I remember standing in line to put my $1000 down on a car I have not even seen.  The excitement was like the first release of the iPhone, but without the wait.  So jump 2 years and my M3day was last month.  I love the car, although I wish the ride was smoother but I could fix that by changing the shocks… and I wont.  However, what I have found is that I love showing people the car.  I get excited talking about the fact that there is no dash.  LOVE showing the self driving.  The new electric motor the M3 uses, the smooth acceleration, how it looks, even the cool way the air vents operate.

Now there are things I would love to change now that I’m 30 days into my M3day.  I would really like to edit the UI.  Perhaps one day they will provide an API where I can code up my own via markup or directly in c++ or however they do it.  I’m also waiting for the self drive to improve and expand.  For example, the system should be smart enough to lean into a turn.  Right now the car still tried to keep the center line in a turn and ends up hugging the far line a bit too much for me and the unlucky person driving next to me.  This should be a simple algorithm fix.  (I work in computer vision for VR for a living BTW).  These details not withstanding, watching peoples eye light up as I let the car drive itself is so much fun.  I also love when people first sit in the car.  Its one thing to tell people, ‘no instrument panel, just a screen’ and then having people actually sit in it.   The comment I get all the time is, ‘ah so this is the future’.  And yes, I think it is.   Just like when I first got the iPhone and jailbroke it, I could see, this is where all phones are going to go.   The M3 is the first car in my mind that will signal, this is where we are going and I love sharing that.

BTW, why not say this about the S?  I drove the S a few times and really loved it, and it felt like really great electric car, but because of the dash, I still felt like I was in a normal car.  Also, the car felt too big, too many ‘features’ that were not really necessary, etc.  In other words, like the first iPhone.  Really cool, but not quite there yet. The dash-less experience with the M3, smaller more practical, only things on the car is what is needed on the car felt like a much cleaner design and more inline to what I would want in a car.  So like my iPhone 3G, yes the 2G gave me the first glips of the future, but the 3G is where I really experienced it, and so with the M3.

Photo taken from kimberlyk1018’s eBay listing

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Image Courtesy NN Group

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IMAGE: CHRISTINA ASCANI/MASHABLE

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Where To? 7.0: iPhone local search app completely redesigned – at launch 33% off!

Where To?, the long-standing, popular local search app gets a large update. The user interface was completely rewritten and optimized for iOS 7 and 8. It is a paid update: existing users benefit from a 14 day introductory period and may get the new app for $1.99 instead of $2.99.

The app determines the location via GPS and lets the user choose from more than 2,200 search queries in more than 700 categories. In an instant the app lists all matches nearby. The results are visualized on a map or in a list sorted by distance.

First, the circular selection menu aids in selecting the main category for the search. Then, the user can drill down to the desired category with just a few taps. For each result the app offers a data sheet with detailed information. It displays the address and phone number and – if known – the business hours, the dinner menus, the homepage as well as user ratings and reviews.

Where To? 7.0 – What’s new
A lot has been changed in the new Where To? app. The user interface in Where To? 7.0 has been completely restructured and redesigned not only for the current iOS 7 but also with the upcoming iOS 8 in mind.

The extensive work requires a paid update. That means: Existing users need to purchase the new app again. For existing users and early birds an introductory period of two weeks is offered. In this time frame the app is available for $1.99 (instead of $2.99).

The new features in summary:

• Details: The details page is now seamlessly integrated with the map. That means the map is now always visible, at least in part.
• Separation of Reviews and Photos: Now there are three tabs on details pages: “Details”, “Reviews” and “Photos”. It’s not required to open a sub page anymore. The new photos browser gives more room to the photos with larger thumbnails.
• New list view: In list views, single items can be swiped to the left to display contextual buttons. Categories and place results can be marked as favorites. For place results directions can now be opened more quickly.
• BMW ConnectedDrive: Where To? now also works together with BMW along with Mercedes-Benz and Audi. The place information can now be sent to BMW ConnectedDrive to transfer it easily to the BMW dashboard. The cumbersome manual adding of destinations in the onboard navigation system is gone.
• Pebble smart watch: Where To? is compatible with Pebble smart watches. The free Where To? companion app for Pebble must be installed. Then the watch displays the direction and distance to the destination. The iPhone can be kept in the pocket while going to the destination.
• New sharing option: Found places could always be shared via text message, Facebook, Twitter or email. When sharing via email the address is now attached as a Vcard to easily import it. If the recipient also has an iPhone destinations can now be sent using AirDrop as well.

Ortwin Gentz of app developer FutureTap: “We worked long and hard on version 7. We’re especially proud of the various sophisticated animations, for instance when dealing with the new category wheel. It all adds up to a more fluid and pleasing user experience.”

Its also safe to say many iOS users are not happy about this.  Many people by iPhone’s because its suppose to be more secure. However, its seems this is a case of users falling for a phishing scam so its not a ‘hack’ into Apple or your phone.  Yet one more reminder to NEVER give your password over email…. EVER!

As of this writing, still no answer from Apple on how to deal with this short of taking your phone to the Apple store.

To the surprise of my friends I went with Galaxy since my wife wanted a new phone as well and she has been used to the same UI since I gave her my Samsung BADA phone.  (which was a REALLY sweet phone BTW).  I looked at the Note but thought it was too big, I even thought the Galaxy was big, but decided to give it try.

Fast forward a few months and now when I look at the iphone, it feels like a small toy to me. I also did not what I thought I would do when I got the Samsung.  I have not rooted the phone!  I had no reason to.  Everything I want to do I can do.  Change how it looks?  No problem.  Try out cutting edge apps?  All good.  And the most important point, I can use my Pebble!  One of the most frustrating things was how poorly the iphone worked with the Pebble.  Really annoying.  However it works pretty well (not perfectly) but well with the Android.  In fact, there is an app called Pebble Tasker that allows you to create little custom ‘actions’ that does not require programming experience. Very cool.

The other thing I have noticed, most of my programmer and first adopter friends have bailed on the iPhone and moved to Android.  When I ask them, I get the same answer as for why I left. And to my surprise, everyone across the board said they were a bit concerned about the screen size, but very quickly they find that they cannot go back to the small iPhone.

Does this mean iPhone needs to explore a larger screen?  Yes the iPhone 5 is taller, but it does not really provide a better experience because the limited screen width is still a handicap. I know I cannot go back, and my friends say they cannot go back.  This could be the beginning signs that Apple needs to respond.

I liked the Pebble but it never really worked right.  Was hearing there were apps that could address many of the issues but I had to upgrade.  So I upgraded to 6.1.3 (no choice) then performed a tethered jailbreak.  Kind of a pain, but it worked.  However, the problems persisted.  The iPhone would still lose connection to the Pebble, I would not get all my notifications, and names never showed up when people called me, only numbers.  I was getting pretty sick of this so I upgraded to 7.0 hoping that would help.  It did,  but only a bit.  However, now my phone was becoming so slow, I could barely use it.  At the time, there was no way to go back to 6.1.3.  That was the last straw.  I was done with the iPhone.

But I have been thinking of bailing for awhile now anyway lest you think it was just about a watch.  I have been watching cooler and cooler Android devices coming out and nothing new from Apple.  I was getting annoyed that I had to work twice as hard to do basic customizing that Android basically allowed out of the box. My Girlfriend had a Samsung and it took better pictures and the few times I used it, I thought the UI was actually better.  The big thing that really bothered me is that Apple was always trying to force me to update to the latest version and never go back.  And there was always this game of cat and mouse with jailbreak.  I should not have to work this hard to customize things on my phone.

Once iOS7 came out it was clear they were playing catch up with the Android OS. So why was I holding on?  I can get an Android device with a bigger screen, cheaper price and do everything the iPhone can do and more. And so, with my trusty iPhone 4 no longer usable as it once was, I got a Samsung S3.  (it was on sale)

My first impressions was ‘Oh God Why?’  I had to start over with everything; all my accounts, installing my normal suite of apps, and learning a new way to do everything.  However, after a little more then a week, I fond that I was doing things faster on the Samsung then I could on the iphone. I’m still getting used to the keyboard, but swipe has won me over. I’m still getting used to the larger screen and the phone being more slippery, but that will be addressed once I get a good case

The new lock screen bug was first documented by YouTube user videosdebarraquito, who posted a video demoing the procedure. The basic gist, seen in the video below, is to eject the iPhone’s SIM card while using the built-in voice controls to make a phone call.

Right now, the video is not showing up because I have to guess too many people are loading it, but it should show up in a bit.  But as I always advise, if you do not REALLY need this update, do not bother with it.  There is a video posted on thenextweb, so I grabbed that.

Update; the iOS 6.1.3  security flaw can be avoided easily. You should disable the “Voice Dial” option if you want to be safe.   This is not confirmed.

Seriously?!! Apple is already planning on making a new iPhone? If the iPhone5 what such a crash and burn (as alot of people think), shouldn’t they be taking a a little time to improve on some of the features that the iPhones are lacking? Android OS has quite a few things that put them ahead of Apples iOS as it already stands. Not only on their operating system, but on their devices as well.

If Apple would take the time to add these few features to their devices, they might be able to kill the age old mobile question…  iPhone or Android?

1.  Widgets- All android devices have those helpful widgets for most apps ready to roll as soon as you install then. (Facebook, Twitter..) They may not be everyones best friend at first.  But when your app drawer is vast and your home screen already has an ungodly amount off icons on it, it is nice to just move over to the next home screen and there it is.  Instead of searching through the app drawer for it. Where as, on the iPhones ALL homescreens ARE app drawers and thats it.
2. APPS- When you get your Android it comes with the google play store. (your app store) And when you get your iPhone you have the APP Store. Nice and simple way to get your apps on both devices.  But what if you want an app that is not in the store? Or maybe you just didnt find what you where looking for?  Well with iPhones thats it. Sorry!!! (unless you want to jailbreak and void your devices warranty. But thats a topic for another day)  On Androids, if the google play store dosent have the app you are looking for, you can just go and download a 3rd party app store. (i.e. aptoide, and the list goes on) And you will eventually find what you are searching for, without running the risk of “upsetting” the manufacturer.
3. Storage(Micro SD)- Yes iPhones come in 8g, 16g, and 64g models. But what about if you want removeable or just simply, “more” storage?  No iPhones come with Micro SD card slots, as all Droids do.  They come in handy when you are a music nut and dont want to clog up your devices internal storage and slow it down.  You can simply just store it on the removable disk.  And say your at a friends house and they love the music, but you just dont have the usb cord.  Well, no worries just pop out the disk and there you go. Right on their computer.
4. Batteries and battery life- We all know very well that the battery life on any smartphone, for lack of better word, sucks!  Unless you get app killer (iPhone), or Advanced app killer(android), to either time out unused apps or tap an icon to do so when you see fit.  But what about when your battery starts to bite the dust? With an Android you can just pop it out the and buy a new one or have insurance send you a new one. On iPhones your outta luck. Built in batteries? Great idea when you want people to just buy a whole new phone. But who has 3-500 to shell out like that? I know i dont.
5. Screen size- Androids screens seem to be growing with every new device that gets released. Right when we thought that 5″ screens were big they came out with The Note and then the Note II. iPhones? Not so much.  As the newer models were slowly released the screens got slightly larger. Great! But then the iPhone5 was released and we were promised this much larger screen. Only to be deceived with a longer and more narrower screen. Yay
6. Keyboard and texting- The iPhones keypad is still the same and as basic as the day the original iPhone came out.  So i cant really say that they have changed it for the worse.  But when you look at how far the Android keyboard has come it blows apple outta the water.  When you look at how text savy people have become, you want to be able to “speed text”.  So now Androids are equipped with “Swipe” and other fast texting  methods.  And we cant forget about the good old  slide out keyboard that some people cant seem to ever get enough of.
7. Emailing- Nowadays, everyone emails along with their texting. Weather it be for work, school, forums, whatever, its a must.  But for some reason Apple has figured that if your emailing from a phone, why need attachments?  Well thats a huge drawback for organizations who are looking for “company phones”.  If your on the go and need to view or forward a Powerpoint, Excel, or any kind of file attachment, you can only do so from a Droid. Sorry Apple.
8. Universal Charging Ports- Apple had this right all the way up to the i5.  You could buy one charger for all your devices. From the iPhone to the ipod, to the iPad, you could use all the same chargers and hook them all up to your iHome dock and it was nice and simple. Android soon started following in suit. The difference between the two is that Androids stuck with it. The iPhone 5 was released a short time a go with a new “better” smaller pin connecter.  Sure its more convinient then the larger pin connector.  But what about all the cool stuff you had bought like your iHome dock? Well it looks like you gotta cough up some more money and go buy a connector for them. (Oh look! Apple sells those. Go figure)
9. File exploring- When you want to poke around you devices files and copy Images and texts or files to your PC or laptop, your in luck! With an Android that is.  All you have to do is put it in sync mode plug it in and your golden.  Not so easy with an iPhone tho. On a normal stock iPhone you cannot do this.  The only way to do so is to, once again, Jailbreak your device, and install a device string app. All the while voiding your warranty.
10. Processors- When you look at the original iPhone and compare its speed to the iPhone5 sure, it is insanely faster. But when you compare 3,4,to 5? Not a huge difference. But somehow Androids are being pumped out one after another with crazy processing speeds. You can grab a cheap “basic” Android such as the LG Viper 4G LTE and that has a dual core processor with 4g’s of ram. And if that isnt enough you can also Root you android device (much like iPhone jailbreaking as it voids the warranty) and download an overclocking app that will make it even faster. But beware if you overclock your device to much you will literally fry it.  Apple iPhones… it is what it is. And if you have to many apps, you WILL slow down.

With all of these things being said.  If Apple picked up even 3 of these things, the iPhone would be the end all be all of the smartphone world. And i would like to just say that even just putting in an SD slot would help out. Not only with the storage but the performance of the device. Ultimately, isnt that all we really want?