Jennifer Granick, the law-talkin’ gal that won the phone unlocking exemption from the DMCA, confirms that the state of unlock software is a mess. While we might have the right to unlock the phones, the right to provide unlocking software isn’t established. Which is why AT&T is throwing itself around like the 800-lb gorilla that it is, they’d love one of two things:
To test the legality of providing unlocking software, and spend a bunch of money to make it illegal, which is expensive and dangerous, but worth it if they win.
To prevent that same case from going to court so they can bully and threaten lawsuits all over the place, which is safer and much more affordable for them.
So Nokia demonstrated a proof-of-concept video a Nokia media gala called “Go:Play.” I watched the video yesterday, but did not report on it; it’s not a surprise that other mobile companies would brazenly copy the Apple interface. When something good happens, everyone copies it. That’s why Apple out-innovates itself; they want to ensure that they are their own best competition. And, I have to say that I’m glad I didn’t report on it yesterday: it turns out that Nokia’s concept is far from delivery. Quoth Gizmodo:
“Nokia has confirmed that this demo is strictly for the UI, not the device: the hardware is not real and the LCD’s images are overlaid. Yes, it’s not even a working prototype”
The end of the ad mentions that elegance and simplicity is what Nokia has, and always will, deliver. You can either believe the words or believe the faked picture. It sounds like vaporware to me; it will probably take Nokia a lot of time to copy the iPhone interface well.
Those hacking hoodlums at iPhoneSIMfree are teasing us with the promise of a soon to be released unlock solution, no later than Friday. In the meantime they are wetting our appetites with a nice little FAQ answering many of our gripping questions, like…is it future-proof (yes)…if I do a backup restore will it still work (yes)…will it work on any GSM network (yes)…can the iPhone be unlocked prior to AT&T activation (yes)…Will it help me get laid? (yes, wait..what?)
Now before any of you moisten your trousers, this unlock software will not be released freely. According the FAQ an undetermined cover charge will be imposed for this service, eventually. But hey, if you can afford an iPhone, you’re already in the hole for $600 - what’s another $20 or so?
The brain trust of Burton Group put their heads together to debate iPhone’s viability as a component to corporate mobile computing. In a media briefing titled iPhone for the Enterprise - you’d think a firm with such smart people would come up with more creative names for these events, Burton concluded iPhone isn’t quite ready, but holds a world of opportunity and untapped potential. Thank God for Burton’s timely, hard hitting, analysis. I’m sure CTOs in every fortune 500 had thousands of pending iPhone orders.
Citing issues such as lacking features, missing manageability for large enterprise needs, and no built-in foot massager, as reasons why iPhone won’t be wearing pinstriped suits, Burton later goes on to concede that iPhone is in fact a consumer device, not targeted at enterprise customers. Uh…ok, so why the hell did you guys hold this briefing? For ten minutes and $25 I could have presented the same conclusion in a single paragraph.
Next week the Wharton School of Business will be holding a roundtable discussion questioning the viability of Pink Tutus in the workplace, titled Ballet Attire, the New Business Casual?.
Nokia held a gala press event earlier today, proudly showcasing its newest line of consumer handsets and high-end smartphones, all very common and sporting the usual design flair we’ve come to love, and lament. But the true highlight of the show came during a special promotional video demonstrating upcoming technology Nokia has cooking in its labs. wink wink
An amazed audience looked on in stunned disbelief as the video revealed a slim device with full sized touchscreen - demonstrating nearly every feature of iPhone. Right down to gesture navigation and motion acumen identical to iPhone’s patented MultiTouch interface and accelerometer-driven screen reorientation.
Apparently the phone maker from Finland has run out of ideas and now looks to its competitors for inspiration. Great work, guys! What will you rip-off think of next?
AppleInsider’s Daniel Eran Dilger put together a lengthy five page review comparing iPhone to Palm’s obsolete operating system, drawing comparisons to features, hardware, software design and usability. Guess who came out ahead? I’ll give you a hint; it wasn’t PalmOS.
Funny thing is, I was in the middle of writing an identical feature article for this site, some time ago, and gave up when I realized the entire topic was irrelevant because PalmOS (Garnet) is a dead, long forgotten platform that holds little interest for anyone these days. I would draw more interest by comparing iPhone to Mike Vick’s ego.
Overall it’s a good read, if you can spare 30 minutes of your lunch hour to digest it (the article, not your lunch). iPhone doesn’t come out of this shooting match unscathed I’m afraid. Daniel makes no appologies for iPhones various weaknesses and shortcomings, like its maligned Mail app.
Josh Helfferich created a whimsical set of six satirical iPhone wallpapers to remind us all of the pitfalls of owning an iPhone. His first creation, titled “Attracting total strangers”, strikes close to home for me. I can’t use my iPhone in public without drawing immediate attention to myself.
Initially the allure was charming, but now I’ve grown so weary of attracting gawkers - strangers accosting me with stupid questions, asking me to demo features and functionality. I’m thinking of printing an FAQ card to hold up each time someone approaches me.
Next up for George Hotz aka Geohot: Tower Triangulation. Tower triangulation is where you’re able to determine a rough position by comparing the various signal strengths of surrounding cellular towers.
“I believe the towers are public record and you can use an AT command to get signal strengh.”
It’s not as accurate as GPS, by any means, but I’d rhetorically kill for a function on Maps.app where I could search for gas “close to here,” for example. Also next up for Geohot: college at RIT.
The iPhone Blog merged with the Phone different site in May of 2008. Both sites were founded on a premise that comes one from one of Apple's old slogans: Think different. The iPhone Blog: for people who dare to phone different.
