So, here is my tale… my co-work Karla and I are driving down Bristol in Costa Mesa because we were trying [...]]]> This is going to be a ‘rant’ filled blog about how much I hate Google Maps.  So, if you like Google Maps, sorry, bottom line it’s unreliable, and for god sake, blue dot? Come ON!

So, here is my tale… my co-work Karla and I are driving down Bristol in Costa Mesa because we were trying to get to Jo-Anna’s Fabric (don’t ask), and since I had no idea where one was, I opened up my Google Maps, clicked on search, and typed in Jo-Anna’s Fabric; within an instant I was given 10 optional locations. So, I picked the first one as it was the nearest to us. The directions clearly stated, head North on Bristol, turn Right on Warner, turn Left on Fairview, etc… well, we went North on Bristol, then turned Right on Warner, but were unable to turn Left on Fairview, want to know why…? Because it wasn’t there! I was supposed to turn LEFT on Warner not RIGHT!  But, according to the blue dot, and the route summery, I was headed in the right direction! Then, all of a sudden I run into a dead end! *$&#*

I’ve always said, I hate Google Maps, it’s never right! I love Sprint Navigation. Truly if you are ever deciding what carrier to jump on, I would suggest Sprint. I’ve had their service for over 6 months now and I’ve had zero dropped calls, great customer service, very fast mobile browsing, an amazing Sprint Navigation System, and great television on Sprint TV! I’ve had AT&T, horrible reception, never got anyone nice on the phone, very slow 3G speed even when I had the iPhone 3GS, and way too pricey!

Getting back to Google Maps, what is the deal? Why can they not generate proper directions? I love the search functionality; however the map is so bogus! Are they not using an updated map? Sometimes they can’t even find addresses! What is up with that!? Don’t believe me? Try typing in 188 Cooper Creek, Dallas, GA doesn’t even show up! I know that house is there!

Google, please listen, the reason why Apple is so successful and hardly has any issues with any of their devices and/or products in general, is because they do one thing at a time. This allows them to perfect the product and or service allowing no room for competition. They have the perfect phone, they have the perfect music player, they have the perfect impractical (my opinion) device in the iPad, they have the best Apps (Android market is subpar), and on top of that, people always feel cooler and above the ‘rest’ when they own an Apple product! I really hope that Apple makes its own mapping system.

-Want to chat some more? Get at me at: asif[at]textopoly[dot]com-

First EVER LIVE fashion show exclusively on iPhone

Shop Ralph Lauren from your MOBILE! – Your boss won’t even know your doing it!

Is your product [...]]]> Do you shop at Armani Exchange? How about American Eagle? D&G? Or maybe you are a Ralph Lauren type… Well, whatever fashion designer you fancy, they are all available via MOBILE!!

First EVER LIVE fashion show exclusively on iPhone

Shop Ralph Lauren from your MOBILE! – Your boss won’t even know your doing it!

Is your product or service this accessible? Do you want to be? You know who to call… 

Want to chat some more about mobile in general and/or anything at all?! Get at me: asif[at]textopoly[dot]com!

Apple now allowing iPhone apps to make VoIP calls over 3G networks

In an update to its iPhone SDK, Apple is now permitting apps to make VoIP calls over 3G wireless networks, an option that was once only available over a WiFi connection.

According to a press release issued Wednesday by [...]]]> Interesting news from AppleInsider:

Apple now allowing iPhone apps to make VoIP calls over 3G networks

In an update to its iPhone SDK, Apple is now permitting apps to make VoIP calls over 3G wireless networks, an option that was once only available over a WiFi connection.

According to a press release issued Wednesday by iCall, Apple has revised its SDK to allow VoIP calls over cellular networks. This is a major change from Apple’s previous agreement with AT&T which only allowed VoIP communications over a WiFi connection.

Back in October, AT&T announced that it would open up its 3G network to VoIP applications on the iPhone, and it appears that Apple is just now taking action.

It’s about time Apple!  Thank you for opening up the SDK.  After years of rejecting VoIP apps for the iPhone, you finally get it through your thick stull to stop hindering progress and let the marketplace figure it out.

How does this affect AT&T though?  In our opinion, not much.  They might lose some money on people reducing their plans, but all in all, as more people get better phones we’ll all be spending more money on data and texting plans and less on minutes.  Hopefully one day we can have city wide Wi-Fi coverage.  Then we’ll have the city of the future which we were all promised as little children.  By the way, where is my flying car at anyways!

AppleInsider – http://leep.it/d0

Ohhhh little brother… You have so much more to live and learn. Kudos on the attempt though!

We can at least agree on the fact that AT&T’s network is anemic at best. However, when comparing the HTC Hero and Apple iPhone, both of which I have also owned and operated, [...]]]> In response to Shehzad’s “HTC…No One’s Hero”

Ohhhh little brother… You have so much more to live and learn. Kudos on the attempt though!

We can at least agree on the fact that AT&T’s network is anemic at best. However, when comparing the HTC Hero and Apple iPhone, both of which I have also owned and operated, I still feel as though the HTC, for my purposes is far greater than the iPhone.

Let me address a few of your ‘points…’

1)   Size Always Matters

You are definitely correct, the HTC Hero is 10% smaller than the Apple iPhone; I don’t have a huge bulge in my hip pocket when I have the HTC Hero. However, this does not necessarily mean that it is less functional when using the virtual keyboard. I can type text messages and directions just as fast, and when the HTC Hero predicts the word you are trying to type it’s at least close if not exactly what you want to type!

2)   HTC Hero = Non- Sense mobile phone

I’ll give you this one. Yes, I agree they should have made a sensor to when you put the phone to your ear it would lock the screen.

2a) HTC Hero = Social Media Guru

One of the other things that the HTC Hero does a lot better than the iPhone, is keep me connected with all my friends and family! Its’ simple integration with my Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter account, keeps me updated on all the ‘status changes’ and organizes my messages from my friends, and overall lets me stay in touch with everyone no matter where I am! I don’t even need the Facebook mobile application! With the iPhone, I have click on the stupid Facebook application, click on ‘home’ to view status updates, click on ‘profile’ to view my profile, why couldn’t they make it all integrated?!

3)   Alphabetically? Really?

The menu button in the HTC Hero is really just a buy-product. They didn’t care about it because you can customize your home screen or any of the remaining 6 screens to have whatever you want on them! For example, on my home screen I have the most common items I use: contacts, Pandora, messages, email, and browser. If I flick the screen to the left, it has all of my wireless amenities, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, etc. I customize my phone to fit me and therefore never use the menu button! Furthermore, even if it is in alphabetical order, who cares, it’s so much easier to find things! When I had my iPhone, things were all over the place, and never in order, unless I customized them.

In conclusion, the iPhone is a good phone, its easy to use and meant for every Tom, Dick, and Harry, however, when you really want a phone to do a man’s job, get the HTC Hero, it’s a Hero and a Hero always wins!

PS: Let’s not forget, this is HTC’s first attempt against the iPhone, which is in its 3^rd generation. As soon as HTC gets a bit more comfortable, I have no doubt they will out do the iPhone in every category.

Want to chat about mobile over lunch!? My treat! Email me at: Asif[at]textopoly[dot]com

Ohhhh Asif.

I also had an iPhone, but then switched to Sprint since AT&T’s reception was nearly non-existent in San Francisco. So I do agree with Asif’s opinion of AT&T. However, I don’t agree with his taste in phones.

After moving to Sprint I first tried the [...]]]> In response to this post by Asif: “HTC, My Hero”

Ohhhh Asif.

I also had an iPhone, but then switched to Sprint since AT&T’s reception was nearly non-existent in San Francisco. So I do agree with Asif’s opinion of AT&T. However, I don’t agree with his taste in phones.

After moving to Sprint I first tried the Palm Pre for 3 weeks, then the HTC Hero for 2 weeks. I then sprint (!) back to the Palm Pre. Though I do like my Palm Pre, no phone will ever come close to the iPhone.

Maybe Asif and I look for different features in a mobile phone. I mean, of course, I want my phone to make calls, text, get email, etc. But just as important is the usability. As an avid Mac user (and lover) for the past 6 years, trust me when I say that no company infuses their products with more thought, intuition or genius than Apple.

Here are only four of the many reasons why the HTC Hero on Sprint simply does not compete with the iPhone:

1) Size Always Matters

Being a touch-only phone, a bigger screen is essential for speed and ease of use of the virtual keyboard. The HTC Hero’s width is almost 10% smaller than the iPhone – making the iPhone easier to text/email with.

2) HTC Hero = Non-sense mobile phone

One of the most ingenious and intuitive features the iPhone sported years ago was what I will call the “ear sensor.” That is the sensor that turns the screen off when you are on a call so that your ear doesn’t touch things on the screen and accidently hang up the call.

So when HTC decided to follow Apple and make a touch-only screen phone, why would they not include this sensor!!?? At MINIMUM, HTC should strive to do all the things an iPhone does. I mean, no one is asking HTC to be creative or inventive here – just copy what’s out there!

AHHHH!!!!!

Simply Stupid.

3) END and LOCK are not the same HTC!

After discovering #2 above I thought – maybe I should stop being so lazy, and just lock the screen manually when I’m on the phone. I mean, how hard could it be? Just simply press the screen lock button, right?

WRONG! The “screen lock” button is the same as the “end call” button on the Hero! How moronic! Does this company not use their phones before releasing them into the market? I mean, what engineer sat there and thought this was a good idea?

AHHHH!!!!!

Even Stupider!

4) Alphabetically? Really?

For as long as I can remember using a cell phone (about 8-9 years) I have never seen a phone list their applications/icons in alphabetical order! Even the old-school Nokia’s and Motorola’s listed the icons in order from most frequently used to least frequently used.

With the coming of smartphones/PDA phones the user was able to reorganize the icons and applications. So when a phone (and operating system) that boasts themselves on the “customizability” of their phones restricts users to an alphabetically arranged application menu – I was shocked, appalled, and amazed – all at the same time.

I don’t ever use the Amazon MP3 Store! I dont care for it. On the Palm Pre it’s on my last screen… but on the Hero its one of the first icons and it can’t be removed!

AHHHHH!!!!!

Just Idiotic.

Conclusion

Is the iPhone without its own list of issues? Of course not.

But one thing is for sure – the iPhone (and Apple in general) will always be superior to other phones when it comes to usability, and because of that the Sprint HTC Hero is simply not even a competitor in my book.

From the moment I landed in Europe mobile campaigns assisting alongside traditional marketing campaigns are widespread. Alcohol brand Carlsberg is using a mobile call to action with a fun campaign called “What’s on, where?”. User can text CARLSBERG to the short code to get information on where the party’s at! The call to [...]]]>

From the moment I landed in Europe mobile campaigns assisting alongside traditional marketing campaigns are widespread. Alcohol brand Carlsberg is using a mobile call to action with a fun campaign called “What’s on, where?”. User can text CARLSBERG to the short code to get information on where the party’s at! The call to actions are properly placed on coasters at all pubs in Dublin and to increase participation, the texts for the Carlsberg campaign are a freetext which does not take away from the users standard rate messaging plan. In the States this is called Free to the End User (FTEU), but is not supported cross-carrier (surprise, surprise). Currently Carriers that will approve a FTEU campaign are T-Mobile, AT&T and perhaps Verizon (yes, “perhaps”). Whether or not U.S. Carriers will support a program from a alcohol brand is on a case-by-case basis with the fundamental thought that if the program encourages a user to drink then it most likely won’t be allowed, but then again there are exceptions to this too.

The Miller Light campaign is called Give It A Twist. The CTAs ask users to take a picture with an interesting twist and text the photo to the long-code 353833333224 for the weekly chance to win money and a trip to NYC. Conceptually we’ve done programs like this in the States, but instead of asking users to send the picture to a phone number the picture is typically sent to an email address. Yes, it would be much easier to have the picture sent via MMS to a short code, but the only Carriers in the U.S. that support a MMS to short code campaign are AT&T and Verizon. Sprint will allow MMS to short code but only if the brand will charge the end user to participate, thus a premium program only. Alltel, Cin Bell and Cricket are ‘maybes’.

Just as we’ve been hearing for the past 3 years, ‘experts’ are saying that this upcoming year is the year for mobile; we’ll see if the Carriers are listening because brands, agencies and creative kats are ready to start using the ubiquitous mobile device in conjunction with traditional marketing more frequently. However, it’s hard when programs such as FTEU, MMS to short codes, downloadable content, and even standard rate alerts services are not cross-carrier! (Yup, even standard rate alerts are not cross-carrier, ask Cricket for starters.)

I have always loved Nokia. I think they produce high quality mobile phones that are user friendly. My first cell phone was the Nokia 8290, by far the best cell phone I ever had. I loved playing ‘snake’ in the black and green background color, and sending text messages to friends cool [...]]]> Nokia, Nokia, Nokia…

I have always loved Nokia. I think they produce high quality mobile phones that are user friendly. My first cell phone was the Nokia 8290, by far the best cell phone I ever had. I loved playing ‘snake’ in the black and green background color, and sending text messages to friends cool enough to have the same phone.

Sadly, Nokia, as it sits today, has lost over 10% of the US market share over the past few years and is down to approx. 7% of US market share[1]. However, globally, Nokia holds the largest market share at roughly 40%![2] The global monster has recently been involved with a myriad of rumors ranging from possible tag team collaboration with AT&T, possible tag team collaboration with Verizon, and as a total introduction into the US market as a new CARRIER! Currently, the only thing that we know that is accurate is their 2010 introduction of the NOKIA netbook. This netbook will be priced around $500.00 US, and will run on Windows 7 on the AT&T 3G network. Now, this may seem that Nokia would have no intention of teaming with anyone else, and would continue its strong relationship with AT&T, right? Wrong! Nokia, along with Verizon have wanted to create a device that would challenge the iPhone for some time now. Nokia lost a large portion of its shares due primarily to the introduction of the iPhone. Here is rumor number 2:

Rumor has it that Verizon has teamed with Nokia to create the first 4G mobile device. Everyone knows that this past month at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Verizon announced that it will test its new 4G network that uses a technology called Long Term Evolution or LTE[3], this year and will begin aggressive rollouts in 2010 (news.cnet.com).  It has also been said at a recent conference in Texas, that Nokia has been recently testing with LTE technology. This tag team collaboration, weather true or false would help both companies gain ground on Apple and AT&T. IPhone’s popularity in the US market has definitely hurt Nokia’s share in the smart-phone market.

Nokia’s ability to produce high quality mobile phones and Verizon’s strong coverage could be the kryptonite to the iPhone.  Personally speaking, I would love for that to happen.

[2] Fortune Magazine – ‘Nokia’s North American Problem’

[3] Long Term Evolution or LTE technology is the last step toward the 4^th generation of radio technologies designed to increase the capacity and speed of mobile telephone networks. Where the current generation of mobile telecommunication networks are collectively known as 3G, LTE is marketed as 4G.