iPad

So, it's been God knows how long since the iPad was released. It's not even out and it seems like old news. I'm honestly waiting to see what improvement they'll make in the next iPad, and being an Apple product, you know they've got things planned out for the new iPad[s] that they won't put in this one so they can make new money.

Now, when the iPad first came out, I was in shock. I thought "Damn, that's amazing, I need to buy one!" but as the time went on, and I thought more and more about it, I realized how sh*t it is/will be.

First things first, you know being Apple this first iPad will be good, but not good enough. Just like the iPhone before it, we will be waiting 5,6; or even 7 versions before we go "This is amazing!"

Now, as not to rable on, I will say the main reason I have come to be so "eh" about the iPad is the fact that it is an iPhone/iTouch but larger, and now, entering the second year of having my iPhone 3Gs and seeing how slow and annoying it has become, I fear the iPad will too.
When I buy something, I expect it to last until I don't want it anymore. That's why I will be waiting for an Android OS tablet to be released. I see Android as the PC of the phone world. My whole life I have used a PC and not ONCE has it broken. My last computer lasted 3-4 years before I got [my mum to buy] a new one.

Speaking of Apple, my iPhone is completely screwed. 2 or 3 times a day I have to restart it to get the internet to load; and there is times that when I open an app [from the app store, not the built in apps] that it will not open until I sync my phone. Plus the GPS says I am 1.9 KM from my house, and says I'm still there no matter where I go. I think this is something Apple does. Gives their devices a kill chip that will decrease it productivity over the year or 2 you have it, until you need a new one, and being Apple you'll want whatever upgrade they've bought to it.

Personally, at this point in time I know my next phone will be the Nexus One.

-Christopher Lane

I should be in bed.

I should be in bed right now, but I wanted to do something I haven't done for a while [Draw a comic?] it is, review iPhone apps. I bought a few apps over the weeks, and yeah.

Qik Video:

Qik Video is a video application for those with a 2G/3G and even 3Gs'ers. It tapes at 15FPS [alot better then my old application "iVideo Camera"] and adds effects too. It has Zoom, Black and white, Black and white [with red], Blue skin, Negative and many more. I didn't think it would be a big improvement over iVideo Camera, but it's alot smoother, and only a few frames slower then the iPhones video recording.

Qik Video: 4.5/5* $2.49

Riddim Ribbon:

For all those Tap Tap lovers, or iPhone app followers, you will know what this app is. It was only released today and already number 14 on the "Top 25" paid app list, but I guess being from Tapulous, it will be popular no matter what.
When I first heard about Riddim Ribbon, I thought it would be a good game for a day. The first time I booted it up, and tried it out, I hated it; it might've been my mindset at the time [headache] but I got out of it immediatly. A few minutes later I gave it a second chance, and I liked it. It's not my favourite game but...anywho. The basis of this game is to tilt your iPhone left and right to keep the ball on the track, and keep the song going. It's racing crossed with Tap Tap, with a bit of DJ Hero chucked in.
For a DJ heavy game, I feel they could've made something better, but I guess they just wanted a DJ game, and just copied any game from the app store.
What app did they copy?

Riddim Ribbon: 3/5* $3.99

Rhythm Racer:

Rhythm Racer is alot like Riddim Ribbon [or the other way around] except without the good music, and alot more annoying. Where Riddim Ribbon has a track to follow, Rhythm Racer has 5 tracks with random ball interspersed [like Tap Tap] The lack of track makes it harder to navigate the track, and it feels to strong for tilting. I didn't even make it through one game [where Riddim Ribbon, I completed 5 games today] I will say tho, it is not an app I will delete. I will keep it on to vs. my cousin later, but if you want a good DJ/Race/Tap Tap app, go for Riddim, but if you want a free app, well go Rhythm.

Rhythm Racer: 2/5* Free

Foursquare:

Foursquare is a social network app where you "check in" to where ever you are and get points and badges. Now, being a homebody with no friends, this app isn't that great for me. I think I have "checked in" to my house 7 times (once a day) in hopes of becoming it's Mayor.
I will eventually get my sister, her boyfriend, my cousin, my other cousin, my aunt etc. etc. who has an iPhone to download the app to get a better feel, but for now

Foursquare: 3/5* Free

On a somewhat related note, the GPS on my phone is shot, and it shows me in the same place no matter where I am. Right now it says I am 1.9 KM from my house, so yeah, somethings up with my iPhone.

Oh, and an app I reccomend to download [it's free] is Flood-It 2. A fun little puzzle game.

Until the next time I'm bored

-Christopher Lane

What the new iPhone should have.

Well, very soon (Jan 27th I think) there is a possibility that the next gen of iPhones will be announced. Many nerds (such as myself) are getting much too excited for the announcement. After all, there is a chance there won't even be a new one. Of course, that chance is extremely slim.

I have had my iPhone 3G for 1 year 3 months so far. Longer then any other phone I have had. Now, not to say the other phones were sh*t. Quite the contrary, it's because I am a tech-nerd. A big one. Not only a tech-nerd, but I also get bored of my gadgets quick, so I basically get bored with looking at the same phone for to long (my sister and cousin on the other hand, had the same phones for around 4 years before upgrading) so naturally I am getting quite bored with the iPhone design and set up, for a few reason:

1. The design was the same as the iTouch. Essentially the reason I hated this was that, for $800-$1100(AUD) I want something that doesn't look like just every other iPod

Well, that was a short list. Really all I want in the next gen of iPhone is:

1. A new design, not just for the whole iTouch similarity, but; after 3 years Apple needs a redesign. Everything old should get a redesign. I'm thinking thinner (depth) but bigger screen, and maybe not so rounded. Corners are the future (just like Tron)

2. A second camera for video calls. That was the thing about the iPhone. They started off with no features at all. 3 years ago phones had bluetooth, video camera, and video calls. The only thing the iPhone has gotten since then, is the video camera, and even that took 2 year (2 and a half for one to go to the app store for us 2G/3G'rs)

3. Upgraded memory. This is a given. We basically know the new iPhone 4G will be 32/64Gb. I hope they include the 16Gb tho.

4. 5Mp camera. Of course, I'd want higher, with HD res, but of course we're a bit off that. Apple would never include the best, it would leave them nothing for the 5G/6G/7G and so on

5. A new menu screen. I am sick of the black. Like the design of the actual phone, the menus have stayed the same for 3 years.

And some basic app upgrades:

1. Songs as ringtones. Every other phone has this. Then again, if they bought this in, they would lose money on the overpriced ringtones they have in the store

2. Background wallpapers. Behind the apps. I'd have some other colour besides black

3. Some iPod updates. Simple ones. Better playlist creations.

I guess at the end of the day Apple will deliver. In the off chance they don't I'll be moving straight to the Nexus One (the newest Google phone, for those non techies)

And now, the countdown:

10 Days.

-Christopher Lane