Visa Brings NFC Contactless Payment to iPhones, adds Heft.

It seems like VISA could not wait until the future generation of smartphones to get its paw around the NFC buzz, so it released a little dongle called iCarte for our European friends to attach to their iPhones (iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS/3G w/ iOS 3.1+) for contactless payment.  Instead of going at it with a less "bulky" integration such as the use of NFC stickers as can be seen usedby Softbank and Bling Nation, VISA's solution is arguably more cumbersome (a. it assumes people will remember to bring it and attach it and b. it might be drawing power from iPhones battery).

I would have gone down the path of making a case with a slim batterypack and integrated NFC so it'd entice people to use it since it went from 1 function to 3 (NFC+Protection+Extended Battery)...  Just a thought!

Source: Engadget via ComputerWorld

Verizon iPhone 4: What does it really mean?

The hype is all over the place, the Verizon iPhone 4 is really happening.  (Yawn!)

What does this mean:
* After all the years of speculation and waiting, Verizon finally gets the iPhone 4 which is 6 months old (this is a long time in Mobile years)
* iPhone 4, despite the "4" in reference is only 3G, Verizon is launching a 3G device amidst the 4G storm right after CES 2011
* Verizon's 3G apparently does not allow you to take voice call and surf the web at the same time
* Verizon's CDMA network limits their version of iPhone 4 to be used within the USA only, although ATT's iPhone 4 uses the micro-SIM standard, you still have some options to run another SIM card if you really wanted to (albeit ATT's iPhone is locked to itself making this point a wash, but there are other countries selling GSM iPhone 4s unlocked)
* The only improvements I see are better Antenna design (avoid the antennagate mess) and ability to run as a mobile hotspot up to 5 devices

In short, the announcement is much needed for both Verizon and APPLE to maintain/grow market share but disappointing as far as it being practically the same thing we've seen with lesser features.

Review: new Griffin Threadless Cases for iPhone 4

Griffin Technology and Threadless Tees continues their partnership introducing colorful cases for the latest generation of iPhone 4 and iPod Touch 3.  I received a couple samples for new designs from a collection and as usual, the cases are thin (in a good way, not adding to the bulk) and of solid quality as you would expect from Griffin.  The colorful design is a good match for your unique personality with match t-shirts.

Griffin Radio-Activity (Spread Music Love) Case ($34.99) Pictures:
 

Griffin Everyday Life Would be Cooler with Sound Effects Case ($34.99) Pictures:

Review: Otter Box Impact Series case for iPhone 4

Otter Box, manufacturer of tough cases, recently introduced a new series of gadgetry protection called the Impact Series for the iPhone 4.  The Impact Series offers the least amount of protection amongst the Otter Box line but make no mistake, this case is still big on toughness nut light on the cost ($19.99).

Unlike previous cases I have tested, which can be made of two or more pieces, the Impact Series is a single silicon sleeve (plus the usual screen protector). Installation is straight forward and once installed, there is no mistake that you've got an Otter Box on your baby!  For one, this silicon sleeve offers more protection area by covering both the top and bottom portions of the iPhone 4 screen up to the point where the amazing Retina Display LCD begins.  The case also adds some thickness around the frame so that your LCD will not touch the surface when laying down.  You can tell it's an Otter Box by it's extra thickness in material thus offering more protection.  Some folks might find the case a bit thick for the pocket (albeit it's already the smallest and most compact when compared to other Otter Box I've
tested).

If you are looking for a case that can offer legit protection without breaking the bank, the Impact Series case for the iPhone 4 is definitely a good choice if you don't mind the slight thickness.

(Size reference, I put it up against a Griffin Elan Etch case, with the extra bulk, you will get the extra padding and protection)

Tango App is Awesome!

I don't usually review apps unless they offer the ability to enhance one's mobile experience.  Tango App is definitely one that enhances mobile experience.  It fills a huge void in the premium smartphone space:  Cross-platform Video Chat over 3G or 4G data network (with ease).

Its what Facetime and Qik should've been.  Simply download Tango on your iPhone 4 or HTC EVO.  Then dial your friends from your address book via Tango.  Tango has no registration process and will tell you if your friend has Tango installed so you can call them.  Video call over 3G data is decent and I had no problem doing so with other iPhone 4 or HTC EVO users.  There are some bugs that needs to be iron'd out, for instance, somehow  my iPhone won't ring when a friend is Tango-calling me even though Tango is running in the background (yet, it works on my friend's iPhone 4) [UPDATE: There is no bug, the app will not alert you if during installation, you've disallowed push notification, albeit they could have explained it better or provided some reference in the settings menu, it can be fixed if you go to your iPhone's SETTINGS>PUSH NOTIFICATION>ENABLE Sound and Display for Tango, thanks to my friend at KRAPPS for the tip!].  In any case, the application is still working pretty good, doing the job that Facetime or Qik should've done.

Tango is an amazing app and I highly recommend it!

Mobile Experience: Relying on an iPad Entirely for Business Trip

I attended a 2-day conference in Chicago this week for the first ever Mobile Commerce Forum (more on my feedback later) and I've decided to not take my work laptop to see how an iPad can fare.  I wanted to minimize my traveling weight and see just how the iPad can live up to its name. Along with the iPad will be my iPhone 4 which works out great for two reasons: 1). both devices can share one charger to further minimize my weight and 2). I'll be using SimpleNote app on both so I can update conference or meeting notes on either device and both are sync'd to the cloud.

Setup:  iPad 32GB, iPhone 4 32GB, SimpleNote App, Griffin Elan Passport

After spending two days at the conference with the iPad, I was very impressed with its battery life.  After a full day of turning it on/off, taking notes, surfing the web via WiFi, checking/sending emails, the tablet still has over 60% of battery life at the end of the day.  Typing on the iPad was a total pain in the ass, I really hated it.  I pretty much typed with two fingers and constantly struggle with spelling, caps, auto-correction and switching for symbols like (* or %).  I did noticed a lady several seats away from me brought her Apple Bluetooth Keyboard, I think she definitely 1-up'd me on that front.  SimpleNote worked out great for the conference; it would save a copy of my notes on the server so I can pull them up from my iPhone while walking the Exhibit hall to make edits or add more notes on the fly via my iPhone.  The iPad case I used was the Griffin Elan Passport which worked out really well, not only would it protect my iPad during the traveling, the card slots helped me organized all the business cards I had been collecting throughout.  The iPad helped me keep connected for almost all of my normal work (reading emails, reports, etc...) with one exception where I could not fetch a file that was on my laptop for a co-worker.  I still need to figure out a solution to the work file access in the future.

Overall, I was pretty happy with the iPad's performance.  It's light weight and long battery life (no Laptop I've been issued from work has lasted more than 3 hours at the conference).  I will likely bring my iPad along for future business travels.

Review: iFrogz Luxe Lean Case of iPhone 4

Yesterday, we reviewed a very slim/low profile case for the iPhone 4 and today we are featuring, yet, another super slim profile case for your beloved iPhone 4.  ifrogz's new Luxe Lean case features a thin polycarbonate case that is covered with a metallic rubberized finish and padded with extra felt on the back to gently hold your iPhone in place.

The Luxe Lean (MSRP $24.99) provides ample protection on the back and two of the sides.  The cutouts for the camera and volume buttons are precise and what I like about it the most is how it barely adds any thickness to the iPhone 4. iFrogz added some cutouts to the sides but the rubberized finish offers a good grip to pickup this case from a flat table top.  This case comes in 9 colors so you are pretty much covered (no pun intended!)

Review: Elago S4 Breathe Slim Case for iPhone

The iPhone 4 is truly an elegant looking phone, arguably the best looking phone ever produced.  With the "antennagate" issue which requires the use of a case or band, tasteful individuals will search high and low for case that can match the iPhone 4's beauty.  Well... one of the case worthy of consideration is the new Elago S4 BREATH case.  The S4 Breathe cases are slim and fits over your iPhone 4 perfectly.  The design pattern reminds me of the finish on a Mac Pro workstation.  Although the material is polycarbonate finished with a gentle rubber like finish, it somehow appears to be raw steel which makes it the best of both world.  Note that this case is very slim and is primarily designed to protect the back and two sides of the iPhone.  This is great to keep the profile to a minimal but for those looking for full protection, there are other options.

At $11.99 MSRP, this slim, low profile case for iPhone 4 is probably one of the best value and best looking case for the money.

Review: Griffin Elan Form for iPhone 4

Griffin Elan Form, the popular household name for iPhone protection is back to serve the new iPhone.  To date, I have reviewed almost half a dozen of Elan Form cases, and I'm pleased to introduce the latest Elan Form for the iPhone 4.

The Elan Form, Black Leather case (synthetic leather actually) for iPhone 4 is composed of two piece sandwich design.  The two halves snaps together holding the iPhone 4 solidly in place. The synthetic leather texture reminds me of one of the fancier NCAA basketball texture but provides a solid grip/feedback when picking up the iPhone.  All the cut outs are precise as expected with any Griffin case.  My only feedback is that I'd prefer it if this was a one piece design as I generally try to avoid cases with these types of 2-halves sandwich design since it could come apart if you drop the phone (ref).

The Elan Form cases for iPhone is now available for $29.99, or you can step up to a platinum leather finish for $34.99.

Review: Griffin FlexGrip for iPhone 4

Ever since the very first iPod, there has always been an interest for some people to find the most see thru protection so they can proudly display their beloved gadget while protecting it from being scoffed up.  That said, the Griffin FlexGrip is probably something ideal for those looking for see-thru protection on the iPhone 4.

The FlexGrip is made of a rubbery-flexible material known as TPU entirely.  There are two finishes and the one I have is the clear version; while it is not completely see-thru, this translucent case will display the back of your iPhone 4 clearly when installed and pressed up against the iPhone.  Installing FlexGrip on an iPhone 4 takes seconds and the fit is nice and snug.  When installed, it barely adds any thickness to the device.

I like the FlexGrip because it offers a clean finish and keeps the iPhone 4 to a minimalist style.  The fact that the entire case is made of TPU which offers added grip traction which is always a good thing.  At $19.99 MSRP, this is one of the better valued iPhone 4 cases on the market today.

Review: Griffin Elan Frame Graphite for iPhone 4

If you oppose the idea of having a protective case covering up your gorgeous new iPhone but has succumbed to the "antennagate" issue surrounding the iPhone, then Griffin's Elan Frame Graphite is probably perfect for you.  In short, the Elan Frame is just like the Apple iPhone Bumper, except that its available and ready to ship (apparently, Apple is currently not selling the Bumper to public right now since it was one of the few free choices offered in the make good free case program). 

Elan Frame comes in three flavors, black/graphite/platinum.  I've trained myself at this point to automatically take anything option that is either graphite or carbon fiber when its available because it has never failed me, these patterns (real or faux) always look great on just about anything.  As expected, the Elan Frame Graphite looks amazing on my black iPhone 4.  The case comes apart in two pieces and snaps together snugly.  All the cut outs for buttons and ports are precise as usual.  The overall effect is very slick, a little shiny and the graphite print just takes it home when you can see the pattern in the right amount of light.

The Elan Frame works as advertised and will help you dress up your iPhone 4 in a limited way while solving the antennagate issue, personally, I like to opt for a little more protection so the Griffin Reveal Etch Graphite (my review) would still be my preference. 

Review: Otterbox Commuter for iPhone 4 (Hint: Excellent!)

Its been a little more than two months since the iPhone 4 has hit the streets (and along the way created a huge buzz around the whole "antennagate" issue which calls in the importance of needing a case) and case manufacturers have finally kept up with the demand and starting to release various iPhone 4 cases.  As a consumer/reader, you probably have noticed the recent influx of case reviews all over the web and if you are reading this one, you are probably trying to figure the best solution for you.  Well, as a favor to you, I'll go ahead and tell you upfront that this Otterbox Commuter Series case is pretty darn close to perfection.  Put it this way, I'll be running around with this case for my own iPhone 4 for a while.  Lets get right to the details:

Otterbox Commuter Series for iPhone 4 (Just right amount of Toughness!)
The Otterbox name is synonymous for durability.  Every single one of my Otterbox cases (regardless if its iPhones, iPods or iPads) have always been tough cookies.  In a very typical (and solid) design, the Commuter case is made of two components (three if you count the screen protector).  A rubber inner sleeve and a plastic hardshell protection.  The Commuter Series typically falls right in between the protection level amongst the Otterbox product line (Defender Series are extremely tough and Impact are entry level tough). Being in between is why I think the Commuter case for iPhone 4 is such a perfect design.  It offers just the right amount of toughness without sacrificing the compactness. 

With this case on my iPhone, I feel like its rubberize inner layer will help with impact reduction with the outer hardshell layer will provide protection against another hard object.  While the iPhone glass LCD screen is known for its durability, its still nice to see Otterbox provide an extra layer of protection to apply to the LCD screen.  Otterbox Commuter cases always provide the protective cover to all the ports/holes to prevent dusts and other objects from entering.  Officially, the case is not water resistant or shock proofed but at $35 MSRP, I'll say that this case is one of the best for your iPhone 4 in terms of build quality and durability. Go get 'em!

iPhone 4 (long overdue 2nd impression)

Almost a month ago, I provided my first impression, a quick overview to the iPhone 4.  I've been putting off this write up so here it is after one month of day-to-day usage.

The iPhone 4 is a very polished product of the iPhone family, as expected.  Everything about it speaks elegance, refinement and class.  To make that experience better, the new iPhone 4 is faster in every way (ie. transition speed, application launching/closing, multi-tasking, internet browsing, camera, etc...).  Coupled with one of the best looking, 300dpi LCD screen, the end product feels like perfection.  It empowers you to use your phone as the primary computing device, entertainment system and photography/camcorder solution.

For me, the device gives me a sense of confidence in the busy world.  From a recent trip to Canada, I relied on my iPhone 4 for everything, directions, photography, restaurant recommendation, sight seeing advice, maps and so much more. 


As for complaints, I have two.  The first one is the most obvious of the Antennagate issue; while I'm always a big protective case fan, I find it annoying that the iPhone 4 has this problem unlike any other iPhone in the prior generation.  The second issue I've noticed is the battery life, when you are hardly using the device, it has one of the best standby hours, however, once you start to use it more heavily, the battery usage is pretty severe and will barely last one full day of usage (as expected for any legitimate smartphone).


That said, I'm very pleased with the new iPhone 4; while there are amazing Android phones available on the market, I'll probably enjoy the iPhone 4 for the next year until I'm ready to think about the smartphone market place again.

Review: Griffin Reveal Ultra Slim Case for iPhone 4

Earlier this week, I reviewed the Griffin Reveal Etch case and loved every bit of it.  Today, I'm going to review it's cousin, the original Griffin Reveal case for iPhone 4.  Griffin Reveal (MSRP: $24.99) is anatomically identical to Reveal Etch.  The "bumper" sides are made of a rubber/silicon material with a transparent protective back plate.  Note: I personally think its mandatory to buy a case that has protective back plate than just a bumper.

The case is very easy to apply and its fits very snug as expected.  All the cut outs (buttons, ports, camera) are precise and the cover over power switch and volume buttons are precisely molded for control.  The case is very slim, hardly adding any bulk to the iPhone 4. It's biggest selling feature is having a polycarbonate back cover that is transparent to retain iPhones beautiful glass on the backside offering the best of both worlds.  I did notice that small lints can get in between the backplate and iPhone which can drive some people insane (ie. me). Otherwise, the case is highly portable and functional for everyday use.

ElementCASE Vapor for iPhone 4, gorgeous!

The folks at ElementCASE has pulled off the impossible.  They've designed a case for the iPhone 4 called Vapor (arguably best looking smartphone on the planet) that makes it look better. There is an option to get the carbon insert as the backplate, it looks amazing! At around $80 a pop, its not for the faint of heart, but if you are looking for that ultimate accessory to define your passion for gadgetry, this case is a must have. 

Review: Griffin Reveal Etch Graphite Case iPhone 4

When I received the Griffin Reveal Etch case for my iPhone 4, I immediately ripped open the packaging and snapped it onto my iPhone.  Why the urgency you ask?  Well, these iPhone 4s are infamous for being damaged easily and I needed something to help address the "antennagate" drama.

The Griffin Reveal Etch case is an attractive, solid and slim case.  Composed of a rubber/silicon casing with a beautiful graphite-patterned back-plate protecting the glass back while maintaining a good look. Personally, I'm all about low profile styling, and black is simplicity so this case is perfect in my mind.  With the case on, iPhone 4 remains slim and the rubber surrounding covers up all the aluminum accents which some might dislike (but I do, its that Vadar-like design I've enjoyed from several Griffin cases in the past.. Unlike other cases I've used in the past (for iPhone 3G), there are minimal cut outs just for the camera, silent switch, data port and headphone jack.  Because the case is made of rubber, buttons are covered but the molding is very precise so you can easily use the power button, volume buttons with ease.

In conclusion, I think the Griffin Reveal Etch has a very slick and functional case and I highly recommend anyone consider a silicon styled case to pick one up for $30 MSRP.  Since Apple is offering free cases and Griffin Reveal Etch is one of the choices, I highly recommend pick this from the free offering!