Chichi Phone But Slow?
andy| August 15, 2008 10:36 amThe guys at TestMyIPhone have a tool to test the performance of the iPhone’s network.
Here are results from my tests:
Other posts related to iphone
Vituperated Meeting
andy| August 6, 2008 12:28 pmI am bored, so I’m testing the WordPress app for the iPhone.
Panoply of Phone Features
andy| August 4, 2008 10:21 amI had an experience with a company, I will not name with the name but with made up name SI&I. They seem to be pretty archaic when it comes to their customer service and clearly they are all about money. But let’s start from beginning. I got an iPhone. Yes, I got assimilated. But hey, “I got to have more cowbell“.
So, I went to the SI&I store and asked for the iPhone. Of course they did not have it, so they put me on the list. For that, I left lots of my personal information including my credit card number. Weeks later, after all the Rutabaga stores had iPhones, SI&I finally called me and told me my iPhone is there. Oh, did I tell you I ordered the 16GB black iPhone?
Anyway, I come to the store and started the sign-up process. So, why does it take 30 minutes to sign-up for a phone? Also, why does the person need to type my personal information to ten different screens? And why do I have to sign the electronic thing 5 times? Why does SI&I need my social security number? People who bought the first generation iPhone had significantly easier process. My coworker said he bought two iPhones, took them home and did everything through the iTunes. Took him 10 minutes. And he is not payed for it. Also, the new plans from SI&I charge you $.2 for every text message, whether you send it or receive it. Then they try to sell you this crazy 200 free messages for $5 per month plan. Even with Badizon, which is not that great of a company I was able to order the phone over the phone and not give any social security number. And they only charge couple of cents for incoming SMS. I would imagine with the unlimited data plan, all data would be included. I will so use e-mail instead of SMS.
Finally I have an iPhone which seems to work fine. Then I wanted to install the must have app “More Cowbell“. However, since the SI&I setup is so extensive that the sales specialist takes 30 minutes to do just about anything, at the end of the day the phone can only be used to make phone calls. Until you go home and go through an surprisingly painful registration process. I would imagine that Rutabaga would make the process much more streamlined. Also, it would be nice to be able to register via the iPhone itself and not by doing something on the web, something in the iTunes and something with a plunger in your bathroom.
Ok, after all this madness, I have an iPhone. It seems to work fine and we will see what the future brings.
Couple related articles:
- Video Tutorial: How to Get Out of Your Verizon Contract Without an Early Termination Fee ~ does it work on SI&I?
- Bell, Telus face class action over text message fees ~ somebody should file a class action suit against SI&I. But I guess congress would bail them out.
Patrician Phone
andy| June 11, 2008 4:41 pm
Ok, new iPhone is out and this time it has enough I guess for me to splurge and buy it for myself. However, I am really disappointed that it still does not have A2DP or wireless sync. That said, with GPS and fast internet… Hey, why not.
So, but my real problem with Apple. Why are they calling it cheaper? It is not cheaper. I was waiting to see how long before people figure that out. Finally, there are some articles about it. According to my naive math, the phone is $200 cheaper, but the monthly fee is $10 more, so after 24 months the phone costs $40 more. That said, turns out people in Europe have way better plans. And they get the device for free.
So, here is my list of suggestions for the “next” iPhone or next software release:
- Full bluetooth including A2DP and OBEX
- Wireless syncing
- Wireless subscription to podcasts (I don’t want to sync with iTunes every time I want to listen to a new podcast).
- Support for shoutcast/icecast/whatever cast Internet radio
- Better PDF reader for free ebooks (Should remember position, scale fonts, wrap on the screen etc)
- Instant messenger and VOIP
I probably missed something, but this is a good start. So, July 11th, where are you?
Inimical Phone System
andy| October 23, 2007 9:36 amOk, call it a peer pressure, but I want to buy iPhone. However, I want certain things before I buy it and I hope Apple will do them:
- Since I visit Europe quite often, I want my phone to work in Europe. And I don’t mean roaming, but the way GSM was supposed to work. I want to buy a cheap card and use it while I am there.
- I want Bluetooth 2.0 stereo headset support (A2DP). I think the age of wires is over.
- I should be able to put Skype/IM/podcast/shoutcast straight to the phone.
Also, just for fun, read this article.
