Review : iPhone 3Gs

I have liked the iPhone for a while. In fact I kind of liked them when they were first released but they were only 2G and there was no GPS as well as a serious lack of memory.

Last June Apple updated the iPhone with the iPhone 3G. Can you guess what the main difference was between the original and the 3G?

As well as supporting 3G networks, rather essential in an Internet biased phone if you ask me, the 3G had built in GPS and the option of 16GB storage. Nice but not enough.

Having a go with my mum's iPhone about 6 months ago really made me want one. It was fast, it looked cool, it was easy to use. It was a smartphone that even my mum could use to browse the web and send emails.

Then in April I bought Victoria one. She needed a new phone so I thought I would treat her. She loved it. I also loved it but still wanted more memory as this would allow me to replace my phone AND my dying old 20GB ipod.

Then in June Apple announced the iPhone 3Gs. This is a 3G with a faster processor, more advanced graphics, a digital compass and most importantly, the option of 32GB storage. It also allows you to record video and it adds voice control. Time to buy I thought.

I really wanted to go to an O2 shop on the launch day to buy my new phone but we were on the way to Silverstone for the Grand Prix so I called them on the way there. The phone was delivered on the Monday.

I have now had it for about 10 days. Do I still like it? Oh god yes!

The only feature in the 3Gs that I really want is the memory. I have 15GB music, 20 or so apps and it is only half full. This is just what I wanted. Loads of music and room for more.

The other new features are a mixed bag. The compass may seem useless but when used in google maps to orientate the maps to the direction you are facing it is an excellent addition. The voice control is a bit hit and miss. "Play Bruce Springsteen" caused it to reply with "Calling Work". Maybe I need to play with it more.

The faster processor/graphics seem to make a difference. My iPhone does load applications faster than Victoria's but once loaded there is little difference. Maybe I will notice this more when 3Gs only apps arrive.

The video recording is very good for a phone. You can apparently edit the video on the phone but I have not bothered trying.

So what do I think of the iPhone as a smartphone? It is fantastic. My previous phone was a Windows Mobile model and the iPhone is streaks ahead. It is quick, the browsing experience is fantastic and a credible alternative to a laptop/pc. It is great for texting and email and can now connect to an exchange server, and there is the app store.

The Apple app store is accessed through iTunes and allows you to download new software for your iPhone. Some is free. Some is not. Some is crap and some is excellent. Whatever, it brings your phone alive by allowing you to customise it to your liking. In a word, amazing.

It is not all good though. There are some really stupid omissions. For example, as well as setting up an email account for my personal mail I also connect to the Exchange server at work. This means I can look at the phone in the morning and see possibly hundreds of new mails. I would previously just have marked all the mails as read but you can't do this on the iPhone. Why not I don't know but it is really annoying.

You also can not add your own text message sounds for some reason. Crazy! I like my CTU phone sound for text messages and I can't have it.

There are a few other small things like this that should really be fixed/added.

The only big issue I have is the battery life. It JUST lasts a working day. I can turn the phone on at 7am and it will be dead by 6pm. I think this will get better when the novelty factor wears off and I am not playing with the phone so much but I have to make sure I can charge at home, work and the car to make sure I never run flat.

OK, gripes over. This is easily the best phone on the market. Small complaints aside this beats any of the competition to a pulp. I have not used an Android or a Pre yet but from what I have read they don't equal let alone better the iPhone.

Would I recommend you get one? Oh god yes! In spite of O2 ripping off UK buyers with the price just go and get one. You will love it!

Genius

This is much better than the usual crap that both Microsoft and Apple come out with, and yes, it is a genuine Microsoft advert.

British Grand Prix - June 19th, 20th and 21st 2009

Last week Victoria and I went to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. I know it was a week ago but I wanted to upload my photo's before I added this post.

As usual we went for all 3 days. On the Friday morning we dropped the kids off at my mums at 06:30 and set off for Silverstone. As soon as we had left the kids we enjoyed 10 minutes of unfettered swearing which we like to do when no kids are around. When you have to mind your language all the time doing this is a great release. :-)

Victoria drove as on the 19th June the new iPhone was being released. I could not go to an O2 shop to get one so I rang them up and ordered it on the way there. I got my phone ordered and I didn't have to drive. I was winning already!

We arrived at about 10am, just in time to watch the first practice. We had a walk around the entire track as usual and after doing this for the past 3 years we now really know where to watch a Grand Prix from at Silverstone. Pity it is probably moving to Donnington. :-)

We had some lunch, watched second practice and then headed to our hotel. We were staying at the Northampton Hilton. Very convenient but it is a standard Hilton hotel which has no soul, catering for corporates in the week and charging as though we were on expenses (£13 for a burger, £15 for a Lasagna - I don't mind paying for food but it has to be good!). It was a good job it was convenient! We also had wild rabbits outside our room all the time. In fact there were hundreds of rabbits all over the area. They were very cute, especially the babies, which made it hard to see them splattered all over the road!

Friday evening we went into Brackley for a curry with Tracy and Chris. This meant a 50 minute round trip as the A43 was closed to anything but Grand Prix traffic but it was a good curry and it's always good to see Tracy and Chris. They were heading to the GP on Sunday in a corporate box the gits. They would not get the full atmosphere of course but they do get to go into the pit lane. Again, Gits!!

Saturday was qualifying. We got up at 05:30 and headed for Silverstone. This means you get there very early but we would rather be at Silverstone early than leave later and spend hours in traffic.

We watched practice 3 from Luffield and then moved to Pit Straight A to watch qualifying. We moved for qualifying so we could see the drivers getting out of their cars after. Good choice by me. :-)

After qualifying it was back to the hotel and we hit the bar for a few hours before going to bed at 21:30!! Rock and Roll!!

Sunday was race day and we got up at 05:30 again to avoid traffic. Once again a good idea as the traffic would be even worse today. We had some breakfast and sat in the stand to watch the Formula BMW, GP2 and finally the F1. Before the race we soured the grid for celebs and managed to see Kasabian, Richard Branson and Fergie amoung others. We also had the great pleasure of seeing Max Mosley. If only I had brought a high powered rifle.......

Even though it was not a good race for Button and and even worse day for Hamilton, the atmosphere was amazing. As Button is doing so well this season I thought that all the applause would be for him but no, it was still mostly for Hamilton. Maybe the British F1 fans are not as fickle as I thought they might be.

I took 920 photographs this year but managed to whittle them down to 279. A new record I think. :-) You have to remember that as a car drives past I will take 5 or 6 shots and 4 of then will be rubbish as the cars go by so fast so it's not as bad as it sounds.

After the race we even managed to get out of the car park quickly which was a miracle.

So, now it is all over. The event we have been so excited about for the past 10 months as been and gone. I have to say I was feeling a little down for a few days after but I think that shows what a great experience going to a GP really is. I highly recommend it.

So, on to next year. We would have booked tickets already if we knew a) when the race was, b)where the race was and c)that it was not at Donnington as it will be a disaster.

Let's hope it is at Silverstone again and for years to come.

Pictures of all three days are available here.

More Mother-Frickin-Nature.

Every year we have a wasp nest somewhere in our garden. Last year we had squirrels in our roof. Our house seems to be a magnet for nature!!

So, what's next I hear you ask? Well, this morning I noticed the mole hill pictured here right in the middle of my lawn!

What am I supposed to do about frickin moles?

Anyone got any ideas?

It Gets Better!!! :-)

'Max to step aside with immediate effect' - Planet-F1 News - from planet-f1.com:

The god of Formula 1 is in a good mood this week. :-)

Formula 1 | F1 resolution found, says Mosley

BBC SPORT Motorsport Formula 1 F1 resolution found, says Mosley:

So the FOTA teams have agreed to sign up for next years championship and Mosley has agreed to step down. This is excellent news as Formula 1 is safe and Herr Mosley is going to finally fuck off.

All the dodgy penalties from the FIA should now stop and we can get back to racing.

All we need to do now is get rid of Ecclestone.

Finally, someone has identified the problem within Formula 1

'Teams want Mosley ousted to save F1' - Planet-F1 News - from planet-f1.com:"

I have always said that the problems currently within F1 are the result of two men. Now the teams have realised that Mosley has to go. About time!

I saw the whore master yesterday at the GP. If only I had a high powered rifle with me........ :-)

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | ITV 'to gain licence fee share'

BBC NEWS Entertainment ITV 'to gain licence fee share': "ITV 'to gain licence fee share'"

NO NO NO NO!!!!

I don't want anyone but the BBC to get the licence money.

The BBC are, in my opinion, the only broadcasting organisation that consistently provides excellent TV both on terrestrial and digital channels, backed up by an unrivalled online presence.

ITV make crap that nobody ever watches so their advertising revenues drop and they bleat on about not being able to complete with the BBC because they are funded by the tv licence.

Even Sky make better original content than ITV. Now that they have lost the Formula 1 I NEVER watch any of their channels.

Keep the licence for the BBC.

How Grown Up?

This picture of Alice was taken when she was all dressed up for the Ballet. Victoria and her mum too Alice to see Angelina Ballerina in Buxton.

Alice wore her best dress and I can't believe how grown up she looks in this picture. It does not seem long since she was born but it was 4 1/2 years ago!

Of course in all the other pictures she looks like a 4 year old but in this one she just looks beautiful.

Maybe it's me seeing her with a parents eyes. :-)

Finally!! What All SatNav Users Have Been Waiting For.

Homer Simpson speaks out on satnavs • Register Hardware:

I might actually buy this. :-)