Apple’s iPhone has been the subject of the media and tech forums for the past two or so years it has been in the market. Maybe because of the fact that no other phone looks as sexy as it does (sort of like the Motorola Razr craze of 2007-2008). In any case, iPhone team has to always be on top of its game as BlackBerry is about to release the BlackBerry Storm, the company’s answer to the iPhone. HP also has its own version of an iPhone terminator with a touch screen line of the iPaq Smart Phone. iPhone and friends better watch out and fork out more tools for the iPhone or else.

So how is the iPhone doing these days? Are there latest iPhone updates that will keep the loyal customers loyal? Here are some of the latest iPhone updates that will either hit or miss the iPhone consumer’s pallet.

First, H2O audio has released a very unique item for divers, swimmers and basically water crazy consumers of the iPhone. The people behind H2O made waterproof headphones and arm bands for the iPhone that can withstand water pressure up until 3.6 meters. It even has a touch screen window so you can operate your iPhone to the fullest while under water.

Second, you can now include fring to your iPhone. This third party app will let you to instant message your contacts in YM, Skype, MSN, Google Talk, Twitter, ICQ among others while on the go. Talk about being connected 24/7. No need to say “BRB” to your pals.

Third, you can now make the iPhone a versatile pocket personal computer with a huge number of useful applications available in the App Store. These applications are the latest iPhone updates that may sell very well to those who use the iPhone beyond mere communicating and beyond playing music.

Fourth, for those always on the go that regular iPhone cases are not working, Case-Mate made an “electrolastic” membrane protector that will enclose your iPhone to protect it from mishaps like scratches, nicks and others. All the while still making the iPhone’s screen very accessible. Perfect for the outdoorsy people.

Fifth, for the Facebook fanatics out there, a latest version of the Facebook application for iPhone was released. The sleeker looking updated application now looks more like the computer version. This third party app has a better notification system, better search tool, a mini-feed and it also has a photo tagging option among other features.

Sixth, another application that will make iPhone users wild is the iBluSky. This application allows one to cut and paste or copy and paste items, topics, pictures on your iPhone! Makes emailing a whole lot faster.

Seventh, for work buffs, a great iPhone application now available is the Spreadsheet. The name of the application may not be too exciting but it finally allows one to create spreadsheets of the iPhone and then open it to your PC at home in MS Excel. It still has its bugs according to some users but it’s a start.

Popularity: 7% [?]

The iPhone has been pitted against the Blackberry since its release. Which phone really is the better phone? In the beginning, productivity and security were major concerns with the iPhone.
Productivity
For starters, the Blackberry’s qwerty keyboard makes it extremely user-friendly. The iPhone touch screen is more attractive but it can be quite a chore to maneuver. When you want to send an e-mail or text message, the keyboard on the iPhone appears only on landscape view. This poses typing problems. If you have a deadline to meet the touch screen might slow you down. With the Blackberry you can type with just your thumb and if you do this regularly enough, you can actually type without looking at the screen. Since you don’t have to worry about damaging the screen, keying in work is much faster.
The IPhone has a spell check feature that corrects misspelled words automatically. But if you don’t want words to be corrected, like names, it can be tedious to keep re-typing everything that the phone has corrected. The Blackberry on the other hand has an auto text feature where you get to create your own shorthand. You can program in words or names that you frequently use and whenever you type say, the first two letters of a word plus another key, the device automatically spells out the whole word.
Push email. The Blackberry instantly alerts you of incoming mail but with the IPhone, you have to go to the inbox to check for new messages.
Security
Reportedly, hackers could easily tap into the IPhone. You could, for example install software even if it isn’t an approved program or isn’t supported by IPhone applications.
Enter IPhone SDK and its enterprise features. The SDK or software developer kit allows other developers to create programs that can run in the IPhone. This is a great update to the IPhone because it eliminates guesswork as to all the possible applications that people might want to have on the IPhone in the future.
And what of its enterprise features? With these new features, users can now have push email, calendar, contacts and global address lists, addressing one of the major complaints consumers have about the IPhone. Another significant feature included is enforced security policies. With Microsoft’s ActiveSync and Cisco IPsec VPN, the IPhone has a more stable security system in terms of high level security measures such as encryption, remote wipe, certificates, identities and password policies.
Some analysts say these new additions have leveled the playing field, others disagree saying the IPhone still has a long way to go. The Blackberry’s security measures aren’t something to scoff at. Some analysts say that even with improved IPhone security, the Blackberry still has more policies in place that enable companies, say, to remotely disable digital cameras or set limitations as to which applications can access GPS. Using an intermediary to transmit data to users also works to the Blackberry’s advantage. The IPhone routes it data direct to users. Apple contends this is a more secure system.
So who shall dominate the smartphone market? The battle rages on and only time will tell which company will emerge the victor. GP
7. The Definitive Guide to Apple iPhone
When Apple released the iPhone it was evident it was to be the century’s uber-gadget. It seemed to contain all the features that you could possibly want in one lifetime. For those wanting to buy an IPhone, here’s what’s in store for you.
Touch Screen Interface. The IPhone boasts of a widescreen display with multi-touch user interface. This multitouch technology allows you to maneuver the device in different ways. For zoom in function you can pinch your fingers apart on a section of the screen. For zooming out you pinch your fingers together. You can magnify sections of a message by pressing down on that area and holding it. The magnifier stays on as long as you keep your finger pressed down.
The IPhone also has an accelerometer that automatically adjusts the screen to landscape view if you tip it over to its side, say when you are surfing the Net or playing music. During calls, the sensor automatically shuts off the screen and adjusts display brightness according to available ambient light.
Visual Voicemail. This is another genius feature of the IPhone. Visual voicemail allows you to listen to any of your voicemail messages in any order. This enables you to listen to the most important message without having to go through every single one that comes before that.
Safari Browser. The iPhone’s browser is another much-touted feature allowing you to view web pages in their entirety instead of being shown limited text and graphics. Surfing the net is easy and fun as you can execute functions with just a swipe, tap or flick of a finger! The phone has both Google and Yahoo search. If you want to save your favorite web pages, the IPhone lets you bookmark simply by tapping the bookmark and adding it to home screen options.
Text Messaging and Email. The IPhone is truly a multi-tasking tool. The IPhone lets you access email while reading a webpage, you can also download web pages in mid-call. You can also send text messages from your IPhone to multiple recipients.
IPod. The IPhone is also an IPod boasting of excellent video and audio quality. The most notable feature of the iPhone’s iPod is that it enables you to flip through songs through the album artwork. This is a first for an iPod. You can browse for songs in Cover Flow mode and this is a remarkable feature because it gives you the feeling similar to physically digging through your music collection. Another plus is that when you board an airplane, the call transmitter automatically switches off but the music player keeps functioning.
Watching video remains a pleasurable experience because of the phone’s widescreen. On this iPod you can go through movies by chapter and the device has an option for displaying subtitles.
Camera. The IPhone has a 2 megapixel camera that can be accessed by tapping the camera icon on the home screen. An interesting feature is that the phone imitates the actions of a camera shutter as you take pictures.
Other note-worthy features of the IPhone are:
Integrated YouTube player.
Widgets
Bluetooth and wireless connectivity

Popularity: 2% [?]

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When peer-to-peer sharing of files first started, they utilized a centralized server to maintain the files. This was to become known as the first generation of P2P networks and is known as the server-client-protocol. When a client wanted a file, they would search the centralized server and in return the server would facilitate the client with a list of other users who have that file.

The two biggest examples of the first generation server-client-protocol P2P networks are that of Napster and eDonkey2000. Although eDonkey decided to become decentralized to update with the times, Napster instead chose the other option which was to become a paid-for service.

In general though, server-client-protocol networks were in existence long before Napster and eDonkey2000. Since the dawn of the internet era, small private communities could use a web server to store their files and facilitate the downloads to other members, but it was Napster who did this on a large enough scale to be noticed by the various copyright authorities who in-turn shut Napster down then began legal proceedings against various teenage youth who often used the network.

There have been numerous server-client-protocol networks throughout the hay day of the first generation of P2P networking. Some of these networks included Audiogalaxy who shut their doors in 2002, Napster who closed in 2001 then reopened as a pay-service, Scour Exchange who was Napster’s biggest competition but has been completely shut down as well as Soulseek which is still up and fully operational with over 120,000 members world-wide.

Although the first generation of P2P networks is considered to be out-dated, they still exist just like the old Atari consoles, their strong following and large community has allowed them to stay around for much longer than most people would have figured.

P2P networks are very popular with not just the young teenage crowd, but many people who you would never expect are involved with the various P2P file sharing networks around the world. You seriously have to think about it though. How would the average teenager get an advanced screening version of a movie before it is available in the theaters? Many of the pirated films of movies in theaters may even have been made right from the projection room.

Regardless of your age, you are always welcome to join in the P2P file sharing revolution and be part of one of the largest communities in the world, the bit torrent community. There are some internet service providers who might go as far as saying that more than 75% of the world is already active in the bit torrent P2P file sharing network. So why aren’t you? The more time goes by, the more you fall behind in the technology. It is changing almost daily and if you wait too long, you may just find yourself on a website looking up a term that is used by the program that you have no clue as to what it means.

Popularity: 21% [?]

A very short launch of Yahoo was introduced. A new video-streaming service which immediately crashed. Live.yahoo.com lets you use your web-cam to stream live video to Yahoo! It is similar to the services of startups Ustream.tv and Justin.tv. Apparently, the company was only capable of handling 500 people watching 40 live video streams.

Yikes! The whole world was watching not a good move! (Yahoo calls the problems “intermittent outages” that require “tweaks.”) Live.yahoo.com short life took place and on their developer network blog, they described as “an experiment in personal live video broadcasting.”

They let you combine several feeds into one session, turning the service into a chat room or virtual conference tool. As many as five participants can do video and audio on one page together. An API is already offered.

Apparently, users can set up their own profiles and get statistics of how many people are watching their feeds, even the number of broadcasts etc.

Popularity: 7% [?]