I read from the Technology section of a local newspaper that in Japan the presence of PC’s has diminish because of the rise of Nintendo’s Wii, Sony’s Playstation 3 and PSP 2 and others new gadgets such as smartphones that act like pocket-sized computers, digital video recorders with terabytes of memory, consumers has put PC’s last in their shopping list.
Japan’s PC market is already shrinking, leading analysts to wonder whether Japan will become the first major market to see a decline in personal computer use some 25 years after it revolutionized household electronics - and whether this could be the picture of things to come in other countries.
By Kevin McLaughlin for CMP Channel
Apple in February plans to release a software development kit that will allow third party developers to write their own applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch. In a Wednesday post on Apple’s “Hot News” weblog, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said the SDK will allow developers to take advantage of Apple’s powerful mobile platform and create “hundreds of new applications” for iPhone users.
“We are working on an advanced system which will offer developers broad access to natively program the iPhone’s amazing software platform while at the same time protecting users from malicious programs,” Jobs wrote.
Jobs said the problem of malware on mobile devices is a serious one that Apple is going to great lengths to address in the SDK. “As our phones become more powerful, these malicious programs will become more dangerous. And since the iPhone is the most advanced phone ever, it will be a highly visible target,” he wrote.
The move comes after several third party iPhone hacks, some of which allow third party applications to run, others that untether the device from Cingular, the exclusive carrier for the iPhone in the U.S.
Several high profile iPhone security vulnerabilities have been uncovered since the popular mobile device was released in June. Earlier this week, security researcher HD Moore posted exploit code online that takes advantage of a flaw in the iPhone that he says Apple hasn’t fixed in any of the four firmware updates it has released for the device.
A new cellular phone is hitting the market - the TwinPhoneTPH500, a dual face mobile handset that allows two SIM cards to function simultaneously.
The TwinPhone TPH500, invented by Aiman Taher of Saudi Arabia has all the features of a usual cellphone - SMS, calling, calendar, alarm clock, etc.- and more.
T22 Specs
Network: GPRS/GSM 900/1800
Camera: 2.0 Megapixels CMOS
Display: 240 x 320 pixels, 2.8″, 262K colors TFT
Connectivity: Bluetooth 1.2 with A2DP, USB
Memory: 2MB Built-in User Memory
Expansion: Micro SD/T-flash memory card slot
Device Control: Touch screen and Alphanumeric keypad
MEssaging: SMS, EMS, MMS, E-mail
GPRS: Class 12, WAP 2.0 browser
Sound: 2 stereo speakers, 3D-surround effect
Multimedia: MP3/MP4 player/Video Recorder
Battery: 1000 mAh
Dimension: 112 x 50 x 15 mm
Weight: 117g
If you’re a typical MacInTouch reader with some spare cash, and you don’t have or want an iPhone, you should probably run out and buy an iPod Touch – just for its innovation and the experience of exploring its capabilities. We really think that multi-touch is going to be a big deal in the future, and the cost isn’t too extravagent right now. We’d probably opt for the cheaper 8GB model, since it can’t serve as an extra file-storage device, unless you’re sure that you really need 8 GB of extra storage for music, photos and videos. But that’s not the point of this product – if you want lots of storage, get an iPod Classic.
If you’re an iPhone owner, we can’t see any reason to get an iPod Touch for yourself. Sure, it has a better headphone jack, but it’s missing a whole lot that the iPhone provides, and it’s only one third of the triumvirate of camera, cellphone and media player that the iPhone integrates in one device.
If you’re carrying a separate cell phone, and perhaps an additional camera, then an iPod Nano is a lot lighter and tinier to fit into your pocket for the same musical capability as an iPod Touch, which really wants a pocket of its own.
Buy the iPod Touch as an early ticket for exploring the future of Internet-connected user interfaces, and as a fun toy and media player. It may eventually prove useful as an organizer and Web client, but those capabilities are still in development. For hard-core business productivity, a more traditional organizer will probably remain the preferred choice for a little longer (although our long-term bet is on multi-touch-type devices). And don’t hesitate to let us know what you think if you buy an iPod Touch: how you use it, and how well it works for you.
Pros
- revolutionary interface without iPhone’s AT&T charges and accessory/interference (GSM) issues
- Wi-Fi provides Web access
- accepts standard mini-stereo plug (unlike iPhone)
- good performance overall
- good screen images
Cons
- capacity limited to 16 GB max.
- lacks hardware features offered by iPhone: camera, Bluetooth, volume control, speaker
- lacks iPhone applications: Mail, Notes, Maps, SMS, Widgets (Weather, Stocks, etc.)
- mediocre earphones (and some amplifier noise)
- closed platform with limited features and customization
- minimal capability as personal organizer (”PDA”)
- small format limits usability as Web client and productivity device
| Manufacturer: | Apple |
| Model: | Apple iPhone |
| Screen Size: | 3.5 |
| Dimensions: | 4.5 x 2.4 x 0.46 inches |
| Weight: | 4.8 ounces |
| Camera Resolution: | 2 Megapixels |
| Communications: | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Battery Type: | Li-Ion |
| Keyboard Type: | On-screen |
| OS: | Mac OS X |
| Description: | The Apple iPhone combines three products — a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod with touch controls, and an Internet communications device with desktop-class email, web browsing, maps, and searching — into one small and lightweight handheld device.The iPhone also introduces an entirely new user interface based on a large multi-touch display and pioneering new software, letting users control everything with just their fingers. |
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