Cell Phones Galore, how can one follow?

I just realized that I’ve lost track on cell phones. What I know is that people are no longer looking at Nokia and Sony Ericsson. There’s Samsung, LG and HTC too.

Prior to this, my ignorance has made me to believe that there are only 3 phone makers worth mentioning in this world; RIM’s Blackberry, Apple’s iPhone and Nokia.

It’s easy to follow a Blackberry coz it only has 3 existing models. iPhone only has 1. And Nokia has its series such as N, E, MusicExpress and etc. So, it’s very easy to follow.

But, when it comes to Samsung, LG or even SE, I simply can’t follow. There’s Magic, Snap, Omnia, Pixon, Touch, Touch Pro, Touch Here, Touch There. There’s even a model called Hero!??

It's quite obvious that these great competitors are making a fortune playing the mini-me game. Y'know, that "U buat, then baru I buat, just like you". But I sure hope they would not make the classic Nissan mistake (overlapping range of products) and lose money more than could actually make.

Coz, in the Red Ocean world, we do need these makers to keep RIM and Nokia firmly on the ground, producing cheaper and better solutions.

I’m actually NOT a tech geek. But in this case, it’s just too obvious, don't you think?

To iPhone, or to Blackberry? That is the question | SUMMARIZED VERSION

http://www.shinyplastic.com/

My previous blog was written in Microsoft Outlook and posted via email. The format is horrible. So, in fairness, I'm summarizing it here in a non-psychotic manner.

The key for making the right decision is mainly on your priority of usage. Because, in essence, iPhone and BB are totally different animals. But if you biggest priority is making calls and SMS, with a strong need for voice clarity, stop reading further and get the Nokia 1100 for RM99.

OK, let's start. Here goes.

www.flickr.com/photos/rustybrick/1552267014/

• If connectivity (such as MMS and email) is your priority, BlackBerry* it is. And if you happen to be a huge Facebook, Twitter and Instant Messaging fan, then you can stop looking. BB is definitely your thang.

• If multimedia (such as picture browsing, video playback & music) is your biggest priority, then iPhoneis the better bet, all 16Gb of it. BB can still be a good companion but this is where the iPhone edges.

• If gaming is your priority, stop reading this and get a PSP. But if you think you'd look uncool talking to your PSP, get the iPhone. DON'T even consider BB.

• If internet is your middle name, such as Abdel Internet Kareem, iPhone is for you. Browsing via BB is OK, just like any Nokia, actually.
  

In summary:
For active-connectivity = Any Blackberry
For multimedia = (1) iPhone (2) Blackberry Storm only
For gaming = iPhone
For internet = (1) iPhone (2) Blackberry Storm only

OK, step back a little and think. With the "either this or that" argument, we know now that the perfect phone is actually; an iPhone with Blackberry connectivity. BB Storm was quite close, but without WIFI, it can't even touch iPhone.

Now that we know the 'perfect' formula, a strong performer like Nokia should be in the thick of it. They should try to genetically create an iPhone-BlackBerry device and call it Nyonya Berry 8310. And they should not be discouraged by the China-made imitation called Nyanyok Berry Love.

Since I'm using a BB, I'd say, BB is da bomb. Memang the very best one. Manyak syiok. Apa iPhone?? Itu budak kici punya.

But if I'm given an iPhone, I'd say that passive-connectivity is sufficient for me. And that the UI, internet and entertainment experience from my iPhone will make me go "Apa Beri-beri? Itu primitif punya kotak ah??".

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*BlackBerry WITH BlackBerry Internet Service. Which comes with extra cost such as RM120 per month for unlimited data plan from Maxis. I heard DiGi and Celcom is cheaper. BB without BIS is as good as a RM99 Nokia phone, in technicolor.

To iPhone, or to Blackberry? That is the question.

Hearing woeful wolfly cries of “Should I get an iPhone or a Blackberry?” is becoming quite as common as to the "roti canai or nasi lemak" question we hear everyday. So, being a geek, perhaps my 2kupang view will help the crying wolves.

*Disclaimer: This blog was written in a record time of 8mins. So please forgive me for its lower-than-usual quality or work.*

	A good blackberry	Iphone 3g	Hands down winner
Communicator (email, sms, instant messaging)	Hands down. Bb is da bomb. But it comes with rm120/mth commitment for unlimited data plan. In short, IM or email will no longer be confined to being online on a pc. This is truly mobility at its best.	No push email. That means, you need to be hooked up to a gprs or 3g to be able to ‘download’ email or be connected. And itll suck up big momma batt life if youre ‘online’ most of the time.	BB
User interface	I love the trackball. But the interface is plain jane simple.	Iphone’s UI is to die for. Imagine showing off the pics from ur future dslr via iphone, by just flicking ur figgy.	Iphone
As an imaging wonderpiece	Nothing to brag here. It shows off pics like any other phone.	See above.	Iphone
As a video wonderpiece	I like the fact that you can just drag a video into a bb and view it. ok, so not all format can be viewed, but its hassle free. Screen is so-so.	The screen is the size of Buckingham palace. But I think the vid has to go thru the apple s’ware to get there first. And I heard it might get lost along the way.	A draw
Internet browsing	With bb server connected to you all the time, you’re the hottest king of the net. Waiting for the bus, or pooping has never been so productive. But it uses bb browser, which will reformat the page to a mobile friendly face.	Chances are, you’d buy an iphone with a data plan. So, internet browsing will be a boom. You get full desktop internet brwsng exprnce. And combine tht with its screen size and UI, if u ever get hit by lightning, chances are, you were browsing at that time.	Iphone
Internet entertainment	OK. This is tricky. Just what the heck is internet entertainment. To me, its just.. well, watching videos or playing games. Don’t expect anything from bb here.	Ah… a dedicated youtube apps. Full wide screen. Nothing is better than this. And games? Aplenty. Pooping will never b the same.	Iphone
Twitter	Loads of app for tweeting from a bb. I use uber twitter. And its really cool. I don’t even need a twtdeck with it. and as a bb device, I’m twtable 24x7. how cool is that.	Theres tweetdeck apps for iphone. It’s as cool as the desktop version. But, u need to be in a wifi area or be connected to gprs/3g for it to work. So, you’re not twtable 24x7, and might miss out adam lambert’s fart experience.	Bb
Games	Bb for gamer? Get real.	Ok, imagine yourself holding the iphone like a steering wheel, going thru the st of paris in a mini. Thts iphone.	Iphone
Music	Surprisingly, bb is quite an audiobox. I use mine to fill the gym with music. Tho juno soundtrack is hardly a workout music. I hate the fact tht to go to next track, Ive to press N, and previous trck ‘P’. so stupid.	Theres an ipod built into an iphone. Really. I’m serious.	Iphone
Outlook synch	Mine bb is so screwed up tht I cant use btooth to synch. And even with the usb cable, every now and then, I have to reset something. Other thn tht, it synch up very well. Calendar, address book, notes etc.	I heard that synch-up with outlook is a bit problematic. But I don’t really know. so, I’m giving it the benefit of a doubt.	Draw
Facebook	Ahh.. my 62yr old auntie is on fb. So, if u don’t hv one, u must be more thn 62yr old. Bb app for fb is incredibly super. Every conteng on your wall, you’d get a notication to your bb, realtime. Need to log in and wish someone hppy bday? Do it thru bb. The app makes fb much more meaningful. But then again, with such lightning response to every comment, ppl might thnk you’re an fb addict. But its actually from the bb.	I hate the part where when viewing pic using iphone fb app, the captions will be ON the pic. Not below it. so, ended up, you’d rather go to fb via safari than its fb app. Plus, u don’t get realtime notification like a bb.	bb

*UPDATE*

Another point that I miss is: Using your BB or iPhone (thats loaded with huge megawatts of data plan) as a modem for your shiny Netbook or Laptop.

In this case, the iPhone wins hands down. iPhone can be used as a modem. Therefore, if you're on unlimited data plan, you'd hv a 2in1 device. But sadly, BB cant be used as a modem, therefore confining its data plan on BB services only.

Shrunkenstein: What We Can Learn From Nikon D5000.

The world is getting smaller. Gone are the days when you travel 3months for 3000miles just to see your long lost cousins. Now, you just add them in Facebook.

Despite my introduction only has 4.5% relevance to my title, the irony is, SLR cameras too are getting smaller. It's ironic coz... even with small bodied DSLR, lenses are unlikely to be smaller. So, why make them smaller???

Olympus lauded their 'pocketable' E-420 model. And when scrutinized further, what those smart Japanese meant was; pocketable in a "jacket"... duh! And of coz when mounted with a pancake lens... duh!

Smart Japanese.

Anyway, back to the topic. The trend nowadays is, developing smaller-sized DSLRs. The cash-cow is the entry-level models. Sony has 3 models, Canon has.. duh, I lost count... Nikon has 2 and Olympus has 3. The question is, why make them smaller when the lens will always be big?

Well, the analogy is simple. With prices spiraling down, the race between DSLR makers are on capturing the most migrates of compact camera to the DSLR world. And I guess, the Japanese has got smart socio-scientists to tell them that most of them are either ladies or humans with small hands. And so, the make it smaller.

I seriously think there is a fatal flaw in this analogy. In 5 years time, these newbies will be developing ergonomics problems. Why? Well, in the quest to capture better pictures, newbies will buy better lenses. Better lenses must still confide with the laws of optics. Therefore, the better it is, the bigger and heavier it must be. And same goes with flashes. Now imagine, a cutie small DSLR mounted with a 70-200f/2.8 lens with a gobsmack flash thrice bigger than the camera. I smell neck-pain and frozen-wrist.

So, instead of spending million-hours of Japanese thinking power to reduce the size of a DSLR, think of a different way to attract the newcomers. Stick to an "acceptable" size and load it up with features that no photographer needs, like MP3, loud speakers, text messaging, twibble etc etc. In addition, give it some colors to differentiate the ladies and the menses (that didn't sound right).

Always think: the lenses will always be big. So why bother making smaller DSLR.

I have a special reference to a particular brand that, in my opinion, has gone overboard. Sony's latest entry level models looked great. But in the bid to make it smaller, they've taken off some critical buttons and features. The overall design might be appealing to newbies but half way thru it's life cycle, it'll create tension and frustrations.

Nikon has done a great job with the D5000 model. They created a small DSLR loaded with a hellava features. But, it's just way too small. Poor pinky finger wont have any place to rest.

So, dear smart Japanese, DSLRs aren't just for Japanese. It's for the whole world. So, please don't make it too small.

At the end of the day, it's great that manufacturers are challenging the status quo by producing exciting form factors for DSLR. I applaud that. But I wish, in the bid to do so, critical functions should NOT be removed. Olympus E-620 and Nikon D5000 are both fine examples of "get 'em smaller and better" and should be supported.

Lastly... dear smart Japanese at Olympus - your E-P1 ROCKS!

Lowepro Fastpack 350

When I got back home from work, he was already there. Sitting on my sofa, making himself comfortable. I was quite surprised. I would have thought that he'd come on the next day. It's okay, I guess. He was still in his rain coat.

I put on a smile and said, "Hey Fastpack! What a surprised!". He acted cool and said, "Yeahhh, there was an earlier flight, so I took that one."

I was a bit thirsty, so I told Fastpack that I'd grab a drink in the kitchen. Then he said, "it's ok, I'll follow ya." Ok. He took off his raincoat and followed me.

"Whoa!", I said. "You're all dressed up! Jacket and all." "Nah", he said. In my heart, I couldn't believe just how big he was. He looked really good in the tux. "So, how was the flight?". "Well..." And he went yada yada yada, while taking off his coat.

I looked at him from the corner of my eye. He looked really impressive. Black seemed to go well with him. He could have chose the blue or red shirt, but I think black suits him best. Then he asked me, "Have you told them yet? About me coming and all..?" I said, "I think it's best if you told them yourself." Alrighty, he said.

I gathered up the bunch. Everybag was there, except Crumpler 6M Home, he was upstairs. I presume he already knew what was coming. Fastpack 350 introduced himself and told them about everything. About him being the most capable to carry both the lappy and DSLR on my upcoming biz trip to the US, and that they're not coming this around. I just sat there, watched them and listened.

Then something weird happened. Just as Samsonite was explaining to Fastpack 100 and Crumpler 2M Home about how this is actually good for the boss (aka ME), that this is the best for the boss (aka ME), I saw Fastpack 350 CHECKING OUT Samsonite from behind!!! OMG!!!