Quick Word: Apple and the iPhone 4 Have Failed

Apple had a perfect storm of hype: a beautiful hardware redesign that left previous iterations in the dust, killer new software features brought together in a dead-simple package, and the same price tag as last year's model. This on top of Apple's sterling reputation since their snowballing ascent in consumer electronics and it is nearly impossible for anyone to halt that raging storm.

Anyone except for Apple itself, that is, and that is exactly what has happened.

Upon the launch of Cupertino's latest and greatest, a massive flaw was brought to light--if you touch the bottom left corner of the phone with the palm of your hand, the already mediocre cell reception drops even more until there is none. Apple claims that this is a software issue and that the phone is incorrectly displaying the signal drops, but one of the key features to the new design for the iPhone 4 is the metal band around the body which is actually two pieces of an antenna put together. There has been scientific studies proving that an external antenna system is hampered when in contact with human skin.

So this is a big issue and a company as large as Apple should take responsibility for its error, right? Well apparently, the company's CEO, Steve Jobs, didn't get that memo. In a reply to a customer's email complaining about the antenna, Jobs said, "Just avoid holding it that way". The media has twisted those words into the message, "You're holding it the wrong way", and to be honest they aren't too far off. Naturally this hate is spreading quickly, yet Apple has only made an insignificant press statement citing that all cell phones have antenna issues when held in certain ways.

Apple had a perfect storm, but now it has become a horrifying PR nightmare. It is hard to tell if this will have any kind of long term effect on the company, but six months from now I wouldn't be surprised if people thought twice before going after the big fruit's newest goodies.

Quick Word is a special editorial where current events are discussed. The contents of this article are pure opinion, except when stated as otherwise.

iPhone 4: Kicking Ass and Taking Names

Blackberry. Android. Windows Phone 7. Palm WebOS. iPhone.

To say that the smartphone wars are heating up would be a pretty massive understatement. Back in 2007, Apple poured gasoline all over the phone industry and lit a match. That match was the iPhone, the first phone from Apple, the first touchscreen iPod, and the first in a lot of other things. Of course the ridiculous $600 sticker price was a tough pill to swallow but for those who did, they were treated to one of the bigger leaps in consumer technology in the past ten years. Fast forward to the present and everywhere you look, there is at least one person you see using a touchscreen phone. Apple had redefined the smartphone industry and today we all reap the benefits: web browsing in your pocket, limitless applications, powerful business tools, and more.

And now Apple is making a major comeback with the newly announced iPhone 4.

The New Mobile 'Windows' Could Be Huge

Just a few hours ago, Microsoft unveiled the eagerly anticipated follow up to its mobile operating system.

 ...I know, it's a little weird to say that. All everyone talks about nowadays is Android and Apple's iPhone software, but before those two existed Windows Mobile was one of the leading smartphone giants. In recent years, Microsoft has been late to the game and the aforementioned two (among countless others) have outpaced the outfit by miles.

All that came to an end today with the introduction of Windows Phone 7 Series. Despite the banal name, the software itself is an adventurous move for Microsoft. First of all, even though it carries the Windows Mobile legacy it is completely new software written from the ground up. WP7's user interface makes use of multiple 'tiles' which act as live shortcuts into applications (as you may see above). The look of the software is also extremely similar to the interface of the Zune HD. Speaking of music, Windows Phone 7 includes built in Zune software so you can buy music, TV shows, and movies from Microsoft's great Zune ecosystem. Another big feature is support for Xbox Live as well as integrated social networking like Facebook or Windows Live with contacts, calendars, and photos.

Microsoft is sending a clear message here to one device in particular: the iPhone. With a stylish and easy-to-use interface, support for a very strong music and video ecosystem, seamless social networking, and promise of the rise of the application store 'Marketplace', Windows Phone 7 Series is about even with Apple's killer handset.

But Microsoft has done one thing with Windows Phone that could absolutely murder the iPhone: any phone can use it. While Apple has decided to lock everything in and basically have absolute power over the iPhone hardware and software, Microsoft has created a platform that is equally as closed as it is open. While the software does not seem as customizable as something like Android, it's the simple fact that consumers are given a choice as to what phone they would rather have. When it comes to a million identical iPhones versus a million diverse Windows Phones, I would definitely go with the latter.

The first Windows Phone 7 Series devices are expected to release this Fall. For more info, head on over to Engadget for full coverage.

Forget About The iPad: What Other Tablets Are Out There?

So the iPad isn't completely useless. Despite calling the device for old people, Gizmodo brought up a good point by suggesting that the iPad is really the iPhone for netbooks: it's easy to use, does one thing at a time, and looks great while doing it. As the writer put it, "It's a complex computer simplified."

Well for those people who don't really want a simplified (and arguably dumbed-down) computer, alternatives actually do exist.

The Apple iPad: Great Technology Wasted

Okay, so that title is probably unfair seeing as how the device was only announced yesterday. Yet all around the blogosphere, people are calling this one a major disappointment. And if you think about it, it kind of is.

First of all, a quick introduction of the device: with a 9.6" screen. weighing 1.5 pounds, and at only half an inch thick, Apple is definitely keeping its signature minimalist style intact. Also, the iPad features full compatibility with all 140k of the App Store iPhone/iPod Touch apps. Along with the iPad, the famous tech company is joining the e-reader race with the introduction of the iBooks store and full color and touch support for reading. Built in Wi-Fi with 10 hours of battery life and this thing isn't looking so bad now is it? Apple has also reached a groundbreaking deal with AT&T to provide an unlimited data plan at $30/month prepaid (no contract!). Pricing begins at $499 for 16GB, 32GB for $599, and $699 64GB. If you want that AT&T 3G, you'll have to pick up the iPad 3G version for $130 more per model.

Admittedly, I got pretty excited when the product was unveiled initially. Who doesn't want a great looking web browser/e-reader/multimedia device with an excellent touchscreen supported by the best ecosystem of digital technology? But there are some fundamental issues with the iPad that really ruins that great taste you had in your mouth.

Google Finally Has Its Own Phone!

See that little thing up there? That is the first phone ever to be distributed as a Google device. Dubbed the Nexus One, this is not the first time the search engine giant has ventured into mobile territory.

In October of 2008, the company unveiled its open source Android software. What that 'open source' part meant was that Google would allow anyone to develop additional programs for the software and be able to distribute said programs through a digital App Store. It also meant that any company that wanted to use the software for their phones could have it for free (unless they wanted special additions from Google). This led to companies like HTC, Motorola, LG, and Samsung to create phones with the software. Android was also used for more things besides phones such as digital photo frames, e-book readers, netbooks and more.

Now in 2010, Android has accelerated rapidly into one of the most easy to use mobile operating systems, right next to the iPhone. Yet while Google always worked on the software, they never once had a phone of their own...until now.