I’ve just ordered a new iPod touch!

I’ve been rockin’ the first generation iPod touch since it came out in 2007, now. It’s been through a lot including multiple drops onto hard floor and it’s survived them all. The only problem I’ve had is the home button breaking but I got round that with a jailbreak app. But although it’s still a fully functional device, it’s time to upgrade. I’m happy to announce that I’m getting the Apple iPod touch 4th Generation. I said to myself about 6 weeks ago that I don’t need another iPod touch as I now have an Android phone which does (nearly) everything the iPod does but some features are lacking from the Android OS and I prefer the entertainment apps on iOS.

So, that should arrive next week and of course I’ll post a review when I’ve had a chance to play with it, but I’m excited!

A real interesting iPhone app

As you may know, I’m a big fan of CNET’s Tap That App. Josh Lowensohn sits in the pilot’s seat for this episode and takes a look at Prizmo for iPhone. I’m not an iPhone user but really enjoyed this episode as it shows a real interesting use of the iPhone’s features. Sure, some of them are basic, but they look useful. I’m now waiting for an Android version as it looks really worth the cost. I really could’ve done with the translation feature when I went on my recent holiday and struggled to understand the Spanish language and typed everything into Google Translate.

This is the Tap That App video from CNET TV

Perfect Android IM app: Nimbuzz

This post was written on 19th August 2010, but scheduled to be published on 20th in order to prevent blog overload for readers!

Up until an hour ago, I hadn’t found an IM app for my HTC Wildfire that gave me a good experience without being slow. Now, I have.

Nimbuzz is a free application with no advertising which allows you to connect to all of the major IM services including Google Talk (with Google Apps support), MSN Messenger (AKA Windows Live Messenger), AIM and even Skype. The app is fast and easy to use compared to the alternatives (IM+, eBuddy, Meebo) and also looks good and makes use of the screen. The big deal is that I can make Skypeout calls on my Android phone without getting a phone on the UK network 3 or the Verizon Wireless network in the US. Although it isn’t the official app, it works really well (although I don’t have Skypein so I haven’t tried this aspect of it).

The app isn’t perfect, though. I have two Google Talk accounts, one for TechVi and one for my personal account and I can only use one at once, although I have contacted Nimbuzz to see if this a feature they’re planning to add in the future.

The problem with it is small, however, and I really recommend if you’re looking for IM on your Android phone you try it out, it’s a really great app which I prefer to the competition!

Why I don’t use my Mac

So back in December I got a Mac mini to replace my year old Dell Inspiron. I had always wanted to use Mac OS X as my primary operating system as I had been told it works really well and is good for productive things.

The first time I used the Mac, my mind was (nearly) instantly changed. I find with Windows there’s always a quicker way to do things and I don’t find the dock works well for mutli tasking between different windows. I thought that I could get used to it so I used Synergy to connect it to my PC and share the keyboard, this worked well, and I found myself getting used to OS X after a short amount of time. I then went on a break and when I came back I found myself again using solely the PC, I’d chosen subconsciously that I prefer the experience of Windows 7, and when I think about it, I do.

I think managing my open applications is the key reason why I don’t use my Mac, I find Windows to give me a quicker way to navigate between different windows compared to the dock and Exposé in OS X.

Don’t worry, Apple fans, I haven’t completely abandoned my Mac. I use it now for a little podcasting machine connected to a (soon to be replaced and upgraded) 17″ monitor for watching podcasts when I’m in the other side of my room. For this, it works well. The addition of Boxee is great and now the problems with window management don’t really matter. I occasionally use GarageBand on it when I need some background music for a video but that’s a rare occasion.

Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments below. I’m willing to try OS X again if they update window management in OS X 10.7 but I think for now my Mac is a great little computer for podcasting (and as a backup machine for my PC).

A month with the HTC Wildfire

I’ve had Android on my HTC Wildfire for a month now and I’ve had time to play about with it and discover the apps.

I find it a more complete experience than the BlackBerry OS and iOS, both which I have used in the past for extended periods of time. The addition of widgets and the ability to customise your home screens with HTC Sense UI is fantastic and really useful for me. Unlike the BlackBerry OS and iOS I am able to make the phone work how I want it to. For example, on my main home screen I have my most used apps, a clock, my Remember the Milk list, and also a link to Vlingo which I use sometimes for launching the different apps and sending a text message quickly.

The market is a relatively poor experience compared to iOS App Store, although better than the BlackBerry App World. It can be a pain to find some apps and finding new apps is virtually impossible, as you can only see the top apps. The iOS App Store gives featured apps which I think is good as it allows you to see apps that Apple themselves are recommending.

Once you find the apps, they’re good. They’re not as “polished” as iOS apps, but they work well and some of the developers have really interesting ideas. I really like DoggCatcher (which fellow contributor Eric Sandine at TechVi recommend I get) as it allows you to automatically download podcasts from RSS feeds which the iTunes app on iOS doesn’t allow. Locale is another interesting app, although expensive, it allows you to set different things to happen when different actions are made. For example, I have my volume turn down at night, but only when I am home, and also have my WiFi come on when I get home and go off (to save battery) when I leave the house.

The customisation options on Android are immense, you can change virtually any part of the Android operating system. I love how I can make my phone suited to how I use it, and not just have it how it’s come as default.

As for the hardware, I recommend spending more if you can afford it. The limited resolution of 320×240 and 3.2″ screen means that images, web sites and  aren’t as crisp aren’t as clear as they could be and the slow CPU means it can lag behind when typing fast, although it was annoying at first, I’ve learned to live with it and the hardware is great for my use and budget.

I really do recommend you try out an Android phone, unless you’re not prepared to spend time learning the OS and getting used to it. If you’re prepared to spend a few weeks to do this, go ahead! The HTC Wildfire is a good choice if you’re on a budget but if you can afford to spend more on a HTC Desire or a higher end phone with a faster CPU, higher resolution and bigger screen, do that, but if you’re on a budget and understand the HTC Wildfire isn’t perfect, the HTC Wildfire is a good phone.

If you’ve got any questions about Android or the HTC Wildfire, drop a comment and I’ll do my best to help!

Review: Ping!Chat for iOS and Android

Ping!Chat is a free “IM” client for iOS, Android and BlackBerry OS. It’s a really great way to communicate with friends and family when you’re on the move and don’t want to sign into your main IM client for fear of being bombarded with IMs. I love the way it’s easy to just share a photo, video or audio clip because it’s really quick.

Is this replacing text messaging for me, yet?

No, it’s not because it often takes a few hours for a message to come through, which when I contacted Ping!Chat on Twitter they ignored my tweet, leading me to believe that they do know about this problem, although they didn’t reply so the message may have just been missed by them.

I also find that the app is very slow on my HTC Wildfire running Android 2.1 which is annoying. The keyboard often gets behind what I am typing which is a really frustrating experience. This doesn’t happen with other apps that use the keyboard.

Do I recommend the app?

At the moment, if you want a fast response, equivalent to texting, no. But if you have a fast phone (like a Nexus One, or similar) and don’t care if message takes a couple hours to get to get through,  yes I do recommend it. It’s got a good interface that looks nice, although the apps are annoying (but they did put on Twitter that these are being fixed).

Are you going to continue using the app?

I am, but it’s not replacing texting yet. I like the ability to quickly send photos to users on different platforms without sending an email, which is a killer feature.

If you are from Ping!Chat and reading this, drop me an email using the contact button if you want to know more of my issues, but in my opinion the service isn’t right for day-to-day use yet.