Apple today opened its latest Retail store – this time in the North West of Sydney at Castle Hill’s popular Castle Towers shopping centre.

I headed along to the launch, and have posted some some thoughts a video and photos below – click Continue Reading for more..

The store is located on the top level of Castle Towers, right alongside David Jones, and straight away you’ll notice the sheer size of the store - compared it seems to Bondi Junction and Chatswood it certainly feels much bigger.  However that may be due to the large frontage, with the store running around a corner and taking up the space of what was probably two previous retail stores.

The large front of store, an inset V shape is the standard Apple glass front, with the light up Apple logo top front and centre.

Inside, the Mac’s are at the left of store, iPods in the centre, and iPhones/iPads to the right.

It’s really well laid out, with the Genius bar at the back in the middle of the store.

As always, fresh lines, light wood desks and free and open access to the internet and all the computers in store makes it a great destination even if you’re not looking to buy.

Young Daniel from nearby Dural lined up from 11am – waiting 6 hours for the official opening.

I felt bad walking past him for an in-store preview, but it was great to get a look inside without the crowds.

After the normal hype from the young and keen staff, the doors opened and the clapping and cheering continued for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes some queues had formed for orderly purchasing of iPhones and other items.

It was another typically slick store opening from Apple.

the Kids had a ball jumping straight to the iPads for a play

This is the shirt the first 1000 people into store received.

With Daniel - First in line - just to say he was!

Inside the store before the official opening - a large store, great floor space

View from the floor above

1st and 2nd in line - Take a seat on arrival

Kids Corner - I love it! Great work, lower table, small seats and smallest iMac's

One of the key features of the iPhone 4 that sets it aside from the previous iPhone 3G and 3GS is the iMovie application.  Available for $5.99 in the App store, iMovie is the portable version of Apple’s successful Movie editing software for Mac.

With 720p video recording on the iPhone 4, what better way to make use of the videos than to edit them up and share them.

How often have you shot video and never used it.

Tonight, on my way home, I was frustrated by Traffic.  I got someone to hold the phone and shoot some basic footage.

Continue reading to see the result and read my thoughts on iMovie for iPhone 4

This video was shot on the iPhone 4, edited on the iPhone 4, and uploaded to YouTube via the iPhone 4 – not to put too finer point on it, but that means 100% no PC/MAC usage for this video creation or upload.

It’s simple I know, and you’ll excuse my choice of music.  First person to email me and tell me what CD (Album) I was listening to – wins a pair of a-JAYS ONE earphones! – WON, it was Ray Hadley’s 70′s Collection – well done Neil

Here’s how it works.

You open the iMovie application – as you can see here, I’ve created a folder of all the photography related app’s on my iPhone 4.

Once open, you simply start a new project.

iMovie project screen - + to start new project

You insert new clips, or photos into the timeline.

iMovie - Choose video to add to timeline

Once you add the video to the timeline – double tap on it, and you can choose a title (comes from the theme you chose) and type text which will display over the video.  This is one of the best features, its often hard to do this in the best editing software, so for this to be SO easy, is just fantastic:

iMovie - add titles and 'supers' to your videos - easily

In between each clip is a small icon – double tap on it, to choose how the project merges between the clips – allowing you some basic transition editing control.  Again, VERY simple way to do what is a key feature of desktop editing software.

iMovie - adding transitions (effects between clips)

If a clip is not necessary – tap, hold, and throw into the project space, it becomes a crushed up ball of paper, or a cloud – and it is deleted.

iMovie - remove a clip from timeline (nice 'trash' icon comes in - nice touch)

When you are done, you can export the movie in the format/size you choose.

iMovie - Exporting video from finished project

That is just the basics.  You can also choose to edit the length of your clips, you do this by simply dragging the start or end of the clip back into the clip, thus changing the start or end time of the clip.

For example, the video above is about a minute.  Each of those clips in original length totalled around 2 minutes, so i’ve simply cropped them so to speak. Very easy.

With a completed project saved to your photo/camera library – you can now watch it, or upload to Youtube! Easy!

Interestingly, the upload only happens in 360p.  Despite the fact I exported in 720p.  Not sure why on that one just now.

One other thing, you can also add photos to your movie.  When doing so, they can be static, or you can pinch/zoom on them to choose how they start/end – so in fact you can make a movie just featuring your photos!

You can also add an audio track from your iPhone library.

This really is 5/5 stunning mobile software.  There WILL be improvements, for example, I’m sure in future you’ll be able to split a long clip in two by double tapping or something – that’s something I would have liked a few times!

at $5.99, it’s theft – you’re an armed bandit at the doors of the iTunes app store – if you have an iPhone 4 – this is a MUST HAVE APP.

Over the weekend, I had two iPhone 4 devices to play with.  One with a Telstra SIM, one with an Optus SIM (MicroSIM to be precise)

As you may know, I haven’t yet decided which carrier to choose – should I decide to get an iPhone 4.

How did they perform?I did some random tests at home, and found Optus to be performing much better than my old iPhone 3G.  This is because the iPhone 4 uses HSDPA data for the first time this is better speed, and also the iPhone 4 as I understand it uses the 900MHz spectrum which the old iPhones did not, and as such reception is better (in regional areas this will be great, as the lower the freqency the better the signal travels distances).

So, this morning, between home and the office, I did a vast number of tests – using the SpeedTest App, firstly on the Sydney Server, then choosing Canberra which is not directly hosted by Optus.

I did a LOT of tests on the drive from Northern Sydney (Hornsby area) to Artarmon.

Basically, constant checks most of the way.

I was stunned by the results.  For the first time in a long time I was seeing actual speed via 3G, 4Mbs regularly.

MOST IMPRESSIVE was Telstra showing uploads at high rates like its downloads, unlike Optus who’s uploads are more like we are used to where they are clearly slower than downloads.

I removed the three worst for each telco, just to get rid of any issues that might have been there for each.

iPhone 4 Speed Tests - Optus vs Telstra

The top straight line (light Blue) is Optus’ Download average – they highest.  Next is the Aqua Blue line, Telstra’s Download average, then closely followed by the Orange which is Telstra Upload Average, and down the bottom is the pinkish line, Optus’ Upload average

Overall the Telstra parity between Up and Download is impressive, as is their consistent speed, Optus while fast was also sometimes inconsistent.  However, this is markedly better than it has been in the past.

Now to do some sort of call drop out test!

Rounded totals:

(*All figures are kpbs)

I don’t think it’s as big as buying a house, however choosing an iPhone plan is a big financial decision. You see you are locked in for at least a year, if not two years in most cases.

What if the carrier you choose has a bad network in your area, but you don’t know that because you don’t use them now!

How much data will you use?

For a full list of iPhone plans – view my data page here

These are all difficult questions, continue reading for my personal thoughts on the plans all released today.

So, first, my personal position.

I’ve been with Optus for over 13 years – pretty sure it’s more like 15, but their records don’t go back that far, so I can’t find out!

I’ve got no complaints about their service, or their coverage.  There are two blackspots which annoy me, first on the Pacific Highway near Lindfield, the other on Beecroft Road off the M2 just north of the M2 – 100% guaranteed drop out, 50-100meters only. Then it’s all good.

With Data, I’ve not noticed any huge speed issues, I mean really, it’s not like we’re doing full combat multi-player gaming on our phones.  Downloading emails and surfing the web is fine, on all carriers.

I signed up to a two year contract 25 months ago.  For the SOLE purpose of getting an iPhone (3G).  I hated it, couldn’t use it, preferred the Blackberry.  Gave it to my wife.

About 3 months ago, knowing the iPhone 4 was coming, I switched my plan back to allow data, and got going on my iPhone 3G again.  I started to really get into the games, the apps, my sleep tracker is important to me!  iOS4 upgrade has crippled me – it’s really quite slow (Update – I have done NOTHING to try and fix this, so will investigate this if others are experiencing same.  I’ve had several comments on Twitter saying they have not experienced this).

So, why am I even looking for an iPhone plan?  Simple – I want an iPhone 4.  Will I stick with it for 24 months, perhaps, perhaps not – we’ll see about that soon.

Until this week, I was almost convinced I would sign up with Telstra, better network, best network in fact, for coverage most importantly – everywhere, city and rural.  Both Optus and Vodafone stuggle outside the metro areas I’ve found, especially with 3G.

However today’s announcement from Telstra disappointed.  I am on a $79 cap now.  I’d be keen to stay at that area (or less!)

Most of my monthly bills are $90-95 with excess calls added up.

With Telstra, $79 would give me 500 Mb of  data on the iPhone – is that enough.  Right now – yes.  In 2 years? who the heck knows?  What sort of apps and data might I be doing?  If I want to tether it to my computer, that’s certainly not enough.

So, With a $99 cap offering still just 500 Mb, but additional call and text inclusions, I think that’s still not enough.

Vodafone offers me Unlimited Calls, Texts and 3Gb of data at $99 a month.  That’s more than I want now, and remember, sign up for a BIG plan, and you can’t go DOWN.  Sign up to a lower plan, you can certainly go up.  So, perhaps Vodafone’s $69 cap, with 1.75 Gb and $650 in calls and texts looks like a viable option.

Ruling out Three (sorry, I just can’t do it!), that brings me finally to Optus.  At $99, I can get 5 Gb of data, and Unlimited Calls and Texts.

One step down, $89, I can get Unlimited calls and text’s, plus 3Gb data.

Taking the ‘sign up low, increase later’ approach, I can sign up at $59, with $550 worth of calls, and 2Gb data.

The key here is to think about the LIFE of the contract.

So, here’s my plan.  Sign up on Friday to Optus.  2 years.  $59 Plan.  iPhone comes at $0 (16Gb phone).  Then, I monitor my call and data usage, and upgrade to the $89 if Needed to keep my calls and texts under control.

The second place option is Vodafone at $49, the 16Gb phone though comes at $5 per month. If I was to upgrade during the life of the contract I’d go to the $99 unlimited call and text plan.  Problem is that extra $10 on the bigger plan, the $5 per month on the handset (Optus and Voda are both $10 per month at the plans mentioned here for the iPhone 4 32Gb).  Main problem, I don’t KNOW the network.  I’ve heard enough bad things to make me feel like I’ll have the same experience as I do now with the Optus Network.

Optus have been spruking for some time their ‘network upgrades’.  Call me naive, but  I’m going to trust them.  Fingers crossed.

For what it’s worth, I think overall Optus have taken ownership of this space.  A HUGE range of plans, 12 and 24 months, some really ‘marketable’ plans which will be attractive to passing buyers.

Telstra have missed the mark.  Disappointing given their excellent new broadband and customer service commitment of late.

Time will tell if I’ve made the right decision.

Let me know what you think!

At $99 this is more than just a mouse replacement.  If you enjoy using a Laptop trackpad, and haven’t yet tried a touchpad like the Wacom Bamboo, perhaps this is worth a shot.

Apple’s ‘Magic Trackpad’ won’t produce a rabbit from a hat, but it will make your on screen experience at a desktop similar to that on your Laptop.

Multitouch scroll, zoom and Swipe makes this a great companion product for your iMac.

Will you be getting one?  I’ll give it a try.  let me know below.

Well, what a day, finally we get to see what the Australian carriers are offering for Friday’s iPhone 4 launch.

Telstra got the ball rolling at 6am with their release, followed by Optus a couple of hours later.  Later in the afternoon VHA (Vodafone and Three) released their pricing.

So, now to choose!

Continue reading for a full list of plans, and pricing from all carriers.

There is no perfect science to this.  If you want tethering (where your phone can act as your computer’s modem for Internet access) ring your carrier, however be sure that it’s free on Telstra and Optus – a change from the past.

My ‘Data’ inclusions are rounded figures to allow for the sorting below.  1000Mb is 1GB on the Telco plans (1GB is actually 1024Mb)

Also, please note, I’ve hand typed all this data, so please check with the carrier before making your choice.  If you spot an error, please leave a comment so I can correct it.
I’ve sorted the data in many ways, so you can choose a plan on your carrier, the amount of data you want, the total cost of the contract, or by the amount you want to spend each month.

UPDATE: Finally, some of the ‘Data’ inclusions are a combination of the basic, plus ‘Bonus’ Data for carriers (Vodafone and Three Mainly) – not sure why the heck they bother with this, the ‘bonus data’ is for the life of the contract. But just another thing to ask/check

Good luck!

Let me know what you think by commenting below!

UPDATE: All tables updated with Telstra’s ‘double data’ announcement made today (July 29)

SORTED by CARRIER:

SORTED by MONTHLY COST:

SORTED by DATA INCLUSION:

SORTED BY TOTAL CONTRACT COST (12 month plans then 24 month plans):

Ok, so I’m about 20 hours behind the times here – I’ve been away!

So, tonight, I sat back, and watched Steve Jobs at his Press Conference which was held at 3am this morning.  Coming into this, all I knew was that Apple was offering free bumper cases to all iPhone 4 owners.  Good on them.

But what of his whole presentation?

Read on for my thoughts…

Well, I’ve gotta say, I thought the use of a YouTube video from a ‘fanboy’ was a class act.  http://youtube.com/therockcookiebottom – the key to his song, featured at the start of this press conference – was the end – the lyrics “If you don’t want an iPhone 4 – don’t buy it….. If you bought one and you don’t like it – Bring it back”.  Can I tell you – that’s what I’ve been saying to myself and anyone who has asked me about the iPhone 4 now for a week or so..

Steve Jobs seemed nervous, this was not your normal Key Note speech.  He seemed uneasy and for good reason, it’s not normal for him to be on the back foot, and Apple are certainly that.

Bringing the issue to the ‘smartphone ‘ market, detracting from the iPhone specifically.  I don’t think that worked.  It was certainly interesting to see the other Smartphones he showed suffering from similar problems.  However, I doubt that will get much cut-through.  This is a viral issue, not a real factual issue – I’ve not seen any/many reports discussing that this issue goes back to the iPhone 3G (of which I have one).

I thought the demonstration of their test labs was great, showing several Anechoic labs – but again, I don’t think it helps the overall case.

Some of the facts were great.  Key to the success of this event.  According to Jobs, just 0.55% of iPhone 4 users have called Apple Care on reception/antenna issues.  Of the 3,000,000 sold, that means just 16,500 calls – a LOT, but not a lot as he says, in the scheme of things.

Look, he was overly transparent here, with AT&T data showing that less than 1 extra call per hundred was being dropped on the iPhone 4 compared to the iPhone 3GS – but Steve, bad news, Transparency never works.  I’ve seen it at all levels, in the media, in unions, in staff groups, Transparency is never trusted, and no doubt there are people ripping this apart as I write.

The fact is, he’s right, it is an issue for all smartphones.  I’d go so far as to say it’s an issue for all phones.

If you want to avoid getting reception issues relating to the way you hold your phone, buy one of these:

Telstra 165 CountryPhone

See the difference, it’s got a stick out, pull out antenna.  If we want perfect reception, and the best from our phones, we need this style of antenna.  But no, we want fancy looking sleek phones, so over the years this has disappeared – NOT because antenna design has evolved to mean it’s not useful, but because aesthetics dictate that these kind of antenna’s are just not cool!

I’m with @songadaymann – if you don’t want an iPhone 4 – don’t buy it, If you bought one and you don’t like it – take it back.

For me, I’ll be getting one – but do you know why?  I am a Blackberry user through and through, but I kinda need to be able to play with a device like the iPhone 4 to test Apps and things, so I’ll sign up to a 2 year contract, get an iPhone 4, then change my plan back to Blackberry and enjoy the goodness of my 9700 – which, suffers the same problem – but that’s the phone I want.

Have your ever been out and about and realised there was a file on your computer you needed access to, or perhaps someone at home was having trouble using the computer or finding something?

LogMeIn might just be your savior!

When I first installed this, at $36.99 I was thinking, it’s a bit rich.. Pricey that is..

However, I’m now sold.

LogMeIn loading screen

Install this app on your iPad, then install the client software on your computer and you are able to control and use your computer just as if you were sitting at it, just on a much smaller screen as the case may be.

You can use it to access multiple computers, however in my case it was just my home iMac that I was accessing (LogMeIn is pc/Mac compatible)

Once connected, connection tips are show, how to use LogMeIn

Here’s a crazy, yet real scenario of use for me.

I was on a computer that was behind a firewall, and couldn’t download an executable file. So, i logged into my home computer with LogMeIn, then downloaded the file. Next, still remotely accessing my computer, I uploaded that file to my dropbox.com account… At the pc behind the firewall again, I was able to download the file as a zip from my drop box. Nifty, unusual, but it worked.

I was also able to help someone remotely at my computer get some software downloaded, installed and ready to use. All while they watched me remotely control the computer.

Applications this would be ideal:
1/ desktop support. As a support technician, I could log into any computer with the client installed for complete access. There are subscription based services available like gotoassist and others, however this service requires the software licence only. So it’s a one off cost.
2/ remote file retrieval and file access – when you forget that file or item. Simply log in and send it to yourself !

I’m sure there are many more, but frankly, if you’re contemplating this then you’ll know why you want it.

Full control of my Home computer - via the iPad

It’s super easy to setup, and easy to use.

On my iPad with Telstra 3G access the speed was never an issue. Imagine screen changes as image changes, you are basically downloading a screenshot of your computer whenever the screen changes, however it only downloads the bits that change, so it’s quite fast.

Worth checking out, but likely only worth the top price tag if you’re going to make regular use of it.

One of the most impressive app’s you’ll see is the Formula 1 app for 2010.  Full graphic detail, GPS car tracking and live timing.

It’s impressive.  So, read on for the full video review.

Enjoy

Another Video for you, this time looking at a range of iPad cases – I’ve tried all these over the last month – some good options. My choice is the Porfolio Style from iRange or the official Apple cover.

Let me know what you think!

Click continue reading to see the video…