iPhone and its GPS

[Rouxenator]

A bit batty today hey Roux...

Sheez, a bit ? Man it more like an apple fanboy at macworld when steve walks onto the stage...

 

[Ou grote]

Not sure - geez its a tuff one - but the batmobile has one if you were wondering about it.

do u give up?

 

[Rouxenator]

do u give up?

Uhm, what must I give up again ?

 

[RaptorSA]

Im sure it will come eventualy.
I wouldnt be caught dead with either a Nokia and especially not a Samsung.

1: Symbian on Nokia sucks, its like Windows 95
2: My experience with Nokia GPS phones has been absolutely infuriating.
3: Most programs for your "proper operating system", Symbian, are absolute rubbish. And then just trying to find them is like walking through a minefield.

iPhone > OSX > Apps > App store> Customer Satisfaction
Nokia> Symbian > random dodgy sites > possibly unsafe > dubious software > customer blah
99.99999999999% of Nokia owners dont ever bother trying to download apps for their "proper operating system piece of rubbish". Whereas almost all iPhone users try it out, because its just so easy and there is just so much out there.

I'll be the first to admit it when something that can actually compete with the iphone comes out. And until the Google G1 comes out, there is nothing even close. Not 200 light years close.

AGREED... I have been using Symbian for years now (currently still on my N80) and it's only becoming more and more frustrating. The endless internet scouring to find applications is pathetic. The list of applications available is long, yes, but I don't think 5% of those applications are worth even considering, and the ones I have are simply too slow or cumbersome to sustain any long term usage. A few months ago I got an iPod Touch, jailbroke it, and till this day I haven't seen or worked on any other mobile platform that delivers anything nearly as robust and pleasing when it comes to general use and 3rd party apps.

Internet browsing on OSX is something of a revelation when it comes to internet devices. Then there's the simplicity of using multimedia. It's almost as if the device WANTS you to use it. I've frequently found myself browsing through images and reading through song lyrics, playing around with some apps, even reading entire books without being frustrated or feeling like it's a chore. Simply put, there is no other device that has delivered that sense of mobile ergonomics.

I'm tired of reading through hundreds of anatagonistic fanboy replies on these Iphone threads. My favorite dumb@ss replies are the ones that state that it's somehow "all about the pretty interface" but that the features on the device are lacking. The interface is THE WHOLE POINT of using a mobile device. It's about speed, it's about having control of small pieces of information whether it be multimedia or communication, while feeling as if YOU have control and not like you're just trying to make something give you favorable output. Forget about the 5MP Carl Zeiss optics, or superior GPS capabilities, storage, expansion etc....if these capabilities aren't integrated in a synergestic way you end up not using these features at all.
Enter OSX Mobile.

Yes, there are some things lacking on the iPhone that's almost always been on other devices. Take the whole "lack of MMS" argument for instance. If you really think about it, MMS was a way to bridge the gap between sms and emails. Today's devices (from a speed and data connectivity point of view) are more than capable of handling email in a easy to use way. By getting rid of old "bridging" technologies like MMS we can finally force manufacturers to provide mobile email capabilities that rival the ease of use we've been having on PC's all these years. Finally giving us a cross platform way to deliver text, data and multimedia.

For years companies like Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson etc. have been giving us tons and tons of phone models to choose from. Each year they just change the way these devices look, and add some lame-ass functionality (that more or less mimics their rivals', give or take a few features) and a few hardware upgrades, while the software remains more or less stagnant, uninteresting and far less than revolutionary.
Finally Apple has shown that if you rather focus R&D on a single phone model, you're able to provide something that enhances our mobile experience like never before, and with a fexible framework as basis, you can extend this device much further and future proof it.
IF some other company provides a better product...and someone usually eventually does...it'll be because it's in response to the iPhone, and love it or hate it, I thank them for that.

 

[dudleygb]

I agree with above, especially the MMS part, and i dont hate iPhone, I think its a very nice piece of work but....
When they go to such effort to produce a great phone, and put a GPS in it, it should at least work properly. And if you going to try copy the BB push email feature, at least just try make it work correctly.
The biggest thing the iPhone has going for it, is the UI and the 3rd party apps seem to give it a bit of a boost, but its a sad day when i decide to watch a movie on my little iPhone when I got a 42inch in the TV room. Granted, books and music must be a pleasure, but lets be honest, playing music and reading a book on a phone isnt ground breaking.

What is ground breaking though is phone that truly does it all!
Enter Blackberry
Fully featured phone where every feature actually works, wow. Enough said...
Check out the feature list, will save me from harping....

http://www.blackberry.com/blackberrystorm/

 

[e.cachucho]

AGREED... I have been using Symbian for years now (currently still on my N80) and it's only becoming more and more frustrating. The endless internet scouring to find applications is pathetic. The list of applications available is long, yes, but I don't think 5% of those applications are worth even considering, and the ones I have are simply too slow or cumbersome to sustain any long term usage. A few months ago I got an iPod Touch, jailbroke it, and till this day I haven't seen or worked on any other mobile platform that delivers anything nearly as robust and pleasing when it comes to general use and 3rd party apps.

Internet browsing on OSX is something of a revelation when it comes to internet devices. Then there's the simplicity of using multimedia. It's almost as if the device WANTS you to use it. I've frequently found myself browsing through images and reading through song lyrics, playing around with some apps, even reading entire books without being frustrated or feeling like it's a chore. Simply put, there is no other device that has delivered that sense of mobile ergonomics.

I'm tired of reading through hundreds of anatagonistic fanboy replies on these Iphone threads. My favorite dumb@ss replies are the ones that state that it's somehow "all about the pretty interface" but that the features on the device are lacking. The interface is THE WHOLE POINT of using a mobile device. It's about speed, it's about having control of small pieces of information whether it be multimedia or communication, while feeling as if YOU have control and not like you're just trying to make something give you favorable output. Forget about the 5MP Carl Zeiss optics, or superior GPS capabilities, storage, expansion etc....if these capabilities aren't integrated in a synergestic way you end up not using these features at all.
Enter OSX Mobile.

Yes, there are some things lacking on the iPhone that's almost always been on other devices. Take the whole "lack of MMS" argument for instance. If you really think about it, MMS was a way to bridge the gap between sms and emails. Today's devices (from a speed and data connectivity point of view) are more than capable of handling email in a easy to use way. By getting rid of old "bridging" technologies like MMS we can finally force manufacturers to provide mobile email capabilities that rival the ease of use we've been having on PC's all these years. Finally giving us a cross platform way to deliver text, data and multimedia.

For years companies like Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson etc. have been giving us tons and tons of phone models to choose from. Each year they just change the way these devices look, and add some lame-ass functionality (that more or less mimics their rivals', give or take a few features) and a few hardware upgrades, while the software remains more or less stagnant, uninteresting and far less than revolutionary.
Finally Apple has shown that if you rather focus R&D on a single phone model, you're able to provide something that enhances our mobile experience like never before, and with a fexible framework as basis, you can extend this device much further and future proof it.
IF some other company provides a better product...and someone usually eventually does...it'll be because it's in response to the iPhone, and love it or hate it, I thank them for that.

Yep, so right, I think of it exactly the same way.
One thing is clear, is that apple is very VERY certain of the direction it is taking with its products. It has a STAND on what they want to deliver. Unlike companies such as Nokia and Samsung who continually founder about trying to out-do each-other in silly megapixel races etc.
I definitely see Nokia loosing major ground over the next few years unless they get their act together. Companies like HTC and BB are much more on the ball. So just because Nokia is the #1 cellphone seller in the world doesn't mean they cant go the way Motorola has (straight into the dumpster).

The iPhones clear superiority to every other phone out there is: I plug it into iTunes and my music, videos, calendar, contacts, applications, photos, bookmarks, emails are all synced instantly. Without even touching a single button, not one, not a single one.

Syncing a Nokia N95 on the other hand is like having a tussle with with a grizzly bear. Not to mention updating its firm-ware through tis stupid suite on my computer. Once again the much needed updates for the iphone got downloaded automatically and tada its updated.

 

[Rouxenator]

You all have valid points that identify your unique user abilities. I guess this is like back in the 80's when Apple was starting to find its feet and lured users with its easy of use (albeit somewhat limited use compared to alternatives).

So it seems that as it was then, it still is, with regards to the focus of Apple products.

For dumb people there is apple and for the rest of us, well there is the rest

 

[e.cachucho]

You all have valid points that identify your unique user abilities. I guess this is like back in the 80's when Apple was starting to find its feet and lured users with its easy of use (albeit somewhat limited use compared to alternatives).

So it seems that as it was then, it still is, with regards to the focus of Apple products.

For dumb people there is apple and for the rest of us, well there is the rest

I agree with the comment of Apple in the 80's and if they do keep their phone too locked down, they might be the creators of their own demise.

Now as for dumb people using apple I have huge issue with. It is a dumb person that would unquestioningly use a computer and not wonder if there are better ways of doing things. Windows was clearly never designed for a normal user. It is so abstract and has such high learning curve that its no wonder a lot of older people think its just beyond them to use a computer.

As a graphic designer and video editor, my life has completely changed since turning over to mac. The whole production process is much more stream-lined and at the end of the day gives you less headaches. I am no longer left sticking in flash-drives until my drive reaches the right letter (G so that my bloody video editing software can recognise the bloody drive!

In actual fact you are the incredibly dumb one for even insinuating that someone could not use and alternative operating system. There is choice out there, if your a graphic designer or video editor I wouldn't hesitate recommending Mac, if your a drafts-person or system administrator there is windows, and if you dont want to pay for an operating system there is always Linux.
By your way of thinking we would only have WINDOWS, and at that matter windows would never have had any competition and would be happy with just re-releasing service packs to WinXP. Competition is what drives everything, the better each company is, the better it is for us. Apple has certainly lifted the bar in user interface, so what's the problem with that, why be so sour about it? There is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with creating a user experience that is a good one. In fact the future DEMANDS it from all devices. In the future your computer will have to learn the way you work, not the other way around.
Ubuntu is looking in the right direction, they have realised that for their open source operating system to actually compete, they must go after the majority of the market (which is not a bunch of spectacle wearing computer nerds), but rather the casual user which is 99.99999% of the market. And they are getting there, you can now get dell computers pre-loaded with Ubuntu, thats a huge step. If Ubuntu ever reaches a level where it is ubiquitous as Windows and Mac that will be great for consumers.

So don't give me that simplistic crap:
"For dumb people there is apple and for the rest of us, well there is the rest"
The rest, should never be though of as the rest, they are the majority of the market and the easier it is for them to use computers the better it is for everyone.

 

[Rouxenator]

I agree with the comment of Apple in the 80's and if they do keep their phone too locked down, they might be the creators of their own demise.

Well that and only having one option. Look at other makers and the wide option of phones they offer for pretty much every income bracket and taste.

Now as for dumb people using apple I have huge issue with. It is a dumb person that would unquestioningly use a computer and not wonder if there are better ways of doing things. Windows was clearly never designed for a normal user. It is so abstract and has such high learning curve that its no wonder a lot of older people think its just beyond them to use a computer.

Gees, I don't know about that. I am using XP and it works beautifully. I can a lot more than most Mac users (with the exception only of Final Cut Pro). The other upside is that my computer is much cheaper to buy and maintain. Well, maybe you are right and I am just darn clever for mastering the learning curve you speak of.

As a graphic designer and video editor, my life has completely changed since turning over to mac. The whole production process is much more stream-lined and at the end of the day gives you less headaches. I am no longer left sticking in flash-drives until my drive reaches the right letter (G so that my bloody video editing software can recognise the bloody drive!

Graphics people are special people. That live in a special world where DPI is used for reference to an images resolution and where all other nonsensical things happen. You are special peoples and therefor you need a special computers.

In actual fact you are the incredibly dumb one for even insinuating that someone could not use and alternative operating system. There is choice out there, if your a graphic designer or video editor I wouldn't hesitate recommending Mac, if your a drafts-person or system administrator there is windows, and if you dont want to pay for an operating system there is always Linux.

Linux or unix is for servers mainly actually, but there are some good desktop packages running on linux

By your way of thinking we would only have WINDOWS, and at that matter windows would never have had any competition and would be happy with just re-releasing service packs to WinXP. Competition is what drives everything, the better each company is, the better it is for us. Apple has certainly lifted the bar in user interface, so what's the problem with that, why be so sour about it? There is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with creating a user experience that is a good one. In fact the future DEMANDS it from all devices. In the future your computer will have to learn the way you work, not the other way around.
Ubuntu is looking in the right direction, they have realised that for their open source operating system to actually compete, they must go after the majority of the market (which is not a bunch of spectacle wearing computer nerds), but rather the casual user which is 99.99999% of the market. And they are getting there, you can now get dell computers pre-loaded with Ubuntu, thats a huge step. If Ubuntu ever reaches a level where it is ubiquitous as Windows and Mac that will be great for consumers.

Yeah sure, apple pushes the boundaries on UI - thanks for that, now move along so that it can be copied into real operating systems that can run a lot of application.

So don't give me that simplistic crap:
"For dumb people there is apple and for the rest of us, well there is the rest"
The rest, should never be though of as the rest, they are the majority of the market and the easier it is for them to use computers the better it is for everyone.

Xerox anyone ?

 

[e.cachucho]

Gees, I don't know about that. I am using XP and it works beautifully. I can a lot more than most Mac users (with the exception only of Final Cut Pro). The other upside is that my computer is much cheaper to buy and maintain. Well, maybe you are right and I am just darn clever for mastering the learning curve you speak of.

I only have one question, why aren't you using VISTA? There thats all I have to say, and has answered any future questions about you.
Full-stop.

 

[Rouxenator]

I only have one question, why aren't you using VISTA? There thats all I have to say, and has answered any future questions about you.
Full-stop.

Because XP is better? I applied some logic to the situation and evaluated Vista on another PC and found it was not worth it, for me that is.

See, that's the thing with us technical type users, we play around and explore more

 

[d0b33]

See, that's the thing with us technical type users, we play around and explore more

If you were then you would be using Vista, it is better than XP on new (certified for Vista) hardware. XP on my Quad core is good but Vista manages my cores better that means I can encode videos better.

Drivers are also much more optimized for Vista these days, don't get me wrong I still hate Microsoft but Vista is much better now and Windows 7 will be the mature Vista so best to make the move now so that when you upgrade the transition won't be a painful 'experience'.

My user folder(on a second drive) is now setup for Vista and Windows 7 will like this.

 

[Rouxenator]

If you were then you would be using Vista, it is better than XP on new (certified for Vista) hardware. XP on my Quad core is good but Vista manages my cores better that means I can encode videos better.

Drivers are also much more optimized for Vista these days, don't get me wrong I still hate Microsoft but Vista is much better now and Windows 7 will be the mature Vista so best to make the move now so that when you upgrade the transition won't be a painful 'experience'.

My user folder(on a second drive) is now setup for Vista and Windows 7 will like this.

I guess I will move to windows 7 when it comes out, but for now XP is king. I don't go for stickers on a box (saying certified for Vista or whatever). Stickers on a box is called marketing. Also, video encoding on my current dual core 3ghz machine is pretty sweet.

 

[d0b33]

but for now XP is king.

It is old, Ubuntu is newer and its free.

I don't go for stickers on a box (saying certified for Vista or whatever). Stickers on a box is called marketing. Also, video encoding on my current dual core 3ghz machine is pretty sweet.

Not always, most times the hardware is actually certified and WHQL tested making it stable on Vista. Sure most hardware that works with XP will work on Vista but some vendors won't support it so you'll be stuck with generic drivers that give you limited functionality.

lol and I thought you were the expert?

Also, video encoding on my current dual core 3ghz machine is pretty sweet.

As sweet as editing Full HD videos with Nero8?

 

[FreeMan]

Anyone with an iPhone who can actually comment on how good the Maps feature is in South Africa? (Accuracy, uptodate, etc)

The 3G has VERY accurate mapping. Seeing that it run off Google Maps the area in which you find yourself will determine the quality of the maps. I was driving in the western cape (stellenbosch nogal) and my iPhone showed 3m accuracy to maps. Anyone arguing about the GPS function either does not have an iPhone or does not know how to use one!

 

[FreeMan]

That is a very valid point. Having a platform for developers to work on is very important for gaining market share. However this goes hand in hand with having a complete package out of the box. Those two factors, along with being open source, is what placed Symbian at the top : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone#Operating_systems

Looks like the wikipedia is you main source of info...ag shame!

 

[Rouxenator]

The 3G has VERY accurate mapping. Seeing that it run off Google Maps the area in which you find yourself will determine the quality of the maps. I was driving in the western cape (stellenbosch nogal) and my iPhone showed 3m accuracy to maps. Anyone arguing about the GPS function either does not have an iPhone or does not know how to use one!

Eish... you fanbois are so full of it. Firstly 3m accuracy is average, I have seen dedicated garmin nuvis getting it on to a meter, same goes for the N82s GPS. When you do things like geocaching that is the kind of accuracy you want. But I guess that the N82 and the Apple might have similar GPS modules so lets leave that for now.

However, using google maps for navigation is pure crap especially in places like Stellenbosch. You went and paid a lot of money for a device that does not even come with a decent routing solution, what’s up that that ?

Anyways, lets look at the facts, and these do not come from Wikipedia, so chew on them and chew on them well before you try to make a smart comeback.

This is what Google maps look like for Stellenbosch :

Some things to consider :
1 It is very inaccurate
2 A lot of streets are missing
3 All the data is pulled over the network
4 It has no voice navigation
5 Routing is limited (partially due to missing roads)

This is what Nokia Maps looks like for Stellenbosch :

Some things to consider :
1 It has a lot of details of points of interests AND roads
2 All map data can be loaded onto the memory card
3 It has voice navigation (2years free when you buy through vodacom).
4 Very capable routing, even has Afrikaans language file.

This is what Garmin XT looks like for Stellenbosch :

Some things to consider :
1 It does not get more detailed than this
2 Routing and voice guidance is EXCELLENT
3 This is the industry leading GPS and it is that for a reason.

 

[Rouxenator]

It is old, Ubuntu is newer and its free.

It still runs a lot more stuff than any other OS does.

Not always, most times the hardware is actually certified and WHQL tested making it stable on Vista. Sure most hardware that works with XP will work on Vista but some vendors won't support it so you'll be stuck with generic drivers that give you limited functionality.

lol and I thought you were the expert?

Yes, and experts are not bothered with stickers on a box.

As sweet as editing Full HD videos with Nero8?

Even sweeter, at an even more sweeter price.

 

[km2]

Eish... you fanbois are so full of it. Firstly 3m accuracy is average, I have seen dedicated garmin nuvis getting it on to a meter, same goes for the N82s GPS. When you do things like geocaching that is the kind of accuracy you want.

That's great for that tiny group who actually does geocaching. The rest of us don't care, we can look out the window to see if we're on the left hand side or right hand side of the road.

I don't know why you keep going on about hardware features that the iPhone lacks. We all know that there are more "powerful" phones on the market, ones with faster CPUs, one with higher res screens, some with keyboards etc. The iPhone fits better for people who are less concerned about the quantity of features, and just want the features they use to be done well. At the moment, not all people will have their full list of important features covered by the iPhone. If you want GPS navigation I'd say go for S60/WM or just get a proper in car GPS setup that doesn't go flat in 3 hours.

 

[Rouxenator]

If you want GPS navigation I'd say go for S60/WM or just get a proper in car GPS setup that doesn't go flat in 3 hours.

I just bought a car charger at one of the robots

But the point of my post was to answer Mr Freeman and to set the record straight regarding the iPhone and GPS.