iPhone 3G still in stock
So much like last year when the day after the launch you could stroll in to the Apple Store with no wait and still get an iPhone it looks like this year you can too. I checked the availability onlne and the Lenox Square store still shows all three models in stock.
I don’t think I am heading out to upgrade just yet, but it is nice to see that you didn’t have to wait in line for 12 hours unless you just had to have it on Friday.
Most of the Atlanta stores still have them in stock, although some are sold out of specific models (the black 16GB typically). As a side note it seems they take down the availability as the stores begin to open since now the link for the GA stores doesn’t include the info.
New iPhone software delivers
Well I took advantage last night of pulling down the latest firmware and checking out the new features. It delivers on everything and if you don’t mind the EDGE network speed you get a pretty significant update for free.
I was able to connect to my office via ActiveSync and use our Cisco VPN to connect to the internal servers. Now I still don’t care for the touch keyboard but the new features make it worth trying again. I like that the VPN connecting even works over the EDGE network.
I also downloaded a few apps to play with and think opening the platform up will be the key in them taking on RIM. While I love my BB and its keyboard I have always wanted it to do a few more things easily. Letting developers easily get an app on the device will attract a whole new group – possibly including myself if I can get used to touch typing.
More and more mobile
Well I have now moved my to do lists from OmniOutliner to Backpack, as well as consolidated several lists across the Internet to Backpack. Funny thing I have noticed as I started thinking about getting everything online is that I have now replaced several apps I purchased with free services online. I may have given up a few features (Google Reader holds its own against NetNewsWire but Backpack can’t quite do what OmniOutliner can) but all in all for what I need I could have saved a few bucks.
I have a few places that I can store content (various website domains I own and a few other services) so now I will start to think about whether to keep .Mac since it renews soon or replace it with something else (and likely something free). I have been a member for several years (got it on sale years ago and just ran with it).
There are a few articles that warn us to eschew it all together and when I look at how I use .Mac I have to admit I don’t get the $99 value (or even the $69 value) out of it. Basically I use to it to hold content so I can access it across multiple machines. I have never used the email and barely use the other features. Even the new back to my Mac hasn’t sold me on keeping it.
As my move to mobile continues a sub theme has emerged. How to be mobile and avoid paying for things I don’t really need/use. I have accumulated quite a few over the last decade and those with annual fees are finally getting a little scrutiny.
Gartner clears the iPhone
Since all the big companies wait for guidance from folks like Gartner this is good news for those of us wanting to get official corporate support in connecting iPhones up to Exchange.
The report isn’t free but here it is. Luckily Gizmodo got a copy:
“The iPhone will thus match up initially in several segments against its main smartphone competitors — BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Symbian Series 60.”
Now maybe the corporate IT departments will at least consider signing up for the Enterprise Beta (hint, hint).
