Tomorrow when Steve Jobs takes the stage for his press conference, it will not be the typical Steve Jobs show.  Mr. Jobs is one of the best speakers and delivers excellent presentations.  But tomorrow he will be addressing iPhone users and potential iPhone users about the current issue with the new iPhone 4 and its external antenna.

When the iPhone 4 was released last month, there was an immediate issue with the signal strength.  The iPhone 4 was redesigned and the antena was now built in to the exterior for the phone.  While this should have led to better reception, it has done the opposite.  If the phone is held a certain way, the reception is lowered and calls can be dropped.  Apple’s first response was to hold the phone a different way or to purchase a bumper for $29.  Apple has also said it is a software issue that can be corrected, and also threw AT&T under the bus ans said their calculations were incorrect.

Earlier this week Consumer Reports came out and said that they can’t recommend iPhone 4 I think that this was the final blow that now has prompted Steve jobs and Apple to finally face the music and address the issue.  Two big questions will be asked, Did Steve Jobs Knowingly Ignore iPhone 4 Reception Issues?. and will there be a recall?

Should be an interesting press conference.

After over a year of keeping Google Voice closed to people by invitation only, Google Voice is now opened to the public.  Google Voice is a free service offered to help people manage all of their phone numbers.  When you sign up for a Google Voice account you pick a phone number that is the only number that you will ever need.  You then point all of your existing phone numbers (home, office, cell, and any others that you want)  to your Google Voice number. Basically you have one phone number for all of your needs and then you can tell Google Voice how to route your calls.

With Google Voice you can make free calls to anywhere in the US or Canada.  Some of the other features are, Voice mail to email with call transcription, free text messaging, caller screening, call recording and transcription, and a easy to use control panel.  Additionally Google offers a free app for you to install on your smart phone to for easy integration.

For more information and to sign up for a Google Voice account click here.

If you need help setting up your Google Voice account contact us.

AT&T ready for non-exclusive iPhone deal, if Apple wants it | 9 to 5 Mac.

This headline makes me so happy.  For the past year all indications have pointed to the iPhone being picked up by other carriers Q3 2010, this continues along that path.  But what makes this more believable is the fact that AT&T is now commenting on it, which leads me to believe it will become reality later this year.

Here is why Apple will want will open up the iPhone to other carriers in the US; they want to make money!  AT&T has pretty much saturated their current customer base with those that want to upgrade to an iPhone.  Those that were willing to switch carries to get an iPhone, already have.  AT&T has been pounded by its current iPhone users about their poor service (trust me it is getting worse everyday), that potential customers are shying away from switching to AT&T and purchasing an iPhone.

But the biggest reason why Apple want to open up their iPhone to other carriers; Google Android.  Apple no longer feels threatened by Microsoft.  Google is now Public Enemy #1.  Google Android phones are available on all carriers networks and are pretty slick.  The Google Apps integration is excellent as well as all of the other apps that have been developed for phones already.  Yes Google has a long way to go to catch up to all of the iPhone apps that are currently available, but they will get there.

So the questions is does Apple want to end their exclusive agreement with AT&T?  Yes.  They want to sell as many iPhones as they possibly can. To do this you need to be able to open up the market. So that is what will happen.

What are your thoughts?  Will iPhone finally be freed from AT&T?  Will Google Android phones continue to take market share away from the iPhone?

AppleInsider | Apple to introduce iPhone OS 4.0 on April 8.

The announcement earlier this week that Apple will introduce OS 4.0 for the iPhone came a a bit of a shock to just about everyone.  Come off of the big iPad release last week Apple decided to keep busy and make their big introduction of the newest OS for the iPhone this week.  Perhaps Apple wants to keep the pressure on their new rival Google and their Android OS phones that have been selling like hotcakes?

What features will be added?  Early guesses indicate that there will be full mulit-tasking on the iPhone as well as the ability to print from the phone.  The last major OS upgrade to the OS came in 2009.  However of the features has yet to be released;  iPhone tethering!

I am not too sure if the OS will be immediately available, as it is suppose to ship after the WWDC over the summer with a new iPhone modle as well.

Looking forward to what Steve Jobs and company will show tomorrow.  IF you are a current iPhone issue the best news would be that Verizon will begin to carry the iPhone.

One can only hope…

The first iPad reviews are here! – Gizmodo- msnbc.com.

So the next few days are going to be filled with tons of reviews as the Apple iPad finally hits the streets tomorrow.  I have yet to get my hands on one, but plan to play with one in the next few weeks.

I do not think that this is the device that is going to change the world as some people think.  But I do think that it is a pretty cool gadget.  It is going to be a nice gadget that will find a niche and catch on.  I would wait before buying as this first version is missing a lot of features and a new model will be out in six months.  If you decide to be an early adopted don’t get mad when a new model comes out as early iPhone adopters were.  Also Microsoft and Google are working on tablet devices as well with will be out before the end of the year.  Finally the model that comes out tomorrow is WIFI only.  If you want build in broadband service it will be out in 30-60 more days.

Nexus One Sales Are Lackluster: Here’s Why.

The Nexus One has not had nearly the same sales as the iPhone or the Motorla Droid.  But is this really the fault of the device or how it is being sold?  I would have to say it is how it is being sold.  You can only get a subsidized Nexus One on T-Mobile.  If you want it on AT&T you have to pay almost $600.

Next you purchase and setup the phone through Google directly.  Since this is Google first attempt at something like this, there are sure to be problems.

The true test of the Nexus One will be how it sells once another carrier can sell it and have it on their network.  Rumor has it that Verizon will begin to carry the Nexus One starting March 23rd. If this in fact is true, there is no reason why sales should not take off.

Getting into the Valentines Day spirit, I wanted to tell everyone about my new love; the Verizon MIFI.  Last month I decided that I needed mobile broadband access.  So I started to look at the various options out there.  All of the providers offer mobile broadband access via a USB card.  But both Verizon and Sprint offer service via a MIFI device.

The MIFI is a tiny cellular device that gives you broadband access.  But unlike the USB cards, you can share your broadband access with up to four other people.  The kicker for me was, the MIFI service and cost of the device is the same as getting service with a USB card.

So armed with my MIFI I am able to work no matter where I am.  I don’t have to hunt around looking for WIFI if I need to get internet access.  Additionally I can allow others to share my access if I am in a giving mood.  The service is excellent and you can use it just about anywhere.  Just last month we were driving to California and we were in the middle of nowhere and Jenny was plugging away while I was driving.

You can get a MIFI for free with a two year contract and service starts at $30 per month.

Just an FYI- I wrote this post using my MIFI while sitting in my car, in the Wal-Mart parking lot while the kids are taking a nap in the back seat.

Well after months of hype, Steve Jobs took the stage today and announced one of the worst kept secrets, The Apple iPad.  Like all of his presentations, he did a great job.  If you want to watch the keynote speech click here.  So what is the iPad?  My first thoughts ate that it is just a big iPod Touch.  Sure it has more features and it can do more than an iPod, but that is it.

The iPad has a 9.7 inch screen and weighs 1.5lbs and is only .5 inches.  So yes it is small and powerful, but what will it be used for?  I will admit that it is a slick device and I was really impressed with the iBook feature, but to me it is just a big iPod Touch. If you really want an ebook reader, you can pick up tow Kindles for the price of one iPad.   A few features that I think are missing are the lack of a camera, no USB port, no SD card port, and no mulit-tasking.

But to me the biggest disappointment of the day was no announcement that AT&T will loose the exclusive deal with the iPhone.  If anything, it looks like the Apple / AT&T alliance is now even stronger since iPad 3G service is provided by AT&T for $30 a month.  It is looking like I will be moving over to Verizon and getting a Droid or some other Google phone later this year.

Here’s the rundown, in order of price:

- $499: 16 GB, Wi-Fi only
- $599: 32 GB, Wi-Fi only
- $629: 16 GB, Wi-Fi and 3G
- $699: 64 GB, Wi-Fi only
- $729: 32 GB, Wi-Fi and 3G
- $829: 64 GB, Wi-Fi and 3G

The iPad will be out sometime in the next 60 days or so.  The iPad with 3G service will be available in about 90 days.  If you want to take an in depth look at the iPad read this review.   Something also has to be said about the name that Apple chose; iPad.  They could have done so much better.  Also not every product has to have an “i” in front of it.  So I will just throw this out there, is the 64GB iPad going to be called the maxi-iPad?

The Apple Tablet: a complete history, supposedly — Engadget.

If you are like me and into tech toys, you are pretty excited about the Apple announcement of their new tablet that will be taking place tomorrow morning.  Steve Jobs always gives a great presentation.  Apple tends to be tight lipped about new products and this leads to lots of rumors and speculation.  After tomorrow we will be able to see who was right, and who was way off.

My thoughts on what the Apple Tablet will be are:  a bigger version of an iPhone with laptop/netbook like features. I  do not not think that the tablet, will replace laptops, nor will it be  a device that replaces all of your other devices.  Basically it will be a nice little toy that will have a niche that will be determined as it grows.  I also feel that it might be priced a little too high for the average user and will have some growing pains at first.  However if you are a gadget geek and are an early adapter, then you will have a tablet as soon as they are released.

As for me, I will pass for now.  At least until I get the chance to play with one

Google Voice Is Back on the iPhone, Mostly – Pogue’s Posts Blog – NYTimes.com.

Before you too excited, this is not an actual iPhone App, but a very good web app.  I just tried it out and i am very impressed.  So for those of you that have iphones and Google Voice, got to m.google.com/voice from your phone and check it out.  I think that you will be impressed.  I know that I am and I can now really start using Google Voice from my phone.