Apple iPhone hands-on: pros and cons
The iPhone is one of the most elegant and ravishing phones I've seen so far, due largely to its simple, sleek design and impeccable, intuitive user interface. While fashion phone fans used to teensy handsets might disagree, the iPhone doesn't feel too unwieldy and at just under 12mm thick, it is certainly pocketable. Gliding your finger from left to right on the lower half of the screen unlocks the iPhone and presents you with the Home screen widgets (mini-applications): Text, Calendar, Camera, Photos, Camera, Calculator, Stocks, Maps, Weather, Notes, Clock and Settings. At the bottom of the screen are the iPhone's four final functions (for now): Phone, Mail, Web and iPod.Although the iPhone runs a version of Mac OS X "optimised for the handheld experience", Joswiak explains it's not an open platform and any updates to applications or software will come through Apple. This closed model, although secure, means you can't install additional custom or third-party apps -- does this mean it isn't defined as a smartphone? It's a model that Joswiak says will continue in the foreseeable future.While the 8.9 cm screen takes up the vast majority of the front of the device, housed beneath it is the inward curving Home button, which for some reason I thought would be touch sensitive; however, it's clickable. While the room we were in was dimly lit and conducive to making displays look vibrant, the screen didn't fail to impress. It is bright, colourful and seems like a very high resolution for its size.To get an idea of how to type messages on a buttonless phone, I ducked into SMS. The text message list is grouped by sender. Going into a thread shows a conversation history (both sent and received messages) in cute coloured speech bubbles. Using two thumbs to type a quick couple of words, the touch-sensitive QWERTY worked well -- my accuracy might have been better if I had longer than 3 minutes with the phone. However, I think the virtual keys and the lack of a tactile click feeling won't be everyone's preferred way of text entry. Next up I wanted to test the pinch and stretch zooming using two fingers, so I went into the Web function where a US newspaper's Web site (New York Times, perhaps) loaded on the screen. In portrait orientation the headlines were barely legible, but with a quick stretch gesture the screen zoomed in and re-rendered the screen in around a second, making its pictures and headlines crisp.With other journalists in the room still waiting to have their turn with the iPhone, I quickly went back to the Home screen -- the Home button gets you back here from anywhere almost instantly -- and into Maps. Google provides the mapping service widget. A map of the local San Francisco area swiftly appeared and a red push-pin marker dropped from the top of the screen to mark the location, although we're not sure if that was a bookmark or if the iPhone was approximating our location with triangulation from mobile phone towers -- something to check on the show floor later.Orientation changes as expected when the iPhone is tipped on its side, allowing you to see Web sites, videos, maps and photos in landscape mode. Multi-touch is a fantastic feature for zooming in and out and panning. Apple isn't mentioning how much system memory is onboard, but we didn't notice much of a lag between menus or applications -- mind you we didn't push the iPhone's multi-tasking abilities to the extreme.We were unable to demo the synching process with iTunes, and are disappointed that Wi-Fi can't be used for synching or for direct communication with other iPhones, the latter being one of the major selling points for Microsoft's Zune. Joswiak claimed an advantage of the wired connection is that it's faster and that it charges the device at the same time.Will the iPhone be a success? Undoubtedly it will be in the US if comments by Macworld attendees are any measurement, but a lot could happen between now and the time it takes for the iPhone to launch in Australia, which representatives from Apple Australia could not narrow down from Steve Jobs' "2008 in Asia". Addressing the iPhone's lack of 3G connectivity at a time when HSDPA services are flourishing internationally and the impact of future WiMAX technology, Joswiak said that Apple "made some choices that make sense today". Reports of poor battery life could potentially have hurt Apple if it chose to go with 3G from the get-go. Certainly the iPhone is an amazing device and credit must go to Apple for its seamless integration of hardware and software. But what impact will the iPhone's Wi-Fi limitations, closed system, wide and long design, and lack of next-generation mobile technology have on sales?I'd like to hear your thoughts on the iPhone and Apple's entry into mobile phone market. Please leave your comments below.
iTunes users griping about Apple's security questions
iTunes users griping about Apple's security questions
A handful of iTunes users aren't too happy about the security questions being thrown at them to verify their accounts.Apple recently ramped up stricter security measures for iTunes and iOS users in an attempt to prevent accounts from being abused or compromised. Beyond just entering a password, some users are now being asked to choose three security questions and a backup e-mail address when they try to download content.But it's the selection of questions themselves that appear to be upsetting some of the Apple faithful, according to The Register.Users are being asked to choose from a tight list of questions, including:"What was the first car you owned?""Who was your first teacher?""Who was your best childhood friend?""In which city were you first kissed?"Some people chiming in on Apple Support Communities say the answers to certain questions are too easy to figure out or are public knowledge. Others are saying they don't even know the answers to certain questions. A few have suggested that Apple let users choose their own questions. And some are upset that there was no advance warning of this added security measure."The questions are not secure, some are public knowledge and some I don't even know the answer to myself," one user wrote, "so I would have to fake an answer, which then I won't remember."Another person complained that "someone certainly didn't put much thought into creating the questions or ability for users to be able to find a question they really could answer."And a third apparently young user said that "these questions are ridiculous, and impossible for me to answer. I haven't had a job, a car, or my first kiss yet, making it impossible for me to answer three of the five questions. Now I can't download anything from iTunes."The security questions appear to be directed at users who may have raised a red flag for one reason or another. Picking the questions themselves is a one-time task. But after you've chosen your three questions and answers, you may at some point have to remember and enter the answers to again verify your account.I recently received this added security and did have a difficult time choosing the security questions. Some of them I couldn't answer, and others struck me as odd or too easy for someone else to guess.Related storiesApple ratchets up App Store securityiTunes customers reportedly under threat from digital thievesApple certainly can't be faulted for wanting to ratchet up security. The accounts of iTunes users have increasingly been compromised and victimized by phishing attacks.Apple has little choice but to step in and make things tougher for the bad guys, even if it inconveniences some of its users.But perhaps a better choice of questions would make the medicine go down a little bit easier.
A handful of iTunes users aren't too happy about the security questions being thrown at them to verify their accounts.Apple recently ramped up stricter security measures for iTunes and iOS users in an attempt to prevent accounts from being abused or compromised. Beyond just entering a password, some users are now being asked to choose three security questions and a backup e-mail address when they try to download content.But it's the selection of questions themselves that appear to be upsetting some of the Apple faithful, according to The Register.Users are being asked to choose from a tight list of questions, including:"What was the first car you owned?""Who was your first teacher?""Who was your best childhood friend?""In which city were you first kissed?"Some people chiming in on Apple Support Communities say the answers to certain questions are too easy to figure out or are public knowledge. Others are saying they don't even know the answers to certain questions. A few have suggested that Apple let users choose their own questions. And some are upset that there was no advance warning of this added security measure."The questions are not secure, some are public knowledge and some I don't even know the answer to myself," one user wrote, "so I would have to fake an answer, which then I won't remember."Another person complained that "someone certainly didn't put much thought into creating the questions or ability for users to be able to find a question they really could answer."And a third apparently young user said that "these questions are ridiculous, and impossible for me to answer. I haven't had a job, a car, or my first kiss yet, making it impossible for me to answer three of the five questions. Now I can't download anything from iTunes."The security questions appear to be directed at users who may have raised a red flag for one reason or another. Picking the questions themselves is a one-time task. But after you've chosen your three questions and answers, you may at some point have to remember and enter the answers to again verify your account.I recently received this added security and did have a difficult time choosing the security questions. Some of them I couldn't answer, and others struck me as odd or too easy for someone else to guess.Related storiesApple ratchets up App Store securityiTunes customers reportedly under threat from digital thievesApple certainly can't be faulted for wanting to ratchet up security. The accounts of iTunes users have increasingly been compromised and victimized by phishing attacks.Apple has little choice but to step in and make things tougher for the bad guys, even if it inconveniences some of its users.But perhaps a better choice of questions would make the medicine go down a little bit easier.
Apple to unveil iOS revamp, iRadio, Siri update -- analyst
Apple to unveil iOS revamp, iRadio, Siri update -- analyst
Apple will unveil a new paint job for iOS and introduce its new iRadio music service at its Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday, forecasts Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster.In an investors note out today, the analyst offered his predictions on what to expect from Apple as WWDC kicks off. Several reports have already pointed to a redesign for Apple's mobile OS with iOS 7, and Munster sees that as 90 percent likely.Catch CNET's live coverage of Apple's WWDC 2013 keynote, Monday at 10 a.m. PTiOS 7 will mark the first change to iOS spearheaded by Apple design guru Jony Ive, and the first time in six years that Apple will overhaul its familiar interface. Such a change can be risky, but Munster sees it as necessary."We believe making these changes is the right move for Apple given consumers are increasingly interested in some fresh ideas from Apple around the iOS interface," the analyst said. "The risk of doing nothing is greater than the risk of disrupting the winning iOS formula."Then there's iRadio, the long-awaited Apple radio service. CNET last week reported that Apple had signed both Sony Music, the last of the three major labels it's been needing, along with mondo publishing house Sony/ATV. Those deals make it all but certain we'll see Apple Radio introduced Monday.In Munster's view, iRadio has an 80 percent of being tuned up at WWDC. By offering its own music streaming service, Apple has an opportunity to slice off a healthy chunk of that market based on sheer numbers, Apple has more than 500 million active iTunes accounts. In comparison, Spotify has 30 million users with 7 million to 8 million of them paying customers, while Pandora enjoys 70 million active users with around 2.5 million paying ones.Still, iRadio won't contribute to a huge amount to Apple's bottom line, according to Munster. But it would be a feather in Apple's cap."Even if Apple is successful in the streaming music space, it likely won't move the needle for the company," the analyst said. "If Apple were to equal Pandora's [Wall Street] revenue estimate in [2014] of $875 million, it would add about 0.5 percent to overall Apple revenue. More importantly, we view the music offering as an opportunity to show consumers that they can deliver new, useful services with great experiences to make up for disappointments in Mobile Me and Maps."Munster also sees an 80 percent chance that Apple will announce changes to its Maps app and an update to Siri. But above all, WWDC will point the way to what's ahead for the rest of 2013."Monday will set the stage for more measurable products over the next six quarters (iPhone 5S, cheaper iPhone, television, iPhone 6, iWatch, and possibly payments)," Munster added.11 years of WWDC product launchesSee full gallery1 - 4 / 12NextPrev
Apple will unveil a new paint job for iOS and introduce its new iRadio music service at its Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday, forecasts Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster.In an investors note out today, the analyst offered his predictions on what to expect from Apple as WWDC kicks off. Several reports have already pointed to a redesign for Apple's mobile OS with iOS 7, and Munster sees that as 90 percent likely.Catch CNET's live coverage of Apple's WWDC 2013 keynote, Monday at 10 a.m. PTiOS 7 will mark the first change to iOS spearheaded by Apple design guru Jony Ive, and the first time in six years that Apple will overhaul its familiar interface. Such a change can be risky, but Munster sees it as necessary."We believe making these changes is the right move for Apple given consumers are increasingly interested in some fresh ideas from Apple around the iOS interface," the analyst said. "The risk of doing nothing is greater than the risk of disrupting the winning iOS formula."Then there's iRadio, the long-awaited Apple radio service. CNET last week reported that Apple had signed both Sony Music, the last of the three major labels it's been needing, along with mondo publishing house Sony/ATV. Those deals make it all but certain we'll see Apple Radio introduced Monday.In Munster's view, iRadio has an 80 percent of being tuned up at WWDC. By offering its own music streaming service, Apple has an opportunity to slice off a healthy chunk of that market based on sheer numbers, Apple has more than 500 million active iTunes accounts. In comparison, Spotify has 30 million users with 7 million to 8 million of them paying customers, while Pandora enjoys 70 million active users with around 2.5 million paying ones.Still, iRadio won't contribute to a huge amount to Apple's bottom line, according to Munster. But it would be a feather in Apple's cap."Even if Apple is successful in the streaming music space, it likely won't move the needle for the company," the analyst said. "If Apple were to equal Pandora's [Wall Street] revenue estimate in [2014] of $875 million, it would add about 0.5 percent to overall Apple revenue. More importantly, we view the music offering as an opportunity to show consumers that they can deliver new, useful services with great experiences to make up for disappointments in Mobile Me and Maps."Munster also sees an 80 percent chance that Apple will announce changes to its Maps app and an update to Siri. But above all, WWDC will point the way to what's ahead for the rest of 2013."Monday will set the stage for more measurable products over the next six quarters (iPhone 5S, cheaper iPhone, television, iPhone 6, iWatch, and possibly payments)," Munster added.11 years of WWDC product launchesSee full gallery1 - 4 / 12NextPrev
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