Category: news

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Yes, I have the Gingerbread

Yes, finally, I now have Gingerbread on my Google Nexus One.

The update finally came through on Friday, and I downloaded it before leaving for work and installed it.

Having used it for a while, this is no Froyo, no major changes to features. However there have been some UI changes and improvements.

The user interface is refined in many ways across the system, making it easier to learn, faster to use, and more power-efficient. A simplified visual theme of colors against black brings vividness and contrast to the notification bar, menus, and other parts of the UI. Changes in menus and settings make it easier for the user to navigate and control the features of the system and device.

It seems a little zippier and faster.

Also pleased that it is easier to manage downloaded files.

The Downloads application gives the user easy access to any file downloaded from the browser, email, or another application. Downloads is built on an completely new download manager facility in the system that any other applications can use, to more easily manage and store their downloads.

I sometimes use the Nexus One to download a podcast or an mp3 file over 3G, I can’t do that on the iPhone if the podcast file is too big. If I press play in the browser (on either the iPhone or the Nexus One) it streams, and if the connection fails then I have to restart the download. If I download the file I can then play the file as though I had transferred it over

Trying to then find that file to play it can be problematic, hoping this Downloads application will solve that issue.

So far, pleased with the upgrade.

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Magical

Yay it’s shiny and new…

Yay it’s got a camera…

Yay it’s faster…

Yay it’s thinner, lighter and whiter…

Yay it’s the new iPad!

James, get a grip!

Yes as rumoured, Apple have announced their new iPad and it will be available in the UK on the 25th March.

It’s thinner and lighter, not quite sure if that is that important. The original iPad is still thinner and lighter than my laptop and that has been one of the key features why I use the iPad now so much more than my laptop at home, in work, at events, or out and about. The only time someone mentioned how heavy the iPad was, was when they compared it to their iPod touch! To be honest I do think the iPad should be lighter, but it’s not such a heavyweight now to be unusable. So I guess the lighter iPad is a good idea, but a reason to upgrade? No, I can live with lugging around a couple of extra ounces of weight.

So what about the thinness? If I wanted thin, I would get a MacBook Air, wouldn’t I? I do “worry” about thin computers and tablets in case they get bent out of shape when travelling. I use the term worry here in the same way that I worry about accidently watching Top Gear and not using it in any other way that would mean I was really worried.

So it’s faster, that’s good isn’t it? Well I love this line from the features page.

Two powerful cores in one A5 chip mean iPad can do twice the work at once. You’ll notice the difference when you’re surfing the web, watching movies…

Really?

I’ll be able to read web pages faster than I can read them now. Wow! I’ll be able to watch movies in half the time it takes now. Wow! Sorry movies on my old iPad play just fine, no problems. I can’t see how a faster processor can make watching movies (which work just fine now) work better. I know on some Android devices that struggle with video (in the main Flash video) two cores will certainly help there, but on the iPad… hmmm

I’ll be fair to Apple and post the rest of the quote.

…making FaceTime video calls, gaming, and going from app to app to app. Multitasking is smoother, apps load faster, and everything just works better.

I do recall the speed difference between the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 3GS, you could really tell the difference in how it ran apps. It will be interesting to see if there is a similar difference between the single core A4 iPad 1 and the new dual core A5 iPad 2. Though the new improved graphics performance probably is going to improve that experience for many apps.

No improvement in battery life. The battery life on the iPad is really good, it’s only ever run out on me once, every other time it has lasted the day and sometimes more than one day. I guess if they hadn’t cut the weight they could have extended the battery, but who needs more than 10 hours?

So the big difference with the new iPad has to be the cameras, one on the front and one on the back. If you use Facetime then this will be a big attraction. To be honest I have never managed to make a Facetime call let alone use it on a regular basis. So for me, the cameras are less of a “wow” feature and more “oh that’s nice”. I think I would probably use them with Skype though.

I do like the fact that iOS 4.3 will bring an enhanced AirPlay, allowing me to stream much more video and audio content from my iPad to my Apple TV. Though it should be pointed out that 4.3 will work on the first iPad… so no need to upgrade then.

Finally Apple allow video mirroring on the iPad. Something educators have been clambering for, for ages. Using the existing VGA adapter or the new HDMI adapter, what you see on the iPad will be shown on the big TV or the projector. Great for showing content from the iPad to others, or if you don’t have AirPlay devices for showing video and images. It’s not entirely clear to me if video mirroring is restricted to the new iPad, or if the older version with iOS 4.3 will be able to also do it. If it is just a feature of the new iPad, then that may be one reason to upgrade. Another thing to note is that video mirroring won’t work (according to the Apple specs) with either the component or composite AV cables. This is a pity as I use those cables connected to a video capture device from Elgato to capture AV video streams.

With the cameras, Apple are bringing iMovie to the iPad. However as indicated on the iMovie page

iMovie works with iPhone 4, fourth-generation iPod touch, and iPad 2

So it won’t work with the old iPad. At the last few big conferences I went to I used my iPad during the day and still had my laptop with me for editing video in the evenings. Now if I could do the video editing on the iPad, the laptop could be retired or left at home. That maybe is a reason to ugrade. Though as Mark Power said to me in a tweet.

@jamesclay Upgrading an iPad for a £4.99 app. Emperor Jobs will be most pleased… 😉

At least Garageband will work on the old iPad (as well as the new one). That means recording and editing podcasts when away will be easier.

So at the end of the day should you buy the new iPad. If you already have an iPad, then I can’t see a huge benefit or reason to upgrade to the new one. Waiting for iPad 3 next year probably is a better option. So what if you don’t have an iPad? Well the decision has got a little more difficult, as Apple have reduced the price on the existing iPad by £100. So it’s just £329 for the basic 16GB WiFi model. So should you buy the old one at the cheaper price or wait for the new one? If money isn’t a problem, I would wait three weeks and get the new one. If it was always the cost of the iPad that put you off, well £329 is a really good price for an excellent tablet. What about ignoring the iPad and going for a Honeycomb Android Tablet? Well my concern would be the price, the Motorola Xoom is very expensive compared to the iPad – can’t quite understand it when Apple is cheaper than the alternatives… something not quite right there.

So back to the question that everyone is asking, are you going to upgrade your iPad?

Well to be honest I am in two minds, but I am leaning towards, no, and enjoying what is still one of the best computing devices out there, one which has radically changed the way I communicate, collaborate and get information. It will still do that even though there is a shiny new model just around the corner…

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How much?

Reading the Metro over lunch the other day I was surprised to see that O2 were offering the Samsung Galaxy Tab for £399 which was a lot less than the £599 launch price. The Galaxy Tab was only available from the 1st November and now less than four months later we see £200 off.

Well after posting the advert to Twitter, it would appear that £399 is quite expensive for the Tab now.

HMV have been selling in their stores (and not online) the Galaxy Tab for just £249. That is a considerable saving from the original list price. I was very tempted and nearly called into HMV on the way home. I stopped (well I didn’t actually stop, I kept driving) and thought about it and asked myself two questions.

Firstly, you have an iPad, why do you need another tablet device, especially one that only runs Android 2.2 Froyo and this is not optimised for tablets. Yes I know have an interest in these kinds of devices but though I do quite like the Tab when I played with it in a shop a month or so ago, I really did think when and where was I going to use this where I wouldn’t be using my iPad? In other words no use scenarios came to mind.

Secondly, why was the price dropped by so much in such a short time. I know some will say that the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is the main reason.

The new Tab has a bigger iPad sized screen, is more powerful and will be running Android 3.0 Honeycomb which is optimised for tablet devices.

Yes that would certainly be one reason, but is it the right reason.

I have to wonder if the 7” form factor is not selling well? I have to ask is the Tab selling well, anyhow? Generally devices that don’t sell well do often end up with price cuts later. And it hasn’t been that much later has it, less than four months.

So though I was tempted, I don’t think I will be going to HMV and getting myself a Galaxy Tab. If I didn’t have an iPad, I might well have been more tempted and splashed out the cash. As it happens I am probably more likely to save up now and get that Tab 10.1 when it gets to the UK.

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iStream?

In the past I have used numerous streaming services such as Qik, Ustream and more recently Justin.tv

One of the (recent) downsides of these free services is that the advertising has enroached so much into the stream, including pre-roll advertising, that as a tool for the informal streaming of conferences and events, it is just not worth the bother.

So you can imagine my interest in the recent Cult of Mac report that in a rumoured possible revamp of MobileMe, Apple are working on a live streaming service along the lines of Ustream.

Now the question is, will this be an advertising supported feature (with iAds) or will it be free of adverts. Remember that Apple have that big server farm, so have the technical capability to deliver a smooth service. Facetime is already with us on the Mac, so in many ways we already have the technology in place. A streaming service would allow you to “Facetime” to lots of people, and not just one person.

Of course this is just a rumour and there are always lots of Apple rumours.

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Nowhere near my limit

I wrote earlier about how I nearly reached my broadband limit in December. In January what with no snow, no school holidays and a bit of travelling here and there, I was nowhere near my limit. Well under, about 50% of my December traffic.

So back to normal.

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Not available On iPad or my TV!

I do like BBC iPlayer and I like how it allows me to watch BBC programmes when and where I want to…

Well nearly…

There are still a fair few programmes that are only available through a traditional web browser and are not available via my iPad, my TV (which has BBC iPlayer access built in) or to download.

So for example on my iPhone there are only three films available to watch.

However via my web browser I can see six films including National Treasure: Book of Secrets which isn’t available on the iPhone.

The reason is not technical, but a rights issue. Most new BBC programmes are available in many different ways via BBC iPlayer, this is because the BBC has secured the rights to do this from the production company (that makes the programme) and (probably) the talent in the programme.

Older programmes that are repeated were made at a time when BBC iPlayer was either not technically viable or wasn’t even a consideration or who would know what was possible in the future… so such rights would not have been secured.

With films such as National Treasure: Book of Secrets when the BBC “buys” the film for showing on their channel, they don’t necessarily also buy the rights for mobile distribution or download. This means that the film is only available via the web browser. Some films won’t even be available via iPlayer.

So the solution? Well unless I go and buy the film or programme in iTunes, I will either have to watch it when it is broadcast, on my computer or record it.

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Where are my Comic Life Styles?




Comic Life is a great app for creating comics very simply, quickly and uses a drag and drop interface.

I recently upgraded my Mac version of Comic Life to version 2 and one “change” was starting to annoy me.

In version 1 when you created a title you could then select from a drop down list and choose from a variety of styles (the deluxe version had many more than the “free” version that came with many Macs and I how I was introduced to Comic Life.

Plasq were in the Mac App Store from day one with Comic Life 2 and though I could have upgraded to 2 (as I have version 1) I decided to purchase and install Comic Life 2 via the Mac App Store. I mainly did this as it was much easier and quicker than trying to upgrade, I wanted updates to be easier and also I could in future install on other Macs as you can with apps from the Mac App Store.

With version two though when I started to use it I was very disappointed to find that the variety of styles you got with version 1 appeared to be missing in version 2!

I did try and search the FAQ, help and support without much success. I looked through the menus, and though there was a way of importing styles…

I had no idea what file I would be looking for or where I would get such a file.

After pretending to ignore the problem… I decided that there must be a way and after a recent update and still seeing no styles I decided to search and dig a little deeper and possibly even post to the Plasq forum.

In the forum though I did find a reference to styles in Magiq, that said.

When you start Comic Life Magiq – make sure you choose the Deluxe Styles template from the Template chooser. Otherwise you will just end up with a blank template with no styles.

Hmm….

Tried that with the Template Chooser and yes there are lots of styles in there….

Now the next question is how do you export those styles for use in other templates?

Well that was answered by the help in the end.

Choose Format->Import Styles.... A file browsing sheet appears. Locate and select the comic that has the styles you wish to import and click "Import." The styles are added to your comic.

In other words you import an actual comic you’ve created to add the styles to your new comic.

All starts to make sense now…

Okay back to creating comics.

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MiFi Problems

I have been having a few issues with my MiFi, in the main it keeps dropping connections and failing to allow devices to connect.

Now I think it is a battery life issue, once the device runs out of power, it drops the 3G connection and the wifi stops working. The lights on it are never that clear about what the status, but the browser configuration (once connected) seems to work fine.

Now my MiFi is an original Novatel model and I’ve not updated any firmware since I got it, so that’s on my list of things to try.

Generally though when it does work, it works a treat. I also like that if push comes to shove I can use it as a 3G dongle via a USB cable.

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Upgraded

Took the plunge and decided to upgrade my copies of iPhoto and iMovie to the new versions. I bought the new versions from the Mac App Store. The whole process was simple and seamless with the downloads of 600MB each not taking a huge amount of time, thanks to my fast FTTC connection. I wouldn’t envy anyone trying to do this on a slow ADSL connection (like what I use to have) as it would take an age. Actually think about downloading Call of Duty 4 from the Mac App Store which comes in at a weighty 6.85GB.

I do like the functionalty of the new App Store, it is easy (almost too easy) to download apps and install them. I think Apple is onto a winner here.

Of course the App Store applications (and to be honest most OS X updates) can be very large and this means that you do need to have a fast broadband connection with a large limit. The same can be said for iTunes downloads too. It is very easy now to reach any limit your ISP places on you.

So what of the versions of iPhoto and iMovie, well quite like some of the new features of iPhoto though it doesn’t seem as zippy as the previous version. The navigation as you edit or view images does seem more intuitive than it did before.

Still have not really had a chance to play with the new version of iMovie, but pleased to see that it has enhanced audio editing tools as that was causing me a few headaches with the previous version.

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Limit reached…

Last month I got very close to reaching my broadband cap. The account I have with Plusnet (a legacy account) has a limit of 80GB. When I had my ADSL connection I never got close to the limit. Having upgraded my connection to FTTC (fibre) and having 37Mb/s download speed means it is now much easier for me to reach the limit.

I know that I got close to the limit due to the holiday season, spending a lot of time at home meant not only was I using the connection a lot, but the family were also streaming a lot of video too. BBC iPlayer is great for catching up with programmes you have missed, but also means using a lot of data.

One of the features of Plusnet I like is that the cap does not apply to downloads between 12am and 8am. This is great for downloading stuff from iTunes, but less useful for streaming BBC iPlayer content. I usually watch BBC iPlayer content through the TV, it has BBC iPlayer built in, however it doesn’t allow me to download BBC content and play back later, I have to stream live!

The other problem I am having is that scheduling iTunes downloads is problematic.

Prior to getting FTTC I could before I went to bed I could set iTunes to download movies and TV programmes knowing that the majority of the download would be during the cap free period between 12 and 8. However FTTC is so fast that it only takes ten minutes to download a movie from iTunes so generally I download when I wake up and not when I go to bed (I am usually in bed before midnight). What I would prefer to do is let iTunes download any big purchases after midnight. It’s not just movies but also some iPad apps are in excess of 500MB. I would also download OS X and Windows updates overnight, again with my old connection the majority of the download would take place in the cap free time, now with the faster connection it’s done very quickly.

Luckily Plusnet provide a decent tool for measuring how much data I have used and also warn me when I get close.

However this does show that ISPs need to rethink their bandwidth caps once more people can get FTTC.