Jim Hamm informs us about the settlement, explaining "You might want to bookmark this site for future reference: www.iPhone4Settlement.com. It's not active yet, but later on it appears you will be able to get $15, or a bumper case, if you bought an iPhone 4. This will cost Apple a pretty penny, I suspect."
He sends this link to MacDailyNews, also read about it here.
iPhone / iPad Tip
"If your iPhone or iPad's Home Button should become less responsive or 'laggy,'" writes Jim Hamm, "here's a tip on how to calibrate it that might help."
5 Reasons to Choose iPhone Over Android
Here with some cheery news, John Carter forwards this article by Tim Brooks. The article states, "If you’re considering buying your first smartphone, you’ve got a fairly big decision to make. As well as choosing a carrier, plan and minimum contract period you then have to trawl through the barrage of handsets until you find something you like.
"Most buyers will probably end up choosing between the Android operating system and an iPhone running iOS. So how do you know which is right for you? In this editorial I’ll put the iPhone argument forward and explain why I think Apple’s plan is better than Google’s."
Using Your iPhone Camera
John Carter found an article that will interest both photographers and our iPhone users. He begins, "I subscribe to Digital-Photography-School.com. Now and then an interesting post comes through. This one is from a guest post by Sarah and she gives her 10 tips for using the iPhone camera. It seems worth passing on. The highlights are:
1. Hold the phone like you would a camera
2. Don’t zoom in with the zoom on the camera, zoom in with your feet
3. Shoot the same thing a few times
4. Light
5. Check out the resolution and picture quality settings – and set them on high
6. Keep the camera still
7. Move around and get in different positions
8. Clean the lens… duh!
9. Process!
10. Look for clutter-free scenes
John concludes, "Read the full article here. And while you’re experimenting with photos on your iPhone, don’t forget about the video!"
Who is Calling ME on the Phone?
No, this won't happen tomorrow. But in the future? Soon? The iPads have been introduced to the orangutans in Milwaukee! Don't miss this provocative article from the BBC. David Passell is sure you want to read it.
Help for that Snazzy Present You Got
Competition for iCloud
This article discusses Microsoft SkyDrive, a competitor to Apple's iCloud. David Passell sends this info for our iPad and iPhone users. He comments, "The closest I get to clouding (I just invented a new word!) is Dropbox."
iPhone Picture-Taking, Shopping Benefits
Do you take pictures with your iPhone? was the question that started us off. Jim Hamm willingly obliged and went into detail. Apparently, the iPhone camera is a good feature when shopping.
Jim explains, "For me, there are two big advantages to using the iPhone as a camera: first, I always have the iPhone with me, and I don't have to carry a camera around. Second, I find it particularly useful in the following situation: say I'm in a store and see something that I think might be useful/pretty in the house or condo. I know I don't dare buy something for the house or condo without Zee's approval (years of experience talking here), so I just take a picture of the item, email it to Zee, call her and tell her to take a look at it and call me back. This has been very handy.
"Yesterday, for example, she wanted me to place some hooks in a certain place in our condo. I went to Home Depot, found two sets that I thought she would like, took pictures, emailed them to Zee, she looked and picked the set she liked and called me back.
"From reading this—and other—articles on the iPhone's camera I've learned it is a pretty darn good camera. We've been pleased with the results of the pictures we've taken. And the camera in the upgraded iPhone 4S (which we don't have) is supposed to be even better."
The article that caught my attention was from National Geographic. Jim wrote, "Thanks for the link. Interesting article. In our house, Zee is the 'picture taker' on our trips, so she'll enjoy the article also, and maybe can add some comments."
"Convenience, light-weight, decent pictures—all make the iPhone's camera handy to have around," Jim closes with a smile.
Free Digital Magazine App
Just released yesterday was a brand new app for the magazine "Distro." It's FREE. Jim Hamm tells us it's for iPhone or iPad, but later will be available as a PDF download for any platform. He comments, "I just downloaded and tried it, and I think I'm gonna like it." Take a look here.
iPhone 4S and Miscellaneous Observations
"If you've got the time and inclination to read a somewhat lengthy article, here are observations on iPhone 4S," states Jim Hamm. He goes on to comment that it's by John Gruber, "a well-known blogger whose perspicacity I admire."
(If you find the white-on-black format hard to read do these keys at the same time: control, option, command and 8. Do the same then to toggle back.)
You Can Print From an iPad or iPhone
Fascinating to imagine printing from your iPhone? your iPad? Jim Hamm sends this from Small Dog TechTails newsletter. He says he's not tried the AirPrint Activator, but plans to do so. "Lack of printing capability has been one of weaknesses of the iPad -- at least for me. If this app works, it will be a step forward in making the iPad more of a free-standing computer."
Looking at iOS
If you're a PMUG member or friend with Mac computers there's always more to learn. Yes? Now, with exciting new Apple devices, iPad, iPod, iPhone there's a lot of new information just out from this week's WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference). Jim Hamm passes on a tip on enabling automatic downloads on your mobile device (which needs to be on iOS 4.3.3).
Will iOS 5 Affect Mac Computer Sales?
Jim Hamm considers how iOS 5 will affect notebook sales. "Here’s a video with a summary of iOS 5. Lots of new features for mobile devices. The most important, in my opinion, is now the iPad, iPhone and iPod no longer need to have a computer to connect to. They can be free-standing devices. A nice step. On the flip side, possibly this might have a deleterious effect on notebook sales. On the other hand, though, I don’t think I’d just want to have only a mobile device and not have my Mac. I think each has its strong points. Time will tell how this all shakes out."
Here's a thought-provoking article from Jim that speculates about the future of Mac.
Experiencing iPhone in Scottsdale
No sooner did we get the Valentine iPhone story from Art Gorski posted than we heard from Jim Hamm. Listen in:
"Art, thanks for sharing your iPhone 4 experience with us. I think you'll enjoy the iPhone. Zee and I got our first iPhone a few years ago, and only AT&T was available as a carrier then. We were with Verizon, and would have preferred to stay with Verizon, but technology got us...(grin)...
"Perhaps Verizon has 3G service in Prescott because, as you mentioned, AT&T doesn't. Since we plan to spend the winters in Scottsdale, we do have 3G service here, and it is nice to have. Overall, though, we haven't been unhappy with AT&T. I do think Verizon is the better carrier, but for now we'll stay with AT&T. Our daughter and son-in-law use AT&T, so calls to them don't use any minutes.
"If you were in the service, be sure to ask Verizon for a veteran's discount on your monthly bill.
"One problem I've noted with the iPhone 4 is the sensitivity of the screen. When talking on the phone it is easy to touch your cheek to the screen and activate something else. The other day I had called Apple support and was talking to a tech when my cheek touched the screen and I started placing a call to Affinity RV. Sheesh, what a pain. Apple should modify the program so when one is talking on the phone it takes two taps or touches to activate another function. That would stop the problem. I use the external speaker much of the time to avoid that issue.
"Next time I see you I'll show you some of the apps I've installed and find useful. I'm not into games, so don't have any installed other than the four that came pre-installed.
"If you have a problem or question on the iPhone, don't hesitate to give me a call. Maybe I can help (or I'll ask Zee -- she's more knowledgeable than I am on the iPhone). Zee, and our daughter, have a ton of apps installed and are darn near pros on apps and the iPhone." And, as always Jim closes with a grin.
Her Valentine Present
What a valentine present! Art Gorski informs us, "So I decided to get iPhones for Mary Ann and myself.
"We had been on an ancient 'grandfathered' (Read: no longer available) T-Mobile family plan with no data or text messaging. We used only a handful of minutes of phone per month, besides the free minutes. Grand total: $58 per month for 2 phones.
"I never got the AT&T iPhone 3, 3G, or 4 because there's no AT&T 3G data network in Prescott after all these years, and they make you pay monthly for a 3G network you don't get.
"Many of my neighbors use Verizon and have no trouble with signal or coverage anywhere in the area, including at home.
"Not being a Verizon customer, I couldn't order phones on February 3rd.
"I tried to use the Apple on-line store yesterday when the Verizon iPhone became available, but if you want more than one phone (i.e. Family Plan), you can order it on-line but you have to go to an Apple Store to pick it up. 100 miles? Nope. Not doing that.
"So today was the day that the Verizon retail stores started carrying the iPhone. We got up early and got there at 6:45 a.m. and were 15th in line for the doors to open at 7 a.m.
"I was kind of surprised that Prescott would drum up this much interest. By the time we got out of the store, there wasn't any line, so probably less than 25 early customers like us. I asked if they got enough iPhones at the retail store and the clerk said that they didn't get many, so I don't know if they'll run out or not.
"We hung around in the store waiting for our number to be called and got sucked into buying some accessories. They even had the boxed AppleCare.
"Including waiting, signing up, paying and getting our two phones activated (our old numbers ported IMMEDIATELY), it took less than an hour.
"Besides the cost of the iPhones and activation charges, the monthly is going to cost me around $159, pretty much exactly $100 more per month than before. That's a 700 minute 2-line family plan, 2 unlimited data plans, no text messaging or other options.
For sure Art is smiling as he concludes, "I hope Mary Ann likes her early Valentine's Day present!"
More on iPhone
Keeping up with the iPhone comments? Jim Hamm sees to it that we are informed. NY Times’ David Pogue has this to say about the Verizon iPhone. And now Pogue outlines his idea of turning an iPod into a iPhone.
And what about paying at checkout with your iPhone or iPad, instead of your credit card? Info World tells us and also gives more initials to add to our growing repertoire: NFC means Near-Field Communications technology.
iPhone News
Art Gorski doesn't want us to miss the latest news: Verizon Wireless held a press conference today and announced that they will be selling Apple's iPhone to new customers starting on February 10, 2011. Verizon is the only wireless provider that has a 3G data network in Prescott. They also have a company store in the area where you can walk in and order (and maybe take home!) your new iPhone. More details, including Frequently Asked Questions can be found on their website.
Jim Hamm jumps in here with this link to Apple. He comments, " A big step for both Verizon and Apple, and possibly a bag of hurt for AT&T."
Here's a helpful comparison from Macworld of the AT&T and Verizon plans.
'Tis the Season
Eight guys with their iPhones and iPads and musical apps perform three holiday songs on stage. View here. Is this the future?
Leave MacBook Pro at Home, Take iPad on Vacation
A writer recounts his vacation to Bryce and Zion, leaving MacBook Pro at home, and taking his iPad with his iPhone. Jim Hamm passes this article along to us, with the notation, "One interesting observation he makes—and which I hadn’t thought about—is the WiFi login at one lodge was Flash-based, and the iPad (or iPhone) doesn’t support Flash. He couldn’t login to WiFi. Wouldn’t that be frustrating? Sitting there surrounded by WiFi and couldn’t access it!
"But, overall, the iPad worked fine, and he would do it again for a vacation trip, but not on a working trip. The new iOS release for the iPad (in November, I think) may help some of the issues he covers, but not the Flash issue."
MobileMe Update
Art Gorski brings the following to our attention, "MobileMe has been updated with a completely new web-based Mail interface, a Find My iPhone app for iPhones, and some other new features.
"The most interesting to me is server-side Mail Rules. Now you can define rules on MobileMe instead of in Mail on your Mac and they will also work with your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch."