Krewz71’s Consolidated Info Blog

I saw that last month NASA was testing the new Orion module. This test involved the landing back on Earth after a successful mission. Unfortunately the parachutes failed and the module hit the ground rather hard.

I am all for space exploration and travel and I know that this will be resolved. But I must admit it made ms smile that they could not get parachutes to work after doing this back in the 60s and 70s and Russia doing this with their craft

I really hope though that the return to the Moon will ignite interest in one of man’s greatest achievements.

So the question is the iPhone a good business tool of a toy?

Most top executives have used the Blackberry for a long time now bug some see the iPhone as a toy. Now I use mine for work and personal.

Having the Exchange push technology let’s me keep up with email. I like to be able to use other functions for work to, the currency converter is handy for example. Viewing attachments such as Excel, Word, PDF and even Powerpoint. As I mentioned in my earlier post I switched from a Windows Mobile phone. I think there is a perception that the iphone is a toy but that would be incorrect.

Let’s talk about email. Yes Windows Mobile had the features for synchronizing and pushing email, I even had a hacked version of Blackberry Connect. But the interface was poor and cumbersum and the data sync had issues such as if you moved email in outlook to a folder it would just stay in the inbox. Viewing attachments was difficult on the small screen. None of this could be said about the iPhone.

But now is web browsing and the app store just toys and for fun. Well it depends how you use them it can be very useful for business as well as for fun. Take the simple Hotels.com app great when you need a hotel at the last minute due to travel problems (FAA systems down today). Forget the address you are heading to, use google maps or search the web.

Now I know everyone is different and some will not give up their Blackberry but the iphone is a legitimate business tool.

But also letting me carry my Podcasts, favourite music, alarm clock, and even a phone in one device is perfect.

Now the iPhone has it’s moments when a reboot is required and backing up takes forever, but it works and is user friendly.

Of course there are many reviews and thoughts on this device but
they don’t look at it from a plain users point of view.

Why does the iphone work? Well reading the Wired article some time ago simply because Apple had control of the design and technology. Something that Microsoft and others can now use to their advantage without the phone companies dictating design and functionality. With all the clones out and coming out I look forward to Android and future Windows Mobile devices. I would not rule out Microsoft just yet.

Staying with TWit the rumour out there is that the new version of iTunes will be with subscription service.

Now I have to say I have not been a fan of subscription based music. I always purchase (recently from Amazon with no DRM) but I could be tempted. Jury is still out for me but I am getting to the point with the iphone that I have to be more selective. So if I can use a streaming approach like the Pandora app or load as wanted then I’ll take a look.

Anyway, this is just the rumour so letsvsee what happens.

Looks like Kevin Rose www.kevinrose.com has a a picture of the new iPod look. The picture was talked about on the latest TWiT and though there is nothing posted some talked about paper work backed it up. Looks like Apple is going with a new curved theme. Anyway take look.

So I have been using the 3G iPhone since the day of release. Yes I was one of the many that waited in line to get the day of release. So I did a switch from a Windows Mobile phone to the iPhone. All I can say is night and day in look, feel and usability.

There is no way I can go back to the other side. There are too many reasons to stay with the iPhone. The app store for me is one of the key reasons that I have been impressed. One thing I did hear listening to TWiT was the idea that Apple understood the phone interface could be different to a desktop. The Windows Mobile interface just tried to be too much like a desktop interface. The iphone interface is much more user freindly and the keyboard on screen I have no problem with.

I’ll do more posts on the iPhone and some of the apps I like best (I am cheap so just the free ones for now). But this was all written on the iPhone with the wordpress app.

News came out recently and some people are confused about the ability to use Rock Band music in Rock Band 2. The download content will work no problems with 2. However, you can also use the songs off of the 1st disc. The only downside is that you have to export the songs to the hard drive. This will take just under 2GB of space. So if you only. Have the 20GB drive that is a chunk of space. Also they are talking that there would be a $5 one time fee to cover licenses. Personally, I would just put in the first disk. To export the music Rock Band 2 will provide a code and 1 will get an update with an export feature.

I can’t wait for Rock Band 2 so I’ll be there day of release.