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!!

The story isn’t quite as involved as MW2, though it had the potential to be. Essentially the introductory mission sees you playing a commando in WWII infiltrating a Japanese occupied island in the pacific, with the aim of discovering a “scalar weapon” (a prototype weapon of mass destruction). Without going into detail, and I apologise for those of you allergic to spoilers, the mission gets cut off half way when the weapon is activated, and you escape only to be engulfed by the effects of the scalar weapon. The rest of the game takes place late in the Cold War, and essentially involves you and the three other members of Bad Company being hired by the US military to find this weapon, buried under the earth somewhere since 1943. The Russians (USSR) are after the same thing, and so combat ensues.

The gameplay felt much more open than MW2, with wider terrain allowed to be traversed, allowing the player to choose their method of approach rather than being told, such as in MW2. The freedom felt good, especially given the need to pick good cover with BFBC2’s destructible environment.

Finding cover in this game isn’t just a matter of running up to something and crouching. You have to consider the firepower of your enemies and compare that to the strength of the cover around you. For example, if I was to hide in a thin-walled jungle-hut, I can’t expect to be impervious to armor-piercing rounds. That said, even a strong concrete wall will be destroyed if you’re up against a tank or two, sometimes bringing down the ceiling on top of you and eliminating the unrealistic feeling of safety that you have in other cover-based games.

As the story progresses, there are a few twists and turns, cool missions to mirror MW2’s ones (ATVS>Snowmobiles) and snide remarks from your comrades targeted at MW, such as “Nah, we better get in there and get it done before the marines send some sissies with heatbeat monitors on their guns” and “If I was on a snowmobile I’d waste your ass sarge!” – “Yeah, but snowmobiles are for pussies”

Overall, I’m impressed with the game. I’ll certainly be giving the multiplayer a go, but from what I’ve heard the BF maps are game mods are bigger and better than the MW2’s little tiny maps anyway, so thats where I’m sitting

[********--] (8/10)

1. I get tired much quicker when I’m not watching TV.

Having a TV and something interesting to watch while running on the treadmill, using the cycles or the… whatever those horizontal cycles are… helps distract from however tired you’re feeling. Which means you can go longer. Until you can barely continue (which I didn’t quite reach, I was rather proud).

2. Standing on solid ground after 20 minutes of treadmill on “speed 8″ is hard.

Stepping of the treadmill was actually not to bad. But after beginning to walk a few paces I felt like I was walking on some sort of acceleration-aid surface that meant I could walk MUCH faster than usual Fun for a while, but when you’re walking behind someone going slow, its frustrating.

3. I have little to no upper body strength.

So after the cardio legs stuff, I tried out some weights (an honorary title, as they were actually pneumatic) which brought about the disturbing fact. I think it’s because since high school I’ve not really done any upper body exercise. I guess I’ll just keep doing it.

4. Steam rooms are actually kinda cool!

After the hour and a bit of Gym-ing (because thats a verb now, haven’t you heard?) I used the steam room. Actually used really doesn’t feel right here, given that all you do is sit in a cloud of steam, but while I don’t really see it serving much of a purpose, it was an interesting experience.

So overall I enjoyed my first Gym experience, though I don’t think it was worth $40 a fortnight. So while I’m not going to get membership, I’ll gladly sponge free tag-along passes

The general story follows the life of a Californian Buy-More (fictional “JB-HiFi” type store) employee, Chuck (Zachary Levi – Nothing in particular) (. He was expelled from Stanford for cheating on tests (wrongly) and the story begins when his ex-roommate emails him an experimental database of top secret information previously stored on a CIA supercomputer knows as the “Intersect”. Basically anything that Chuck sees with relation to information in that database triggers him to “Flash” and recall all pertinent info on said trigger. Seeing as the last remaining copy of the intersect resides inside Chuck’s brain, he is assigned two CIA handlers Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski – Mass Effect 2) and John Casey (Adam Baldwin – Firefly). Although suddenly lauched into his life of international espionage, he must maintain his cover as a Buy-More employee.

All in all it’s quite entertaining, though at 40 minutes an episode, it occupies a little more time than I’d rather spend on such trivial stories. That said, while the episodes are made to be comical, there are underlying dramas present, and I find myself willing Chuck and Sarah to be together, as they are constantly on and off cover and real relationships. While not as strong as the Pam and Jim effect (from The Office) it has kept me watching through more than one mostly un-eventful episode.

All in all, while definitely worth the watch, Chuck is a show you should watch AFTER all of those you love (For me that includes The Office, Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother).

Chuck is aired on Mondays (Much like BBT and HIMYM)

Today’s choice was the Pig n’ Whistle in the middle of Queen street. It’s a great place to people-watch, what with it’s half pub half restaurant layout. The restaurant half is shielded from the thoroughfare by those translucent plastic sheets, allowing for conversation at normal volumes, over a good selection of foods, with constantly varying specials.

Today though, I’ve decided to sit on one of the lower tables in the pub’s half. Comfortable stool seating along with fixed tables allow for sturdy drinking surfaces (or laptoping, as I’ve found today) unlike most street cafe’s or pubs, where tables are constantly wobbling from one pivot to another.

Staff are friendly and in a good mood, at least today. So much so that I’ve handed a resume in, in the hopes of some work soon. They say they have an opening in the graveyard shift, which to be honest I’m perfectly happy with. It’d screw with my body-clock, but its not like it’d interfere with my schooling or anything

While I cannot comment on the food, as I’ve not been wealthy enough to order some today (not to say it’s expensive, just that I’m poor) but I intend to visit again and sample their culinary skills.

This is the first in a series of posts I’ll be writing about local food and drink places.

There isn’t an obvious background story, just a typical “Tim searches for the princess” platformer, though there are definitely subtle undertones of something more. Whether you walk away from this thinking whoever made it was on drugs, or was being really deep (or both) you’ll walk away with a definite feeling of achievement.

As for the deeper meaning, it has been interpreted (not entirely my credit) to be a metaphor for the discovery and testing of the nuclear bomb. Without going into it too much, there are a hell of references, but they are all so subtle to those (such as myself) that aren’t familiar with the intricacies of that particular piece of history. This surprised me as I was able to get through the whole game without picking it up, I was just plain confused.

Anyway, VERY well worth the $9.99 or 1200 microsoft points!

[********--]

That aside, the trip was fairly uneventful. Mostly because the hilly terrain prevented the truck from being able to speed up past the point where anything eventful happens . A slight hill meant I was overtaken by truckers, and a downhill meant putting the gearbox into eco mode.

Upon arrival, I’ve immediately applied for and waited (without patience) for my DSL2+ to kick in. When telstra finally gave into TPG’s requests for activation, it was like ingesting 16 red bulls in 20 minutes; unhealthy but EVER SO EXCITING!! I’ve now set up remote uTorrent access so even sitting here, at Bubbles cafe in Brisbane city, I can ad, remove, or generall manage my torrents. All completely legal, of course, just nice to be able to start your home server PC downloading something from the other side of the world.

As for transport, seeing as my bike is still having issues (or at least I presume it is, given I haven’t actually started it in several weeks) and my car isn’t the cheapest thing to park mid-city, I’ve been using the public transport. Initial observations suggest it is significantly cheaper and faster than Sydney’s, but then I live a good deal closer to uni, and there’s not a river from Matraville to Qantm.

What else, what else… I was paid back by a number of people through the bond returned t my former hosuemates. Saved my ass, though I don’t have a job yet! I’m fairly confident I’ll at least get an interview at a JB that’s looking for workers, and I’ve distributed my resume to a number of places around various convenient centers, though nothing has arisen yet.

And finally, I’m sorry this post isn’t accompanied by any images, video, or links. Like I say, I’m at a cafe and my steak just arrived, so I’ll sign off now.

Edit: It was friggin delicious

Anyway, thought I’d post that and a few images of the house here before we leave. If the battery life on my camera holds out (its only one bar at the moment and the charger is packed) there’ll be some more photos later on!

The lounge quickly filled up...

And I reckon thats enough for the night. I’m off to bed, got one HELL of a drive to do tomorrow!

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?

An example of what most would consider to be a completely selfless act is to give to charity. Putting aside any possible financial benefits (tax deductions etc), one wouldn’t give anything to charity if helping others didn’t make them feel good. If someone was indifferent about the recipient of the donation’s wellbeing, the donation wouldn’t be made in the first place. It follows then that as your donation increases the wellbeing of the recipient, you feel good. Following the logic train it can be said that donating to charity makes you feel good, and that is why you do it.

Then comes the topic of accidents. Of course, if you drop a $20 note as you’re walking along, you don’t feel good about it nor receive any kind of physical benefit. To this I respond that the term selflessness has everything to do with intent, and nothing to do with the actual result or consequence. In this case, you didn’t INTEND to drop a $20 note, or indeed do anything, and so it cannot really be called an act of selfishness or the opposite.

It can then be said that something you regret doing, a mistake, was still done with the intent of benefiting oneself. The fact that it didn’t succeed matters not, as you INTENDED it to. Nuances of this “rule” extend also to situations in which you try and succeed regardless of the expectation or odds.

For example, if there is a 1 in 6 chance of me correctly chosing the side of a dice that turns up, I’ll still attempt the guess, as the cost to me may be smaller enough than the potential winnings to take the risk. Whether consciously or not, you have weighed the pro’s and con’s and come to a decision.

So, thoughts? Examples of a completely selfless act?