TramTracker continues to go from strength to strength. Not only can you see if your tram is air conditioned with disabled access, but now you can see what type of tram it is. A single, double or a bumble bee 4 carriage!

Be sure to make sure you have the latest TramTracker update.

This is not the pair that came with my headphones, it’s a brand new pair.

R.I.P. to those bundled with my phone which ceased to work on the left bud. Thankfully, my Griffin Ear Jams will be attached to this relatively cheap headphones so they fit my ears to sound fantastic.

Did You know?

Since the original headphones are bundled with the IPhone, they don’t get their own manual. But buy them stand alone and you get the separate manual which includes a little tid bit I was completely unware of.

I knew you could double click the middle button to skip to the next song but didn’t know triple clicking the middle button went BACK a track. Everyone else probably did though.

***Updated*** Nice Case but doesn’t fit the Cradle: Scroll down for update

Fancy a new IPhone case. I was quite happy to not have one until recently when a friends IPhone received considerable damage. I had also been reluctant as to how much a case would change the slim form of my phone.

I’ve only had the case for a few hours but here are my first but brief impressions.

PROS

I love the look. Pictured left is the case in two colors. I went for the top case which is a matt navy blue, I really like the two toned black and color look.

The plastic is very firm but feels and looks like that material that your not sure whether it is plastic or a type of rubber (but we’ve been assured it is in fact, plastic).

The case has a neat 2 piece clip on design that doesn’t feel like it would fall to pieces upon dropping, it just clips and hugs the Iphone like a puzzle piece.

It will take a small while to get use to the feeling of the case in hand and the accessibility of the buttons which are all okay except for one (see CONS below).

CONS

• There is no screen protection, but I guess many covers do not have it included.
• The accessibility of the cable port is a bit iffy. Once I’ve plugged it in, it can easily become unplugged with movement because the case stops the cable from slotting in fully.

Product Update

The Case is great, I like the look and the protection it provides BUT

It doesn’t allow the IPhone to fit in its cradle, meaning I need to take the casing off every night before placing it in its cradle and putting it back on in the morning.

Having said that, I’ll still use this nice case. For now.

On a day like today and for what looks to be another potential summer from Hell in Melbourne, tramTracker now has an icon to indicate whether a tram is air conditioned! Very handy. I’ll be taking the next tram thanks.

Crazy Machines

This is my favourite game yet. The aim of the game is to manouver equipment and items to satisfy the requirements of the task such as “move the ball into the target zone”. It can be very challenging and sometimes requires some extreme accuracy with timing and placement but I found the completion of tasks to be very satisfying. Well worth the $3.99 I paid for it!

Everest: Hidden Expedition

This little gem is the game I am currently playing from “Big Fish Games, Inc” who are well known for making such games. I’ve just realised it is apart of a series for the IPhone and Touch, just search for Expedition.

Blue Fish games are popular on the PC and those of you familiar with the “Mystery Case Files” series will LOVE this. The basic premise of the game is to find objects in beautifully detailed worlds. Sounds like boring Eye Spy but I’m not the only one who can’t get enough of these. There seems to be free Lite versions you can try also, just type in that “expedition” keyword.

The Problem With IPhone Headphones

As with all included headphones with Apple IPod products, the ear inserts just plain old don’t fit me and I know there are many other people who suffer from this same problem. They don’t seem to enter my ear, they can only sit on top and even though they are not inside my ear they are uncomfortable and can actually hurt.

Furthermore, because they don’t fit and sit in my ear properly, they sound bad.

Apple Headphone Alternatives

• With the Iphone 3GS I’m able to plug in any headphones I want but most headphones don’t come with the microphone, telephone and IPOD remote features the 3GS headphones come with.
• Those headphones that do come with IPOD features for the IPHONE are quite expensive and limited to a few brands
• Corded remotes which allow you to plug in your own headphones exist but strangely though youre paying for a product with this specific purpose, they don’t seem to satisfy the basic requirements users request such as a sturdy clip on the remote, the basic functions of fast forward/rewind, appropriate cord length etc

Griffin Ear Jams Review

2 weeks after grumbling about the IPhone GS IPOD capabilities and I’ve finally settled on my headphone option, the Griffin EarJams.

Cost & Suppliers

• Like other people, I was a little concerned by the price of what I was paying for. EarJams are essentially an in ear bud attached to a molded cap that clips onto traditional apple headphones (that ones shipped with all their IPODs and IPhones). For what seems like a small cheap product, they are not cheap.
• The price of the Griffin EarJams online in Australia varied in price with prices I saw hovering from around $46.00 to $113.00!!
• I was not aware at the time of purchase but the supplier I chose (www.expansys.com.au) was international and my headphones would be sent from Hong Kong. I was concerned about this but my EarJams were delivered within 3 working days!
• I purchased the earjams for a respectable 24.99 INCLUDING courier delivery and they arrived in perfect condition. When looking up the product with Expansys today however it seems they have been discontinued and I was super lucky to have purchased one of the last remaining.
• Though I can’t vouch for validity of them, there appear to be some bargains on EBAY from the U.S. even with international shipping

The Fit

• The in ear buds go lightly into the ear without creating much pressure, the least I have felt with in ear buds. The apple headphones sit lightly outside my ear canal.
• The lightness in pressure inside my ear and at the base had me wondering whether sound would leak and result in poor music quality which would make how comfortable they are useless to me
• Despite hardly feeling like they are there, twisting and throwing my head from side to side failed to dislodge them, they stay put making them good for cycling (yes that’s right, I cycle with headphones) and running.
• My experience with the fit of the EarJams may be a mute point for other people because at the end of the day, we all have different ear canals. My work colleague has never found in ear headphones fit him properly and the Griffin EarJams are no exception.
• They’re very discrete looking, the EarJams are hardly noticeable

The Sound

• The in ear buds of the ear jams went into my ear just fine but I was concerned about how much of a seal they created and the cap of the EarJams being too large to go into my ear far enough, leaking too much noise
• This was not the issue at all however. When testing music on my IPHONE 3GS I realised that the seal the in ear buds created were perfect and the bass was deep turning the IPhone headphones from a piece of crap into something I could very happily listen to

Should You Get Griffin EarJams?
For sure, if you consider a few things

• Do you find the included apple headphones a bad fit and/or bad quality in sound
• Is the price right? Shop around, I wouldn’t have purchased these if they cost too much
• If your headphones break (as mine tend to do), these ear jams can be carried over to another cheap pear of Iphone headphones! Just don’t lose them.

Overall: 8/10

2 Week Anniversary
So as of today I have had my Iphone for 2 weeks. Last week, I screamed my love for the Iphone 3GS from the rooftops, completely overwhelmed by its beauty and necessity in my new life. A week later and my love has not waned, but, with any relationship, there are a few shortcomings that I would like to see improved in my partner and then maybe we can come to some sort of compromise.

Let Me Speak Openly
Iphone 3GS. You know I love you right? We’ve been together for 2 weeks now and I can’t see my life without you. My friends and family love you and I want you to be by my side when I fall asleep and the first thing I see when I wake up. BUT…

• Why don’t you have profiles? This is a basic feature of devices far older and simple. There may be a place I need you to be silent AND not vibrate (as much as I love it when you do). But sometimes I need you to just be quiet and still without going through the settings of the phone to stipulate this.
• Your IPOD, I would love to use with the lights off or leave in my jacket pocket. I would know how to push your buttons and in all the right places if you only had them. I can’t fast forward to the good parts or revisit the parts we know we like already like if you don’t have buttons I can push. Music has not become the easy experience I have come to expect. I knew what your body was like when I met you and I know I can’t change certain things, but maybe more options for headphones with these controls could be made, how hard can it be?
• You Get Tired a Little Too Easy which is fine, I get to spend a lot of time doing a lot of things with you and when you’re ready to sleep I usually am too. But I’d like to be comfortable using you for multiple days without having to worry about you dieing on me. Gosh!
• Please help me to remember your birthday! You get angry if I forget your birthday but how can I remember if you don’t remind me!? Same goes for everyone elses birthday. I wrote it down but I need you to show me when it’s approaching.

Wooooooo! I feel much better thanks I think we’re gonna be okay. Wanna grab a bite to eat?

Happy Anniversary Baby

It’s been a week now since I started using my Iphone 3GS and I cannot remember my life before it. It truely does seemlessly integrate itself into mylife.

Why God Sent Me The IPhone 3GS From Heaven

• The keyboard has become a lot more easier and faster for me to use. To begin with my tapping was hesitant and inaccurate
• I use WIRELESS ALL the time, it automatically logs in at work, home and Telstra wireless in the city
• I am finding myself writing EMAILS to people I was procrastinating to write emails to before because I never seemed to have the time. Now I have convenient access to email at all time and will fill otherwise empty moments with connecting with all my friends and family
  • I use Smartermail which is actually a lot better to use on the Iphone 3GS then it is to use on the web client
• The many available apps allow me to choose things that are useful to me. The basic ShoppingList Lite app has been great for me and I use it shopping. Could do with some improvements but I’ll find the perfect simple shopping app soon
• The games are a lot of fun, there’s some fantastic ones there
• You basically can multi-task with the iphone. Switching between apps is a breeze with the home button and they remain working the background and is too easy to pick up where you left off when you return to previous screens
• I’m glad I never lived through the era of iphone without the cut, copy and paste feature. I use it very much
• Many web applications that I use confgire themselves automatically for the Iphone such as
  • tramtracker
  • twitter
  • google calender

I Would Buy It Again

I’ve already wondered what I would do if I lost or broke my Iphone 3GS and the answer is simple. I would buy it again, no doubt about it. It really is the ultimate piece of personal gadgetry to complement and support my life. My other half if you will.

Love you.

How To Get Your Apple Iphone 3GS To Work From Telstra

So I purchased by first Iphone, the latest 3GS from the Telstra Store on Bourke Street yesterday. I already made mention about Telstra’s hesitation to sell it outright, but I have a contract with them and would add browsing data so they were happy for me to buy one.

Problems Setting Up My Iphone

• Where is the Sim Card slot?so I get my phone and it’s all good then I get back to my office, go to put in the Sim Card and I can’t find the slot. Am I stupid? I pass it around to 2 other people who also cannot find the slot. The included manual is pityful and doesn’t include how to find the Sim Card Slot. After wasting a bit of time it’s time to do what I should have done to begin with, Ask Google. My answer is there. By inserting the tiny silver tool (of which is not mentioned in the manual or anywhere, it just lies loosely in the box), in the top of the Iphone, the Sim Card tray will then shoot out (see the Picture at start of post).
• Remember the pin number for your Sim CardIf you are transfering your old Sim Card like me, you will be asked for the Pin Number. I had no idea what it was, I got the card years ago.
• Ring Support During Business Hours
  I then have to ring telstra, who tell me that I will just have to lock the Sim card by tapping in the wrong code the maximum number of times before it tells me I now need a PUK code. Telstra phone support then supplies me with a new PUK code which I then enter. Now I’m allowed to enter a new PIN code for my Sim Card and away we go. But not quite.
• Activate your card via the latest ITunes
  Before you use your phone, have you to activate your Sim Card via ITunes. This required me to download the new version, no problem. Once the version is up and running ITunes I’m told that my phone will not support my Sim Card. It is too old. I quickly run to the T-Life Store before they close but don’t have sufficient Identification on me, I will not be able to connect with my Iphone until the next day.
• A Good Word About the Iphone (Not Telstra)
  I can use everything on the phone except for the Telstra phone and 3G data service. I can use all the applications on the phone but more importantly, I can use WiFi and connect online to allow me to browse the App store and play with the phone before I start sending sms and making calls.

I’ll give my initial impressions of my Iphone 3GS tomorrow.

As of yesterday, I became the proud owner of an Iphone 3GS through Telstra. It wasn’t until today however that I could use the Iphone as an actual phone. I will explain in a post tomorrow why this was the case and how newbies like myself may be able to avoid the delays and challenges I faced in using my Iphone for the first time.

Having To Deal With Telstra

I bought the Apple Iphone 3Gs 32GB version for $1042 outright from Telstra’s T-Life Store on Bourke Street in Melbourne. After being sent upstairs to purchase the Iphone outright, I asked a member of staff  there about it and with hesitation and a look of doubt they said they must refer to their manager for advice.

She returned and asked me if I had services with Telstra and I informed her that I did and wanted to continue my plan with Telstra and that I would be adding a browsing pack to my capped plan so that I could browse the internet on the 3G Network. Straight away she said, okay we can do that and returned minutes later with my new Iphone.

Why Does Telstra Not Want To Sell The IPhone Outright?

Apple and Telstra have a bad relationship. Apple won’t budge on it’s outright Iphone pricing and as such, the amount of money that Telstra makes on outright IPhones is a paltry amount. As a result, Telstra is extremely hesitant to sell the Iphone outright (particularly if there’s limited stock) to customers unless they have a current account.

Why Am I With Telstra?

They do have a good network but most importantly for me, I will probably NOT need a large amount of data each month. This is important because Telstra data rates for mobile users is extremely expensive compared to competitors Optus and Vodafone. I will be getting 300MB (approx 10MB a day) for $30 a month. If my usage is half of that, then i will consider dropping to the $10 a month 150MB (approx 5MB a day) browsing pack. If you want as much data as you can get for good value, I would strongly recommend going with someone else.

When away from WiFi I hope to keep my browsing and the use of Maps to a minimum. Tomorrow I’ll put up a post that may be particularly useful to newbies about getting your Iphone up and running as quick as possible.