Nocturnal Nick

Around 2 years ago I left an Optus world store happy to have finally gotten my iPhone after waiting 3 weeks for stock to arrive. Now, I find myself eagerly anticipating my Google Nexus One that should arrive sometime tomorrow morning.

A good time, then, to reflect on the goods and bads of the iPhone before a post detailing the unboxing and initial use of the Nexus tomorrow.

The Good:

1. The iPhone was the first touchscreen that could comfortably and practically be used with a finger/s. This was primarily due to its capacitive multi-touch screen, allowing quick typing and such innovative control features as Pinch-to-zoom.
2. Apps. The iPhone was, and still is, the king of mobile applications. These days it is even considered among the mobile gaming devices as so many interesting and fun games have been ported to or developed for the multi-capable unit. It cemented the idea of Apps for phones into many consumers minds, forcing most smartphone developers to rush to catch up. Today there are more than 100,000 apps available in the iTunes store, its closest rival (Google’s Android) boasting little more than a third of that.
3. Internet Tethering: For the last few months I’ve been using my iPhone as a wireless internet modem, both through USB and through Bluetooth. It’s fast, it’s convenient, and it opens my netbook up to a new world of portability.
4. SMS displayed as Threads: The idea of threaded email and sms was arguably pioneered by Google, though this didn’t stop apple from using it for their iPhone OS. And to great effect, as this method of displaying messages (through conversations rather than individual snippets)
5. Push Notifications/Messaging: Though hardly new, the idea that my facebook notifications, emails proximity alerts etc are displayed in real time WHEN THEY HAPPEN astounded me. It seems like such a small thing, but to have this information appear real-time rather than only when I tap “retrieve” or similar is very handy.

And that’s about it for the goods. I’ll admit, only a few are original, and even then, some were only implemented in the OS3 update (middle to late ‘09)

Now onto the Bads.

1. What I just said. I’m sick of waiting for Apple to implement their features in a roll-out fashion, generating hype for each incremental upgrade in software (and hardware, but I haven’t bought into it beyond the 3G). For example, MMS, Push Notifications, Horizontal Keyboard and the ability to record video are all features that didn’t need to be left until OS3 was released, more than year after the 3G was. Whenever I caught myself feeling exited in anticipation of then next release, I calmed myself with thoughts of “It’s about TIME!!”
2. iTunes. For most people, that would be enough said. Before my iPhone, I used Winamp to manage my music, and plugins to allow it to interact properly with my iPod. However with the release and adoption of the iPhone, support in winamp was next to impossible, and what little there was didn’t work with contacts, photos, applications etc. I can’t wait to (and indeed have already in preparation for the nexus) shift back to winamp
3. OS issues: The iPhone operating system is interesting, in that the age old concept of functionality vs stability seems to be thrown out the window. You can re-arrange the application icons. That’s the extent of it. No wallpapers, no custom application icons, no quick-call links. The first thing most people do once they jailbreak their iPhones is to change the wallpaper and change their ringtones (and sms tones). Even with all these restrictions, the iPhone still crashes occasionally, and often has problems running certain applications.
4. 6 different SMS tones. Just 6. And these can’t be changed or added to. Oh the confusion this causes in elevators, phone stores, classrooms, lecture halls, computer rooms, offices, pubs and even at home. I don’t even know HOW apple justifies this limitation.
5. Ok, so ringtones are customizable, but without 3rd party software, the only alternatives are songs that have been purchased through the iTunes music store. And even then only some of them. It’s not a HUGE complaint, but you’d think a phone and MP3 player hybrid would allow MP3 tones.
6. Apple’s DRM/Authorization etc: I can understand apple wanting to control the rights to their music, but since the apple store was pressured into removing the ridiculous DRM on their music, there isn’t any point in the locking of the iPhone to one itunes-enabled machine. Unfortunately, there have been more than one occasion where I’ve wanted to sync my iPhone with my laptop, but haven’t been able to as it is linked to my PC. And every time I’ve formatted my PC, I’ve had to format the iPhone too, losing all my playlists and contacts etc. Thankfully, the iPhone allowed my contacts and calendar to be synced with my google account ensuring that (at least after I’d figured that out) I could easily retrieve them.
7. No Multitasking: Another feature that Apple decided in their wisdom that nobody needed was ommited from both the initial release and all subsequent releases of iPhone OS. The excuse being that it would use too much battery life from an already short 2 days (max), it meant receiving and replying to an sms was frustrating as it would interrupt whatever you were doing on the phone already. Apple attempted to fix this with the OS3 update by allowing applications to receive push notifications, meaning IM apps could alert you without actually running in the background. That said, the push service itself used a significant chunk of battery life, so the solution seemed a bit “round-about”. OS4 is supposed to have limited multitasking, but only to certain API’s. What’s the big deal Apple? Other manufacturers manage, why aren’t you?
8. The unit itself: It’s a good shape. But it’s VERY easy to get dirty. I imagine that 80-90% of people with iPhones have a case, either hard or silicone, and a screen protector. I’ve had a case on it it’s whole life and there are minor scratches and wear marks on the back anyways. It’s just something that Apple has always been good at, making their devices look pretty until they are used.

I’m sure there are more, but I’m done complaining about what was essentially a good couple of years with not a whole lot of problems. With more complicated phones come more complicated ways of doing things/fixing things.

TOMORROW:

The ANDROID experience, on the original (and the best) Google Nexus One!!

I realise this is old news, not that it’s the point of this post to inform of their existence, but I never really saw 3D games taking off.
My first experience was playing Avatar on a 3D TV at a pre-release gathering. While it was fun, the glasses were an unwelcome addition and I didn’t find that it added much to the experience.

I have, however, since re-evaluated my position on such games, having read this top 10 list.

Mostly games that don’t really interest me, but one stand-out was Gran Tourismo 5 (Cue vapourware humour). How freaking amazing would driving a car in a 3D “cockpit” be? You could judge corners based on depth, you’ll know exactly when to brake naturally, rather than wrote learning the course, it’ll be easier to dodge other cars as you know exactly where your car ends and theirs starts.

Other possibilities listed are COD 6 and Bioshock 2, both of which would be great in real 3D, though stereoscopic would only be a step in that direction. I can imaging games like COD 6 would be even more immersive, imagine bullets whipping past you and thudding into trees in surround sound AND vision!

The one downside I suppose is that as the hardware needs to render an image for both eyes, thus effectively halving the graphical hardware available or, to put it another way, requiring twice as much hardware.

Maybe next generation console? Please? Pretty please with a cherry on top?

Modified my first Nerf gun the other day. Let me preface this by saying that they are a lot of fun to play with (all ages damnit) but in particular if and when you get a chance to play Humans vs Zombies at college/school/wherever.

I’m starting to think any more would be repeating myself so I figure I’ll just post pics of the modifications I made to the Nite Finder.

Not much here, just the gun I bought laid on its side

Then I removed all the screws:

All the screws removed. Count them, I can't be bothered.

Open the Gun up:

The gun open, there are two more screws to get the barrel out...

And now drill a hole through the barrel from either side, avoid scratching the sides. Also, the Pointy thing originally in there is useless, remove it.

Done!

Today was a day full of audiovisual “fun”

Beginning with a few episodes of QI, then some Borderlands with Chris, followed by a trip to the mall to buy nerf guns (Which don’t seem to be available anywhere at the moment ) we found ourselves inside a tv/av repair store picking up a fixed HD recorder.

Shortly afterwards Faith came around and Chris and I installed her headunit.

First of all, if you’re to install a new wiring harness in any car, PLEASE PLEASE use the stock coloured wires! It just makes a lot more sense to the person installing the new one! Aside from that hiccough it went quite well, everything’s plugged in and working well (including an iPod adapter the glove box) and Faith‘ll come and pick the car up, hopefully overjoyed

After an hour of Borderlands (getting quite into it again) we’ve gone and partially installed the DVD/TV/HDD recorder at Chris‘ dad’s place.

Now Jamison (pulling in now) for dinner then home for more games

Oh and my Car is ready and waiting to be picked up. I’ll do so tomorrow morning

Completely unrelated to my last post, I’m going to Toys R Us today to buy a nerf gun. Like I say, completely unrelated.

So today started like any other Sunday, with work. I woke up earlier than I had thought, planning the night before to snooze through at least the first two alarms.

Work went alright, nothing really exciting happened there.

Afterwards there was a short visit to Dave and Jenny’s place, before heading to the Dinosaur museum, which is undoubtedly the geekiest place to be on a Sunday night.

Walk in and you’re greeted by the standard museum affair, gift shop etc. Delve further into the building and you enter what it obviously meant to be someone’s residence, but which has been converted into a Mecca for wargaming (Warhammer etc etc) and Humans vs Zombies weapons manufacturing. Nerf gun modification is apparently a big deal, as can be seen in this video of Chris’ long awaited successful trial of his first “Storm Tommy”

Having been attacked with small yellow darts more than I care to, I left, and headed home to struggle against this eeePC and it’s efforts to run Photoshop so I could make this. (Link to larger image)

A Left 4 Dead based poster highlighting Chris' pride and joy.

Right, off to bed now, after I finish my beer.

Edit: Download the video by right clicking and save-as HERE

So as I left for school this morning my new toys arrived in the mail. Stupid postman doesn’t even try delivering parcels, just leaves the slips in the box. Its just annoying that they say “sorry I missed you” etc, when I’m sitting in the lounge by the front door.

Anyway, the first of the toys actually arrived last week, a 22 piece towel set. 2 bath sheets, 4 huge towels, 8 regular towels, 4 hand towels and 4 face cloths. Not like its the most exciting thing in the world, but the bath sheets are the right size .

As for the other bits, there’s the eeePC 1000HE and a stand for my PC, ’cause the new case I installed has the fan on the PSU inverted. So yeah, I can’t exactly put it on carpet.

I’ll post on the impressions of the 10″ eeePC

Back again and, as usual, spending more than I really should. In the last couple of days I’ve managed to order more than $200 of stuff from Zazz and Catch of The Day.

From CotD I’ve just ordered a 22 piece towel set (’cause the GF stole my first good luxury towel, insisting I gave it to her) and because I’ll likely sell the majority of the set off to housemates, saving some dosh. That and a stand for my PC’s tower, gotta give it some cooling

My Zazz purchase was a set of 2 way radios by Digitalk. While not the TOP of the range, they do expand to allow microphones/headsets, of which I have 3 throat microphones for use on the bike (One each, obviously). There seems to be a fair bit of interference with wind etc in the throat mics though, so I’m thinking of getting the optional motorbike helmet set, which actually installs into a helmet (making for a more comfortable and easy communication system.)

As I was finding the links for those I was tempted by the 1.5″ photo frame and desktop alarm/clock for $9.95 Its cool, but do I really need it?

Speaking of things I need, I’ve got my car’s rego due towards the end of the month and I haven’t got much cash at the moment, so I REALLY hope the inspection goes through ok

Anyway, back to my “essay writing”.

I just had a thought, sitting at the back of this crowded bus. I’m writing this post on my iPhone, as the 7 people immediately around me either sleep, or do something on THEIR iPhones. Seriously, aside from the older fella on my right, and the poor-looking kid on my left, everyone has iPhones.

Now sure, they’re great phones, and in my opinion the only apple product worth buying (I hate OSX, and the price they charge for their hardware generally), but how did Apple hit the market so hard? Was it the interface? The compatibility with various external software? The applications available to extend the features? The pretty colours?

Personally I think it’s a good thing it’s taken off so well, as the more people with them, the more developers are likely to support them, and the longer Apple will continue adding their own updates (they’re getting the hang of testing these days)
I know when MY contract runs out I’ll likely get the next iteration (currently 3G running OS3.1)

Let me know what you think in the comments.

PS: I’ve included two screen-grabs of my apps. Do the same if you like!