App Anarchy

Posted on Wednesday, 23rd June 2010 by Keith Beucler

I had a chance to meet with a group of 3G iPhone users who had just recently updated their iPhone to OS4. It was an informal meeting with about 20 users. This is the same group that I use for UI testing new apps. The group pretty much covers the typical iPhone user base from tech savvy to new iPhone users.

When doing UI testing you normally just ask the tester to accomplish a certain task and observe how easily and quickly they are able to accomplish it. Today I deviated and interacted with the group. They wanted to know how to enable multi tasking. I explained that on a 3G multitasking was not enabled. Another asked how to change the home page wallpaper. Once again I explained that this was not possible on the 3G. I could see the frustration on their faces.

So what exactly did the new OS bring to the 3G platform? Not much. One participant explained that their friends jailbroken iPhone was seemed to be more capable. Now I personally haven’t spent much time on a jailbroken iPhone but from what I recall, it does seem that even with the IOS4 upgrade, Black Rain was a better choose for 3G users.

So why would Apple choose to disappoint rather than thrill? Well I honestly can’t speak for Apple but it seems as though they of course want you to buy a new phone. But is this really what is going to happen? Or are they going to drive users to jailbreak their devices.

At this point I think its time for a little head to head competition. So give a little time to get the group together with the two different Operating Systems and see if a group of hackers can out perform Apple’s engineers.

I’d love to hear you thoughts especially if you have already compared the two.

Tags: 3G, Black Rain, IOS4, iPhone
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Posted on Thursday, 20th May 2010 by Keith Beucler

It’s been a while since I’ve had time to write a blog post. Heck I haven’t even had time for 140 characters. I just wanted to take a few minutes to let my fellow developers know whats been keeping me so busy.

I’ve kind of been taking a break from developing apps for the iPhone and have been focusing on web apps and “mobilizing” web sites. My background is in web site design and development. After I sold my business in 2005 I had to take a break from web design because of a non competitive agreement. That agreement expired a couple of months ago and I’m now able to return to web development. I can’t believe how much I missed designing for the web.

I really hadn’t planned on returning to web site design but a friend of mine asked me if I would develop a site for him. It was like opening a flood gate or maybe more like a wildfire. Practically every other day I’m being asked to work on another project.

What has me the most excited are the tools that are now available to a web developer and the possibilities that HTML5 brings to the web and mobile devices. I’ve been so focused on app development that I’ve overlooked what is now possible. Admittedly HTML5 has not been standardized but its now practical to do some really wild stuff.

I realize that many iPhone developers are focusing on creating their next great app but I think you may need to take a walk out of the forrest and take another look at them there trees. What I’m trying to tell you is to take a break. Not a long one. But take a look at HTML5 and have a coffee or lunch with a web developer and see whats going on in their worlds and what has them excited. This just may bring a new perspective to your apps.

Posted in Developer, iPad, iPhone | Comments (1)

Posted on Saturday, 1st May 2010 by Keith Beucler

I’m sure most everyone is tired of the stories about the lost iPhone prototype. What is bothering me the most about the reports is that the circumstances surrounding losing and finding the phone overshadow the phone itself.

I’m not sure if I’m just becoming jaded or is the supposed new iPhone not living up to the A+ update that was promised by Mr. Jobs. Sure a front facing camera is great, a more powerful processor is always a good thing and who doesn’t want better battery life. So what am I missing?

I’m suddenly flashing back to the early ‘90s when the Apple Lisa was rocking the computer industry with it’s GUI interface. There was nothing like it. Microsoft even then was the largest software producer but Apple had a great opportunity to close the gap. Unfortunately, that never happened.

The release of the iPhone in 2007 changed everything. Sure there were smart phones before then but there was nothing like the iPhone. In 2010 there are countless phones with similar form factors and some would even say with similar function.

So what am I missing? Sure iPhone sales are going to continue to grow but what is going to prevent other platforms from closing the gap?

Tags: G4, iPhone, OS4
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