The iPhone. The shiny, beautiful device has always mocked me, laughing at how I couldn't afford one. Until last week I acquired some money (it isn't as dodgy as it sounds... honest) and decided to go out and make a purchase that would change my life forever!!! OK, I might be exaggerating a little, but either way - I've got an iPhone WOOOHOOOO!!!!
So, what do you think think of your new iPhone, I disillusionally imagine you shouting at your screen? Well, that's what this blog is about (you'd have never guessed that from the title, would you), so get comfortable, put on your reading glasses and prepare for a roller coaster ride of iPhoney goodness.
After spending a small fortune on the phone, I rushed home to get using it. It reminded me of when I was a kid, and I'd rush home to play a new playstation game. Anyway, I got home and opened the box, and there it was, looking just as beautiful as I expected. When I picked it up, it was lighter than I expected, I was expecting something on the heavier side, like my ipod classic, but without a hard drive there is no need for it to weigh so much.
I then read through the instructions, in attempt to find out where I was supposed to put the SIM card. Despite having a well concealed SIM card slot, they don't provide anything to explain where you put it. After googling it, I found how, only to find I'd lost the little poking device that you use to pull out the SIM holder. After spending 10 minutes searching for a paperclip to use as a replacement, I managed to get the SIM in, and begin actually using the phone.
So, all that was left to try was the features. All of the standard phone features work fine. The phone is good, texting works fine, the calendar does all the standard things you expect from a phone calendar, as does the clock. The camera is competent. It's nothing special like the 8 Mega Pixel camera's you get on some phones. It's 2 Mega Pixels, which is all I need really, and takes pictures fine. There are no additional features though, all it does is take a basic photo, no zoom, no effects, no video recording. Now, onto the main reason I got the phone - The web browser.
The web browser works brilliantly. It browses the web really fast for a phone. It's perfect for checking things when on the go. The only issue I have with it is that I can't post on giant bomb with it. Everything loads perfectly, I can sign in, look at everything, but I cant type in any of the text boxes. With using the web browser comes using the keyboard. The keyboard is a bit weird to get used to. Early on I was pressing the wrong keys all the time, but after using it for a little less than a week, I'm already used to it, only occasionally hitting the wrong key, and I'm sure I'll get even better.
Some of the additional features are cool too. The Google maps works fine, and will find your location, which I'm sure is very useful if you get lost. The youtube video's play fine. The Music player is exactly what you expect from an apple ibranded device, it works brilliantly. One of the things I really like about the iPhone is the ease of taking screenshots. But these out of the box features are only the beginning. The App store is full of really cool features that you can download straight to your iPhone, so I'll provide my brief impressions of a few of them. I plan on writing full reviews for some of the games in the future, so keep an eye out for them.
iPhone Impressions
Shazam
Are you ever in a pub, or club, or anywhere, and a song comes on and you want to know what it is? Then Shazam is the app for you. Shazam will listen to 10 seconds of a song, spend 5 seconds figuring out what it is and then tell you. It'll also provide links to youtube video's of the song, and the song in the itunes store, and will save all the information for reference in the future. I've already found this really useful, and I've only had it a couple of days. And the best part of all, it's free!!!SimCity
Another game I haven't played too much of, but it's basically Sim City 2000, but on the iphone. The controls seem fine so far, but the size of the screen seems like it might be a bit of a hindrance when I get really into it.The iPhone. The shiny, beautiful device has always mocked me, laughing at how I couldn't afford one. Until last week I acquired some money (it isn't as dodgy as it sounds... honest) and decided to go out and make a purchase that would change my life forever!!! OK, I might be exaggerating a little, but either way - I've got an iPhone WOOOHOOOO!!!!
So, what do you think think of your new iPhone, I disillusionally imagine you shouting at your screen? Well, that's what this blog is about (you'd have never guessed that from the title, would you), so get comfortable, put on your reading glasses and prepare for a roller coaster ride of iPhoney goodness.
After spending a small fortune on the phone, I rushed home to get using it. It reminded me of when I was a kid, and I'd rush home to play a new playstation game. Anyway, I got home and opened the box, and there it was, looking just as beautiful as I expected. When I picked it up, it was lighter than I expected, I was expecting something on the heavier side, like my ipod classic, but without a hard drive there is no need for it to weigh so much.
I then read through the instructions, in attempt to find out where I was supposed to put the SIM card. Despite having a well concealed SIM card slot, they don't provide anything to explain where you put it. After googling it, I found how, only to find I'd lost the little poking device that you use to pull out the SIM holder. After spending 10 minutes searching for a paperclip to use as a replacement, I managed to get the SIM in, and begin actually using the phone.
So, all that was left to try was the features. All of the standard phone features work fine. The phone is good, texting works fine, the calendar does all the standard things you expect from a phone calendar, as does the clock. The camera is competent. It's nothing special like the 8 Mega Pixel camera's you get on some phones. It's 2 Mega Pixels, which is all I need really, and takes pictures fine. There are no additional features though, all it does is take a basic photo, no zoom, no effects, no video recording. Now, onto the main reason I got the phone - The web browser.
The web browser works brilliantly. It browses the web really fast for a phone. It's perfect for checking things when on the go. The only issue I have with it is that I can't post on giant bomb with it. Everything loads perfectly, I can sign in, look at everything, but I cant type in any of the text boxes. With using the web browser comes using the keyboard. The keyboard is a bit weird to get used to. Early on I was pressing the wrong keys all the time, but after using it for a little less than a week, I'm already used to it, only occasionally hitting the wrong key, and I'm sure I'll get even better.
Some of the additional features are cool too. The Google maps works fine, and will find your location, which I'm sure is very useful if you get lost. The youtube video's play fine. The Music player is exactly what you expect from an apple ibranded device, it works brilliantly. One of the things I really like about the iPhone is the ease of taking screenshots. But these out of the box features are only the beginning. The App store is full of really cool features that you can download straight to your iPhone, so I'll provide my brief impressions of a few of them. I plan on writing full reviews for some of the games in the future, so keep an eye out for them.
Tweetie
Tweetie is a fantastic twitter app that does everything you want from a twitter app, and more. Obviously you can send and receive tweets, but you can also view web link, post photo's, log into multiple accounts, follow, unfollow, block and unblock users. It also has a cool location feature, where you can see tweets from people who are near you.Shazam
Are you ever in a pub, or club, or anywhere, and a song comes on and you want to know what it is? Then Shazam is the app for you. Shazam will listen to 10 seconds of a song, spend 5 seconds figuring out what it is and then tell you. It'll also provide links to youtube video's of the song, and the song in the itunes store, and will save all the information for reference in the future. I've already found this really useful, and I've only had it a couple of days. And the best part of all, it's free!!!Real Football 2009
Real football is a fantastic little football (soccer) game. It has fantastic 3D graphics, really great controls, and even features online play. Any fans of football games will love this. It's brilliant. Definitely the best game I've played on the iphone so far.Rolando
A fantastic little puzzle game, similar to the PSP's Loco Roco. Definitely one of the best games on iphone. You have to control your rolando's by tilting your iphone to get them to the end, but with obsticles in the way you'll have to puzzle-solve your way to victoryHero of sparta
I haven't played too much of this, but I definitely plan on playing it more. It's a really cool 3D brawler that has really good graphics, and really good controls.SimCity
Another game I haven't played too much of, but it's basically Sim City 2000, but on the iphone. The controls seem fine so far, but the size of the screen seems like it might be a bit of a hindrance when I get really into it.Great blog Matty! I really like my iPhone too - it's such a nice all-rounded bit of kit.
Being a developer, I'm not so keen on how locked down it is, especially having played with the HTC G1 recently - but in most cases it does everything I want it to.
If you're looking for some additional camera features, check out the jailbroken apps Snapture or ClearCam - both very cool.
I did a quick little blog post that you might be interested in.
Three cheap-ass titles to get you into iPhone gaming
I shall be doing more stuff over there to do with iPhone (I'm a semi-staff writer type thing nowadays. Only just started though!)
"Nice blog. Makes me want to get an iPhone. Also, after playing Rolando and Loco Roco-- I can say they are very different. Loco Roco levels are more like interactive roller coaster rides while Rolando levels are way more puzzly. Only real similarities are the controls and art style."Yeah, I heard that about Loco/Rolando too, although I haven't played Loco, so I don't know. It actually makes me glad I haven't played Loco, I can't imagine it being much fun without the puzzlyness of Rolando.
I love my iPhone. The web browser is great as you said, and the overall design is very well done. I need to get Rolando myself. I love the trial version and it looks like Rolando mixed with LBP, a good mix if you ask me. I use Twitterfon as well. It is fine, I guess. I have no complaints and it is free.
I love my Iphone, but I think it could be better if I could Jailbreak it. I've tried, but apparently I've updated it too much and I have to wait for a new jailbreak to come out.
But like I said, I do like my Iphone the way it is and I enjoy a lot of the apps they have for it. Cube Runner is a great addictive game that is free. I am really liking Rolando. I'm amazed at how accurate Shazam is. Songs you wouldn't suspect it to know come out just fine. And I really dig the internet. It makes it easy to check in on things or find something to keep my self entertained without looking like an idiot tilting my phone.
rolando is definitely one of my favorite games, never played loco roco, but this is just as good im sure
i got my ipod touch for christmas and have spent an ebarassing amount of time researching and trying apps from the store.
my best finds so far are:
- tweetie - like you i like the interface (the chat bubbles are really neat looking) and the feature set
- bejeweled 2 - amazingly addictive and only $3
- wordjong - a kind of scrabble meets mahjong game that offers a new puzzle per day
- puzzlequest - overpriced, but a great game that really suits the ipod/iphone controls and i've heard that chapter 2 will be free for chapter one buyers
- write room - allows me to do first drafts of blog posts and my new column on my ipod and then e-mail the drafts to my iMac for proper editing and fleshing out. the advantages it has over notes are a horizontal keyboard option and a white on black colour scheme. other than that, no bells or whistles
The iPhone seems like it is a nice little gadget but I wouldn't invest in one. I'm constantly skating with my phone and Verizon Wireless is no longer insuring my phones because I need them replaced so frequently. Aside from that, the only MP3 player that has withstood the test of might is the iPod Shuffle.
I have co-workers with the iPhone and I am green with envy. It's not that I don't want one, it's just that I'm opting out of getting one.
Great, enjoyable, well written post. I really want an iPhone bad but I have a contract with verizon that I can't opt out of until the middle of July or I'll have to pay a $160 cancellation fee which I really don't feel like paying. I think I'll wait because macrumors.com has reported that a new iPhone should come out around the time my contract ends.
Also it is so awesome that there is 8 MP cameras on phones in England. My friend's Black Berry Storm has a 3 MP camera and I was shocked that a cell phone could have such a nice camera. We need better cell phones here in America.
"Great, enjoyable, well written post. I really want an iPhone bad but I have a contract with verizon that I can't opt out of until the middle of July or I'll have to pay a $160 cancellation fee which I really don't feel like paying. I think I'll wait because macrumors.com has reported that a new iPhone should come out around the time my contract ends. Also it is so awesome that there is 8 MP cameras on phones in England. My friend's Black Berry Storm has a 3 MP camera and I was shocked that a cell phone could have such a nice camera. We need better cell phones here in America. "There are plenty of high MP camera phones available all over. I'm sure LG have an 8MP one out, and so do samsung. I'm sure they're available in the US, because we never get any technology first over here.
It's weird how I get the impression the UK are "ahead" with the phones and their features. They still aren't coming close to a straight-up camera but are heading in that direction, quite a few have proper flash bulbs rather than LEDs, certainly enough megapixels to go around, they just need to sort out fitting larger lenses, more responsive controls and generally better image quality. The iPhone's camera might have a piss-poor 2MP, but thanks to that gorgeous screen they don't half look bad.
As for the iPhone, Matty I understand you're also from the UK, so are paying something rediculous for this thing. I'd like to see the O2/Apple contract end and have some competition because right now it's way beyond what I'm willing to pay. But hey if I had the spare cash I'd get one - those things are hot. In the piece of technology sense. It couldn't replace an iPod though, 8/16GB is a big nono.
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