Strengths and weaknesses of the iPhone

On the eve of its launch, courtesy of Frukt Music, comes an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the iPhone: Strengths: – Apple approach: a)great product, b)simple usability, c) clear communication – Dual-contact touch screen, twice the resolution of average computer screen, full-detail web pages with easy zoom-in feature, easy-view photo software, extra Google maps functionality (traffic details, fake GPS), easy music/phonecall switchover via headphone button, integrated email, phone

Twitter: Talk is cheep

(First published: New Media Age, 17.05.07) I got three points on my driving license because of Twitter. What can I say? I was driving. There was a speed camera. My phone started buzzing with the latest frenzied Twitters from the launch of the Apple iPhone. What could be my defence? “My Twitter feed made me speed, M’Lud” Blogging never landed me in trouble with the law. So why has this

Mobile TV to boom in 2009

Mobile handsets capable of displaying TV will hit 244 million by 2011, according to the Multimedia Research Group in the US. That’s double the number previously forecast for the uptake rate expected in 55 countries. Big leaps are expected in 2009 when 53 million broadcast TV enabled handsets are expected to ship. The bulk of the 80 mobile TV trials all over the world will become genuine services. Most will

PSP to make voice, video IP calls

Sony is going to allow PlayStation Portable (PSP) owners make VoIP and video calls using a camera and microphone which will hit the shops on 25 May. Gamers will be able to call other PSP owners and some BT phones. BT is developing the software, which was originally intended for the Nintendo handheld. The BBC reports the service will initially only be available in the UK and will only work

iPhone on pre-paid?

If the rumour that T-Mobile is in the front line to take the iPhone in Europe then the new rumour that the Apple iPhone will also be available on a pre-paid contract is pretty interesting. The Boygeniusreport.com says they got a few screen shots sent to them which show internal AT&T account codes showing the iPhone available to Pay As You Go subscribers with AT&T in the US. This would

Pandora goes mobile in the US

The online personalised music streaming service Pandora has signed a deal with US carrier Sprint to be pre-installed or downloaded to handsets. Pandora and other web broadcasters have been heavily hit by recent increases in the licensing fees for web broadcasters in the US. Pandora has also had to stop streaming outside the US. The new Sprint venture means a badly needed extra revenue stream on top of advertising. Pandora

German Twitter clone funded as country goes micro-blogging mad

German investors the Samwer brothers have invested an undisclosed amount in Twitter clone Frazr.com, reports alarmclock europe, following a story from a German trade title. Germans are really taking to micro-blogging via SMS using Wamadu, Faybl, 1you, Sloggen, and Partnr.de. Does Germany really need five Twitter clones? Most were launched in March/April. You decide…

T-Mobile to offer live music gigs

T-Mobile is partnering with ARTISTdirect.com, an independent music site, to improve its music and video download offering to mobiles and allows users to access content from live music events and gigs. Customers will be able to download music, videos and photos from acts featured in the site’s Street Gigs series. T-Mobile will also offer gig listings, ticket sales, news, exclusive interviews and backstage footage. The ARTISTdirect network has 40 million

Writing about Twitter

I’m currently writing an article about Twitter for New Media Age magazine. Given how much coverage they have had so far it feels a little daunting and I’m not sure I’ll uncover much that’s new (although I’ll try, of course!). If you feel you are in a position to contribute to this, perhaps by commenting or passing me any inside information, then email me. For the record, I protect my