Symbian.. maybe... but WinMo, has either the MS stack, or the WIDCOMM stack. both are different. WIDCOMM has arguably more features, but the MS oneis more standard, a similar situation to what is happening on Windows PCs, except on windows PCs it is possible to use both WIDCOMM and MS Stacks, by assigning them to two different USB ports, and plugging yoru dongle into one or the other.
In the end, most ' so called BT applications' just use the COM port exposed, and have been doing so for ages.
I am NO IE fan, but I am not sure how this is a reason to avoid HSBC. When an 'IN BANK' kiosk uses IE, and MS, and is a closed system, I am sure it is not a internet connected device, and I dont see how the 'fault' your described is any different to a script problem with FireFox, etc.
Again, I repeat, I am not an IE fan, but I think that was NOT a good reason to switch banks.
I was mistaken to use the term VMWARE, and did originally mean to just say "Virtual MAchine", that was part tiredness, part typo. Bt I have followed up, on that, as someone much earlier than you also pointed it out. If you read my follow up, yes i said i was mistaken in assuming it was VMWARE, and I understod it as QEMU, I also posted some videos on you tube of both XP and Vista running on the PS3
I NEVER implied that Running Windows XP on the PS3 is anything more than a toy (I said there are some masochists rtrying to run Windows XP there). IT is a toy, and i never even tried to suggest more. re-read my words.
Home Brew? Didnt i say it runs Linux? In fact there is a YouTube video of some masochists, booting Linux on their PS3, then running Windows XP in VM Ware[Should have wrote Virtual Machine/emulator], crazy, considering there is not a LOT of memory there!
if you thought that means that running XP on the PS3 is "workable". then I am sorry.
However, what is so "Fake" about it, as you have wrote on yoru subject line is a total mystery, especially considering I have replied (with videos) to the QEMU thing ages before you posted this. I coudl assume your comment as "redundant"
If the PS3 is so damned great what the hell prevents the 40GB version from playing PS2 games while the 80GB version plays them just fine? There is NO REASON for that sort of nonsense. It will play PSX games just fine, why the hell not support the PS2? It's all emulation in the end, FFS!
Because the 80GB (US/Japanese) version has both the PS2 Emotion Engine processor, and the Graphics Synthesizer. The 60GB (Europe version) has the Graphics Synthesizer, and emulates the EE engine in software. The 40GB has neither in order to save costs (as well as a not insignificant amount of electricity usage), and unless they can entirely emulate both processors in software.
I am not sure what VM it was using it probably was Qemu, it definitely was NOT a fake. and yes it was AWFULLY slow 4 minuites to boot. (hence my comment that some masochists were doing it)
I have some more plus points about the PS3 in a post I wrote above (linux, standards, etc).
I disagree with the PS3's bluetooth remote being a flaw. I understand that it makes it harder to integrate with a universal remote. But i very much believe that universal remotes have buttons for the PS buttons.
but it has its advantages, like no need for line of sight, which i think outweigh any disadvantages.
I am not surprised that the PS3 bashing have reduced. When it came out, it was a fantastically engineered deviced, that had lousy firmware, few games, late, and overpriced. The bashing it received was well deserved, especially in light of the engineering effort on the hardware.
Recent Price drops, new much improved firmware (that added loads of extra features for free), better games, and the Success of Blu Ray over HDDVD (and the fact the PS3 is still one of the best BD Players).
It is a solid system, which still has a lot of potential and lifetime.
MS are on the other hand already muttering about a Xbox 720:)
Yes the two main things you dont have access to are the GPU (which i cannot fully understand), and parts of the Blu Ray handling, not surprising as they dont want Linux Access to help facilitate piracy do they?:)
Regarding the inability to use older GH guitars on the PS3, you cant really blame Sony. It was the right thing for Sony to switch to Bluetooth, and USB in in the PS3.
I also cant believe that Activision screwed up with the stupid dongle on GH3, when the PS3 has built in Bluetooth.
You are a troll. There is nothing in the PS3 itself that prevents compatibility between games. GH3's guitar simply maps onto the PS3's SixAxis controllers functions. it is the connections, its the game that needs to deal with it, which is the point of the article.
As for previous versions of the guitars not being supported on the PS3, well that is to do with the fact that previous version were for the PS2, with its proprietary connections. The PS3 just uses standard USB and Bluetooth.
Why would Sony bankroll this? They themselves use standard USB controllers on the PS3 and probably dont give a shit about a few pissed off XBOX users, who may just go out and buy a PS3 instead
ironically only Sony's "Own" PS3 uses normal BlueTooth and USB for its connectivity (see my above post). The XBOX 360uses a proprietary Wireless Standard, and stuff. The Wii uses Bluetooth I believe, but it has some weird wired connectors.
Actually I have a beef with Guitar Hero, why the HELL does it use a weird USB propritry wireless dongle on the PS3, when they could have just made a bluetooth guitar? Maybe scared that people will use it on other games, or with a PC?
Just a waste of a USB socket, and a waste of the PS3's built in Bluetooth. Maybe this is why Sony is trying to standardize this?
You would be surprised, if you actually looked at the PS3, and even the PSP with recent firmware you would be suprised at how "open" these so called closed systems are.
Take the PS3. It was hammered on launch, for being too little too late, and too costly. Now, with recent firmware updates, and its overall better hardware design (no Red Ring of Death), has now made it a decent games system, a phenomenal Blu Ray, and upscaling DVD/DivX/Xvid/media player. Anandtech has revised its original 6 out of 10 score to now 9 out of 10, with high praise.
Connectivity? Standard WiFi, Ethernet, USB and Bluetooth are all there. Even the controllers use bluetooth, no proprietary wireless standard. You can even connect the PSP wirelessly via stanard WiFi or internet.
Running out of ports/sockets? No worries, they are just standard USB 2.0 ports and you can use a normal USB hub to expand them. No need to any proprietry crap to extend the number of ports on the unit. The controllers charge from the USB ports using normal USB A to Mini USB cables. (you can use standard USB chargers too, like a Motorola V3i, or Blackberry charger)
Need a Keyboard or Mouse? No problem, just either attach a USB one, or get a bog standard Bluetooth one.
Need a universal media player? You got that! BlueRay, DVD, VCD, DivX/Xvid (its actually DivX certified), AAC, MP3, and a growing list of media support. It also acts as a standard DNLA client, so can pick up media from other computers, and DNLA media servers via the network. I have got it to work with Nero Home server, Windows Media Player, TVarsity (FOSS), and even a Nokia N95.
You want to run Linux on a PS3? no problem, it works, support is built to boot other operating systems (under a hypervisor). Sony officially supports Yellow Dog Linux for PS3, but there are versions of Ubuntu, Fedora, and others. There is work in porting Myth onto the PS3.
You want additional Hard Drive Space? No problem, just replace the built in hard drive with a larger standard SATA 2.5inch drive. The manual event explains how to do it.
Proprietary Memory Cards? No way! It uses standard USB Storage Devices. No need for proprietary Memory Cards. Backups can be done to normal USB Drives. Those lucky ones who got an earlier 60/80gb PS3, have built in Card Readers too (CF, SD, MemoryStick). The PS3s that don't have memory card readers, you can easily attach a USB version.
Home Brew? Didnt i say it runs Linux? In fact there is a YouTube video of some masochists, booting Linux on their PS3, then running Windows XP in VM Ware, crazy, considering there is not a LOT of memory there!
Its a very good system, and I bought it without any question, and am still pretty amazed at what it can do, certainly for its price.
Oh, and I recently bought a Sony 40Inch Bravia 1080p LCD, for £650 with 5 year warranty from Costco. This is actually cheaper than a similar Samsung (and i feel better performing).
Maybe they are only changing in some markets, but lets see.
The n95 has its faults too! Dont get me wrong, I actually returned my iphone 2G and got a N95 Black. IT is a better phoen than the iPhone, and has great features. But Nokia's brain dead OS, and user interface really let it down. plus, lack of Xenon Flash, and inability to charge via the USB.
Still its a great phone, and if it used SonyEricsson's OS (not UIQ), and had xenon flash, and charged via USB, it would be perfect.
the HTC Tytn II is a good phone. I have used it, and was impressed. The only reason why i didn't buy it after testing it was: - lack of IMAP Idle, so no support for Push Email via IMAP. (mainly because of Windows Mobile does not have support for it - MS wants you to use Exchange for push email.. grrr). - Windows Mobile. Sorry it drives me CRAZY..... and frustrates me.
Hopefully things will get better for HTC with Android in the future. They make very good hardware, and hopefully Android will proove as better Software.
You guys pay extra for 3G????? damn, your carriers really "nickel and dime" things, don't they? Here in UK, there is no extra for 3G, either your phone supports it, or it doesn't. Same thing for HSDPA support, if u are in an area where coverage is available, and your phone supports it, you have it. Simple.
AS for switching manually from 2G to 3g and back. Many people do that, as 3G is NOT needed for phone calls, and you save quite a bit of battery life turning it off when necessary.
I am not sure why this person was marked as a troll. The iPhone is a triumph of Style, and general spec, instead of overall performance.
Apple have looked at what specifications people "understand" and included it in the phone (with a very American-Centric view), and used the clever UI to sell itself.
And yes, It has a nice swishy UI, and does indeed succeed based on that. Its not a "bad" phone. but its low on features that other phones have, but most people probably wont understand, or care about.
I own a SonyEricsson K800i Phone, a Nokia N95, an iPhone 2g (which I have returned under satisfaction guarentee), and an iPod Touch, which I still have.
By far, the iPhone was "amazing" when it came out, and for the first day, I was thrilled, but after a few days, I returned the phone, and went back to my K800i (and bought an iPod Touch a month later)
Why?
The iPhone, once the flash factor wore off, i foudn it harder to use overall. Sure it has a great screen, and was great to interact, and listen to songs, watch movies, and video podcasts. ITs web browser metaphore was great.It is still unbeatable for those things.
But. this is where it started to fall down.
- Call Quality/Reception. Was NEVER as good as my K800i. I just could not rely on it.
- Lack of buttons. The K800i simply felt right to use. you knew which button you are pressing, and often can easy answer the phone without looking at the screen. the iPhone, you HAVE to look at the screen, and answer.
- Music Quality. What i felt immediately, with the iPhone was the sound output from it was just not as good as the k800i. This did surprise me. I tested using high quality non lossy formats, and I found the iPhone lacked the dynamic feel of the K800i. I later found an article where various different phones and music players were compared for sound quality, and the K800i came very high in the list (beating the iPods, and even sony's own Walkman phones despite sharing the same sound circuits. It was only beaten by some of Sony's Walkman Players). The reason begin that the phone had a Xenon Flash, therefore better attention was made shielding critical parts, together with the high quality components used. Plus the k800 was easy to operate in the pocket, especially when playing music.
- Lack of a real camera. The SonyEricsson with its AutoFocus 3.2 mp camera, with Xenon Flash, Video, and built in picture/video editor, was miles ahead of the iPhone. And lack of MMS????????? What the hell.. this is 2007, not 2001.
- Lack of 3G. Yes i was aware the original iPhone did not have 3G, and I was aware when I bought it. The promise of the WiFi "cloud" never worked. and I was stuck on 2.5g. In Practice, it just was not workable. the K800i was 3G.....
- Data Connectivity. Nice as the browser is, I cannot access my bank, or even SSH to my server. So I try to connect the iPhone to my laptop, to use a real browser/ssh client (i didnt care that it wasnt 3g, just needed to connect it to the net, no matter how slow). Oh dear, not possible. The tiny k800i, has bluetooth (both Dial-up modem and 'Zero Config' Pan Area Netowrk, where the phone performs as an accesspoint), infrared (modem only), and usb (both dial-up networking, and Ethernet emulation with the phone acting as a router), and it connects to anything with ease. Oh and it is 3g. I found myself using my iPhone less, and my K800i more. Especially as the K800 worked well under Windows, Linux, and MacOSX. No need to install ANY drivers on any of those operating systems (especially when bluetooth is used)
-Only Headset bluetooth profile. This is probably the most annoying part. it only supports the one Mono headset profile. It doesnt even support the Stereo music profile (A2DP) criminal for a music centric phone, so i was unable to use my stereo Bluetooth headphones. No ability to send files via bluetooth, no data via bluetooth, nothing. my k800.. everything supported, including A2DP.
- Reliance on iTunes for anything. Although i was aware of the iTu
And you didnt get HIS point either.. He was in a hurry, and even the Jesus Phones instant "predictive" type would have "slowed him down" (I woudl NOT call the iphone a spellchecker! its just predictive text!).
you will find, when a airtime company does a "test".. they mainly check if a phone will break the network. Although they do check if a phone does connect and the rate of dropped calls, how they deal with it, may depend on the desirability of the phone.
IF this was a LG phone, you can expect that they would do full testing and work with LG to make sure any faults are fully rectified.
However, in the case of the iPhone, and its higher desirability, and the fact that "fans" may be more willing to put up with faults, just for that desirability. Plus Apple backing it with warrenty (hopefully). They may have been willing to put up with a few more faults, because in the grand scheme of things, people will still pay, and buy it, and they still make a profit, as Apple purchasers, they feel, would be more apologetic than those who by an LG Shine.
Not Nessasarily true. Ok in the USA, GSM technology may be nascent. Certainly 3G is not so widespread. Here in Europe, especially UK, 3G has been around for much longer. We already make heavy use of it, and you can buy USB dongles with a SIM card, to have mobile internet, at up to 3.6Mbps (in some cases, up to 7Mbps). This is already popular amongst Business users, and also Tennants, who do not wish to fit a DSL line, yet require fast internet. So the technology is pretty mature, and usable.
Yet the iPhone 3G is having problems here too. You cant really blame O2's network, as it is a mature network, that has been around for a long time (O2 used to be BT Cellnet....)
Until this case, I have never heard of Infineon. Ever here in the UK, where we are all GSM, over time you begin to realize which mobile platforms (radio + firmware) which seem to work.
I find that phones based on EMP (Ericsson Mobile Platform) are really good at latching onto a signal. EMP based phones include Sony Ericsson, and LG GSM phones. The newest EMP platform (I think 3.5) have Linux booting capability too, so may be able to power OpenMoko phones.. etc.
Slashdot Mirror
hello, and where did you see that?
Symbian.. maybe... but WinMo, has either the MS stack, or the WIDCOMM stack. both are different. WIDCOMM has arguably more features, but the MS oneis more standard, a similar situation to what is happening on Windows PCs, except on windows PCs it is possible to use both WIDCOMM and MS Stacks, by assigning them to two different USB ports, and plugging yoru dongle into one or the other.
In the end, most ' so called BT applications' just use the COM port exposed, and have been doing so for ages.
I am NO IE fan, but I am not sure how this is a reason to avoid HSBC. When an 'IN BANK' kiosk uses IE, and MS, and is a closed system, I am sure it is not a internet connected device, and I dont see how the 'fault' your described is any different to a script problem with FireFox, etc.
Again, I repeat, I am not an IE fan, but I think that was NOT a good reason to switch banks.
I was mistaken to use the term VMWARE, and did originally mean to just say "Virtual MAchine", that was part tiredness, part typo. Bt I have followed up, on that, as someone much earlier than you also pointed it out. If you read my follow up, yes i said i was mistaken in assuming it was VMWARE, and I understod it as QEMU, I also posted some videos on you tube of both XP and Vista running on the PS3
I NEVER implied that Running Windows XP on the PS3 is anything more than a toy (I said there are some masochists rtrying to run Windows XP there). IT is a toy, and i never even tried to suggest more. re-read my words.
Home Brew? Didnt i say it runs Linux? In fact there is a YouTube video of some masochists, booting Linux on their PS3, then running Windows XP in VM Ware [Should have wrote Virtual Machine/emulator] , crazy, considering there is not a LOT of memory there!
if you thought that means that running XP on the PS3 is "workable". then I am sorry.
However, what is so "Fake" about it, as you have wrote on yoru subject line is a total mystery, especially considering I have replied (with videos) to the QEMU thing ages before you posted this. I coudl assume your comment as "redundant"
If the PS3 is so damned great what the hell prevents the 40GB version from playing PS2 games while the 80GB version plays them just fine? There is NO REASON for that sort of nonsense. It will play PSX games just fine, why the hell not support the PS2? It's all emulation in the end, FFS!
Because the 80GB (US/Japanese) version has both the PS2 Emotion Engine processor, and the Graphics Synthesizer. The 60GB (Europe version) has the Graphics Synthesizer, and emulates the EE engine in software. The 40GB has neither in order to save costs (as well as a not insignificant amount of electricity usage), and unless they can entirely emulate both processors in software.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_3
The PS1 is readily emulated by the PS3's Cell Processor (and the PSP/PS2 using Hardware).
Not sure WHY (since most TVs that have HDMI input also have Audio outputs, so you COULD run the output from there), but its very easily doable.
Because, TV outputs are usually "processed" so your are in effect getting second generation from the TV (as opposed to first generation from the PS3)
Though, to be honest, the "BEST" audio is using dedicated Audio Decks, is via HDMI, following that Optical, and finally Analogue.
My apologies, it was Ars Technica who did the review, and then re-reviewed it.
Link: http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/playstation-3-blu-ray.ars/1
I am not sure what VM it was using it probably was Qemu, it definitely was NOT a fake. and yes it was AWFULLY slow 4 minuites to boot. (hence my comment that some masochists were doing it)
here are some links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-Ecr8tWetI (XP on PS3 under VM on Linux)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-CrEAzpuxc (Vista 32bit on PS3 - uses QEmu)
I have some more plus points about the PS3 in a post I wrote above (linux, standards, etc).
I disagree with the PS3's bluetooth remote being a flaw. I understand that it makes it harder to integrate with a universal remote. But i very much believe that universal remotes have buttons for the PS buttons.
but it has its advantages, like no need for line of sight, which i think outweigh any disadvantages.
I am not surprised that the PS3 bashing have reduced. When it came out, it was a fantastically engineered deviced, that had lousy firmware, few games, late, and overpriced. The bashing it received was well deserved, especially in light of the engineering effort on the hardware.
Recent Price drops, new much improved firmware (that added loads of extra features for free), better games, and the Success of Blu Ray over HDDVD (and the fact the PS3 is still one of the best BD Players).
It is a solid system, which still has a lot of potential and lifetime.
MS are on the other hand already muttering about a Xbox 720 :)
Yes the two main things you dont have access to are the GPU (which i cannot fully understand), and parts of the Blu Ray handling, not surprising as they dont want Linux Access to help facilitate piracy do they? :)
Regarding the inability to use older GH guitars on the PS3, you cant really blame Sony. It was the right thing for Sony to switch to Bluetooth, and USB in in the PS3.
I also cant believe that Activision screwed up with the stupid dongle on GH3, when the PS3 has built in Bluetooth.
You are a troll. There is nothing in the PS3 itself that prevents compatibility between games. GH3's guitar simply maps onto the PS3's SixAxis controllers functions. it is the connections, its the game that needs to deal with it, which is the point of the article.
As for previous versions of the guitars not being supported on the PS3, well that is to do with the fact that previous version were for the PS2, with its proprietary connections. The PS3 just uses standard USB and Bluetooth.
Why would Sony bankroll this? They themselves use standard USB controllers on the PS3 and probably dont give a shit about a few pissed off XBOX users, who may just go out and buy a PS3 instead
Considering both the PS3, and the Wii use standard Bluetooth, why the HELL are they even using USB wireless dongles in the first place?
ironically only Sony's "Own" PS3 uses normal BlueTooth and USB for its connectivity (see my above post). The XBOX 360uses a proprietary Wireless Standard, and stuff. The Wii uses Bluetooth I believe, but it has some weird wired connectors.
Actually I have a beef with Guitar Hero, why the HELL does it use a weird USB propritry wireless dongle on the PS3, when they could have just made a bluetooth guitar? Maybe scared that people will use it on other games, or with a PC?
Just a waste of a USB socket, and a waste of the PS3's built in Bluetooth. Maybe this is why Sony is trying to standardize this?
You would be surprised, if you actually looked at the PS3, and even the PSP with recent firmware you would be suprised at how "open" these so called closed systems are.
Take the PS3. It was hammered on launch, for being too little too late, and too costly. Now, with recent firmware updates, and its overall better hardware design (no Red Ring of Death), has now made it a decent games system, a phenomenal Blu Ray, and upscaling DVD/DivX/Xvid/media player. Anandtech has revised its original 6 out of 10 score to now 9 out of 10, with high praise.
Connectivity? Standard WiFi, Ethernet, USB and Bluetooth are all there. Even the controllers use bluetooth, no proprietary wireless standard. You can even connect the PSP wirelessly via stanard WiFi or internet.
Running out of ports/sockets? No worries, they are just standard USB 2.0 ports and you can use a normal USB hub to expand them. No need to any proprietry crap to extend the number of ports on the unit. The controllers charge from the USB ports using normal USB A to Mini USB cables. (you can use standard USB chargers too, like a Motorola V3i, or Blackberry charger)
Need a Keyboard or Mouse? No problem, just either attach a USB one, or get a bog standard Bluetooth one.
Need a universal media player? You got that! BlueRay, DVD, VCD, DivX/Xvid (its actually DivX certified), AAC, MP3, and a growing list of media support. It also acts as a standard DNLA client, so can pick up media from other computers, and DNLA media servers via the network. I have got it to work with Nero Home server, Windows Media Player, TVarsity (FOSS), and even a Nokia N95.
You want to run Linux on a PS3? no problem, it works, support is built to boot other operating systems (under a hypervisor). Sony officially supports Yellow Dog Linux for PS3, but there are versions of Ubuntu, Fedora, and others. There is work in porting Myth onto the PS3.
You want additional Hard Drive Space? No problem, just replace the built in hard drive with a larger standard SATA 2.5inch drive. The manual event explains how to do it.
Proprietary Memory Cards? No way! It uses standard USB Storage Devices. No need for proprietary Memory Cards. Backups can be done to normal USB Drives. Those lucky ones who got an earlier 60/80gb PS3, have built in Card Readers too (CF, SD, MemoryStick). The PS3s that don't have memory card readers, you can easily attach a USB version.
Home Brew? Didnt i say it runs Linux? In fact there is a YouTube video of some masochists, booting Linux on their PS3, then running Windows XP in VM Ware, crazy, considering there is not a LOT of memory there!
Its a very good system, and I bought it without any question, and am still pretty amazed at what it can do, certainly for its price.
Oh, and I recently bought a Sony 40Inch Bravia 1080p LCD, for £650 with 5 year warranty from Costco. This is actually cheaper than a similar Samsung (and i feel better performing).
Maybe they are only changing in some markets, but lets see.
Although gmail does not have a exchange like push service for all information, it does have push imap support (for mail) and SMS support.
The n95 has its faults too! Dont get me wrong, I actually returned my iphone 2G and got a N95 Black. IT is a better phoen than the iPhone, and has great features. But Nokia's brain dead OS, and user interface really let it down. plus, lack of Xenon Flash, and inability to charge via the USB.
Still its a great phone, and if it used SonyEricsson's OS (not UIQ), and had xenon flash, and charged via USB, it would be perfect.
the HTC Tytn II is a good phone. I have used it, and was impressed. The only reason why i didn't buy it after testing it was:
- lack of IMAP Idle, so no support for Push Email via IMAP. (mainly because of Windows Mobile does not have support for it - MS wants you to use Exchange for push email.. grrr).
- Windows Mobile. Sorry it drives me CRAZY..... and frustrates me.
Hopefully things will get better for HTC with Android in the future. They make very good hardware, and hopefully Android will proove as better Software.
You guys pay extra for 3G????? damn, your carriers really "nickel and dime" things, don't they? Here in UK, there is no extra for 3G, either your phone supports it, or it doesn't. Same thing for HSDPA support, if u are in an area where coverage is available, and your phone supports it, you have it. Simple.
AS for switching manually from 2G to 3g and back. Many people do that, as 3G is NOT needed for phone calls, and you save quite a bit of battery life turning it off when necessary.
I am not sure why this person was marked as a troll. The iPhone is a triumph of Style, and general spec, instead of overall performance.
Apple have looked at what specifications people "understand" and included it in the phone (with a very American-Centric view), and used the clever UI to sell itself.
And yes, It has a nice swishy UI, and does indeed succeed based on that. Its not a "bad" phone. but its low on features that other phones have, but most people probably wont understand, or care about.
I own a SonyEricsson K800i Phone, a Nokia N95, an iPhone 2g (which I have returned under satisfaction guarentee), and an iPod Touch, which I still have.
By far, the iPhone was "amazing" when it came out, and for the first day, I was thrilled, but after a few days, I returned the phone, and went back to my K800i (and bought an iPod Touch a month later)
Why?
The iPhone, once the flash factor wore off, i foudn it harder to use overall. Sure it has a great screen, and was great to interact, and listen to songs, watch movies, and video podcasts. ITs web browser metaphore was great.It is still unbeatable for those things.
But. this is where it started to fall down.
- Call Quality/Reception. Was NEVER as good as my K800i. I just could not rely on it.
- Lack of buttons. The K800i simply felt right to use. you knew which button you are pressing, and often can easy answer the phone without looking at the screen. the iPhone, you HAVE to look at the screen, and answer.
- Music Quality. What i felt immediately, with the iPhone was the sound output from it was just not as good as the k800i. This did surprise me. I tested using high quality non lossy formats, and I found the iPhone lacked the dynamic feel of the K800i. I later found an article where various different phones and music players were compared for sound quality, and the K800i came very high in the list (beating the iPods, and even sony's own Walkman phones despite sharing the same sound circuits. It was only beaten by some of Sony's Walkman Players). The reason begin that the phone had a Xenon Flash, therefore better attention was made shielding critical parts, together with the high quality components used. Plus the k800 was easy to operate in the pocket, especially when playing music.
- Lack of a real camera. The SonyEricsson with its AutoFocus 3.2 mp camera, with Xenon Flash, Video, and built in picture/video editor, was miles ahead of the iPhone. And lack of MMS????????? What the hell.. this is 2007, not 2001.
- Lack of 3G. Yes i was aware the original iPhone did not have 3G, and I was aware when I bought it. The promise of the WiFi "cloud" never worked. and I was stuck on 2.5g. In Practice, it just was not workable. the K800i was 3G.....
- Data Connectivity. Nice as the browser is, I cannot access my bank, or even SSH to my server. So I try to connect the iPhone to my laptop, to use a real browser/ssh client (i didnt care that it wasnt 3g, just needed to connect it to the net, no matter how slow). Oh dear, not possible. The tiny k800i, has bluetooth (both Dial-up modem and 'Zero Config' Pan Area Netowrk, where the phone performs as an accesspoint), infrared (modem only), and usb (both dial-up networking, and Ethernet emulation with the phone acting as a router), and it connects to anything with ease. Oh and it is 3g. I found myself using my iPhone less, and my K800i more. Especially as the K800 worked well under Windows, Linux, and MacOSX. No need to install ANY drivers on any of those operating systems (especially when bluetooth is used)
-Only Headset bluetooth profile. This is probably the most annoying part. it only supports the one Mono headset profile. It doesnt even support the Stereo music profile (A2DP) criminal for a music centric phone, so i was unable to use my stereo Bluetooth headphones. No ability to send files via bluetooth, no data via bluetooth, nothing. my k800.. everything supported, including A2DP.
- Reliance on iTunes for anything. Although i was aware of the iTu
And you didnt get HIS point either.. He was in a hurry, and even the Jesus Phones instant "predictive" type would have "slowed him down" (I woudl NOT call the iphone a spellchecker! its just predictive text!).
you will find, when a airtime company does a "test".. they mainly check if a phone will break the network. Although they do check if a phone does connect and the rate of dropped calls, how they deal with it, may depend on the desirability of the phone.
IF this was a LG phone, you can expect that they would do full testing and work with LG to make sure any faults are fully rectified.
However, in the case of the iPhone, and its higher desirability, and the fact that "fans" may be more willing to put up with faults, just for that desirability. Plus Apple backing it with warrenty (hopefully). They may have been willing to put up with a few more faults, because in the grand scheme of things, people will still pay, and buy it, and they still make a profit, as Apple purchasers, they feel, would be more apologetic than those who by an LG Shine.
Not Nessasarily true. Ok in the USA, GSM technology may be nascent. Certainly 3G is not so widespread. Here in Europe, especially UK, 3G has been around for much longer. We already make heavy use of it, and you can buy USB dongles with a SIM card, to have mobile internet, at up to 3.6Mbps (in some cases, up to 7Mbps). This is already popular amongst Business users, and also Tennants, who do not wish to fit a DSL line, yet require fast internet. So the technology is pretty mature, and usable.
Yet the iPhone 3G is having problems here too. You cant really blame O2's network, as it is a mature network, that has been around for a long time (O2 used to be BT Cellnet....)
Until this case, I have never heard of Infineon. Ever here in the UK, where we are all GSM, over time you begin to realize which mobile platforms (radio + firmware) which seem to work.
I find that phones based on EMP (Ericsson Mobile Platform) are really good at latching onto a signal. EMP based phones include Sony Ericsson, and LG GSM phones. The newest EMP platform (I think 3.5) have Linux booting capability too, so may be able to power OpenMoko phones.. etc.