Traveler 2.0

Why I will (and won't) miss the Flip camcorder

Image via CrunchBase

When writing the headline for this post, I couldn't decide between "Why I'll miss the Flip camcorder" and "Why I won't miss the Flip camcorder." Clearly, I'm conflicted. Here's why.

* I was an early Flip adopter. I bought an early version of the Flip from CVS, back when it was marketed as a 'disposable' camcorder. You shot your footage, you took the camcorder to the drugstore for processing, and you got back in return a DVD with your video on it. The camcorder was presumably recycled. I've followed the camcorder through its trajectory since, so I feel a kind of connection to it. 

* The Flip was ultra easy. I've given my old Flip camcorders to friends, including a six-year-old, who started using it right away, no instructions necessary. At a time when technology continues to grow more complicated, it was refreshing to have a gadget that did one thing, and did it well.

* And yet, I haven't used a Flip in over a year. My iPhone 4 takes video that, as far as I can tell, is just as good as what a Flip can shoot. I always have my iPhone 4 with me; not the case with a Flip. 

I realize a lot of people don't own video-capable smartphones. And I think there was still some lifespan left for the Flip, especially if it offered features a smartphone can't, such as shooting video underwater. But clearly, Cisco didn't believe these were compelling reasons to keep going with the Flip.

The death of the Flip makes me wonder which single-function device is next. Are portable GPS units similarly doomed? Is the hard-drive iPod about to meet its maker? Will anyone care?

Related articles

• Flip's Web-Connected Camcorder Nixed Before Release (wired.com)
• Flip Was Supposed To Announce Live-Streaming Camcorder (gizmodo.com.au)
• Death of the Flip: Will anyone miss it? (zdnet.com)
• The Flip Is Dead, Long Live Portable Video (pcworld.com)

Does free AT&T 3G MicroCell have anything to do with the Verizon iPhone?

In this morning's e-mail barrage, I received a message from AT&T, offering me a free 3G MicroCell. The device is designed to boost the AT&T signal in homes and offices.

"As our way of saying 'thank you' for your continued loyalty," the e-mail states, "we would like to offer you an AT&T 3G MicroCell at no charge." Hmm. Wonder if this has anything to do with the roll-out of the Verizon iPhone?

Is there a catch to this offer? You betcha. "Free MicroCell requires a 12-month equipment agreement. Agreement states that you will either return the device to AT&T or purchase it at a prorated cost if you terminate your wireless service within 12 months. MicroCell agreement is separate from the contract(s) relating to your wireless service and will not impact upgrade eligibility or wireless contract end date."

That seems fair enough. And it's great that AT&T is giving these MicroCells away--though could it be a tad too late?

Related articles

• AT&T offering free 3G MicroCells to customers with terrible service (we wonder why) (venturebeat.com)
• AT&T Will Give You a MicroCell If Your Reception Really Sucks and They Like You [At&t] (gizmodo.com)
• AT&T offering free MicroCells to top 7.5 percent of customers 'likely to experience poor in-building coverage' (engadget.com)

 

At last! A faster way to get espresso -- the Starbucks iPhone mobile payment way

The word 'espresso' conveys speed (even if it literally means "pressed out"). And this week, Starbucks rolled out a new point-of-sale technology that promises to help you get your espresso fix even faster. 

As of this week, you can now use your iPhone, BlackBerry, or iPod Touch to pay for your triple non-fat no whip mocha frappuccino at 6,800 U.S. Starbucks stores. I tried it out today, using my iPhone to pay for a latte and a sandwich. The transaction took about 2 seconds. 

Even so, there's a fair amount of set-up required. First, you need to buy a Starbucks card. You can pay for the card using cash or credit card. Next, you need to download the free Starbucks Card Mobile app. Then you need to link your card to the app. None of this is particularly difficult, of course; it's just a lot of steps.

Finally, you're ready. When you arrive at Starbucks, you'll need to open the mobile app on your phone. When it's time to pay, you tap the app's 'Touch to Pay' button and line up the barcode on your phone screen with the cash register scanner. The scanner reads your card's barcode, and then you press the 'Touch When Done' button. The app will display your updated card balance.

I suspect before long, some of these steps will be eliminated. And if not? Once you've finished the set-up process, the rest of it is super fast. And I like the idea of being able to carry around one less card in my wallet. Plus, you can protect the Starbucks app with a four-digit passcode, in case you lose your phone.

This is what I needed--a faster way to get espresso! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to clean out my office files, answer 10,000 e-mails, vacuum my car, cook dinner, and read a book on my Kindle. All at the same time.

 

Related articles

• Now at Starbucks: Buy a Latte by Waving Your Phone (bits.blogs.nytimes.com)
• Pay your Starbucks bill with your phone (reviews.cnet.com)
• Ways to pay with your cell phone (cnn.com)

How to avoid leaving a charger behind in a hotel

The Wall Street Journal recently published a fascinating story about a common problem road warriors face: accidentally leaving behind chargers for smart phones and other devices in hotel rooms.

What's a gadget-laden road warrior to do? 

* Get into the habit of doing a visual sweep of your room before you check out. Look under the bed and check the wall sockets. An obvious tip--but I'm often surprised by how many people don't do this.

* Reduce the number of chargers you pack. I always travel with the Kensington Portable Power Outlet ($25) for a number of reasons. One reason is that it includes 2 USB ports, which I use to recharge my iPhone and Garmin GPS. I don't have to pack chargers for those devices, just their USB cables. Plus, the Kensington recharger is relatively big, so it would be harder to overlook (and thus leave behind) when doing a visual scan of my hotel room before checking out. 

* If you forget to bring a charger, ask your hotel if they've got an extra one for your device. According to the Journal, chances are your hotel will have several chargers for your BlackBerry that previous guests left behind. 

* Pack your chargers in one see-through, compartmentalized bag with labels. I've only just learned about the Kangaroom 2-sided cord pouch ($20), thanks to the Journal article. But it looks like an ideal solution (see image at right), so I bought one.   

Related articles

• Lost Gadget Chargers Are a Problem for You and the Hotel (online.wsj.com)

Can iPhone Ear Buds Cause Car Break-Ins?

On Saturday night in San Francisco, my Mini Cooper convertible was broken into. Someone smashed the driver-side window.

Aside from the shocking spectacle of glass glistening on the sidewalk, I was stunned. Why would someone bother breaking into my little peanut of a car? I'm always careful not to leave bags or anything of any value visible to others.

Later, after the shock had worn off, I realized I'd left a pair of white iPhone ear buds in the car's console, in a space underneath the dashboard. The thieves made off with the earbuds, along with two shopping bags in my trunk, a couple pair of used shoes, and two packs of gum (not used). Yes, gum.

My brilliant deduction: The vandals broke into my car because they saw the earbuds, and thought they might also get their hands on an iPhone, iPod, or other device. Luckily, I had no electronics in the car or the trunk. I did have a portable GPS unit in the glove compartment, but fortunately, that was locked.

A friend, after hearing my story, said his car had also been broken into, and he suspected it was because he'd left a pair of tell-tale white earbuds in view.

So while you're out and about shopping this holiday season, don't leave anything visible inside your car that might suggest you've ever even thought of owning an iPod, iPhone, or other portable device.

IPhone E-Mail Solution: Switch to Gmail

In previous posts, I explained the problems I've had sending/receiving e-mail on my iPhone 3G via my AT&T Yahoo e-mail account.

I've finally found a permanent solution. I switched to Gmail.

I'd been considering transitioning to Gmail anyway. The reason: I like the idea of having all my messages available from any computer, rather than locked up in an Outlook file on one computer. You can have your e-mail from AT&T Yahoo or whomever automatically forwarded to Gmail. Or you can have Gmail go and fetch the e-mail from your other accounts. Another benefit: You can tell Gmail to leave copies of any e-mail it fetches on the original server. This means you're automatically creating a backup of every message received. One remains on your ISP's server; another is in your Gmail.

Also, you can send e-mail from Gmail using any of your other e-mail addresses. For example, in Gmail I can send someone an e-mail and the message will appear to have come from my AT&T Yahoo e-mail address. In other words: You can switch to Gmail and the move will be completely transparent to everyone with whom you exchange e-mail. They don't have to update your contact information in their address books.

Anyhow, I've had zero problems sending and receiving Gmail on my iPhone 3G. So if you're still having problems, consider routing your e-mail through Gmail.

Google Phone vs. iPhone

The first Google Android phone, made by HTC and available in the U.S. and Europe only to T-Mobile subscribers, officially debuted yesterday. Inevitable comparisons to Apple's iPhone were made. Here's a quick roundup of some first impressions thus far:

* The New York Times' Saul Hansell: "After playing with the G1 for 20 minutes, my initial take is that the G1 is the PC to the iPhone’s Macintosh...

"Physically, it is a little narrower than the iPhone, but thicker. That means the screen is a little smaller. I also found that the plastic case feels a little cheap. The biggest differentiator is the G1’s slide-out keyboard, some might find easier to type on than the iPhone’s virtual keyboard...

"For now, it seems like a very interesting phone for people who really want to type on a little keyboard. But until the value of Android’s slightly clunky flexibility proves out, I suspect many people will prefer the polished simplicity of the iPhone."

* Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg: "Google’s new G1 phone...is the first real competitor to the iPhone. Like Apple’s product, it’s a serious handheld computer with a powerful new operating system (called Android) and a clever touch-based user interface. Like the iPhone, it’s likely to be a major new platform for third-party software. But it’s also very different, and may appeal to different buyers...

"The web browser is based on the same open-source technology as the iPhone’s, but works differently. You can view a portion of a page, and use a zoom control and finger-dragging to see the rest, or you can view the whole page in miniature, as on the iPhone. In the latter mode, however, you can’t simply use Apple’s technique of tapping or “pinching” to zoom in on a portion of a page. You must move around a virtual lens to pick out a part of the page on which to focus...

"In sum, the G1 is a powerful, versatile device which will offer users a real alternative in the new handheld computing category the iPhone has occupied alone."

* PC World's Tom Spring: "In contrast to Apple that built its own phone, operating system, and content ecosystem, the G1 is based on an open platform. That means any software publisher can design programs that run on the G1 and its Android operating system. The potential universe of T-Mobile G1 applications is huge. Yet, it's too early to know whether mobile application developers will flock to the Android platform.

"At least for now Apple has the upper hand when it comes to the device. The number of iPhone mobile applications (accessible via Apple's App Store) is growing every day. However, Apple's total control over the iPhone can also be bad because Apple can choose to exert too much control over what applications run on the iPhone and bar those that it doesn't like, upsetting users...

"The overall two-year cost of owning a $200 iPhone is $2360 (unlimited texting). The cost of owning a G1 with an identical texting plan is between $1620 and $2460."

The early impressions are far from conclusive. But the opinions suggest the Google phone could be the first 'real' competition for the iPhone. And that the Google phone may appeal to users more interested in the Web and typing on a physical keyboard and less interested in multimedia.None of this is terribly surprising, but the competition between the two phones should become much more interesting in the future.

Lingering E-Mail Problem with iPhone 3G; New Treo Pro

Though my earlier e-mail problems with the iPhone 3G have been resolved, there's a mysterious glitch that still lingers. (Read my post from July 28 for details on my previous iPhone 3G e-mail woes, and the solution Apple suggested that solved the problem.)

My main e-mail account is through AT&T Yahoo. For some reason, after an unpredictable period of time, the iPhone stops recognizing my stored password for this e-mail account. So I re-enter my six-character password in the iPhone's Mail, Contacts, and Calendars settings. After I do that, the iPhone authenticates the password, and all's well again--until the iPhone once again stops recognizing the password.

I've updated to the iPhone 2.0.2 software but the problem persists. I've found no references to this glitch online. I haven't called Apple tech support, because life is hectic and this is a minor irritation.

No doubt Apple will resolve this and other issues, such as sluggish keyboard response, dropped calls when switching from 3G to 2G networks, etc. I have other complaints, too, such as the iPhone 3G's surprisingly brief battery life. Despite these problems, the iPhone is so much more pleasurable to use than the tired Treo 755p I had been suffering with. 

Speaking of Treos, Palm announced the new Treo Pro today. I like its look (see below). But at first glance, it doesn't appear to offer anything truly new or interesting. 

Update to iPhone 3G E-Mail Problem

It took two trips to the Genius Bar and one phone call to Apple tech support, but my iPhone 3G e-mail problem has been solved.

The problem: My iPhone 3G would send and receive e-mail for a brief period of time. Then, it would stop. The spiral that appears at the bottom of the Mail program's screen, next to 'Checking for mail...,' would spin without end.

When told of the problem, the first Genius shrugged and said it must be a problem with AT&T (my main ISP). The second Genius told me to go home and restore the iPhone with backup. If that didn't work (it didn't), restore the iPhone without the backup. If that didn't work (it didn't), bring the phone back to the store for a swap.

I had made a third Genius Bar appointment to return my iPhone for a swap. But before going, I decided to call Apple's telephone support. The person I spoke to, Isaac, seemed to get the problem right away--that somehow, the iPhone's Mail program wasn't playing nicely with Outlook on my Vista PC, to which I sync the iPhone's e-mail settings, contacts, and calendar. He e-mailed me the steps he recommended to resolve the problem, and they worked. 

Here are the steps:

-- On the iPhone, delete all e-mail accounts.

-- Reset the iPhone's network settings (Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings).

-- Disable Wi-Fi (some e-mail accounts don't work properly if set up the first time with Wi-Fi in use, he explained).

-- On the iPhone, manually re-add the e-mail accounts. (When setting up my sbcglobal.net e-mail account, which is now an AT&T Yahoo service, I was advised to choose Yahoo as the service provider.)

-- Disable e-mail syncing with iTunes.

I followed these steps last Friday and have experienced no problems since.

But I have just begun to experience another problem. Some Calendar entries I've added to my iPhone never make their way into Outlook. I guess that's the next thing to deal with/figure out.

The iPhone 3G launch has been compared to Microsoft's bungled release of Vista; see this USA Today article for more on that. That's going a bit far, in my opinion. Yes, the iPhone 3G/MobileMe launch could have gone a lot more smoothly. Yes, my iPhone 3G experience has not been flawless. Aside from problems syncing with Outlook, there are things about the iPhone I wish were better. The battery doesn't seem to last very long; I really wish there were a copy and paste function; etc.

All that said, if I had it to do over again, I would still buy an iPhone 3G. But I probably would wait a few more weeks for the lines outside Apple stores to go down and for the initial bugs to be identified and fixed.

E-Mail Problems with the iPhone 3G

I bought my first iPhone, the 3G model, last Friday. Mostly, I'm loving the phone. But I've had one big continuing problem with e-mail.

The Mail program will work as it's supposed to for a day or so. Then, suddenly, it will stop retrieving or sending e-mail. I've taken the iPhone to an Apple store Genius Bar twice to resolve the issue. The first time, the 'Genius' was perplexed and said there must be something wrong with my ISP's e-mail setting (AT&T Yahoo is the ISP for my primary e-mail account). His solution: Call AT&T for help.

I tweaked some settings on my own and the Mail program worked again. For about a day. I took it to a different Apple store. This time, the Genius said there could be a problem with the iPhone 2.0 software. He suggested I take my iPhone home, connect it to my computer, and restore it using backup. I did that, and it fixed the problem. For about a day.

Now I'm on to the Genius's step two. If the restore with backup didn't work, he suggested I restore the iPhone without backup. In other words, start fresh. That's what I'm doing at this very moment.

And if this doesn't work? The Genius suggested I bring the iPhone back and the Apple store will replace it. I asked if this would be a new or 'refurbished' unit. Without using that latter term, he said it would not be a new iPhone shrinkwrapped in its own box. However, he assured me the iPhone would be tested and checked and double-checked to make sure it's working properly. If there's anything I don't like about the unit--a small scratch, for instance--Apple will give me a different one. He couldn't promise the store would have a lot of these units in stock, however.

Of course, I could return my iPhone and get my money back. But that's not what I want. I just want my iPhone to send and receive e-mail, as it's supposed to. I'll post an update on what I learn later.

In the meantime, I don't want to scare you away from buying an iPhone 3G. But I do want you to know that there are potentially some issues with the iPhone 2.0 software. So if you're the least bit squeamish about being on the 'bleeding edge,' you might want to wait a few more weeks. Maybe by then Apple will have issued an updated version of iPhone 2.0 with bug fixes.