Tag: iPhone

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You have only one function, OtterBox Defender!

A colleague told me that her iPhone 4S screen was cracked, even though it was “protected” with OtterBox Defender Series case. Basically the “robust, 3-layer protection withstands drops, bumps and shocks” that come with the OtterBox Defender don’t really do anything. What’s the point of spending $50 for a case that only promises to protect your phone?

From OtterBox iPhone 4 / 4S Defender Series Case product page:

The iPhone 4S is everything we were hoping for and more! The Assistant “Siri” alone is totally worth protecting. Thank goodness OtterBox has an iPhone 4S Case in our Defender Series ready to keep her safe. This rugged iPhone 4S case provides heavy duty protection from rough treatment in the worst environments. Our Defender Series iPhone 4S Case defends against drops, dust and damage without taking away from the interaction of the iPhone’s features. The iPhone 4S Defender Series Case offers triple-layer protection and is built from a high-impact polycarbonate shell, durable silicone and a built-in screen protector, making it one of the toughest iPhone 4S Cases out there. Why else do you think we called it the Defender Series? Be sure to check out all our color options for stylish protection that are bound to make your friends jealous.

An iPhone 4S with OtterBox Defencer Series Case cracked after a 2-ft accidental drop, face first. Obviously OtterBox Defender Series Case fails its primary function.
If OtterBox really confident and would stand by its product, then the damaged iPhone 4S should be covered under warranty also.

So what is the real purpose of OtterBox case?

Response from OtterBox via Twitter:

OtterBox @OtterBox
@iveryam The case offers added protection, unfortunately we can't control every situation. Email socialmediacs@otterbox.com w/ ?'s
09:45 AM - 19 Sep 12

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Take a look at Belkin and its warranty statement for its Compact Surge Protector. It has one function: protecting connected equipments from damages caused by power surges.  surge protector has one primary function: to protect equipments from damages caused by power surges. Take one example: Belkin Compact Surge Protector. One of this product feature is that it comes with a $200,000 Connected Equipment Warranty. Should the Surge Protector failed to perform its main function, Belkin covers up to $200,000 of the cost to repair/replace any equipments connected to the product.

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Bring your torches an pitchforks to AT&T, demand unrestricted FaceTime access.

As reported by many GigaOM, Net Neutrality complaint against AT&T is about to be filed with FCC.

From GigaOM:

Free Press, Public Knowledge, and the New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute have informed AT&T that they intend to file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission against the wireless carrier for violating network neutrality rules. The complaint will address Ma Bell’s plan to keep certain subscribers from using Apple’s FaceTime video calling on the AT&T cellular network. The move was expected, but the timing on when the FCC responds is unclear.

From Free Press:

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, Free Press, Public Knowledge, and the New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute notified AT&T of their intent to file a formal complaint against the company. In the complaint, the three organizations will assert that AT&T is violating Net Neutrality by blocking the popular video-conferencing application FaceTime. The groups will file the complaint with the Federal Communications Commission in the coming weeks. Under the agency’s Open Internet rules, which prohibit companies from blocking such applications on their mobile networks, anyone filing a formal complaint must give at least 10 days’ notice of their intent to file.

With iOS 6, Apple adds the ability to make FaceTime calls over cellular. AT&T told MacRumors that customers are required to subscribe to Mobile Share data plan to use FaceTime over cellular. This certainly does not sit well with AT&T customers with iPhone 4S and soon to be released iPhone 5. As reported by AppleInsider, both Sprint and Verizon will not restrict the use of FaceTime on their network.

It’s time to bring your torches and pitchfork to AT&T. Sign the petition at Free Press.

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iPhone 5 is so boring and disappointing, pre-orders only top 2 million in the first 24 hours.

From Apple PR:

iPhone 5 Pre-Orders Top Two Million in First 24 Hours
CUPERTINO, California—September 17, 2012—Apple® today announced pre-orders of its iPhone® 5 topped two million in just 24 hours, more than double the previous record of one million held by iPhone 4S. Demand for iPhone 5 exceeds the initial supply and while the majority of pre-orders will be delivered to customers on September 21, many are scheduled to be delivered in October.

…….

“iPhone 5 pre-orders have shattered the previous record held by iPhone 4S and the customer response to iPhone 5 has been phenomenal,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “iPhone 5 is the best iPhone yet, the most beautiful product we’ve ever made, and we hope customers love it as much as we do.”

I guess the pundits are right, iPhone 5 is boring. It is also disappointing because iPhone 5 is just another iPhone that has no “laser keyboard and holographic features” as reported by Fox 5 (via 9to5mac).

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Personal note:

I did not pre-order iPhone 5. I do not have any intentions to wait in line on September 21st, 2012 to get an iPhone 5. I do not have any plans on buying an iPhone 5 this year. Here are my reasons:

  • I am still under by AT&T contract, which would not give me the upgrade discount until sometimes in December 2012.
  • I am not sure if I want to extend/renew my contract with AT&T. One scenario is that I’d buy an iPhone 5 without signing a new contract, thus paying full price; I don’t want to do that.
  • I did not even buy an iPhone 4S, as the two people who regularly read my posts found out. Should firstname@apple.com be generous again this year, I’d be getting an iPhone 5.

Yep, I’m not planning to buy an iPhone 5.

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Get ready for iPhone 5 pre-order madness.

iPhone 5 pre-order starts at Midnight Pacific Time, September 14th, 2012. Apple Store is currently in maintenance mode, bracing themselves as hordes of iPhone 5 future owners are coming. iPhone 5 pre-order is expected to be a frenzy.

In the United States, would be iPhone 5 owners are weighing in on which carrier they want to go with.

So, what would you do?

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Personal note:
I won’t be one in the first millions to pre-order iPhone 5. I would wait for a few months, but that’s me. I didn’t even buy an iPhone 4S, and yet someone in Cupertino is nice enough to get me one.

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Yet another reason to ditch AT&T: FaceTime over Cellular restriction.

At time of this post, AT&T will only allow FaceTime over Cellular if customer subscribed to Mobile Share data plans. AT&T is restricting the use of FaceTime over Cellular network unless you pay more. In the mean time, other video communication apps such as Skype are not restricted.

Following the iPhone 5 announcement, Verizon and Sprint will allow FaceTime over Cellular on any data plans. It is time to ditch AT&T and take our business to Verizon or Sprint.

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Foo Fighters (and iPhone 5 announcement) at Yerba Buena Center video is available

Video of Foo Fighters performance from Yerba Buena Center on September 12, 2012 is now available for streaming and download.

MC of the show, Tim Cook.

The opening act went on and on for 1 hour and 40 minutes announcing some kind of phone, music player or something like that.

This is probably the weirdest opening act to Foo Fighter show I have ever seen.

The Foos performed “Times Like These”, “My Hero” and “Walk” acoustically.

Not sure what happened at the end as Nate Mendel walked off the stage while the rest of the band stayed with Tim Cook.

Images are courtesy of Apple Inc.

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iOS 6: Panorama

iOS 6 brings Panorama to iOS devices.

It is available for iPhone 4S in addition to iPhone 5. What about iPhone 4? Stay tuned.

UPDATE:
Panorama is available only on iPhone 4S, iPone 5 and the new iPod touch.

I took a low light panorama picture using an iPhone 4S. I had to resize it because it’s too huge.

24 MegaPixels photo anyone?