano
($149)

The new Nano has a large display (2.5-inch multi-touch screen, with a Home button) and adding a new volume rocker. The design is 5.4mm thick — 38% thinner than its predecessor.

The Nano has a built-in FM tuner with live pausing, video playback, integrated Fitness tracking technology with Nike+ support, and a Bluetooth transmitter that allows streaming to wireless speakers.

The Shuffle stays the same ($49 for a 2GB unit). Additional colors are available.

No Apple iPad Mini Announced
An Apple iPad mini is anticipated with a 7-inch display. There is some speculation that the device will be released or announced on the anniversary date of the death of Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs, October 5, 2011.

Apple iPads are now in 94 percent of Fortune 500 companies, with custom apps developed for GE Capital, Mayo Clinic and other companies.

Apple on Wednesday revealed that the new iPhone 5 will be in stores in the U.S. and several other countries on Sept. 21. As AP’s Haven Daley reports, the phone is thinner and lighter than the iPhone 4S and a third of an inch taller.

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Based on previous production schedules, iPhone assembly could start as soon as August.

See more from digital-lifestyle.com …

News of 4-Inch Apple iPhone Displays; By End of Summer?

Apple iCloud to Gain Upgrade Including Photo Sharing …

‘Swÿp’ App from MIT Will Allow File Swipe from One Device to Another …

Mobile phone manufacturer HTC has launched a new mobile known as the HTC Sensation, which includes hip-hop producer Dr Dre’s ‘Beats Audio’ technology. In July 2008, Dr. Dre released his high-performance brand of headphones (made by Monster), Beats by Dr. Dre. The line consists of Beats Studio, a circumaural headphone, Beats Tour, an in-ear headphone, Beats Solo & Solo HD, a supra-aural headphone, Beats Spin, Heartbeats by Lady Gaga, also an in-ear headphone, and Diddy Beats.

The Sensation XL model, which features a 4.7” screen, has been specifically optimized for its audio performance in a bid to capitalize on the increasing number of users who play music through their mobile phones.

HTC is under legal pressure from Apple, Inc. and is the first Android device maker sued by Apple. HTC’s own patent portfolio is minimal. Google sold a number of patents to HTC so that the mobile-manufacturer can sue Apple. Google bought nine patents from Motorola, Palm and other companies less than a year ago to create a defensive strategy, including helping HTC defend against lawsuits file by Apple, Inc. Google spent $12.5 billion to buy Motorola Mobility and acquire the firms 17,000 patents in August 2011.

HTC sued Apple in September, 2011 and filed a complaint at the US International Trade Commission. HTC alleges infringement of the patents obtained from Google.

In 2001, Dr. Dre earned a total of about $52 million from selling part of his share of Aftermath Entertainment to Interscope Records and his production of the hit song “Family Affair” by Mary J. Blige. Rolling Stone magazine thus named him the second highest-paid artist of the year. Dr. Dre was ranked 44th in 2004 from earnings of $11.4 million, primarily from production royalties from such projects as albums from G-Unit and D12 and the single “Rich Girl” by singer Gwen Stefani and rapper Eve.

RIM founder and CEO released a YouTube service update announcing that service is being stabilized, but did not estimate when the service will be restored worlwide.

Blackberry user received the following popup message on their smart phones when they tried to use Internet and email services …

Unable to connect to the Internet,
please try again later.

If the problem persists please
contact your service provider.

[OK]

The co-founder of BlackBerry has told users he is sorry for disruption but cannot say when service will be back to normal.

Apple, Inc. also had problems with the rollout of iCloud, including email glitches and long delays in installation of iOS 5 for users of older iPhones, iPads and iPod touch devices.

RIMM stock …
Apple, Inc. stock …
Google stock …

Many people on the street have been expecting that Siri won’t work as well as the official Apple demonstration videos. Some in the tech media have panned the Apple iPhone 4s as a mediocre upgrade. When people actually use the new Siri app, those reviewers might have to eat their words.

Siri is a new voice control application that is available with Apple’s latest iPhone 4s. The Siri app is designed to recognize your voice and learns to perform better as it adapts to your behavior.

You can use your voice to set an alarm clock, set reminders, write and send email and text messages, and even answer general questions.

Here’s a blogger that reports that Sriri says some crazy stuff …
Siri says some weird things

See more iPhone and other communications news from EVDOinfo.com …
EVDOinfo.com/news

Droid fan boys are ridiculing the new iPhone 4s because they claim that any of the new features of the iPhone 4s are already available on Android OS phones. Others are confused the by the iOS 5 name with an iPhone 4S name (Why not iPhone 5?). Why not iPhone 5??? Probably because the new phone doesn’t do 4G and doesn’t have a new external look. The 4G LTE version is expected to be the Apple iPhone 5 in Spring 2012.

Nevertheless, the new iPhone with a faster Apple A5 processor boasts 200 new features — an as always with Apple, Inc., smoother hardware and software integration, better interface, and a more reliable, trustworthy, and easy-to-use store for buying apps.

Notifications, such as text messages are less intrusive on current operation. Instead of having an obstructive message pop up in the middle of the screen, the message is displayed at the top of the screen.

VIDEO: Siri in action.

Siri is a new voice control that Apple claims is smart enough to know what application to open following a command. Say a command an you cant dictate a text, send a text, ask for the weather forecast, start a countdown timer while you’re in the kitchen cooking, dial contacts and more.

iMessage allows iOS 5 users to communicate over 3G and Wi-Fi with any iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad running iOS 5.

Reminders integrates to-do lists and reminders that includes a ‘geofence’ that sets off a reminder depending on location.

Twitter integration built into apps such as Safari, YouTube, Photos and other apps.

Camera now opens right from the lock screen, so it’s ready immediately. The up-volume also serves as a shutter button. New features include auto focus and exposure lock, a rule-of-thirds grid overlay, and pinch-to-zoom; and after the photo is taken, there are features including red eye removal, cropping and autolevels.

Newsstand includes a new folder that keeps all subscriptions in one place. Content is also automatically downloaded from subscriptions.

Game Center with Game Discovery and Friend Discovery.

Mail in iOS 5 allows you to flag messages, search the whole Mail inbox and compose emails with rich text formatting, including bold, italics and underlined fonts.

Sync without connecting a USB cable between computer and iPhone. Using iPhone, which is

The download is available to current iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch 3rd generation, iPod touch 4th generation, iPad and iPad 2 owners on October 12, 2011.

New iPhone 4S pre-ordering starts October 7, 2011 with delivery beginning October 14, 2011. The iPhone (from $199) is available from AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and now Sprint.

While some point to the annoying lack of Flash, and that Flash isn’t gone yet, as Steve Jobs would have followers believe, but a new iPhone with iOS 5 — that’s ‘i-oh-s’ not ‘i-os’ — with 200 new features.

Rumor is out that the phone will be called iPhone 4S, not iPhone 5 in tomorrow’s event “Let’s talk iPhone” begins 10AM Pacific time, 1PM Eastern, 12 noon Central. New Apple CEO Tim Cook will take the stage for the first time as Apple’s new permanent CEO.

The major new features include …
Notification Center with new email, texts, and facebook friend requests all in one place. Alert appear temporarily at the top of the screen, instead of interfering with what you’re doing.

A new messaging service, known as iMessage, can send unlimited text message via Wi-Fi or 3G from an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch to anyone with one of those same device — that’s right, not a Droid.

Reminders — an improved Calender and to-do list center.

Integrated Twitter with iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch apps, such as Safari, Photos, Camera, YouTube or Maps.

Camera now opens right from the lock screen, so it’s ready immediately. The up-volume also serves as a shutter button.

With Safari, tabbed browsing is now available on an Apple iPad. But as far as is known, still no Adobe Flash.

Mail now has formatting, including bold, italic and underlined fonts.

Wi-Fi syncing can be activated, so that as soon as a power source is connected for charging, the iOS 5 device syncs over Wi-Fi, even if it’s not connected via USB.

AirPlay Mirroring for iPad 2 allows video to stream to an HDTV via Apple TV.

iCloud is seamlessly integrated into apps, so content is accessible content on all your devices. iCloud is free with iOS 5.

See also …
apple.com/ios/ios5/

For live or almost live news breaks …
(Apple has confirmed there will be know live stream of the event)

http://www.macnn.com

“A spring in my step,” say Jon Stewart. Here’s why …

Jon Stewart: “For the past three or four years, those of us in the iPhone community have sacrificed one thing for the ability to carry around every photograph we’ve ever taken, or song we’ve ever listened too, or home video, or compass. We have sacrificed the ability to make phone calls” … [pan to VIDEO CLIP of Verizon Wireless announcement that it will carry the iPhone on its network] …. “FREEDOM. FREEDOM! Freedom to actually switch providers.”

Call Failed.

See the news … The Cardinal Apple iPhone Coming to Verizon on Feb. 10 as CDMA Starting at $199 (16GB), $299 (32GB)

The Cardinal notes that AT&T’s iPhone did work a little better than a Verizon Wireless phone in Orlando, Florida’s Disneyworld. But it’s been horrendous in the Chicago area for the past three years.

Verizon President, COO Lowell McAdam, and Tim Cook, Apple COO, introduce Apple iPhone 4 from Verizon Wireless, which will start selling in early February, and will give U.S. iPhone buyers a choice of carriers for the first time.

Verizon announced plans to launch the iPhone 4 on February 10th, 2011. The new iPhone model will be CDMA-only, which misses out on the advantages of Verizon’s new 4G LTE network. A 16GB iPhone 4 (3G) will cost $199, while a $299 iPhone 4 (3G) will cost $299.

A big plus for the new iPhone is it’s ability to function as a mobile hotspot for up to five devices, such as laptops, PC’s, Macs and iPod Touch devices.

The new CDMA Verizon Wireless iPhone also includes a redesigned antenna and frame. The original iPhone 4 was reported to be flawed because of its antenna design which caused a signal drop when user’s fingers touched the antenna.

No information released on the service plan. No word on whether the mobile hotspot will incur and extra charge.

Apparently, users can’t use voice and data simultaneously on Verizon’s version of the iPhone 4.

The Apple iPhone 4 will be available on the Verizon Wireless network beginning Thursday, February 10 for a suggested retail price of $199.99 for the 16GB model and $299.99 for the 32GB model with a new two year customer agreement. iPhone 4 will be available at more than 2,000 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide, online at www.verizonwireless.com/iphone, at Apple Retail Stores, at the Apple Store (www.apple.com), at Apple Authorized Resellers, and by calling 1-800-2 JOIN IN.

The AR.Drone with an on-board Wi-Fi system, can control the Parrot AR.Drone using an iPhone®, iPod Touch®, or an iPad®. Although, initially designed for the Apple platforms, the AR.Drone will be also available on other platforms in the next few months.

The Parrot AR.Drone has been designed for both inside and outside use. You can adapt it to any game situation using the two hulls provided. The full hull shield protects the AR.Drone from impacts that occur during wild battles against enemies hidden in the rooms of the house. The streamlined hull is aerodynamic, allowing greater control outside.

The drone quadricopter provides a live video feed from a front facing camera and a bottom camera. The live feed is displayed on an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch display. The AR.Drone quadricopter is controlled from iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch display/touch interface.

The top video demonstrated the indoor hull. The video below demonstrates the outdoor hull …

AR.Drone fun demonstrated outside with the outdoor hull.

The Parrot AR.Drone is built by Parrot, a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones, stands on the cutting edge of innovation. Parrot makes car stereos, wireless speakers, hands-free bluetooth kits for motorcycles, and photo frames.

Available on Amazon.com …

Video showing autostabilization after being pushed in flight.

From the CBS archives of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

See also …
cbs.com/late_late_show
twitter.com/craigyferg

Poor reception has been reported by owners of the new iPhone 4. Poor or completely absent reception has been reported by users when holding the device without a case.

Apple has claimed that reception issues involve a software problem that incorrectly indicates a bad signal, and that a fix is enroute. Because the iPhone 4 uses a new antenna design integrated into the iPhone body’s edge, some people believe a hardware revision is necessary and/or the bumper cases should be supplied free with the iPhone. Cases, such as the bumpers sold by Apple, may prevent interference caused by a direct hand-to-iPhone contact.

Poor reception problems — even worse than previous versions of the iPhone — have been posted on an Apple support discussion board page on entitled ‘the real reason for bad reception.’

YouTube video showing signal bar indicators changing depending on how the phone is held.

There are suspicions that human skin contact of the antenna that embedded in the body of the phone is interfering with the signal strength reception of the iPhone.

The most precise thing … one of the most beautiful things we’ve ever made.

– Steve Jobs

FEATURES:
Two cameras:
Front-facing camera
Camera with LED flash on the back

Retina display — 326 pixels per inch (ultra-sharp display)
MicroSIM tray

Bing is now a search option alongside Google and Yahoo!
iBooks for iPhonew with notes, bookmarks, PDF support, wireless sync
Updated camera and photo apps
iMovie app
Ability to record video in 720p resolution at 30 frames per second

DROID by Motorola arrived Nov. 6, 2009. In the video above, the video and camera quality rate excellent. The camera was pretty quick on the draw — catching deer feeding in Busse Woods near Golf Road and Route 53 near Rolling Meadows, Illinois.

For those of you who want an idea how well the Motorola Droid performs capturing video, check out the outdoor video (above) that captured a surprise sighting of deer near a bike path — pretty challenging imaging because of the motion of the deer and the multiple shades of colors of the field and forest in the background. If you want to know more about DROID (especially as compared to iPhone), check the review below. The undertone in reviewing a phone should be this: Does the phone make your business and personal life easier or harder?

The 5-megapixel camera shoots pretty nice pictures as well — gives the feeling you have a camera as good as any point-and-shoot digital camera. The shutter to image capture is also a little faster than an iPhone (second generation). Camera access is also faster than iPhone, so the time from getting your camera in position to shutter click is acceptable. Getting pictures or video into your computer is pretty straight forward. It is easy to copy your photos from the DROID to a Mac after connecting with a USB connection. Then drag video files from the phone to the computer. It is also easy to email photos to an email account. Many video files will be too big to email. You can upload videos directly to YouTube, but you have to do it while DROID is connected over a Wi-Fi connection, not the Verizon Wireless network.

The DROID DOES campaign, effective or not, is high on what the DROID DOES do and what the iPhone doesn’t do — quick little run-down. The look and feel is about as good as the iPhone, but overall nobody can beat Apple’s human interface design, yet. The DROID interface takes a little getting used to … I’ve had a couple of accidental outgoing callbacks from the phone log — you just have to learn to keep your fingers away from the phone icon on the right of the phone log list. To compound things (and compared to accidental dialing) it seems a little hard to get the phone to dial a phone number sometime.

DROID phone quality and speakerphone are good. Silencing the DROID phone is fast and slick — by sweeping the phone’s unlock interface from right-to-left instead of left-to-right. The screen which blacks out when up close to your face like iPhone, comes back faster than iPhone when you pull the phone away from your face. This is very important when you are trying to use touch tones to respond to menu driven phone questions from automated systems. With the iPhone, you pretty much have to use your headphones/headset when dealing with an automated system because it is difficult if not impossible to get your screen back in time to hit the touch tones to reply to an automated phone system.

DROID integration with Google apps or services works flawlessly so far. Google Mail contacts integration and updating is fast. Google Calendar integration is fast, too.

Map Navigation is much better than iPhone with a free built-in Google Maps app and automatic speakerphone giving out directions. Works very well.

DROID? Why not as many ‘home screens’ as iPhone? Don’t know why Motorola and Android 2.0 chinced users out on that one. Apple’s iPhone has 2+9 screens — that’s a home screen and search screen, and nine additional application screens. Each app is brighter and better spaced on its screen on the iPhone. The DROID wastes space on its screens. There is a whole row that is wasted on the DROID because no apps fit in the row that seems to have the room for a row of apps. Therefore, there are only three rows (four columns) available for apps, widgets and shortcuts in the DROID screen view. The iPhone has five rows (four columns) of apps — that’s five rows when you include the bottom row of home apps that appear on every screen. The apps grids on the DROID screens are disappointing, especially considering the DROID has a slightly bigger display and higher resolution than the iPhone. The designers left too much space between the rows of app, widgets and shortcuts. Also, the Apple iTunes interface is also far superior for organizing apps on its multiple screens from a computer.

There’s a replaceable battery on DROID, but the back cover falls off pretty easily. With the way many people go through new phones for the latest technology, having a replaceable battery is probably not much of an issue. I would go for the sealed battery — much preferred to a battery cover you occasionally find lying on your car seat or worse can’t find at all.

Battery life is good — it’s worked on standby for two days without a charge and with Wi-Fi off. Users beware of a lot picture taking though, especially if the built-in flash is working.

DROID DOESN’T come with earbuds/microphone as DOES iPhone.

DROID DOESN”T have a built-in screen capture function as DOES iPhone.

DROID DOESN’T multi-touch like iPhone, so you can’t pinch and zoom pictures or websites in the slick way you can with an iPhone.

DROID DOES work on a better wireless network — Verizon Wireless is more reliable with better map coverage (‘There’s a map for that’) than AT&T. That means less dropped calls and more widespread use of Internet functions on the phone.

The slide-out keyboard works well, and the D-pad (think trackball) is necessary when scrolling through some applications on DROID.

Music? Nothing beats the iPhone’s iPod interface for listening to music. But giving credit to the DROID where credit is due, there is a nice amazonmp3 app for previewing songs. In addition to Amazon Mobile available on both iPhone and DROID, there is an amazonmp3 app available for the Motorola DROID. Not surprisingly, the amazonmp3 app is not available on the iTunes Music Store.

Getting new apps from the DROID’s Market Place works pretty well, but not as nice and solid as Apple iTunes Music Store. It would be nice if purchasers of the DROID would be directed to a trusted website that lists all apps with reviews of the publishers and their products. The market place seems less trustworthy than the Apple iTunes Music Store for purchasing apps for iPhone.

Online Verizon Wireless support for the phone is, well, kind of dumb. It has some cool graphics and background noise, but take a look for yourself …

http://phones.verizonwireless.com/motorola/droid/#/home

You’ll see a high tech flash presentation of a features wheel, but good luck finding information. Some of the text is upside down or grayed out on a black background — had a miserable time figuring out how to get the phone to do direct dialing.

The Motorola DROID phone seems to crash more than an iPhone. It’s done a few weird things like freeze up and not be able to dial. The phone occasionally asks if you want to force quit an application because it is not responding. Also, at one point DROID didn’t have any sound during Verizon’s visual voice playback. It required turning the phone off and back on to hear the visual voice mail.

Text messages stamp the time with something like a 2 point font. The size of the font is nothing short of ridiculous. Good luck seeing what time someone text’d you if you aren’t wearing your glasses. SMS messages from a prior day omit the time on the ‘date stamp’. How come it’s less important to know the time if the message came in at 10 minutes before midnight compared to 10 minutes after midnight? The SMS software also organizes text messages into threads. Can’t help but think that if the Android software is so great, why can’t a user organize a view that shows all messages chronologically from all senders.

Can any engineers out their hit a home run on a cell phone? They haven’t quite hit it with the DROID, but they are getting closer. Bottom line? The phone is acceptable as a smart phone with effective apps. Except for a few disappointments, the phone helps our digital lifestyle — it improves everyday business and personal task handling.

DROID records 720×480, H.264, 24.75 fps
Saves video file as .3gp

3GP (3GPP file format) is a multimedia container format defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) for 3G UMTS multimedia services. It is used on 3G mobile phones and functions on some 2G and 4G phones. UMTS stands for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System.

Mark Bostrom
Arlingtoncardinal.com | digital-lifestyle.com

Mark Bostrom is a web publisher, personal fitness and technology trainer and human interface design critic/consultant living and working in Chicagoland.

Attention cell phones power users — people that need them for e-mail, web browsing, navigation and a reliable phone with a reliable network and reliable battery life:

The issues of features vs. network reliability will come into focus this holiday season.

Motorola Droid an iPhone killer? It does what iPhone doesn’t — that depends. A Retrovo study reveals a potentially unfair stereotype of iPhone users? It finds that iPhone users are more superficial than Blackberry counterparts. For example, iPhone users are more likely to breakup with someone by text message or email. And more likely to to be turned off by a potential romantic partner who has an out-of-date gadget. Ho-ho-ho, the upcoming holiday season is starting out to be predatory on Apple’s iPhone. And AT&T is suing VZW for its “There’s a Map for that” ad campaign. You see, There’s an App for that, but not a Map for that … But what Verizon Wireless is pointing out in their ads, is the superiority of their reliable network and coverage area. And that means that the most important issue for a wireless phone — its reliable coverage area — is going to be fully exposed. That’s a good thing.

Ask almost any person that has used an iPhone how it works as a phone and they are likely to complain about lackluster network reliability. AT&T just doesn’t have the network coverage that Verizon Wireless has. That means dropped calls. That means that those awesome apps that you can load on your iPhone, just don’t work in some places. That means AT&T even having a notice on their coverage map on their website that informs wireless phone users they might have to step outside to get service.

Apple, Inc. and Steve Jobs did a wonderful job designing a user friendly phone which provided freedom from many of the restrictions that might have been involved with a company like Verizon Wireless, such as paying for all ringtones, or not being able to sync your phone to your computer without dependence on the Verizon Wireless network. Apple as always has a device with a superior human interface design.

But now the new Motorola Droid with its Droid Does campaign offers a zippier browser experience, better camera, and a superior free navigation program on its phone. But it has far less applications available at least for now. And you can only have three screens of widgets, compared to iPhone’s nine additional application screens, each. Yes, the Droid does flash for its camera, but it will kill your battery. But it doesn’t do auto-dialing direct from your phone. You have to use up your software widget screen to have widgets for each number you want to be able direct dial. And one thing the Droid Does for sure. It occasionally crashes in the middle of switching from texting to handling a phone call. The Android operating system asks you if you want to force the operating system to quit. The Droid has a superior screen resolution to the iPhone, but some numbskull engineer decided to use a gray 2 point font for the time stamp on the text messages. And text messages that are from yesterday or any day before? … they no longer have the time stamp. If only they would have The Cardinal Digital Lifestyle Department to beta test these things.

Meanwhile are you still in search for the perfect phone and the perfect network? Keep looking. We are not there yet in the year 2009.

Bottom line.
A phone should be a good phone first.
It should freeze.
It should work almost anywhere in major metropolitan areas.
It shouldn’t dial by accident — ‘butt dial.’
It shouldn’t change your ringtone volume or mute without your knowledge, but it should still be easy to change — simply and quickly.

Verizon Wireless Blue Christmas Ad.

UPDATE:
Here is AT&T’s response to the Verizon Wireless ads in the form of a memo … posted on its website …
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=14002
US wide coverage map …

AT&T Sets the Record Straight on Verizon Ads

To Our Customers:

As the U.S. market leader in wireless data service, we typically don’t respond to competitors’ advertising. However, some recent ads from Verizon are so blatantly false and misleading, that we want to set the record straight about AT&T’s wireless data coverage.

The key facts are:

AT&T’s wireless data coverage reaches 303 million people – or 97% of the U.S. population, where they live and work. Our data coverage consists of 3 different types of technology:
3G. 233 million people or 75% of the population are covered by AT&T’s 3G network, the nation’s fastest.
EDGE. 301 million people or more than 96% of the population are covered by EDGE.
With both 3G and EDGE coverage, customers can access the Internet, send e-mail, surf the Web, stream music, download videos, send photos, text, talk and more. The only difference – with some data applications, 3G is faster than EDGE
GPRS. Covers 303 million people, allowing you to talk, text, e-mail and access basic websites optimized for wireless.
AT&T is the #1 network for smartphones, with twice the number of smartphone customers than Verizon, our closest competitor. Some of the reasons include:

Most popular smartphones. Unlike Verizon, AT&T offers the most popular smartphones in the industry.

More wireless apps. Unlike Verizon, AT&T customers have access to more than 100,000 applications, more than with any other wireless company.

Talk and E-mail at the same time. Unlike Verizon, AT&T’s 3G network lets wireless customers simultaneously talk and surf the web or do e-mail.

Fastest 3G in the nation. Unlike Verizon, AT&T has the nation’s fastest 3G network.

Thank you for allowing us to set the record straight. We appreciate your business and will continue to work hard to deliver the best wireless data experience in the industry.

Your AT&T Team

Intelius is introducing an iPhone app Fall 2009 that instantly checks public records for personal information from public records on an iPhone. Intelius claim you can enter a name, phone number or email address and instantly get accurate and comprehensive results.

Intelius Date Check teaser ‘Mr. Right Webisode’ — checking out an apparently perfect gentleman at the hair salon (Trust me, ‘All women talk to their hair stylist.’).

Sectors of the app check specific categories …
Sleaze Detector checks for criminal convictions, felonies, misdemeanors, sex offenses, and other criminal offenses associated with a name.

Net Worth checks property ownership information, home details (bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, tax info), assessed property value.

Interests checks for social network information, professional information and educational background.

Living Situation checks for names and ages of relatives, associates; and roommates living at search subjects’ residence.

True Class, NOT: Intelius Date Check teaser ‘Mr. Wrong Webisode’ — checking out a man’s wallet while he’s sleeping after a one night stand (Trust me, ‘All women talk to their hair stylist.’).

Looking for comments, below … What do you think of the app? The webisodes? The women portrayed in the webisodes?

Available soon for Blackberry, too.

See official website …
intelius.com/mobile

A New Mexico Reporter from KOB-TV in Albuquerque, New Mexico explains how a ‘geeky’ iPhone app developer earns hundreds of thousand of dollars sellling iPhone apps at $5 an app.

Customers enter required information into the application — including the amount and where it’s to be deposited — and then the funds are credited to the designated account.

United Services Automobile Association (USAA) is a Fortune 500 financial services company offering banking, investing, and insurance to people and families that serve, or served, in the United States military.

USAA is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, occupying 286 acres (a former horse farm) with one of the largest single-occupancy buildings in the United States, rivaling the Sears Tower and The Pentagon.

In mid-May, USAA released an iPhone app that allows people to access their accounts, pay bills, transfer funds and locate an ATM.

WILL BE AVAILABLE VIA iTunes …
USAA Mobile … gives you immediate and secure access to your account from your moile device so you can be ready for what’s ahead … 24/7 access to your accounts.

usaa.com