New iPhones September 10?

[Paddy]

http://www.thestar.com/business/2013/08/13..._10_source.html

Or so the rumour mill says...

Will it be a 5s or a 6? And will it make breakfast for me?

[kimmer]

What will it cost? And more importantly ...

Can I install Chrome and have it sync to my home iMac? Do I need to reup my apple email? Actually, can I reup my Apple mail and what will that cost? Will the new iPhone work with dropbox and calibre and open my ebooks as smoothly as I can on my droid phone using dropbox, calibre and Aldiko? Can I buy books at Amazon with the Kindle app, or do I have to do the work around? Can I download already purchased Kindle books with the Kindle app, or do I have to do a work around for that? Will the maps actually work? Will the darn phone get a signal when one is there, or will be it as annoying as my droid and sit there and stare at me?

I'm so frustrated with so called "smart phones". I'm actually ready to go back to a reg. cell phone and cut our bill down to almost nothing for the so-called service.  

[Xairbusdriver]

I assume those are mostly rhetorical questions...

Since I've never had a Droid I can't report on anything dealing with it.

The cost will be more than you'll want to pay (at least all of them so far have been!), but don't get suckered into buying one of those "by-the-month" deals.

As far as I know, iCloud, which comes with any Apple purchase, is free. Of course, you can buy more storage space and there are many extras you can buy. So, you should already have what's now called iCloud/DOTme/DOTmac/Mobileme/etc.

Also, as far as I know, syncing works with any other Apple device... via iCloud and settings on each device.

Apple (currently, see DoJ rulings that try to force changes), doesn't allow in app purchasing buy competitors of any type (mainly ebooks). But, if you've downloaded any ebooks to your Mac, they can be uploaded to an iPad/Pod/Phone. You can then read them with the Kindle or Nook reader for that device. Or you can use Calibre to convert (non-DRMd) them to other formats or even PDFs that can be read by non-ebook apps.

I have no idea what "Aldiko" is but it sounds dangerous!

I was not aware that Androids ever had any problems with tele-signals! I thought they all came with super powerful, long-range, satellite connections to all phone companies! I thought iDevices were the only ones that ever lost contact with Earth!

"Maps" at least the current 'new' version, is not impressive, at least not in a positive way. Monday, I wanted to check on the location of a funeral home that I had visited some years ago. I could picture it in my mind, I knew how to get there. But that first trip, years ago, took me about 30 miles out of the way to an area that had never supported a funeral hone or much more than a small gas station (which I think still had hand-cranked, glass container to show you how much you were going to gravity-feed into your Model T). Now, that 'map' app was the Google one, mind you. Fortunately, I found my way back to the funeral home just in time to follow the procession to the cemetery...

The 'new' map app uses Bing, if I recall correctly. Apparently, its primary mode of operation is for the user to provide a street address for the desired location. If you don't know that, try the Yellow Pages. The app thinks a businesses name is actually a street name, so using that won't be much help. If the location is out-of-town and you don't want to pay for the Yellow Pages in that town, try Googling the business name and, if you're lucky, you'll also get the address! I have more to say about the 'new' Map App but won't waste any more electrons on it here...  

Dropbox works on any device made in the last few years. And 1Password should be your first purchase for the iPhone, of course. It has its own browser and several other apps do also. But those are all basic, less powerful browsers. Their advantage is that they avoid the knee-capping "sandboxing" method Apple has decreed on us. Otherwise, I think Apple still forces Safari on you. Naturally, the new phones will be jail-broken after their release, if you're into that sort of dangerous living!

[kimmer]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 14 2013, 01:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I assume those are mostly rhetorical questions...

Actually, no they aren't. LOL I don't know very much about the iPhone and I'm considering moving from a droid to the iPhone. We already have a cell phone contract, but have to renew it this October, and I want to change phones. Either a better droid, or the iPhone. I was thinking iPhone because it's an apple product and might be nicer. :don't really know:

QUOTE

I was not aware that Androids ever had any problems with tele-signals! I thought they all came with super powerful, long-range, satellite connections to all phone companies! I thought iDevices were the only ones that ever lost contact with Earth!

Most droids don't, but I have a Motorola droid razr, and learned after the fact that it is notorious for not picking up signals, dropping signals, freezing, and worse - the battery can (and often does) drain within a few hours! I can be sitting in this one coffee shop where I can see the Verizon 4G service tower just across the street and up about 200 yards and my Motorola droid says NO SERVICE. Everyone else in the place is busy using phones, tablets, laptops, etc -- but I can't connect! It sometimes take hours before I get a notice that I have a voice mail, and my phone never rang. This is the worst cell phone. Ever.

QUOTE

As far as I know, iCloud, which comes with any Apple purchase, is free. Of course, you can buy more storage space and there are many extras you can buy. So, you should already have what's now called iCloud/DOTme/DOTmac/Mobileme/etc.

Okay. Well, I need to investigate this further. My last quick search showed that I'd lose my apple id (which is a name at mac dot com) and I don't get how that will affect everything. The articles I've read all contradict each other.

QUOTE

Apple (currently, see DoJ rulings that try to force changes), doesn't allow in app purchasing buy competitors of any type (mainly ebooks). But, if you've downloaded any ebooks to your Mac, they can be uploaded to an iPad/Pod/Phone. You can then read them with the Kindle or Nook reader for that device. Or you can use Calibre to convert (non-DRMd) them to other formats or even PDFs that can be read by non-ebook apps.

I have no idea what "Aldiko" is but it sounds dangerous!

Aldiko is a really nice ebook reader for the droid phones.
http://www.aldiko.com/

I already use Calibre to organize my ebooks, but it doesn't work so well on the droid phone and needs an optional app. So I back up my Calibre library to my dropbox folder and I then download to my phone and read in Aldiko. I have several ebooks that were purchased from other places (legit) before they all went belly-up. I can't open them in my Kindle app, so I need an alternate ebook reader. I'll search the app store and see what is there.

QUOTE

"Maps" at least the current 'new' version, is not impressive, at least not in a positive way.

That's what I've found with Google maps on my droid; and while I've never missed a funeral (hehehe - funny story), Sneakers and I almost got lost in the back woods. What saved us was that I could launch this mapping program that connected to GPS and showed us exactly where we were and what road to take to get home. Also, a couple of friends have the same app and they checked on us as we drove and would have been able to call for help if we appeared to be stuck, or never reported back in. But maps? Getting directions? Forgetaboutit!

QUOTE

Dropbox works on any device made in the last few years. And 1Password should be your first purchase for the iPhone, of course.

Cool. I have 1Password and it works in a round about way on my droid phone. I gather that it works fairly seamlessly on the iPhone. That will be nice. Do I have to pay for the iPhone version of 1Password? Hmmm … I'll have to check that out.

QUOTE

Otherwise, I think Apple still forces Safari on you.

Hmmm … okay, but can I install Chrome and not use Safari?

Obviously I *really* need to research before I make this purchase. Ten months with this frustrating droid is enough, and I don't want to wind up with another frustrating phone.

[Xairbusdriver]

I'm not sure why you would lose your DOTmac address, I certainly still have mine, along with the DOTme and now the DOTcloud. I haven't paid anything since maybe the DOTmac days. What does gripe me, a little, is that I can't have five aliases for each domain! Of course, I'd probably complain if you hung me with a new rope!

1Password does charge for the iPhone version. But it's well worth it even though you now have to connect directly to your Mac to sync your data... More sandbox 'happiness?'

I suspect you'll find the interface differences between Android and iOS to be your biggest obstacle. Going from either OS to the other is probably not much fun. Don't know, I've never done it, just anecdotal info.

[Paddy]

Kimmer, Google Maps is available for the iPhone. I've used it and Maps - both functioned fine. Still prefer our Garmin GPS though, as it gives more warning before turns!

And no, you're not stuck with Safari as the only browser option. Chrome is available, as are a bunch of others: http://ipod.about.com/od/bestiphoneapps/tp...rowser-Apps.htm
More info on the best options: http://lifehacker.com/5922808/lifehacker-f...iphone-and-ipad

Re: 1Password - yes, you have to buy the iOS version, but once you do, it functions flawlessly using Dropbox syncing. I'll add a PW to it on my Mac and it's instantly available on the phone. (I assume you haven't tried this, Jim? No connecting to my Mac required...)

I don't try to read books on my iPhone, but certainly iBooks syncs with my iPhone fine. I do read books on my iPad, and the Kindle app is very good. I buy more books at Amazon than I do at iTunes, because they're often cheaper (I always check and buy whichever one is cheaper!) Yes, it's one extra step to buy the book in the browser and then download it to the app, but I've had no issues.

There are lots of options in the eReader department: http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/ibooks-alternatives/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of...reader_software

Re: .mac email - if you're using it now, I see no reason why buying an iPhone would in any way change this. If you had a .mac account you had to transition to iCloud (the .mac email address becomes an alias) by last summer, either with all devices being iCloud compatible or not. There was a transition option for those with non-iCloud compatible devices, for mail only. Either way, you had to move by last summer or lose the .mac or .me email address.

[kimmer]

Thanks for all the info, Paddy. We had a Garmin and liked it, but it died just after the warranty and we've not replaced it.

I'm still researching ebook readers for the iphone. I have several books that the Kindle app won't open. Maybe iBooks will.

QUOTE(Paddy @ Aug 15 2013, 08:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Re: .mac email - if you're using it now, I see no reason why buying an iPhone would in any way change this. If you had a .mac account you had to transition to iCloud (the .mac email address becomes an alias) by last summer, either with all devices being iCloud compatible or not. There was a transition option for those with non-iCloud compatible devices, for mail only. Either way, you had to move by last summer or lose the .mac or .me email address.

Ah, there's the rub. I didn't pay attention to any of this as I didn't use the email addy for anything other than it was my apple id, so I didn't move anything and I’m pretty sure I've lost the email address. I'm going to contact apple support for help.

Off to a birthday party, where my droid phone will be OFF.

[Xairbusdriver]

My AppleID is still my DOTmac addy. Just send an email to that addy and see if it bounces. If you don't have iCloud set up in your email app, you won't get anything, even if the addy is still active, of course. But if you've done absolutely anything that required an Apple ID, it must still be available as an addy... I think... surely you've updated an app with the MAS or maybe bought something in iTunes?

iBooks can only read ePub and PDFs plus the proprietary Apple variant of ePub. I think calibre can easily convert just about anything to ePub (and maybe even PDF) as long as it's not DRMd. I'm positive some of the ebooks appearing in the iBooks bookcase are not from Apple/iTunes. But I can't remember actually reading much of any of them with the iPhone version, however. It's not bad reading verses of the Bible but a narrative, large paragraphed book is completely different and, frankly, not what I enjoy doing!

[kimmer]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 15 2013, 02:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My AppleID is still my DOTmac addy. Just send an email to that addy and see if it bounces. If you don't have iCloud set up in your email app, you won't get anything, even if the addy is still active, of course. But if you've done absolutely anything that required an Apple ID, it must still be available as an addy... I think... surely you've updated an app with the MAS or maybe bought something in iTunes?

MAS? Mac App Store? Yes, I've bought things at the app store, a song through iTunes, and my apple id was required when I bought this iMac and then registered it, so I've been using my appleid all along -- just not the email. I'll have to look into whether I can use that again.

Books: I need something that can read mobi format. So far, I'm reading conflicting reports on what reads these on the iPhone. I don't read very many books on my smartphone, but I like to launch my Bible and often my current book when I'm unexpectedly stuck somewhere without my Kindle. It wouldn't be an iPhone killer, but I'd like the freedom. Was playing with an LG android phone today and was very impressed. Apple has to work to get me to switch.

[Xairbusdriver]

Why get different apps to read different formats? That's what converters are for. It's all basically XML, anyway.

[kimmer]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 15 2013, 07:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Why get different apps to read different formats? That's what converters are for. It's all basically XML, anyway.

They can't all be converted due to drm. I've tried.  

[sandyman]

QUOTE(kimmer @ Aug 14 2013, 07:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What will it cost? And more importantly ...

Can I install Chrome and have it sync to my home iMac? Do I need to reup my apple email? Actually, can I reup my Apple mail and what will that cost? Will the new iPhone work with dropbox and calibre and open my ebooks as smoothly as I can on my droid phone using dropbox, calibre and Aldiko? Can I buy books at Amazon with the Kindle app, or do I have to do the work around? Can I download already purchased Kindle books with the Kindle app, or do I have to do a work around for that? Will the maps actually work? Will the darn phone get a signal when one is there, or will be it as annoying as my droid and sit there and stare at me?

I'm so frustrated with so called "smart phones". I'm actually ready to go back to a reg. cell phone and cut our bill down to almost nothing for the so-called service.  

Hi Kim,
I hope this helps

Chrome works fine on both my iPhone and iPad

By Apple mail do you mean the Mobile.me mail or similar? If so I can't help. I just use Gmail and sync it to both devices.

Dropbox works just fine on both devices, as does Evernote etc

I can't hellp you with the Dropbox, calibre, Aldiko part as I add books in a somewhat different way. I use calibre to manage my Kindle. If I want to put something on my iPad I just add it using iTunes, if necessary I can convert it using calibre. I find the Kindle best for plain text books , novels and so on,but the iPad is better for technical books and anything with a lot of graphics in it. I don't use my iPhone for reading books, I find the screen way too small for comfort.

You can't buy books from within the Kindle App but previously purchased books sync just fine. By workaround I take it you mean emailing them to your Kindle account and syncing from there? I have done that a couple of times and it works fine.

Apple maps have improved but are still IMHO nowhere as good as Google Maps. The solution is simple install the Google Maps App. On both 'Droid and iOS versions there are adverts coming your way soon at the bottom of the screen when you carry out a search.

As for signal. Maybe if you didn't live in such a lovely "remote" location and came and joined the rest of us in our urban "paradise" your signal would improve to the point where your 'phone became usable again:)

Sandy

[Xairbusdriver]

You say you can see a cell tower out the coffee shop window... OK, what cell company does it have on its side?! But you can't tell, right? If thee is more than one carrier in your area, they may not be keen on sharing towers. Unless you have some very restrictive, local ordinances that make sites hard and expensive to find, each carrier would rather not have a competitors crew climbing around their cables. Just sayin'

[kimmer]

Sandy, THANKS! Most helpful. By workaround I was referring to the block Apple put up requiring folks to buy Kindle books using the browser and then go download to the Kindle app, instead of shopping directly in the app. I've never messed with Evernote, maybe I should.

QUOTE(sandyman @ Aug 16 2013, 01:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As for signal. Maybe if you didn't live in such a lovely "remote" location and came and joined the rest of us in our urban "paradise" your signal would improve to the point where your 'phone became usable again:)

 

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 16 2013, 10:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You say you can see a cell tower out the coffee shop window... OK, what cell company does it have on its side?! But you can't tell, right? If thee is more than one carrier in your area, they may not be keen on sharing towers. Unless you have some very restrictive, local ordinances that make sites hard and expensive to find, each carrier would rather not have a competitors crew climbing around their cables. Just sayin'

I happen to know it's a Verizon tower. This is a small town area, and all of us know which tower is Verizon and which is AT&T.

Yesterday I talked with a friend who has a Verizon droid from LG and she has NO connection problems. We laid our phones side by side on the table. She had 3 bars of 4G connection and 4 bars for the phone. I had nothing for either. Her sister also has a Motorola and has the same probs and she's in a large city. I'm switching to either an LG droid or an iPhone.

[Xairbusdriver]

I once used a semi-straightened coat hanger on my '51 Ford. Worked pretty good for AM, don't think we had FM back then. My only problem was keeping it in the piece of the old antennae! Fortunately, I had a pair of pliers that were able to smash the hollow old antennae enough to make it a tight fit. Got any wire coat hangers? Might work it you stuck it in the earphone jack.

We have more than one carrier around here. One of my early next door neighbors worked for one of them. They liked to make agreements with the power company (TVA in our area) and attach cell antennas to those larger high power electric towers. Apparently, back then anyway, his company was the only one who had the specially trained and qualified people that the power company would allow to climb their towers. Of course, power lines don't effectively cover much of the area where most people live/work, so they still had to build their own cell towers. One neighboring town requires that those things be 'camouflaged!' Most are obviously cell tower "trees!"