Apple has a major grip on the portable media device market. Not even Microsoft can do much to get a big piece of the market share. Perhaps Apple believes in striking while the iron is hot, and as a result, the company launched the iPhone. While it did not have the same magic that the iPod had upon its release, the iPhone has enough features that made people take notice.

The biggest draw of the iPhone is the user interface. It has a minimalistic design, which makes it very unique. There’s just nothing like it when it was released to the public. It is loaded with so many features that people start to wonder if it is really a phone, or a handheld computer.

Truth be told, the most boring feature of the iPhone is actually the phone feature. It just does what does – make and receive phone calls. What users are more concerned about are the other fine features that set the iPhone apart from other phones in its class.

Since the iPhone is packed with so many geeky features, it’s important to be in the loop and get the latest iPhone updates. This is because the first few batches of the iPhones have had some bug issues. There have been reports of the phone hanging and crashing when third party applications are installed and loaded. Apple is very much aware of the problem and have immediately put things in motion to remedy the problem.

The solution is to upgrade the software that runs the iPhone. Now, if you are aware of the latest iPhone updates, you will be one of the first users to take advantage of the upgrades. When you upgrade your iPhone to the latest software version, you can get rid of the bugs. What’s more you can get loads of new features that were added to improve the performance of your iPhone.

The latest software version is 2.1, wherein it made the iPhone more stable and even more packed with features. Some of the features include: improved battery life; reduced time to backup to iTunes; improved email reliability; improved text messaging; faster loading and searching; bug fixes for third party applications; and genius playlist creation; to name a few.

Upgrading to the latest software version is also a cinch. All you need to do is to connect your iPhone to your computer using iTunes 8. It’s pretty much the same as when updating the music library in your iPod. It’s quick and convenient. You don’t have to worry about technical details because iTunes 8 does all the work for you.

Now, the only way to know if there upgrades is to be on the lookout for the latest iPhone updates. Apple will normally update you, but then again, news travel faster on the Internet, so you may want to go to sites that have information of the latest iPhone updates.

If you are not aware of the upgrades and other changes, you will be missing out on much of the improvements on your iPhone. You don’t want to have the most high-tech phone and not utilize the power of the latest software. The iPhone is too pricey to be stuck in software version 1.x.

Popularity: 3% [?]

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% [?]

As Yahoo ponders various strategies for rejecting Microsoft, one possible option is a merger with AOL. Yahoo is considering in the wake of rejecting Microsoft’s $44.6 billion takeover offer is a merger with AOL. In fact, Time Warner is in the process of splitting AOL into two companies – dial-up access and content and advertising. When Google invested in AOL in late 2005, the whole company was valued at $20 billion. Now lets see what Microsoft has to say about this and even we had rumors that Yahoo is considering a deal with Google, but for now it’s sure that Yahoo is not going to merge with Microsoft.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Windows Vista is included with most new computers, and those new computers are usually a customer’s first experience with Windows Vista. The changes from XP to Vista can be overwhelming to even to most savvy computer user. Thankfully Microsoft made is easier to adapt to Windows Vista.

Obviously, the first step to acquainting yourself with Vista is to look at the “Welcome Center.” It automatically opens when the computer turns on and it had many useful features. Perhaps the most useful of those features is the “What’s New in Windows Vista” tool. Clicking this brings up a variety of options, each of which are designed to show you, the user, what has been added to Windows Vista compared to Windows XP. All of the new features are explained in depth and each feature is demonstrated. These tutorials also show how to access each feature as well as how to use them.

Another good way to get to know Vista is through simple trial and error. Experimenting with display options, properties and other customizable features is a great way to understand them. Change any features you want to make them work how you want them. One of the most common features to be changed in Vista is the Windows Start Bar. Many people prefer the classic Windows XP style compared to the Windows Vista style, and it is reasonably easy to change.

If you just got Windows Vista then it is fairly likely that you don’t know how to use it. Before trying to utilize Windows Vista fully you should try to become acquainted with as many aspects of it as possible. If looking at demos and tutorials doesn’t help enough contacting Microsoft is always an option. Another successful and simple method to understand Vista is through online forums. Many web forums have sections dedicated to Windows Vista where you can ask for support or even just ask how to do something. So if you just got Windows Vista and have no idea how to use it do not be discouraged. Through some simple steps you can easily learn how to use and understand Windows Vista!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Every year and unbelievable amount of money is spent on holiday gifts and holiday shopping. Of that, quite a bit is spent on video games. Nearly every kid, teenager, and even adults would appreciate getting a good video game this year. Not surprisingly there is an abundant amount of top notch games available this holiday season. If you can’t decide on what game to get, a gift card is a great alternative.

Depending on what game system you will be purchasing for there are different top games available. Perhaps the most widely used platform for video games is the computer. PC gaming has grown immensely in recent years, and it is no surprise that some of the hottest games are available for PC. Perhaps one of the best games this season is Call of Duty 4. It is one of the best first-person shooter’s available, and it would be appreciated by anyone who loves shooting games. Another popular PC game this year is Bioshock. There are many more great games available in many different genres, it is important to checkout all of the new games before deciding which to buy.

The most popular video game console right now is the Nintendo Wii. Getting a Wii this Christmas will be all but impossible, but if you just need a game you are in luck. What is considered to be one of the top 3 games of all time was just released, Super Mario Galaxy. Any Mario fan will love Super Mario Galaxy, and copies are easy to find due to the high quantity produced. Another recently released game for the Wii, Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles, is also an extremely popular game. This is the newest addition to a long running series, and it is one of the best Wii shooter games available.

Following close behind the Wii is the Microsoft Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 arguably has the best choices when it comes to games, not surprisingly there are many great games available just in time for the holidays. Halo 3 definitely tops the list for Xbox 360, Halo 3 has been out for a few months but it is still one of the most hyped games available for the Xbox 360. Any Halo fan who doesn’t already have Halo 3 would definitely love getting the final installment in the series. Another highly desired game for the Xbox 360 is Assassin’s Creed. It is one of the newest, most advanced fighting style games, and it is one of the most wanted this Christmas.

Lastly is the Sony PS3. Though the PS3 is trailing in console sales and customer appreciation there is still a wide variety of available games this holiday season. PS3 is comparable to both PC and Xbox 360 in hardware and as a result the games are commonly available on both. The top two games for PS3 right now are Call of Duty 4, and Assassin’s Creed. Both look stunning on the PS3 and would be a great addition to any games collection.

Popularity: 2% [?]