iPhone 4 - I Caved In

So I've finally upgraded to the iPhone 4. I was very hesitant to make the change for several reasons. One is the negative PR the iPhone 4 received. Another is the fact that ATT service is known to have reception/coverage issues. And the final reason is the fact that I wasn't convinced that the phone is any better than some of the recently popular Android phones.

I did some research and realize that most of my concerns weren't that accurate. By now if Apple needed to make any changes to the iPhone 4 they would have done so by now. ATT service isn't the best, but neither is Sprint's which I've had before. And regardless of how far the Android phones have come to date, I am yet to find one that seems better. I know there are tons of specs and data that could probably prove that there is an Android phone out there that beat the iPhone 4 in certain areas. But overall, I genuinely like the iPhone OS, and everything that comes with it.

There is one aspect of the iPhone that no other phone has. IT'S AN IPOD WITH ITUNES. For anyone who has an iTunes library, this should be a major factor. I have tons of music on iTunes, and I really like how easily it all integrates.

Another feature worth noting would have to be the camera. It's just about good enough for me not to need to bring a real digital camera on vacation. The iPhone 4 has a great camera with some very useful features. I'm convinced that with the next edition of the iPhone, my digital camera will not be necessary to bring on trips anymore.

With all that being said, you still should make your own decision. I'm happy I made the decision to upgrade.

Let's golf! iPhone App

My new favorite app would have to be Let's golf! by Gameloft. This iPhone or iTouch app is free, works great, has great graphics, and is a lot of fun. You can choose from several characters, courses, tournaments, and number of players. I typically stick with the simple games on my iPhone, but Let's Golf has changed the type of games I look at now. You'll probably want to connected via Wi-Fi since the download is pretty large in comparison to some other apps I've looked at.

Anyway, if you want to give Let's Golf a try, check out the Top 25 Free apps on iTunes.

Nike Plus on iPhone 3gs

The iPhone 3gs is comes equipped to work with the Nike Plus iPod feature on most Nike running shoes. This is great for those Nike Plus users who were having to lug around their old iPod Nano in addition to their iPhone. I'd be interested to see if this feature is any more advanced than it's previous application.

iPhone 3g Goes International

Today, all iPhone 3g users received a text message from ATT letting them know their iPhones are now enabled to operate internationally. Special rates do apply, and the speed and reliability are unknown at this point. Hopefully we'll have some test results soon.

Top iPhone Apps: Online Dating

As Online Dating grows in popularity, it's no surprise that Online Dating applications are growing in popularity as well. Dating websites are slowly but surely releasing their apps for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The top Social Networking apps category is now heavily concentrated with dating apps. Below are the most popular dating applications available on the App Store today. I'm sure these numbers will change rapidly on a daily basis.

Speeddate (Free or $19.99)

Top 25 Social Networking App

Stars: 2.5/5

Reviews: 26,677

Full Review




Hot or Not (free)

Top 25 Social Networking App

Stars: 3/5

Reviews: 2,714

Full Review




Match.com (free)

Top 25 Social Networking App

Stars: 2.5/5

Reviews: 3,365

Full Review

Dating DNA (Free or $4.99)

Top 25 Social Networking App

Stars: 2.5/5

Reviews: 3,637

Full Review

iPhone 3G Service Issues/Resolution

I've previously written about the poor service of the new iPhone 3G. I've experienced many dropped calls, technology failures, and frustrations over the past 8 months since I've had my iPhone. I'm happy to say that the majority of the problems were due to having a LEMON. Now I do wish the problem would have been recognized sooner, as I've made several trips to the Genius Bar.

The Genius Bar recently ran diagnostics on my iPhone and found out that it was dropping more calls than it should, and the ipod feature was failing frequently. They recommended a "restore" which fixed the ipod failure. Shortly after that visit, the iphone completely quit making or receiving phone calls. Now I could send/receive text messages and emails. I took the iphone back up to the Genius Bar and they finally gave me a brand new iPhone. This clearly fixed the problems.

The reason I feel this is important is that I've heard plenty of iPhone 3G users complain about dropped calls and technology failures, and Apple/ATT is willing to fix it. If you call ATT and complain about the service, they have the authority to credit your account $25 which they did do for me. If your iPhone is "failing" to function correctly, you should take it into the Genius Bar and they'll do what's necessary to fix it, even if that means giving you a whole new iPhone.

Now I do believe that after owning the iPhone for over 1 year, you might not be given a new phone so easily.

Any other service stories or comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks

iShoot Lite iPhone App

iSHOOT Lite is the top free iPhone app right now. I never like game apps and I think this one is very good! It reminds me of a classic Atari game with beefed up graphics.

The whole object of the game is to blow up the tanks. You're on a hill with as many other tanks as you choose. You choose your weapon, cannon angle, and shot strength and Fire away!

You trade turns with all the other tanks of the screen until there's only one tank left. If you're that tank, you win. iShoot Lite is the free version of the top paid app, iShoot. I've only tested the free version of iShoot and think it's great. I hope that for $2.99 they are able to add some value.

There are some other features of the game that make it a lot of fun for a free iphone app. You have $5,000 to start and win more money as you complete levels. With the money you can buy much cooler weapons/missles. You can add as many opponents as you'd like. You can also choose how many rounds per game in increments of 5, difficulty level, and you can even use multiple players.

If you like to play intuitive, fun games on your iPhone or iTouch, I would consider giving this application a try. If you don't like it, you can always delete it.

It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time

I saw this iPhone Application on the top 10 free list and had to take a look. I remember seeing this , Peanut Butter Jelly Time dancing banana several times on CNBC on Friday's and thought it was weird, but also funny. CNBC would play Its Peanut Butter Jelly Time during the middle of a show and never acknoledge the fact that they just played it. I know it was featured on the Family Guy also.

This dancing banana doesn't do much but sing, "It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time" over and over again. The songs lasts for about 1 minute and there aren't a whole lot of words to it, but it is incredibly catchy.

The iPhone app is free and very small so it won't slow your iPhone down like some others I've downloaded. Peanut Butter Jelly Time is turning into a very popular song/video clip and really for no apparent reason. But, I love it and think it's pretty entertaining.

Crazy Penguin Catapult Lite : Iphone App

Crazy Penguin Catapult is the top Free App for iPhones currently, so I decided to check it out. I rarely consider downloading games to my iPhone, but it's so popular I went ahead. Here's what I found.....

The download takes a lot longer than any other iPhone App I've tested, but it's the most complex also. The whole object of the game is just like in the title. Penguin Catapult. As Penguins swing, you hit them with a catapult to the next stage of the level. After you've catapulted all of your penguins over, they are now kamikazee penguins. The goal is to have the penguins dive-bomb the bears and take them out.

Each level is pretty much the same. You always start by catapulting a group of penguins. The number of them changes, and the way they swing also changes. As the levels progress, there are also more bears to dive-bomb and becomes more difficult to get to them.

I played several levels and feel I get the gist of the whole Crazy Penguin Catapult game. Keep in mind, this application is free, or the "Lite" verson, so the paid might be much more complex (although I doubt it).

For all of you iPhone gamers out there. I would recommend this game if you want something graphically pleasing, very easy to pickup, and doesn't require much thought at all. I personally don't see myself playing Crazy Penguin Catapult very often, but definitely see why its become so popular recently.

iPhone App: Night Stand

The Night Stand application for the iPhone has been getting quite a bit of attention lately. Night Stand is one of the most popular and most simple of all the applications I've seen so far.

The whole basis of Night Stand is to function as a typical alarm clock with a green/blue analog display. This way, you can grab your phone and see what time it is just like looking at you clock by your bed.

I've used this a couple times and doesn't make the most sense for me since I have an alarm clock on my night stand but if I ended up spending the night somewhere I can see where it'd be a nice application to have. As long as the battery doesn't run out.

Night Stand doesn't have any settings to mess with or options. You install it, click it, and its up. To turn it off, you hit the main button. That's pretty much all there is too it. Very simple, very easy.