Now All Those In Favor Say "iPhone 5s"! (pin drop) (updated 10/31/13)

This article is dedicated to my friend Hailey...who's is adjusting to her "new" iPhone 4...

A couple weeks ago...Apple announced it's much anticipated iPhone 5c and 5s.  In the same breath they also put an "obsolete" label on their much vaunted iPhone 5.  This has been the most short lived iPhone in the company's history.  It was only in production for a little less than 12 full months.  Now this obsoleted iPhone 5 is disappearing off the store stock shelves like bottled water 24hrs before a hurricane hits land.

I delayed in blogging here because I wanted to read, observe, and privately debate with friends how this whole thing is playing out.  At this point in time I think it's safe to say that even among iPhone users that I know, this new iOS7 and iPhone 5c and 5s - are duds.  Apple may be touting "sellouts" and "highest selling" numbers in their history, but the truth to those facts are that they simply opened this phone to a bigger market on day 1 - China - as well as the US and Europe.  In the past they had never opened in China the same time they opened in Europe and the United States.  Therefore, it only makes sense that they would sell more phones in the first couple of weeks of this huge opening??

However, I don't think that they will gain any new ground in the Smartphone Wars.  I haven't seen much more added to this phone that going to drastically increase Apple's 15% stake in the world wide smartphone market.  I see Google (read that as predominantly Samsung) maintaining it's smidgen under a 70% stake in the world wide smartphone market.  After 7 years of badmouthing Android phone makers for making cheap plastic phones, Apple has now bit the "lower our production cost" bullet and jumped into "make your phone with plastic" production line with the iPhone 5c.  The 5s still has the classic aluminum and glass body.

Now don't get me wrong here.  When I said that the phones were duds, I didn't mean that the phones themselves are poorly made or lacking sophisticated software.  Nope.  Not at all.  What I'm saying here is that these devices didn't spur the imaginations of people.  They just appear (superficially) to be simple rehashes of the same thing.  

Apple/iPhone fanatics - stop where you are.  Read no further.  You like what you like and there's no telling you any different.  Okay.  So why read any further?  I'm writing an unbiased commentary here based on conversations with friends, coworkers and family who are also iPhone users.  Most of you will not see things with an open mind, so just click to the next blog.

Externally on the two new iPhones, there's the new colors, the plastic case on the 5c and the typical aluminum backing on the 5s, which comes in the hot selling gold color among other nice new choices.  I even watched six minutes the presentation given by the person in charge of showing these two new iPhones - especially the iPhone 5s.  His name is not important and I certainly do respect his professional and company success.  However, during the six minutes or so of the video that I watched, and as he kept explaining and talking about the new, groundbreaking 64 bit architecture and the unbelievable new speeds of this advance system - I kept asking myself "how does everything he's talking about sound to the average, non computer literate, non advance tech caring crowd that Apple would now like to attract away from Android and the leftovers from Blackberry and Windows?"  At that exact moment, I wanted to gather such people and put them all in a room.  I'm sure you could hear a pin drop in such an imaginary room, as soon as you started asking them about 64 bit technology.

Let me simply put it this way.  I have three video links.  First is the introduction of the iPhone 5s.  Next is the introduction of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (just skip to the 1:34 spot to see it's practical use).  And then Lastly, last spring's introduction of the Samsung Galaxy S4.

If you take the time to watch the 3 videos, you too will see the difference in company approaches to the consumer, ie potential new iPhone buyers, as well as previous owners.  Isn't a commercial video on new high end technology suppose to wow people with it's practical uses and not try to beat them over the head with tidbit information on 64 bit this or 64 that, and fingerprint this or that?  Frankly speaking there aren't even any apps yet developed that can even maximize the 64 bit technology right now anyway.  And by the time there is in a few months to a year down the road, the phone will be halfway through it's life cycle and well on it's way to becoming obsolete, right Apple?  Most soccer moms and sports dads could care less about 64 this or that.  They just wanna know - does it work?

Check this out:  the battery on the new 5s, is the same size battery of the original iPhone 5.  Huh??  Every smartphone maker has been steadily increasing the size and energy capacity of their batteries.  What gives Apple?  Thanks for the half a billions apps Apple...but they tend to use up the battery power that you will not increase for me.  Where is the love?

Now as far as the iOS7 is concerned, I've had two college males tell me that it looks very "girlie" or "kid like".  I've had one businesswoman/friend tell me that some of the icons are now harder to read on iOS7.  But it's otherwise pretty much the same old iPhone.  One Apple criticism of Android, was that it was a fractured market.  That the software operated differently from one phone manufacturer to another, and one software update to the next.  Well guess what folks...iOS7 now operates differently from one iPhone to the next because of hardware capacity.  Starting with the iPhone 4, then 4s, and 5, 5c, 5s, certain functionalities of the operating system will be lost on all phones prior to the 5 line.  That also includes iPads.  If you're still using an iPad 1 and 2 or iPhone 3g or prior - good luck!  Though it is nice that folks can still use some of their old iPads and iPhones with this iOS7, this now sounds like the beginnings of a "fractured" Applesphere to me?

To the captains at the iPhone steering wheel...if you wanted to make an audience capturing phone...you should have stepped away from your surveys and polls.  You are not truthfully addressing the concerns of the "willing to buy an iPhone" masses.  Here are their issues:

1. People would like a replaceable battery or a larger battery - so that they don't have to run from wall socket to wall socket at school, home and work.

2. People would like a little variety in screen size.  4 inch screens - no matter how "clear" are still harder to view for people over 40.  There are people who actually like larger screens and aren't afraid to use two hands to text.

3. Lastly, stop boring people to death about the minutiae details inside the technology.  People who buy a Mercedes don't care about the mechanical details under the hood.  They just want to enjoy the pleasure of the smooth ride and gossip about the new "ahead of the pack" bells and whistles.

Apple, it's time to turn the tables and jump on the Samsung ""variety and practical use" bandwagon and make a couple devices that everyday people, feel that functions around their less than "tech smart" everyday lives.  If you learn to do that...you will see a more avaricious increase in your buyers and take a big bite out of the Android giant's market share.

Just saying.

10/31/13 Update:  Just as I've predicted, the iPhone 5c and 5s sales have tapered off and haven't really broken any new ground for Apple.  Just read for yourselves.

Helping People Over 50

I know that in the past I've posted some writings about helping people that I work with, as well as friends and family, get into the mobile technology world.  It continues to be both a spiritually rewarding as well as a community strengthening process.  My friends, co-workers become more engaged in their devices and use better security measures on all of their devices.  From much stronger passwords, improved browsing habits - it's nice to see people engaged more.

What's amazing is that the people who are most fearful to learn any of it turn out to be the best at learning it.  They seem to learn to take control and run off with it.  It's nice to see.  Age 50 and up isn't just a number, it's an indication of someone's level of concentration.  I think older adults who are used to tooling around with things, actually have longer attention spans.  Once they "get" the tricks, so to speak, I think they just dive right in and take control.

What's surprising is to see "younger" people who work with computers every day, who have no idea of how to set up their iPhones, Androids, Windows or Blackberry phones.  I deal with plenty of 40 and 30 something people between work, home and my social settings.  When I converse with them, I would say that better than 50% of them have no idea of their email passwords, antivirus applications or how to use Phone Finder type functions.  With all the hacking going on, I find that quite amazing.

Perhaps that's where I'll start writing information towards.  We need a group remedial mobile device set up session.  I'm chuckling as I wrote that.  Actually, what we need is simply some extra focus and attention on what we're doing with our technology.  Otherwise we may find ourselves victims of hackers.  Keep reading...my thoughts on the "new" iPhone C are next.

It Was the Bottom Of The 9th And Virus Was Up 4 To 1 Over Computer...

Yes, yes, yes.  I wrote last week or so about a neighbor's laptop that was filled with viruses and nearly impossible to fix.  Well...my neighbor brought that laptop over to my house early last week...and I went back to work.

With the help of several antivirus and anti malware programs, I was able to clean out the laptop.  It is about 98 % totally clean.  Only it's browser settings remain tied up.  It's hard drive disk, and various programs and files have been thoroughly cleaned.

It was touch and go for a while.  I even thought that the hard drive was going to fail, but it held up.

Even after this malware removal program did it's job thoroughly, there were still many more problems buried deep within files on the machine.  It would take a 4th software, a more restrictive and thorough anti virus to really dig in and find the various infections and start cleaning them out.  Here's what that software discovered:

So it's the bottom of the 9th, Computer at bat...and they have hit a grand slam against the Viruses.  Now it's just up to the home run hitter to round third base and step on home plate to make it official.

Thanks to my neighbor for trusting me with their machine.  I learned a lot.  Once I fix this browser issue, I hope that all will be better for them and this machine.

Best Places To Buy Tech

Some of my friends, neighbors and coworkers are always asking me "Where do you get all of your gadgetry from?"  And I tell them from reputable retailers on the Internet.  "You do?"  "Yes, I do."

Now I don't always buy everything from the Internet.  Sometimes I do like to see things hands on.  However, by and large, I don't shop at local stores anymore.  Not unless it's a mom and pop neighborhood establishment.  I love to support those guys for local business economy.  But there aren't any stores like that selling electronic gadgets.

I have some of my favorite Internet retailers right here on this blog.  Newegg and Amazon.  But I cannot forget Ebay as well.  I think I need to get them advertised on here as well.  Oddly enough, one retailer that I've purchased from is Apple themselves.  I had carefully chosen two items from their refurbished department, which carry FULL ONE YEAR APPLE WARRANTIES just as if you bought them off the shelf in the store.  I purchased two iPad 1's from there which saved me $400 at the time that I got them.  I put them in Otterbox cases and have never looked back.  They have worked flawlessly the past 2 years and have now been handed off from me and my wife to our two youngest kids, 6 and 10.

My wife now has an iPad 3 and the rest of us are using Android Tablets alongside our Android phones.  I also recycled a few phones in the past couple of weeks.  I have quite a few more to go.  But it's nice to be able to know that I'm doing something (recycling) that may actually help our environment in the long run.  You should always look at the different opportunities to trade back old technology gadgets and get some sort of trade value for your next purchase, or at the very least to help protect our environment.

I'll be writing some more information on ways to save with your tech purchases very soon.

A Virus Attack Right Before My Eyes

Last night (7/14/13) I went to neighbors house to try to fix a multitude of problems. It appeared as if the Machine had not been updated in quite sometime.  In addition it had a lot of excessive software installed.

The virus basically takes a photo of you and uses some official FBI looking logo, freezes your computer and tells you that you have been caught downloading child pornography.  Yep.  A rather disgusting and very sick thing to say or do to someone who's trying to erase a virus from a computer.

Needless to say, I was unable to get rid of that virus off the computer.  We did figure out that the virus warning was a hoax.  We tried one of the online solutions, but the virus is too persistent to allow you to get to take it off.  I'm suppose to give this computer another try this week.  It's going to either be me or a much superior techie.  All of this happened because they handed over their computer to their kids, teenagers, who downloaded everything - including a virus onto this machine.

But this does bring me to this point, we are the adults, we spend a lot of money to purchase these tech items for ourselves and our families.  If we really took say...15 minutes here and there to learn about the devices we use everyday.  Don't start bellyaching that it's too hard to learn this stuff to me.  I personally think that learning about today's computer's is 1000 times more easier than it was 5 or 10 years ago.  With just a little time spent, anyone can get a good working knowledge of the machines that we use in our everyday life.  Had my neighbors taken some simple steps in regards to their laptop use, they would not have this problem today.  Sit down and learn a little something folks...because the computer age is here.

Busy Gadget Summer So Far

Hellooo!

It's been a busy three weeks.  First, I broke my samsung Galaxy Note2. I dropped it from my waist at Dave and Busters and the screen broke. Luckily I had a phone contract renewal coming up. So I use the renewal to purchase a galaxy 4 and it is great. I am actually using it to dictate and type this post. At the same time friends have come to me for advice on cell phones.

Getting them to look at Androids is usually the same process. At first they are overwhelmed. Then they learn what to do. They see that it is much easier than I thought earlier. And then you can't stop them. They literally fly through the phone.

IPhones are great.  Androids are extremely flexible. Windows Phones and Blackberries are nice follow ups. I have used them all and in my humble opinion I still believe the Android to be a superior machine to the competition.  Each his or her own.  Let us consumers enjoy this high-tech battle in front of us.  The world around us has clearly changed.

End dictation.

Me And My Smart TV

Within the last month, I have purchased a "smart" TV.  It's a 60 inch plasma TV made by Panasonic.  I had searched extensively for the right TV to replace my 2002, HD ready projection TV.  That TV worked fine and held it's own for well over a decade.  But it was time.

Now there has been extensive talk about the LCD and LED televisions.  They use less electricity, are thinner and are much lighter in weight than plasma TV's.  However, the plasma TV's still produce an excellent picture, cost less and their life spans are equal to most LED/LCD televisions - at over 100,000 hours of use. One added bonus - they have faster refreshing rates and therefore capture action motions much, much better than the lower and mid-level LED/LCD's.  For those of you who already own and LCD TV, like  I do in my upstairs bedroom, then you know what I'm talking about, when you have a slight picture breakup on action scenes.

As far as power consumption goes, I have florescent lights all over my house.  I have energy saving appliances, fixtures and electronic devices everywhere.  I just got rid of a projection style TV, which used a lot more power.  So no matter what - I know that I will still be seeing less electricity use with this energy star rated plasma TV.  The picture on it is nothing short of spectacular.  Deep blacks and bright contrasts.  I feel sorry for the modern actor or actress who skin blemishes can now be clearly seen...even past some of the makeup attempts to cover it.  Nothing like the TV I grew up watching movies and TV shows on.

The "smart" part of the TV comes in when I can watch Netflix, Hulu Plus, or Amazon Prime on it.  In addition, it has Internet based games and about 2 dozen other apps (and growing) that I can fiddle around with.  I can also synchronize my smart phone with the TV screen and watch my favorite YouTube videos, or wirelessly share my pictures or videos from my phone to the TV screen.  Amazing.

When I was growing up, being the youngest person in the house, I was always drafted to go stand by the television and move the "rabbit eared" portable TV antenna around to get better reception.  Today such family sacrifice has long been a thing of the past.  I guess there's nothing wrong with smartening up with modern times?