Take Note Apple: Please do this for next iPhone update

Even though I think iPhone has the best user interface of any smartphone out there (although Android comes close), it really needs to rethink its home/idle screens. If there is one thing I dont think is great, is that the iPhone does not use a today screen which can easily show relevant up to the minute info on the homescreen. I do not want to unlock, and then check each app just to see what is up. While I am not fond of the Nokia N97 widget interface, I do like the idea that teehan+lax came up with. Apple please take note:

iPhone OS 4.0 maybe?

PS: As @henre has pointed out, this is pretty close to the Windows Mobile today screen. Agreed.

The iPhone Apps I Recommend

Recently I came across Hertenberger’s post about what iPhone Apps he uses, so I decided I will do something similiar – after all, there are a LOT of apps out there, and I always enjoy seeing what people use on their iPhones and how they link into their lives. Well here is my homescreen:

Just like Hertenberger’s post, I obviously put my quick access apps down on the dock/tray, and then the most often used apps on the homescreen. Here is my choices, and why I use them.

Contacts and Calendar: While nothing spectacular, I use these apps with Google Sync, which means I always have the latest possible version of my contacts and calendars on my phone. I do not use push, they update when I open the apps. Google Sync method is highly recommended. Want to know how to set it up? Read the guide here.

Facebook: Yeah, you all know Facebook, and yes, it is truly great on the iPhone. While nowhere near the functionality of the full website, it is quicker and easier. I am pretty sure anybody who uses Facebook on their iPhone hardly ever go back to the full website. I am really looking forward to version 3, which will enable a lot of new functionality on the iPhone.

Tweetie: This is the best twitter client on the iPhone in my opinion. Despite competitors being available for less, or even free, you cannot beat the stability and speed of tweetie. Its simplicity has caused me to switch to tweetie on my mac as well. Well worth the money.

Reader: This is not a traditional App, but merely a shortcut key to the Google Reader website. I use Google Reader multiple times per day, and it is a brilliant RSS reader. The iPhone specific interface is also a bonus. Highly recommended. Tip: If you read a lot of different websites every day, consider using Google Reader. You get through a lot of news much quicker and easier than manually visiting every site.

News24: The News24 application is well executed and a very quick way to quickly scan new headlines in SA. If you live in SA, try the application. Highly recommended.

Voice Memos: I use Voice Memos to record all my lectures and then upload them as podcasts for my students. Bonus is that my old iTalk Pro stereo recorder works with Voice memos to increase the sound quality as well. Can take up a lot of space, but if you have a large memory size iPhone you ought to be fine.

Beejive: Beejive is a multi protocol messenger that supports push notfications on iPhone. While its $10 price is a bit outrageous compared to other IM’s on the Appstore, it is stable and feature rich. I especially like the Facebook integration, and the fact that with with the new version you can stay signed in via Push Notifications for up to 7 days. If they drop the price to $5, I think they will have a major hit on their hands.

These are all apps I use every single day – what Apps would you recommend? How does it link in to your lifestyle???

You can also read Hertenberger’s recommendations here.

iPhone MMS and Tethering settings (updated: now for Vodacom and MTN)

First off: Make sure you are running the official version of the iPhone OS 3.0 firmware. You need to connect your iPhone to iTunes, and then update the software. The whole process might take some time, so be patient. If you are running a Gold Master edition of the firmware (you will know if you are), I recommend you restore with the now official version. Even though you might say they are identical, I had more success with the official 3.0 download. If you have a jailbroken or software unlocked iPhone, you are on your own – maybe check out www.quickpwn.com and wait for the official jailbreak (out already) and unlock (very soon…). Then come back here, and it will work fine.

Vodacom:

Here is the settings that worked for me:

Important: First set up tethering, then MMS. The tethering config file rewrites the MMS settings, so only do MMS setup after.

First get Internet Tethering settings from here(from your iPhone): http://wan.to/iphone and download the the settings. The phone will tell you it is not official source – ignore that, Vodacom is not helping us.

You will then see that a Internet tethering switch will appear under settings -> General -> Network.

Thereafter, enter the following settings to enable MMS – go to settings – General -> Network -> Cellular Data Network:

Change your Cellular Data settings:

APN: iphone.vodacom.net

MMS settings at the bottom of the screen:
APN: mms.vodacom.net
MMSC: mmsc.vodacom4me.co.za
MMS Proxy: 196.006.128.013:8080

Then got to Settings -> Messages and switch on MMS:

Thereafter, reboot you phone, and go back to cellular data settings to see if the settings “stuck”. Then you can start MMS’ing.

MTN:

Important: First set up tethering, then MMS. The tethering config file rewrites the MMS settings, so only do MMS setup after. Here are the settings step for step:

1) Download the MTN Config file here:http://wan.to/iphone, and install it on your phone.

2) Switch on tethering inside settings -> General -> Network -> Internet Tethering. You will notice a blue bar will appear along the top of screen if you are currently “tethered”.

Step 3: Reboot your phone, and then enter the following settings at Settings -> General -> Network -> Cellular Data network.

APN: myMTN
Username: mtnmms
Password: mtnmms
MMSC: http://mms.mtn.co.za/mms/wapenc
MMS Proxy: 196.11.240.241:8080

After you have entered these settings, go to Settings -> Messages -> and switch on MMS.

Then reboot your phone, and start enjoying MMS.

(Thank to @ LucasGo for the MTN settings. You can follow him on Twitter)

Where to follow the Apple iPhone event

Just a reminder that in a hour the Apple iPhone 3.0 event starts at Cupertino. Heres what we are hoping for:

• Multitasking
• Cut and Paste (old news on every other smartphone)
• MMS (any cheap phone can do it)
• Forwarding of SMSs (in the words of Clarkson: how hard can it be?!?)

Best site to follow it is gizmodo, engadget and ilounge. Just head over to these links for the live feed. Their posts have started already.

Enjoy!