[Review] Mizu Shell Case
Proporta, known for many different accessories for mobiles such as the Apple iPhone, accessories for the iPod range and laptops/netbooks, have produced a
shell case for the HTC Hero, which we have received for review. First impressions of the case are that it’s hard rubber/plastic, and see-through. It’s got some texture to it, but seems nice.
The design of the Mizu Shell Case seems very nice after a few days of use, and offers a really nice bit of protection for your Hero.
The case seems to show a lot of holes, these are perfectly aligned for the different parts of the phone, for instance the loud-speaker, lanyard attachment, camera, headphone jack & volume rocker. On the bottom of the case it also gives access to the Extended-MiniUSB port and microphone hole.
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iPhone 4G: It’s Real Alright…
Tech blog Gizmodo posted an article along with photos/videos of the apparent iPhone 4G. This turns out that, it’s real, with Apple sending a formal request for return of the device, and photos now flooding the web, including Twitter, YouTube and of course the tech blogs.
So, want the proof? Here it is…
Let’s start with the basics, the phone’s design.
The design of the new iPhone 4G seems very industrial, with seems around the edging, which is metal, and now separated buttons. Also, the back of the device is either a solid piece of glass, or shiny thick plastic, this is a drastic improvement to the old curved back of the 3G & 3GS.
As the photo below shows, the 3GS sitting right next to the iPhone 4G, it’s quite shocking if you ask me, the sheer difference is huge. We’ve now got a much more streamlined phone, and a much nicer design, when you compare each version. Also notable, is that the screen seems to be darker, I don’t know if this is the photo, but it seems to me personally that the screen is of a much higher quality, which is always an improvement.
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Where’s My iPad?
The start of April gave the USA the iPad, Apple’s brand new tablet computer running off the iPhone OS, especially modified for the iPad’s 9.7″ screen, but the international Apple fanatics and general public have been waiting, in vain, for the end of April for the time to get their hands on the iPad.
Image Courtesy: Wall Street Journal
But unfortunately, Apple have delayed the international launch for the iPad, including the UK launch dates, until the end of May. Yes, I did say May there. Rumours are saying that the iPad’s delayed shipping is to tie in with the release of the 3G version of the device, which has been rumoured to be carried by Vodafone & Orange in the UK. All we know so far is that the iPad will be up for Pre-order on May 10th, which is also when the pricing and availability for the rest of the world will be specified.
XML Creator takes sides in on-going iPhone/Android Clash
Cnet reports today that Tim Bray, notable as the co-inventor of the technology XML (Extensible Markup Language), joins
the Google team working on Mobile operating system Android.
In doing so he re-affirms a long standing dislike of the Apple iPhone. He had this to say about the smartphone sensation and its creator:
“… a sterile Disney-fied walled garden surrounded by sharp-toothed lawyers. The people who create the apps serve at the landlord’s pleasure and fear his anger.”
This hiring by Google coincides with a distinct hotting up of what is becoming a very personal confrontation between the two companies. With Apple suing Android handset manufacturer HTC over numerous patents, and Google issuing statements to the effect that it will support its manufacturing partners.
Whether you are a fan of Android and Google, a staunch iPhone user, or just an interested consumer sitting on the sidelines – this particular competiton is and will continue to be one to watch.
After all, with Android based devices gaining almost 2/3 of the iPhone’s daily sales figures, the boys over in Cupertino must be feeling the heat.
Tweetie – Twitter in style ?
Tweetie is a new twitter client for Mac OS X & the iPhone, provided by the folks over at atebits.com. There is both a free (ad-supported) version of the client, and a premium one, which weighs in at $19.95 . That is quite a lot just to get rid of some very discrete ads, so I personally didn’t bother.
Upon first installing the program I’ll admit that I was very impressed with the look, feel and simplicity of the thing. Most mac users will agree that installed 3rd party software can often feel clunky, out of place, and unfinished when placed alongside the clean, brushed metal approach of OS X. This is emphatically not the case with Tweetie.
Perhaps it is because it is specifically designed for Mac that its user interface is well … more Apple than Apple! Whatever the reason though, my proverbial hat comes off too the designers behind tweetie – its stunning. What is more they have been able to capture some of that mac simplicity.
I hate to quote (often dubious) testimonials, but Wired magazine didn’t get it far wrong when they said “Tweetie’s interface is so clean you would think it came straight out of Apple headquarters.”
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