Tasty bits - 24

In this video, Steve Litchfield compares Apple’s iPhone with Nokia’s E61i and Sony Ericsson’s W950. His review of the iPhone is quite interesting. Other than the missing 3G support and limited camera hardware, I think the iPhone is only restricted in features by its current software implementation - there’s a lot Apple can (and hopefully will) do to remedy this. I also think that the OS X core of the iPhone is superior to Symbian (and will soon challenge it).

Oh, and Kevin Tofel caved in and picked up an iPhone,and Robert Scoble is dropping the Nokia N95 for the iPhone - hehe :)

Speaking of touch-based devices, Neonode’s sexy N2 got unboxed, and Meizu’s M8 (miniOne) got specified. Is Samsung ’s P520 the answer to LG’s KE850 (Prada) phone?

Sony Ericsson’s flagship P1i is out and about! Here’s an unboxing and a review. Also, here’s a review of Sony Ericsson’s 5 megapixel K850i…

BTW, the iPhone hacking continues:
- Partial unlocking
- “Hello world”
- Custom backgrounds
- SSH access
- WiFi tethering
- Apache, Python, etc…

And finally, here’s a great Nokia E90 blog!

See you in Seattle

As you know I’ve been looking for work in/near San Francisco. Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to find anything around here. When I’m employed, recruiters are constantly approaching me - when I’m not working, I’m not as lucky. It’s like relationships I guess - when you’re involved with someone, you’re more attractive to others :)

The plan was to keep looking in/near SF over the summer and to start expanding the search to Seattle after Burning Man - because as much as I very much like Seattle (I used to live there), I love SF!

But then I interviewed with a company near Seattle a couple of weeks ago, who made me a decent offer, so I’ll be starting the job before Burning Man, and returning to Seattle after my trip to the desert. That being said, I plan to be back in San Francisco regularly :)

Tasty bits - 23

T-Mobile recently launched HotSpot@Home, a UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) service with seamless hand-off between GSM and WiFi - unfortunately it requires special phones and routers…

Nokia released new firmware for the N95 which includes support for AGPS (to enhance the existing integrated GPS). Also, here’s an aftermarket high-capacity battery (and cover) for the N95!

Here’s a couple of new 5 megapixel camera phones: the Samsung G600 and the LG KU990, a touch-based device with a 3″ screen and HSDPA.

The Neonode N2 is almost ready for release, albeit without EDGE… The Meizu M8 (miniOne) is supposed to be launching in 2008 - $989 for the 16 GB version!

And now for the obligatory iPhone coverage:
- Another Apple iPhone vs. LG KE850 (Prada) comparison…
- Enter field test mode
- Setup custom ring tones
- Looking for music to stream? Here you go! (and BTW, this is not supported on the N95)

And finally, if you don’t think the iPhone changes everything, think again:

They are bringing millions of newbies, and not kicking and screaming, into the smartphone age.

Yes, James Kendrick gets it.

Other iPhone news

It’s been almost 2 weeks since the iPhone landed, and there’s been a lot going on…

I’ve added some pictures comparing the iPhone to other devices, namely my Nokia N95 and my iPod (2nd generation).

I’ve purchased a durable Incase silicone case to replace the problematic Belkin acrylic case.

Here’s some interesting news I’ve gathered!

Reviews:
- Gizmodo (great review, Brian Lam’s best work yet)
- Engadget (detailed review)
- Tests (including audio quality)

Hacking:
- Internals
- Activation tool
- Interface tool
- File system access
- Custom ring tones
- More info

Software:
- iPhoneDrive (a USB storage interface)
- WebVNC (a web-based VNC client)

iPhone customer service

AT&T and Apple customer service are like night and day - no surprise really, but it’s annoying.

Today I decided to visit the AT&T store where I originally purchased my iPhone and Belkin acrylic case (701 Market St., San Francisco), in the hopes of getting my little problem resolved.

I was friendly, and politely explained the matter to the AT&T store assistant manager (Jon Talavera), and asked for a full refund on the Belkin acrylic case and an exchange on my iPhone. He agreed, but on the condition that I pay a 10% restocking fee for exchanging my iPhone!

Are you kidding me?

I mentioned that I’m a long-time Apple customer, Apple shareholder, AT&T customer (2 wireless accounts), and tech blogger - that perhaps he would consider waiving the restocking fee. No, “it’s Apple policy.” - besides the store was out of 8 GB iPhone stock…

I tried reasoning with him a couple more times. Nothing - it was like talking to a wall. So I raised my voice just enough for the other shoppers to hear, and shared my displeasure with AT&T’s customer service :)

Then I went to the nearby Apple store. The Apple store manager listened to me, then immediately paired me up with a “genius”, who examined my iPhone. Ultimately, he could only exchange my iPhone for a 10% restocking fee :/

But he suggested that I get Belkin to pay the restocking fee, and that I submit my post to Digg! He asked that I come back to see him once I hear from Belkin (instead of dealing with AT&T)…

In the end, the result was the same, but Apple handled the matter a lot more professionally, despite AT&T (not Apple) selling me the iPhone and the Belkin acrylic case.

Update: After complaining in writing directly to AT&T CEO Stan Sigman & senior VP customer service Kathy Dowling, and getting a verbal apology from the AT&T store manager (Terence), my iPhone was exchanged for free :)

Even then, while exchanging my iPhone, several AT&T store employees (including one named Kevin) started openly dissing Apple and the iPhone - it was very unprofessional.

Belkin acrylic case scratches iPhone

Damn :/ The Belkin acrylic case I purchased to protect my iPhone is scratching my iPhone… Can you believe it?

It appears that some debris (?) is getting trapped between the Belkin acrylic case and my iPhone, and is leaving marks on the aluminum and plastic back cover, as well as the stainless steel screen bezel. The iPhone is a bit loose in the case, so maybe that’s the problem!

Before you think that I’m being careless:
- I always put my devices in cases (either acrylic or silicone) to protect them
- I always put my devices alone in my pockets (no coins, keys or other items)
- Even cheap (eBay special) acrylic cases have never scratched any of my devices before
- My pockets are clean of debris

I’ve contacted Apple and Belkin… I’ll keep you posted!

First update: Others are reporting the same problem - see the comments below.

Second update: AT&T refused to refund the Belkin acrylic case and to exchange my iPhone, despite selling me both…

Third update: Belkin agreed to give me a refund for the Belkin acrylic case and to cover the cost of exchanging my iPhone (10% restocking fee)!

Fourth update: My iPhone was exchanged for free :)

Pictures taken with the Apple iPhone

Well, the iPhone camera takes reasonable pictures - in fact it takes similar pictures to other current 2 megapixel devices like the Nokia N75…

But without auto-focus, macro, flash, or even digital zoom, it’s not going to replace my Nokia N95!

Posting from the iPhone

Sorry for the radio silence lately, but I was in Seattle for a few days looking for work and testing my iPhone!

In fact, I’m posting this from my iPhone right now, although the lack of cut & paste functionality is making it difficult to post links…

Expect a more detailed post soon :)