Iphone 4 launching in Australia

I received an email from Optus, a mobile/broadband carrier in Australia, stating that since I had registered to be notified about iPhone 3G (not 3gs) several years ago, they wanted to let me know about the iPhone 4 release.

Hmmmm... so what is odd about this ?

First, I registered for iPhone 3G release in Australia about 2 years ago, not last year. Last year iPhone 3gs was launched. The assumption that Optus has made that I might be interested in the latest iPhone 4 is a long one... very long one.

Secondly, it would have been good if they had double checked their records. If they did do that, they would have found that I am a customer as a iPhone 3gs plan with another year left. Is Optus going to let me get out of the contract ? I doubt it. Shows how little Business Intelligence that Optus has.

Third, reaching back to records 2 years ago may be a sign that Optus is thinking that with the bad publicity of the new iPhone they need to get the word out to as many people as possible.

Thanks for letting me know Optus, I think I would have let you know if I wanted to be informed about the iPhone (like how i registered to get a notification of the iPhone 3g). Regardless of this, I actually can't see why a iPhone 3gs user would make the move to iPhone 4.


Last year, you registered with us for updates on our Apple iPhone 3G launch. So, as an avid iPhone fan, we thought you might like to know that the incredible new Apple iPhone 4 will be available to buy at Optus from 11.59pm this Thursday 29 July.

Switch on the iPhone 4 with a new
Extreme Cap Plan

Click Here for the full range of iPhones and incredible new plans.

Stock is limited, so get in quick!

How to get your hands on an Apple iPhone 4.

1. Go Online - optus.com.au/iphone from 11.59pm on Thursday 29 July. PLUS get an exclusive online bonus until 31 August

2. Call us - 1800 507 308 to speak with our customer service team from 8am on Friday 30 July

3. Go in store – to a ‘yes’ Optus shop or retailer from Friday 30 July or register to attend our special midnight launch on the night of
Thursday 29 July

Optus stores opening from midnight
		Sydney – Optus ‘Yes’ Shop George Street
		Brisbane - Optus ‘Yes’ Shop Queen Street
		Melbourne - Optus ‘Yes’ Shop Bourke Street
		Perth – Optus ‘Yes’ Shop Murray Street

Read More

The word of the year is... ecosystem

Lately I've seen many articles, companies use the word 'ecosystem'. This must be the word of the day/month/year.... 

definition: 
n.
An ecological community together with its environment, functioning as a unit.

Tech sites/companies are the most common users of this word now. 

Read More

Jailbreaking is ok by us

Here is an interesting article by Ars around the recent announcements around Jailbreaking. For years many people have "Jailbroken" their iPhone in order to install the apps they want, without the 'BigBrother' approving it, and to modify the phone the way you want.

Only recently has Apple agreed to give users the ability to change the wallpaper and multitask. This of course has been made available to anyone who has chosen to take the risk and to jailbreak their phone. But all the while, anyone who has jailbroken their phone risks their warranty and any support.

So why does Apple choose to take this stance when this ability is available on their laptop/notebook series? Well, I'm not entirely sure, considering that changing your wallpaper is harmless, and it is a sign of individualism.

But Apple is not alone in this, what you may not know is that the Android is built similar to the iPhone. Many of the concepts are still there and this is called 'rooting' or gaining root (super user) access to the phone.

It is a shame that these makers have taken this approach, I hope in the near future and especially anyone who takes a linux variant provides the user with the true power of linux. Long live freedom of choice.

Read More

I need a tablet... or do I

Suddenly, Apple has changed the market for portable devices. If you've been awake and alert watching the tech market, you would have seen the incredible rise of Apple through portable devices. Apple were never the first in the market, but they ensured that they set themselves apart from the others and took strong hold and became the leader.

So with the iPod and iPhone as undoubtedly the leading devices in their areas, Apple has recently released the iPad. With sales sky rocketing, and every man and every dog climbing over others to get their hands on the new device, you may find yourself asking should I take the leap ?

To me the iPad is basically laptop/notebook, minus the keyboard and add in the 'walled gardens' of apple. If this is all that it is then what is the point of the iPad. The marketing team at Apple have said that it is revolutionising the market and making books digital, so would you really want to pay >$500 for device that can help carry your library where ever you want ? Is this worth it.

The iPad, along with the ease of digital books, also gives you the ability surf the web and a great store of apps... So is this worth >$500 ?

I would be someone who would get the latest and greatest devices on the market, but for some reason I'm really holding back with the iPad. Why? well the main reason is that I have several computers, laptops/notebooks, and an iPhone. With all these devices is there a really need for a device that bridges a gap between the iPhone and my MacBok Pro ? Apple thinks there is.

With my MacBook Pro i can surf the web, edit my files, edit my pictures, watch movies on line, but it is not portable enough to carry with me all the time. My iPhone is taken with me everywhere, it is convenient, it plays my music, and it surfs the net (and makes phone calls). But the screen is sometimes too small. I sometimes miss the bridge between the two, and I'm looking for an actual bridge. What I mean by that is, I want something that can perform operations tasks like my MacBook Pro and be in a tablet format. This means that it can surf the web, save files localy, has access to a range of apps... But unfortunately this is still not on the market.

So before you take your leap on to an iPad, the question that needs to be asked is 'do I need it, does it bridge the gap'...

Well the very next day that I post this, ars runs a story on Class Action Suit against Apply by iPad owners

Thanks

Read More

How to download eBooks for the iPhone without iBooks

Well, if you have your personal book collection that you want to take with you just like your music/dvd collection, then your answer is simple... get them on your iPhone. With the introduction of the iPad and kindle, several companies have released have gone into this market to give you digital copies of your library and more.

So what happens when you already have purchased a book and you simply want a digital version, well the answer is simple, download it.

Here are some simple instructions on how you can achieve this from http://www.drinkmalk.com.

Remember, you should only download what you own...

Read More