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[ClovingWestbrook]

This is true. ATT can't handle the iPhone. I think that has been clear for a while. I consider myself an unwilling victim of that little bugger. I bought into ATT and had the iPhone show up and destroy this network.

My coverage and dropped calls have gone through the roof over the last 2 years.

If Apple really wanted what was best of their customers they would go multi-network. There probably isn't a single network in the US that can handle the iPhone.

June . I know its OT but I am really starting to get tired of these AT&T commercials. They really are horrible "Hey bud, Hey Bud, HEY BUD!!!!!". Ughh.

 

[StoOgE]

June . I know its OT but I am really starting to get tired of these AT&T commercials. They really are horrible "Hey bud, Hey Bud, HEY BUD!!!!!". Ughh.

Let's hope so. I hope they go to Verizon and Tmobile. Get some real competition on pricing going on.

I think Verizon is almost going to force their hand. Their assault on ATT has been absolutely brutal over the last few months and has cemented the popular opinion that ATT is a terrible network.

Which ironically, was very likely caused by the iPhone in the first place. :lol

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

Let's hope so. I hope they go to Verizon and Tmobile. Get some real competition on pricing going on.

I think Verizon is almost going to force their hand. Their assault on ATT has been absolutely brutal over the last few months and has cemented the popular opinion that ATT is a terrible network.

Which ironically, was very likely caused by the iPhone in the first place. :lol

It's not going to go to Verizon until next year, at the earliest, in my opinion. Apple is not going to make a CDMA version of the iPhone when 4G is just around the corner, and they can hold off until then to introduce a phone that will work on all networks. Those hoping it's going to end up on Verizon in the near term are deluding themselves I fear.

T-Mobile on the other hand, could get it as early as June.

 

[mrkgoo]

If I'm consigned to getting a non-wifi+3g, I'm not sure which storage size I want.

I want more than 16GB, but I feel I'm not getting all that much more for $100 in the 32GB. Damn you Apple! Such clever pricing. :/ 64GB sound silk too much for what I want it for.

Maybe 32GB, then.

 

[numble]

If I'm consigned to getting a non-wifi, I'm not sure which storage size I want.

I want more than 16GB, but I feel I'm not getting all that much more for $100 in the 32GB. Damn you Apple! Such clever pricing. :/ 64GB sound silk too much for what I want it for.

Maybe 32GB, then.

In one year, the $499 model will have 32 GB and more stuff.

 

[SnakeXs]

It's not going to go to Verizon until next year, at the earliest, in my opinion. Apple is not going to make a CDMA version of the iPhone when 4G is just around the corner, and they can hold off until then to introduce a phone that will work on all networks. Those hoping it's going to end up on Verizon in the near term are deluding themselves I fear.

T-Mobile on the other hand, could get it as early as June.

When do you really expect 4G networks to start up? And how will Verizon's network flip over? Is their entire 3G map gonna be covered by 4G once that kicks in?

 

[Mecha_Infantry]

If I'm consigned to getting a non-wifi, I'm not sure which storage size I want.

I want more than 16GB, but I feel I'm not getting all that much more for $100 in the 32GB. Damn you Apple! Such clever pricing. :/ 64GB sound silk too much for what I want it for.

Maybe 32GB, then.

non-wifi? 3G you mean?

 

[Pikmindictator]

I'm also interested in the 16GB no 3G model. I think it would be great for reading school stuff like papers and so forth. 3G doesn't seem like a necessity for me and I'll also get the next iPhone model which will be my internet everywhere device.

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

When do you really expect 4G networks to start up? And how will Verizon's network flip over? Is their entire 3G map gonna be covered by 4G once that kicks in?

Verizon says that they're going to light it up in as many markets as they can all at the same time later this year or early into 2011. Sprint is already working on their's of course, and AT&T expects to put their's into operation in 2011 as well. It seems that the aim for most of the major carriers to be up and online next year.

 

[flyover]

In one year, the $499 model will have 32 GB and more stuff.

That seems to be the way Apple does things. The prices stay about the same, but the features for each model improve.

I'll probably hedge my bets and buy the cheapest one this year. That way, if next year's model completely outclasses it, I won't feel too bad about getting that one, too -- and handing my old model down to a family member.

Besides, 16GB should be fine. I don't come anywhere close to filling up my iPod Touch, and I'll probably use the iPad for even less audio/video media.

 

[mrkgoo]

In one year, the $499 model will have 32 GB and more stuff.

And I'll probably get another one then (if it had a camera). It'd be interesting to know if they are going or significantly drop the price or stick to the strategy of simple offering more features. Storage gets cheaper, so they often bump up the storage so yeah, likely we'll get a $499 32GB, but will they keep the 16GB and have it at $399?

And any predictions on the update schedule for this? iPhone (june/july) or iPod (October)?

non-wifi? 3G you mean?

Whoops yeah. Actually, I was thinking I'm so blinded by Apple products, what would it take for me NOT to have considered one (besides pricing it beyond reason). I couldn't think of much, but having no wifi, even if it were $199 I would probably not get one. Probably.

 

[Ashhong]

Verizon says that they're going to light it up in as many markets as they can all at the same time later this year or early into 2011. Sprint is already working on their's of course, and AT&T expects to put their's into operation in 2011 as well. It seems that the aim for most of the major carriers to be up and online next year.

can you explain how apple is going to make one iphone that works on all companies? is Verizon adding a sim card or osmething?

 

[numble]

I'll probably hedge my bets and buy the cheapest one this year. That way, if next year's model completely outclasses it, I won't feel too bad about getting that one, too -- and handing my old model down to a family member.

This is my plan if I decide on getting one.

 

[mrkgoo]

can you explain how apple is going to make one iphone that works on all companies? is Verizon adding a sim card or osmething?

I thought there were cell 'chips' that were able to be used on a GSM or CDMA network. When on CDMA, I guess they just leave the sim empty. Don't know too much about this, though.

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

can you explain how apple is going to make one iphone that works on all companies? is Verizon adding a sim card or osmething?

4G networks are going to be working under more unified systems across all the networks. Not everything his exactly the same, but the hardware should be able to work on any of the 4G networks and switch between them seamlessly.

This is not the case at the moment where you either need a GSM phone, a CDMA phone, or hardware that covers both, which is common in some smart phones, but not in the currently version of the iPhone. I'd be shocked if they adjusted the hardware now, or started manufacturing two versions of the phone, rather than wait and just transition to 4G.

BTW, the GSM system that AT&T uses and is in the iPhone, is by far the most common used around the world, which is why Apple could introduce the iPhone to all of those other markets over the past year and a half.

 

[mrkgoo]

This is my plan if I decide on getting one.

This is partially my plan. But I don't want to completely gimp my experience in the process (especially if the next model doesn't out class it), and for me 16GB will do that. I want to be able to put as much content as I feel the need, and 16GB will be limiting my video content.

 

[Technosteve]

image an ipad strapped on there =D

 

[Ashhong]

4G networks are going to be working under more unified systems across all the networks. Not everything his exactly the same, but the hardware should be able to work on any of the 4G networks and switch between them seamlessly.

This is not the case at the moment where you either need a GSM phone, a CDMA phone, or hardware that covers both, which is common in some smart phones, but not in the currently version of the iPhone. I'd be shocked if they adjusted the hardware now, or started manufacturing two versions of the phone, rather than wait and just transition to 4G.

BTW, the GSM system that AT&T uses and is in the iPhone, is by far the most common used around the world, which is why Apple could introduce the iPhone to all of those other markets over the past year and a half.

by supporting 4G does the phone automatically work on all the carriers? or do they still need to make it support CDMA/GSM at the same time? im going to assume its the latter

 

[Burger]

:lol

That said. I don't understand his avatar. Couldn't you just buy a stylus to use for the iPad? Or does it only respond to fingers for some strange reason?

Na he's just a Wacom evangelist. Not sure if he works for them, or a subsidiary or what, but he's clearly heavily invested in whatever technology they use. The technology Wacom use is radically different from what iPhone/iPod/iPad use.

I have a Wacom tablet at work and it's amazing, but in terms of usability it's a pretty narrowly defined. I use my mouse for everything that isn't brush related in Photoshop.

So Shog is an artist, and his idea of a Tablet computer is something to draw on, scribble notes on, draw graphs on, whatever. All are clearly uses that require the resolution of a stylus. It may be to some people that the UI of Windows 7 on such a device coupled with the software support is something that suits them.

Apples idea of a Tablet computer is different. Hence the avatar.

 

[Terrell]

by supporting 4G does the phone automatically work on all the carriers? or do they still need to make it support CDMA/GSM at the same time? im going to assume its the latter

LTE, the current 4G standard all the carriers are getting on board for, is supported across the board and operates exactly the same since there's no real competition to the LTE standard like there was with GSM/CDMA. The only reason to put in CDMA is for coverage in areas where you can't get an LTE signal and have to drop to 3G coverage.

 

[Xater]

Man this is really un-Apple. It looks like there are still no international prices. At least on the German website they still list everything in Dollar. I am really curious to see what it will cost if it's taing them so long. Maybe they willnot just exchange Dollar for Euro? That would be nice....

 

[mrkgoo]

Man this is really un-Apple. It looks like there are still no international prices. At least on the German website they still list everything in Dollar. I am really curious to see what it will cost if it's taing them so long. Maybe they willnot just exchange Dollar for Euro? That would be nice....

It's not that unApple, because the product it self hasn't been released, only announced (that is "unApple" in so far as that, but not unexpected)- this is just like the iPhone, although that wasn't even released much outside a few countries until the 3G.

 

[Mecha_Infantry]

Has anyone posted this?

Friday, January 29, 2010

Apple reinventing file access, wireless sharing for iPad

By Prince McLean
Published: 08:45 PM EST


iPad hands-on preview

Related AppleInsider articles:
* Apple to target iPad at business users with...
* A closer look at Apple's iPad bundled...
* Apple introduces iBooks store for iPad
* Apple investigating 'Grab & Go' simplified...
* Apple revamps MobileMe iDisk features

Apple is dramatically rethinking how applications organize their documents on iPad, leaving behind the jumbled file system and making file access between the iPad and desktop computers seamless.

In a move foreshadowed by the Newton Message Pad fifteen years ago, Apple's new iPad jettisons the conventional shared file system and introduces a new, streamlined convention for working with document files that ordinary users should find much more understandable.

Outside of savvy computer users, the idea of opening a file by searching through hierarchical paths in the file system is a bit of a mystery. Add in the concept of local and cloud file servers and things really get confusing.

Apple has already taken some steps to hide complexity in the file system in Mac OS X; Spotlight search was supposed to make a file's location almost irrelevant, while apps such as iTunes, iPhoto, and Photo Booth now present their databases of content in media folders within the open file panel rather that forcing users to slog through the underlying file system.

The Finder, iTunes and iPhoto also allow users to wirelessly share content between different systems via Bonjour-discovered file shares that pop up automatically whenever another system sharing files is sensed on the network.

The iPhone similarly abstracts away the file system entirely; there is no concept of opening or saving files, just a media library of Photos and file attachments that stay connected to their mailbox items. But the iPhone currently isn't designed to do much more than view files.

iPad's new document sharing model

With the iPad, Apple demonstrated new multitouch versions of desktop-class iWorks apps with user interfaces that need to open and save documents. There's still no file system browser with open and save panels. Instead, each app displays the files it knows about at launch for the user to navigate through directly.

An iPad developer has revealed to AppleInsider how this new mechanism works, without also requiring that users learn about the complexity of the underlying file system. Rather than iPad apps saving their documents into a wide open file system, apps on iPad save all their documents within their own installation directory. Delete the app and you'll clean out all of its related files. This is how the iPhone OS already works.

Additionally, iPad apps can now specify that their documents be shared wirelessly. With that configuration, the iPad will make available each apps' documents, allowing the user to wirelessly mount their iPad via WiFi and simply drag and drop files back and forth between it and their desktop computer.

On the desktop system, the iPad will show up as a share containing a documents folder for each app that enables sharing. For example, a user with iWork apps will be able to wirelessly connect to their iPad as if it were a directly connected drive, and simply drag spreadsheet, presentation, or word processing files between their local system and the mobile device as desired.

Documents copied to the app's shared folder will be graphically presented by the app when it launches, sparing users from having to figure out where to look for their document files and avoiding any need to sort through different kinds of documents. The document listing also presents each file as a large preview akin to Quick View on the Mac OS X desktop.

And iPad app's documents can be presented in any way that makes sense, depending on how many and what kind of documents the individual iPad app uses. Apple demonstrated its Work apps scrolling through a quick list of documents, while its iBooks app presents its various digital books as titles in a virtual bookshelf.

Just like the iPhone, the iPad will sync some apps' documents via either iTunes or MobileMe, including photos, music, movies, TV shows, contacts, calendars, and bookmarks.

 

[Flying_Phoenix]

Na he's just a Wacom evangelist. Not sure if he works for them, or a subsidiary or what, but he's clearly heavily invested in whatever technology they use. The technology Wacom use is radically different from what iPhone/iPod/iPad use.

I have a Wacom tablet at work and it's amazing, but in terms of usability it's a pretty narrowly defined. I use my mouse for everything that isn't brush related in Photoshop.

So Shog is an artist, and his idea of a Tablet computer is something to draw on, scribble notes on, draw graphs on, whatever. All are clearly uses that require the resolution of a stylus. It may be to some people that the UI of Windows 7 on such a device coupled with the software support is something that suits them.

Apples idea of a Tablet computer is different. Hence the avatar.

Probably. I mean I use a Wacom tablet and I see no purpose in having it on a tablet PC that will chug to just run my applications that I use with it.

Also again "What's the big deal of not choosing the $15 plan instead of the $30 unlimited?". What does the 256MB limit mean?

 

[tokkun]

It was around $125 to get the Macbook in black. I know because I paid it.

It was $200 more for the midrange version, at least originally.

http://www.oreillynet.com/mac/blog/2006/05/is_it_worth_200_more_for_a_bla.html

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

by supporting 4G does the phone automatically work on all the carriers? or do they still need to make it support CDMA/GSM at the same time? im going to assume its the latter

Terrell pretty much already hit it. I assume there will be hardware to support falling back to a 3G/CDMA/GSM network as needed, but the providers are all trying desperately to get 4G up and across their entire network so there will be no need for 3G or older tech. That takes some time to implement though.

I suppose it is possible that Apple will release a 4G iPhone this year in preparation for these networks being finished and ready to go, but since we have no idea when the rollouts will be complete, I think it's more likely to see that version of the iPhone next year, and expanding it to any carrier that wants it, including Verizon. But, who knows, maybe Apple will surprise us.

 

[Flek]

Hey guys is there anything known about multiple users (switching users etc.) on the pad? I want to use it as a living room pc and it would be nice if anyone could pick it up to read THERE emails … and not mine :/

 

[Tobor]

It was $200 more for the midrange version, at least originally.

http://www.oreillynet.com/mac/blog/2006/05/is_it_worth_200_more_for_a_bla.html

I bought mine in 2007, so it must have dropped by then, it's not relevant anyway. The $130 for 3G is clearly not unrealistic, it's what everybody charges.

 

[mrkgoo]

Some more musings.

1) the lock screen. There's a contradictin here that maybe someone can clarify for me. The lock screen makes sense on an iPhone. You don't want to bump a button and then spuriously activate functions while it's in your pocket. However, this won't be carried in your pocket, so why the lock?sane reason no doubt, but then why have the icon on the lock screen that takes you to photo album? Willtuy allow more icons on here in the future? Would nt this possibly lead to spurious activation?

2) does the chiclet keyboard have typing correction? That isthe kind like on the iphne that predicts and dynamically resizes touCh zones. The key board is larger so maybe I doesn't need it. And where has the indicator for the key press gone? I know it gets darker, but I still think the little popup is a good idea.

3) I would be great if apple showed up at macworld to demo these things again.

There was somehing else, but I've forgotten.

 

[impirius]

Hey guys is there anything known about multiple users (switching users etc.) on the pad? I want to use it as a living room pc and it would be nice if anyone could pick it up to read THERE emails … and not mine :/

I hadn't considered this until now. That's a good point.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Some more musings.

1) the lock screen. There's a contradictin here that maybe someone can clarify for me. The lock screen makes sense on an iPhone. You don't want to bump a button and then spuriously activate functions while it's in your pocket. However, this won't be carried in your pocket, so why the lock?sane reason no doubt, but then why have the icon on the lock screen that takes you to photo album? Willtuy allow more icons on here in the future? Would nt this possibly lead to spurious activation?

2) does the chiclet keyboard have typing correction? That isthe kind like on the iphne that predicts and dynamically resizes touCh zones. The key board is larger so maybe I doesn't need it. And where has the indicator for the key press gone? I know it gets darker, but I still think the little popup is a good idea.

3) I would be great if apple showed up at macworld to demo these things again.

There was somehing else, but I've forgotten.

Hmm, I figured the lock screen was so if your device was lost/stolen the person couldn't access your information, et al.

Hey guys is there anything known about multiple users (switching users etc.) on the pad? I want to use it as a living room pc and it would be nice if anyone could pick it up to read THERE emails … and not mine :/

Great point. You would think so since they want this to be a family type of device.

 

[mrkgoo]

Hmm, I figured the lock screen was so if your device was lost/stolen the person couldn't access your information, et al.



Great point. You would think so since they want this to be a family type of device.

Do you hav an iPhone? The lock screen doesn't have a password associated. You can put a passcode on, but that's not the main reason. It's for spurious activation.

Anyway, I remembered my other musing. iPhone 2010 - unibody a la ipad?

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Do you hav an iPhone? The lock screen doesn't have a password associated. You can put a passcode on, but that's not the main reason. It's for spurious activation.

Anyway, I remembered my other musing. iPhone 2010 - unibody a la ipad?

Yup I have one. I have a pass code on it though.

 

[Burger]

Some more musings.

1) the lock screen. There's a contradictin here that maybe someone can clarify for me. The lock screen makes sense on an iPhone. You don't want to bump a button and then spuriously activate functions while it's in your pocket. However, this won't be carried in your pocket, so why the lock?sane reason no doubt, but then why have the icon on the lock screen that takes you to photo album? Willtuy allow more icons on here in the future? Would nt this possibly lead to spurious activation?

2) does the chiclet keyboard have typing correction? That isthe kind like on the iphne that predicts and dynamically resizes touCh zones. The key board is larger so maybe I doesn't need it. And where has the indicator for the key press gone? I know it gets darker, but I still think the little popup is a good idea.

3) I would be great if apple showed up at macworld to demo these things again.

There was somehing else, but I've forgotten.

I have a hunch that Apple held a bunch of software related stuff back. Whether they did it to focus on the apps themselves, or if the iPhone side of it wasn't ready to show/release, or just it just wasn't ready yet, I dunno.

I'm not sure if iPad will ship with OS 4.0 or 3.2 but if 4.0 isn't out by WWDC10 I'll be surprised.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Does anyone know how to check your data usage with at&t? I'm wondering if there is a way to see if you use more than 256mb or whatever it is because I'm sure going over is expensive.

 

[Burger]

Anyway, I remembered my other musing. iPhone 2010 - unibody a la ipad?

It can't be Unibody Aluminium. The telephony/data signal cannot function properly behind a shield like that, which is the reason for the ugly black plastic bit on the OG iPhone, and the 3G iPad.

The 3G/S phones have fully plastic backs to further improve the signal quality, and it makes more sense in terms of visual aesthetics/design.

 

[Terrell]

Do you hav an iPhone? The lock screen doesn't have a password associated. You can put a passcode on, but that's not the main reason. It's for spurious activation.

Anyway, I remembered my other musing. iPhone 2010 - unibody a la ipad?

I think they could set it up so that the lock screen is how you can differentiate multiple user profiles. The filesystem on the iPhone is UNIX like Mac OS, so setting it up so iPads have multiple user profiles may be something they might look at. Doubt it, though.

 

[Raistlin]

If a web developer is savvy enough to implement flash videos across their site, they should be savvy enough to start offering an HTML5 option or a link to an h264 version. Web designers are behind the curve here.

I suspect it's less about being behind the curve, and more about money. While it isn't such a big deal for video, sites that use vector graphics are in for some significant development to use SVG.

This is obviously before considering not all browsers support all features. Not to mention, portions of the standard are not complete (and likely won't be for many years). These sort of problems are the main reason Flash exists, and why it originally took off. When you code something with Flash, it looks the same regardless of what browser or computer you use. Back in the days of IE6 and early FireFox, getting stuff to display consistently was a disaster. To some extent, the current landscape of HTML5, SVG, etc. is quite similar to those early days.

While yes, Flash is buggy (particularly on Macs), HTML5, SVG, isn't ready for primetime at this point.

 

[Terrell]

I suspect it's less about being behind the curve, and more about money. While it isn't such a big deal for video, sites that use vector graphics are in for some significant development to use SVG.

This is obviously before considering not all browsers support all features. Not to mention, portions of the standard are not complete (and likely won't be for many years). These sort of problems are the main reason Flash exists, and why it originally took off. When you code something with Flash, it looks the same regardless of what browser or computer you use. Back in the days of IE6 and early FireFox, getting stuff to display consistently was a disaster. To some extent, the current landscape of HTML5, SVG, etc. is quite similar to those early days.

While yes, Flash is buggy (particularly on Macs), HTML5, SVG, isn't ready for primetime at this point.

YouTube appears to disagree.

 

[Mar]

Has anyone posted this?

Outside of savvy computer users, the idea of opening a file by searching through hierarchical paths in the file system is a bit of a mystery. Add in the concept of local and cloud file servers and things really get confusing.

Apple has already taken some steps to hide complexity in the file system in Mac OS X; Spotlight search was supposed to make a file's location almost irrelevant, while apps such as iTunes, iPhoto, and Photo Booth now present their databases of content in media folders within the open file panel rather that forcing users to slog through the underlying file system.

Yeah, this is actually an interesting issue. I don't think anyone outside of Mac land understands it though.

I myself was completely against an operating system telling me where to save documents, even just offering default locations for them. When Microsoft introduced 'My Documents' and their other folders for documents, I vigorously refused to use them. Always changing the default locations and pointing apps to my own file locations that I had used.. Well, forever.

There were three things that happened that changed my outlook on this issue.

1. I bought a Mac
2. Spotlight
3. The terrible Finder

The Finder being so absolutely horrible for browsing and managing a file system manually (from a Windows and Linux perspective at least) has over time forced me into using Spotlight. It's only after quite some time of using Spotlight that I now see the benefit and the obviousness of having a completely transparent file system.

It doesn't matter where I put a file on my computer. There's no need to try and find it amongst trees and sub trees of folders. Command Key + Space opens up Spotlight and I type the first few letters, and instantly what I needed is there as well as everything else that could be related.

Although occasionally Spotlight doesn't work and I have to look at the file system manually. In that case I usually use a terminal. I hate the Finder that much.

So yes, a completely transparent file system is a good thing and benefits all. However convincing anyone that this is the case will be the biggest battle. I can already imagine hundreds of thousands of PC users scoffing at the very idea. I know, because I used to scoff as well and did so for over 10 years.

 

[quaere]

It's not going to go to Verizon until next year, at the earliest, in my opinion. Apple is not going to make a CDMA version of the iPhone when 4G is just around the corner, and they can hold off until then to introduce a phone that will work on all networks. Those hoping it's going to end up on Verizon in the near term are deluding themselves I fear.

T-Mobile on the other hand, could get it as early as June.

Remember, the 3G rollout was already well underway when Apple released the original iPhone.

A CDMA iPhone would bring in far more revenue than it would cost to produce two models. And let's face it, there's zero concern in the Apple ecosystem for people wanting to switch carriers. Steve Jobs couldn't care less if you can't switch your Verizon iPhone to AT&T post contract. With that said, what disadvantage is there to moving to two devices?

The iPhone remaining AT&T exclusive is all about the deal between them and Apple, or an argument over terms with Verizon. I doubt any holdup has a thing to do with 4G.

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

Remember, the 3G rollout was already well underway when Apple released the original iPhone.

A CDMA iPhone would bring in far more revenue than it would cost to produce two models. And let's face it, there's zero concern in the Apple ecosystem for people wanting to switch carriers. Steve Jobs couldn't care less if you can't switch your Verizon iPhone to AT&T post contract. With that said, what disadvantage is there to moving to two devices?

The iPhone remaining AT&T exclusive is all about the deal between them and Apple, or an argument over terms with Verizon. I doubt any holdup has a thing to do with 4G.

They'd have to design and put into production a new phone for essentially picking up two carriers in the U.S. (Verizon and Sprint) and they'd most likely have to modify the OS for the different chipset. That's not a major issue I'm sure, but the production stuff would be when it would probably be a very limited run phone considering the looming switch to 4G that would put them back to a single build again. From a business stand point, it doesn't make a lot of sense at this time. And when you consider how few units they'd sell in comparison to the GSM model, from a cost effectiveness standpoint it really doesn't seem likely to me.

 

[Mobius 1]

Colbert just pulled one out of his coat at the Grammy's right now. :lol

 

[tirminyl]

Colbert just pulled one out of his coat at the Grammy's right now. :lol

:lol To answer is question, he is cool!

 

[quaere]

They'd have to design and put into production a new phone for essentially picking up two carriers in the U.S. (Verizon and Sprint) and they'd most likely have to modify the OS for the different chipset. That's not a major issue I'm sure, but the production stuff would be when it would probably be a very limited run phone considering the looming switch to 4G that would put them back to a single build again. From a business stand point, it doesn't make a lot of sense at this time. And when you consider how few units they'd sell in comparison to the GSM model, from a cost effectiveness standpoint it really doesn't seem likely to me.

Even if the production run is only a year (and somehow I doubt Verizon will have stable 4G in every major market by 2/2011) you don't think the popularity of a VZ iPhone would easily cover all additional costs from a CDMA production?

 

[cjdunn]

Does anyone know how to check your data usage with at&t? I'm wondering if there is a way to see if you use more than 256mb or whatever it is because I'm sure going over is expensive.

Log in to your account.
View Bill Summary (on the left side)
There are Bill Summary and Usage Details tabs for the current billing cycle.
On the left should be Bill History.
View one of those and there are those two tabs again.
It gives day-by-day usage for voice and data with a total at the bottom.

 

[mrkgoo]

It can't be Unibody Aluminium. The telephony/data signal cannot function properly behind a shield like that, which is the reason for the ugly black plastic bit on the OG iPhone, and the 3G iPad.

The 3G/S phones have fully plastic backs to further improve the signal quality, and it makes more sense in terms of visual aesthetics/design.

Well, obviously, they'd put a 3G antenna window a la the 3G iPad. Would they go for a unibody on an iPhone? Personally, I always liked the original iPhone design a bit more.

 

[mrkgoo]

Yeah, this is actually an interesting issue. I don't think anyone outside of Mac land understands it though.

I myself was completely against an operating system telling me where to save documents, even just offering default locations for them. When Microsoft introduced 'My Documents' and their other folders for documents, I vigorously refused to use them. Always changing the default locations and pointing apps to my own file locations that I had used.. Well, forever.

There were three things that happened that changed my outlook on this issue.

1. I bought a Mac
2. Spotlight
3. The terrible Finder

The Finder being so absolutely horrible for browsing and managing a file system manually (from a Windows and Linux perspective at least) has over time forced me into using Spotlight. It's only after quite some time of using Spotlight that I now see the benefit and the obviousness of having a completely transparent file system.

It doesn't matter where I put a file on my computer. There's no need to try and find it amongst trees and sub trees of folders. Command Key + Space opens up Spotlight and I type the first few letters, and instantly what I needed is there as well as everything else that could be related.

Although occasionally Spotlight doesn't work and I have to look at the file system manually. In that case I usually use a terminal. I hate the Finder that much.

So yes, a completely transparent file system is a good thing and benefits all. However convincing anyone that this is the case will be the biggest battle. I can already imagine hundreds of thousands of PC users scoffing at the very idea. I know, because I used to scoff as well and did so for over 10 years.

I hear people say that Finder is absolutely horrible - just out of curiosity, which view mode do you use?

 

[Raistlin]

YouTube appears to disagree.

FireFox appears to disagree.

You may find this an interesting read: http://www.0xdeadbeef.com/weblog/20...-tells-us-and-why-were-standing-with-the-web/



Also, if you actually read my post, you'd see that my main point was about vectors, not video (though even video is a bit of a debacle right now).

 

[maharg]

2) does the chiclet keyboard have typing correction? That isthe kind like on the iphne that predicts and dynamically resizes touCh zones. The key board is larger so maybe I doesn't need it. And where has the indicator for the key press gone? I know it gets darker, but I still think the little popup is a good idea.

You'll still need it. It's not there because of size, it's there because of lack of tactile feedback.