There's a great little game out there on the Apple site to help programmers learn how to use and build new iPhone software. It is a free download from their site and ALL the credit goes to Apple.
Wanna Play Puzzler?
Point your iPhone to this link to play: Puzzler!
Just double click on any two side-by-side balls of similar.... you will quickly get the idea. (Sorry, but if your color blind you may find this game a bit frustrating.)
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It is yet to be seen if AT&T can kill the iPhone, but they sure are trying!
The iPhone launch last Friday went well for Apple. Each Apple store was well stocked and their employees were helpful, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. Many Apple stores actually lined up their employees to cheer each new customer and congratulate them on their purchase. When was the last time you got applause for spending $600!
But, as many of these smiling iCustomers returned home and began the AT&T activation process their iHappiness was replaced with iFrustration.
AT&T Scrambles To Activate iPhones,
And Quickly Falls Short Trying
Slow activation and hidden AT&T family plan charges were the most heard complaints. But others were just as frustrated with the slow AT&T network and spotty coverage.
Our friend Cali Lewis of Geek Brief TV was so turned off by the hidden AT&T family plan fees she announced her intention to return her two iPhones Saturday morning. Her latest Geek Brief update states that she WILL activate her phones, but so far AT&T hasn't gotten around to doing it yet.
Many online reports stated that iPhone customers were having to wait more than 24+ hours to have their phones activated. Obviously AT&T does not have an automated activation system capable of turning on the juice, and an unactivated iPhone can not even do non-phone related task like play music and videos. A more likely scenario is that AT&T is having one of their human staffed service centers do the activations manually. A smoke and mirrors approach to automating the activation process. Why else would it take so long?
An Unactivated iPhone Is So Thin It
Won't Even Make A Good Doorstop!
The Dallas morning news reported Sunday that most AT&T stores had sold out of phones by Friday evening, and only a couple of locations were left with the 4GB $500 models.
As I reported last week AT&T was a poor choice for Apple. Whether this fault lies with Apple, or the other carriers who declined the Apple iPhone is undecided. But if anybody can kill a good iBuzz... it is for sure AT&T!
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AT&T released today the rate plans for the iPhone, and is now providing information about the AT&T 3G network.
If you haven't heard iPhone hits the stores this Friday June 29th at 6pm
Several of the draw backs for iPhone are evaporating this week as more information is released. The big news released today is the highly awaited Rate Plans from AT&T. Links from Apple.com now show three basic plans, all of which come with unlimited data and video-voice-mail.
The AT&T Rate plans are 450 minutes for $59.99, 900 minutes for $79.99, and 1350 minutes for $99.99. This IS a competitive rate and beats my similar plan from Verizon which runs $39.99 for coverage and $49.99 for unlimited data. (It's the free data that is the surprise).
Another new link from Apple shows the AT&T coverage and includes a click box to see their 3G services. I was surprised to learn that a great expanse of the US is already covered by AT&T 3G service. Most references to AT&T Wireless only mention the slower "Edge" service, but a small text link to a pop-up explains:
The AT&T 3G / BroadbandConnect network is currently available in most major metropolitan areas and is expanding rapidly.
The enhanced 3G service, when integrated into the iPhone itself, will make the iPhone far more palatable as a wireless internet tool. Although lacking internal support for the 3G network at this week's release the iPhone will include WiFi integration which should help compensate for the slow "Edge" network speed when near a WiFi hotspot.
The missing component for me is only the lack of information about whether the iPhone can be used as a modem for a laptop. Having a backup DSL speed modem available through Verizon has saved many wasted hours when cable and high-speed land-lines have failed. I suspect this will be added to the iPhone at some point but may not be wrapped into the initial release. It's a minor issue for most people, but a major life saver for those with spotty or inconsistent land-line service.
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