HARDWARE - MOBILE - 31.10.2008

Making the most of your iPhone or iPod Touch

iStuff

Launched in November 2007, the iPhone (http://www.apple.com/uk/iphone/) is a music player, phone and Web browser rolled into one. With the launch of a 3G version, users can now benefit from faster connections to the Web and use location-based services via GPS. Controversially, the iPhone is only available from one mobile network provider - 02 (http://www.o2.co.uk/iphone). Such is the success of the iPhone, Apple have now launched the iPod Touch (http://www.apple.com/uk/ipodtouch/), billed as the “funnest iPod ever” The Touch is an iPhone without the phone; it still accesses the Internet but only via wireless networks or “hotspots”. Although just launched in the UK, the iPod Touch has already won “Gadget of the Year” at Britain’s T3 technologyawards (http://awards.t3.com).

* Includes a free number of minutes and texts, minimum contract is 18 months.

Customising your device

A key feature of both devices is the ability to download applications from the iTunes store (http://www.apple.com/itunes/). Two apps that caught our eye - both free - were Fring and Writing Pad. Fring allows users to instant message (IM) contacts on the major IM platforms such as Yahoo and MSN. Writing Pad is a simple notebook app but with two major advantages; typing on the touch screen keyboard can be frustrating but Writing Pad’s “sliding technology” makes it easier and, secondly, with the click of a button you can turn your typed text into an e-mail. Excellent idea!

Going on safari

Both devices access the Web via the inbuilt Safari browser (http://www.apple.com/safari/) and many major sites have already created versions of their sites specifically for the iPhone and Touch. One of the biggest is the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/mobile/) which in addition to its general site has made its popular iPlayer (http://www.bbc.co.uk/mobile/iplayer/) available to iPhone/Touch users. No install or download is required, simply connect to the Web via Wi-Fi, browse the list of available shows and start streaming directly to your device. Another recent innovation from the BBC is the ability to subscribe to and download a selection of its radio podcasts (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/ip/).

Going downstream

One thing not yet offered by the BBC is live radio streaming of its digital stations. Live radio is available, though, from GCap Media (http://musicradio.com) that offers live streaming of its national and regional stations including UK heavyweights like Capital, Classic and Xfm.

Video to go

Finally, both devices offer impressive video playback and iTunes offers a comprehensive selection of films and TV shows. However, if you already have movies or TV episodes, then Videora (http://www.videora.com) has software that will convert them to a format usable by the iPhone or Touch and add them to your iTunes library ready to sync to your device.