Disqus - Latest Comments for starkravin

Re: Google Maps For iPhone Returns Better Than Ever

starkravin — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:34:32 -0000

With so many great mapping and navigation apps for iOS, I still can't figure out why everyone is spazzing out over this one offering. I mean, the Google stuff is okay, but I much prefer Navigon on my iPhone. Plus there's Nokia Here, Waze, Mapquest, Scout, MotionX Drive, etc., etc., etc.

Just because Apple dropped Google's data (and just to be clear, there was NEVER a maps app from Google for the iPhone until this product recently came out) from the new version of IT'S mapping app, everybody flipped. What's the big deal? Apple has multiple suppliers for the data in it's maps app; then they drop one supplier and everybody freaks? I just don't get it.

The Apple Maps app is great, with or without Google's backend data. Why everyone thinks Google's app is so much better than the dozens of others on the app store is beyond me. Apple's app hasn't sent me in the wrong direction any more than Google's data or Tom Tom's data, or any other navigation app.

It is weird and unfortunate how these memes get started. I can't wait until some responsible journalist does a real examination of the multiple offerings on iOS and checks the data across apps. Dollars to donuts Apple's app is no more inaccurate than Google's or anyone else's.

Re: Why Does Apple Announce iPhone Pricing And Availability But Other Phone Makers Don’t?

starkravin — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 14:57:35 -0000

Great write-up and insight on the situation, but the only point that's really relevant is the first one. Most handset manufacturers' customers are the carriers. Apple's customers are the end-users.

Samsung, Nokia, etc. serve Verizon, AT&T, Orange, etc. because they are the ones writing them the checks for their devices. Apple uses the carrier retail outlets (and takes their money happily), but it is not dependent on them. This is the genius of Steve Jobs establishing Apple's own retail stores around the world. Just one more way for Apple to control their own destiny from partners who don't have Apple's interests (or the end-user's interest) at heart.

Re: This Is My Last BlackBerry

starkravin — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:51:56 -0000

Lance, you don't have to commit to a contract. Just buy the iPhone full price and move on. No reason to play in to the screwed up carrier contract shenanigans. (I mean, you aren't *that* poor, are you?) Also, screw your stupid IT department. Just buy the iPhone and add the e-mail and calendar settings you need yourself. With the iPhone, you can finally set yourself free of IT and carrier shackles for your mobile computing. You should do so.

One last thing: if you did decide to go with AT&T, you can buy a fully unlocked iPhone 4, so you are not trapped on AT&T's network. Again, you should do this. That way, you can use your phone on any GSM network in the world, outside of AT&T's purview. They only provide a dumb pipe; they should be treated as such.

Re: Our man and his iPhone Battery

starkravin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:42:08 -0000

I've never had a smartphone I didn't have to drop in the charger every night.

It's a workaround (and I use that term lightly), but why can't you just plug your iPhone into the charging cable at night. Do you have to use the thing in your sleep or something?

Re: Are half of mobiles really online?

starkravin — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:21:17 -0000

Gents,

My apologies if I offended, but the whole notion underlying the posting (that Brits rarely go online with their mobiles) stunned me, because the general consensus is that you Western Europeans are so far ahead of us Yanks in all things mobile data. I guess that's wrong.

Per James W.'s request, here is some data (much of it global) from Nielsen Mobile (http://www.telephia.com/) showing mobile internet usage:

http://venturebeat.com/2008...

In terms of subscribers to mobile internet access plans, our overall population appears to be a couple points ahead of the UK in terms of percentage penetration. I think these charts are addressing purely Internet access on the device (meaning mobile web browsing) and not other mobile network services you could classify as mobile data, like texting, shortcodes, ringtone downloads, etc.

So while I suppose we are ahead of you guys by a little, I still thought your intensity of usage was greater than ours. I suppose this notion only applies to texting...?

As to rickyc's notion of "I have cheaper net access elsewhere, so why use it on my mobile", I only point him to Ewan's recent rant about the "mobile Hell hole" we are living in. Until we get a real platform for innovation (and my bet is that it is the iPhone), bright minds are never going to get the chance to delight us with compelling new services that impel us to purchase a mobile Internet access plan. Even if it is expensive, we'd be delighted to pay it if the services requiring it delivered value.