Here it comes the Apple iPhone - an iPod and a mobile phone in one device. This is like the proverbial eating your cake and having it. Gone are the days of carrying both an iPod and a mobile phone in separate devices. This is the era of digital convergence, where one device can perform multiple functions.

Apple is the undisputed king of portable music devices with its wide arrays of iPod products. Over the years, the Apple iPods, though expensive, have been emerging in technologies and delivering promised satisfactions to its users. But this time, Apple going into mobile phones using the Apple iPod is a different thing. Will the Apple iPod be a good phone as well as a good iPod? This may be of concern. But given the performance of Apple in the iPod business, the Apple iPod promises to be a successful mobile invention.

The newest invention from Apple is the iPhone. The iPhone is an iPod and a phone, hence the name iPhone. If that isn’t enough, the iPhone is able to use the internet and also has some of the best in high tech features. There are three key things that are noticeable about the iPhone: iPod, phone, and Internet.

Apple iPhone

The Phone
With the iPhone, making calls is as simple as touching the name or number. You can also view Voicemails as if they are emails. You can listen to only the ones you want, when you want. This is apart from other innovative features like sending SMS using an application with a predictive QWERTY soft keyboard that corrects and prevents mistakes.

The iPod
Apple has yet again come through and improved the iPod. With a touch-sensitive screen you are able to scroll through all of your songs, artists, albums, and playlists with just a flick of your finger. To add even more convenience you are now able to scroll through your albums with Cover Flow. The impressive 3.5″ widescreen display is the best way to watch movies and TV shows from the iTunes Store. All you have to do is just tap the touch controls for play/pause, volume, and chapter forward/backward.

The Internet
The iPhone also allows you to surf the web. Using an advanced Safari browser, the iPhone allows you to see the internet how it should be. If you need to see a specific item but it is too, small simply tap on the multi-touch display and it will zoom in! iPhone uses a HTML email client that will get your email in the background from most POP3 or IMAP mail services and allow you to see photos and graphics with text. Using the internet you can use Google Maps and iPhone’s Maps application and you will be able to instantly view maps and satellite images or get directions and traffic information. All of these from the iPhone’s amazing, multi-touch display. You may read more here.

The Apple iPhone comes packed with the following features:

• Weight: 135g
  
• Dimensions: 115 x 61 x 11.6mm
  
• Display Colour: Touchscreen, 16M colours
  
• Display Size: 320 x 480 pixels, 3.5″
  
• Internal Memory: 4/8 GB
  
• Card Slot: No
  
• Connectivity: GPRS, EDGE, WLAN, Bluetooth 2.0, USB 2.0
  
• OS: Mac OS X v10.4.8
  
• Messaging: SMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
  
• Browser: HTML (Safari)
  
• Camera: 2 Megapixels
  

Other Features:
- Multi-Touch input method
- Accelerator sensor for auto-rotate
- Proximity sensor for auto turn-off
- Google Maps
- iPod audio/video player
- Photo browser/editor

The Apple iPhone promises to be the best mobile device waiting to happen. This is a winning device any techno-savvy individual will want to possess, if it truly delivers all its promises. The elegant and fashionable LG Prada phone, which has similar touchscreen technology as the Apple iPhone may not be the device for the techies, but sure has something in common with the iPhone. Will the Apple iPod satisfy the demanding mobile users or be a less than average performance, expensive toy like the LG Prada? Time will surely tell. Apple has already announced June 29, 2007 as the official release date.

Apple iPhone

Comparing the Nokia E61 with Nokia 9300i Communicator is like trying to compare between two horses from the same stable. I could not resist the temptation even though the two smartphones are designed towards the same market segments of mobile phone users. Both phones are without camera and are intended with the business users in mind.

While the Nokia 9300i is a Communicator that resembles a pocketable laptop with full QWERTY keyboard, the Nokia E61 is designed with full QWERTY keyboard, conventional Pocket PC bar shape, and has a resemblance to the popular Treo 650 (without the protruding horn). Maybe this is Nokia’s way of sounding a warning that she is on her way to dominating the world’s smartphone market. The Nokia 9300i is slightly heavier (172g) than the E61 (144g), tilting the weight advantage in favour of the E61 for those that size and weight matters to.

In terms of features or functions, the two smartphones are summarily being compared and contrasted below:

Similarities between Nokia E61 and 9300i:
Both are smartphones with full Office applications
Both are Symbian OS phones, but of different versions
Both phones came with full connectivity options including Wi-Fi, with VoIP over WLAN for E61

Differences between Nokia E61 and 9300i:
The Nokia E61 is a 3G phone while the 9300i is not
The display colours of the E61 is 16M as against 65K of the 9300i Communicator
The E61 has the advanced version of OS (Symbian OS 9.1, Series 60 UI)
The Nokia E61 has Blackberry connectivity

In terms of usability:
The full QWERTY keyboard of the Nokia 9300i is much more stable and respectable than the Nokia E61’s keyboard.
The Office applications on Nokia E61 are more portable on the PC MS Office than the 9300i.
Internet browsing is faster on the E61 but better on the 9300i with its wide screen and Opera browser, though Internet browsing is slow on the 9300i.
The Nokia 9300i has Fax feature while the E61 does not

Nokia 9300i Communicator

These are just summary of the functional differences between the two phones, though there are lots of differences between them design-wise. With the Nokia E61 being newer and better multimedia capabilities, it seems the obvious choice for the phone enthusiast. The mini laptop design of the Nokia 9300i Communicator however sets it apart from all other smartphones, in addition to its wide-viewing screen, which is only equaled by its brother, the Nokia 9500 Communicator. A choice between the two phones this time may be a question of taste or style.

Nokia E61 / Nokia 9300i

Both Nokia and Sony Ericsson are my top phone choice. I don’t see myself using other phone type except Siemens. This is because these trios manufacture highly functional and data-centric phones, starting from Nokia and then closely followed by Sony Ericsson. When I consider a phone, I look at it purely from the business function of it. Any other feature is an added advantage, but not necessarily a pre-requisite for purchasing the phone. I hardly use the digital camera on my phones. What for? If I need to take good pictures, I will make use of my 5 Megapixel HP camera. This is why a phone like Nokia 9300i will appeal more to me than Nokia N93 with its 3.15 Megapixel camera and Carl Zeiss optics.

The Nokia E61 and Sony Ericsson M600 Smartphones are by no means the best phones from their respective manufacturers. All the same, they are designed with the business end-users in mind, and that explains the absence of a camera. This is no issue if you are no camera aficionado or your work place permits no camera. Similar in function, the two phones differ a little in some areas. The chart below compares the two phones based on their specifications.

Comments
The Nokia E61 seems to have all the connectivity option (including WLAN) with the exception of HSCSD. For a truly business mobile phone, Wi-Fi connectivity is essential. The Sony Ericsson lacks Wi-Fi but has the HSCSD connectivity instead.

The Nokia E61 is bigger and heavier than the Sony Ericsson M600, but has a bigger screen area. This is great for documents or eBooks reading. The SE M600 is smaller and lighter. The smaller size of the SE M600 makes it the smallest Smartphone of the manufacturer. It is highly pocketable without creating a budge in the pocket.

Nokia E61 features a full QWERTY keyboard which makes it great for typing messages or editing documents. However, the QWERTY feature of the Sony Ericsson M600 is half-way, with a button sharing two characters of the alphabets. This by no means reduces the functionality of the keyboard, but it needs a little adapting to.

Finally
A choice between the two Smartphones depends on individual preference between a choice of Wi-Fi and a bigger screen or no Wi-Fi, but a smaller and pocketable Smartphone. Either choice, both phones are great business phones. That brings up the question at the back of my mind, “Can’t we get a perfect phone for once?”

Nokia E61 & Sony Ericsson M600

In my previous post I discussed how our mobile lifestyles have affected our dating and relationships. The fact still remains that mobile phones have greatly enhanced our relationships, making it easier for us to keep in touch. However, there might be times we wish the mobile phones do not exist because it makes it difficult for us to get away from some people.

In this post, I want to discuss the moral aspects of dating, relationship and mobile lifestyles. Recently, I was opportune to be in a seminar organised by some women groups. Among the topics discussed was if it is proper for parents to give mobile phones to their children who are still in primary or secondary schools.

School Children & Mobile Phones
As you would have imagined, the topic generated a lot of excitements and questions. Those who are in favour said it helps the parents to keep in touch with their children and also assists the children in case of emergency. Those who are opposed to it said that it aids the children in promiscuity and it is an unnecessary distraction to them. I believe both sides are correct, but we need to marry the two sides of arguments.

At the end of the Seminar, Phonerism.com approached one of the outspoken women, who gave her name as Biola, and this conversation ensued:

phonerism: Will u give mobile phones to your children still in primary or secondary schools?
Biola: Well, I gave my daughter who is in Secondary school on one condition
phonerism: Yes…
Biola: She will not take the phone to school and I have equal right to the phone, that is, when messages come, I have the right to read and to know who and who has been calling/flashing her and vice versa.
Biola: When her younger brother gets to JSS2 like her, he will get his own too.
phonerism: Has she been complying? Any funny text messages?
Biola: She has been complying, there has never been a funny one except the ones my friends will send to her or her cousins.

The dialogue above just proved that it is possible to give school children cell phones and at the same time maintain disciplines. Phonerism.com praised the woman for her courage and confidence in her daughter.

My phone is my buddy

The Disobedient Collaborators
About a month ago, I visited an uncle and I met him scolding his 14 years old daughter, Agnes, who is still in Secondary school. Agnes has a Sagem handset which was neither purchased for her by her dad or mum, and she cannot explain to her father how she came by the handset. Apparently, the handset has been given to her by her boyfriend, but she was afraid of what her father might do if she said so. So she decided to play the silence game. Finally, her father ordered her to return the handset to whoever gave it to her with 24 hours. He further told her that her studies should be paramount to her now the handset will be a major distraction. That was the end of the matter. So I thought.

About two weeks ago, Lara visited me in the office. Lara is a 25-year old cousin staying with my uncle, Agnes father. She is working and at the same time doing part-time studying in a university. I saw her holding a Sagem handset. She was using a Motorola before. True to my characteristics, I like examining handsets if the opportunity presents itself. On a closer observation, it was the same handset my uncle ordered her daughter to return to her boyfriend.

Lara explained to me later, that instead of returning the handset, she persuaded Agnes to give her the handset, since she had just lost her own handset. The arrangement was that Agnes boyfriend can always call her and talk to her on Lara’s mobile line using the same Sagem handset. Whenever a call comes in, and the call is for Agnes, Lara will go inside the room, tells the caller to hold on, and call Agnes so that she can receive her call secretly in the room. This is a serious moral issue that relates to dating, relationships and mobile lifestyles.

The Eavesdropping Husband
Recently, I read in the newspaper, a case of a married woman who got out of bed, beside her husband, in the night, to answer a call on her cell phone. But unfortunately for her, , her husband was not sleeping. The man having long suspected her of extra-marital affairs, tip-toed after and caught her red-handed in a phone conversation with her boyfriend, Well, to cut it short, her husband divorced her immediately.

Guilty As Texted
Early this year, a male’s colleague fiancé left him. The reason was that she found some amorous text messages to and fro another girl on her boyfriend’s mobile phone. Since the lady lives in another town, the guy was not really expecting her that day, otherwise he would have cleaned up his mobile phone prior to her arrival. The dumped him saying she had long suspected he was not serious with her. Meanwhile, the boyfriend protested that she had no right to be snooping through his text messages without his approval. Well, right or no right, approval or no approval, that was the end of a 2-year relationship.

Unsolicited Night Calls
Two weeks ago, I had to settle a quarrel between a friend and his wife. The friend is a class representative (a.k.a. Governor) in his MBA class. The wife accused the husband of receiving late night calls, even from ladies, with him setting up appointments with them, even in her presence. The husband defended himself that he had nothing to hide from her otherwise he wouldn’t have received the calls in her presence, and the he was only performing his class duties. He accused his wife of being unnecessarily too jealous. But the truth is that some of the ladies in his class have started flirting with him on phone, and this guy seems to be enjoying all the attentions he was receiving from the women, otherwise he would have stopped them. I told my friend he just has to put a demarcation between his class commitments and his personal privacy. He should not encourage his classmates, especially the females to call him late in the night, for whatever cause.

To close this article, it can be deduced from all the examples aforementioned that a lot of serious moral issues are attached to dating, relationships and mobile lifestyles. The mobile phone is an excellent communication tool, which must be used properly and wisely. If used properly, it benefits our relationship, but if used wrongly, it can cause mistrust or many questions between very close people.

The way to my heart is through my phone

Ever wonder what transforms dating and relationships nowadays? Well, you need not guess too far, it is the mobile phone or handset. It can mend, make or mar relationships depending on which angle you look at it. The fact still remains that our dating culture and relationships are now extremely influenced by our mobile lifestyles.

Phonerism.com ever desirous and curious about people’s mobile lifestyles took some times to investigate and talk with some people on how cell phones affect their dating and relationships, and you will find interesting, if not amazed at what some people do or have to say.

No Phone No Date
Iyke, a 23 years old undergraduate said he cannot date a girl without a mobile phone. When asked why, he replied, “How do you communicate since you are not living together? How do you setup dates and appointments if the lady is not on phone? It can’t just work out”. Well, maybe someone might agree or disagree with Iyke, but as far as he is concerned, that is his own belief.

A Dose of SMS Wins Them
Daniel, A 34 year old sales executive said he used Text Messages to win his ladies over. Asked how he does that, his replied was, “All I need is to make the lady give me her mobile phone number, then the rest is easy. I will start gradually with some normal or funny texts, and then change over to romantic texts if the lady encourages me, by responding occasionally. Later, as I receive more encouragements, I will gradually amplify the degree of contents of the text messages, and before you know it, the lady will be itching to go out with me”. I think this is a little sophisticated but will work for those who know what they are doing.

Can You Tease Me on Phone?

When a Flashing Speaks Volume
Tina, a 24 years old confidential secretary said that she doesn’t normally have enough credits on her phone. But anytime she wants her fiancée to call her, or anytime she just want to let the guy knows that she misses him, she will just flash him. Most times, within minutes, her boyfriend will call her.

I am Not in Town
“Dating can be a little difficult nowadays, especially when you are broke”. This was the response of Biodun, a 31 years old business man. “Most of the time when I am broke and I wanted to avoid going out with my girlfriend, I will tell her whenever she called me on phone that I’m out of town on a business trip”, Biodun concluded. When told that this was tantamount to lying, he replied, “Call it lying or anything you like, but I will call it being smart”.

Wrong Number
Lizzy, a 20 year old undergraduate said that the mobile phone makes it easier for her to outsmart some dumb men who make passes at her. When asked how she did that, her response was, “Just give the loser guy a wrong number, and that is all. And if you happened to give him the right number, pretend as if he got the wrong number whenever he calls you.” Well, this is a wickedly smart way for ladies out there who get pestered for their number by men they are not interested in.

Woo the Girl on Phone
Bello, A 22 year old male undergraduate said he is an extremely shy person, and so it is difficult for him to approach a girl and starts wooing her immediately. This is what he does; he will ask the girl for her number. Then later, he will give the girl a call on her mobile phone and make his intention known. This way, he will not directly suffer the humiliation of the girl turning him down, and there will be no witness to make it worse. He said that the method works for him some of the time but the problem is that most ladies, even though they are interested in him, will not reveal it too soon.

Talk Time is Bed Time
Emma, a 27 years old graphic artist, prided himself on being successful with women. According to him, he will spend long minutes chatting with his latest girl on phone. He will purposely delay calling her until late in the night, when she will most certainly be on bed. Then, he will call her mobile number and talked with her. When phonerism.com asked why he does this, he replied with an air of authority, “I want to be the last person she talked to before she goes to bed. In this way, she will have sweet memories of me just before she falls asleep, and this normally lingers until the next call”. Truly, this amazed me. I wonder if the guy is a part-time psychologist.

I Need a BF/GF
There are lots of dating programmes on most of the FM Radio stations in the country nowadays. Most of these programs are always late in the night. A boy or a girl will send an SMS to the presenter of the programme that he/she needs a girlfriend/boyfriend, and interested persons should call his/her phone number. I used to wonder what happened to the traditional approach of wooing girls. I can understand for the girls, but the boys, what’s ailing them? Why can’t they go out there and talk face-to-face?

Well, this is by no means exhaustive, but I just have to stop somewhere. Through observation and discussion with others, phonerism.com was able to gather this information. Next post will focus on the social and moral effects of Dating, Relationships & Mobile Lifestyles. I encourage you to watch out for it.

Talk Time is Anywhere