Apple announced via their homepage today that the long-delayed white iPhone 4 is arriving tomorrow. This was supposed to be released alongside the black iPhone 4 back in June 2010. So, after several delays lasting ten months you can finally get a white iPhone 4 if you've been holding out.
This is an extremely rare fumble by Apple, which usually has fantastic control over its QA, supply chain, and release schedules.
Media coverage is sensationalizing an open source tool, iPhoneTracker, which maps out location data points collected by a 3G-capable iOS device. Be sure to read their FAQ, which isn't so sensational.
Using this app to look at my data, it definitely pings off cell towers, not GPS. With this in mind, I posit that Apple may have the iPhone (and 3G iPad) keep track of cell towers to aid in speeding up its Assisted-GPS, which uses cell towers to triangulate a smaller search area for the GPS satellite. The device would be able to provide location results to the user much more quickly if it had an index of nearby towers.
This would also explain why this data is included in the iPhone backup. It would be inefficient to rebuild the database from scratch if you had to restore your phone.
And to pre-empt the argument of why doesn't Apple include a pre-made database:
Databases take up drive space. The method of logging towers near you makes the data relevant to you, and excludes a lot data that would be largely useless to you.
Addendum: Of course this still results in a database that takes up space, but it wouldn't be nearly as large. The point is that you have a database of relevant data.
Lastly, I haven't seen anyone provide any evidence that this data is transmitted back to Apple. So if this data only exists on your device and its backup file, what's the big deal? Especially since it is probably saving you time when you willingly tell the world where you are via geo-tagged tweets, Foursquare check-ins, and Instagram updates. Never mind that the Camera app geo-tags every photo you take in an instant.
[…] I can quickly and easily do more things with this phone than any computer I’ve ever used. This phone that stays on all day long, continuously connected to the internet, and fits in my pocket.
The iPhone is the most useful computer in the world.
Couldn't agree more.
Apparently a Wi-Fi iPad is fed GPS data when tethered to an iPhone 4 using Personal Hotspot. Chalk that up as one more reason why I am never going to buy a 3G iPad.
[via Daring Fireball]
I've been a big fan of Griffin Technology's accessories for Apple kit ever since I bought my first iPod. One of the first things I scout out every time I buy a new iPod (or these days, iPhone) is a way to hook it up to my car.
Back in the day, I used their iTrip device to broadcast music from the iPod to my car's stereo via FM. But having to change stations gets old quickly when driving a decent distance. Griffin has mitigated that over the years with new iTrips that scan for open frequencies, but I hopped ship to AUX ports when those became popular.
My all time favorite car accessory was the TuneFlex AUX with Smartclick for my old iPhone 3G. The best part was the remote that attached to the steering wheel. Fantastic device. Unfortunately, that doesn't work with my iPhone 4.
So I tried their new TuneFlex AUX Handsfree. That didn't work out so well.
Finally, I've settled on a simpler solution. The iTrip DualConnect. It can connect via either FM or AUX. I took the AUX road. It charges your iPod or iPhone and acquires the audio as line-out via the Dock connector. I'm a big fan of line-out.
The play/pause, forward, backward controls are nice (but I do miss my steering wheel remote).
All in all, it works as advertised, unlike the TuneFlex AUX Handsfree. Consider it highly reccommended.
I've seen a few of the folks I follow on Twitter get a Verizon iPhone 4 today, and quickly posed the question of what are the must-have apps. Here's my list:
Those are some of my favorites. Enjoy your new iPhone 4.
A week ago from today, I started something that I have wanted to do for a long time, but I had yet to ever commit to. I want to run a 5K. There’s always been one problem: I’m a couch potato.
Couch to 5k is a regimen that’s been designed to get just about anyone from the couch to running 5 kilometers or 30 minutes in just 9 weeks. Nine. Weeks.
Now, I am all about having structure and a schedule. That seriously helps me keep focused on a goal and away from shiny distractions. But the static grid of the training plan is, quite frankly, not too helpful while I’m on the treadmill.
Now, in my past experiences with running, I have used the Nike+ system with my old second-gen iPod nano. Nowadays, I use my iPhone 4 and a Griffin AeroSport for Nike+. And now that I endeavor to train, and train properly, for Couch to 5k, I needed a little help. You guessed it, There’s an App for That™.
The aptly named Couch to 5k app is my weapon of choice. Like I said, I started a week ago, and this training takes 9 weeks. Just so happens, a week and a day after I complete the training, there’s a 5k in my town. So this is good for me.
So, about the app. It prompts you during each workout for a walking warmup, then when to run, walk, and to do your cooldown. The greatest thing is that you don’t have to think about it. You just let the app guide you and you just do it™.
You can control music playback from within the app, and it works concurrently with Nike+ on your iOS 4 multitasking-capable iPhone or iPod touch. Another nice touch is a complete guide to stretching within the app. It is super important to stretch before and after your workout. Heck, stretch daily, your tendons will thank you later.
If you’re a fellow Apple geek who needs some motivation to uproot yourself from the couch and run a 5k two-and-a-half months, definitely look into this app. To get you started, watch the developer’s video below.
Verizon just wrapped up its press conference where they announced a CDMA iPhone 4. Some highlights:
That’s about it. Verizon has an FAQ page.
Sidenote: Still not going to switch, but that Mobile Hotspot sure is tempting.
AT&T seems to be attempting some damage control today on Twitter before Verizon’s big event tomorrow.
Personally, I think AT&T and Verizon both suck in their own ways. What I will be glad to see come tomorrow is consumer choice for a carrier. Fact is, Neither carrier covers everywhere. Some places have better AT&T coverage than Verizon coverage. And vice versa.
Will I be switching? No. I’m in contract until mid-2012, AT&T coverage is fine in my city (or at least in my home. There are some a couple dead spots around town), and the number one place I travel to several times a year (South Dakota) is getting AT&T coverage any time now.
But I am glad that those people who want an iPhone, but either can’t or don’t have decent AT&T coverage, will be able to get an iPhone on Verizon.
Either way, it’s still fun to sit back and watch AT&T wet themselves.
So, Verizon sent out some invitations to an event next week in new York. Of course, the Internet lit up with rumors of a Verizon iPhone, and I promptly dismissed them as I figured such an announcement would be made by Apple and not Verizon. Then the Wall Street Journal threw in its two cents saying the event is indeed about the iPhone coming to Verizon.
That certainly caught my attention, as the Wall Street Journal has a great track record with Apple-related rumors. But I was still hung up about who the announcement was coming from.
The Chairman Gruber convinced me. Of course Apple can’t host it. Verizon is going to bash AT&T, and AT&T is still Apple’s partner.
So yes, things are definitely looking like a confirmed Verizon iPhone announcement. iPhone owners: will you be switching from AT&T to Verizon as soon as possible?
Me? I don’t have many issues with AT&T. I have great coverage here Lincoln, Nebraska, and only have troubles when traveling, which is only a few days per year. I may consider when my contract is up in Summer 2012, but I’m not going to shell out termination fees on two iPhone 4’s just to switch carriers when AT&T is doing just fine for me.
