THE Mobile Hornet. for those who get turned on by mobile devices » APPLE

iPHONE 4 IN MALAYSIA – END OF SEPT!

Mike Hornet — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:53:43 +0000

Maxis is clearing their stocks of iPhone 3GS real fast … both the 16GB and 32GB are out of stock in Penang and lots of other states. So what do we expect?

… THAT MAXIS LAUNCH THE iPHONE 4 NOW!

Sorry guys, the iPhone 4 will not be here until end of Sept (Check keeekeee comments on my chat box). Rumour is flying high that Maxis is taking pre-order only from 13 Sept.

WHY IS MAXIS DELAYING THE LAUNCH SINCE THEY HAVE CLEARED STOCKS OF THEIR iPHONE 3GS?

Is the delay connected to the rumour that Apple will release a REVISED iPHONE 4 without the antenna issue on Sept 30. Check out the report from Apple Mexican CanalMX (Via MacRumors) on the upcoming iPhone 4 release. If we are going to get the revised iPhone 4, I don’t mind waiting. How about you?

APPLE’S iPHONE OS 4.1 UPGRADE

Mike Hornet — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 07:35:45 +0000

There is a NEW update for the Apple’s mobile OS. Version 4.1 is expected to offer stability and conformity for the 3G iPhone’s. It is supposed to support a new and mysterious device that has yet to be announced. Could it be the new iTV?

Most of the issues like speed and numerous errors are to be ironed out in this new version.

Apple went ahead and added one nasty little surprise — a jailbreak watermark. What it does is that it will check the phone to see if it is jailbroken. If it is, it a digital watermark is left behind and is retained even after a complete re-install of the firmware. Apple service reps can easily discover the watermark when performing iPhone repair work. If a watermark is present, you can say bye-bye to any help from Apple — even for a fee. But I believe those great jailbreaker creators can work around the watermark issue and once again allow your new iPhone 4 to be jaibroken!

JOSH LAI, HTC WILDFIRE AMBASSADOR

Mike Hornet — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 04:11:44 +0000

HTC has brought in Josh Lai, the multi-talented artiste, as its ambassador for the HTC Wildfire in Malaysia. Looks like HTC is seriously pushing the Android series in Malaysia. They should, as the Android OS phones are the only challengers that can fight off Apple’s iPhone from dominating the mobile phone scene.

Josh Lai, HTC Wildfire Ambassador:

“To be associated with a leading smartphone innovator brand like HTC is truly an honour. The HTC Wildfire is the perfect digital companion in my hectic social lifestyle and has brought my friends closer to me everywhere I go, despite my busy daily schedule of photo shoots and appearances.”

Even before Lai discovered his passion for singing, he was already a force to be reckoned with in the modeling and acting industry with an impressive portfolio of appearances in Malaysia’s top fashion and lifestyle magazines, TVCs and drama series. This multi-talented artiste is set to wow new fans with his debut mini album, which not only showcases his singing prowess, but also his songwriting skills.

SK Wong, Country Manager of HTC Malaysia:

“With Josh’s talents and appeal, we are glad to have him join us at HTC as the ambassador for the HTC Wildfire. In many ways, his passion and dedication towards his art reflects HTC’s philosophy of developing innovative smartphones. We hope that through him we will be able to bring the HTC experience to a wider audience.”

“There are other manufacturers who are beginning to adopt the Android operating system. However, we believe that HTC currently offers the most comprehensive line-up of Android smartphones (as we were) the first to enter the Android market plus our commitment to this platform. Today as we continue to lead the growth in the Android market, everyone has come to expect innovative high-quality phones from HTC as well as great after-sales support.”

WALT MOSSBERG ON iPHONE 4… IT’S STILL THE BEST!

Mike Hornet — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:35:48 +0000

Walter S. Mossberg aka the BIG “W”, has a good write-up on his usage of iPhone 4. Click here to read his full review.

Walt Mossberg :
“After my six weeks of constant use of two iPhone 4s, I still believe it is, overall, the best device in its class, for reasons including its ultra high-resolution screen; easy, integrated video calling; slick software; strong battery life; a remarkably thin body; and a world-beating selection of 225,000 third-party apps.

As for reception, I am sticking with my initial conclusions. I have found that in areas with average or strong AT&T coverage and capacity, the iPhone performs better than its predecessor and about as well as other AT&T smartphones I’ve recently tested. It still drops too many calls for my taste on AT&T’s heavily stressed network, which has experienced a stunning 5,000% rise in data traffic since the iPhone’s introduction in 2007. That data traffic reduces the network’s ability to handle voice calls…. MORE “

Click below to view his interview on DIGITS:

DIGI & MAXIS iPHONE 4 – REGISTER NOW!

Mike Hornet — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:21:33 +0000

For those who wish to be among the first batch of iPhone 4 owners in Malaysia, you can now register at the DIGI or Maxis site here.

I believe it will come together with the Bumper as I doubt Malaysians will get theirs with the hardware antenna fix. Apple has yet to announce of such new production.

THE QUESTION NOW HERE IS:
WHO IS LAUNCHING THE iPHONE 4 FIRST IN MALAYSIA?

MAXIS ? DIGI ? OR SIMULTANEOUSLY?

iPADMANIA IN SINGAPORE

Mike Hornet — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 10:08:43 +0000

The first few persons to get the iPads at the Singapore launch yesterday, were Carole Kwang, Richard Lee, and Korean Han Seung Yong. You can see the joy in their faces … not forgetting the one with the rather big big YAWWWNNN!

iPAD, iPHONE etc command a kind of attraction not found in other devices and products. The June 23rd launching of the iPads in Singapore created a lot of fanfare where people waited in queue just to buy one unit. That’s the Apple sensation for all its “i” products.

The Straits Times papers has some good photos of the launch:

Singapore is one of nine countries to get the iPad this time. The iPad will be available in three models – 16GB, 32GB and 64GB with either Wi-Fi or 3G version.

Prices are:

S$728 for a Wi-Fi 16GB iPad
S$1,228 for a 3G 64GB iPad

Whatever the bad publicity on the iPhone 4 antenna problem, it has not affected the sales of the iPads. Apple had already shipped 3.27 millions iPads.

iPHONE 4: FREE BUMPERS AND REFUNDS

Mike Hornet — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 05:47:09 +0000

JOBS: “Every iPhone 4 buyer will either get a free rubberized case called a Bumper or the option to choose another case if Apple Bumpers aren’t available. People who already bought a $29 Bumper will get a refund.”

JOBS: “Customers can also return their undamaged iPhone 4 within 30 days of purchase for a full refund. AT&T Inc., the iPhone’s exclusive U.S. carrier, will provide refunds and cancel service contracts. That’s everything we can do to make every customer happy.”

That’s what Jobs (who cut short his vacation in Hawaii earlier this week) said at the media conference. Simple and short:

FREE BUMPERS IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE USING YOUR iPHONE 4.
REFUND FOR PEOPLE WHO ALREADY BOUGHT THE US$29 BUMPER.
iPHONE 4 REFUND AND CANCELLATION OF SERVICE CONTRACTS WITHIN 30 DAYS OF PURCHASE.

Seeking a solution to the antenna flaw that is dropping calls for some iPhone 4 users, CEO Steve Jobs said yesterday that employees started a round-the-clock effort to improve the reception amid complaints since the device’s debut on June 24.

Apple will continue work to improve its smartphone antenna technology. Meanwhile you have a choice – BUY NOW OR WAIT!

JOBS: “Every smartphone has a cellular antenna. And nearly every smartphone can lose signal strength if you hold it a certain way. Can we make the situation better than it is right now? Maybe, we’ll see. We haven’t figured out a way around the law of physics. Yet.”

OVER 3,000,000 iPHONE 4 SOLD.
SO THAT’S AN AWESOME NUMBER
FOR FREE BUMPERS OR REFUNDS!

THE iPHONE 4 BUMPER

Mike Hornet — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:17:15 +0000

Apple coming press conference is hours away and nobody know what Steve Jobs is going to say. For product recall, which will run into the billions, it will be a very unlikely decision from Apple. I feel the cheaper alternative is to sell the bumper at a lower price or better still, give it away free to quiet down all the complaints.

Many are wondering how the bumper for the iPhone 4 looks like (see image below). The Apple iPhone 4 Bumper is just a ring of rubber and plastic that surrounds the edge of the iPhone 4. The inner part is rubber with the band running around the outside made of shiny plastic. There are cut-out holes for you to access the mute switch, dock connector, earphones and speakers.

Unlike some of the cases available in the market for the iPhone 3GS, the Bumper doesn’t cover the back of the phone, which I feel it should. But then again covering the back will mean you are not able to display the beautiful design of the iPhone 4.

With the antenna problem faced by the iPhone 4, the Bumper is a must-have accessory … whether it’s free or you have to pay for it.

Afterthought:

Did Steve Jobs knew all along that the iPhone 4 will encounter reception problem because of the antenna placing? Because the way the Bumper is designed, it was not meant to protect the screen and the back. It was designed such so that your hands don’t come in direct contact with the antenna and affect the antenna strength. I am just waiting anxiously for his press conference and hear what he has to say.

iPHONE 4 RECALL?

Mike Hornet — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 04:57:57 +0000

HOW IS APPLE GOING TO ARREST THE iPHONE 4 ANTENNA PROBLEM?

The complaint is about losing reception when they cover the lower-left corner of the iPhone 4. It has now accelerated to such a critcal level that Apple cannot just sit down and ignore the whole issue. It will definitely affect the iPhone 4 sales if nothing is done right away!

Apple has indeed created a public relations headache for itself. You can’t just dismiss or ignore the problem. Apple appears to be already quietly offering replacement phones to some customers who have complained. And the new replacement sets are said to be working properly.

There are 2 options for Apple to do:

PROVIDE FREE BUMPER CASES TO COVER THE ANTENNA TROUBLE SPOT
RECALL ALL THE iPHONE 4 SOLD (THIS COULD COST APPLE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS)

We Malaysians (and countries not on the priority list) are considered lucky for getting the iPhone 4 later than others. At least now we are not part of the problem.

Come 16 July, Apple is going to hold a surprise press conference to either…
explain? …provide free bumpers?…. or to recall?

What do you think?

iPHONE 4 ANTENNA PROBLEM!

Mike Hornet — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:57:06 +0000

Is Apple a victim of its own success? I hope it is not like Toyota which has been growing too big too fast, to keep up with the demand and maintain quality.

I heard that the iPhone 4 is facing reception problem with its external antenna. Hold the phone wrongly and your reception is impaired. As if you do not know how to hold a phone, Apple is teaching you to ”avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases.”

At the launch Steve Jobs boasted that, “This is part of some brilliant engineering which actually uses the stainless steel bands as part of the antenna system…It’s got these integrated antennas right in the structure of the phone. It’s never been done before. And it’s really cool engineering.”

COOL INDEED?
But I doubt it will dampen the sale of the iPhone 4, which for your information had since 24 June sold 1,700,000 units. Show me another brand that can beat this kind of awesome sales figure!

Check out the image above which shows Jobs holding the phone wrongly.

Instead of following Apple’s advice to hold the phone correctly (Steve Job’s response: “You’re holding it wrong!”) or buy Apple’s bumper case, a solution is on the way from A WRAP FOR THAT. This 3M vinyl can shield the iPhone 4 from the “death grip” so that there is no interference. Check it out at A WRAP FOR THAT.