Pageonce Personal Assistant:

This is a great app for bringing together many accounts that are accessed online including bank and investing accounts. You can even view frequent flyer accounts and bill pay functions. Instead of having to access many online websites, all of the accounts are represented on one screen.

AOL Radio:

This is a “very cool” App because it streams a very popular Los Angeles radio station, KCRW. One of the best ways to get the best of radio in one App.

Fring:

Just as Pageonce brings together financial applications, Fring brings together the many IM products into one screen. You can use MSN, Yahoo Chat, AIM, Twitter, Skype, AOL, ICQ and any other IM with this interface. You can even handle VoIP calls using any Wi-Fi which can save on your minutes by using any wireless connection you can find to make your calls.

Remote:

This is one of the most useful Apps in the Apps universe. Using this App, you can listen to your iTunes library and pipe it through any stereo hookup or Airport Express. This will be one of those Apps that you use all the time.

AirSharing:

This is an essential Apps that can be a lifesaver. Using AirSharing, you can send files in the flash memory of the iPhone and upload it or download it to a storage locations using any Wi-Fi connection.

Yelp:

This is a great App to use when traveling. For any city, you can reach out and grab local reviews of restaurants, bars and other services. In towns like LA or New York where things change all the time, Yelp can keep you up with the coolest places to go each time you are in town.

Routesy:

San Francisco is a delightful city to visit or live in. And whether you go there for business or fun, this App is a great way to find your way around. It is even easier to use the maps on Routesy than to use the maps of public transportation that the city provides.

City Transit:

New York City is a town that is best accessed using public transportation. Too many people avoid the subways and buses because they are worried about deciphering the routes. This App to the rescue. City Transit even lets you know when there are outages or problems to avoid in the NYC public transportation infrastructure.

Pandora:

You would be hard pressed to find a better internet radio App than Pandora. It even learns your tastes in artists and makes suggestions. It has no trouble streaming music over the 3G or EDGE formats. This one will get daily use one you install it on your iPhone.

VNC Lite:

With this App, you can access any computer on your network and fully operate it like you were sitting at the keyboard. This is a great way to access your home desktop unit while on the road.

PanoLab:

The iPhone is already an ideal tool for taking pictures. The PanoLab App completes your abilities to weave those phones together into a delightful panorama. Because the iPhone is right there, you can always take additional pictures to fill out your artistic vision. And there is a paid version that makes this App even more useful and fun.

Bloom:

When you can use an iPhone App that brings out your musical creativity, you will get hooked. You just tap the pastel liquid like screen and make a note. Dragging your finger makes musical loops. Before long, you will be passing hours away waiting at the airport creating delightful, strange and fascinating music.

Shazam:

This App solves the problem of trying to figure out what song you are listening to. You can just hold your phone to the radio or hold it where it can hear a song that is being played over a public loudspeaker. Within seconds, you have that song identified. You can even use it to figure out that “brain worm” song in your head by just humming it to Shazam in your iPhone.

Simplify Media:

When your iTunes library gets massive, keeping it organized can be a mess. The name of this App is on target because you can organize your music so you can always find the song you want in a flash.

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Galcon:

This fascinating game is like an iPhone combination of Risk in Space. But you can play Galcon in a couple minutes instead of needing all night to finish it. One of the best games to play anywhere you are with your iPhone.

i.TV:

No need to hunt for the newspaper TV guide when you are on the road. You can find your favorite show, HBO movie or special or whatever you need while settling in at a hotel room with this App. You can even check in with your Netflix queue right from your iPhone using iTV.

MotionX Poker:

You will be amazed as how realistic the way the dice roll is when you are enjoying this App. The physics engine that simulates dice are truly amazing in MotionXPoker. This game may not be a substitute for playing a real dice based gambling game. But it’s not bad.

Snow Reports:

For the skier or snowboarder, a great App to get a report on the snow conditions where you are heading off to for a weekend of fun and adventure. This App can save you time and money if it’s not a great day for winter sports.

Google Earth:

Many people enjoy the phenomenal desktop application of Google Earth. Now it is available on the iPhone. It is hard to believe that these stunning images are available on the iPhone. But that is how far technology has advanced in just a few years.

Sketches:

This App is all about fun. You can import your own photos and put silly sticker graphics all over them. Upload them to your Facebook page and watch how your friends go crazy with funny posts. Small wonder this is such a popular iPhone App.

Even though the official launch date for Palm’s Pre smart phone, There is plenty of buzz in the blogging world about a mid-May premier of the product. If that is the release date, it may already be too late for the competitors of Palm to come up with something to fight back with and to tempt current and possible customers that they should greet the Pre with a yawn.

If the competition is going to grab the spotlight, it better be fast. The Pre is going to hit the market with a flurry of free press that will make it seem like Palm has created the killer of the iPhone. That is exactly what many pundits of the industry expect from the Pre.

AT&T who dominates this market with their iPhone product are none too pleased about the idea of an iPhone killer. They are gearing up for the fight. They are preparing their spokespeople to be able to answer questions and represent the iPhone as the dominant product despite the Pre. Some of the areas the iPhone shines that will be talking points when the Pre hits the market are…

• The iPhone has a durable design of metal and glass compared to the plastic casing of the Pre.
• The iPhone has a larger screen than the Pre but not much at 3.5 inches compared to the 3.1 inch Pre screen size.
• The iPhone has a huge array of Apps available. The Pre will have trouble competing with AT&T’s 25,000 iPhone apps.
• The iPhone has an intuitive Multi-Touch screen that is patented. The Pre has touch screen controls but they are not nearly as intuitive.
• The iPhone is GSM compatible, which makes capable of working overseas. The Pre is not GSM compatible.

IT is too soon to tell if these alleged advantages will make a difference to customers. The screen size issue is pretty minute. How intuitive the touch screen functions are is something that must be experienced to validate. And the Pre can counter with some advantage of its own including a keyboard that slides up, a size that is smaller and a battery that can be removed.

The outcome is this will be a battle. The Pre won’t kill off the iPhone out of the box. And the next generation of the iPhone is right around the corner which could take the market right back for AT&T. Whatever happens, it will be an interesting competition between two outstanding products.

When you get a chance to play with the Palm Pre for the first time, your initial reaction may be that it is significantly smaller than you expected. It compares in size to the iPod classic edition when combined with a large hard drive. It is not quite as thin as the iPhone and not as striking looking either. But considering that it is a slider, the size is comfortable for daily use.

The Pre has a terrific web user interface. Only on rare occasions does it look choppy or unresponsive. Obviously, Palm put some effort and design so that the Pre will work well when operated with fingers as opposed to a d-pad or stylus.

The Pre’s Card system is an outstanding method for organizing data so you stay on track with your current work. All you have to do is start an App and then drag it to the desktop of your phone, which creates a new card. You can work on it as long as you need to and then flick the card upwards to close it.

Palm has done a lot to create a top quality input technology. They created the gesture bar just under the screen, which addresses the problem of the difficulty controlling with one hand a touchscreen phone and searching the part of the screen at the top. The gesture bar makes use of the phone on the go much more streamlined.

Another popular feature that works with the web browser and the photo viewer is the accelerometer. This is a fancy word for the technology that moves the screen with the orientation of the owner. This is often shown off on commercials and it is a new function that lots of phones offer. The Pre version works perfectly.

All you have to do while working in an App is to drag from the gesture bar to the screen with your finger. Then you just hold there for a second and a wave dock will show up which simplifies the process of launching a new App. If the user prefers to use a trackball such as is used with the Blackberry and the G1, that option is also provided so there is a quick path to move around the Palm OS interface to the web.

The keyboard that comes with the Pre is adequate and pretty much the same as other Palm products. It is interesting that Palm went with a keyboard that is slanted vertically. But from Palm’s perspective, the difference between it and a horizontal slider is slight and the way people use the palm while holding it vertically justifies the design. The vertical orientation also makes the phone distinct in the marketplace so it stands out from its competition.

The quality of the hardware of the pre is superior whereas the design is disappointing. It is a good looking device but the design seems a little childish as though it was emulating a large rock or stone. If Palm had gone with a little larger screen, that would have improved the unit as would the elimination of the black space on the sides of the screen.

The design of the Pre that puts the internet at the heart of the OS is a big appeal of the unit. The intuitive way the OS takes data from the web and integrates into the framework of the unit is a superior breakthrough. It is a popular feature with users to be able to text and chat using multiple IM clients all in the same window so they can keep all of their communications in front of them without switching windows constantly. While most people will talk to one individual using one text or chat feature, its helpful to be able to manage off of your communications from one panel.

The browser technology is superior to the Treo Garnet OS’s Blazer. The Pre’s browser utilizes the Webkit methodology similar to how both the iPhone and the Android work. The result is web pages resolve in under 10 seconds. There is nothing clumsy about drag or pan on the browser and the unit is highly responsive which makes using the Pre easy and fun.

The Pre also makes doing queries seamless because you can do a search on your phone and then take the query right to Wikipedia or Google without re-entering your search terms. In this way, the interent is crafted into the infrastructure of the phone and not tied to any browser or App.

It is easy to see influences in design from the iPhone in the way the Web OS works. The design that puts the App dock at the bottom of the display, which reminds you of the iPhone look and feel. But it is a very workable design so why not use it? The method of showing you only as much of your contact list that can be seen on one screen is also a style that the iPhone pioneered.

The Pre screen is artistic and easy on the eye and that is a plus when you are enjoying online pictures. It is not a stretch to say that the Pre has the sharpest images in the industry.

It makes sense then that the in-phone camera delivers beautiful images. Photos taken with the Pre that you would think might turn out badly because of poor lighting or other factors often come out looking great. The camera software does some processing of the image after it is taken and that often results in a superior image that you see.

It is a disappointment that the Pre does not offer video recording in this release. Palm is researching adding this function in an upgrade but the absence of the ability to capture video puts the Pre behind many phones that are inferior in other ways. Most modern users want to be able to capture videos to upload to their Facebook pages or to YouTube. This is a minimum requirement, not an extravagant option so Palm should move quickly to fix this deficiency in the Pre.

The SDK and Apps to support the Web OS look good. Palm is making the SDK open for anyone to tap into which will expand the App Store significantly. Palm has no interest in micromanaging the App developers for the Pre user community. As long as the Apps are secure and stable and are not deeply offensive, they can become part of the App Store. For developers who show worthiness, Palm will be developing premier developer relationships, which will open up parts of the OS that are closed to open development to that elite group.

Similar to what Android has, The Amazon music store App for the Pre is a twin to what is available on the G1. You can preview songs on the App and then download them without changing screens.

Flash on the Pre is not a feature that Palm is touting. Nonetheless, some users claim that they have been able to run Flash on the Pre. So that is worth looking into. But the Pre does have some features to tout that the iPhone has yet to offer. For example, the user can use copy and paste as well as MMS messaging on the Pre, which are features iPhone users have been vocal about wanting for quite some time.

At the present time the Pre and the platform it supports for Web access is tied to Sprint. Palm does have plans to open the system to other network carriers but that seems to be in the distinct future at this time.

]]> http://www.iphones.com/blog/2009/05/06/the-phenomenal-palm-pre-preview/feed/ http://www.iphones.com/blog/2009/05/06/the-nuts-and-bolts-of-internet-calling/ http://www.iphones.com/blog/2009/05/06/the-nuts-and-bolts-of-internet-calling/#comments Wed, 06 May 2009 19:19:36 +0000 JerryM http://www.iphones.com/blog/?p=49

We live in a time when you can use your internet connection to make phone calls instead of the old fashioned phone lines in your house. After you sign on with an internet phone company, they give you a box that you plug your phone into that lets you make calls through the internet. A cable goes from that box to your broadband modem. But in every other respect, making a phone call works the same way. You pick up the phone, dial any number and you are connected as you are used to. There are even setups where your computer becomes the phone and you can make calls using a computer microphone and speakers or headphones.

Internet Calling: A Big Money Saver

It is surprisingly easy to set up an internet phone service. There are some pretty convincing reasons to learn how to use internet calling. But maybe the biggest reason is how much money it will save you. Just as you can chat with anyone around the world on the internet for free, aside from the base fee for the internet phone service, the calls are quite inexpensive and you can call anywhere for the same cost. Nonetheless, it pays to do some research on which internet calling services offer the best packages. For example, if you call your Aunt in Scotland every Thursday, you can find a service that makes calling there very affordable. And all of your other domestic calls are free. That is a good deal.

Now, cost is not always enough of a reason to make a switch to internet calling. But it is a good starter benefit that can take you into the modern age of communications where there are plenty of other benefits that can capture your imagination about internet communications.

Internet Calling: Pick Any Area Code

Because you are not tied to a local phone network, you don’t have one specific area code you are required to use. When you pick your internet calling phone number, it can stay with you wherever you move to or even if you travel around the country or abroad. Wherever your internet calling adapter is, you are home based there. You can even pick whatever area code you want when you set your interent phone service. You could live in a remote area of Oklahoma and have an area code for San Francisco if it suits you.

Another great benefit of the flexibility of internet calling is you can bring together your communications into one system. Check the service offerings of your internet phone provider but some of them allow you to route your voicemail to your email inbox and even make phone calls directly out of Microsoft Outlook. If your company decides to go with internet communications for their phone service, the ability to set up virtual satellite offices for all of the company’s branches easily and cheaply.

Internet Calling: The Negatives

To set up a phone in your house the old way, you just brought in your phones and plugged them into the spots in the wall where the phone jacks were already installed. Internet calling is a little more complicated to set up and maintain. It isn’t as complex as setting up a wireless network at home but it will take some effort to get a good VOIP system in place.

Quality is also a negative of interent communications. In many cases, you will not be able to tell the difference between internet communications and your old system through the phone company. But if internet traffic is intense through your ISP, you could get spotty quality with garbled words and delays as you talk through your internet phone, particularly if you are calling someone overseas. But even with these small negatives, internet calling is the wave of the future. So it makes good sense to at least check it out.

Sticking With Your Phone Company

Making any change is hard and most people will stay with what they know even if it costs more. If the internet service you use is still not broadband, then the conventional phone service may also be the best way to go because you need broadband to support the “voice over IP” or VoIP options. But if you have made the switch to broadband service, then you have some options. By looking into what various communications companies offer over VoIP, you can see if you can get all of the features, your current conventional phone service offers.

The old phone company services do have a lot of service offerings. Often they can bundle caller ID, answering services, wake up calls and other features people enjoy in a phone package and do so in a very reasonable fee. There are even plans to bring down the cost of long distance and other more costly functions. The phone company may be dealing with older technology but they are going to do all they can to compete.

The Magic Jack VoIP Option

There are many VoIP programs that are being offered currently. The technology for internet based voice communications has advanced tremendously. And with it, the ability of companies that can come up with very economical plans has exploded as well. One of the most economical plans currently getting a lot of attention is the Magic Jack service. Some users have gotten VoIP service through Magic Jack for as little as $20 a year.

The simplicity and economy of the Magic Jack system is what makes it so attractive. All that is needed to get started is a small adapter that can be purchased at Radio Shack or from many dealers online. The start up costs are less than $40. The device connects to the computer with a standard USB plug so that is simple. Once that is in place, you just plug any standard phone in and the hardware is ready. When you register with Magic Jack, you get a phone number and as soon as everything is in place, you will get a dial tone through that device you prepared.

Now, Magic Jack does make more money if you add extra features. You can get a package that will provide voice mail, call waiting, caller id and conferencing but at a fee that may be as much as $1 a call or more. The device you get to set up your Magic Jack VoIP is portable which is a real value to this kind of system. You can take it on the road and with the ease of a USB connection, hook it to a computer that has broadband and use your free phone services.

The negative of VoIP services set up in this way is that in order for your phone service to work, your computer must be on. You have to disable any power saver or automated shut down functions that you have set up because if you do that, your phone service will shut down as well. Because your computer has to stay on all the time, your power usage could raise your annual electricity usage by anywhere from $15 to $50.

Other services offer VoIP services but the set up is more complex. You get a box like you do with the Magic Jack system but it one that is integrated through your home wiring system to reroute all of the phones in the house through your VoIP service. A technician will come and disconnect the feed that is coming from the phone company at the box outside your home. That will close the system so when you connect your VoIP box to the wall jack, it takes over the phone communications for all of your phones and routes them through the VoIP router.

One downside of a system like the Magic Jack VoIP system is that most of these kinds of communications devices must have electricity to work. That means if your power goes out, you are cut off in terms of communication. So it pays to invest in a batter backup to plug your computer and your VoIP equipment into. If you get a battery backup that can sustain your power for a half hour or more, that gives you some leverage when the power goes out.

There are services that will allow you to bring your own phone number with you to the new VoIP system. This option is not available with the Magic Jack system. So you will get a new phone number when you sign up for this service. Support is also highly limited with the Magic Jack system. There is an online chat support function on the website. But because the biggest advantage of the Magic Jack system is their low cost, they do not offer phone support, which is pretty odd for a phone service. But we must be honest that the power support has been one of the major drawbacks of the Magic Jack system.

The biggest advantage of Magic Jack is it is quite inexpensive to try out. But for the total answer to your landline phone needs, it might not be adequate. Even the name implies that it is more for entertainment and for people to “play” with VoIP services. It is a step up from just using a chat web microphone because it is internet telephone service. It might be a good secondary phone line to use the way some people set up a Gmail or Yahoo mailbox to use instead of their primary email account. If you approach it knowledgeable of the limitations, there are some ways that Magic Jack and be a nice next step for you into the world of VoIP communications.

]]> http://www.iphones.com/blog/2009/05/06/the-magic-jack-option-for-saving-with-voip/feed/ http://www.iphones.com/blog/2009/05/06/just-in-time-for-iphone-30-bluetooth-introduces-the-30-standard/ http://www.iphones.com/blog/2009/05/06/just-in-time-for-iphone-30-bluetooth-introduces-the-30-standard/#comments Wed, 06 May 2009 19:16:54 +0000 JerryM http://www.iphones.com/blog/?p=36 The Bluetooth 3.0 technology has been reviewed and discussed often. But it looks like the 3.0 spec is beginning to evolve into something much more sophisticated. The design has incorporated the 802.11 WiFi standard, which was very much needed. And in many other ways, it has become faster, stronger and more durable.

There is serious question as to whether Apple is going to be able to get an upgradeable version of the new 3.0 specification of the Bluetooth on the market before a new iPhone hardware becomes generally available later this year. There has not been enough information made available about whether the Bluetooth 3.0 will have a lot of technical abilities such as the ability to sync very large media files in a wireless setting.

Is certain that the new API that allows more accessory access to the OP, there will be some pretty exciting new Apps enter the market when the iPhone 3.0 is available. It is just a matter of being patient to see what they have to offer.

If this prediction has any validity, then where the iPhone that Apple produces will fit into that internet landscape is worth considering. Right now about one out of every seven people have disconnected from their landlines and only use cell phones for their communication needs. When you focus just on the younger generations, that percentage goes way up. It won’t be long before a house with phones on the wall will be the stuff of ancient history. And when it comes to eliminating wired interent, the precedent of dropping land-lined phones will pave the way for sending wired interent into the history books too. The iPhone just moves that process along more quickly than before.

“Internet nomads” is a new phrase for those who already are completely mobile in their access to cyberspace. For that group, there may come a time when even the iPhone will seem like ancient technology to them that will sit in museums next to the early versions of Windows and the first Intel chips. It could be that Apple’s closed development policy may be what pushes the iPhone into the history books.

There are three big advantages that make it possible for the iPhone to dominate the market. The low $200 price to get that first iPhone combined with a very easy to use interface for customers and a huge App store all work together to make the iPhone an attractive product. The help of Microsoft to integrate the PARC mouse based interface for users with no royalty helps too. The result is the user interface for the iPhone will continue that momentum of innovation in a nonproprietary setting.

It is a question whether the impressive iPhone App Store will become something that sustains the iPhone in the market or whether it too will pass into history to be studied by future business and computer arts school students. What makes the iPhone applications brilliant is that current mobile broadband services offer inconsistent throughput. What makes the iPhone App Store brilliant is that it offers applications for download that are safe from spyware of viruses.

There are a huge array of communications alternatives with the iPhone, which includes UMTS/HSDP, GSM/EDGE, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. With that much communications strength, the concept of the Internet nomad should be a reality. But at this time, the infrastructure for data communications is way behind voice communications. This where iPhone covers the slack by removing many of the inconsistencies in data service. As such, the apps are a real value to AT&T and its customers and those apps are one way that so many mobile users justify paying for an iPhone and budgeting the monthly costs of service.

The relationship of AT&T to Apple as their exclusive cell phone network provider has all the makings of the basis for a strong and diverse community of developers for mobile data applications, which in turn would create a big customer base for the Apple App Store. However, despite the impressive strength and support abilities of AT&T, even they cannot man enough customer service desks with trained reps to support the many problems customers have with downloading and installing this huge library of independently developed apps. Thankfully, the App Store has high standards for their independent developers, which keeps AT&T’s staff of customer service reps from being even more overwhelmed.

Now, if we look down the road a bit to a time when the data networks for mobile devices catches up and to at time when designers of mobile devices begin to utilize more sophisticated electronics, better batteries and faster processors and that presents a much different picture. In a setting where App Store offerings run on a secure browser, they would perform much better. When the time comes that browser technology uses better personal privacy standards, that will go a long way toward resolving the issues with personal privacy for those using the iPhone.

A time is coming very soon when over the majority of App Store applications will become obsolete because already 80% of Java, Flash and XML programs run on mobile devices without too much trouble. The only thing needed for mobile device applications to explode with the same richness and diverse of the wired interent, is the development of a standard software developers kit which will facilitate the control of the hardware of mobile devices.

At this time, it is not clear what the legacy of the iPhone will be when the mobile Internet begins to take over. It could be the App Store will continue to be popular because it does offer a great business model for advertisers as well as developers. But it is just as likely that the increased competition combined with better bandwidth for mobile devices and new generations of mobile communications will cause the App Store to become a dinosaur in the market.

The one thing we can count on is the future where Internet nomads rule cyberspace is coming. It is only a question about how much of the technology that these nomads use will be branded and open source technology. Time will tell.

Real time videoconferencing using internet phones has been made possible for less than $200 a year thanks to technology made available from Cisco Systems Inc. Cisco has combined the power of the CallManager 4.0 software, which is made for providing IP voice server functionality, with the client software, Video Telephony Advantage, 1.0. Video Telephony Advantage makes real-time video sessions to be possible on a person-to-person basis and for that functionality to happen transparently.

The management of Cisco describes how this technology makes it possible to connect to another person in the company with voice. But then if both PCs are configured with an internet camera, you will automatically be able to establish a video connection PC to PC. It used to be this kind of technology was only possible in futuristic movies. Leave it to Cisco to take a futuristic idea and make it a today reality.

Even though the call turns into a video conference, all of the features of a regular phone call still can be used. You can put the call on hold or transfer the call to another associate. When you do that, the video transfers with the call. You can even pull in a conference call and all of the other people will be added to the call with video. This can turn a phone conference into a virtual meeting quickly and easily.

Any business that has already invested in CallManager along with a service agreement and the proper Cisco Internet phones can easily add the upgraded version at no cost and then get the PC package from Cisco, which includes the video software and a web camera. That will cost under $200 per user, which is not too costly for such an effective tool.

All of this technology including CallManager and the newest releases of the Cisco VT Advantage package with necessary video equipment is being shipping this spring. The CallManager package is also adaptable because it can work well with other videoconferencing systems including Tandberg ASA and Polycom Inc.

In another announcement, Cisco will be integrating with global standards for Ethernet driven network devices. This step will open up Cisco networks to be accessible by third party products including sensors and wireless access points, which are not driven by a conventional wall socket for power.

That global standard has a formal name of IEEE 802.3af and it is the default on many of the most popular Cisco switching equipment. Cisco offered a privately developed power-over-Ethernet product that was designed in 2000. This was before the standard was put in place. Both the previous equipment and the new 802.3af compliant equipment will be fully supported by Cisco indefinitely.

]]> http://www.iphones.com/blog/2009/05/06/internet-phones-with-a-video-system-now-available-from-cisco/feed/ http://www.iphones.com/blog/2009/05/06/coming-soon-for-the-iphone-3g-the-mophie-juice-pack-air/ http://www.iphones.com/blog/2009/05/06/coming-soon-for-the-iphone-3g-the-mophie-juice-pack-air/#comments Wed, 06 May 2009 19:01:46 +0000 JerryM http://www.iphones.com/blog/?p=17

It was not long ago that the rumors started that the Mophie Juice Pack Air would be available for the iPhone 3G. Now it seems users will get their chances to check it out. And it is none too soon for anyone who uses an external battery for their iPhone.

The cool thing about the Mophie unit is it doubles as battery and a durable casing for the iPhone 3G protecting it and keeping it constantly charged up. The Mophie marketing claims it can extend your talk and data time on your iPhone by 4.5 hours. That claims goes up to 20 hours if you are using the phone to listen to music and 270 hours if the unit is idle.

When the Mophie Juice Pack Air hits the market to support the iPhone 3G accessory selection, there will be a nice selection of colors including purple, black and white. Currently the projected pricing on the unit will be under $80. Pre-orders for the Mophie unit should be starting up in the next month or so.

1. Do you pay by the download on just once for the membership?

The downside of a membership site that lets you in free is then they hit you with a fee for each song you download. If you use the service a lot, that can run into quite a tab. A one-time fee membership site is a far better value.

2. How Much Music Do They Have?

Before you plunk down your credit card to sign up for a download site, go through their inventory to make sure they have lots of variety. Also, confirm that they get new music frequently. If they do well with their inventory, you can stay with that kind of site for a long time.

3. Look For a Big File Selection and Media Diversity Including Downloadable Movies And TV Shows.

To get what you pay for, the download site should give you access to thousands of files of every music genre imaginable. Along with all kinds of music, the site should offer cool movies, games, software utilities and TV shows all downloadable under your membership agreement.

4. Does the download site have a good internet interface?

It is a lot easier to find the songs you want to download using the website than browsing using your iPhone. So use the nonmember area of the website to get a feel for how well the website performs to make sure you can use it well to find all the music you love.

5. Does the Download Site Provide Software for File Conversion and Compatibility?

The whole idea of getting a download site membership is to easily convert music to play on your iPhone. So the download site should have all of the software utilities for downloading music as well as video. If files need to go through a conversion software package to play on the iPhone system, they should provide that software too at no charge.

6. Are the Download Speeds Fast?

Make sure that the download site doesn’t set a limit on download speeds. Small download operations will do that because their servers are limited. This can be a real frustration when you want your music fast.

7. The Files Your Download Must be 100% Safe.

The problem of using file sharing sites like Limewire of BitTorrent is that it is easy to download a nasty virus filled with spyware, adware or something worse. The idea of using a paid site is to be able to download music legally and safely. Make sure the download site has some tools to get rid of dangerous files from their system. But don’t stop there. Get some good security software to scan your computer for adware, spyware and viruses regularly. Those two levels of security can go a long way to keep bad files off of your computer and your phones.

8. Who Likes Them?

One great way to find a download site that you know will work great is to ask your friends. If they have a strong reputation with people you know, that means a lot. You can also look at how many customers they have and any testimonials are listed on their website to see if they are well regarded by their customers.

9. What Does Their Customer Service Look Like?

When you pay good money for a download site, you want service if anything goes wrong. You can tell if they have put some effort into customer support by looking at their FAQ section of the website. But ask some questions of people who use them or using their online inquiry resource to find out if customer support is 24/7 and fast. Anytime you put in a service request, you should get an answer within 24 hours or they are not living up to their part of the bargain.

10. Can You Pay Them With Confidence?

If you are going to pay with PayPal or using your credit card, that must be a secure transaction. Research to make sure how the download site accepts payment is safe and that they will not abuse the privilege of taking money from you.

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