Personal blog about photography, geek stuff and life.
Posts tagged iphone
Windows Mobile 7 will fail.
Feb 17th
Once again Microsoft have not heard what the customers want. They failed with Vista because they thought they could dictate to the customers and look how that turned out.
With Windows Mobile 7, they have made the mobile phone the everything device when it can’t be that. Whenever you try to treat a small device as a big device you just get programs trying to run faster than the hardware is able to; Microsoft’s previous solution to this is to make the HARDWARE more powerful when they should be making the software simpler.
Windows Mobile 7’s interface is a barrier, it makes me think about where I want to get to when really I just want it to run the program I tell it to. There are too many buttons, options and ‘things’ cluttering the OS that the human eye doesn’t know where to look. Many people have complained about the iPhone’s simplistic interface but believe me that although it does look easy it take someone who KNOWS User Interfaces to design and implement, it also takes the vision of Steve Jobs to implement that and produce it for the masses.
One thing Microsoft must sort out is their message; what are they trying to say by releasing WM7? Are they targetting iPhone users or are they aiming for the corporate stuffy suit market? Whatever it is, right now Microsoft is saying an awful lot, but the message is lost to most of us.
What will Apple’s iPad mean for photographers?
Jan 29th
I was speaking to another Tech Gear Head this evening about the iPad and what it meant. He suggested that it right now it doesn’t fit anywhere and is creating a market all of its own.
But what does this mean for Photographers? For amateurs I can’t say; it is an investment regardless if Steve Jobs says it’s only $499! But for a Professional Photographer I can see great benefits.
Seeing Clients:
Imagine preparing to see a potential customer who want to see your work. They have already seen your portfolio on your website, they have chatted to you over email and phone so now they want to visit you. Armed with an iPhone, a Macbook and a iPad they would be impressed with your tech (well, perhaps the groom might be). The couple want to see your work in more detail so you hand over your latest gallery on an iPad! The interaction with the photos (slide, spin, flick) would give that “WOW” factor and perhaps the edge you need to close the deal.
On Location during a Shoot:
100% of my photoshoot happen away from home, that means my gear has to be portable and powerful. The iPad is portable but I doubt it could beat a Macbook. However there is a place for the iPad on location; checking emails, note recording, review photos (assuming that it is possible to connect a card reader).
Guerrilla Bob. A possible next purchase for my iPhone.
Jan 28th
I have lots of apps on my iPhone. My friends have said too many 
However, with over 140,000 apps on the Apps Store there are quite a few I need to get through. This new one by Chillingo looks very good.
Judging by the review from Toucharcade.com it’s too easy to finish; but then Modern Warfare 2 is easy to finish, but ggrrrrreeeat fun to play! You can read TOUCHARCADE.COM review here.
Here’s another video taken by a player.
Why I believe Apple’s iPad will succeed.
Jan 28th
Apple’s product philosophy is simple to understand but difficult to master; keep the design simple, make the interface intuitive and elegant and control the connection between the software and hardware.
Look at Apple’s computer range. The minimalist design of the Mac Pro desktop is simple and brilliantly executed. On the front are two optical disk slots that are hidden, a power button and few usb/firewire ports and that is it! Compare that with a PC and it’s clear which hardware is trying too hard.
Apple’s Macbook range is equally as simple in design and form. Once again the body is uniformed with design that is now considered a classic. There aren’t dozens of flashing lights or distracting buttons everywhere like you would find on a typical Windows laptop. When the Macbook is closed the there is the every present Apple logo on the lid. It is perfectly understated which conforms to Apple’s design template. There is nothing confusing about how to use it. I have let complete novices use my Macbook and they have been able to use it within minutes.
And of course the iPhone. If you just consider the functionality, there is nothing new here; smartphones have been around for years, but what Apple have done is made it elegant. The interface is simple, the fact that when you swipe your fingers across the screen the feedback in instantaneous. With just one hardware button at the bottom and quick access to the four main features of the iPhone (phone calls, mail, web and music) it’s just brilliantly simple. Apple has been critized unfairly that there is not enough customization with the iPhone’s interface, but it JUST WORKS! There is no clutter and there is no doubt that a major part of the iPhone’s success is it’s user interface.
The iPad won’t make such a splash initially as the iPhone or the Macs did because people’s expectaitons are much higher now. Also users don’t know how it fits in yet.
I am a Professional Photographer and no matter how loose I can see some potential in having a tablet computer rather than a full laptop. However, there will be times when I will need to run an open Operating System. The problem, at the moment, with the iPad is I cannot install full Mac software on it. I use Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop and even some video editing software when I am out on the road so the iPad cannot cope with those heavy apps, however I don’t believe that’s the iPad’s place.
I believe the iPad will fill a niche gap in the market. I can showcase photos to clients in a more interactive way with an extra “wow” factor. Perhaps the iPad shouldn’t be used alone, after all even if you did have an iPad you would most likely carry a smartphone around with you to make calls.
The iPad will find it’s place ALONG SIDE other Apple’s Hardware. Time will tell, but I can see myself carrying an iPad, a Macbook Pro and an iPhone out when I see my clients. Is that too much? Perhaps, but it will look damn cool infront of clients
Grand Theft Auto on iPhone.
Jan 27th
I love my iPhone. I’m not ashamed to admit it. I love everything Apple. I like to feed my iPhone with as many apps as I can get my hands on, but lately I’ve been very choosy about what I buy from the App Store.
If you’re an owner of the iPhone and you love games, then no doubt you’ll have heard that GTA is finally available. I loved GTA on my Xbox 360, but after 6 weeks of playing the novelty wore off and my attention went elsewhere (damn you Call of Duty 4). Now that GTA is on my beloved iPhone I am hesitant to buy it because I don’t know how long my attention will stay.
Anyway, here’s a short review by AppVee
iPhone therefore I don’t know!!
Mar 19th
I have a few months left on my Orange contract and I REALLY cannot wait for it to end. I purchased the HTC Touch almost 18 months ago. At that time the iPhone was just on the cusp of being released but it was untested. Ever since then everybody and their dog has the iPhone; this is the problem… it is no longer a unique gadget anymore. It has been demystified and in my opinion lost the cool factor.
I have been looking at alternatives such as the Google Phone and Blackberry. Time will tell, but I’m still leaning towards the iPhone simply because of it’s huge applications library and that it looks great on my Macbook Pro