AIM Pittsburgh

NEW: iPhone 4.WOW

While sitting here waiting for a 64 gigabyte file transfer, I had the opportunity to “watch” the live Apple event coverage through GDGT by Ryan Block – simply amazing.  This is exactly the reason why I love Apple so much, they just kill it.

It seems as though there is quite a positive reaction to the iPhone’s new 4.0 OS (which will be officially available this Summer).  Just about EVERYTHING we’ve been asking for.  I’m sure in days to come, there will be negative press and “things they missed” but for a phone, this is pretty damn revolutionary.

Apple has addressed quite a few issues with their current OS and has made some pretty significant changes to do basically 2 things, 1) gain a 40% chunk of the existing advertising dollars going through apps, and 2) make it more easy to add advertising to the iPhone.  Genius if you ask me, it’s all about money – money for apple and money for the developers – a win-win situation.

Now, onto the iPhone upgrades.

• Multi-tasking
• Background GPS
• Folders
• Unified In-box
• iBooks
• iAds
• and more.

Now, not all features will work with the non-3GS phones, however (mine is just a 3G), I’m sure the unified in-box will work, and I’m excited about that.  I have multiple emails that I use on a daily basis, including a few work emails, a g-mail and a yahoo.  Instead of having different in-boxes, it will be much more convenient to be all-in-one!

I think the most impressive item in today’s announcement is the iAds.  Apple has single-handedly revolutionized mobile advertising here.  (and all with HTML5, I might add)  They will control almost all of the future app advertising, allowing developers to not have to be involved in the advertising ring, but still make 60% of the proceeds.  (Keep in mind this will allow more apps to be FREE.)  These slick user interfaces allow you to enter an ad without leaving your game or app – it opens like a pop-up window and allows you full interaction!  Very slick.

So, all-in-all, I’m very excited for these new features.  I think Apple has a remarkable way of keeping on top of their competitors and setting the standards for everyday computing.  Let me know what you think…

Google Voice takes over the iPhone.

FINALLY!  That’s all I have to say.  As an iPhone AND Google enthusiast, I have to say it’s about time I can have them together.  Ever since I heard about Google Voice, I jumped onto the bandwagon.  In fact I have 2 phone lines – one for my business, Adams Innovative, and one for my non-profit, Cancer Fighting Princess.

If you haven’t explored Google Voice, it’s a free service by Google that gives you a phone number that kind of acts like a “hub” for all your other phone numbers.  When someone calls your Google number, it can ring all your phones or a pre-programmed selection.  It’s great if you want to separate business and personal life, but still use the cell phone you have in your pocket.  As an added bonus, it allows you to screen your calls, use visual voicemail, access your voicemails online, through dial in, or via email and it transcribes your messages to text messages.

For me, it works well with my AT&T A-List too, all my incoming calls use my Google Voice number for caller id.  Having put my Google Voice number on my A-List, all my incoming calls are free.  I’m pretty sure I have more roll-over minutes than anyone else.

Now, there was a problem.  AT&T and Apple (I blame AT&T, the whiny self-centered communists) blacklisted any Google Voice apps.  This forced some true innovation and the use of a brand new authoring system: HTML5, the latest installment of the backbone of the internet, the HyperText Markup Language.  Google has it’s own direct app using HTML5, you simply navigate to a website and the entire Google Voice App is run directly through the Safari browser.  But the newest thing, at least it’s new to me, is the Voice Central Black Swan app from Riverturn.  This app actually installs to your iPhone directly through the browser, it’s clean and slick.

The Black Swan app is exactly what any Google Voice user could have ever imagined.  It’s interface not only looks just like the iPhone’s but it also interacts directly with the iPhone’s contact list.  You can make all of your phone calls directly from within the app and never miss a beat.  Save money and take control of your contacts today with Google Voice.

If you have more information about how the Black Swan app installs on your iPhone, please share.

Remember, if you’re business is looking to boost your online presence, visit www.adamsinnovative.com and schedule a free review of what we can do for you.  We also offer custom graphic design and video production at the most affordable professional rates in Pittsburgh (maybe even the entire US).

This week I had to reach out to the good people at Foursquare, looking to get access to a larger version of their logo (you might notice it next time you walk into Carson City Saloon). They were very easy to get a long with and I was able to pass them on an idea that perhaps in the future they might consider.

Anyhow, one of their graphic designers mentioned that “as soon as things slow down here I would love to look into that”. “Slow down” what ever was he talking about??? As I flip through today’s updates on Mashable, I find myself not so surprised to see an article about their new look that is coming to the iPhone. It all makes sense now.

The new look is pretty exciting as this company is growing and growing. I’m very much interested to see how things continue – especially now that they seemed to really be interested in what I’m doing with them here in Pittsburgh.

You can check out that article with many pictures here:

http://mashable.com/2010/03/05/foursquare-1-6-iphone/