http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/20100220/tc_pcworld/whyapplespornpurgeisasmartmove

Jeff Bertolucci writes in the above article that “the porn purge is a smart business move on Apple’s part”. Although I agree with him that it’s a smart business move, I don’t necessarily agree with the decision. Why should Apple (or should I say the people complaining to Apple) decide what apps I can or cannot download on my devices? If an adult wants to download trashy apps and is willing to pay for them, then that is a choice they should be allowed to make.

If parents are complaining about apps they feel inappropriate for their children to view, then why aren’t they keeping better tabs on what their children are doing? It’s not Apple’s job to watch over what our children download, it’s up to us as parents. Do these same complaining parents ever listen to the lyrics of the songs their children have on their iTouch or iPod? I bet they don’t!

I don’t download any of the offensive downloads on my iTouch — I see enough trash on television every day. However, if I wanted to I should be allowed that choice. If Apple is allowed to choose what apps are appropriate for us to download, what’s next? Will I only be allowed to download books and listen to music they approve of?

The simple truth is that Apple is watching out for their bottom line by appeasing those squeaky wheels and removing such apps from their store. A “smart business move” – absolutely; censorship – you betcha!

According to Computer World Hardware, “Apple has now patched five vulnerabilities in the iPhone’s Operating system”. Hopefully this should solve some major issues for Iphone and Ipod users. Before the update, if the Ipod touch was ever lost, anyone who has access to the phone would then have the capability to bypass the pass code and access any data stored in the phone. As you can imagine this was huge for consumers who lost their phones and insurance claims would only replace the phone but yet asked for a deductible. Consumers would get a new phone, pay out money for the phone and yet their information was exposed to strangers. The phone update also improves the accuracy of reported battery level on the 3GS and has now fixed some security issues. Before the update Iphone users were also experiencing difficulty launching third party applications. The latest update has now allowed third-party applications to be launched without any bugs attached.
Consumers have reported these problems since the end of 2007, shortly after the phone was introduced to the market on June 27, 2007. In January 2008, Apple thought they patched the problem many users were experiencing. According, to Computer World Hardware, “Apple forgotten to patch a bug that allowed people to sidestep locking by simply tapping Emergency Call”. It was also reported back in 2008 by mobileguerilla.com of a bug that caused an application to crash when using Japanese Kana keyboard. This wasn’t even after a year of being launch and yet consumers were faced with this problem. The problem was later addressed in September 2009 and now it is fixed.

When the Iphone was first introduced to the market for consumers it was a huge gain for Apple. According to Engadget.com “Goldman Sachs estimated approximately 700,000 units were sold in just the first weekend alone.” The phone features an Operating System, CPU, Messaging, Internet Browser, Radio, and Games all for approximately $529.00 along with a phone contract. However, the phone does not give one the capability to have Songs as Ringtones, Any flash support, Instant Messaging; Picture messages (MMS), Video recording, Voice recognition or voice dialing Wireless Bluetooth Stereo Streaming (A2DP). Yet, the original cost of the phone was $529.00 and yet at such a high demand and doesn’t have some of the capability others phones have. PC Magazine reports the phone to have “Poor business e-mail and PIM connectivity. Bad audio quality on phone calls. Tons of “GSM buzz” on nearby speakers. Virtual keyboard hard to type on. No phone functionality with iPod speaker docks. But poor phone call performance and missing messaging options make us unwilling to recommend it as a phone.” I was quite shocked to read this information. One would think for such an expensive phone it would have all the same capabilities as say a Blackberry phone and no flaws.

Apple now allows users to download the new security update to their electronic device. However, during my research, I located the download on the Apple website, but no where on the site is there an apology to its consumers. Makes one wonder if buying anything from Apple is worth the penny.

References
Computer World Online (2010, February 2, 2010) Apple patches critical flaws in iPhone, iPod Touch. Retrieved February 3, 2010 from http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9150958/Apple_patches_critical_flaws_in_iPhone_iPod_Touch
Mac World Online. (no date) Iphone 3G. Retrieved February 3, 2010 from http://www.macworld.com/product/ipod/956/detail.html
End Gadget Online (2007, July 3rd) Can Apple Meet Iphone demand. Retrieved February 3, 2010 from http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/03/can-apple-meet-iphone-demand/

Mobile Gorilla Online (2010, February 3rd) Apple Releases iPhone, iPod Touch 3.1.3 Security Patch. Retrieved February 3, 2010 from http://www.mobileguerilla.com/articles/2010/02/03/apple-iphone-ipod-touch-313-patch.php

Apple Online (no date) Apple Support. Retrieved February 3, 2010 from http://www.apple.com/support/

The next big thing in US banking will be mobile person-to-person (P2P) money transfers.  You will be able to sign up for this service through a bank or similar provider.  The bank’s person-to-person payment system will be integrated with your regular online banking, and funds can be emailed and then debited from your account.  The recipient will get the cash deposited directly into an account or have it posted to an existing credit card or a prepaid card. 

 What if you borrowed $50 from a friend last week, or your child at college needs quick cash, or you need to pay the babysitter, or pay your dining partner your share of the bill?  All you need is their email address or cell number and presto.  All in real time too.  No more hauling off to the ATM to get cash, or writing a check and mailing it snail mail.  While the older generations still may walk to the supermarket to pay their utility bills, the younger set has already fully migrated to the next frontier of on-line shopping and e-banking.    Having used on-line banking for over a decade now, consumers can enjoy the convenience of managing their money within the context of their existing and trusted banking relationships. 

While the banks are just waking up to the potential of person-to-person payments, Paypal is already offering a service that allows users to make transfers over a cell phone, and may well gain the most critical mass in this new technology.  But financial institutions easily can extend their banking services without having to build major infrastructure.   In the end, whoever can make mobile payments the simplest, and also design a good marketing strategy, will capitalize on this opportunity, charging possibly twenty-five cents per transaction.

With regards to security, consumers can rely on the personal payment service through their participating financial institution, who has already established a secure payment processing system.  This will eliminate the need to share account information with a third party and result in both improved security and greater convenience.

 Another benefit will allow consumers to leave money in their bank accounts longer.  While the current interest rates are at an all-time low, better to have your money in the bank than in your pocket, or paying up to 26% on your credit card balance. 

 Like cell phones eliminated the need to wear a watch, they will now eliminate the need to carry a wallet.

These days there are truly two phone companies, which dominate the cell phone business. Apple and RIM, are seemingly the two best competitors as far as producers of smart phones. The two most popular phones being produced by these companies today are the Iphone 3Gs and the Blackberry Tour/Bold. Both seem to carry loyal customers and each will say that their phone provides the best capabilities. But which one truly outdoes the other? According to an article in thestandard.com, Apple actually out sold RIM in 2008.

I happen to be a blackberry user, however I am still fascinated by the Iphone. I chose my blackberry because of how easy it is to stay connected to my email and business necessities. I have always felt that it is easier to type on a keyboard then a touch screen. Maybe it just depends on the size of your fingers. RIM seems to keep the blackberry at a certain level of simplicity, so that almost anyone can figure out the short cuts. My mother, who probably couldn’t even tell you how to scan a document into the computer, has managed to learn how to use her blackberry. They truly make it easy to understand the applications and the phone has many aspects to it, which I find very appealing. Simple things, such as the red LCD light, that blinks when you have a message or receiving a text when you have a missed call or voicemail, are great additions. I can honestly say that I will probably never give up my blackberry or as many say my “Crackberry.”

On the other side of the spectrum is the Iphone. Released in 2007, the technology was unbeatable. The touch screen, graphics, and much more out did any phone on the market as far as newer technology was concerned. However, it seems that Apple continuously has to make it better because of certain problems, thus releasing a new version every 6 months, or at least it seems that way. The Iphone brings more applications than any other phone known to man. Whether it’s for business or pure pleasure, there seems to be an app for everything. They even have an app, which ignites a fake lighter on the phone, who knew people would find that appealing. Even the Blackberry Storm, RIM’s first touch screen model, didn’t seem to compare to the Iphone. I happen to own an Apple computer and can honestly say that it outdoes any computer I’ve ever owned. Apple always seems to provide a technology better than others, with a sleek uniqueness to it. Either way, you can’t walk a block in Boston without seeing someone’s eyes focused on one of these two toys. Both are extremely addicting, and each one has its own advantages.

Just when you thought there were enough smart phones to choose from Garmin had to get into the arena with the Nuvifone.

As if talking with family, friends and surfing the web wasn’t enough we need our cell phone to have navigation features as well?  Whether we need it or not it’s here and I think it’s great.

Features include:
• Google local search
• Garmin Online services – traffic, weather, fuel prices, hotel discounts, etc.
• nuvi-like navigation on the road or in pedestrian mode
• Email, text, IM functions
• Camera, video camera, MP3 and MPEG4/AAC

I love a phone that cannot only connect me everyone that I want to talk with but also give me the exact coordinates of where I’m making my phone call from.  Sure those other smart phones have a lot of great features and they can take pictures as well but can they tag the photo with the exact longitude and latitude of where the picture was taken? I think not.   This phone is multifunctional as well. You can plug it into the docking station in your car and use it as a navigation system while still using the calling features.   This would make it so much easier when I’m talking with friends while driving.  I can either ask my friend on the phone for directions to the party or I can still get turn by turn directions from the phone.  I think what makes this phones capability so believable is that it is created by such a great company in Garmin.  So far I’ve only seen this product introduced by AT&T but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before other carriers jump on board.

I’m going to run out and get this phone and I encourage all those hikers who would normally get lost in the mountains be sure to bring this phone with you so that way while you’re looking up your coordinates you can give the lodge a call with them.