Apple to Inaugurate September with Music Event

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Apple just sent out invitations to prominent members of the tech media for a special event on 1 September. This is no doubt, judging from the Apple emblazoned guitar on the invite, the annual September iPod refresh event.

The rumor mill suggests a FaceTime compatible iPod touch and a new Apple TV. I really think these aren’t far off the mark. But what else? Will there be any surprises?

iPods

I definitely think the new iPod touch will sport a FaceTime camera on the front. It’d be great if it included a rear still and video camera on the back (the rear camera was rumored for last year’s model). If Apple were to stick with the same style rear casing, I think they would have to make the iPod thicker to accommodate, internally, both a front and rear camera. But perhaps they will keep it the same thickness (at the thickest point) and square off the rest, much like the iPhone 4. Or perhaps they’ll just do the front camera. Either way, I am fairly positive it will have the front FaceTime camera. How else will there be tens of millions of FaceTime products by year end? Lastly, I think the iPod touch is a shoe-in for the A4 processor and Retina Display.

As for the other iPods in the family — nano, shuffle, & classic — I am unsure. Last year the nano got video. Someday, though I am unsure of the timing, I think the nano will go touchscreen with iOS. But that is likely a couple years off. My guess for the nano is a better camera, and a better screen.

For the shuffle one can only hope they put controls back on the device. The design was darn near perfect in the second generation, and last year’s removal of all controls from the device was a gross mistake. It is the chief complaint I have heard from folks I know who have it.

As for the classic, I said last year that I thought it was going away. If the iPod touch reaches 128GB of storage, I would err on the side of it finally dying. I think Apple’s future for portable consumer electronics lies in flash storage, not spinning hard drives. I’m sure Apple would get rid of them in laptops of the capacity and price were feasible. If the iPod touch doesn’t reach a 128GB capacity, I see the classic hanging on for one more year.

iPhone

We’ll get a rundown of new features, like GameCenter, in iOS 4.1, and a release date. My guess is day and date of the event.

As for the iPad, my guess is they’ll promise it for iOS 4.2 later in the year, and blame the delay on Antennagate.

Speaking of Antennagate, I bet we’ll hear a follow-up on that, and whether or not the Case Program will continue. 

Apple TV

I think the rumor mill is dead on with a small storage, content streaming device. Heck, it may even run some variant of iOS. The dream would be that iTunes would charge you a nominal fee (say, $30 a month?) in exchange for unlimited all you can eat streaming á la Netflix Instant. It was previously rumored. But the latest rumors of 48-hour 99¢ TV episode rentals sounds more like reality (and far less endearing). Perhaps it will let you install apps for services like Netflix or Hulu Plus, but at that point, I already have an XBox that does Netflix and will do Hulu Plus in January. Unless the new Apple TV has a sweetheart deal on actually watching content without a cable subscription, I don’t think I’ll care a whole lot.

I am interested how it would be controlled, though. I can’t see the 4-way directional remote working well for a revamped Apple TV.

iTunes

I have desired an overhaul of iTunes for a long time. Every year, iTunes gets more feature bloat and gets even slower. It is one of the most un-Apple applications made by Apple. I said this last year, and I’ll say it again: the greatest feature would be few (or even no) new features, and a complete rewrite and streamlining of what we know as iTunes. And for goodness sake, it’s 2010, why is there still a CD in the iTunes icon? And for the record, I expect to be disappointed yet again. There will surely be a new iTunes version, but I bet it will be the same old feature bloat.

Anything Else?

Maybe. There is always the chance that a “One More Thing” may be lurking in the shadows of the stage curtains. It won’t be a new iPad. That would be silly for a not-even-six-month old product that Apple can’t even make enough of to fully meet demand. I’ll place my chips on sticking to the aforementioned products and no “One More Thing” announcement.

Rearranging the Furniture

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I thought I’d give a quick update about some minor refreshes on the site. I moved some of the layout elements. The slightly hideous black navbar is gone and navigation has moved to the sidebar to be a little bit more bulletproof design-wise. Also, the sidebar has taken a leap from the right side of the page to the left, just for fun. The social section has also been thought out a little better (I stole the idea from Kevin Rose’s redesign. As Steve Jobs has said, “Great artists steal”).

You’ll also notice that the site itself has a twitter account. I’ve had the account since I relaunched with the techese name, but hadn’t publicized it until now as I was trying to come up with an idea for an avatar. Well, I finally sat down and made one in Pixelmator.

The twitter avatar also doubles as the favicon for the site (yeah, at 16px square, it’s hardly legible). Also, I designated the original image as the iOS homescreen icon, in glorious 512px square, 326 ppi awesomeness. So if you add techese to your iPhone’s, iPod touch’s, or iPad’s homescreen you’ll have a properly rendered icon — and it looks fantastic on a Retina Display.

Lastly, I added the brand spankin’ new Tweet Button to the bottom of every post. Use it to share my words with your friends. Real content is resuming shortly, I promise.

Tracking the Magic

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Among updates to its line of Cinema Displays, iMacs, and Mac Pros earlier this week, Apple also introduced a new aluminum & glass clad input device — the Magic Trackpad. 

I just so happen to have picked one up, just to give you my impressions. If you’ve used any of Apple’s unibody MacBooks or MacBook Pros, you’d be familiar with the gorgeous glass multi-touch trackpad. The Magic Trackpad is essentially a larger version of that, powered by batteries and connected by bluetooth. The idea is that this brings all the current gestures currently available in OS X to desktop users.

Now, I’m a MacBook Pro user, so you may wonder why I’d even want this? Well, I use my MacBook Pro as a desktop replacement, and 90% of the time, it is on a Griffin Elevator on my desk, in order to bring the screen in line of my eyes. Hence, I also have been using Apple’s aluminum wireless keyboard and the Magic Mouse.

The Magic Mouse brought the ability to use two fingers to go back/forward a page in Safari, iPhoto, or other app with gesture support, whereas the built in trackpad on my MacBook Pro was capable of so much more, especially initiating Exposé, something I use often.

Needless to say, I loved, and do still love, the Magic Mouse, but its multi-touch support was limited at best.

Enter the Magic Trackpad into my life. Now there is no need to adjust my muscle memory for gestures on supported peripherals. They are the same whether I am using my MacBook Pro at my desk or in a coffee shop. To be honest, I have been craving this same functionality ever since I ran across this mockup on Flickr.

Now, a bigger question. Why would Apple even make this? Well, if you know anything at all about Apple, it is obvious that everything in their product line is there for a reason. Everything has a specific reason for being there. Regarding the Magic Mouse and now the Magic Trackpad, I look at it this way: The Magic Mouse was used to introduce many desktop mac users to multi-touch in OS X. It is essentially the “missing link” — a hybrid between the past and the future. The Magic Trackpad then unifies the portable and desktop lines in order to make all of the same gestures available to all Mac users. 

But to what end? Well, my guess is the next major version of the Mac OS — presumably Mac OS X 10.7 — will have a predominant focus on bringing multi-touch across most of the system. iMacs already ship with the wireless keyboard and Magic Mouse as the standard. Would it really be surprising to see that change to the wireless keyboard and the Magic Trackpad as the standard by the time 10.7 rolls around? 

Also, Apple is notorious for throwing out things that they feel are obsolete. Floppy disks, anyone? I believe Apple thinks that multi-touch is the input method for the future. That is really evident in the iPhone and iPad. However, traditional keyboard & mouse computers aren’t going to disappear overnight, but Apple could make a significant push towards moving millions of people to multi-touch by putting the mouse on the back burner, and including trackpads as the default for desktop computers.

Overall, I am very impressed with the Magic Trackpad. For me, it seamlessly unifies the mobile and desktop experience of a Mac. And I think it is a preparation of things to come in Mac OS X.

Opening the "Antennagate"

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Apple recently wrapped up its press conference regarding the media hooplah surrounding the iPhone 4’s antenna, which Steve Jobs himself dubbed “Antennagate.” Apple gave us some facts from their end.

  • The issue isn’t unique to the iPhone 4. Apple demonstrated the exact same issue on a Blackberry Bold 9700, an HTC Droid Eris, and a Samsung Omnia II. These phones ran different operating systems — Blackberry, Android, and Windows Mobile, respectively. And we all know the Droid Eris is exclusive on Verizon, so that eliminates purely blaming AT&T (keep in mind this happens in non AT&T countries as well). The point is that every phone has weak spots that can be attenuated.
  • Apple acknowledged once more their software had a reporting error that displayed the bars incorrectly. This was fixed in yesterday’s iOS 4.0.1 update, available by updating your iPhone via iTunes.
  • Only 0.55% of iPhone 4 owners have filed an issue with AppleCare.
  • AT&T, Apple’s largest iPhone reseller, has only reported a 1.7% return rate of iPhone 4, compared to 6.0% in the same time frame last year with the iPhone 3GS.
  • Apple admitted that the iPhone 4 is dropping more calls than the iPhone 3GS. However, it is dropping less than 1 call per 100 calls more. 

So, it is pretty apparent that the media has overblown the issue. Very few customers who actually have this phone are complaining. Honestly, in my own usage, I can’t get a call to drop on my iPhone 4. Sure, I was able to drop it from five bars to one bar on iOS 4.0, which is now more like dropping from 4 bars to three or two bars on iOS 4.0.1. And even then, think about it, these phones are digital, if you have one bar, you have the same quality of signal as five of them.

But Apple isn’t stopping with just the facts. They did offer up a solution. They said that a case does alleviate the attentuation of the signal. So, every iPhone 4 buyer is eligible for a free case. And if you’ve bought one already, Apple will pay you back. Now, of course I thought Apple means only its Bumper case, but they said they can’t make enough, so they will have a selection of third party cases available as well. As far as refunds go, I do believe that may be limited to the Bumper case, but I am unsure. This program will be valid until September 30, when Apple will revaluate the overall issue to determine their next step. Users can apply for their free case in about a week on Apple’s website.

Apple also touched on the less publicized issue of the proximity sensor behaving erratically. Basically, the proximity sensor isn’t always shutting off the screen when the phone is held against one’s face during a call. This allows for one’s cheek to begin activating buttons, such as the End Call button. My wife suffers from this more than I do (I’ve only had it happen once). Apple said a fix will be in the next software update.

Apple also said the white iPhone 4 would be available at the end of July in limited quantities, and that iPhone 4 would be available in 13 more countries on July 30.

My Thoughts

I think this is probably the best solution given that the iPhone 4 has only been out for 22 days. Apple dispelled some of the hype from the media, which I do honestly think has been overblown. Case in point: I’ve read and heard more griping from folks who either have older models of iPhones or, even better, have other smartphones on other carriers than I have from actual iPhone 4 owners. And as I have previously said, I can’t actually get this thing to drop a call using the “death grip.”

Now, the case offer is a decent olive branch. I personally don’t like cases on my phones. Maybe I’m crazy, but I’m just not a fan. My wife will be pleased, as she has been looking for a case for her iPhone 4, to give it a little extra protection when she carries it in her purse. 

Finally, Apple did mention if anyone is truly dissatisfied, they can bring it back within 30 days, undamaged, and get a full refund.

I would have rather had Apple truly fix the problem, but maybe that will come with more research and we’ll hear something else in September. In the meantime, I don’t think it is nearly as huge of an issue as it has been made out to be. The iPhone 4 is still the best phone I’ve ever owned.

Square Removes Payment Caps

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Square released an update to their app today removing the $100 per transaction cap that was hindering the use of the app for many people, myself included. The full feature list for the iOS app update is as follows:

  • Never lose a sale: no caps on how much you can accept.
  • iOS 4 support.
  • Improved experience for contacting Square support.
  • Cash tendered field is now pre-filled with the expected amount.
  • User feedback when swiping too slow or too fast.
  • User feedback when swiping an expired card.
  • Excluding tax from a transaction is now accurately reflected in the receipt.
  • Fixed a crash affecting iOS 4 users with core location disabled.

The removal of the payment cap is greatly welcomed. When I go to sell old tech, I usually want more than $100 for it. Case in point: a couple weeks ago I sold my old iPhone 3G for $150. I used Square for the transaction, but had to do a $100 transaction then a second $50 transaction. It worked wonderfully, but the double transaction was inconvenient.

I assume the Android app will be getting a similar update to remove the transaction cap, but I haven’t received any word on that.

I think I’ll be listing some more things for sale this weekend, and using Square as my preferred method to receive loot.

Twitterrific 3: Sharper, Leaner, & Universal

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With many major iOS related launches, The Iconfactory is usually present with one of their flagship brands — Twitterrific. Back in July 2008, Twitterrific 1.0 was one of the first apps available on day one of the App Store; Twitterrific for iPad was there for the iPad’s launch; and Twitterrific 3 decided to tag along for the launch of iPhone 4 and the Retina display.

Now if you already have Twitterrific for iPhone, or Twitterrific Premium for iPhone, you can stop clicking “Check for updates” as those versions of the app no longer exist in the App Store. Instead, The Iconfactory elected to combine the new iPhone app with the existing iPad app to simplify development and avoid customer confusion.

This does mean for owners of Twitterrific Premium that this is a paid upgrade if you want the Premium features. I bought Twitterrific Premium 1.0 on day one of the App Store in 2008. When 2.0 arrived, I enjoyed a free update. Now, with 3.0, the universal iPad and iPhone app is free, supported with advertising, and a $4.99 in-app purchase will take away ads and unlock multiple accounts.

If you have an iPad and had previously bought the iPad’s in-app purchase, you simply have to update your iPad app, which now includes the universal iPhone interface, install it on your iPhone, and tap the Buy button for the in-app purchase, and as long as you are using the same iTunes Store account, it will unlock it for free.

Now, why not just stick with Twitterrific 2? Well, Twitter is turning off basic authentication for logging in at the end of August, and switching to OAuth for logging in. This means any app that isn’t using OAuth, such as Twitterrific 2, will no longer work after the cutoff date. But this is just one reason to upgrade.

Here’s a list of reasons to upgrade:

  • Universal application for iPhone & iPad
  • Greatly simplified, easier to use interface
  • Full OAuth support
  • Complete landscape support (new to iPhone)
  • Optimized for Apple’s new retina display
  • Supports fast app switching in iOS 4
  • Increased API calls per hour
  • Supports both official & old-style re-tweets
  • Twitter list support
  • Save Twitter-based searches
  • Expanded media upload services
  • Custom media upload support
  • Improved color-coding of tweets
  • VoiceOver accessiblity
  • Inline picture viewing
  • Reply to all

My impressions? It takes serious stones to scrap all the features from your app and only add back the absolutely necessary ones. But the results are a lean, fast, and easy to use iPhone app. If you are the kind of user who wants everything under the sun including the kitchen sink you may want to look elsewhere.

But if you want a great reading and composing experience you’ll love the new Twitterrific. I honestly believe there is something to be said about a minimalistic app that just brings the essentials to the twitter experience. I think new users will especially love Twitterrific, as a flood of features in other twitter apps can be intimidating. Also, being optimized for iPhone 4’s Retina Display, Twitterrific is absolutely stunning to look at.

I applaud The Iconfactory for taking such a drastic overhaul of their flagship iPhone app, which combines the best and brightest features of Twitterrific 2, and the elegant simple interface from the original iPhone app.

Twitterrific for iPhone and iPad is available as a free download in the App Store, with a $4.99 in-app purchase to remove ads and enable multiple accounts. 

iPhone 4 Changes Everything. Again.

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iPhone 4

Apple’s confident slogan for iPhone 4 has been mocked by many who say there isn’t anything special about it compared to the competition (i.e. Android). There is no doubt that in 2007 Apple changed everything for the mobile phone market with the introduction of the original iPhone. But that was a change in what defined a mobile phone. Now every new phone seems to sport a touch screen and apps. How could the iPhone 4 change the game again in such a short time? Allow me to explain through a rundown of the hardware and software.

Hardware

The iPhone 4’s hardware is a masterpiece. The front and back are made of glass, and the stainless steel band around the edge acts as the iPhone’s antenna system for WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, and 3G. The volume buttons and the ring/silent switch are also metal. The entire phone feels like a handcrafted Aston Martin. Good riddance to the plastic back of the iPhone 3G/3GS.

More Than Meets the Eye

Apple upgraded the display in the iPhone for the first time — and it is a jaw-dropping improvement. The display has four times as many pixels as previous iPhones, and they are calling it the Retina Display. Why? Because at 326 pixels per inch, it is near impossible to distinguish the individual pixels with the naked eye, unless you happen to have superb vision (and even then, I’d be surprised). 

The screen is so sharp that it literally looks as if text and images is printed directly on the glass. View the screen from an oblique angle and the color doesn’t distort in the slightest. It looks like a finely printed glossy page from National Geographic. This makes me wish my iPad had a Retina Display. 

More Horsepower Than an Audi A4

Apple’s A4 chip, which made its debut in the iPad a few months back, has made its way to the iPhone as well. The A4 is a screamer. Everything about the new iphone is fast. The camera snaps shots instantly and successively, games are fast and smooth, web pages load much faster, pinch-zooming on a site re-renders the text instantly, etc. 

I didn’t used to enjoy my games on the iPhone 3G since they often stuttered and crashed. Now, to be fair, those particular games were made after the iPhone 3GS came out and were likely optimized for that hardware. But now those games load and play so much faster and smoother, I can see myself spending more time with them. RampChamp, prepare to knock over some clowns.

Shutterbug

The rear camera on iPhone 4 was also improved, as it now has 5-megapixels, a backside illuminated sensor, and an LED flash. The pictures it takes are phenomenal for a smartphone camera. I imagine that has a fair amount to do with Apple’s superb camera software, as well.

The rear camera can also shoot in 720p HD video. And it looks just as nice as my Kodak Zx1, which I think will need a new owner. 

iPhone 4 has another camera on the front, for self portraits and FaceTime video calls, which I’ll discuss shortly.

Software

Last Monday, Apple released iOS 4 for most previous iOS devices. The iPhone 3GS and 3rd Generation iPod touch received the full gamut of features, whereas the iPhone 3G and 2nd Generation iPod touch received most features, and the original iPhone and iPod touch were put out to pasture. Naturally, iPhone 4 is what iOS 4 was made for, and it even gets a few bonus features.

Multitasking

Many folks in the media have railed Apple for bringing limited multitasking, rather than allowing any and all apps to run simultaneously in the background. I actually think Apple is thinking correctly in using fast-app switching, and allowing several special processes to run in the background, such as task finishing, Voice-Over-IP (think Skype), GPS, and background audio, along with a couple other things.

So far, I love the feature. It’s nice to not have to do the “home screen shuffle” to switch between a few apps. For instance, I have been switching a lot between 1Password and Safari for passwords to various accounts. Now, speaking of the home screen shuffle…

Folders

The home screen now allows you to drag one app onto another app and create a folder. Each folder can hold 12 apps, but it only show 9 mini icons within the folder icon. I took 5 screens of apps down to two. It’s nice having all of my games in a Games folder, and I moved all my social media apps into a Social folder. You get the picture.

There’s No Time Like FaceTime

Let’s talk about that little front facing camera again. The real reason Apple added that is for their new FaceTime feature. Let’s say I am out of town, and I am talking on the phone with my wife on her iPhone 4. I want to see her and my son, so I tap the FaceTime button in the call window, and suddenly, after she accepts, I am seeing my family. This technology works flawlessly. Granted, right now it only works on WiFi, and only iPhone 4 to iPhone 4, but Steve Jobs said a couple weeks ago they will have tens of millions of FaceTime devices in the channel by the end of the year. Gee, I wonder what the next iPod touch will have?

The nice thing about FaceTime is you don’t have to be in a phone call to use it. Around noon today, I opened up my friend Nik’s contact card, and tapped the FaceTime button there, because I know he received one today. Now, Nik lives in England, but upon tapping FaceTime, it buzzed his iPhone 4, and we were seeing each other face to face. I flipped the view to the rear camera and showed him Nebraska, and he did the same and showed me Brighton. 

Apple may call the iPad magical, which it is indeed quite so, but FaceTime is the real magic. Yes, we’ve had this technology for years with webcams and iChat and Skype…but this on your phone, which you can walk around with, and show people things around you and share moments with them. 

For instance, when I flipped to the rear camera and pointed it at my growing son, Nik’s mouth gaped and his hand went to his forehead in disbelief at how big my son become (he’ll be two soon). Never before using iChat have I shared a moment like that. FaceTime is going to bring about a more personal form of communication.

Why This Changes Everything Again

Apple is making a move that few companies can pull off — they are going right for our hearts. Seriously, watch their video about FaceTime and I would be surprised if you weren’t moved by it. I can’t properly describe the enchantment of using FaceTime. It is not like the video conferencing we’ve known. It isn’t anything like sitting in front of a computer. FaceTime is all about sharing moments with others. For me, it is seeing two friends I haven’t spoken with in some time, one across the country, another across an ocean (or The Pond, as he would say). 

And this technology is just in its infancy. I can’t even imagine where we’ll be when my son leaves home in 16 years. All I know is I’ll still be able to see him, and that strikes me to my core.

Apple isn’t just a consumer electronics maker. If you’ve ever spoken with someone who works there, you can tell that they believe they are changing the world for the better. And I’m not just talking about listening to Apple’s top brass spinning PR, I’m talking about the folks who actually come up with these new ideas. FaceTime is absolutely simple to initiate. You don’t have to register for an account, or worry about which program to use. If the basic qualifications are met, it just works. 

So yes, overall, iPhone 4 is an evolutionary step in the new world order of mobile phones that its progenitor started. Being able to see who you are talking to, easily, while showing them important things around you, with half a world between you…that is what is truly magical.

MobileMe Redesigned; Find My iPhone App Released

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A few weeks ago, Apple opened up a beta for a redesigned MobileMe Mail on the web. After a few hours of maintenance last night, MobileMe has closed the Mail beta, made the new design available for everyone, and updated the navigation across all the web apps. 

When you see the new Mail, it looks very much like the iPad’s version of Mail. In fact, the redesigned navigation elements are reminiscent of iOS as well. The new Mail features widescreen and compact views, server-side rules, single-click archiving, formatting toolbar, faster performance, increased security, support for external email addresses, and improved junk mail filtering.

The navigation elements will keep two items consistent across the different web apps: a cloud icon on the elft to switch between apps (also achievable with shift-esc), and your name on the right. Clicking on your name will give you access to help, account settings, and signing out.

Find my iPhone also saw two developments during the downtime. First, the web app within MobileMe has been redesigned to show just a sidebar with your devices, and a map taking up the rest of your browser window. Once a connection has been made with your lost device, you can send a message with a two-minute sound that plays regardless of whether the device’s sound is muted. You can also remotely lock it with a PIN code, or if it looks as if the device will be unrecoverable, you can send a command to wipe the phone. Wiping the phone will make any future attempts to locate it with Find My iPhone impossible.

Find My iPhone also received an iPhone, iPod touch, & iPad universal app. I think this is good to have. Previously, if you left your iPhone in a coffee shop, but were unsure, you’d have to find a Mac or Windows PC to perform the Find My iPhone actions on it. Now, let’s say I leave my phone in a coffee shop, now I can just grab my iPad or my wife’s iPhone and locate it, lock it, and display a message really quick. This is definitely the app you hope you never have to use, but it is one of the reasons MobileMe is worth it in my book.

Finally, I didn’t notice any other enhancements to any of the other web apps. Hopefully the MobileMe team in Cupertino will set their sights on refreshing the others. Especially iDisk (is it too much to ask to make it like Dropbox?).

Square - Making Payments Mobile

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Square is a service I had been waiting anxiously to come out of vaporware-land and into reality since I found out about it in late 2009. Square allows you to take credit card payments from your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or Android 2.1 device — as long as you have a WiFi or 3G connection. 

I did a first look a while back and I have since received my Square Reader. It definitely works as advertised. Once you activate your reader with your account you can instantly take a payment. It is super easy. Launch the app, plug in your reader, enter your items, the price, and hit Payment, select Credit Card, and swipe the card.

Then you’ll hand your device over to the payer for them to sign and enter their email address for their receipt to be sent to them.

It is truly a simple system, and doesn’t require a merchant account, no monthly fees, and they even send you the reader for free. They do, however, take 15 cents off every credit card transaction, and additionally 2.75% for swiped card or 3.5% for keyed in card numbers. All in all, it’s a tiny fee considering the other savings from monthly fees. Also, 1 penny from every transaction fee goes to charity:water, which is completely awesome.

Now, there are some limitations that weren’t revealed until I was able to activate my reader. I’ll just go ahead and make a list:

 

  • Card payments have hindering caps. As of this publication, card payments are limited to $100 per transaction, and $700 per week. This is lame. I shared some correspondence with Square’s friendly support team about this, and they initially said the first rollout of Square is purely intended for personal use. I told them that is how I intend to use it, and $100 per transaction is too low for even that. Heck, their first video shows a guy selling a couch for $300. Anyway, after pointing that out, Square agreed with me that the limit is too low, and they are planning to raise it after building out their underwriting infrastructure. 
  • If you are intending to use it for business right off the bat, Square is not currently supporting EINs. Also, that aforementioned limit may be a hindrance. Square assured me EIN support is coming soon.
  • They are disparities across the apps. Here I am talking about the iPhone (count iPod touch in there when I say iPhone) and iPad apps, as I haven’t played with the Android app. Mainly, the iPad supports sales tax and inventory, and the iPhone doesn’t. Here’s why these disparities are odd to me: they’re the exact same app, with different user interfaces. The Square app for Apple devices is universal, meaning it is one codebase that displays a different interface depending on which device it is on. So the code is there, but Square didn’t design a user interface element for something like sales tax on the iPhone. I also raised this question with Square, and they said these features are on the list. 
  • Payer signing is a one shot pony. If your payer screws up their signature, there isn’t a clear button to try again. This is a problem, since payers sign using their finger. It is unfamiliar, and it should stand to reason that it might take a couple tries. The only recourse is to take a “signature” that looks nothing like the payers real signature, or to clear out the entire transaction and start from scratch. Unacceptable, and Square offered no comment on this.

 

I honestly chalk up all of these to start-up jitters. Square is an infant company trying to revolutionize the credit card payment industry. I have no doubt that the issues will be addressed in time. The question is will they be addressed sooner or later?

Overall, Square does allow for drop dead easy payments, and I’ll probably get a ton of use out of it once the limit is raised somewhere in the ballpark of $300 or $400. Let’s face it, I have some previously loved electronics to sell, like, an iPhone 3G on June 24th, when I get my iPhone 4.

If you have any other questions for me, sound off in the comments.