Justin Roselt - Media and Design » Technology

How the iPhone changed the world

JR — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 05:27:28 +0000

Not long after getting your hands on an iPhone you will realise how intuitive and simple to use it actually is, with so much technology and information at your finger tips. It is this realisation that will lead you to wanting a Mac if you don’t already have one. As they say – it just works. This is so true.

For someone like myself that uses both a PC and a Mac for different reasons, it is not until you begin using services like MobileMe or familiarising yourself with OS X that you realise how much of your day is wasted waiting for your PC to boot, rebooting due to updates, waiting for programs to respond or wandering to yourself ‘why did that program just steal focus?’. These are all things you do not have to deal with when using Apples technology.

There is another angle to this new device, the view form the Telco. Does this really matter you ask, well not really but I find it an interesting one. Interesting because for so long the Telco has dictated what technologies we see and where. Basing decisions on perceived and intended future requirements of the general consumer (and business). Now the times are changing with consumers now wanting a device regardless of the requirement to enter into a contract and no matter which Telco you go with, ending up with the same service – 3G. Sure the plans will differ and this is where the arm wrestle begins. Contracted plans make or break the consumers decision to buy, the Telco knows this! If they don’t want to you to embrace the device their plans will reflect this and look very undesirable. Don’t believe me? See for yourself, take a look at OPTUS versus Telstra!

What I believe the iPhone has essentially done is put the power back into the consumers hands and planted an Apple seed in every household that now has one of these sort after hand held computer come phone. That too, is a very good thing!

Remember, this is nothing more than my 2cents.

If the OPTUS link times out click here to view in PDF

Thinking of getting a Mac?

JR — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:37:20 +0000

Now the pro’s are a given and personally I think if you have to go through the pros and cons decision making process you don’t want or need a Mac. However my answer to the question got me thinking a bit. Firstly, my response: The only con is that you will soon learn to hate PC’s (even more).

What I should have said was, if you have to ask and consider the cons you don’t need one (nor are ready for one). I got a MacBook Pro about 2 years ago and should have done it sooner. I spend my day on a PC and the Mac and everyday I feel like throwing the PC out the window. Before getting a Mac it used to just annoy me when something went wrong on the PC, now it makes my blood boil! Sure, I know PC’s and Mac’s think and operate differently, that’s what makes Mac’s better, right. I am guessing the only people that read this and get annoyed will be the ones that don’t have or use a Mac. To those I say, do yourself a favor. Just get a Mac and be done with it!

iWant

JR — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:34:58 +0000

So it looks like Vodafone will be getting first bids on the iPhone here in Australia. With this announcement comes speculation as to why other carriers did not. Personally I think there are good reasons and at the end of the day, what does it matter? We all know how easy they are to unlock from a network (which is not illegal to do) and there is not much between mobile cap plans now anyway, for most carriers.

The main thing I have against the iPhone (and it’s a personal one) is that to manage play lists or switch between tunes (particularly while on the train to work) I would have to take the device out of my pocket, unlock it, scroll through the menu, make my selection, lock the device, put it back in my pocket and neatly put the cord back in my pocket after it (if not in jeans pocket). Right now with my trusty 3rd Gen 60Giga I can control it entirely while in my pocket and without taking it out. Easy! I don’t really need the phone capability as I am very happy with the recently acquired Nokia 6300.

Now don’t get me wrong, the iPhone is a sexy device! Last year I said I could not wait for it to arrive on our shores but some time has passed since then and I am now over the hype. I now also spend most of my time at a laptop wherever I go so I have developed a nice selection of online tools to manage my life with. Right now I don’t need another one.

Update:
But there’s more…

Update:
Vodafone and Optus now taking pre-registrations of interest.