iPhone 3.0 OS - A Must Watch

Recently I just finished an 1hr and 30 minute video about the iPhone 3.0 OS available on the http://www.apple.com site:

http://www.apple.com/iphone/preview-iphone-os/

The features I'm very excited for:

* Search your iPhone
* Cut, copy, and paste
* Send photos, contacts, audio files, and location via MMS*
* Read and compose email and text messages in landscape

There's a bunch more from a development standpoint (non-techies can prob forward through that) and new application/gaming capabilities.

After watching this, I am just absolutely amazed what technologies, API''s, and accessories can coordinate with your iPhone. It's not just for entertainment anymore, it can be used for practical life (there's accessories for diabetes checkers, heart rate/blood pressure, and more).

You've got to see it for yourself.... The expected release date is Summer 2009.

Are iPhones replacing pillow talk?

A most recent (and sad) reality for me is waking up, turning off my alarm clock, and looking at my iPhone. I've introduced Microsoft Exchange into my life believing it would make work more efficient. Although having my email, address book and calendar syncable to my laptop, desktop and iPhone has been fantastic, I find myself compulsively checking it all the time. It doesn't help that the iPhone has devices such as a Twitter and Facebook application either.

An interesting press release and study by Sherton Hotels claims that :

"... 85% of U.S. professionals surveyed said that because of modern technology, they feel compelled to be connected to work 24/7 and 81% say they work harder now than they did five years ago. "

One of the purposes of http://www.savin.me/ blog is to celebrate technology. I'm no stranger to embracing new technologies like a big cuddly teddy bear. I firmly believe it can make the way our lives we live more efficient and prosperous. It's even become a serious factor (more than ever) in the public relations of businesses (ie. twitter.com) and the presidental election.

The press release describes another surprising find:

"A whopping 87% of professionals bring their PDA into the bedroom and, in a potentially related finding, more than one-third of folks surveyed (35%) say if forced to choose, they’d pick their PDA over their spouse!

I'll admit that I'm as guilty as the next person: I like to sneak peak on missed emails/text the moment I wake up, or between coffee/water breaks at the office, and even at dinner. (Apparently, my fiance recalls me text messaging during dinner on our first date. I completely deny that one.) Needless to say, my profession relies solely on technology and the internet, and I need to be connected to stay efficient and (for my company) profitable. However, I find it a sobering reality the day we would choose technology over people.

I'm not asking anyone to go cold turkey on technology, the internet, or their mobile devices. In fact, use it to it's maximum potential so you can better your life. I will ask that you should consider limiting your usage and getting back to things that matter the most - perhaps, a little more pillow talk and cuddling.


For more information on Sheraton Hotels & Resorts Press Release:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/about/news/news_release_detail.html?obj_id=0900c7b9809c404f

Microsoft Surface

I thought the iPhone was an extraordinary product. With it's user touch-based intuitiveness and integration of multimedia, it is no wonder Time Magazine called it "the Best Invention of the Year."

Secretly, we (the consumer public) forget that technology is always evolving and while Steve Jobs is building his Apple empire, Microsoft is looking ahead to the future....

Meet Microsoft Surface (http://www.microsoft.com/surface), the future of multimedia and interactive technology. Surface is interactive computing taken to the next level. With Surface, users can actually grab multimedia with our hands, and move information between objects simply through touch.

Bill Gates had the opportunity to preview his new project at this past CES. Although, it's not main stream, AT&T stores and T-Mobile stores are soon-to-be launching new Surface displays to display their products. Eventually, Surface would take over retail, restaurants and entertainment. Harrah's Casino in Las Vegas is the first deployment of Surface in an entertainment / bar atmosphere.


Video: Microsoft Surface at the Rio in Las Vegas

And although, the Surface is probably a few years ahead of it's time now, and out of budget for the average consumer, Microsoft Surface is probably the next great technological innovation. Actually, I've tend to keep an open mind; the iPhone did drop $199 after only 1 year of it's first generation. Now only if Microsoft can push product branding and consistency like with what Apple did with the iPhone/iPod products, we just might be able to see a Surface PC in our homes a little sooner.

.MAC / .ME Catastrophe

With the launch of the iPhone 2.0 Update and iPhone 3G, Apple also launched their new service called ".ME." A service in which syncs all devices content info (calendar, address book, settings, media, etc) with your iPhone, Mac, and even PC. Brilliant idea, right?

Theoretically, it certainly is a brilliant idea and helps contribute to my O.C.D. Unfortunately, I experienced (among with other .Mac users) a complete nightmare. I'll accept the fact that this is a new system barely launched by Apple, and it takes a while to work out the bugs. As of the past few years, Apple has done a great job not really having to worry about that, and launching well-tested products during first generation launch.

Unfortunately, it proves that Steve Jobs is merely a man, and Apple (despite their climb vs PC sales) is not 100% perfect.

I've encountered the following:

1.) .MAC to .ME transitions:
I could not login to my previous .MAC account via the new .ME login interface. I followed instructions from the Apple Forums and FAQs but it did not recognize my login/password (despite multiple password resets and the ability to receive email and utilize other functions). To top it off, I couldn't even update my credit card to renew my service which literally expired today. Therefore, I'm loosing my previous .MAC login/email address (which I guess I can really live without).

2.) NEW .ME Trial
More info: http://www.apple.com/mobileme/setup/
So I signed up for a trial .ME account and decided to start new since my old .MAC account had expired today anyway. I initiated the creation of the account, and setup the PUSH/SYNC options.
a.) There is an issue for prioritization of sync. If I just updated an item on my iPhone, and then I update something via web based .ME, it clearly has trouble prioritizing which one goes first.
b.) There obviously is an over-extended lag for the update, it make take a few minutes, or maybe a hard reset for the device to update itself.

3.) iPhone 2.0 update and iPhone 3G server updates stalled
On Friday, when everyone in the world was syncing their new iPhones (and existing iPhones) to iTunes, the Apple servers took a gigantic dump. The fact my iPhone was unable to sync left me phoneless and stranded for several hours.

4.) iPhone 1st Generation is now slow
I haven't tested out the 3G yet but my 1st generation functionality is just slow. It takes forever to load applications, switch from home page to email, text or even phone functions.

In conclusion, I comprehend that new services and new products often come with a trial / clean out the "bugs" moment during the beginning of it's launch. I am also not the one experiencing the issue (as you may see in the Apple Forums). Mr. Jobs, I am disappointed, as the launch of the .ME, updates and the new iPhone technical issues are just NOT up-to-par!

iPhone 3G Release

Yes, it's that exciting. The iPhone 3G comes out Friday, July 11th, 2008, 8PM and I'm contemplating whether to buy one or not.

Common sense says it would be completely worthless to purchase one at this time. The only changes would just be the Microsoft Exchange (which I wouldn't use), the 3G speed (awesome), and Maps with GPS (totally awesome).

According to Apple.com, the latest software update 2.0, claims that current iPhone owners would be able to have Applications Feature. Actually, it doesn't officially say it specifically, so I'm guessing when I plug in tommorrow to update, the applications feature probably wouldn't work. I guess we'll have to find out.

In all honestly, I can't fathom to have an obselete piece of technology. Actually wait, there's a few things I can live with. My plasmas are still 720p, my PC still runs Windows Windows XP on a Pentium D (not core duo), I still mainly use CS2, and I just barely even updated to Leopard. So okay, I take that back, I'm not down with Vista yet, and I really can't tell the differenc efrom 1080p from 720p. But my beloved iPhone which has been my pride and joy the last year, will now just be a thing of tommorrow once the 3G version comes out.

Its absolutely hurts, and quite frankly, pisses me off that non-iPhone users are jumping on the bandwagon tommorrow and paying a considerable amount less money than I did when the price reduction set last year.

My other complaint is on iTunes, they've recently released the new applications. Usually when dowloading music, it gives me an option checkout prior my card. Unfortunately, I've barely hit input to shopping cart thinking it would go into my shopping cart, but itautomatically downloads!!?? Now I've added about $20 worth of stupid applications I would never really want to pay for anyway. What the hell? Okay, I'm over it, but what if the applications update is only applicable for iPhone 3g, and not for the original iPhone. And why doesn't apple.com list the specifications for both versions?

Well, I know the answer; to entice current users to upgrade anyway. Of course, in this economy I could always save money, pay of debt or attempt to invest. Or, I can stand in line at 8AM at the Mac store. I guess we'll have to see.