June 2008 Archives
In the year since iPhone was released I have been a lot more focused on creating and maintaining a complete address book. In a perfect world each contact would have data populated in all available fields. With nearly 350 contacts this has turned out to be a time-consuming task!
One thing that has complicated the process is the fact that the iPhone contacts feature does not include the full set of fields that are available in the Mac Address Book application. Missing fields include related names, maiden name, and instant messaging. A common workaround has been to utilize the note field to hold these details. Not a glamorous solution, but it works.
Missing fields will likely be more of an issue for business users who use additional information to personalize customer interactions. For example, prior to a business meeting a salesperson might review a customer contact record to enhance small talk. How are your wife Peggy and kids Paul and Beth?
Software that is at least 5 years ahead of any other phone
On January 9, 2007 during the Macworld keynote, Steve Jobs explained in detail why iPhone is superior to other devices. Not counting the hardware design, the most important item presented was the software. Software that is more advanced than any other smart phone out there.
With all the advanced functionality provided by OS X it is surprising that Apple has neglected to implement a basic feature like the clipboard. They have however slightly reduced the need for a clipboard with the Data Detectors feature. A phone number in the body of an email is automatically converted to a link that when tapped launches the phone application. Similarly, web addresses become links and launch Safari.
Data Detectors are great, but it does not assist with more advanced interactions in an application or between applications. For example, when you need to copy text from a web page and paste it into an email, SMS, or Notes. Copy selected text from a note and paste it into an email. Now with third-party applications and enterprise users around the corner there will be an even larger need to manage content in and between applications.
There is a certain thrill in following Apple rumors leading up to a keynote. What is Apple planning for Mac OS X and which cat comes after Leopard? What fabulous new products are going to appear when the store comes back online? Will the iPhone have GPS with navigation software? The possible answers to all of these questions and more can be found on a wide variety of Apple and gadget related sites.
Between Macworld and WWDC the average Apple follower has read thousands of blog posts discussing topics from the iPhone to ultra portable notebooks. The exciting (and sometimes disappointing) thing for many come keynote day is finding out how big of a sucker they were for the past five months. How many fabricated stories did they buy into? How much time did they squander reading crap designed to drive traffic and advertising impressions/clicks?
The fact is that an estimated 97% of what you have read was wrong. The rumor sites likely got you excited for *something* that Apple is not currently planning to deliver. I have written this post to help many who are struggling to deal with the post-keynote blues. The following points will help you avoid these pitfalls between this Apple announcement and the next.
Well, we are a little more than an hour away from the WWDC keynote! If you are like me (an Apple fan without the resources to go to WWDC), you will have to settle for watching the events online. Here are a few sites providing live coverage:
- Ars Technica [Web and IRC]
- CrunchGear [Web]
- Engadget [Web]. Has a good history with live coverage.
- Gizmodo [Web]
- iLounge [Web] [flickr]
- iPhone Buzz [Web]
- iPhone Alley [Web with Ustream.tv audio]
- KeynoteRumors [Web] Not at the event but discussing it using a player from Mogulus.
- MacRumors [Web]
- macnn [Web]
- TUAW [IRC] [Text Messages]
- TWiT Live [Stickam]. Leo will not be at the event, but is chatting about the live blogs.
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