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iPhone 4 reviews roundup
Considering that some lucky early adopters got their new phones today and a large flood of preorders is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, it's no surprise that the embargo has fallen and the first enthusiastic reviews of the new iPhone 4 have been posted. The list and links below: David Pogue in the New York Times... "Now, the iPhone is no longer the undisputed king of app phones. In particular, the technically inclined may find greater flexibility and choice among its Android rivals, like the HTC Incredible and Evo. They're more complicated, and their app store not as good, but they're loaded with droolworthy features like turn-by-turn GPS instructions, speech recognition that saves you typing, removable batteries and a choice of cell networks. If what you care about, however, is size and shape, beauty and battery life, polish and pleasure, then the iPhone 4 is calling your name." Josh Topolsky for Engadget... "We're not going to beat around the bush -- in our approximation, the iPhone 4 is the best smartphone on the market right now. The combination of gorgeous new hardware, that amazing display, upgraded cameras, and major improvements to the operating system make this an extremely formidable package. Yes, there are still pain points that we want to see Apple fix, and yes, there are some amazing alternatives to the iPhone 4 out there. But when it comes to the total package -- fit and finish in both software and hardware, performance, app selection, and all of the little details that make a device like this what it is -- we think it's the cream of the current crop."
David Pogue weighs in on iPad, David Pogue weighs in on iPad
Pogue's tech-centric review (appropriate for those, he says, who meet the following standards: "Do you use BitTorrent? Do you run Linux? Do you have more e-mail addresses than pants?") reiterates the standard complaints -- no Flash, not enough storage, no ports, too pricey. Then the 'for the rest of us' review proceeds to dismiss those considerations. He calls it "a new category of gadget" and "a good goof-proof computer for the technophobes, the aged and the young" (that's a lot of people). Pogue wraps with the following endorsement: "[T]he techies are right about another thing: the iPad is not a laptop. It's not nearly as good for creating stuff. On the other hand, it's infinitely more convenient for consuming it - books, music, video, photos, Web, e-mail and so on. For most people, manipulating these digital materials directly by touching them is a completely new experience - and a deeply satisfying one. "The bottom line is that the iPad has been designed and built by a bunch of perfectionists. If you like the concept, you'll love the machine. "The only question is: Do you like the concept?" Jetpacks, tablets - once we get those "meal in a pill" things, we'll know it's the future.
Pogue-praised Line2 is offline for the moment
The price of fame: earlier this week, David Pogue lavished Toktumi's VoIP app Line2 with a hearty helping of NYT love, saying that the $1 app (which requires a $15 monthly subscription) "has the potential to shake up an entire industry." We first mentioned the service back in February, and while Steve wasn't quite as enthusiastic as David P., he did acknowledge that it's a great tool for small businesses or heavy phone users. As of last night, however, the Line2 service is temporarily offline and the app has been voluntarily pulled from the App Store; as Technologizer reports, the company's servers are being targeted by a DNS attack, and the service quality was degraded to the point where Toktumi execs felt that it was better to avoid a bad initial experience for new users while they resolved the problem. Toktumi is updating users via its Twitter feed as to the anticipated resolution. Seeing an app summarily pulled from the App Store, or rejected on specious grounds, has certainly happened before in the VoIP, audio and telephony space (in fact, just this morning the developers of Snowtape let us know that they're struggling to get their app through approval), so it was understandable that reader Arnoldo was anxious when he sent in an email this morning about the outage. In this case, however, it's not Apple pulling the strings.
Weekend news & rumor roundup, talkcast reminder
It was a surprisingly rumor-filled Saturday, as both AppleInsider and Boy Genius Report weighed in with hints of a future iMac revision and capabilities expected for iTunes 9. Aside from finally giving users the ability to manage iPhone application order on the desktop (thank goodness), the new version of Apple's media player app is rumored to include Blu-ray playback capability; this brings the technology once referred to as a "bag of hurt" by Steve Jobs onto the Mac platform in earnest. While AI doesn't zero in on Blu-ray as one of the two cryptically-hinted iMac features, it does seem likely. AI also suggests that one of the ways Apple is going to pay for enhanced hardware features on the iMac line is by squeezing the profit pump of the iPhone line, with margins that put the computer business to shame. Over at TechCrunch, they've poked around in the rather surprising (from an anti-trust perspective, anyway) Google & Apple no-poaching agreement, where the two companies made efforts not to cold-call each other's engineers for job opportunities. At Fortune/BrainstormTech, there's a report from everyone's favorite financial analyst Gene Munster that points toward the 'iPod mega' style of Apple tablet, again looking like it would be available close to the holiday shopping season. The Google story continues to percolate in other directions, as David Pogue points out the forthcoming, full-featured web app version of the Google Voice service for iPhone; like the Latitude app, it will be implemented in Safari; maybe not as good as it would have been, but certainly higher profile. Among the Google apps remaining on the store, the Google Mobile app was updated to include "did you say?" search checking for voice search. As we do every Sunday, we'll be diving into these stories and more on the weekly talkcast, 10 pm ET on Talkshoe. You can download last week's show, featuring Christina and the gang, from Talkshoe or subscribe in iTunes. To participate on TalkShoe, you can use the browser-only client, or you can try out the classic TalkShoe Pro Java client; however, for maximum fun, you should call in. For the web UI, just click the "TalkShoe Web" button on our profile page at 10 pm Sunday. To call in on regular phone or VOIP lines (take advantange of your free cellphone weekend minutes if you like): dial (724) 444-7444 and enter our talkcast ID, 45077 -- during the call, you can request to talk by keying in *-8. Talk with you then! Recording support for the talkcast is provided by Call Recorder from ecamm networks.
Pogue and Macworld chime in on MobileMe
David Pogue, the New York Times tech columnist, posted his review of MobileMe last week and despite its problems he thought the service itself showed promise. It looks like a little of that promise is wearing off. The latest post to David's New York Times blog, titled 'MobileMess,' isn't exactly the kind of press coverage Apple is used to as of late. In his post Pogue dings Apple for marketing MobileMe in the wrong way, and for failing to be up front with MobileMe users during all the 'rough patches.' Apple declined to comment for the story.Macworld has also taken MobileMe for a spin, and they give it 3.5 mice out of 5. The good include push to the iPhone, the web interface, and lots of storage. The bad points should look familiar by now: push doesn't work for everything and the service isn't reliable.
Mini-review of Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, Leopard Edition
If you're trying to figure out what to buy yourself with the gift card you got this holiday season, let me recommend David Pogue's Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, Leopard Edition. I was fortunate to get a copy of it for Christmas this year (thanks, sweetie!) and it's 866 pages of sweet, Leopard-y goodness. The book is divided into six sections that cover just about every conceivable thing you could ever want to know about the OS. It takes a look at how to maneuver around the desktop, how to use the native apps to their fullest potential, what to do with once your online with your Mac, and everything in between.If you already know your way around OS X, this manual is a terrific reference tool for looking up obscure things you don't do very often, like tweaking onscreen colors to mimic a Windows PC monitor. At the other end of the spectrum, if you're a switcher there are roughly seven trazillion tips and tricks to help you learn how to get the most out of your new operating system. Pogue's writing style is upbeat, easy to understand, and sometimes downright hilarious. The book is well laid-out and progresses fairly intuitively, although the editor seems to have gone a little crazy with the headings, sub-headings, and sub-sub-headings on many of the pages. Also, while I'm sure Pogue touches on all 300 of Leopard's new features, it's not always immediately clear which features he's describing are different from the previous version, Tiger.Despite these minor shortcomings, I love this book and think it's a great addition to any Mac users bookshelf. This manual is one you don't want to miss.
Pogue: Visual Voicemail 'feature of the year'
There is no doubt that the iPhone is innovative (heck, even ComputerWorld thinks so), and there is also no doubt that David Pogue, New York Times tech columnist, is a big fan of Apple's products. It should come as a surprise to no one, then, that Pogue has included the iPhone on his list of the most important new features in tech of 2007 (the 'Pogies,' as he calls them). Note that this list highlights breakthrough features, and not innovative devices as such.Visual Voicemail, one of the iPhone's signature features, was given the nod as the best new feature of 2007. I can't argue with Pogue on this one, Visual Voicemail has really helped me out (and I don't even get that much voicemail. I'm a sad, unpopular man).What features in Apple's products do you think are the most innovative this year? Personally, I think Quick Look in Leopard is truly a marvel of technology.
Leopard: hard disks no longer welcome in the Dock (updated)
One of my favorite Mac tips, which I shared on TUAW ages ago, won't be making the transition to Leopard. According to David Pogue you can no longer drag your Mac's Hard Disk into the Dock. I'm not sure why Apple thinks that Stacks and a speedier Spotlight can replace the ease of use that this trick offers up, but I'm hoping that it will make a triumphant return in 10.5.1.David also highlights some other features that didn't make it into his full Leopard review.Update: Several commenters say Pogue is flat out wrong about this. I don't have Leopard yet so I can't say for sure who is right, but it would be silly of Apple to have removed this feature.Update 2: It would seem that Pogue was right and I just misread what he wrote. You can drag a hard disk into the Dock, but right clicking on it (or any folder) won't bring up that lovely menu you see to the right. Everything turns into a Stack in the Dock, which is decidedly less helpful if you ask me.
Pogue finds the OLPC XO "absolutely amazing"
With the OLPC Foundation's "Give 1 Get 1" holiday promotion fast approaching, New York Times tech pundit and occasional crooner David Pogue decided to see for himself if the long-hyped XO lives up to its promise, and he's now delivered a full review of the not-quite-$100 laptop. While he recognizes some of the laptop's shortcomings (including a two-minute startup time), those proved to be insignificant compared to the laptop's many benefits, which he says "exhibit breakthrough after breakthrough." Garnering particular notice from Pogue was the XO's sunlight-readable screen, its mesh networking capabilities, and it's long-lasting (and, just as importantly, cheap) battery. He even went so far as to perform a few drop and spill tests on the laptop, which the XO apparently had no trouble withstanding -- check out the video also at the link below to see for yourself.
David Pogue's iPhone musical sing-a-long
Ever wonder how David Pogue's Broadway musical background could qualify him as the tech pundit for the New York Times? Us too, until now. Pogue digs deep (well, not that deep) into his theatrical bag of tricks to pull out the all singing, all geeking musical entitled, "I want an iPhone." Absurd as it is endearing, he deftly pokes fun at the device's flaws while simultaneously expressing devotion. Hell, he even unites iPhone haters (rolling your eyes right now) and cultists (if you end up singing along) alike with a high-larious jab at AT&T -- after all, who ever heard of an AT&T fanboy?
iPhone: The Musical
David. Pogue. Is. Awesome.Aside from the obvious reasons -- creator of the "Missing Manual" book series, New York Times Circuits columnist, all-around-great guy -- he does one thing no other tech pundit can pull off: he parodies well-known songs and turns them into tech classics. He usually debuts a new one every year at Macworld, and each year they get better and better.And Pogue's done it again, this time creating an original music video called "iPhone: The Musical" about the drudgery of owning a Phone of Yesteryear, longing for an iPhone, and finally making the glorious purchase. Both the song and video -- some of it recorded with guest singers at the Apple Store Fifth Avenue iPhone launch -- are incredibly clever and humorous, and definitely worth a watch.You can also check out some of Pogue's older song parodies at his website.
Pogue answers some iPhone questions
David Pogue, tech columnist for the New York Times, is one of the select few who were granted pre-release iPhone review units. This hot little item has tongues wagging, and people itching to plunk down cold hard cash to get one. Oddly enough, despite all the hype Apple has been a little coy with all the details about the iPhone. David is shedding some light on the subject by answering some common questions about the iPhone. Yes, it has a vibrate mode (though Pogue says it is 'weak'), I won't steal David's thunder, so read his post for all the gory details.
Who does David Pogue know?
In his jocular and well-produced introductory video for his iPhone review, New York Times writer David Pogue demos all the key features of the device, including the contact list. Wait just a second -- who's that there at the top of the 'S' section? Could it be... yes, it's the power-blogger who singlehandledly moved the phrase "Zaprudering the iPhone" onto the Google Zeitgeist! It's true, TUAW's very own Erica Sadun rates a spot in El Pogueso's iPhone address book.Sure, you could say that David has Erica's contact info because they share a publisher and actually collaborated on a book a few years ago, but we're convinced it's because she's just so darned cool.Thanks, BdeRWest.
First "official" reviews of the iPhone are out
Sure, there's been a lot of speculation and discussion about the iPhone, its features and its usability in the mainstream and online press. We might even be guilty of a little speculation here at TUAW, too. I know, try to contain your surprise. Fortunately, speculation time is coming quickly to an end as release day approaches and we get real announcements of data plans and other details. In addition to all the "official" announcements, we've got some actual reviews of the device hitting the wires this evening.Some of the lauded Apple pundits dropping reviews today are Walt Mossberg and Katherine Boehret of the Wall Street Journal, who call the iPhone "a breakthrough handheld computer," and New York Times columnist David Pogue, who says the iPhone "matches most of its hype." To be sure, I expected these rather notable Apple fans to express positive reviews about the device. Still, it's good to see actual reviews in print which confirm what I, and many others, hoped the device would be. Reading these reviews, I'm even more convinced I want an iPhone on Friday. Of course, if I really want one, I probably should get in line now -- especially if more reviews like these come out.What about you, the highly intelligent and discerning TUAW reader? Do these reviews give you any more reason to get an iPhone, or do they make no difference at this point?Thanks Scott
Pogue on the Apple TV
Uncle Walt likes it, but what does David Pogue, NY Times tech columnist, think of the now shipping Apple TV? The short answer: he likes it.Pogue compares Apple's offer to the XBox 360 and the Netgear EVA8000 (seen to the right). The XBox 360 is big and noisy, but offers you HD downloads. Pogue also found navigating the menus a little clumsy with the joystick. Speaking of clumsy, Pogue says the EVA8000, which can stream content from any folder on any of your Macs or PCs and can even play tunes purchased from iTunes (though that's a PC only feature for some reason) has the stink of a 1.0 product all over it. The menu system is ugly, setup was difficult, and overall the experience was not pleasant.Pogue also included a little tidbit I hadn't seen anywhere else. Thanks to the magic of iTunes/iPod syncing if you are watching a video on your iPod, pause, hook you iPod up to your Mac, and then turn on your Apple TV it will remember where you paused that video and start from that point on the Apple TV. Nifty.The Apple TV wins based on design, ease of use, and ease of setup. Who cares that it only works with iTunes (though on both Mac and PC) and that there is no HD content to be had at the iTunes Store (not yet, anyway)?
David Pogue gets his hands on the iPhone
We're just lowly bloggers here at TUAW, so we got no closer to the iPhone than the rest of the Macworld attendees, that is from the other side of a clear plastic barrier. David Pogue, though, is a different story. The New York Times columnist had an hour long meeting with Steve Jobs and Phil Schiller where he got to touch, and use, one of the iPhone prototypes. He typed an email (typing is a little awkward on the virtual keyboard), made a phone call (crystal clear), and found out that it isn't ready for prime time (some features aren't complete).Pogue addresses some of my concerns about the 'smudginess' of the display, but I'll still need to hold one myself before I pass judgment.
The all-singing all-dancing Pogue
David Pogue. Is there nothing the man cannot do? Write books, blogs and articles? Host TV shows, cure cancer and establish world peace? In this clip from a recent Mac user group presentation, he sings his own takes on many popular standards including "Don't cry for me, Cupertino", "76 Trombones do Tech Support" and "Dude, You Bought a Dell". If there ever were plans for "Mac: The Musical", they should totally tap him for the lyricist.Warning: There is '70's music. You may want to keep small children and pets away.
Pogue's Top Ten new product features of 2006
David Pogue, tech columnist at the New York Times, has listed his favorite product features of 2006. This list is all about the small touches on products that really make you think that someone thought about these items before they tried selling them. One Apple feature made it on the list, and I must agree with the good Mr. Pogue on this one. The Magsafe connector is a marvel of technology. As David points out there is no 'right side' on the plug, and it pops out if the cord is jerked instead of dashing your MacBook, or MacBook Pro, on the floor.Check out the full column for David's other favorites (including the Zune's squirting ability).
Pogue's perspective: megapixel numbers don't matter
David Pogue has faced his fair share of myth-busting duties, but his latest assignment sure didn't have to be done in order to convince us that his unanimous discovery was indeed correct all along. While theorists (and those adamant that bigger always equals better) can theorize forever on why additional megapixels should yield clearer, more accurate prints, the reality of the matter is that extra megapixels are typically not much more than a marketing ploy to lure consumers into making an additional purchase. In his latest test, he took identical photos with anonymous 5-, 8-, and 13-megapixel shooters, and then printed them out on 16- x 24-inch poster paper at a professional photography lab. Then, he surveyed the general public in Times Square to see if the naked eye could actually discern between the varying sensors and the level of clarity -- to no surprise (and to theorists' chagrin), only a single person (a photography professor, mind you) correctly sorted the prints in order of megapixels, and Pogue even asserted that the lucky winner was probably guessing anyway. So, if you still don't believe us, be sure to hit the read link for the full skinny, and save yourself a few bills the next time you're camera shopping by not making megapixels your ultimate priority, capishe?[Via TheRawFeed]
Macworld on healthy computing
Most people know that the right ergonomic setup is important to maintain not only good productivity but good health. Far too many otherwise healthy and intelligent people, including Mac pundit and New York Times columnist David Pogue, succumb to painful, sometimes even debilitating, RSI or back pain caused by flawed work environments. Lucky for those of us who don't have the time to do a full re-configuration of our computing areas, Macworld has a two succinct and informative articles on small but important things you can do to improve the ergonomics of your desk. The first article touches on methods for improving over-all physical ergonomics such as screen and keyboard positioning and best practices for how to set up your chair. Once your big picture is all comfy and healthy, it's time to look at the software tools such as TextExpander which can help reduce the amount of repetitive actions one takes in their daily computer usage.
