Entries tagged with “Communication” from streamline/online
So, based on all I've deduced, a review of what the iPhone has and what it needs before I will make a purchase (see my previous posting for more details):
Needs
True 3G technology (e.g., UMTS) -- Not yet, perhaps next generation?
Vibration for ringing and alerts -- Yes, confirmed with docs.
A user-removable/replaceable battery -- No, and that may be a deal-breaker.
Increased memory capacity -- 8MB is still the max. This will likely change with 2nd gen.
Seamless syncing of to-do lists, along with the ability to add new items -- No, a definite deal-breaker.
Seamless calendar syncing with iCal, along with the ability to add new events -- Yes, confirmed with docs.
Chat software (preferably multi-client, like Adium) -- Not yet, but will have to be added with user demands so high.
Voice memo recording application -- Unknown, but seems unlikely.
Alarms (one time and repeating) -- Yes, confirmed with docs.
Wants
Four+ megapixel camera -- No, but user demand is high and negative comments on photo quality are everywhere.
Video chat -- Honestly, this seems impractical with the current camera position.
Support for streaming (e.g., internet radio and video) via wifi -- YouTube and Safari seem robust, but essentially unknown.
On-screen notation with handwriting recognition -- No, but not that important to me.
Bluetooth compatibility -- Works with standard Bluetooth headsets, but otherwise unknown.
FM radio -- Don't know if iPod FM Radio headphones are compatible or not.
Timer and stopwatch applications -- Yes, confirmed with docs.
So, things are not so grim as I had suspected, but Apple still has a way to go.
Well, the recent hard drive debacle forced me to reevaluate my backup strategies. I have developed a three-phase plan. Two are off-the-shelf Backup 3.1.1 plans, and I created the third from scratch.
Plan One: Personal Data & Settings
This daily plan works in two stages. It backs up my Address Book, iCal calendars, Keychain, Safari settings, and application preferences to two locations: first to my iDisk, then to my local Firewire drive. The backups are scheduled 30 minutes apart, though each only takes a few minutes, max. The purpose(s) of this plan are (a) to keep vital settings in multiple locations, and (b) to keep the number of archived files low for quick recovery in the event of file corruption or accidental deletion.
Plan Two: Home Folder
As you may recall from the previous entry, the loss of my Home folder was the most catastrophic aspect of the event. Innumerable documents and all the associated man-hours were lost. This daily backup will hopefully prevent any such future tragedy. Some of this is overkill, in that many of the files archived in Plan One will be copied again, but this is meant to be a comprehensive backup for a simple, one-step restore of my Home folder, should the situation arise.
Plan Three: Weekly Comprehensive: Users, Applications, Library
This is the plan I attempted to create last Saturday. This weekly archive will contain the bulk of my hard drive (minus System files) in case of severe catastrophe.
Let me hear feedback, if you have any.
Along with the rest of the world, the iPhone has me intrigued. At first glance, it has real potential to simplify my life. It would reduce the number of gadgets I need to carry around; currently, I take my cell phone, iPod, and PDA with me to work every single day. (And don't bother telling me this is supposed to be a phone, not a PDA. Apple is positioning this device as a competitor to other smartphones, all of which are used like PDAs by most businesspeople I've ever seen.) Because a life goal is simplification, this could be a real joy, if it lives up to the promise.
However, I've decided that--if they hope to get my cell phone budget--Apple will need to beef up the phone's hardware and the included applications. I won't be buying an iPhone until they include all of my needs, as listed below. This means (barring any surprises with the June 2007 release), I won't be buying the phone until its second or third iteration in 2008 or 2009; you'll see why when you read the list. If Apple were to throw in a few of my wants (below the needs), they will get my money even sooner.
Needs--Apple must provide these
True 3G technology (e.g., UMTS)
What good is having Safari if we must wait for downloads at 56k modem speeds? The current incarnation of the web is designed for broadband, not dialup. My current cell phone has EDGE and, even with images turned off, web browsing is infuriating--hence, impossible.
Vibration for ringing and alerts
I spend my days in meetings and other quiet environments; as such, my phone's ringer is hardly ever on. Come to think of it, I can't even tell you what my ringtone is. I need a vibrating phone, which was mentioned neither in the keynote nor on Apple's website.
A user-removable/replaceable battery
I am not paying Apple $99 to replace my battery, a la the iPods. 'Nuff said.
Increased memory capacity
True, the 4/8GB models are leaps and bounds over all cell phones available now. The problem with this argument is that those phones also aren't designed to be video iPods. Flash memory improves daily. Apple needs to ship 16/32GB models as quickly as possible.
Seamless syncing of to-do lists, along with the ability to add new items
On viewing Apple's web site, I don't see an icon for a to-do list/tasks application. As has been mentioned previously on this blog, lists are how I get things done.
Seamless calendar syncing with iCal, along with the ability to add new events to any calendar
I see an icon for a calendar application on the phone, but the iCal standard is terribly limited. I need multipoint access to all my calendars, not simple "subscription" services. If I can't add new events to each calendar from all my devices (as well as from my web-based calendars), usability is severely impaired.
Chat software (preferably multi-client, like Adium)
iChat-like SMS is all well and good, but I also need chat functionality. Apple certainly has made a mess of things in forging all these disparate alliances: iChat linked with AOL, Safari/iPhone maps linked to Google, iPhone email linked to Yahoo. Now is the time to capitalize on these alliances and move ahead with enhanced, less proprietary integration. For example, Safari's search box should be usable with any service of choice (a la Firefox). An iPhone (and honestly, OS X) chat client compatible with all the available formats is required.
Voice memo recording application
I drive very long distances (14+ hours) several times per month. There is little to do during this time besides think. And I do. A lot. I often scribble notes on paper as I drive 83mph down the interstate. I would prefer something less idiotic.
Alarms (one time and repeating)
These should transfer when doing my daily iCal sync to alert me of upcoming appointments. Additionally, setting new alarms should be simple; I need a reliable alarm clock when I am on the road, for example.
Wants--Apple should strongly consider these
Four+ megapixel camera
After all, we're Mac users. We expect more than what the other guys provide.
Video chat
Speaking of the built-in camera, it may as well be linked into the Adium-like chat software.
Support for streaming (e.g., internet radio and video) via wifi
And by the way, the included wifi should be the new 802.11n standard. Anything less is a step backward.
On-screen notation with handwriting recognition
After all, the Newton had this ages ago. (Also, see the PDA disclaimer, above.)
Bluetooth compatibility
Not just for the headset and syncing with a Mac, but for portable keyboards, the ability to use it as a remote, etc. Trick it out.
FM radio
My Sony Ericsson cell phone provides this, and at much less than a $600 price tag. Since the iPhone provides iPod functionality, this seems like a reasonable extension.
Timer and stopwatch applications
I need these occasionally, and it's nice to have them on-hand. Again, my current cell phone provides these, so I am sure they would be no big deal for Apple.
