I’ve heard of other people having this issue with their apps, as well. Seems like I just need to re-download it. But I digress. I will pretend this inconvenience did not occur and proceed with my review. 

Pandora is not new. It’s been online for quite sometime, but now on the iPhone it makes traveling with music–any music you want–much easier. Plus, it’s free. It works like this: 

• Open Pandora
• Click the + sign and type in the name of an artist or song title
• Let Pandora work its magic

Now, sometimes the song you want to listen to will play right away, or you’ll get something the Music Genome Project thinks you will like. This is a very intelligent program because while it may not always play the specific artist you requested, it will play you songs that are very similar–and will give you the reasons why it’s similar. And if it plays a song you dislike or feels is not related to your initial query, vote it a thumbs down. And be sure to give songs you like a thumbs up.

I spent hours playing with this app over the weekend and it’s fantastic. However, there were a few times when it got off on a musical tangent, though that was probably my fault for not voting each and every song. 

The only real drawback is you can only skip songs six times within an hour due to their music licenses. That’s a bummer, especially when it goes off on a Steely Dan tangent. Hey, no offense to Steely Dan, but that’s just not what I wanted to listen to when I typed in “The Eagles.” 

Oh well. Good app, nonetheless. Now, if I could only get mine to work again!

Update: Just reinstalled Pandora and we’re back in business!

Griffin elan Form, Nu Form and Wave case for iPhone 3G Cases

Griffin elan Form for iPhone 3G Cases

Assembling the Elan Form and Nu Form is easy as pie – they snap together and come apart vertically along the sides. From an aesthetic point of view the cases look smooth, and they add a nice, contoured feel to the handset. The Wave Case is a little trickier to assemble and take apart; make sure to watch the video below to see “how I do it”.  If both form and function is your thing, then the easy slide-off bottom section is perfect for when you need to dock the iPhone 3G.  Unfortunately the Wave Case doesn’t offer the same easy dock feature, so you’ll need to take it apart if you want to sit your iPhone 3G in the actual Apple dock.

Griffin Nu Form for iPhone 3G Cases

When it comes to the fundamentals, it doesn’t matter which case you opt for: each is designed to give you full access to the microphone, speaker, and Dock Connector, hence the open bottom design.  The top is fully open as well, freeing up the headphone port and Sleep/Wake button.  There’s a cut out on the back for the camera and the left side is fully cut open for access to the side controls.

As I mentioned above, all three cases come with a rigid, non-adhesive clear plastic screen protector, and there’s a black cleaning cloth included in the package too.  This is an excellent way for Griffin to add value to their cases.  You may or may not like the screen protector.  I usually don’t use a screen protector at all and leave the glass opened; I’d be interested to know what you do, so leave what you think in the comments below.

Griffin elan Form, Nu Form and Wave case for iPhone 3G Cases

The bottom line: the elan Form, Nu Form and Wave cases for the  iPhone 3G are well-made cases with a sleek design while also protecting your iPhone 3G from drops, dings and scratches.

Griffin Wave case for iPhone 3G

Demo video fo Griffin elan Form, Nu Form and Wave case for iPhone 3G

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsKmTL1125w[/youtube]

Buy Griffin elan Form for iPhone 3G @ MYiPhone.com

Griffin elan Form image gallery

Griffin Nu Form image gallery

Buy Griffin Nu Form for iPhone 3G at MYiPhone.com

Griffin Wave case image gallery

Buy Griffin Wave for iPhone 3G at MYiPhone.com

Looking at the phone it’s just as sleek as my iPod Touch, though considerably thicker. At it’s thickest point, it’s actually larger than the original iPhone. While that may sound unattractive, Apple has smartly curved the entire back of the case, making it seem much slimmer than it actually is. The shape contours to my hand quite well, and the weight feels about perfect; not too heavy, not too light. The plastic case worries me a bit since it’s likely to get scratched easily (though none yet), and does get a lot of smudges, however, it does look better than the original backing.

The first thing I did after walking out of the store (after letting half a dozen people in line fondle it) was make a few phone calls, all of which were crystal clear. All of my subsequent calls have been equally as clear.

As soon as I got home, I plugged my shiny new phone into my PC so it could sync. I had already browsed the App Store and chosen several new programs, so I kept myself busy as I waited for my music library to transfer to my iPhone. Some of the more useful apps I installed were the iTunes Remote, YPmobile, BoxOffice and AIM. There are plenty more to choose from, which is a good part of what sets the iPhone above the competition.

I’ve owned smartphones in the past, and downloaded applications, but there was never a centralized place to get these, and rarely did I ever find anything really useful that was free. Apple’s App Store is simple to navigate, and even allows you to download programs straight to the iPhone from anywhere (unless it’s over 10MB, then just tap into a Wi-Fi connection or sync it to your computer).

Since I’ve already been using my iPod Touch for some time, the iPhone’s Safari browser wasn’t anything new to me. However, it had only worked while tethered to a Wi-Fi connection, which wasn’t always that handy. I’d love to tell you that the 3G speeds on my iPhone were great, but unfortunately I don’t have 3G service in my area. In fact, most of the US is without 3G coverage, which is just disgusting. What’s the point of releasing a 3G phone, when most of your customers can’t take advantage of it? Luckily they are putting up new towers in my location this September which will enable 3G. Until then, I’m stuck with EDGE speeds, which are lackluster at best.

The lack of 3G coverage in most of the country brings up another sore spot. AT&T is asking an extra $10 a month for their unlimited data package. I totally understand the increase, as you’re paying for the faster connection, and will thus likely use more data. I’m cool with that. However, when most of your customers don’t have 3G coverage, why force everyone to dish out the extra cash? Bad form, AT&T.

While we’re talking about disappointments, I’ll go ahead and mention the rather dull camera which is leftover from the original 2.5G iPhone. This is an area that many people have asked for an improvement in, yet it was left untouched. A 2MP camera isn’t anything to write home about, especially when there is no flash, and you can’t zoom or shoot video. I don’t use MMS much, but seriously, I thought every phone came with it, you’d think Apple would be able to add this to the iPhone’s arsenal of features. The GPS is also a bit of a disappointment. It’s not accurate enough for turn-by-turn directions, which I think many of us were hoping for. That’s not to say that it doesn’t still have its uses. I really enjoy it being able to geotag my photos and search within Google Maps without needing to enter my location.

So far the battery life hasn’t been too bad. I’ve only charged it twice (though it does pick up a bit of a charge while connected to the stereo in my car, so lets say two and a half charges) since Friday, and once was the initial charge shortly after I got it. A few things to consider with this is that I’m not the heaviest talker (I rarely use 200 of my anytime minutes a month) and I am still stuck on EDGE speeds.

So in all, I’m pleased with my new toy. Like any other product, there is room for improvement, but some of the largest shortcomings from the original iPhone have been addressed. Would I recommend the iPhone to others? Yes and no. If you don’t own and iPhone and have thought about buying one for a little while, I’d definitely take the plunge and buy the iPhone 3G. However, if you already own the original, you very well may just want to stick with what you have. You also get the 2.0 software update which allows you to have the same 3rd party apps, which is one of the major things that sets it apart from the rest of the pack. There’s also a good chance that you can’t even get 3G service (in the US) unless you’re in a major city, so you may as well stick with your trusty 2.5G device.

iPhone 3G Live unboxing at Apple Store on 5th Ave. in NYC

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3MLtbf0OXU[/youtube]

The Juice Pack weighs 3 ounces and measures 2.5 x 4.75 x .75 inches. Mophie claim additional standby time of up to 250 hours, 24 hours of audio playback, 8 hours of additional yak time, 7 hours of video playback or 6 hours of Internet usage. Keep in mind that your results will vary based on numerous factors, such as signal strength.

I like the four light LED battery status indicator located on the back of the Juice Pack. It works exactly like the battery indicator on your Macbook Pro; simply press the test button and it lets you know how much power is available. The LED lights also indicate the charging status and the charging progress. Mophie advertised that the Juice Pack arrives fully pre-charged, but my review unit arrived only 75% full. It’s not a big deal, but it seems odd for mophie to make this claim.

I love the design and would probably love it a whole lot more if it weren’t so thick. At first glance it’s easy to mistake it for a case. The rubber inserts and the soft touch finish inside and out set the unit apart from any case on the market today. It’s extremely comfortable to hold and operate the iPhone. There are two openings directly below the speakers, along with cut outs for the camera on the back and full access to the buttons on the left hand side of the iPhone.

The Juice Pack charges using the iPhone Adaptor or any iPod connector whether the iPhone is in or out. When you charge your iPhone while connected to the Juice Pack the charge will pass-through the Juice Pack to the iPhone. That works fine, but unfortunately, my review unit caused my iPhone to beep intermittently. As you guys know, I take my iPhone to bed with me. Earlier tonight, my wife nearly kicked me out of bed, so unfortunately I had to separate charge the Juice Pack separately. I’ll check in with mophie later today to see whether this is a known issue and update the article with what I find.

The Juice Pack utilizes a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery cell. There’s a built-in circuit to prevent the Juice Pack from shorting, over-charging or misbehaving under extreme weather conditions. Mophie claims that the battery cell is highly condensed and is able to store and deliver more energy than rivals of a similar size, hence their claim that it can as much as double the iPhone’s internal battery.

From my point of view, the Juice Pack is a must have accessory for globetrotters. Putting things into perspective, I can watch three movies on a direct flight from San Francisco to New York via the Juice Pack before tapping into the iPhone’s battery. The best thing about the Juice Pack is that it’s always there, ready and waiting for that critical moment when your iPhone runs out of juice and there’s not a single power outlet in sight. I’ve traveled enough to know that it’s better to have the Juice Pack and not need it, than to need it and not have it

I’ll be updating this first-look article with hands-on feedback from living and traveling with the mophie Juice Pack over the weekend

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo-5pTpzhjA[/youtube]

As was to be expected, it’s not a black & white outcome.  Using the ClearBoost case – and monitoring the iPhone’s signal strength via the Field Test software rather than the less-than-accurate bars display – in some situations saw much increased reception, while in others the case actively reduced reception.  At its best, the case significantly improved the iPhone’s reception; considering 3dBm difference actually means the amount of RF energy reaching the iPhone’s antenna doubles, we observed more than four times the signal using the case in each area.  As Griffin point out, that could make the difference between a failed and a completed call, although whether the iPhone displayed a difference in bars (as opposed to the Field Test app) varied.  

However, when we used the iPhone with a Bluetooth headset (e.g. with the handset itself on a desk or table, or in a bag) the benefits of the case disappeared; in fact, while the ClearBoost did not affect the iPhone’s reception in strong signal areas, having the case actually hindered the cellphone’s reception in medium and weak signal areas.  Ironically, the case reduced reception in the weak signal area by almost the same factor as it improved it when the iPhone was held rather than used with a headset. 

The difference could be due to the position of the iPhone antenna, at the base of the handset, which is blocked by a users hand when held normally but not when the handset is used hands-free.  Griffin themselves suggest that it’s the copper strip inside the case (terminating in the stub at the top) which “repositions” the iPhone antenna to remove that obsticle.  We looked at signal strength when the iPhone was in a metal case and observed similar reduction in signal strength whether the handset was held or set down.

As a case, the ClearBoost seemed as sturdy as any other polycarbonate example we’ve seen, and the screen protector is a nice touch.  Although it fits the iPhone snugly, it would be nice to see some cushion material lining the inside to guard against scratches.  Obviously, the stub aerial is a varying annoyance depending on where you keep your iPhone: upright in a pocket it actually gives something handy to grab onto, but horizontally it can catch on fabric and be a minor struggle.  Aesthetically, like many hard cases, it’s not exactly a prize-winning beauty.

Is it worth $29.99?  That depends on how and where you use your iPhone: if you usually rely on a Bluetooth hands-free, or live in an area with generally decent AT&T coverage, you’ll either notice little improvement or, in some cases, worse performance from your handset.  If you hold your iPhone normally, and have issues with poor quality, glitchy calls or dropped connections, the ClearBoost could improve your experience.

iPhone Buzz tested the ClearBoost case taking multiple readings from the Field Test app on an non-hacked iPhone using AT&T’s network.  Figures are an average of those readings.  If you buy a ClearBoost yourself, we’d be interested to hear your experience with the case: let us know in the comments or via the tips page.