Top 10 Ways I’ll Be Using My Apple iPad

Boxed Apple iPad and case

There’s a fair bit of mixed sentiment for Apple’s new iPad mobile device, from love to indifference to outright hate. If you’re in the latter category but want to be convinced otherwise, you might like to read this post. The ways I plan to use or am already using the iPad may not be the way you would use it, but you might find a way to use the device that hadn’t previously occurred to you.

Fact: I already have a love/ hate relationship with the iPad, with a lot of mixed impressions:

But…. there are several reasons I bought the iPad and several ways I’m either already using it or will be, and most of which are work-related. (I work almost entirely online, not including any conferences and tech meetups or networking gathers.)

  1. To develop apps for it. In fact, this is actually the main reason I bought the iPad. I have several apps in mind that can take advantage of the form factor, and I’m really gunning for some of that VC fund money for iPad development. I’ll be working particularly on utilities, as well as some in very specific niches (more to come, as I’m working out some deals with a few great mobile app development studios).
  2. Moderating spam – It’s so much less of a chore to moderate spam on sites when you can do it during a TV commercial or other slow moment, instead in one big, boring, draining session.
  3. Browsing news for the day’s highlights, for writing articles. I have WSJ, NYT and USA Today all downloaded. I also sometimes use the iPad as a dedicated Tweetdeck monitor to scan for breaking news on Twitter, or rotate up and watch Techmeme, Alltop or other “portals” when scanning for article ideas for my other work.
  4. Checking on and composing emails on the go. The iPad native email client beats the one on the iPhone hands down, particularly when you rotate the iPad into landscape mode. I’ve also purchased an Apple mini aluminum Bluetooth keyboard.
  5. Mobile WordPress blogging – Nice. You can actually see what you’re typing. Or you can monitoring for spam (see #1 above), publish an earlier draft, check on traffic, etc. Sure, you could do this on an iPhone but would you want to?
  6. Checking on social media profiles, namely Facebook and Twitter streams and messages.
  7. Reading all the business PDF ebooks (and some free classic literature) that I’ve never had time to read before. (Personally, I still love print, but reading on the iPad isn’t that bad.
  8. Viewing iTunes University material, which has been a boon (and free to boot) for learning iPhone and iPad development. If you have the Apple case for it, the iPad is fine for lounging in a comfy chair or on a couch and watching some educational videos.
  9. Watching videos on YouTube, Daily Motion, ABC Player, or TV show content I’ve bought from iTunes — such as the first two seasons of Breaking Bad. Can’t wait for something Hulu-like to be available, though.
  10. Just for a bit of relaxing, playing games. Even iPhone-only games are more fun on the iPad, but not if they require a lot of physical manipulation, such as tilting, shifting, rotating.

Have a mobile device, platform, application, service, accessory or related news or tips you want to share? Email info/ press releases to callstyleblog at gmail.com.

April 19, 2010 | Filed Under iPad | 2 Comments 

Design Mobile Apps for Success

Over on GigaOm, Dev Khare, a VP at venture capital firm Venrock, takes a look at some of the factors that make a mobile app successful. He puts forth the idea that user experience is key to the success of a mobile app, which makes a great deal of sense. He gives several examples of good apps and explains why he likes each, including ease of use, sometimes with just his thumb.

Consider this: would you use an app that was awkward or uncomfortable, unless you absolutely had to use it? Probably not. On the other hand, fun apps that you have no use for besides entertainment will be high on your list. In fact, I’ve heard stories of people using “fun” apps up to 2 hours a day or more, just because the experience was enjoyable. Pretty much a no brainer, right?

So design of mobile apps is far, far more important than many “bedroom developers” consider. The most addictive ones go beyond cookie-cutter UI (User Interface) elements. If you’re building mobile apps, take the time to come up with multiple versions of every screen. Some people believe that the really good ideas start AFTER the 10th design.

If you need templates to work with, check out Smashing Magazine’s list of wireframing templates for mobile design. You can download and print off the templates to sketch out your mobile app screens — in this case for iPad, iPhone, Android (amongst other templates not for mobile apps). If you’re designing for the Apple iPad, also check out Smashing Mag’s design tips for iPad apps, which has a list of other articles worth checking out.

April 18, 2010 | Filed Under Mobile Apps | Comments Off 

Get More than 11 Pages of Apps on Your iPhone [Updated]

Who says you can only have X pages of apps on the iPhone (9 if you have pre-3.0 OS; 11 if with 3.x). The video below that I came across on YouTube describes a simple trick to get possibly unlimited pages without jailbreaking your phone. Read my caveat notes below the video.

 
I tried this and initially had two problems. The first I discovered when I had couple of apps with updates and did an “update all”. My new extra page of apps disappeared after that. However, I noticed that even after I went through the process in the video a couple of times, I couldn’t get things to work. Until I discovered that having my phone connected to my laptop triggered iTunes every time I rebooted the phone. As soon as I unplugged the USB cable and let the phone loose, I didn’t have the problem.

Warning: I now have 16 pages and growing, and am wholly addicted to adding loads of useless free apps while losing out on sleep. You can be too! You’ve been warned. Oh by the way, this may not work on the iPad since there’s no native “Voice Memo” app on it. Of course, when iPhone OS 4.0 comes out, any iPhone device that can upgrade to it (not all can) can take advantage of the new ‘folders’ feature.

Update: If you’re using iTunes 9.1, you could still lose all your added pages. Haven’t tried yet, and not sure how to get around it except to downgrade iTunes. Or simply not connect your phone to your computer for the time being. That means your apps are not backed up and if you have a phone problem, you could end up losing them anyways. For me it’s not a big deal since I need the space to try apps for review on CallStyle.

Have a mobile device, platform, application, service, accessory or related news or tips you want to share? Email info/ press releases to callstyleblog at gmail.com.

April 18, 2010 | Filed Under iPhone | 4 Comments 

iPhone OS 4.0 Roundup

Apple recently announced their upcoming iPhone OS 4.0 (yeah, I know, this post is a bit late) and there are some big changes coming. The OS will be available this summer for iPhone and iPod Touch devices, and later in the fall for iPads. Note: not all older iPhone and iPod Touch devices will be able to upgrade to the new OS, and I’ve come across some rumors that iPads will only getting one free OS upgrade, to OS 4.0. (More on that later.)

The following is a quick summary of information about iPhone OS 4.0 from Gdgt, who live-blogged the Apple event. There are 7 “tent-poles,” as Apple put it, for the new OS:

  1. Multitasking, including allowing location apps in background & local notifications. Note that there’s always been multi-tasking on the iPhone OS, just not for 3rd party apps. Apple claims to have found a way to offer up the appropriate interface and abilities without draining battery life.
  2. Folders. So now you can finally organize your iPhone apps into logical groups, and as a result be able to add even more apps to your device. It’s just too bad us iPad owners have to wait for this feature. I’m far more likely to want extreme amounts of functionality on an iPad. By the way, if you can wait for folders to add ridiculous amounts of apps, there’s a way to exceed the 9 or 11 page limit on iPhone (depending on which iPhone OS you’re currently running) without jailbreaking the phone. It works for my iPhone 3GS running OS 3.1.3.
  3. Enhanced email, in the form of an unified universal inbox, which gives an aggregation of messages from multiple providers. Without trying this I’d say it’s no big deal, since there are many reasons to keep messages separated. I mean, that’s why you created multiple email accounts in the first place, right? However, I’m willing to be convinced. It is supposedly an oft-requested feature.
  4. iBooks. The way this works is a via free app that looks like a bookshelf, and to which you can download free and paid digital books. Some people say it’s Apple’s challenge to Amazon’s kindle. I’m not a big fan of reading long-form content on screens, but the fact is, it’s far easier to do so on an iPad than on a standard computer monitor or laptop screen.
  5. Enterprise features, including email and data encryption, SSL VPN support, multiple Exchange accounts. Yawn. This really is a concession towards enterprise and probably not of interest to most individuals outside of work.
  6. Game Center, which is a social network for mobile gamers. Wow, look out gaming device companies. I think.
  7. iAd mobile advertising, which allows free apps to earn ad revenues (60% take for developers) with interactive and video content (programmatic access, too). Steve Jobs said that 60% is “industry standard.” Actually, 70% is far more standard, and some networks even offer 80% to publishers. Apple, don’t forget all the mobile device sales that you’ll get thanks to all those great free apps. Well hopefully paid apps will not be allowed to take advantage of iAds.

Other points of note: 1500 new APIs. Wow, it’s just going to get harder to learn what you need to know to become an iPhone OS developer. I suggest focusing on a specialty or three, and learning everything you can about those. Write sample code, learn the ins and outs of specific APIs. If you’re planning to be an independent developer, team up with other devs with overlapping specialties.

What do you you think? If your existing iPhone or iPod Touch cannot upgrade to OS 4.0, are these features enough that you’d upgrade to the new devices rumored to be announced in June?

Have a mobile device, platform, application, service, accessory or related news or tips you want to share? Email info/ press releases to callstyleblog at gmail.com.

April 16, 2010 | Filed Under Apple | 3 Comments 

Apple iPad First Impressions

The line isn't as bad as it looks -- only a 2-hour wait, whereas some guys camped out overnight.

So Apple finally released the iPad amidst a ton of speculation about first day units sold, whether the device would be a game changer like the iPhone, and whether it would live up to being a “second coming” of Apple. (Hey, it was Easter weekend, and Steve Jobs even made an appearance at the Palo Alto store at some point.)

After staying up all night debating whether I should go line up early at the Palo Alto, Calif, Apple Store, I finally decided against, got two hours of sleep, got ready, then went and got in line by 9:30 am to get an iPad. Two hours later, after having to endure a group of idiots taking turns each elbowing me, I got into the store and spent less than 15 minutes purchasing a 3GB WiFi-only model. In retrospect, I should have purchased a 64GB model, considering that I’ll be using the device for app development and other online work. However, I wanted to stick to budget and get a few accessories as well as Apple Care. Here are few of my first impressions of the Apple iPad.

  1. The form factor is really awkward. I’m glad I bought Apple’s folding case, which flips over to wedge shape that makes it easier to see on a desktop, but only in landscape mode.
  2. Besides being awkard, the iPad feels heavy. It’s a disappointment if you intend to lounge around with it doing a bit of extra work or entertaining yourself. However, with the aforementioned Apple case, it’s not so bad. Without the case, the weight and shape would be a hindrance to regular use.
  3. Apps are easy to move around the home screen, using the bottom dock. You get two spots on the dock for two additional icons. (Still want folders, Steve!!)
  4. Incredibly responsive touchscreen. Scrolling through pages is beautifully easy. No need to pound on the virtual keyboard. Though I hope someone comes up with ‘alternate keyboard’ apps, which unfortunately has to wait until the iPhone OS has 3rd-party multi-tasking to even use.
  5. No USB port, so sending files over is really awkward. There are apps like Air Sharing that let you do that, but there are still a variety of limitations. For example, I created a spreadsheet in Apple iWorks’ Numbers application on my MacBook Pro. Then I both emailed it to myself and sent it to my iPad via Air Sharing. Even though I paid $9.99 to have iWorks on the iPad, I couldn’t open the file. I had to resend the email as an Excel-saved document. Does that make any sense to you? (I’ve double-checked that I didn’t miss something, but maybe I did.)
  6. No camera, so forget having video conferences on the iPad. Well, wait; actually, Apple will have a camera converter kit shipping soon that’ll let you attach your digital camera. However, this kit will use the power port, so you cannot charge the iPad and use the camera simultaneously.
  7. No CD/ DVD drive, but then not many people expected that, given it’s size. However, with no USB port and no optical drive, you are forced to get audio and video content via iTunes, whether from your computer or purchasing through the iTunes store. Netbooks are still safe for now, as there are people who need that functionality and have no need of an iPad.

There’s more, but I have to stop somewhere. Overall, I’m both really impressed and incredibly disappointed. As things stand, the iPad is definitely no replacement for your laptop or even a netbook. The fact that you need a computer to sync this with iTunes (for backup reasons) means that many schools planning to offer students Apple iPads OR laptops will have to think again.

Still, with all the upgrades sure to come in the future, the iPad still stands to be a game-changing mobile device. At least, enough people with money think so that there are multi-millions of VC funds available for iPad apps development.

Some colorful character wearing portable speakers and showing off Smule's very cool, Magic Piano app, which has a spiral keyboard.

Getting closer to the front door!

Almost in the Apple Store!! Then my iPhone conks out and I can't take anymore pictures for a while.

April 3, 2010 | Filed Under iPad | 2 Comments 

VCs Show Us the Money: Funds for Apple iPhone/ iPad Development

If you’re a mobile apps developer wondering which of the multitude of device platforms you should develop for, the fact that there’s suddenly a plethora of funds for iPhone and iPad might help you decide. It’s not surprise, given that there are predictions of 7M units of iPad alone sold for 2010 (20M+ by 2012), and that schools like Seton Hill University giving full-time students an iPad this Fall. (George Fox University students get to choose between a MacBook and an iPad.) iPads in particular have an incredible potential in terms of personal computing, education, planning, healthcare, and more, despite the naysayers. According to Walt Mossberg of All Things Digital (WSJ), the iPad has the potential to be a laptop killer.

While it’s expected by many tech experts that iPad apps will sell at a higher price point, on average, than iPhone apps have, there’s already evidence that that may not be true. The problem is, if iPad apps sell in the same price range as iPhone apps have, there’s a possibility that many small mobile software startups simply won’t be able to afford the development costs without outside investment. It’s important for this ecosystem to have development funds. Here are a few such VC funds, targeted at iPhone and particularly iPad.

  1. AppFund — Offers from $5K for starting, and up to $500K for development, marketing, distribution. AppFund has specific interests in a variety of apps that target 16-39 year-olds “with higher incomes.” Meaning you probably want to develop apps that’ll warrant selling for more than $0.99. One of the hot areas for mobile apps is location-sharing (Foursquare, MyTown, Stuck, and many more), and AppFund does have an interest in this type of app. Read more about AppFund at EpochTimes.
  2. KPCB iFund — Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, aka KPCB, just doubled their iFund(tm) iPhone/ iPad development fund from $100M to $200M, days after announcing it. They’re already funding numerous mobile app developers (some of whom have web development projects), including Booyah, Cooliris, ng:moco, Shazam, Zynga Mobile, and more, for a total of fourteen startups. The apps these companies are producing are expected to pull in over $100M in revenues this year alone, and KPCB will be raising additional funds for them, from other sources unrelated to the iFund. Videos discussions and details of the iFund – which seem broader than AppFund’s — are worth a peek, as is the iFund FAQ. (The FAQ points out that they will invest outside the United States.) Interestingly, John Doerr, who sits on the Google board, is a partner.
  3. NFM – In the UK, Northern Film & Media is targeting iPad developers from mostly north-east England. Current funds are 40,000 British Pounds, though that may double.
  4. Vexiom vFund — Vexiom Equity Partners is targeting app development for the iPad and “other mobile tablet applications” (which might or might not mean non-Apple devices). Accortding to a press release, investments will range from $10K to $1M, dependent on app complexity and potential. Send proposals to Vexiom.

These are by no means the only funds available for iPhone and iPad development. If you know of more for Apple or other mobile platforms, such as Palm WebOS or Google Android, let us know. Have a mobile device, platform, application, service, accessory or related news you want to share? Email info/ press releases to callstyleblog at gmail.com.

[Other sources: MocoNews]

April 3, 2010 | Filed Under Development | Comments Off 

Verizon’s Palm Mobile Hotspot Option is Now Free

Some people thought it was an April Fool’s joke when numerous websites announced that Verizon’s mobile Internet tethering option, via Palm WebOS phones Pixi and Pre Plus, dropped from US$40/month to nothing — especially given the beating Palm’s stock took recently, dropping to as low as US$4/ share. However, I think Verizon has another strategy in mind: capture the interest of all those people about to buy an Apple iPad.

As someone who just picked up a Palm Pre Plus last week in order to build mobile apps for the company’s WebOS platform, I’m more than happy about this. (What’s more, if you’re already paying for the tethering option, Verizon will credit you in your latest bill.) Consider: I already have two phone numbers — one for my iPhone, with which to build & test my iPhone SDK apps. So having to pay for a calling plan plus a cellular data plan plus tethering (since AT&T doesn’t offer it for the iPhone) gets expensive and means I spend over $1000 per year just to be able to test my Palm WebOS apps.

Now it’s easy to think that Verizon might be wanting to clear out their Palm inventory, but the beautiful thing about this deal is multifold: My wife and I work online a great deal (me almost entirely) and we travel locally a fair bit, so having the Mobile Hotspot means almost always having an Internet connection on the go, at no extra cost. What’s more, when I line up for an Apple iPad WiFi-only model (for develop apps, yet again) later this morning in Palo Alto, I know I’ll be able to connect online immediately.

Have a mobile device, platform, application, service, accessory or related news you want to share? Email info/ press releases to callstyleblog at gmail.com.

April 3, 2010 | Filed Under Mobile Services, Palm WebOS | 5 Comments 

Motorola Announces First Push-to-Talk Android Phone

Motorola has just announced the first push-to-talk, Android OS-powered smartphone. Known as the Motorola i1, the phone’s features include the following:

The Motorola i1 phone is available through Motorola or Sprint. See Motorola Media Center for full spec sheet.

Have a mobile device, platform, application, service, accessory or related news you want to share? Email info/ press releases to callstyleblog at gmail.com.

March 25, 2010 | Filed Under Phones | Comments Off 

Contract-free iPhones Coming

Contract-free — but non-jailbroken — iPhones will soon be available. No AT&T 2-year contract is required, but you have to pay full prices ($499, $599 and $699 for 8GB, 16GB and 32GB models, respectively). Of course, you’re also not going to have 3G coverage unless you add it, and you can only do so through AT&T (officially) and T-Mobile (unofficially). Since AT&T subsidizes the phones, unless you’re planning to jailbreak a contract-free phone, this is a great way to waste $400. There’s apparently a limit on the purchase of these phones of one per person per day, to a max of 10 phones. (Seriously, who is going to buy 10 full-price iPhones, unless they run some sort of jailbroken apps lab?) You can read more at 9 to 5 Mac and Engadget. Techcrunch believes this is a sign of a new iPhone coming.

Have a mobile device, platform, application, service, accessory or related news you want to share? Email info/ press releases to callstyleblog at gmail.com.

March 25, 2010 | Filed Under Apple, iPhone | Comments Off 

Universal Mailbox Coming to iPhone?

A TUAW article suggests that a universal mailbox IS coming to the iPhone — something Apple’s Steve Jobs confirms. If you’ve used the email on the iPhone, you know that you can add multiple email accounts and access messages from each account, albeit separately. A universal mailbox would aggregate all those messages into a single stream, ordered by date & time. According to the TUAW article, you can also expect some kind of syncing of “office” type documents on the upcoming Apple iPad device.

Have a mobile device, platform, application, service, accessory or related news you want to share? Email info/ press releases to callstyleblog at gmail.com.

March 25, 2010 | Filed Under iPhone | Comments Off 

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