iPhone 3G + iOS4 = A Brick

Ever since I upgraded my iPhone 3G to iOS4 it turned the phone into an unusable piece of hardware. I wasn’t using my iPhone that much ever since I got the Nexus One but now I cant even use it as an MP3 player. The phone is laggy, unresponsive and crashes frequently. I just cant wait for my iPhone 4 to arrive.

The video shows the iPhone 3G with the iOS4 running. The problem is I have it worse than what they are showing on the video.

USA vs Kuwait: Macbook Prices

I just read on Frankom’s blog that the the new Macbook Pro’s are available in Electrozan. After reading the flyer I decided to do a little comparison.

The US prices below include NY sales tax and the free standard delivery charges, so its the final price you will have to pay.

You can also an extra KD30-KD60 if you order via Amazon to an address other than NYC. The problem with that is the same problem if you buy it from Electrozan. You wont be able to get the 15″ model in high resolution.

Apple’s New iPhone Revealed!!! *UPDATED*

Gizmodo seems that they got there hands on a new iPhone (4G/HD) prototype and pimping it for all of us to see. and this is what they found:

What’s new

• Front-facing video chat camera
• Improved regular back-camera (the lens is quite noticeably larger than the iPhone 3GS)
• Camera flash
• Micro-SIM instead of standard SIM (like the iPad)
• Improved display. It’s unclear if it’s the 960×460 display thrown around before—it certainly looks like it, with the “Connect to iTunes” screen displaying much higher resolution than on a 3GS.
• What looks to be a secondary mic for noise cancellation, at the top, next to the headphone jack
• Split buttons for volume
• Power, mute, and volume buttons are all metallic

What’s changed

• The back is entirely flat, made of either glass (more likely) or ceramic or shiny plastic in order for the cell signal to poke through. Tapping on the back makes a more hollow and higher pitched sound compared to tapping on the glass on the front/screen, but that could just be the orientation of components inside making for a different sound
• An aluminum border going completely around the outside
• Slightly smaller screen than the 3GS (but seemingly higher resolution)
• Everything is more squared off
• 3 grams heavier
• 16% Larger battery
• Internals components are shrunken, miniaturized and reduced to make room for the larger battery.

Full article here

UPDATE:

Seems that Apple have contacted Gizmodo and asked for their device back, so I guess this seals the deal and confirms that this *IS* an Apple device. Final version or prototype? we have to wait and see.

Link

Nintendo DSTT Card

I tweeted 2 days ago about going to Al-Rihab complex in Hawali. I went there with one goal in mind, and that is getting what they call a Nintendo DS R4/DSTT card that will allow me to play DS downloaded roms.

I have a trip coming and usually use my PSP for my onboard gaming. But with the lack of any good games during the last year for the PSP I decided to go with the DS.

After investigating the matter with a reader (thanx Mohammed) I went there and with out much looking around found what I was looking for. The card by itself was 5KD, with a 4GB micro SD card preloaded with lame games is 10KD (I needed the micro SD card).

Thanks Mohammed

BlueLounge Refresh – Neat Charging Solution

I tend not to use the charging adapters that usually come with the my phones or other devices if they can be charged via usb because its much more convenient and practical instead of having multiple wall socket chargers.
I came across the BlueLounge refresh and immediately added it to my cart. Its small convenient and cheap-ish ($50 on ThinkGeek). I really recommend it for people who carry more than one device on a daily basis.

I would really have loved it if it was slightly wider so that gadgets have some breathing space. Its hard to get 3 devices on it if one of the device’s charging port is on the side (think blackberry).

Rating:  

ThinkGeek ($49-$69)
Amazon ($69)

Video review after the break.

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The “Playstation Move” Ad

An advertisement for Sony’s upcoming motion controller that they call “Move” was just released and there are some references to Microsoft and Nintendo in it. Overall the advert in my opinion is pretty good and the points that its making are legitimate. It seems that Sony are taking a play right out of Apple’s book.

The references are:

• "Because real boxers don’t hit like this” <– Wii Sports/Boxing
• "It’s also got what we in the future call buttons, which turn out to be pretty important to those handful of millions of people who enjoy playing shooters, platformers, well, anything that doesn’t involve catching a big red ball." <– Microsoft’s Project Natal
• "C’mon, who wants to pretend their hand is a gun. What is this, third grade? Pew, pew, pew.”<– Microsoft’s Project Natal

via Engadget

Info Connect 2010

Yesterday we passed by Info Connect at the International Fair Ground to see what’s new. We weren’t expecting much from there except for some new DSL prices but we still had to wonder around checking stuff out before ManU/Arsenal – Egypt/Ghana games.

To our amazement we found a cleaning solution in an Tech/IT expo.

we ended up buying 3 of this AMAZING Kleaner :/

Also when walking around we noticed an unreleased Android mobile device on display in a protected glass case.

Yes it is the SonyEricsson’s upcoming X10. it will be the company’s first android device that should be available as early as next month.

Zidaneoo was also looking for a new laptop. So, we had a quick look around and saw an i7 and an i5 HP laptops that had a very good price. cant remember the exact pricing and specs. but I should have the up soon.

We took our time there wich made us miss both game’s kick-off. and when we got to Showtime’s booth i saw this.

Of course they were watching the Egypt game.

And when it was time to leave, it was raining and we were greeted with a lightnings show.

So, not much to say about the Expo. With the exception of semi-good ADSL prices.

iPhone OS 4.0 To Get Multitasking?!

BGR has an insider that confirms that the new iPhone OS (iPhone OS 4.0) will have multitasking capability (among other tweaks).

• There will be multi-touch gestures OS-wide. (Would make sense for that as the rumored OS for the iTablet is close if not the same as the iPhone)
• “A few new ways” to run applications in the background — multitasking.
• Many graphical and UI changes to make navigating through the OS easier and more efficient. We haven’t had this broken down, but we can only hope for improved notifications, a refreshed homescreen, etc.
• The update will supposedly be available for only the iPhone 3G and 3GS, but will “put them ahead in the smartphone market because it will make them more like full-fledged computers” more than any other phone to date. Everyone is “really excited.”
• The last piece of information is the most vague, but apparently there will be some brand new syncing ability for the contacts and calendar applications.

If that’s true, this takes the iphone to a whole new level. One of my main complaints was multitasking, so this will make me fall in love with the iphone again.

Now we just hope that there will be some hardware upgrades.

Link

Zune Phone in The Works?!

I know I just got my Nexus One, but WMC is next month and the rumor mill is going crazy. It looks like Microsoft’s upcoming Windows Mobile 7 might be the long awaited Zune Phone AKA Project Pink. Steve Ballmer (CEO of Microsoft) did confirm in an interview last month that the new Windows Mobile 7 will have integrated Zune functionality, but didn’t give any further details.

What’s exiting about this is not only the software, but also the hardware.The rumored device (LG Apollo) Specs are just insane:

• Launching: August/September 2010
• CPU: Qualcomm QSD8650; 1.3GHz
• CDMA + GSM (aka a World Phone)
• EvDO + HSDPA
• Device Size: 115 x 57.5 x 11.2 mm
• Memory (RAM/ROM): 1GB/1GB
• External Storage: MicroSD (up to 32GB)
• Screen Size/Type: 3.8-inch capacitive AMOLED “Multitouch Supported”
• Screen Resolution: WXGA 1280 x 720 px
• Camera: 10-megapixel with flash and autofocus; HD 720p video@ 30fps
• Video Support: Windows Media Video (WMV), MPEG-4 (MP4/M4V) H.264, DVR-MS4
• Audio Support: Windows Media Audio (WMA), Advanced Audio Coding (AAC-LC), FairPlay DRM, MP3
• Battery: Removable 1400 mAh
• Talk Time: Up to 7.5 hours
• Standby Time: 288 hours
• Internet Use: 4.5 hours (3G), 6.5 hours (WiFi)
• Video Playback: 10 hours
• Audio Playback: 30 hours

I guess we will have to wait till next month to find out.

Image above is concept art by Adam Huffman.

More info here

Zain/Novatel Wireless’s MiFi 2352

The gsm version of the MiFi got released last summer, and when i got back from the states I went to hawaly to see if I can find it. I did it was on sale for 85KD back then, I decided to wait for a subsidized version that would be cheaper.

Zain released their branded MiFi a while back, and I thought it would be a good deal until I contacted them and asked for the price. They sell it for KD85 without any subscription and no ties, and you can get it for KD30 if you sign a 1 year deal with the KD27 package.

After hearing that I went directly to hawaly to check the latest prices, I entered Qayrawan Complex and went to Cameo, asked for the price and they where selling it for KD70. I ended up getting it for KD68 without too much of a hassle.

It’s basically the same device except for the branding. The Zain rep I talked to told me that the device won’t work with the KD13.5 or any other subscription, which is a deal breaker for me, since I would only use it for work, and I only have edge coverage there.

So bottom line is, if you are already with Zain and have the KD27 subscription the getting the device for KD30 is a good deal. But if you aren’t in that category, then you are better of getting the unbranded from hawaly.

Zain MiFi pic from Somecontrast’s review of the device.