Weekly Review - iPad Update + iPhone 4 Case + YouTube's "15 Minutes of Fame"

Apple iPad Update

During the last week, John Lewis and Comet have been added to the short list of retailers stocking the Apple iPad. For details, and tips on using the iPad, see our "Living with the iPad" article.



Apple iPhone 4 Case Programme

In the weekly review of 12 July, we looked at how the iPhone 4 compared to the 3GS. The iPhone 4 has two major drawbacks due to the aerial being in a metal band around the phone:

1. Rough edges on the metal band, making the phone uncomfortable to hold
   
2. Poor reception due to the aerial being external, especially when held left-handed

Details of the Case Programme, mentioned last week, are now available. Basically once you get your iPhone 4 from a retailer, you download an "app" that lets you claim a free "bumper" or case from Apple. The bumper is a ring of plastic that fits around the phone, whereas the cases are a variety of different designs. The problem is that delivery can be 2-6 weeks.

The alternative is to buy a case immediately, as they are relatively inexpensive, and you can examine before purchase. Here's just one selection.

So is it now worth changing from my N95 to an iPhone 4? Or wait for version 2, or the likes of Nokia's forthcoming N8?

Apart from anything else, the iPhone 4 potentially solves a key problem with my N95, which is the long lag taking photos between pressing the shutter and the picture being taken. So often the subject has moved! However there are now reports of yellow photos with the iPhone 4, so let's wait!

YouTube - 15 Minutes of Fame

Again during this last week, YouTube have extended the clip length from 10 minutes to 15. They are also running a competition to give the winner "15 Minutes of Fame". Details.

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