Jump Out of Your Skin

So the new OS is out.  Apple told us there were 100 new features.  But I suspect that the number of actual visible user features are less so I tried to list the user features that are in the new OS.  I got stuck on 22 Can you help?

1. Cut, Copy and Paste (count these as 1 – not sure but I have)
2. Copy and Paste photos worth a list item I guess
3. Landscape keyboard
4. Spotlight search in applications
5. Search in Mail, Calendar, and iPod ‘ slightly different from previous search
6. Multimedia Messaging – MMS
7. Tethering – aka use you iPhone as a modem – network dependent
8. Support for new calendar types
9. Improved stocks application. The stocks application now allows you to read related news.
10. Stereo Bluetooth A2DP audio.
11. Note syncing with iTunes.
12. Automatic login in Safari.
13. Shake to shuffle music. You can turn this off for when running or walking.
14. Wi-Fi auto-login.
15. Anti-phishing. Mobile Safari now can warn you against malicious sites trying to scam you.
16. Extended parental controls.
17. Voice Memo Application
18. Send and receive files
19. Push notification
20. VOIP in apps
21. Rumbling e.g. the device will move like a joystick does.
22. Enhanced App Store
23. Delete or forward a single SMS onto another without the whole conversation.
24. New search facility on home page – just swipe left.

Now that I have installed the iPhone I am impressed with the new features that come with it.  One feature that I have looked forward for some time is the landscape keyboard.  It presents more space for typing with two hands which is real advantage.  I never quite caught on even when I had a Blackberry to typing with two hands but the wider screen gives me more real estate to type away.  If you want to see the whole keynote look here

The letters are bigger and chunkier and once I sort out my grip of the phone I can type away a little faster.  It has been installed for all other apps as well.  For instance I have the WordPress blogging application installed on my phone but have never used it due to my big thumbs.  Now I might blog more often on the move.

The downside is for those people who developed applications for landscape keyboards for the previous release are not out in the cold looking in as they are now obsolete.

Technorati Tags: iphone, landscape keyboard, new OS release

I am in the process of updating my iPhone to the new 3.0 release.  I have blogged about this recently and of course when it became available here in Europe I was excited.  So I downloaded it (nice and quickly).  Then when I went to upgrade it told me that the activation server was unavailable.  The fact that my kids with iPod touches did not have this problme (plus I paid for it ) was annoying.

But I decided there were at least 5 things I could do in the meantime that are of muc more value.

1. Tidy my desk.  My desk is in a mess with all my manuals, Spanish books and print outs.  iPhone server may still be available but my desk will be accessible.
2. Catch up on my e-mail and paperwork and update my todo list on paper – it is a day or two old.
3. My running log and marathon plan is on track currently but I need to print out my calendar so I have my goals for next week.  VIsible goals are important.
4. Have a beer – there is a nice cold one in the fridge MUCH  nicer than any OS.
5. Write this blog for you and prepare a review for tomorrow for the blogosphere.

As the US awakes I guess it could be tomorrow before I am upgraded. Sigh back to the beer.

Here we are in Europe waiting for the download patiently.  Apple said it would be today but they did not say when.  However when it does happen the servers will be hit hard and not doubt there will be a lot of waiting time.

With over 300 new features this is a long awaited update to the phone and brings it closer to what its competitors in Blackberry and Palm could already do in the smart phone front.

I think it also heralds a new peak in sales with the new 3Gs coming out as the obstacles in the past for people taking the iPhone as their primary smart phone are now largely removed.

I will watch with interest as O2 my Irish provider of the iPhone have yet to release their upgrade path for existing users.  With a monopoly I am not optimistic of any attractive plan and will probably be with this version for another 12-18 months before being in a position to move to the newer 3GS version.

Let me know what you think of the new Os and more importantly when it actually comes out,