IOS 8.0.2 is out

IOS_8_logo

Apple released an update for IOS 8 that was supposed to fix some issues, instead two new serious problems were created. Not long after, Apple released another update to fix the first update’s problems including Finger scan and mobile network problems. Now while I agree that Apple made a huge disappointment, the problem was handled fast and I can confirm that it is indeed fixed as I personally tested it on my iPhone 5S. Reports allover the web confirm the same thing as well.

I really hope that Apple take testing more seriously as another major screw u like this will send the company backwards. Never the less, this is not the first time that a big corp release a faulty update, nor will this be the last time. At least the problem was fixed quickly and everything should now be in the correct working order.

I understand the disappointment of people who do business by phone as they are effected the most but like I said, at least IOS 8.0.2 came out quickly.

Why am I not getting the iPhone 6 yet

iphone 6

I would like to start with the fact that I am getting a new phone yearly for the past 3 years starting with iPhone 4s, Note II and iPhone 5s. Now while the phone is free, the monthly data is not cheap but considering the fact that I use the phone allot for both business and personal use I was hoping to get the iPhone 6 plus this December. Well, that was the plan until reports of the new iPhone bending in one;s pocket.

Well considering that I keep the phone in my pocket most of the time, this cannot be good news. The next logical choice would be to get my always wanted HTC One.

Nothing but good things are said about the One. Knowing HTC, I am sure the phone will be a better option than Galaxy S whatever. The last option would be to hold out or cancel my plan altogether but with my high calls volume I started to question that derision. The problem is, as much as I want Apple to fix this, they probably wont and will just ignore it. Not sure about the future but I await an official response as I must make a choice by December which happens to be my birthday as well. We wait and see.

iCloud is here, but

icloud

The long overdue and awaited by apple fans, iCloud is finally useful. Problem is, you still need to jump over obstacles for full reliable use. The iCloud now accepts all kind of files and offers 5GB free. Anything more and you will need to pay; pay way more than the competition with less features. For starters, there is no stand alone client on mac, PC or even iPhone. You can only upload using the browser interface which is great but not for a serious backing up purpose. Support and possibly a stand alone app is promised in the upcoming OSX 10.10.

The prices are as follow:

australia flag
Australia
AUD $1.29 $4.99 $12.99 $24.99
canada flag
Canada
CAD $0.99 $3.99 $9.99 $19.99
china flag
China
CNY ¥6 ¥25 ¥68 ¥138
denmark flag
Denmark
DKK 7 kr 29 kr 69 kr 139 kr

Euro2, 4
Euro 0.99 € 3.99 € 9.99 € 19.99 €
hong kong flag
Hong Kong
HKD HK$ 8 HK$ 28 HK$ 78 HK$ 158
iceland flag
Iceland3, 4
USD $1.24 $5.01 $12.54 $25.09
india flag
India
INR Rs 60 Rs 250 Rs 600 RS 1200
indonesia flag
Indonesia
IDR Rp 12000 Rp 45000 Rp 119000 Rp 229000
israel flag
Israel
ILS NIS 3.50 NIS 13.90 NIS 34.90 NIS 69.90
japan flag
Japan
JPY ¥100 ¥400 ¥1200 ¥2400
mexico flag
Mexico
MXN $12 $49 $129 $249
new zealand flag
New Zealand
NZD $1.29 $4.99 $12.99 $24.99
norway flag
Norway4
NOK 8 kr 29 kr 79 kr 149 kr
russia flag
Russia
RUB 39 p. 149 p. 379 p. 749 p.
saudi arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
SAR SR 3.69 SR 14.99 SR 36.99 SR 74.99
singapore flag
Singapore
SGD S$ 1.28 S$ 4.98 S$ 12.98 S$ 24.98
south africa flag
South Africa4
ZAR R11.99 R49.99 R119.99 R249.99
sweden flag
Sweden
SEK 9 kr 35 kr 89 kr 179 kr
switzerland flag
Switzerland4
CHF CHF 1 CHF 4 CHF 10 CHF 20
taiwan flag
Taiwan
TWD NT$ 30 NT$ 120 NT$ 300 NT$ 590
turkey flag
Turkey
TRY 1.99 TL 7.99 TL 19.99 TL 39.99 TL
united arab emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
AED AED 3.69 AED 14.99 AED 36.99 AED 74.99
UK flag
United Kingdom
GBP £0.79 £2.99 £6.99 £14.99
USA flag
United States
USD $0.99 $3.99 $9.99 $19.99

As you can see, getting a 1TB is allot cheaper on Dropbox, OneDrive and even Google Drive. I cant read the future but if apple wants to fulfill the late Steve Job’s wish of killing dropbox then they will need to do something more, way more and at affordable prices considering the cloud war is raging. Let me know what you all think.

My next smart phone upgrade

phones

As with every year, my carrier contract expire this month meaning new phone is available for upgrade. The question is, which one?

I was impressed with the new IOS7 and once I installed it on my iPhone 4s I immediately realized that I need a newer iPhone if I want things to be smooth. On the other hand, I got tiered of my Note 2 and its dimensions as typing with one hand is a pain and what better Android than the new HTC One? Lastly, I saw Xperia Z with a friend and strangely liked its feature of use any pen and the full HD screen.

I will most likely give my old phone to a member of the family thus the reason to decided if my next phone will be from apple or android so I can give the older version away. Will update you with my decision. 

Using iPhone without cover

The recent IOS7 redesign made me remove the much needed cover exposing my iPhone 4s to danger but damn, the design is beautiful and with the new them it looks sweeter than ever. Of course the this may also be due that my phone upgrade is soon so I’m not that worried about it although I will likely get HTC One.

IOS 7 impressions

 IOS 7 finally arrived and while it took some time to download and install due to servers overload I must say the wait was worth it. First of all, the design while in some areas not so great is amazing. The IOS needed change and what better way than a full makeover? Now I know pretty colors don’t make a great OS but the new IOS got some important under the hood improvements. The best thing is the new multitask preview as you can now go to the app switcher and it will show whats going on in each app. Beware, this drains the battery faster than anything you ever seen, thankfully an option to turn this off is there.

The new OS runs slower on old hardware, in my case the iPhone 4s but still usable and while not all new features are available on old hardware it is still enough to upgrade. One last thing, please keep in mind that IOS 7 while great is still no Android so don’t expect extreme freedom as Apple is still unlocking things, step by step.

A Jailbreak may or may not come but so far things are looking good and hopefully soon we wont need to Jailbreak.

iPhone 5s

 

iphone 5s

The updated version of last years iPhone 5 is here. As always, faster, new Camera app, a new Gold color in addition to the Black and White and the first iPhone to carry the 64 bit processor. From outside, the model remains unchanged from iPhone 5. The upgrades are mostly under the hood and via features.

But the most awaited feature was the Fingerprint scanning ID. The iPhone now unlocks via scanning your fingerprint although I’m not sure if this new method is faster than the simple pass code but that remains to be tested.

The new camera  app adds some interesting features such as Burst mode where you take up to 10 shot per second, better flash handling (works hand in hand with the new improved flash sensor) and a slow motion video playback to name a few. Of course the possibilities for 3rd party apps are endless.

Of course its IOS 7 read, and three casings available from apple although they are not as good as the iPhone 5c ones.

This is the updated version of iPhone’s 5, and it dose a good job at updating unlikely last years model which didn’t bring anything new to the table. I know I will be upgrading soon.

iPhone 5c is here!

iPhone 5cThe wait is over, the long rumored cheaper plastic model also known as iPhone 5c is here.

To my surprise, Apple handled this far better than the iPad mini which is basically a smaller iPad 2.

Skipping all the boring stuff, here are some points every one understands:

• Comes in five different colors

• Six different cases made by Apple

• Home screen matches the actual color of the outside casing (Same color as the iPhone)

•  A6 chip (Faster than iPhone 4s)

• Improved8 Megapixel Camera

• New Camera App

• IOS 7 Ready

My Take on this: Honestly, surprised. This model is basically an improved iPhone 5 which is surprising, and shocking in a good way considering it was made for the less privileged. Starting at $100 per contract is a good deal as well. 

Will cover more as information becomes available or the phone itself for testing.