White iPhone Extravaganza

Thicker white iphone 4

Last thursday Apple quietly unveiled the White iPhone 4 on their website. This phone was due out with the release of the iPhone 4 last year, but never went on sale. It was seen through out the internet on different sites, rumored to never be release. There was fake versions, mods, things you could do to your iPhone 4 to make it white. There was no given reason by Apple as to why the White iPhone was never released on time, but there was a statement made by Steve Wozniak about it. He had bought parts to mod his iPhone 4 and made it white. He said the parts made taking pictures with the phone difficult as the flash turn the picture a little too bright. Whether or not this is the reason is still unknown. In addition, it has come into the light that the White iPhone is slightly thicker then the iPhone 4. You may not see this as a big deal, but other sites like Engadget brought up a good point. When you change the size of the phone, you produce a big problem for case makers. Case makers now have to produce cases for both a White iPhone on AT&T as well as on Verizon. That is in addition to the two different types of cases they had to make before. That means case makers will have to make four different cases, which can be costly. This is very unlike Apple to have an abnormality with the sizing of their products. Apple has always prided itself on perfection and size, among other things. As of now, there has been no statement as to why this is. I have a feeling it will be touched on in June during WWDC 2011.

~Dave

Sata III

For some time now I have been considering upgrading to an SSD (Solid State Drive). If you don't know what a solid state drive is, have a look at my article on solid state drives vs. hard drives. So it would seem real simple to just go out and buy an OCZ Vertex 2 and be done with it. However, there is one thing which is stopping me. SSDs are now moving to 6GB/s SATA, also known as SATA III. The difference between SATA III and SATA II are the speed, SATA III is much faster. The reason I don't buy SATA III drives is because I don't have any SATA III ports on my motherboard. I can't upgrade my motherboard because I am running a hackintosh, and because my Intel chip is an LGA 775 socket. Support for the LGA 775 socket is going away fast because it is old technology. So what do I do? Well, thanks once again to Reddit I have a solution. I asked Reddit if there was a way I could get these SATA III ports that I needed in some sort of expansion slot or something. As I was hoping, there is a way.

I was shown this Highpoint expansion card. This card allows me to have two SATA III ports on my motherboard. Well, not exactly on it, it is an expansion card. My hope is that in the future I will be able to buy an OCZ Vertex 3 SSD along with this expansion card. This would allow me not only to use the Vertex 3, but get close to the maximum speed I can out of it. I might even get another Vertex 3 when Lion comes out since it supports trim. These are just plans for the future, hopefully they will come true. If I had the money for this stuff right now, I would probably get those items.

~Dave

Forget Wall Chargers

Ever needed to charge your iPod, but you have no more wall space left? Or maybe you don't want to leave it plugged into the computer all night. Well, there is a solution! FastMac TruePower U-Socket is that solution. It not only comes with two three-pronged outlets, but also comes with two USB adapters. This allows you to plug your USB device straight into the wall when charging. This would be a great addition next to a night stand if you charge nightly. The only two flaws I could see with this product are power outages and space. Unlike when charging on a computer, the wall is not protected by a surge protector, meaning this might fry your gadget. However, I would think there is some sort of safe guard built in, either in the gadget or the wall socket. The great thing about this product is it allows you to charge your USB device without having to use a wall charge; thus, saving space for another piece of technology. This nifty little device will run you about $23 and can be self installed. However, unless you're an electrician, I don't recommend installing it on your own. Last thing you want is to be shocked while installing this.

~Dave

iPhone 4 360 Video Lense

  It is very rare that a product so inventive come along for the iPhone. A majority of a time, it is apps or features that make the news. This product on kickstarter.com allows you to simply attach a camera to your iPhone lens. The camera then responds to touch gestures on the phone's screen, allowing it to pan a full 360. As you can see from the video, there are many great uses for this product. What make it even better? The ability to re-watch your video in full 360 degree mode. That allows you to pan around in the video you took. Plus, the app is free. If you wish to donate to the cause, you can. Check out the GoPano Micro Kickstarter Page. This great product is already passed the pledge amount, but it is never to late to get in on the pre-release action.

~Dave

Wireless iPhone Charger

Wi.u is not just any old iPhone charging kit. This is a wireless iPhone charging kit, meaning there is not need to connect wires to the charger while charging. Simply place it down on the Wi.u pad and let it charge. The device is made for iPhone 3G, 3GS, and the iPhone 4. What is even better you might ask? Well , that would be the application that comes with the charging kit. The application allows you to set the charger to charger at certain times of the day, when your battery percent reaches a certain level, or when ever you wish. You can even set up a weekly schedule.

Although the Wi.u is a concept design, by pledging some money you can make it a reality. In addition, when you pledge money towards the Wi.u, you are essentially reserving yourself one. I think this is a great product, and if I had the money I would back it. The only problem that I could see arising is the constant need to remove your iphone from the case to sync it. Not that this is a big deal, but it can get annoying after a while.

~Dave

Mophie Doesn't Lie

Image from Mophie's Website

When I went to check my email yesterday, I was very surprised to find an email from Mophie. At the same time, I was overjoyed upon seeing the email. I actually didn't think that Mophie would follow through with my case issue. I was wrong, and I have to apologize to Mophie for every doubting them. The email stated they had shipped my replacement top for my iPhone case. This replacement will allow easier access to the sound off button. For those of you who don't know what happened, you can read the story here.
 This shows what great customer service this company has, and I would be willing to do business with them again. This is also a great example of not giving up. If you try hard enough, you can solve your problems and achieve success. Whether it comes in the form of a piece of a case, or in some other form, you still have achieved your goal.
 According to UPS, the package should arrive at my house in a day. This will be just in time for the weekend. Thanks Mophie!

~Dave

Choosing a Screen Protecter

  I find it very important to protect the surface of my iPhone screen. Like my iPod touch, I wish to keep the screen free of scratches, finger prints, and dust. So how do you choose a screen protector? Well, the first thing I look at is price. Is it worth shelling out a large sum of money for a screen protector? In my opinion, you should pay what you see fit. For example, anything more then $15 is not worth it for me. If I am paying more then $15, then I should just go buy a case that encompasses the entire phone. Next thing you want to look at is the quality. Is it a reputable brand? Does it have a good track record? When I bought my iPhone screen protector, I bought the same set which I bought for my iPod Touch. This say, I was buying from a company I knew would do a good job.
  After looking through the previous items, you want to make sure to read the packaging. You do not want to buy a screen protector which will leave a stick residue on your screen. The protector I choose, for example, sticks to my screen with a static cling. This makes it easy to remove if there were any issues. Finally, you want to go online, and in stores, and ask about the product your considering. Make sure it is really what you think it is. Get the input from others who may have owned the item at one point. Did they have any issues? If so what were they? Was it really as good as it says it is? If you get an overwhelming response of positive feedback, then you can rest assure you are buying a good product.
  I personally chose the Power Support HD Anti-Glare Film which I find to be the best product to suite my needs. Other options for me were the screen protectors made by Zagg. I would have chosen Zagg, but since I had never use them before I wasn't sure I wanted to make the switch. Some people complain that the screen protector I choose ruins picture quality. I don't see this as a big deal. You either deal with the slight reduction, or don't buy the protector and put your investment at risk. I can tell you that there is no loss in sensitivity of the screen, nor is there any issue with price, or wireless coverage. One of these screen protectors lasted 3 years on my iPod Touch, and the packaging comes with two! This is another great reason why I made the purchase, because I knew it would last.


~Dave

The Search Yielded Nothing

After searching through every electronics store, my friend and I could not find him a good case. Radioshack, Apple, even Verizon didn't have an inexpensive case for his price range. This is just plain stupid in my opinion. If someone shells out $200 for a phone, the company should at least provide them with cases for any price range. My friend decided, after all this searching, that he will just go with the Ballistics case he wanted originally. The only issue is he may have to wait a few weeks for that to release. Plus, he doesn't want to carry his phone with him now because he has no case. I can't let him not use his phone for weeks on end. As I type this, I am currently looking for a DIY solution (do it yourself). Maybe, if we can make a simple case that will protect his phone temporarily, then he can use it.

Well, no matter what we find, we are sure to have something to use. Worst comes to worst we will actually have to wait the two weeks for the Ballistics case. Still, makes me angry beyond belief there is no cheap solution. Once again, if you know of a cheap case we can pick up in stores, please post a comment about it!

~Dave

A Friend Needs a Case

  At the moment I am stumped. I know someone who also just received the Verizon iPhone, but he needs a case. He insist he won't use the phone until he gets one out of fear of dropping the phone. I don't blame him, I probably would do the same. However, here is the issue. The cost of just a cheap plastic case is $30, and he refuses to pay that much for plastic. He has been eyeing the cases made by Ballistic, but they are not yet for sale. So now he has now run into an issue. What is a cheap case he can pick up in stores which will protect his phone until Ballistics starts to ship? The important thing is that it encompasses the entire phone. His price point, if he were to get a case at the moment, is $10. He doesn't want to spend a lot because what ever case he picks up will be a temporary one. So I ask you, my readers, if you can suggest any good, durable, and cheap, cases. If you have a suggestion, please leave a comment below.

~Dave

Help Refine a Product

Ever wanted to take a video with your kid, but couldn't because someone had to hold the camera? How about video chat with a friend using your iPod, but you can't do other things because you are holding the iPod? Well, there is a product I stumbled across which fixes this. The product, named Satarii Star, is still in production. The product is very simple. It consist of a base and a marker. Where ever the marker goes, within 180°, the base will turn with it. The base holds your phone, ipod, or any other camera. This great design, however, is not yet in production. The company who makes it are a couple of guys. What you see below is just a prototype of the final product. The company needs suggestions on how to improve the product. All those who aid in the process will be given the chance to pre-order the final product before it is released.

Base and Marker

  Satarii can be found on both Facebook and Twitter, along with their official Blog. I personally believe the idea is amazing and should really be developed. However, I would try and slim it down a bit, and probably add a way to move vertically too. For a prototype though, I must say, I didn't know it was a prototype until they said so in the video. In addition, as of eleven hours ago they announced their official spokesperson. It will be none other then Shay Carl, the YouTube video blogger.
  The product will register you as long as you are within 8 meters. You can help donate to the final product, and be one of the first to receive it, by going to IndieGoGo.com. Every dollar counts when trying to achieve a goal. To see more on the product, you can watch the video the company put together to show it off. Scroll down to watch.

~Dave

Amazing First Impression

Above: Universal Top from Mophie

  My on going battle with my Mophie case has come to an end. After purchasing it a week ago, the issue of the case not fitting my new iPhone has been resolved. You may be wondering, how did I resolve this problem? Did I put a blow torch to the case and melt the plastic into place? Did I take a drill and shave away the plastic for extra space? Well, luckily I did none of the things listed, which is good because I have no idea how to do either of those things. Plus, I don't own a blow torch. Anyway, after I wrote the article "I Should Have Seen This Coming", a comment was posted on the article a day later. The comment, as you can see, was from a technical support agent at Mophie. As you can see from the comment, he sent me an email. I promptly checked my email to see what he had said. When I read the email, I was surprised beyond belief at what it said. The email stated that if I filled out a product support form on Mophies website, they could send me a replacement top to the case so it would fit with my new iPhone. It turns out, as I had guessed, Mophie is making a universal top for the case. This top will be compatible with both the iPhone on Verizon, and the one on AT&T. Well! I could not wait for this opportunity to pass! I did exactly what the email stated. I filled out the form, described my problem, and politely asked if they would be willing to ship me a new top. As of yesterday morning, I have received an email stating that I am now on the mailing list for a new top!
This just goes to show that Mophie has amazing product support. They went out of their way to assist me with the problem I was having. This has made an amazing first impression on me. There is no doubt in my mind that I will be recommending this case to everyone I know. In addition, I will tell them about the amazing product support that was given to me when I had my issue. Thank Mohpie!

~Dave

I Should Have Seen This Coming

The top one is the Verizon iPhone

 

   Well, it is my unlucky day! I called... well actually I "live chatted" with tech support over at Mophie.com, and I bet you can guess what happen. It turns out that me, the guy who tends to research every single thing he buys, missed the smallest thing when purchasing my new iPhone case. The Verizon iPhone 4 has the volume and vibrate buttons moved down ever so slightly because of a new notch made in the antenna.  That small move apparently messes the fitting up for my new cases. Can you guess what that means? Well for those of you who can... you can stop reading now.

  If you can't let me explain. I was told by the customer service rep that their current cases to not fit with the Verizon iPhone, and that new models of the case would be coming out in the coming weeks. This leaves me only one choice: return the case and get a refund. I should have seen this coming when I went on the site to purchase my case. How? Well the site was having a weekend sale of their iPhone 4 cases. They say it is for Valentines day, in my opinion, though, it was for emptying out their supply of cases. New cases, which are to be release, will restock the old ones. Since the old ones won't be flying off the shelves, they had to get a way to get rid of them. In the end, I have a feeling I will see if it fits. Most likely it won't, but who knows.... maybe it will. Sending it back may just end up costing me more because I will most likely have to pay shipping. Who knows, depending on the return policy of Mophie, I may have some time to send it back. I payed for it, and if the charger itself works, then it may just be worth it do a little case modding to have it fit.

~Dave

Help! I Require Assistance!

A couple days ago I mentioned that I would be buying the Mophie Juic Pack Air. When buying it, I didn't think everything through. To me, the most important part of the case was how much battery life it would provide for my phone. However, the more I thought about the case, the more I came to small realization. The volume buttons on the side of the phone are different on the Verizon version of the phone. They are moved down slightly because of a notch made in the antenna. As far as I currently know, my package has not shipped, so I can still contact customer support about the issue. I plan on calling later today in hopes that they will do one of two things. First, I hope they tell me that the case will fit the phone, and that I have nothing to worry about. Or, second, they tell me the case won't be fitting the phone , in which case I would ask that they cancel my order. In addition to canceling the order, I would follow up asking if they would be making a case which would fit the Verizon iPhone. If they say yes, then I may return to them later on and purchase one. As of now though I can only hope that it will fit


~Dave

.

Mophie Juice Pack

With my plans to get an iPhone, I had to look into a getting case too. The one thing I knew I would need was a case that was protective, yet able to charge my battery. Ironically, when I was reading Mac World, I stumbled across a page wide add for a product named "Mophie". The case surrounds the iPhone, and has the ability to charge it at the push of a button. After reading the article, I went on line to their website to read more about it. It must have been my lucky day, because they are currently having a Valentines day sale on the cases. The specifications were perfect for what I was looking for:

Standby Time: Up to 270 hours

Talk Time: Up to 6 hours on 3G | Up to 12 hours on 2G

Internet Use: Up to 5 hours on 3G | Up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi

Audio Playback: Up to 36 hours

Video Playback: Up to 9 hours

So, after reading into it, I decided to pick one up. Although it adds a little weight and bulk to the phone, it is worth it in the end. Protection was also a key feature when I was shopping around. You can see the Mophie Sale here.

~Dave