Und hier eine Menge Sprüche zum Nachdenken

Alles hat sein Für und Wieder.

Aufgeschoben ist nicht aufgehoben.

Besser spät als nie!

Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm.

Ein gutes Gewissen ist ein sanftes Ruhekissen

Frisch gewagt, ist halb gewonnen.

Hochmut kommt vor dem Fall

Jedes Ding hat seine zwei Seiten.

Kleinvieh macht auch Mist

Lange Rede, kurzer Sinn.

Süße Träume wünsch ich Dir, wieso bist Du nicht bei mir? Meine Augen fallen zu, mein letzter Gedanke, der bist Du!

Siehst Du die Sterne, sie rappen nur für Dich. Ich Liebe nur Dich, wenn ich im Bett liege, träume ich, wie Du neben mir liegst.

Wenn du Nachts zum Himmel schaust und Dir dort ein Sternchen klaust, küss es lieb und denk an mich, denn dieses sternchen, das bin ich.

Ich könnte 1000 schöne Träume träumen, doch sie wären alle nicht die meinen. Ich mag alle nicht, denn Du bist in keinem! Du hast es mir nicht leicht gemacht, doch jetzt wünsch ich Dir eine gute Nacht! Süße Träume wünsch ich Dir!

Ein kleiner Fratz aus weiter Ferne schenkt Dir eine Hand voll Sterne, wünscht Dir eine gute Nacht, bis das Morgenland erwacht!

Leise liege ich in meinem Bett und denk an Dich. Siehst Du da draußen den kleinen Stern, der sagt Dir leise, ich habe Dich sehr gern! Sage Dir hier ganz still gute Nacht!

Nothing is better then a fine coffee

How to make banananut coffee cake

Unclebeanz Coffee Facebook Contest

The truth is that cats will make themselves comfortable anywhere. On a bed of coals, or atop Mount Doom, or hurtling through space at 99% of the speed of light, a cat will somehow find a way to curl up and doze off. So the idea of including a special place for your cat to sleep underneath a perfectly good cat bed (in this case a glass coffee table) seems redundant. But let’s be honest — are you going to let a little redundancy keep you from buying a cat hammock?

Alas, like most things worth having, the cat hammock is not real. Sure, there’s one somewhere in Japanese designer Case-Real’s warehouse, but I don’t think they’re going to let you have it.

I think I’m beginning to fall in love with Case-Real — they also designed this stunning amplifier from a few months back. Check out the other stuff on their site; maybe we can convince them to start getting it manufactured.

[via 1designperday and Geekologie]

Boake Moore is an IT solutions salesman by trade and also founded a non profit coffee company called Mission Grounds Gourmet Coffee -http://www.missiongrounds.com/ourphilosophy.php – the church coffee. It donates all its profits and proceeds to helping orphans and impoverished children. Helping orphans , the church coffee – www.missiongrounds.com/ourchildren.php can be found at Krogers and many churches. And its also the finest Tarrazu coffee coming from the volcanic area of Costa Rica coffee. www.missiongrounds.com

Coffee  filters …… Who knew!   And you can buy 1,000  at the Dollar Tree for almost nothing even the large ones.

1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the  microwave. Coffee  filters make excellent covers.

2. Clean windows, mirrors, and chrome…  Coffee filters are  lint-free so they’ll leave windows sparkling.

3.  Protect china by separating your good dishes with a coffee  filter between each dish.

4.  Filter broken cork from wine.  If you break the cork when  opening a wine  bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.

5.  Protect a cast-iron skillet.  Place a coffee filter in  the  skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.

6.  Apply shoe polish.  Ball up a lint-free coffee  filter.

7.  Recycle frying oil.  After frying, strain oil through a  sieve  lined with a coffee filter.

8.  Weigh chopped foods.  Place chopped ingredients in a  coffee filter on a  kitchen scale.

9.  Hold tacos.  Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for  messy foods.

10.  Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot.  Line a  plant  pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going  through  the drainage holes.

11.  Prevent a Popsicle from dripping.  Poke one or two holes  as  needed in a coffee filter….

12.  Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows?   Use  strips of coffee filters..

13.  Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries,  chicken  fingers, etc on them.  It soaks out all the grease.

14.  Keep in the bathroom.  They make great “razor nick   fixers.”

15.   As a sewing backing.  Use a filter as an  easy-to-tear backing for embroidering or appliqueing soft fabrics.

16.  Put baking soda into a coffee filter and insert into shoes or  a closet to absorb or prevent odors.

17.  Use them to strain soup stock and to tie fresh herbs in to put  in soups and stews.

18.  Use a coffee filter to prevent spilling when you add fluids to  your car.

19.  Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and clean up small  counter spills.

20.  Can use to hold dry ingredients when baking or when cutting a  piece of fruit or veggies..  Saves on having extra bowls to wash.

21.  Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage.

22.  Use them to remove fingernail polish when out of cotton balls.

23.  Use them to sprout seeds..  Simply dampen the coffee  filter, place seeds inside, fold it and place it into a plastic baggie until  they sprout.

24. Use coffee filters as blotting paper for pressed flowers.   Place the flowers between two coffee filters and put the coffee filters  in  phone book..

25.  Use as a disposable “snack bowl” for popcorn, chips, etc.

OH YEAH THEY ARE GREAT TO USE IN YOUR COFFEE MAKERS TOO.

<P>–from Rev CarlR

Most would agree that our Government hasn't been doing much to endear themselves to their constituents for quite some time. In response fringe and not so fringe groups have been sprouting up all over the place, the biggest of course being the Tea Party movement.

But say you are someone that is not happy with the way our government is being run but don't want to necessarily be associated with the Tea Party lunatic fringe, the leader of which can't even spell his racial slurs? There is a new group that might meet your need to express your displeasure, The Coffee Party.

It all started with documentary filmmaker Annabel Park venting her frustrations on her Facebook page about media coverage that made it seem that the Tea Parties were representative of the “real America.” She vehemently disagreed and her comments on Facebook got a lot of feedback from people who similarly felt pent-up and frustrated.

Their name the “Coffee Party” directly references the Tea Party movement and presents itself as an alternative. Park argues elected officials who represent us should work towards positive solutions to the problems the country faces instead of adopting obstructionist political tactics that play on peoples’ fears and which are driven by deliberate misinformation.

The Coffee Party is currently organizing nationwide. It is stressing the message that its members are voters who intend to hold elected officials accountable to holding up progress. Its members will participate and be engaged in the political process.

In addition, the Coffee Party values diversity, is, itself, diverse and completely comfortable with the changing ethnic demographics of the US. Park argues that politicians are exploiting the anxieties people feel regarding these changing demographics for political gain and that it is wrong.

(Coffee Party USA)

We think ebay will help you!

Alles hat sein Für und Wieder.

Aufgeschoben ist nicht aufgehoben.

Besser spät als nie!

Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm.

Ein gutes Gewissen ist ein sanftes Ruhekissen

Frisch gewagt, ist halb gewonnen.

Hochmut kommt vor dem Fall

Jedes Ding hat seine zwei Seiten.

Kleinvieh macht auch Mist

Lange Rede, kurzer Sinn.

Süße Träume wünsch ich Dir, wieso bist Du nicht bei mir? Meine Augen fallen zu, mein letzter Gedanke, der bist Du!

Siehst Du die Sterne, sie rappen nur für Dich. Ich Liebe nur Dich, wenn ich im Bett liege, träume ich, wie Du neben mir liegst.

Wenn du Nachts zum Himmel schaust und Dir dort ein Sternchen klaust, küss es lieb und denk an mich, denn dieses sternchen, das bin ich.

Ich könnte 1000 schöne Träume träumen, doch sie wären alle nicht die meinen. Ich mag alle nicht, denn Du bist in keinem! Du hast es mir nicht leicht gemacht, doch jetzt wünsch ich Dir eine gute Nacht! Süße Träume wünsch ich Dir!

Ein kleiner Fratz aus weiter Ferne schenkt Dir eine Hand voll Sterne, wünscht Dir eine gute Nacht, bis das Morgenland erwacht!

Leise liege ich in meinem Bett und denk an Dich. Siehst Du da draußen den kleinen Stern, der sagt Dir leise, ich habe Dich sehr gern! Sage Dir hier ganz still gute Nacht!

Apple have quietly confirmed that their iPad tablet is based on the same type of PowerVR SGX graphics hardware as the iPhone 3GS and current-gen iPod touch. Developers digging through the latest iPad SDK beta 3 documentation have found a paragraph comparing the iPad’s graphics capabilities to other SGX-based hardware, including OpenGL ES support.

“Using OpenGL ES on iPad is identical to using OpenGL ES on other iPhone OS devices. An iPad is a PowerVR SGX device and supports the same basic capabilities as other SGX devices. However, because the processor, memory architecture, and screen dimensions are different for iPad, you should always test your code on an iPad device before shipping to ensure performance meets your requirements.” Apple SDK documentation

Previous reports had suggested that the iPad might, in fact, use a less powerful GPU, which seemed at odds with the hardware available elsewhere in Apple’s range.  This new information makes far more sense; Apple has made considerable investment into Imagination Technologies, the company responsible for the PowerVR SGX chips.

The GPU is combined into the custom Apple A4 chip, the 1GHz processor at the heart of the iPad.  For consumers it should mean similar gaming performance to an iPhone 3GS, while for developers it should mean a more straightforward process translating gaming titles and other graphics-intensive apps from the smartphone platform to the new tablet.

[via Everything iPad]

Comments

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1. Um, Leadsexplorer, GE, GE, Maytag, Frigidaire. No Samsung in my kitchen. unless you know something I don't know.

   Does anybody else think this whole Internet of Things idea could be really freaking annoying? Anybody have a 100% bug-free piece of electronics?

   Even a Mac crashes sometimes.

   Posted by: BmoreKarl |
   February 23, 2010 6:13 AM

2. Please can people stop writing articles which appear pathetically desperate to find a use for the iPad.
   “the iPad may well become”
   “The iPad could be that device”
   “the iPad may become”
   “the iPad may well become”
   “The iPad may well become “

   This reader is so very bored. This could have been an interesting piece about future home connectivity, but instead focuses on Apple's latests product push.

   Is there nothing else worth reporting on/writing about?! Sorry RWW, but this piece has just tipped me over the edge!

   Posted by: Tom |
   February 23, 2010 6:41 AM

3. If we're talking straight up convenience I would rather keep a phone in my pocket than lug around a tablet all day.

   Life needs less devices, not more.

   Posted by: Smith |
   February 23, 2010 8:18 AM

4. People say things like:

   “the iPad may well become”
   “The iPad could be that device”
   “the iPad may become”
   “the iPad may well become”
   “The iPad may well become “

   Because they see the potential in the iPad. What other tablet out there now or forthcoming has the hype of Apple behind it, the iTunes and App stores to get and keep customers returning, partnerships with the NYT, Hulu, etc. It's a true statement, the iPad COULD become _______.

   It's going to do well, and other tablets won't go out of business, but to not see its unique potential is not taking a look at the bigger picture.

   http://iPadLot.com

   Posted by: Fretboard |
   February 23, 2010 8:36 AM

5. Um, I just cannot see people moving about in the house with an iPad tucked under their arms. If you open the fridge you usually have something in your hand (or will, when you close the door). Would you risk the iPad slipping out from under your arm and hitting the hard kitchen floor? I cannot. When I open the fridge I have both hands free, with my iPod securely in one of my pockets.

   Posted by: Juergen |
   February 23, 2010 8:47 AM

6. @BmoreKarl In Europe and Asia-Pacific the Samsung brand is omnipresent in retail stores both white and brown goods (and mobiles). Maybe not yet in US.

   Now Samsung has also their Appstore that should have the same application for both your Smartphone and your TV-set.

   Getting the Appstore to the fridge is just one step beyond.
   This is feasible for Samsung as they supply all the goods, appliance, and devices themselves.

   Posted by: LEADSExplorer |
   February 23, 2010 9:21 AM

7. Amazing idea to use ipad in the future.

    Posted by: Min |
   February 23, 2010 9:30 AM

8. The iPad won't do that without multi-tasking

   Posted by: Mike |
   February 23, 2010 10:15 AM

9. It would be silly to use the iPad for the purposes mentioned in this article when the iPhone would be much better suited for them. The iPhone is small and portable, can be slipped into a pocket or attached to the belt-loop with a case, and is actually better ruggedized for randomly bopping around the house. Does the author really think that people going to the fridge are going to lug a large tablet when they need both hands free? Come on. This article is really thoughtless.

   Posted by: Jim |
   February 23, 2010 10:33 AM

10. I don't see too many people walking around their home with their “trusty iPad tucked under their arm”.

    Surely something that fits in your pocket, e.g. an iPhone, would be much more practical for the purposes explained here?

    We've explored the possibilities of internet-enabled appliances ever since the internet became ubiquitous, and yet this domestic interconnectedness has never really taken off. I don't think the advent of the iPad will be the tipping point.

    This comic I read this morning is rather pertinent.

    Posted by: Dan |
    February 23, 2010 10:37 AM

11. Jim, Dan,

    Well the iPhone may be used for these purposes too, but as a larger device the iPad has more utility. The iPhone is a bit too pokey to be used as the connector device envisaged, whereas a laptop is a bit too bulky. The iPad is in-between and so it may be just right.

    And re “Does the author really think that people going to the fridge are going to lug a large tablet when they need both hands free?”

    -> er, no. As I wrote in the scenario, the iPad would be placed on the kitchen bench or somewhere. Before (anonymously) accusing the post of being “thoughtless,” why not read the words first.

     Posted by: Richard MacManus |
    February 23, 2010 11:01 AM

12. I see where you're going with this, but I've felt that Android (or I guess Chrome OS) is a better platform for these types of applications. I understand that the touchscreen and interaction model with the iPad is why you would mention it though. I can't for the life of me understand why car companies wouldn't replace their terrible UI's like maps, navigation, contacts, etc. with apps built on a platform like Android. It would be a far better user experience.

    Posted by: Mark R. |
    February 23, 2010 11:57 AM

13. wow, this article was written by someone from Apple's Marketing Department. To non-Apple fanbois, the vast majority of Apple trinkets are overhyped and overpriced. There's already a device that alot of people carry around with them around the house, it's their netbook- it's better than the iPad. In the future, if people prefer slates, they'll get more capable ones rather than this Apple iToy

    Posted by: tim |
    February 23, 2010 12:58 PM

14. I think iPad would not stay longer as number of other competitors would through quite smart machines, one example can be refined version of 6thSense.

    Posted by: nitGreen |
    February 23, 2010 1:31 PM

15. The Apple fan club has erased our comment about Samsung and all it's appliances / devices.
    Stupidly the Apple fan club forgot to erase the reply comment from someone else.
    Seems conversations are prohibited if Apple is present.

    Posted by: LEADSExplorer |
    February 23, 2010 1:36 PM

16. @LEADSExplorer – Apply fanboyism? Hardly.

    We deleted your comment because it looked suspiciously like spam. You don't use a real name, and you link to a lead-gen site.

    I suggest you start using a more appropriate handle for RWW comments so this doesn't happen in the future.

     Posted by: Jolie O'Dell |
    February 23, 2010 2:09 PM

17. Ah, great minds think alike!

    I posted on this a while back (see http://blog.davidjeade.com/2010/02/on-the-ipad-the-ultimate-fridge-magnet/).

    The iPad for me really is about a different market, I call it 'the market of my mum'! A device open enough to enable multiple, as yet un-imagined outcomes, yet familiar enough to engender trust.

    I'm not an Apple groupie – but I do think their 'build a platform and the apps will come' model is spot on.

    Dave

    Posted by: David J Eade |
    February 23, 2010 2:48 PM

18. @LEADSExplorer, I actually thought your comment was valid and your website seems ok to me, so I'm going to disagree on this occasion with my esteemed colleague and reinstate your comment. Apologies.

    Re the Apple fanboy complaints, well it may well be I am favoring the iPad over netbooks. I just think Apple has proven time and again that they can break open a previously uncracked mass market. They did it with the iPod (music), again with iPhone (mobile) and I think they will do it again with iPad (tablets).

     Posted by: Richard MacManus |
    February 23, 2010 5:14 PM

19. Can you really write that we'll walk around the house with an iPad tucked under our arm while keeping a straight face? Doesn't this sound the slightest bit ludicrous?

    Posted by: David Berkowitz |
    February 23, 2010 8:14 PM

20. I agree David. My crazy thought (see link in my comment above) is that somebody design a magnetic iPad cover to enable the iPad to be a fridge magnet.

    I know. Inspired

    Posted by: David Eade |
    February 23, 2010 8:24 PM

21. Richard, I did in fact read your words, which were:

    “Adam Greenfield explained to me that the iPad may become the kind of device that people carry around with them everywhere inside the house, from the lounge to the bedroom to the kitchen.”

    But if your response to my comment is that people are going to leave their iPads sitting around in the kitchen all day waiting for the fridge to nag them, I will go ahead and call that silly, too.

    Also, my criticism was not anonymous to you, as you require an email address to comment.

    Posted by: Jim |
    February 23, 2010 10:12 PM

22. I confidently predict success of the iPad will hinge on other than whether or not it is worn around the house tucked under their arm.
    I can also imagine a couple of scenarios in which having an iPad would be an advantage. Somewhere between my deskbound iMac and helpful but limited iPhone.

    Posted by: Roger Murdock |
    February 23, 2010 11:07 PM

23. @Richard MacManus apologies accepted – no problem.
    @Jolie O'Dell please note we have posted many more comments since many years.

    Posted by: LEADSExplorer |
    February 24, 2010 2:28 AM

Citrix’s quiet announcement that its Receiver software will allow Apple iPad users to run Windows 7 sessions via virtualization has caused some to suggest that the iPad may have much promise as a business tool. But why stop at Windows? The iPad will reach beyond Apple’s iPhone OS and Windows.

As Citrix vice president Chris Fleck has noted in a blog post:

“It turns out the 9.7 inch display on the iPad with a 1024×768 screen resolution works great for a full VDI XenDesktop. Windows applications run unmodified and securely in the data center, and even multiple applications at once. The advancements that were made for the Citrix Receiver for iPhone will carry over to the iPad, however the iPhone restrictions of screen size and small keyboards are overcome with the iPad. It’s a beautiful thing!”

One of the primary details to note there is that multiple Windows 7 applications can run in a session on an iPad via Citrix Receiver and Xen virtualization. Of course, it’s also important to note that Fleck is describing applications housed on remote servers — not running locally. Apple has already announced that it will have its iWork applications available for the iPad, but why won’t many Windows 7-centric users and businesses want access to Windows applications that they can run concurrently as well? Doing so could eliminate multitasking limitations inherent to the iPhone OS, and a larger screen than the iPhone’s will only help encourage such usage.

PC World’s Randall Kennedy argues that the iPad’s limited connectivity and lack of a keyboard and a mouse will keep many business users from adopting it, even if it does Windows 7 sessions. I, too, have expressed my doubts about whether Apple will even market the iPad toward business users, and many Windows 7 users may favor Windows tablets over the iPad. Still, the more I think about it, the more it seems inevitable that the iPad, through virtualization, will reach out to other operating systems featuring myriad types of applications.

Ich weiss noch an die Zeit wie unser Flohtaxi noch mini war.
Das Hundebett war damals noch
viel zu gross für unseren WauWau.
Das praktische war, das wir das Hundebett einfach abwischen
konnten, wenn wir mal nicht schnell genug mit unserem Flohzirkus an der frischen Luft waren.
Das waren schon tolle Zeiten.

Ich war jetzt beim Esprit Werksverkauf in Ratingen. Die PreiseAnziehsachen|Kleidung} dort sind genial.
Etwas Ellbogen ist das schon angesagt bei den ganzen Profis
das ist dort ein ganz schöner Theater und ich war glücklich das ein oder
andere Schnäppchen zu machen.

Eine kleine WeisheitenSammlung Zitate

Lange Rede, kurzer Sinn.

Wir geben den Kühen Futter,
dafür geben sie uns Milch und Butter.

Ein Esel, der Bücher trägt,
ist noch lange kein Doktor.

Was wäre Nike ohne Air,
was wär der Gummi ohne Bär,
was wär der Bleistift ohne Mine,
was wär der Zug nur ohne Schiene,
was wäre Becker ohne Stich,
was wäre ich nur ohne dich!
Danke das es dich gibt!

Unter den Blinden ist der Einäugige König.

Der Tag beginnt so,
wie Du ihn dir macht und endet so,
wie und wann Du es willst.

Um das Wunderbare zu erlangen,
muss man das Unvorstellbare denken.

We've been playing with PhoneSuit's Primo micro battery pack on our iPhone 3GS for a few days. As the name suggests, this thumb-sized battery is the smallest we've seen in its class, but somehow it still packs 800mAh of juice — almost two-thirds of the iPhone's built-in cell. Feature-wise you'll only find battery level and charge status indicators on the front, and a mini-USB port on the back for charging. Unlike the slot-in case-style battery packs for the iPhone, this battery pack's dock connector is on a flat top, which makes it compatible with “all iPhones and most iPods.” We also noticed a 2mm gap when plugged in, and apparently this is to allow space for your iPod's / iPhone's protection case — too bad our iPhone didn't have one.

While the battery life lived up to its promise for us, this broad-compatibility design backfired on us — the battery pack was thicker than our iPhone 3GS, so the overhanging sharp edge on the back often caught our trouser pocket while the phone was being pulled out. Alas, we were more worried about our battery pack coming loose than our iPhone's own battery life. Hopefully PhoneSuit will consider making device-specific adapters to give us a peace of mind, or maybe offer baggy pants at discount prices.

I get the point of having gold or diamond-studded jewelry, or even watches. Those things have timeless appeal. But re-forming an iPod’s body out of solid 18ct rose gold and then adding platinum and diamonds to it is plain dumb. And I’m not even concerned about the durability of the product – obviously the people are way above such mortal concerns – all I’m saying is this thing will look dumb in a few years. Honestly it looks dumb now, perhaps even dumber now that it’s been pimped.

Then again it’s from the same dude who made a gold-plated fat PS3, so I guess gadgets are his thing. Are you the servant of an insanely rich gadget freak? Tell him about this post, and direct him to Stuart Hughes’ website.

The ostentatious iPod costs £59,995 (approx. $94, 400 USD), but who cares right? It’s made out of gold! Run to your master for there are only 10 of these! The servants of his friends read our site too you know.

[via Slippery Brick]

Causecast:

February 14 is just around the corner and you know what that means – love is in the air. There are lots of ways to declare your love this Valentine's Day, but the reality is few gifts have a lasting impact. This year, why not make your display of affection a gift that not only shows how much you care, but also a gift that gives back. Whether you want to buy an extravagant present or you've only got a few bucks to spare, whether you're shopping for your romantic interest or your grandmother, you can find a gift that gives back for everyone in your life and make the world just that much brighter while you're at it.

Here's our countdown of the top ten Valentine's Day gifts for a cause:

A Peek Inside A Noby Noby Boy Meeting Reveals So Much

Who knew that the creation of the iPhone and iPod Touch version of Keita Takahashi's Noby Noby Boy was the outcome of product meetings, focused consumer research and plush executives chanting “iPhone! iPod Touch! iPod Touch! iPhone! iPod Touch! iPhone!!”

That's the cold, profit-driven reality behind Noby Noby Boy's journey to the iPhone, sadly. A bunch of knitted and cotton-stuffed suits trying to target the kindergarten crowd and party people of the world, dazzling them with crazy Boy toys. Curse this industry!

At least we'll benefit from the zany set of mini-apps that let us stretch and shrink Boy, then snap pictures and include them in the iPhone spin-off of the PlayStation Network game. Truth be told, Noby Noby Boy for the iPhone looks like a hell of a lot of fun, even less of a game than the PlayStation 3 original.

Namco Bandai execs, you've figured me out. I'm a party person and I want some Noby Noby Boy on my phone. Here's another look.

In summary, iPhone! iPod Touch! iPod Touch! iPhone! iPod Touch! iPhone!!

Namco Bandai Games iPhone Channel

Send an email to Michael McWhertor, the author of this post, at mike@kotaku.com.

Apple’s third-generation iPod Touch and iPhone 3G and 3GS are the leading contenders in the Wi-Fi media players and smartphones market. These popular devices are not only about playing music and games, making phone calls, and running applications, they’re about elegant style, ease of use, and speed.

When you compare and contrast the iPhone and iPod Touch, there is little difference between the outside design features of the two, and though under their hood they both share similar robust features, there are some significant differences that you should consider in deciding which one to purchase.

Compare and Contrast: iPhone and iPod Touch Have Similar Features

Both the iPhone and iPod Touch have the following features in common:

• Both share Apple’s 3.0 operating system which features touch technology; cut, copy and pasting; landscape keyboard typing, spotlight search features, and Wi-Fi access, which makes them essentially a computer in the palm of your hand. Touch and accelerometer technology by the way provides for smooth and easy navigation on the devices, enabling users to zoom in and out on images and webpages, and use titling and other hand movements to play games and other similar applications.

• Both include the following default applications: Safari web browser; Calendar, Internet Mail, Address Book; YouTube video player, Calculator, Notes, Photo Browser, Stocks reporting, Weather reporting; Clock, GPS Maps, Voice Memo, Nike + iPod exercise tracking support, and an iPod music player app.

• You can sync both devices to Apple’s iTunes software (for both Mac and Windows PC) to add and remove songs, videos, photos, and other data files. The entire process is fairly automatic, and with an Apple MobileMe account you can sync information to the devices wirelessly.

• The iTunes App Store features 5,000+ applications specifically designed mostly by third party developers to run on both devices.

• Both devices feature voice-control technology to navigate music playback with spoken commands. This is done on the devices themselves or through the remote mic on the earphones that come with the devices. (Note: only the 32GB and 64GB models of iPod Touch come with voice control.)

The iPod Touch

The third generation iPod Touch comes in three models: 8GB ($199), 32GB ($299), and 64GB ($399). These models can hold from 1,750 to 14,000 songs, 10,000 to 90,000 photos, and up to 30 hours music and 6 hours of video playback time. However, these stats depend a lot on how you use the device and what other data files you have stored on them. Plus, in my average use of both both the iPod Touch and the iPhone 3G, the battery usage isn’t that great. So get accustomed to daily charging.

No Phone

Of course, the iPod Touch models do not come with a phone or instant messaging. However, there are several third party apps like AIM that enable users to use instant messaging on the touch. And there are a few hacks, such as one that involves using Skype,  for making phone calls on the touch. Though of course you still need a Wi-Fi connection and a remote microphone on say the earphone cord to make the calls.

WiFi But No 3G

The iPod Touch does not require an AT&T phone or WiFi contract to use it, which saves you well over $700 per year. As with the iPhone, the iPod Touch has built-in WiFi capability but it does not have what’s called 3G access, which only comes with the iPhone 3G and 3GS. So basically, if the places you travel to and frequent have WiFi servers, you should be okay with Internet access on the device. For instance, McDonald’s now provides free Wi-Fi connections, as do many colleges and universities. With 3G capability, however, you pretty much have connections to the Internet nearly everywhere AT&T provide the services.

No Camera or Video Cam

The iPod Touch also lacks a camera and video recorder. This has been a huge criticism of the device, and many critics think that a digital camera should have been included with the third generation touch. More than likely the fourth gen will finally get this feature.

iPhone 3G and 3GS

The latest version of the iPhone comes in two models: the iPhone 3G 8GB (from $99), 16GB (from $199) and the 32GB (from $299) The price variances are also based on a required two-year wireless service contract with AT&T, starting at $69.99 per month. AT&T subsidizes the iPhone, which attributes to its lower cost than the iPod Touch. You can purchase an iPhone without an AT&T service contract, but it will cost you between $499 and $699. See rate plans. You will also want to check the availability of AT&T services in your area for the terms of 3G service, signal strength, bandwidth speeds, and phone rates.

Phone and Instant Messaging

Of course the iPhone does include a full service phone and AT&T instant messaging. Rates for messaging are $5 per month for 200 messages, $15 per month for 1500 messages, or $20 per month for unlimited SMS messages. There’s also higher cost family packages. But again, as stated above, there are applications for the iPhone that do instant messaging for free, such as IM+Lite.

The voice technology of the iPhone 3GS also extends to voice dialing so that you can make voice commands to call someone in your list of contacts or to dial a specific number.

Wi-Fi, 3G, and EDGE Connectivity

With the AT&T service plan, each of the iPhone models comes with wireless Internet and network connections. So in places where you get free or paid Wi-Fi connections, your iPhone is automatically connected. If however you are in a location with no Wi-Fi or free Wi-Fi, you can connect to the Internet through AT&T‘s 3G and EDGE wireless connection services. The 3G connection is about is even faster than traditional Wi-Fi connection speeds, while the EDGE connection is slow as a turtle.

Camera and Video Recorder

Both the iPhone 3G and 3GS include a digital camera. The 3G has a 2 megapixel sensor while the 3GS modal has 3 megapixels, plus autofocusing and photo geotagging, which keeps track of the locations where you shot images using the iPhone‘s camera. iPhone 3GS also includes built-in video recording, for a clear 30 frames per second capturing.

The 3G iPhone does not include a video recorder; however, there are a few third party applications, such as Qik that Nancy listed in her article The Top 7 Apple iPhone Complaints & Some Simple Solutions, that can be used on the 3G model that provide reasonable video recording capabilities.

Though I can’t vouch for it personally, the iPhone 3GS also has greater performance whereby applications open faster and there’s increased Internet speed. The 3GS also comes with a Compass which “re-orients maps to match the direction you’re facing.“

Advantages and Disadvantages

Perhaps the number one factor in determining which device you should purchase is price. The extra $360-$700 AT&T service fee may be the best reason for not getting the iPhone. If you don’t make many mobile phone calls, the iPod Touch makes for a great mini computer and media player without the monthly service costs of a smartphone.

However, if you’re already paying for a mobile phone service plan, the extra $30 or more a month for 3G access on the iPhone can be very convenient, for it means that in most cities throughout the country you will have Internet access nearly everywhere you go. With the built-in Maps app, 3G networking provides good, but not full fledged, GPS mapping for when you need driving or walking directions.

The additional camera and video recorder may also be worth the extra costs of the iPhone because it means carrying around one or two less devices in order to grab candid camera and video shots. The imaging features on the iPhone also connect with hundreds of additional applications that can’t of course be used with iPod Touch. There are applications, such as the Best Camera App, that really enhance the image making capabilities of the iPhone which Jackson previously showcased in his article The Best Free Alternatives To Top Commercial iPhone Photography Apps.

What’s Your Feedback?

So MUO readers and existing iPhone and iPod Touch users, what suggestions do you have for those considering purchasing one of these devices? Are you a former iPod Touch user who upgraded to the iPhone? Why? Are you an iPhone user who regrets your purchase? Give us your feedback.

The iPod product line is a masterpiece of design. Sleek, stylish, and very fragile toys.

A single scratch, a broken glass, or malfunctioning hardware quickly destroy that fleeting beauty. Worse still, you find out that your warranty is up or doesn’t cover the damage.

Repairs for expensive toys never come cheap. Or do they? What if you could undo the damage yourself for a small percentage of the cost?

I have compiled a collection of sites that provide tutorials on how to fix various damages and problems that are typical for the iPod, including hard drive, battery, and LCD replacement. You will find iPod repair help for different iPod generations, iPod Touch, iPod Mini, iPod Photo, iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle, and even the iPhone or your Mac.

Warning: MakeUseOf is not liable for damages caused by iPod repair that you do yourself. If you decide to do it yourself, follow the instructions carefully, but do so at your own risk.

iFixit

As the screenshot below reveals, iFixit provides manuals for the iPod, iPhone and Mac. From the iPod product line the original device, the iPod Nano, iPod Mini, iPod Shuffle, and iPod Touch are covered, including different generations of each item.

Once you have tracked down your device, you’ll see an overview of available information.

The “Step-By-Step Guides” address specific issues and how to fix them.

The “Teardown” explains how to open your device and examine its inner beauty. This is also helpful if you need to replace single parts, for example the battery. Generally, each step of the guide also has user comments with questions or further information on what may or may not work as described.

“Related Questions” come from the “Answers” category of the website. If you’re having an issue that has not yet been described, you may find a hint in this section.

The “Troubleshooting” guides help you to track down the origin of your problem and finally you may need “Parts” to perform your own iPod repair. Here is a list of all Troubleshooting Guides.

ipodrepair

This site is mostly interested in selling you parts. However, they have produced PDF tutorials that show how to disassemble the iPod 3rd and 4th generation, the iPod Mini, and the iPhone 1st generation (2G) and 3G. A video is available for the iPhone 3G.

Sometimes it helps to consider several guides for the same procedure, as they may highlight different details in the text and images.

Do-it-yourself repair descriptions in pictures and text are all good. However, nothing beats a video, which reveals all the subtle details and difficulties of using tools and fixing devices.

ifixipodsfast

“I Fix iPods Fast” provides Video iPod repair Tutorials for the iPod Video, iPod Photo, iPod Mini, and iPod 3rd and 4th generation. More models are listed, but no videos are available, yet.

There is a list of available video tutorials in each iPod category and below each video you’ll find a summary of its content, a warning in case it’s especially difficult, and tools needed.

Further assistance may be provided at FixYa, a sited dedicated to free product support. You may also find help on wikiHow, Instructables, and YouTube.

Did you ever successfully fix your iPod? Which resources did you use?

Image credits: ugaldew