comScore, Inc. reported on January 6, 2011 that based on a 3 month average ending November 2010 that Android has surpassed iPhone users in market share. RIM still leads the way with a hefty lead over both Google and Apple. However, I find the Google Android rise in popularity very interesting among smartphone users.
Posts Tagged ‘iPhone’
Image via gdgt.com
After numerous years of rumors and speculation, Apple Inc. unveiled a new tablet computer called the iPad at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. Price for the iPad starts at an unbelievably low price at $499 and up to $829 (for all of the options) and will be available in 60 days (90 days for a 3G model). I am VERY excited about this and cannot wait to get my hands on it firsthand.
There’s so much to say about the iPad. I’ll first start with the highlights on the iPad specs and at the end go into how to use the iPad.
iPad Specifications:
- 1/2″ thick
- 1.5 pounds
- 9.7″ screen
- 10 hour battery life (up to a month of standby time)
- Accelerometer & compass
- Bluetooth
- 1GHz Apple A4 chip
- 16GB – 64GB flash storage
- Speakerphone & microphone
Internet on the go is available at additional pricing through AT&T on the 3G network. There are two price plans. First is a 250MB per month plan at $14.99 per month. For some users 250MB per month may suffice. For more “power users” an unlimited plan will be available at $29.99 per month. Both do not have any contract and can be canceled at any time.
Two accessories were announced which are very exciting! The first is a keyboard dock/charger. You slide the iPad onto the keyboard dock so you can use a full size keyboard and charge the iPad at the same time. The second accessory is a cover for the iPad which doubles as a slightly tilted stand for desk use.
The interface for the iPad is very similar to the iPhone. The iPad utilizes full capacity multi-touch, enabling you to interact with the screen without the use of a pen or mouse using your fingers directly to the surface of screen. The keyboard is onscreen (like the iPhone) and takes up the bottom half of the landscape mode. It is large enough to use two hands like you would on a regular keyboard, but slightly smaller.
The iPad comes with a wide array of applications standard. Additionally, ALL apps from the App Store work as well!
Some of the default apps include:
- Web
- Photos
- Calendar
- Address Book
- Google Maps
- Music
- iBook (Brand new application)
- iWork – Keynote, Pages, Numbers ($9.99 each)
iBook is a new application that allows for the discovery, purchase, and download e-books. It is much like the Amazon Kindle but on steroids.
Following are some more images of the Apple iPad
Image via gdgt.com
Image via gdgt.com
Image via gdgt.com
Image via gdgt.com
Image via gdgt.com
Image via gdgt.com
Image via gdgt.com
Image via gdgt.com
Realtors across the country are pacing back and forth in their minds every day pondering their temptation to buy a shiny new iPhone. I have to admit, as a Treo 755p owner, I think about iPhones often. Despite their ability to appeal to people and professionals across a multitude of markets, iPhone capability specifically tailored to Realtors is extremely limited. Trulia.com and Zillow.com both have apps for the iPhone and that is about all there is for real estate professionals to utilize. For now, Realtors are relegated to using any of the Palm, or Blackberry products, as well as many windows mobile enabled devices. Even though the market is very limited, that does not mean that it is devoid of good choices. For now, Realtors can get a rich smart phone experience with Supra eKey abilities from several phones.
First is the new Palm Pre. I don’t get the name either, but it’s pretty obvious that Palm is starting to get the new standards that smart phone users are expecting. It has the same old infrared to be able to access lockboxes as well as an overhauled operating system that functions much like an iPhone. It’s great for those who don’t like the touch keyboard on the iPhone because the Pre still has the classic QWERTY keyboard integrated into the phone. I’m very happy that Palm has taken great steps to be able to compete but it still suffers from the two main problems almost every smart phone has when it is compared to the iPhone: it’s too bulky and doesn’t have nearly as many apps.
Then there is the Blackberry Storm. I totally don’t understand this phone. I have never understood Blackberries and I never will. There are Blackberry people and there are non-Blackberry people. I say, “to each his own.” For those who do love Blackberries, the new Storm has a touch screen experience much like the iPhone and with the addition of a fob (a device the same size as a bluetooth headset that translates bluetooth signals into infrared) it can open lockboxes as well.
The other, lesser known alternative is the new Samsung Omnia. A personal friend of mine has this phone and loves it. I actually like it too and it has made me question my feelings for the iPhone (Shakespeare could only find the words to describe the torment this phone has caused me). It’s about the same size as an iPhone, has amazing camera features, and is very sexy. With the assistance of a fob, it too can open lockboxes.
Ultimately, as an iPhone enthusiast, I’m simply going to wait for the release of the iPhone 3G S. The new version of the operating system will allow third party developers access to the iPhone’s bluetooth capabilities which will allow programmers to make apps that communicate with lockboxes. iPhones aren’t for everyone though. Each Realtor who is looking to make a change has to do what Smoky Robison so accurately sang, you “…better shop around.”
For a complete list of phones compatible with Supra eKey software, go here.
T.J. Shanahan
Social Media Manager
tj@rwnc.net
