macgirl's blog

First Look: Quirky Cloak case for Apple iPad

2010-07-28T19:31:00.003-04:00

I'm a member of Quirky.com, a social product development community that accepts ideas from anyone and allows community members to improve product concepts and "vote" to bring them production, and this Cloak case hit my radar a few months ago. The Cloak finally started shipping within the past week and I received my Cloak case today. I do plan to do a full review of the case but wanted to post a first look video of it to give an overview of the case for those of you thinking of ordering one now that they're available:

My first impressions of the case are both good and bad. I like the versatility of the case with its pop-out stands and the good grip and protection it offers. On the negative side, the case is very heavy at 1.2 lbs so it's almost like holding a second iPad in your hands (the iPad itself weighs 1.5 lbs).

Check out my video above and let me know if you have any questions about the case that you'd like me to cover in the full review. If you want to go ahead and check out or buy the case on Quirky's site, you can find it here. (Disclosure: I earn credit with Quirky for any purchases made through that link.)

Video Review: Apple Bumper Case for iPhone 4

2010-07-16T17:15:00.000-04:00

Though I'd actually recorded this video earlier this week, I thought today would be the perfect day to publish it. If you haven't already heard, Apple announced today at a special press conference that they will be offering a free Bumper case (other cases from 3rd-party manufacturers will also be available to choose from) to all iPhone 4 owners in an attempt to make up for the signal reception issues many have experienced with the device's new exterior antenna design.

I've been using an official Apple Bumper case for the past couple of weeks and I wanted to share my opinion of it. Overall, it's a very minimalist case that offers little drop protection though it is quite well-designed (which is exactly what I'd expect from Apple when it comes to an accessory for their flagship portable product). In particular, I think it poses a few issues for those who use 3rd-party accessories that connect to the dock connector or headphone jack and I demonstrate my findings in this video.

I don't think the Bumper case is quite worth $29 given how little protection it provides but you iPhone 4 owners out there won't have to worry about that since Apple will given you one on the house (or they'll refund you if you've already purchased one). Look for the details on the offer later next week on Apple's site (I'll also post a link here when it's available).

I can replicate the "death grip" on my naked iPhone 4 that causes the cellular data connection to be drastically reduced. The Bumper case does indeed prevent this for me since it prevents my hand from bridging the connection between the two separate antennas that constitute the iPhone 4's exterior metal band. Though many of you might claim that I'm an Apple apologist/fangirl for saying this, this isn't a big issue for me. I have read warnings about holding cell phones a certain way in order to avoid "blocking" the cellular antenna in the manuals for most, if not all, of the cell phones I've owned before the iPhone. It is a problem faced by all cell phones with internal antennas these days and the iPhone is no different. I've never dropped a call because of this issue and it hasn't impeded my use of my iPhone 4 at all.

Without further ado, here's my video overview of the Apple Bumper case:

To hell and back (or, buying an iPhone 4)

2010-06-28T15:45:00.002-04:00

On June 15 I, like many people in the U.S., was trying to reserve an iPhone 4 online. I was not sure at the time if I was actually going to buy one since I wasn't eligible for any upgrade pricing from AT&T but I thought it would be wise to have one reserved just in case I cracked at the last minute and decided to buy one, which was highly likely. The new Apple Store app let me reserve one with little fuss, unlike Apple's own website which crapped out on me numerous times or simply wouldn't load at all. So, I had a sweet reservation confirmation email in my inbox at the end of the day and I probably looked at it at least once every few hours to make sure it was still there.

But then I lost that reservation.

First, I must say that I am deeply ashamed to admit how I lost that reservation. As a geek, I generally pride myself on not making such errors. Looking back at this, I'm still not quite sure what was going through my head when it happened. And I can't believe I'm telling you about this.

So, getting back to that iPhone 4 reservation. At the bottom of the confirmation email was a link that said "Cancel Your Reservation." You get where this is going now, don't you? Well, I eyed that link in the email and thought that it might take me to a page where I could review my reservation and possibly change it (e.g., go from a 32GB iPhone 4 to a 16GB iPhone 4). Alas, that was not the case. As soon as I clicked on it, it took me to an Apple Online Store page stating, "You have cancelled your reservation." And this is where I lost it. My monitor will forever bear scorch marks from the caustic word that issued forth from my mouth. A co-worker witnessed the terrible incident via instant messaging since I was chatting with him as I went through my email. I had to apologize to him since my IMs afterward were shocky, panicked and full of NON-STOP YELLING.

So, that's how I lost my iPhone 4 reservation. I think it's safe to say I'm never going to click on a link in an email that looks even remotely dangerous in the future. Lesson learned. Pride completely obliterated.

I did try calling Apple to get my reservation back. Both corporate customer service and the staff at the Rockingham Park mall store were unable to help me, stating that once it was cancelled, the reservation was gone for good. I'm not sure I buy that but there wasn't anything I could really do to refute that.

In the end, I did decide to get an iPhone 4 despite my ineligibility for upgrade pricing. AT&T had told me (twice by phone and multiple times via SMS) that I was not eligible for upgrade pricing since the amount I pay monthly (I'm on the least expensive voice and text messaging plans) was not sufficient to allow me upgrade pricing every 18 months and my upgrade eligibility date is in February 2011 (a 20-month upgrade schedule instead). Since I missed AT&T's eligibility change specifically for the iPhone 4 that bumps the date for everyone eligible for an upgrade in 2010 up 6 months, only commitment-free pricing was available to me.

Conclusion: Calling *639# every day does not change the response.

(To give a complete history, I received early upgrade pricing to get my iPhone 3GS last June for $499 and I received full upgrade pricing to get my 16GB iPhone 3G for $299 in 2008. Of course, I paid the full unsubsidized price for the original iPhone in 2007.)

On June 24, I woke up bright and early after just 2 short hours of sleep (I was up late writing this article for work - Essential Apps: Getting Started with iPhone 4), I arrived at the Rockingham Park Mall to stand in line with others who did not have a reservation just after 6:00 a.m.

The mall doors open at 7:00 a.m. to let the mall walkers in and I expected they'd let us in at that time to queue up in front of the Apple Store as they had at the iPad launch. Unfortunately, I was wrong. For some reason, mall management made us wait outside for about 4 hours before letting us in to stand in line outside the Apple store. They also managed to handle the line so badly that people already in the mall just got in line ahead of us at the Apple store before we were even let in. To say that I was pissed at the Rockingham mall management would have been an understatement of epic proportions. I don't plan on going there again on launch day for any product in the future.

Once inside, it was another 4 hours of waiting to get my iPhone 4. By this time, all of us in the same part of the line were good buddies and we saved each other's spots in line so we could take bathroom breaks and grab some lunch without losing our places. When there were about 15 people in front of me still and I was a most thoroughly cranky and unhappy camper, I took a break from the line and went to see some of the iPhone 4's on display. Seeing them renewed my excitement to get one. They were so sleek! And so shiny! And the Retina Display was so crisp!

I finally got my iPhone at around 2:30 p.m. Since it was a no-commitment purchase, they did not activate the iPhone for me in the store and sent me on my merry way to do that at home. I tried to buy a Bumper case but they were out of stock by the time I got into the store (and I kicked myself for not trying to buy one earlier in the day).

I rushed home to sync my 3GS one last time and then sync my iPhone 4. It took about an hour for my iPhone 4 to activate on AT&T's network, the process slowed down by the large number of activations they were seeing on that day. After that, I proceeded to ooh and ahh over my shiny new iPhone 4 about every 2.5 minutes.

I do think I want a Bumper case for it still but I am loathe to pay $29 for one so I'm also checking out knock-off cases (i-Luv and Scosche are making some). In the meantime, I am using my Proporta Maya pouch case around the house and when I put my iPhone in my purse to prevent it from getting any scratches. I've got a Wrapsol protector on the way as well as a free BoxWave case (which cost me $4.50 in shipping only due to a temporary special BoxWave offered the other day) so my iPhone won't be without more complete protection for long.

Fortunately, my iPhone 4 works perfectly with my car set-up, connecting to its Bluetooth system and playing audio through the iPod kit I have, and it even fits into the ProClip mount for my iPhone 3G and 3GS with just a little room to spare.

I am really enjoying my iPhone 4 so far. I do experience the signal loss issue that's been documented ad nauseum since its release but I haven't dropped a call because of it (I'm right-handed) and the proximity sensor works just as it should to turn off the screen when I'm on a call. I've even been neglecting my much-loved iPad since I got the iPhone 4, though this has also been due to visiting family over the weekend and my desire to keep my iPad away from the sticky-fingered, juice-spilling, not-so-careful children staying at our house.

Did you get an iPhone 4? What was your purchase experience like?

Review of Brando Workshop's Anti-Glare Screen Protector for the iPad

2010-06-10T18:35:00.000-04:00

I knew it wouldn't last. The iPad's gorgeous screen was absolutely delectable to use naked – so crisp and clear, so smooth to the finger. But then after just a few swipes, fingerprints would amass on the screen, driving me crazy faster than Flash crashes Safari. I knew I had to get an anti-glare screen protector, just as I had for my iPhone 3GS and nearly every glossy-screened gadget I've owned in the past few years. Initially, I had thought about getting the one from Power Support USA, the same company who made the screen protector I use on my iPhone. Then I saw its price: $24.95 for one screen protector plus $5.55 for the cheapest shipping option. Also, their site warned that they were in such high demand that it was taking more time to fulfill orders than usual. So, I went to see what Brando had to offer instead and ended up purchasing their anti-glare screen protector. And it is fantastic - read my review of it here.

Review of the Cimo USA Silicone Skin Case for iPad

2010-06-06T10:49:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned just before I got my iPad, I was thinking that I wanted two cases for it – one to use around the house that added some grip and one for outside the house that provides screen protection plus a bit of camouflaging action. The DODOcase fit the bill for latter and the Cimo USA Silicone Skin case has been working pretty well for me for the former. My review of this Cimo case is now up and it includes a video overview of it as well – you can read it here.

Image courtesy of CimoUSA.com

Review of the DODOcase for iPad

2010-05-09T13:01:00.002-04:00

On the day before the iPad was released in the U.S., I placed an order for a DODOcase for my soon-to-arrive iPad. I was attracted to these cases because they look just like Moleskine notebooks and I wanted a case that would both protect and "camouflage" my iPad for use in public and the DODOcase looked like it would be perfect. I received the case just over a week ago and have been using it regularly and I love it, though I do have a couple of minor issues with it. Read my full review of the DODOcase to find out the details and see up-close-and-personal pictures of it in action.

First Look: DODOcase for iPad

2010-04-29T15:00:00.000-04:00

If you follow me on Twitter, you probably saw that I talked about ordering a DODOcase case for my iPad on the day before the iPad was released. I love the look of Moleskine notebooks and wanted at least one case for my iPad that provided a bit of camouflage while using it in public. The DODOcase fit the bill and I placed my order right away. It arrived today (well within the 4-6 week delivery window) and I'm just starting to use it and wanted to post a quick video of it to start off. I will write a full review of it after I spend some time using it regularly.

My first impressions:

The case is well-made and doesn't feel flimsy at all.
It fits the iPad very well and the pictures and description of it at Dodocase.com are accurate.
It makes my iPad look like a large Moleskine notebook from afar (or even up close if someone doesn't look closely at the edges to see the cut-outs and the sides of the iPad), which is exactly what I was hoping for.
My only durability concern revolves around the four foam pieces in each corner. These serve to hold the iPad in place and they could compress over time and fail to hold the iPad in securely enough. I won't hazard a guess at how long they'll hold up, but I'm not extremely worried about them now.

Here's my first impressions video of the DODOcase for iPad:

The DODOcase costs $49.95 and can be found at the company's site here.

Questions? Anything specific you want me to cover in my review? Comment on this blog post or send me an email at marianne at macgirl dot net.

DISCLOSURE: I purchased this case with my own money - it was not sent to me as a review unit.

iPad in Hand: The First Days

2010-04-05T10:19:00.000-04:00

So, if you follow me on Twitter, you already know that I successfully obtained my iPad with nary a problem on Saturday morning. It was a pretty good experience overall and was lightning-fast compared to what it took to get my first-generation iPhone and my iPhone 3G.

My new preciousssssss

To recap briefly, I got to my selected Apple store (at the Rockingham Mall in New Hampshire - a bit of a ways from home for me but I like to go there to avoid the bigger crowds at the Boylston store and save on sales tax) at around 7:30 a.m. I first walked to the longer line (it was closer to the entrance I used) and saw that it was marked Purchases. I asked people there if they had pre-reserved an iPad and they said no and pointed me to the other line. I walked over to the other line, which was marked by a little sign that said "Reservations" and confirmed that those people had pre-reserved their iPads. There were only two people in that line. Yes, two. I got behind them with a huge grin on my face as third in that line. I was quite happy since I had been running later than I had planned, but this apparently wouldn't hinder my ability to get an iPad quickly without spending the entire morning there. The first guy in line had arrived at ten minutes to 7:00, so he beat me by a good margin.

That first guy in line got a lot of attention from the press. Every reporter who showed up interviewed him and took pictures or recorded video. A few reporters seemed interested in talking to the woman who was second in line as well as me, but I acted uninterested and no one talked to me or took any pictures of me. I had no desire to show up in any papers or on the news, to be honest. I get enough "Look! Geek!" reactions in my daily life as it is, thank you very much.

Promptly at 9:00 am, the doors opened and everyone in the reservations line (around 60 or more by that time) rushed into the store. It took me a minute to realize that there was no order in the store - all you needed to do was find a specialist to get you an iPad and take your money in exchange. By the time I realized that the line order wasn't a factor in getting helped, I had to wait a minute to find a free one and then get my iPad. I hovered around the iPad cases for a moment, not expecting them to have much in stock and picked out the Apple case in haste (I should have picked out a skin case since I already have a book-style case on order). Once I had it, I paid for everything and headed out. I was back at my car by 9:18 a.m. Woot!

So what do I think of the iPad? A few of my first impressions are posted at MacRumors. Beyond this, the iPad's weight is still probably my biggest sticking point in terms of book reading (in lieu of a Barnes & Noble Nook I had almost purchased earlier this year, the iPad is going to spend a lot of time as my dedicated ebook reader). The screen is fantastic but the fingerprints it shows so easily despite the oleophobic coating are killing me – an anti-glare screen protector is definitely on my shopping list even though it will detract from the screen's crispness a bit.

I find that I'm loathe to load iPhone apps onto my iPad. I tried a couple and they look shrunken and miserable in normal mode and even worse in 2x mode to take up the iPad's entire screen. Yes, I'm spoiled - I want everything I see on my iPad to look sharp and wonderful, so it looks like I'll just waiting for iPad versions of my favorite apps. Hopefully that won't take too long.

I'll have more impressions about my iPad, the Apple iPad case, and iPad apps throughout this week to post here in my blog. And I'll be posting mini reviews and news on iPad apps for my day job over at AppShopper as well.

In line for my iPad!

2010-04-03T08:22:00.002-04:00

I'm waiting in line at the mall for my iPad. I didn't expect this but they set up two lines - one for people who had pre-ordered and another for those who did not pre-order. I got here around 7:30 am and am 3rd in the pre-order line. *Insert Arsenio-inspired arm movement and "woot" here.*

The other line has grown quite a bit already and now has around 50 people in it, up from about 25 when I'd arrived:

I am far too excited right now. If all goes well, I should be out of here shortly after 9:00 with iPad in hand!

Sent from my iPhone

iPad: The Final Countdown

2010-04-01T10:16:00.000-04:00

WOO HOO! Only a 47 hours, 43 minutes, and 10 seconds until the iPad is released! I will be at my local Apple Store bright and early on April 3 to pick up my pre-ordered iPad. I think I'm going to shoot for being in line at 7:00 am or so to ensure I'm somewhere close to the front of the line and can get in and out quickly to get home and play with it as quickly as possible.

Of course, reviews by the big tech journalists are out now and I find it odd that they really didn't seem to tell me anything I didn't already know about the iPad from the initial announcement or the new guided tour videos Apple put up. None of them have changed my mind about getting one - not that any were overly negative anyway and I doubt that even terrible reviews could have changed my mind.

I'm still keeping an eye out for promising iPad cases and have found a few more that are intriguing. Among them is a case by TwelveSouth that should look like this case they make for the MacBook Pro – I'm hoping it will be a play-through case for the iPad. I also like the Wallet and Clutch cases planned by Happy Owl, though I would prefer just a simple notepad slot on the other side instead of an accordion pocket. There is a fantastic thread over at MacRumors.com that lists all case and iPad accessories on the horizon, which is where I found out about these two.

Also, Vaja is coming out with iPad cases as well, god bless their little hearts. I have always been a sucker for their cases (see my reviews of a couple of their iPhone cases here and here). Vaja has indulged me by putting out some of their iVolution cases for the iPad, but I'm waiting for one that opens like a book. Well, I'll hold off for as long as I can, anyway.

The New York Times mentioned that Amazon is working on a Kindle app for the iPad (here's the article I wrote about it on MacRumors.com). I think this is great news. As an avid reader who absolutely loves ebooks, I'm anxious to see Apple's own iBooks app plus any other iPad app that makes it easy to browse and buy ebooks. While it still remains to be seen, I don't think that Amazon will be able to include the ability to directly purchase ebooks in their app since this would allow it to compete directly with Apple's own upcoming ebook store. Apple hasn't allowed any app that allows you to purchase and download media directly to your iPhone (though streaming doesn't seem to be an issue, as found in Pandora, Sirius XM, eyeTV, and others) and I don't see any change to their general rule to prevent "duplication of functionality."

iPad apps are already showing up in the App Store database - you can see some of them at AppShopper.com here.

Crap. That reminds me. I think I need to stock up on some iTunes gift cards (ideally purchased at a discount somehow) to help defray the costs I will inevitably incur this weekend downloading iPad-specific apps. Costco, here I come!

Navigon Launches MyRegion Navigation Apps for iPhone

2010-03-16T15:55:00.000-04:00

Navigon's MobileNavigator is by far my favorite* iPhone GPS app – after reviewing an ad hoc distribution of it, I paid $69 to buy it (while it was on sale a little while ago) and have also purchased the traffic feature via an in-app purchase (also while it was on sale). Today, Navigon has made available several MyRegion versions of their navigation app which cover a portion of the U.S., each available for $24.99 (this is an introductory price and the regular price will be $29.99 after April 12).

There are 3 MyRegion U.S. apps: Eastern, Western, and Central (links open iTunes). If you need another region after you've purchased one, the other regions are available as in-app purchases for just $12.99 (to go up to $14.99 after this introductory pricing). You can also get the Traffic Live feature as an in-app purchase. Each MyRegion app has the same features as the full MobileNavigator North America app.

I think this is a pretty neat offering, particularly for those who don't want or need to have maps of the entire U.S. with them all the time, while still offering the ability to buy them on the fly if they are needed.

*To be fair, I haven't tried out the latest version (1.3) of TomTom's app (review) which seems to have been updated to fix many of the things I didn't like about it. Sygic's Mobile Maps app (review) is still quite good as well, but Navigon still wins out over it with more fluid interface that mimics the out-of-the-box iPhone apps.

iPad accessories: Cloak case by Quirky

2010-03-13T10:14:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I mentioned that I could envision having 2 cases for my iPad - one silicone skin-type case without a cover for reading and other casual use around home and another one with a cover to protect it while I'm traveling with it. For the latter, I've come across one contender so far – the Cloak by Quirky.

Quirky is unique company that accepts product ideas from anyone and provides a process and method for the Quirky community to refine the ideas and bring them to production. Those who influence the product as it's being developed earn credit to be applied to purchasing Quirky products. I'm not extremely active with Quirky in influencing product ideas but I have purchased two of their products so far: the PowerCurl, which is a power cord manager for Mac portables, and the Beamer, which is an iPhone case with a built-in flash/light (this case is still in production and I haven't received it yet). The PowerCurl has made the short list as permanent staple in my gear bag to complement my MacBook Air and I'm working on a full review of it.

For full disclosure, if you buy these any of these products through these links I've given in this post, I earn credit with Quirky.

The Cloak is a hard rubberized folio-type case for the iPad. When closed, it will encase the iPad while still leaving the ports accessible. The front cover can be flipped around the back and has a pop-out stand so that the iPad can be propped up vertically on a table. The front cover also acts as a stand for the iPad in landscape orientation, using a neat locking mechanism to secure it at the desired angle. The Cloak will come in different colors - so far it looks like it will come in black, blue, olive, and pink.

If you commit to buying the Cloak now during the pre-sale period (you won't be charged until it ships), it costs $36, and the price goes up to $42 once enough purchase commitments have been made to make it out of the pre-sale period. If you're looking for a unique case for your iPad that offers good protection and flexibility, check out the Cloak. I'm thinking a black one is now on my shopping list...

iPad pre-order frenzy

2010-03-12T10:35:00.000-05:00

Today is a big day for Apple fans (at least those in the U.S.) who want to secure an iPad as soon as they're available. Pre-orders kicked off this morning at 8:30 am EST and I interrupted my morning get-the-craziness-out-of-your-system-so-I-can-work play session with the dogs to get one. After a few minutes of mad clicking and frantically searching for the in-store pick up option, I pre-ordered the 64GB 3G model and also reserved a 16GB wi-fi one to pick up on April 3 for the hell of it.

The beauteous order confirmation email

When the pre-orders were first announced, Apple stated that only the wi-fi versions could be pre-ordered and I only found out last night via Twitter (thanks, mac-fusiongirl!) that the 3G version could be pre-ordered as well. To be frank, that threw a bit of a wrench in my plans since I had planned to pre-order a wi-fi version to tide me over until the 3G one was available (after which I'd return or eBay the wi-fi one). I hadn't counted on the 3G version being available for pre-order but I am quite happy that I was able to secure on in advance and I still might pick up the wi-fi one I ordered as well so I have *something* to play with on April 3.

I didn't order any accessories for it like the keyboard dock or the case (I read over at iLounge.com that the case feels a bit cheap, surprisingly). I want to get a sense of how I'll use it before I pony up for those. However, I can picture wanting two cases for it. One silicone/other skin case to make it easy to hold and for light protection around the house, and another one high-quality one with a cover that could double as a stand for use when traveling. Ideally, I'd love some kind of portfolio case with a notepad on the other side or something. Yes, it may sound cheesy but I have a thing for paper and pens (shopping for school supplies as a child was heavenly for me) and would like a case that does a little more than just hide my iPad.

I'm still counting on being able to somehow use the SIM card from my current AT&T 3G modem (I'm thinking I might find a shop that can duplicate the SIM to a blank MicroSIM instead of cutting the SIM so it will fit). If that fails, I suspect I'll be taking advantage of the $14.99 250MB month-to-month plan from AT&T in months when I expect I'll be out and about and will need it. I really can't picture needing to use the unlimited data plan unless I am traveling without my MacBook Air for an extended period.

Did you order an iPad today? If so, which one? Did you order any accessories to go with it?

It's ALIVE! My iPhone car set-up has been perfected

2010-02-05T16:29:00.000-05:00

Well, this may not be perfect according to everyone's standards, but it's damn near close for my needs.

The hardware:

1 BMW X3 (with built-in OEM Bluetooth car kit)
1 OEM iPod-your-BMW kit
1 ProClip adjustable tilt + swivel iPhone mount
1 Scosche passPORT Firewire-to-USB charging converter
1 6-foot CableJive iPod/iPhone extension cable

I've had this OEM iPod kit in my car since I bought it and it's worked flawlessly with an old iPod nano that permanently resided in my glovebox. However, now that GPS apps are now widely available for the iPhone, I wanted to hook up my iPhone to my car so I could hear the navigation guidance audio over my car's speakers and charge my iPhone at the same time with the same cable. Yet there were a couple of obstacles to overcome first...

The iPod cable in my glovebox was not quite long enough to reach the place on my dashboard where my ProClip holder resides, so I needed an extension cable for this. 3GJuice makes a 24-inch one that sells for $24.95 on Amazon. It's black and would have been a bit less obvious against my black dashboard, so I went for it. Unfortunately, it didn't work. Next, I tried a similar extension cable from USBFever. No dice with that one either. I half-heartedly ordered a CableJive cable, expecting to see the same result. But it worked! God bless CableJive!
The iPod-your-BMW kit charges via Firewire only, so if I wanted my iPhone to get a charge – particularly important when using power-intensive apps like GPS ones – I needed a charging converter to work with my iPhone 3GS. Scosche sells one, and I got it from Amazon
for $24.99.

I do have a Belkin iPhone car charger but my cigarette lighter/charging port for the front seats is inside the ashtray, and it's not the prettiest thing to leave this open all the time when I want to charge my iPhone, and it's a bit of a pain to keep digging the charger out of the center console as well. Hence my desire to make sure I could charge my iPhone using the cord for the connector kit that is in my glovebox.

I've had the ProClip mount almost as long as I've had this car as well, albeit with different holders for the different phones I've had. The current holder is an iPhone 3G/3GS-specific one that accommodates a naked/skinned iPhone (I have a Gelaskins skin on it at the moment - my review of this skin is here). It also tilts and swivels so I can switch my iPhone to landscape orientation and adjust the viewing angle, with an additional arm that will prevent it from falling out when swiveled on its side or even upside down - you can find it on ProClip's site here. I can't say enough good things about ProClip mounts – they require no modification to your dashboard since they just pop into existing seams and they look far more professional than the air vent and windshield mounts I've seen. They are a bit pricey, but definitely worth it in my opinion.

Honestly, I do not like the look of wires hanging about my dashboard, but I was hesitant to drill through my dashboard to make this a little cleaner. However, since it's just one black cord that peeks out of the back of the glovebox and drapes only 12 inches or so over my also-black dashboard before hitting the side of the passenger footwell, I'm not *too* bothered by this (this picture actually makes it look more obvious than it does in person).

To avoid the cable from dangling into the passenger footwell and the plug end from flopping around on my dashboard when my iPhone is not connected, I used some wire clips (kindly procured by my husband) and velcro. I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with velcro, but it works very well for this, including keeping the dock connector end stuck to my dashboard in a place that makes it easy to grab when I need it and quick to store yet out of the way when I'm done.

In the end, if not aesthetically flawless, my set-up is is spot-on for what I need:

Incoming calls are already routed via Bluetooth through my car's speaker. I can accept and end calls using a button my steering wheel. I can initiate calls using my car's voice command system, or I can browse my contacts list on the stereo's display using buttons on my steering wheel. Music playing through the stereo or iPod app fades out and in with incoming and outgoing calls.
Music playback from the iPod app works flawlessly, though it is limited a bit by the iPod-your-BMW kit. I have to set up special playlists labeled BMW1-Playlist1, BMW2-Playlist2, etc. for the kit to see the playlists and play music from them. It's not the greatest and requires advanced planning, but it works and I'm used to it. I am considering changing this kit out for an after-market one that offers more functionality, but that's not in my budget at the moment. If I really want to listen to something I just downloaded that's not in a specially-made playlist that the system will see, all I need to do is start playing it before I plug it in and it will automatically pick up playing where it left off – I think this is a bit of a glitch with the iPod kit, but it's a handy one.
Audio from GPS apps plays over my car's speakers. Depending on the app, music will fade out before the navigation guidance and fade back in afterward, or guidance will simply play over the music. With the TomTom app (my review for work), this means music stops and starts abruptly when voice guidance is given. With the Navigon (my review) and Sygic (my review) apps, music fades out and back in nicely before and after voice guidance.

The only downside (aside from the limitations of the iPod-your-BMW kit) is that I must plug in my iPhone each and every time I get in the car if I want to listen to music from it. If I'm lazy and don't do this, I can still listen to FM radio or a CD, of course, and my calls will still be routed via Bluetooth and all of those functions remain intact. However, I've found myself plugging my iPhone in as soon as I get in the car all the time, even for short rides to the gym or post office. I really dislike FM radio (too much chatter and advertising) and I haven't made a new CD in ages with more recently-obtained music that I usually want to listen to.

Overall, I'm very pleased with my set-up. If you have any questions about any of the products I've mentioned in this post, please don't hesitate to contact me via email or by posting a comment.

Why so much iPad hate?

2010-02-01T10:23:00.002-05:00

Even as an Apple fangirl, I will be the first to admit that the iPad isn't for everyone and that the iPad lacks features that would make it more appealing and useful for many. But why all the hate? It's one thing to legitimately define why you don't like the iPad (and I think Gizmodo has a great article here comparing the iPad to other tablets and its shortfalls are clearly evident) but it's another to completely bash it simply because it isn't for you. Why bother? Do those who bash it simply because they don't like or want it hope to change the minds of those who do? Or is there some other chest-beating and roaring message behind this behavior that I'm just missing?

I really like Apple products for the most part (if you couldn't already tell). I don't own everything they've ever made and I don't make it a point to buy everything they put out. Yes, I have 2 Macs, 2 iPhones, an old iPod laying dormant in a drawer (which reminds me that I need to sell it) and some peripherals. I don't have an AppleTV, a Mac Pro, Aperture, and a whole bunch of other things that Apple makes. Not everything that Apple makes is perfect but the products I do have work for me. That's the key thing right there – I have all of these things because I like them and they function (most of the time) in the way that suits my needs the best.

If you've been reading my blog regularly, you see that I don't bash Windows products. I have used them (I used to own Windows-based computers up until 2003 after leaving my very first Mac from college behind for my dad to use) and have always had to use them at work. I admit that I may get snarky about them sometimes (I recently complained about having to install Vista on one of my Macs simply to use one application that I couldn't get to work under CrossOver and has no Mac equivalent) but that's usually out of bitterness when something does does not work as it should. I've owned phones made by RIM, Sony Ericsson, Nokia, and Palm. Consumers have tons of choices out there. I make my choices based on what I need and the features of what's available. If I don't like something, I don't go around crying that a product sucks, will never sell, or that it's stupid just because I don't like it. And I certainly don't insult people who will buy a product that I don't want or need, which is what I've been seeing a lot of in the Mac-related forums I visit, unfortunately.

I know that Apple is one of the most prominent companies in the consumer technology space now – the iPhone, the success and growth of its retail store chain, and the overall performance of the company in relation to its checkered past prior to Steve Jobs' most recent return, all make it an easy target for pundits and consumers alike. Apple is a company that likes control – they want their products to work a certain way and provide a specific user experience and they do limit and close down their products to ensure this. If you don't like it, buy something else. Bitching about it certainly won't change how Apple does things – it's certainly been working for them with a stock price hovering around $200 per share and $24 billion in the bank.

I definitely don't advocate not speaking up when you think something is wrong or when you feel a company has not delivered what has been promised in a product or service. But the iPad isn't even available yet and you don't have to buy it if you don't want it. It does look like a large iPod touch and it doesn't have a camera or any USB ports. It doesn't multi-task and it appears that it won't show Flash so far. Does these facts really make you angry? Do you really feel the need to ridicule those who want to buy it? If you answered yes to either of these questions, the only useful and polite suggestion I have for you is to seek a some therapy from a professional. If a single product that's not being forced on you in any way, shape, or form causes you to act like a schoolyard bully, well, I think that says a quite a bit about the type of person you are, and I have no desire to make your acquaintance, to say the least.

Oh, and the sanitary napkin iPad jokes were lame about 5 minutes after the tablet's name was announced. I can't believe that the word that has this definition according to Merriam Webster titillates so many people:

Function: noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1570
1 a : a thin flat mat or cushion: as (1) : a piece of soft stuffed material used as or under a saddle (2) : padding used to shape an article of clothing (3) : a guard worn to shield body parts against impact (4) : a piece of usually folded absorbent material (as gauze) used as a surgical dressing or protective covering (5) : a component of certain brake systems (as disc brakes) consisting of a plate covered with a frictional material b : a piece of material saturated with ink for inking the surface of a rubber stamp 2 a : the foot of an animal b : the cushioned thickening of the underside of the toes of an animal 3 : a floating leaf of a water plant 4 : a collection of sheets of paper glued together at one end 5 a (1) : a section of an airstrip used for warm-ups or turnarounds (2) : an area used for helicopter takeoffs and landings b : launchpad c : a horizontal concrete surface (as for parking a mobile home) 6 a : bed b : living quarters

Really? I thought I left the obnoxious boys who giggled anytime they heard the word "bra" or anything else related to "girl stuff" in my 7th grade class far behind.

/rant over. Now it's time to search through my stash of gadgets that I no longer use to see what I can sell to help fund my iPad purchase. First on that list is that old iPod nano...

Yes, I'm going to buy the iPad and it may even replace my MacBook Air...

2010-01-28T17:15:00.000-05:00

Of course, I was glued to my computer yesterday watching multiple sites providing live coverage of Apple's event. From the overwhelming number of rumors in the past few months, everyone pretty much knew what was going to be announced, though the actual design of the tablet and detailed specs hadn't been pinned down. I actually screamed like a sweaty teenaged girl at a Jonas Brothers concert when Steve Jobs first held up the iPad on stage. Fortunately no one but the dog saw this bit of highly undignified behavior. And the dog was not amused.

Could this be my new Preciousssss?

As I mentioned on Twitter yesterday, I am going to buy an iPad. No, I don't need really need one given that I already have 2 Macs. For me, it will probably be an ebook reader first (I had been toying with the idea of getting a Nook recently and I used to own a first-gen Kindle). It *could* replace my MacBook Air (my secondary Mac I use when traveling or to spend the day working at a cafe or the library) if a few things happen:

1. Easy access to my iDisk and MobileMe OTA synchronization

Now, I can't see Apple *not* making the MobileMe synchronization happen. Plus, the iPad should already be able to use Apple's existing iDisk app anyway, so the iDisk access should be a non-issue. However, what will be key for me will be the ability to open and edit documents stored on my iDisk (I've previously ranted about how this isn't possible on the iPhone, which still drives me crazy). This is how I already use my iDisk – I store work documents exclusively on my iDisk so that I can access them from my desktop or my MacBook Air without needing to worry about document version control. (Before you start to worry, my iDisk is backed up regularly in case Something Bad happens on Apple's end.)

2. Excellent document editing capabilities

I know Apple demo'ed iWork for the iPad yesterday, but I'd really need to get my hands on it to see how well it worked for me. However, iWork may not even be an option for me since I use some relatively complicated Excel spreadsheets for work and I'm not even sure that Numbers could handle them without losing some of my formulas and macros. I'm hoping that Dataviz (the developers of the Documents to Go app for the iPhone and other platforms) will optimize their app for the iPad, AND that Apple allows 3rd-party apps to access iDisks (or some file storage on the iPad itself).

3. Decent text entry functionality

I saw the on-screen virtual keyboard and it looked like it was pretty quick, though those announcing the iPad and demonstrating it at the hands-on event afterward had the benefit of getting used to it for a good while, I bet. I definitely do not expect to be able to type 90+ words per minute on the iPad as I can on a full-sized mechanical keyboard, but I'd like to be at least as fast on it as I am on my iPhone, on which I'm about half as fast as I am on a regular keyboard.

I'm sure I won't be patient enough once the iPad is released to confirm these things before I go ahead and buy one. I am, after all, an Apple fangirl.

I'm eyeing the 64GB version with 3G. I had expressed hope yesterday on Twitter that I could use my existing SIM card from my AT&T 3G modem in it to avoid paying for yet another internet connection, though the iPad will only take "micro* SIM" cards (I have never seen one of those in person) and my 3G modem's SIM card is a standard sized one. Now, if AT&T will give me a micro SIM version of it and I can get a regular-sized SIM adapter for it, that might work, though I don't think AT&T will be nearly that cooperative in my devious plan to avoid giving them more money.

I'll head to my local Apple store to see an iPad in person as soon as they're available. I already know it will be VERY hard for me to not buy one of the Wi-Fi only versions but I will try to stay strong.

Will you get an iPad?

*I have a sneaking suspicion that Apple did this merely to make it hard for people to use their existing SIM cards from an iPhone or other device.

More Apple tablet thoughts: Will it have free 3G connectivity?

2010-01-15T11:52:00.001-05:00

I was just listening to last week's MacBreak Weekly podcast (my favorite Mac-related podcast) and Leo and company were speculating about 3G connectivity in the rumored Apple tablet. They also mentioned the Kindle, discussing it as a dedicated device and how reading on its e-ink screen is preferred by many over reading on an LCD screen as would appear on the tablet. This got me thinking about the Kindle a little more and its Whispernet connectivity that offers free 3G connectivity - no sign-up required, no contract, and it's free for as long as you own the Kindle (at least Amazon hasn't said anything to the contrary).

A little light bulb then went on above my head: What if Apple will offer free 3G connectivity - like Amazon does with the Kindle - with their new tablet? Here's what makes me think that this is very possible:

In my view, it's unlikely that Apple wouldn't offer a portable device like a tablet – which will presumably be a device meant for media consumption and maybe as a partial laptop replacement – without 3G connectivity. So far, Apple hasn't offered any laptop computer with a built-in 3G modem, unlike almost every other computer manufacturer. They are overdue in offering this. Plus, seeing the success of the iPhone with it's 24/7 internet connectivity via 3G/EDGE or wi-fi has probably got them thinking about what this could mean for future products. More connectivity = more media consumption = more App Store/iTunes sales.
Most iPhone users already pay for an unlimited data plan (some carriers offer limited data plans, though they still charge an additional fee for this on top of the voice plan) and adding another data plan for another device on top of that would be highly-unattractive and most likely unfeasible for many. Apple wouldn't want to automatically drive away iPhone users who don't want to foot yet another bill for internet access. Offering this for free would mitigate this issue.
Apple recently purchased Quattro, a mobile advertising network. *I can't see Apple using this network on the iPhone for their own apps, of which they have relatively few at this point: Remote ($0), iDisk ($0), MobileMe Gallery ($0), Texas Hold'em ($4.99) and Keynote Remote ($2.99). It wouldn't make sense for them to put ads in their free apps – Apple is not hurting for cash and these apps simply augment the functionality of existing Apple products (MobileMe and any Mac). They could place ads in their paid apps, but Apple didn't purchase Quattro simply to add revenue from 2 apps. But, their own mobile ad network on a wildly popular tablet device could probably easily fund 3G connectivity for the lifetime of the device.

Tablet users would need to agree to the terms of use of the free connectivity, which would include viewing ads. Perhaps Apple will even offer ad-free connectivity if you pay for the 3G connectivity yourself with an eligible carrier.

One more thing: Apple purchased Lala, a streaming music service, in December. Leveraging this with a tablet (that will probably sell like hotcakes) with free 3G connectivity (plus the iPhone, given the data plan users are already paying for) would be a smart move to establish a large customer base right from the start.

*The New York Times speculated that Apple purchased Quattro to compete with Google and offer app developers advertising for their apps, providing an all-in-one experience for developers who want to show ads in their apps to earn revenue. While this is possible, I don't think this is why Apple purchased Quattro. Apple isn't in the business of selling ads. They sell hardware and software melded together to give a specific customer experience, plus content through iTunes which is also presented in a way to enhance the customer experience. Apple won't push ads simply for the sake of revenue in established channels – this feels vastly out of character for them in my view. Apple is smart, and if they're going to offer anything free to a large number of customers, they'll have a way to stay in the black to satisfy shareholders that works for them with minimal fuss.

As a former Kindle owner (I had a first-gen Kindle for a few months before I changed my mind about having a dedicated device for reading that cost $200 when reading on my iPhone with the free Kindle app worked just as well for me), I can attest that having free 3G on a device meant for media consumption is absolutely fabulous. In fact, that was my favorite feature of the Kindle - instant access to browse for new books, or to even browse the web with its experimental browser is a killer feature and it has led the Kindle to be the foremost ebook reader on the market today. I think it's a formula for success for an Apple tablet that can be a mobile media hub for users.

So, that's my prediction. What do you think? I haven't seen anyone put all of these pieces together like this so far though I admit I haven't read the entire internet to confirm this, but I haven't gotten this idea from anyone else. I totally call dibs on credit for this prediction if it turns out to be true. ;)

(See my previous blog post for more Apple tablet thoughts.)

CES 2010 and Apple Tablet thoughts

2010-01-14T16:56:00.006-05:00

It's been a while since I've blogged. The holidays thoroughly kicked my ass this time around, though I'm not quite sure why. In some ways, I was more organized than I had been in previous years - I didn't need to go shopping on Christmas Eve and the majority of our Christmas cards arrived before Christmas day. Frankly, those two accomplishments are damn nearly miracles in and of themselves. Despite this, I found little time for "fun" writing from around Thanksgiving until now. It's been a few days since I've been back from CES as I write this, having covered the expo for work (my job is awesome!). There wasn't all that much Mac-related there and it was far less stressful than last year's CES working for my previous employer. However, I was still exhausted toward the end of the week. I'm quite the introvert and meeting new people and being in large crowds regularly over several days at a time is tiring for geeky little me, not to mention the general craziness of CES and the evening activities that followed full days on the show floor.

On a personal note, I stayed at Excalibur on the strip in one of their newly-remodeled "plasma rooms." It was my first time staying there and the room wasn't bad, though without HD cable feeding the plasma, the experience wasn't as good as it could have been. Also, I did get a chance to get lunch at In-n-Out - my favorite fast food burger chain - with Chris Meinck of EverythingiCafe.com, which was great (both the food and the company)! We had tried to meet for lunch at last year's CES but I didn't get a chance since I was working crazily on a Palm Pre first impressions review on that day. Oh, and the Excalibur has a pretty good gym though I didn't get there as much as I'd hoped to. A cab driver tried to convince me that having kids was the greatest thing a person could do (he did not succeed and I'm not quite sure why he tried - do I look like I need to have kids?) and I didn't gamble once, even though I had intended to. I had a great risotto dish at at restaurant at the Wynn one night and avoided the free lunches provided for the press by the expo at all costs. And I finally met my boss in person (we had only spoken by phone, IM, and email before)!

I spent a good deal of time on the show floor on the first and second days of the expo and was focused on finding accessories and products related to the Mac, iPhone/iPod, and other Apple products. I didn't really see that much that thrilled me and made me clap my hands together in anticipatory glee. While I read about Samsung's transparent OLED screen, I never hunted it down on the floor to see it in person, though I think that's one cool product that I look forward to seeing in mass production soon. Though I've had my eye on the Barnes & Noble Nook for a while now, I finally got a chance to see one at the Digital Experience event at CES and it was nice enough to solidify my decision to buy one, though there is one snag in that plan: the rumored Apple tablet. No Nook - nor any other dedicated ebook reader, for that matter - for me until the Apple tablet is revealed. Of course, as I'm sure you can guess, I'm buying that Apple tablet no matter what. How can I not?What's the tablet going to be like? The rumors are flying, as usual. Here are a few of my favorite ones:

The interface part is where I have the most trouble picturing the tablet. At CES, I saw a few of the new tablets with the NVIDIA Tegra 2 chipset that ran Android and they just felt like large cell phones. The on-screen keyboards were pretty much impossible to use with your thumbs since the device was too wide to be able to reach the middle keys, and the lines of letters were offset, making them impossible to type on with 10 fingers as you would on a normal physical keyboard. Of course, I'm not an Apple interface designer (and for good reason since conceiving of an elegant tablet interface eludes me) and I'm sure the bright minds of the software engineers and UI specialists at Apple have figured this one out. Well, at least I hope they have. Though I'm sure that Steve Jobs would never let a product that didn't work elegantly out the door to begin with.

John Gruber made an interesting blog post on the tablet, most pertinently addressing this question: If you already have an iPhone and a MacBook; why would you want this?

This is a question I struggle with as well. What will the tablet do that's new and unique enough to differentiate itself from my iPhone and my ultra-portable MacBook Air? If Gruber is right, the tablet may be functional enough for me to sell my MacBook Air. However, my reaction may not be that of the typical Mac user/convert since my MacBook Air is now my secondary Mac – my Mac mini is now my primary Mac. Technically, I don't need a second Mac, but I have it since it's useful to me anyway and I have no burning urge or need to sell it. Still, I really hope Apple nails text entry on the tablet. While I'll almost certainly still buy the Apple tablet if I can't type as well on it as I can on my MacBook Air, it may indeed be a "surplus" device for me, with only my Mac fangirl status prompting me to buy and keep it.

At any rate, the rumored announcement (January 26 or 27) will be here shortly, so hopefully we'll all know more soon.

Do you think that an Apple tablet is on the way? What do you think it will look like and what will it be able to do? Will you buy one?

400+ kills and counting. Eliminate Pro has me by the...

2009-12-10T16:53:00.000-05:00

I don't know what it has me by, but it's not the body part that normally completes that expression since I'm a woman. I frankly can't think of a female equivalent that has the same oomph without making me cringe, but I'm sure you get the picture so let's just move on, shall we?

Eliminate Pro (link opens iTunes) is one of Ngmoco's most recent game releases for the iPhone. It's free to get from the App Store and, technically, you don't have to spend any money to keep playing it either.

Ngmoco has an introductory video to show how the game works:

I just love the overly-enthusiastic tone of the narrator - it's like an HR employee in chirpy robot mode that puts you in the perfect mood to shoot someone. (Apologies to any HR people reading this - I used to be one so I give myself a bit of license in this area.)

Noticed how she talked about "energized" suits? You can still play while your suit isn't energized, but you won't earn any credits playing like this. Credits are the currency used to buy new weapons and armor and upgrades, so you'll want to earn credits at some point. To energize your suit, you can wait for a free recharge, which can take up to around 3 hours. Or, you can buy power cells from the App Store from within the app. It takes 15 power cells to give your suit a full charge. If you go to buy cells through an in-app purchase, you'll only get 3 options and you may not get the package you want. If I were buying power cells, this would get on my nerves, but I understand that any app can only show up to 3 in-app purchase options at a time, so it's not Ngmoco's fault.

Power cells can also be converted to credits so you have another funding source (outside of picking up dropped credits while playing in an energized suit) to use if you want to buy new weapons and armor.

I am doing a little bit of an experiment by playing regularly (waiting for the free recharges) and not spending any money at all to purchase power cells to energize my suit. I only use credits I earn during matches to purchase my weapon and armor upgrades. And, I'm only using the standard armor and upgrading it when I can. I am using the standard-issue auto rifle as my main weapon, but I purchased a plasma cannon early on with some earned credits before I made my decision to play with only the standard-issue stuff, and I use it occasionally. I have stopped upgrading the plasma cannon, though, and any credits spent on weapons go to upgrading the auto rifle.

I have good matches where I spank everyone else and bad matches where I get my ass handed to me by players at lower levels with fewer skill points. As the Jeffersons would say, I'm movin' on up slowly yet surely without spending a dime. I'd like to try to make it to the (previously) highest possible rank - 50 - without making use of the Amex card to which my iTunes account is linked. I'm at rank 18 now and usually make it to the next level every other day when playing daily. At this rate, it will take me just over 2 weeks to hit rank 50. If I keep playing at this pace and hold my own as I play better and better players, that is. I claim no extraordinary prowess at FPS games, but they are my favorite game genre and I've taken quite a shine to Eliminate Pro (it's the first game I've ever put on the first page of my iPhone's home screen).

If you are used to a mechanical controller to do your fragging and find the touch-only interface on the iPhone to be daunting, I feel your pain. I was very frustrated with the controls at first, but I got used to them so don't give up.

If I can hit level 50 without spending any money, I will gladly make up for my cheapness at that time and buy lots of power cells to help compensate the developers for creating a fantastic and addictive game.

I'm usually online and playing around lunch time and in the evening though I don't usually play unless I have energy (me need credits). If you want to add me as a friend so we can have private matches, my Plus+ ID is BadAngel. BRING IT ON.

P.S. I started writing this post before Eliminate Pro was updated to version 1.1. I want to note that I still enjoy the game, but I'm getting my ass kicked by other players who have paid money to upgrade their armor and weapons to the maximum amounts possible (it takes me longer since I have to wait to earn credits to make these purchases, and a recent change to the game made these upgrades more expensive). I will say that the matching engine isn't all that great - it matches by rank and skill points but does not take equipment into consideration. Unfortunately, my skill points are taking a dive as I get beaten up by players in Tank armor with Rocket Launchers. I hate Rocket Launchers. My standard issue armor is no match for those. /me makes sad face.

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2009-11-24T16:12:00.001-05:00

Don't mind me - just publishing a code to claim my blog on Technorati...

Heads up - 20% off at Ideal-Case.com

2009-11-16T17:13:00.004-05:00

Remember that cute little Demon case I reviewed last month? If you thought about buying one, now is the time to get it since the company that makes them - Ideal-Case.com - is offering 20% off all purchases using the promo code "iPhoneGen01" (without the quotation marks). This isn't limited to the Demon case for the iPhone but applies to everything they sell, and they have a variety of products for iPods and devices by Blackberry, HTC, Nokia and more. The promo code will be valid through the end of this month (November 2009).

I don't usually post publicize sales or promo codes like this, but I thought that Demon case was so cute and I don't mind helping them out. The link to their site above isn't a referral link and I won't earn anything from any sales they get from this. I just wanted to pass it on in case any of you are interested. :)

Latest Genius Bar experience: iPhone 3GS replacement

2009-11-13T10:37:00.000-05:00

You may recall that the ring/silent toggle on my iPhone 3GS stopped working a little while ago and I endured it long enough to finish my review of Navigon's MobileNavigator app (since the app was tied to the UDID of my iPhone and I couldn't install it on a replacement iPhone). As soon as I could after that, I made an appointment at my local Genius Bar and brought my iPhone in, hoping for an exchange. All in all, the experience was good with only a few worrisome moments.

The dreaded white box of the refurbished iPhone

(Courtesy of halfbyteproductions via Flickr)

The Genius who was assigned to my appointment asked me what was going on with my iPhone and he was able to verify for himself that the ring/silent toggle worked only sporadically and gave no tactile feedback when moved. He said he should be able to replace it and started on some data entry to begin the process. He then examined my iPhone a bit more - I couldn't see exactly what he was doing from across the counter, but I'm guessing he was checking my firmware version and making sure my iPhone wasn't jailbroken (which it wasn't - I save those shenanigans for my spare first-generation iPhone). He then took out a device that looked a lot like a doctor's otoscope and checked the moisture indicator in the headphone jack. I almost broke into a cold sweat at that point. I took very good care of that iPhone but hoped that a stray drop of water or sweat hadn't tripped that sensor and I silently cursed myself for not checking it myself before I came in. Fortunately, he declared it eligible for warranty coverage and went to get a replacement for me in a nearby cabinet as I sighed in relief.

The replacement came out of a white box and did not come with any accessories, though I did bring in mine in case I needed to do a complete swap. I asked him if it was a refurb and by the mildly irritated look on his face - complete with a near rolling of the eyes - he got that question a lot and said, "It's as good as new," and prompted me to check it out as he finished documenting the exchange. My quick visual inspection did indeed show it to look like a brand new device and I really had no grounds for asking them to open up a brand new iPhone box, though I've read accounts that some do in similar situations. Later, looking at its serial number confirmed that it is indeed a refurbished unit (it starts with "5K"as indicated in this post over at EverythingiCafe.com) but it takes over the warranty period of my first iPhone 3GS and is covered until June of next year, so I can't complain.

I keep a lot of personal information on my iPhone, about which I'm a bit paranoid. I take that back - I am very paranoid about it. I enable the passcode lock and the setting that will erase the iPhone completely if it's entered incorrectly 10 times. I also have the SIM lock enabled and the iPhone tracking feature through MobileMe set to on. The Genius was about to put my iPhone in a box and I stopped him and asked him if I could wipe it first. He seemed a little surprised and said I could if I wanted to but they would be doing it anyway. I have read accounts where people have received refurbished iPhones with data still on them from the previous owner, so I didn't have total confidence in what he said and did start the "Erase All Content and Settings" process and handed it back to him. I took my "new" iPhone and went on my merry way, buying a new anti-glare screen protector for it before I left the store.

It is quite nice to be able to silence my iPhone so easily again. Also, the sleep/wake button on my last iPhone was crooked, its left side sitting lower than the right side and my new iPhone is pretty much flawless in comparison. I ended up setting it up as a new device after the back-up I'd restored to seemed to be acting up and it's been absolutely great since. I've put another Gelaskins skin on it and am going case-less, using only the screen protector and the rear skin 90% of the time. I'll pop it into an iSkin Solo FX or the Ideal-Case Demon skin occasionally if I want some more protection temporarily. I finding that I rarely use my Incase Slider anymore even though I still really like it and will still recommend it to others.

Here's to hoping I don't have any problems with this iPhone!

My upcoming donations to Apple

2009-10-26T14:58:00.000-04:00

Apple announced some product updates last week which will cause me to make a donation to Apple in the very near future. Of course, this will not be a completely unwilling donation and I do expect something in return for it - one Magic Mouse, to be precise. Don't get me wrong - I'd love to make a much larger donation in exchange for one 27" iMac as well, but that would put one significant strike down against me in the Mac inventory tally my husband keeps, and no good would come of it. Unless "good" in your book means "I now have enough proof to show my wife is crazy and should be institutionalized."

Getting a Magic Mouse would free me from the wireless Mighty Mouse I currently use for my left hand (my right hand uses a Logitech trackball - I switch mice hands throughout the day in a vain attempt to minimize repetitive motion injuries). The Mighty Mouse is a great concept and it's kind of cute, but I will say that it regularly causes me to envision doing horrible things to the engineers who designed it, usually involving a frantic, pants-less game of musical chairs and lots of really sharp thumb tacks. The damn ball in the damn thing keeps getting gummed up so that I can't damn scroll down - scrolling in any other direction always works. If they'd worked out a way to easily disassemble the mouse so it could be cleaned thoroughly, I wouldn't be so upset. But they didn't, and I do. Regularly.

The next Apple product that will join my collection

I am still coveting another Mac of some sort. That 12" PowerBook I mentioned recently may still be for sale and I'm going to make an offer. :( I really should save my money and wait until January or so to see if a tablet is released, which would change my whole game plan, anyway. In the meantime, I do want to buy the AppleCare extended warranty for my MacBook Air, which I have only a few weeks left to do at this point. I think that will help greatly with its resale value when I get around to selling it.

Speaking of the game plan for early next year, it's shaping up thusly:

Buy a Mac tablet for portable use (but only if it has a usable keyboard or I can connect a Bluetooth one to it easily)
Buy an iMac for desk at home (27" if possible, but that's highly doubtful unless I win the lottery)
Sell current MacBook Air and 20" Apple Cinema Display ~~plus husband and/or firstborn child~~ to fund new purchases/appease husband
Keep iPhone (duh)

Do you have any Mac purchases planned in the near future?

Review of Ideal-Case's Demon silicone case for the iPhone 3G/3GS

2009-10-16T19:12:00.000-04:00

I succumbed to the allure of yet another case for my iPhone - this time it's a selection that's perfect for Halloween, to boot. It gives my iPhone teeth. Yes, teeth! It's the Demon silicone case from Ideal-Case and you can see my review of it here.

Backing up is (not) a bitch

2009-10-12T16:22:00.000-04:00

I complained most vociferously about Time Machine recently when it up and quit on me without any real warning, as well as Tweeted about my husband's own failure-to-back-up issues when his MacBook's hard drive went boobies up in the water a little while ago. Since my MacBook Air is now the center of my work and personal life, backing up religiously is now top of mind for me and I'm considering adding one more back-up option in case Something Really Bad happens.

I've been researching some on-line options - the kind that offer unlimited storage and automated back-ups for about $5 per month - like BackBlaze and Carbonite. I think I will be trying Carbonite first, since they currently have a promo going as a sponsor of TWIT's MacBreak Weekly podcast (which is my favorite Mac podcast) that gives you a couple of months for free with the "twit" promo code, though I just noticed on their site that compatibility with Snow Leopard isn't coming until November. Hmmm. I am now hoping Something Really Bad does not happen between now and then.

Regarding my husband, the one good thing about the hard drive disaster that he suffered through is that he is now a fan of backing up. I took care of finding him a new hard drive (a Western Digital Scorpio 320GB 7200 RPM drive, bitches!) which has more space than he will ever need since he uses my iTunes library on my Mac and only uses his Mac for internet surfing, emailing, and storing a few documents here and there. We installed Snow Leopard on his Mac and I set up him to connect to the external hard drive connected to my Airport Extreme Base Station, making a partition I'd previously set up for him there is Time Machine drive. He was a little miffed at me since I'd recently re-partitioned that drive and made his part smaller, but he hadn't been using it at all before the infamous drive failure and I thought the space would go to better use for my Time Machine back-up. You snooze, you lose, little buddy! Now that his Mac is back up and running, he wanted to get a larger drive for us to share and we are going to split a 2 TB (TB!) Western Digital My Book Studio Edition drive between us for our Time Machine back-ups. It arrived last week, so I'll be setting that up shortly and will retire the other drive for desktop use - I'll probably turn that one into my weekly cloning drive and free up the portable drive I'd been using for clones for other stuff.

I hereby dub thee "The Knight of Schultz Back-ups"!

Forgive me for the unkind and mildly-evil thoughts I'm about to write down. When the hard drive in my husband's MacBook crashed, he vilified Macs, saying that I always told him that they were supposed to be more reliable and easy to use and just look at what happened, dammit! Of course, it somehow became my fault (my husband excels at boogerheadedness from time to time) and he ignored my claims that hard drive failures are independent of the operating system and can happen to any machine. Anyway, in near-karmic retribution, the hard drive on his trusty Dell laptop that he uses for work - a computer which is incidentally newer than his MacBook - failed about 2 weeks after his MacBook's. I would not have wanted to be the IT guy who helped him with it at work - he spent countless hours trying to retrieve his files (yeah, no back-ups at his company either - bad IT!) and was only able to salvage some of them in the end and move them to a new hard drive. While I don't wish hard drive failure on anyone (well, maybe one or two people), my husband has now learned that hard drive failures can happen in any machine. And he hasn't said one bad word about Macs since. ;)