Unbeknownst to me, I’ve been a registered Apple Developer for quite some time now. Apparently, back in the early days of OS X (that’s 10.0 for all interested parties), when you registered on Apple’s site as a user, that also gave you access to all of the neat developer tools they were working on at the time. Having a developer account is useful for gaining earlier access to plenty of fun things that Apple is working on, including the iPhone 3.0 GM that’s slated for release this Wednesday. I took the plunge and got it set up my iPhone 3G. Here’s the score: (more…)
Archive for the ‘iPhone’ Category
iPhone 3.0: The iPhone Killer
A new bar has been set in the world of the mobile operating system and it has been set high. Many people continually jumped at the opportunity to call every touchscreen phone to proceed Apple’s sexy little gadget the “iPhone Killer” (just like almost every MP3 player, Zune included, has been touted at the iPod killer for the past 8 years). Here are just five reasons why people on the fence about getting an iPhone will probably rush to scoop one up this summer and how the only company who could top the iPhone were the people who engineered and innovated it from the get-go.
Google Sync vs MobileMe
Well, this past Monday Google released their Sync beta for the iPhone, which allows you to sync all of your contacts and calendar events without using iTunes. It’s an interesting move on Google’s part and I’d be the first to assert that it’s a direct shot at MobileMe if the two companies weren’t so buddy buddy. I mean, aside from Google’s CEO sitting on the Apple Board of Directors, look no further than the integrated search bar in Safari (even Mobile Safari, for that matter), the easy setup option available for Gmail in Apple’s Mail client, or the integration of Google Maps as a default iPhone app with some extra little niceties as proof.
This technology isn’t new by any means. Users of Microsoft’s Exchange service have had over-the-air syncing capabilities for years and, more recently, iPhone users have had the sometimes unstable but generally well-received MobileMe service for $100 a year.
I’ll come right out and say that, as of this writing, I haven’t used either service but now seems like an opportune time. Google Sync is completely free and Apple offers a free 90 day trial of MobileMe, so I really have nothing to lose either way. In the past, I did undertake the daunting task of syncing the iPhone calendar app with my Google Calendar, but found the whole process way too involved for something that should be simple; even requiring additional software to work properly (prior to the iPhone 2.0 update).
At this point, I’m poised to give both a shot but have to admit I’m less likely to go the MobileMe route since the main selling points for me were tight calendar integration and unified contact list from wherever I am. I don’t need the @me.com email address because I already have four email accounts that I have to check regularly and the web apps to access my files aren’t a deal breaker, either.
Regardless of my decision when I eventually try the aforementioned apps, any choice that we have in how we manage our digital lives is good for everyone, especially when it comes down to two companies that know how to do it just right.
Update 03/02/09: I’ve concluded my tests and come to a verdict at the following link. Google Sync Follow Up
On iPhone Software Development
Developing for the iPhone seems just a little outside the scope of my expertise. I’m not saying that I can’t do it, but I feel like my time can be more constructively spent providing useful insight and feature requests to an existing developer I support rather than take on the monumental task of coding my own app from scratch. That said, I occasionally tweet about my thoughts on programs and since almost everyone and their mother is on Twitter, today I was graced with a quick response from a developer after making a (somewhat snide, I’ll admit) comment. (more…)
