My Top Apps for 2010

These top apps are not the result of a poll, reading other lists, or any other influence. This is 2010's top iPhone apps from an Average Joe. There are no genres here, just a plain old list based on "Yep, I like that one more than that one. Nope, don't like that one too much any more". You get the picture.

On to my list:

#5 - TunedIn Radio

It happens to the best of us: we get tired of our iPhone's music and podcast contents. We look at the selection, we roll our eyes, and eventually press the top "sleep" button. TunedIn radio allows us to tune in to a billion different radio stations around the globe. Its especially handy for traffic reports on local talk radio, as I've recently discovered. One of those "go to" apps that I'm glad I installed.

#4 - Bejewelled Blitz

Admittedly, I don't play this as much as I used to, but when I did, this thing had me frothing at the mouth for a bigger score. With Facebook integration, there's a live leader board. Its impossible to live with the head-hanging shame of your last score. Its usually a case of "Okay, just one more game".

#3 - mSecure

It seems like most websites entice you to create an account with them for whatever reason. Because of this, it doesn't take long for you to have a phone-book sized list of passwords that you have to know. mSecure takes care of this for me. One password to remember to get in, then voila, a smorgasbord of stored passwords at your beck and call.

#2 - TextPlus

If you're on a text plan like mine, then you only have unlimited texts to only five people. TextPlus releases you from the shackles of typical "Favourite 5" plan. If you're terrorized by being nickle-and-dimed from texts that you send on a whim, then this is sweet vindication for you.

#1 - Echofon

Twitter has supplanted many a website for its up-to-the-second news, sports scores, opinion, mindless banter, whatever. Its right there on my iPhone's first "page", and boy does it get used. Whenever I have a moment, I launch this app, and am instantly informed on the topic of my choosing.

I have no doubt that 2011 will see many more apps being installed: some being deleted after the first use, some suddenly becoming first page worthy. I would love it if at least 3 of the above apps were replaced with new faves.

But who knows, maybe my list for next year will be my favourite top 5 apps for Android. You never know, right?

When Mobile Sites Die

When using a smartphone, its nice to navigate to a website that detects your platform and then shows you a mobile version of their site. There's something really slick about that. More and more mainstream sites are adopting this model, and its become a standard convention now.

Imagine my surprise when I navigated to one of my favourite sites, tsn.ca. Usually, I'm presented with a very nice mobile version of their site, with the "latest news" being the default page. It was supremely user friendly, very easy to spend some poking around time on it.

This time I got this...

Now I have two choices:

(1) Navigate to the old desktop friendly website

(2) Download the app

I ended up downloading the app, but I felt like I was downloading it for all the wrong reasons. It felt icky. Is this a trend? Are websites now going to force you to download an app in order to view a nice mobile version of their site? I can see a future where my smartphone's home screen would be littered with app icons. Not sure I care for this.

TSN seems to be the exception, not the rule. CNN, for example, has a three-way approach to their web presence: (1) desktop site, (2) mobile site, (3) app. Clearly they have their act together.

TSN, why not give your viewers a choice? Either we can view the mobile version of your mobile site, or we can download your app. If we download your app, maybe we get one or two extra special features. Doesn't this seem better?

But I really hope this isn't an annoying trend.

First Billing Month with iPhone 4. Regrets?

I don't think I'm alone in my glee

After weeks of sleepless nights, prayer and fasting, and much research, I finally did break down and purchase the iPhone 4 on the Bell network. This snipped the ol' umbilical cord with Rogers after a 2 year tenuous relationship (another story). Sure is nice to be at 60 bucks a month as opposed to 90.

I've used it now for a full billing period, so I thought I would express my thoughts in prose.

The Speed...

Yes, it was fast. Apps would launch at a blistering pace, websites would render lickety-split, and multi-tasking was a breeze. Listening to a song, I now get a text where I could instantly respond (no hang time), then I'm back to the Justin Beiber in a flash. Does it get any better? Also, my data speeds are zippy now. My average is over 3 Mb/s down, 4 Mb/s up. Strange that my upload speeds are so quick, not used to seeing that.

The Apps...

This is what drew me to the iPhone 4. This was the one thing that tipped the scale. Otherwise, it was Android for me. The Apps do launch quicker, but honestly, there's not too much different. No killer iPhone 4 app seems to exist that I could find. This is not, repeat, NOT a let down but just a "meh", same as before. But I have no fear that the iPhone 4 killer app is coming.

The Device...

The thing is pretty darn pleasant to look at. Much to my surprise, the Retina Display does make a difference, even with simple text. The antenna issue was a problem for me, however, only in certain areas of the planet. In my office, I hold it in the usual casual grip, the bars would plummet. At home, same grip, maybe one bar. So this big giant "Apple iPhone 4 Major Design Flaw" is hardly major calamity.

With all this said, I am still a floozy with technology. No loyalty. Should an insane Android device come out on Bell in 2011, I'll be on that action without batting an eye.

Ist the Android Switch Really a Big Change?

"To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often"

- Sir Winston Churchill

On the surface, switching over from iPhone to Android feels like a major, life-altering experience. But is it really? Is it really much ado about nothing? Is this change like me moving to a village in rural China, or is it a change like ordering the Starbucks medium roast instead of the dark roast? Which is it?

Well, to ease my anxiety, I could resort to either (1) booze, or (2) listing the tasks I do regularly on my iPhone and see if they translate over to Android. I choose option #2 (for now).

I'm thinking back over the last 48 hours. Here, in order of time spent, are the tasks I've performed on iOS 4.

1. Cell phone activity - phone / text
2. Twitter
3. Web browsing
4. Bejewelled 2
5. Scrabble
6. YouTube

I can see right away, that there would be some sacrifice: #4 and #5 are not available on Android, at least, not in their polished iPhone form. There are Android versions, but they are yucky (to use highly technical terminology).

Let's now take a "glass is half full" approach and look at the gains. What would I get from, say, the Samsung Galaxy S, that I would not get from iPhone 4.

• 4 inch screen
• Apps from Google labs (and there are some real hum-dingers)
• Much lower price point for unlocked/no-contract device
• TV out connector (rumored, but not official yet)

But the iPhone 4 is too sweet to just write off. If these scenarios were to unfold, iPhone 4 would definitely be my next smartphone:

• No contract price is $779 (32 GB model), but if Rogers knocked that price down and allowed me to stay at my current 6 GB / month contract expiring in July 2011.
• Telus offered an iPhone 4 with two-year contract somewhere around $549 ish.
• iPhone is abundantly in stock on Apple's website (temptation might prove to be too great)
• Steve Jobs calls me personally, pleading with me to purchase one.
  

But, whatever, right? Either way, my current pokey iPhone 3G gets relegated to mere iPod status and I end up with a choice smartphone that should hold me for the next couple years.

Android Like Rock in Shoe

Yep. I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that I will be updating my smartphone. My current iPhone 3G is showing its age as its slower, and has some outdated features compared to what's out there in the wild.

While I've already professed my undying love for the new iPhone, I can't help but notice the growing faction of smartphone users that are happy Android adopters. Currently, from an OS perspective, the numbers stand favour iOS. The US smartphone OS mix has iOS at 56% market share with Android at 11%. RIM is at 17%, but that's just stodgy enterprise stuff, so I thumb my nose at RIM. Keep in mind that Apple has iOS on more than just the iPhone. There's the iPad and that other thing called the iPod. Remember the iPod? Played music? Anyone?

Device wise, it seems a bit closer. AdMob's April numbers show 10.7 M iPhone devices in the US compared to 8.7 M Android-based units. Take these numbers with a grain of salt in the case of Canada. US carriers such as T-Mobile and Verizon are very big on Android, if there's a cutting edge Android device, they will have it. Canada is slow to adopt Android based phones, we seem to be around 3 - 6 months behind the times.

But Canada is catching up. Here are two devices that are calling out to me. Two vile temptresses that flaunt themselves before me.

(1) Samsung Galaxy S - This baby will be available on Bell first. She sports a 1 GHz processor, with 500 MB of RAM, a 4 inch super AMOLED screen with 720p video recording and a 5 MP camera, what's not to like?

(2) HTC Desire HD - Not expected until October-ish, probably Telus. This will make up for Canada not getting the Droid X, as this little beauty is considered to be the Droid X's successor. Potentially the device that has you look at an iPhone 4 and giggle while thinking "how cute is that!". Anyway, she sports a massive 4.3 inch screen, 1 GHz processor, 720p video capture, 8 MP camera, divx video playback, (taking breath here... hang on a sec) Flash 10 support, and automated facial tracking. (oops, just drooled)

So, iPhone 4 is not exactly a given for me. Lets see if I can resist her when she comes calling. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only smartphone waffler around here. Right?

iPhone 4G Looming. I Want.

Nope. Can't help but get all caught up in the iPhone 4G hype. The reason I believe I'm getting sucked right in is the fact that my current iPhone, the original 3G from two years ago, seems to be showing its age: (1) very sloooowwww page and app load times, (2) limited support for some apps, and (3) dropped calls which may be the Carrier's fault, maybe the phone's fault, depends on who you talk to.

Here's the kicker. My current contract is a lovely 3 year beauty, which locks me in to an $80 per month rate. I'm not eligible for parole until August 2011. So the question is, "am I willing to eat a big penalty fee to become liberated?". I think I am.

Here's why.

When I signed up with Rogers two years ago, I got the 6 GB plan. I was so excited I nearly soiled myself. I'll never run out of data! That's more data than the American AT&T "unlimited" data which has a soft cap of 5 GB. Wow!

However, after two years of feverish use, its become clear to me that there's no way I would ever use that in a month. If I'm using heavily (I realize I sound like a intravenous drug user here), I'm lucky if I can slurp up 300 MB worth of data. I've come to the conclusion that any 500 MB plan would probably do me fine and dandy.

Here's the plan.

Rogers has an Early Termination Fee, which I will now present as Exhibit "A":

ECF
The ECF is the greater of (ii) $100 or (iii) $20 per month remaining in the service agreement, to a maximum of $400 (plus applicable taxes), and applies on each line in the plan that is terminated.

For me, that equates to 12 months or $240.

My current plan is
Voice = $35

Data = $30

System Access Fee = $7

Caller ID = $8

Total = $80 / month

My proposed new plan is
Telus PlanVoice & Data = $50

Caller ID = $7

Total = $57 / month

So, the difference is about $23 / month or $276 over the year. If my ECF comes to $240, and my money saved over the next year is $276, I'm actually a little bit ahead.

So, I guess this leads me to another question: how much is the iPhone 4G gonna cost?

iPhone Data Plans - A Quick Compare

In the next couple months, Steve Jobs will descend from Mount Sinai with stone tablets in one hand and the new iPhone 4G in the other. It is good.

Having skipped the last rendition of the iPhone 3G, the underwhelming 3GS, I probably will adopt the 4G. I also may use this opportunity to end my contract with Rogers and start fresh with a new data plan, there's now a myriad of choices to be had. Why not at least consider starting fresh. My current bill is about $87 / month.

With that, I delved into each provider's website, wearing my "iPhone Newbie" hat, seeing what was out there. I'm only going to consider plans that suit my typical iPhone daily routine:

• 10 - 20 minutes a day talking and texting, usually to people in "My 5".
• A few minutes on Facebook every few days
• Daily use of Twitter through the Echofon app
• Email checking throughout the day through GMail on IMAP using Exchange settings
• Web surfing 10 - 30 minutes per day
• Radio listening over 3G through the "Tuned In" app (which I recommend, by the way)
• No tethering needed
• Non-3G games and iPod use does not factor in here since there's not data involved

So, I'm looking at a plan at around 500MBBelow is my cross-compare, maybe you might find it informative.

Rogers

Price:
>> $50 / month = 200 minutes / 500 MB data

Includes:
>> A "My 5" option, unlimited voice and data to 5 numbers.
>> Call forwarding, call waiting, group calling
>> Unlimited access to social sites like Facebook, Twitter, PhotoBucket, LinkedIn, etc.

Comments:
Its an extra 8 bucks for Caller ID, which I have grown fond of. Rogers goes down quite a bit during bad weather. I also average 1 dropped call per month. Bars are sporadic. It wouldn't break my heart to leave Rogers.

Bell

Price: $50 / month = 100 minutes / 500 MB data

Includes:
>> Unlimited text and talk to 5 numbers
>> Not a whole lot else

Comments:
Bells coverage map is really nice. I like the blue they use on their web page. Aside from that, Bell seems to come up really short. My stomach got queezy looking through their offerings.

Telus

Price: $50 / month = 200 minutes / 500 MB data (seeing a trend yet?)

Includes:
>> an equivalent "My 5" deal - unlimited talk and text to 5 numbers.
>> voice mail, which no other carrier includes at this level.
>> call waiting, conference calling
>> PERKS plan, basically a bunch of coupons to places like Mr Sub, Shell, Shoe Company, etc.

Comments:
Caller ID is a whopping $15 / month under their "Package 15" option. By reputation, Telus is the most reliable network, not likely to get dropped calls through these guys. Their data speeds will probably be a smidge better. Really not liking the extra $15, not good, Telus.

Virgin Mobile

Price: $50 / month = 200 minutes / 500 MB data

Includes:
>> Choice of unlimited texting or caller id (damn! I like BOTH)
>> Unlimited received texts - outgoing is 15 cents per text
>> Members area with a lot of fluff you can buy, wrist bands, ring tones, whoop-de-freaking-do

Comments:
Network speeds and reliability make me nervous with Virgin. Although they were part of the 3G+ consortium that banded together against the evil empire (Rogers) to create this 3G+ network, my gut tells me that I'm not going to get a good experience for the price. Please correct me if I'm wrong, because the pricing seems decent.


Overall Summary:
Golly, not sure what to say. Rogers still looks good, but the uncertainty of Virgin has me wondering. If I could only come across some dude who has a Virgin iPhone and get his/her opinion. Not seeing too much info out there on raw 3G data speed comparison across networks. I guess if I were to choose right now, I would lean towards Rogers again. However, I would go at a much lower price. I'd like to see my $85 / month go down to $50 / month.

Of course, this could all change once the big iPhone 4G announcement happens. Some of these providers could get aggressive with some deals. At least, I hope they do.