It's done, another weak link in my card security, just downloaded Tapatalk, works fantastically (as Chris said) on Ausphotography, come on Mike do the Vbulletin add on.
I must admit, the iPhone is an amazing gadget.
Yep - I'm using it on Ausphotography and found that Stargazers Lounge uses it as well. Work very well indeed. Just text without all the fluff. Photo attachments work well too.
No ploy at all. Having said that I may end up being the biggest hyprocrite on the forum. Yes, I am now seriously considering in purchasing one in the weeks to come. The resistence is getting to much to bear.
All you good folk out there (only cause I'm a bit lazy) are some newbie questions on the phone on how best to go about it:
1. I want to get one outright. Prefer no plans, but if so, what is the
absolute cheapest option available - based on the criteria below.
2. Can I use my existing sim (Telstra 3G) and stick it in (work pays for
my phone bills).
3. I don't really plan to use the internet features (ie, surf the web etc)
I really want it for the apps, listening to music, etc. and as a phone in general. Depending on the apps, I guess some need internet connectivity.
4. Are the prices the same in most places or do they vary?
5. 16gig or 32gig - what should I expect to pay?
6. Wifi - so does that mean I can sit in Maccas and surf the web for free or hook it into my home network?
7. I really just want the astronomy apps - do they need internet connection to work.
Any feedback appreciated. I'm embarassed to ask these, considering I'm in IT
1. I want to get one outright. Prefer no plans, but if so, what is the
absolute cheapest option available - based on the criteria below.
Not sure about this one - you'll have to research this one yourself.
2. Can I use my existing sim (Telstra 3G) and stick it in (work pays for
my phone bills).
Yes, absolutely. This is what I did and it's seamless. Just import your SIM contents when you fire it up for the first time.
3. I don't really plan to use the internet features (ie, surf the web etc)
I really want it for the apps, listening to music, etc. and as a phone in general. Depending on the apps, I guess some need internet connectivity.
Apps will, if you access the AppStore app, update themselves automatically. Best to do this in a WiFi area and not over 3G. You still have to kick off the update download by selecting those you wish to do at the time - so you're safe from accidental data transfer. Some apps will like to talk to the net in order to download images, etc - or take you to a Wiki reference if you ask it to. Other than that - you can download apps and music and update them from your desktop if you prefer.
4. Are the prices the same in most places or do they vary?
You don't get apps from "places" perse - you get them all from the AppStore. Most app publishers will ask their own price - and depending on the complexity they range from free to over $100 for the navigation-type aps like TomTom and Navigon. Typical price is under $5 though for most apps - and even down to $1.99.
5. 16gig or 32gig - what should I expect to pay?
Not sure - not cheap off-plan though.
6. Wifi - so does that mean I can sit in Maccas and surf the web for free or hook it into my home network?
Yes. Absolutely. I surf all day long on mine via my Wifi home modem. I also call friends overseas via Skype-to-Skype for free. I'm also in IT and support all of my remote servers via SSH and RDP. Brilliant!
7. I really just want the astronomy apps - do they need internet connection to work.
Again - some do to go and get info that you've asked for. Mostly though - no. They work independently in the field.
Oooooh, sounds soo tempting Chris ... am on a cheapie $20 with telstra, but Iphones are Everywhere!!! This thread keeps me wanting have played with a few, and wowowowow, so tempted.
Hi Henry, can you tell me if you are satisfied with the ipod touch regarding using it for astronomy. I would appreciate your comments.
1.Do you use "Starmap Pro" or something similar?
2.Are you able to read az/alt settings for a given object and if so is it updated in realtime.
3. Do you think the screen effects your dark adaption as does a laptop?
Richard
Sorry to be almost no help at all but I bought my iPod Touch as a replacement PDA. I did not buy it for astronomy.
I have several times set in World Clock. Melbourne (local time), London (for GMT), Houston (central time USA), New York (eastern time USA), and a couple of other times not related to NASA.
I also have the NASA app but that's it when it comes to astronomy.
Having said that, I have 3 full pages of apps.
Quote:
3. Do you think the screen effects your dark adaption as does a laptop?
You can adjust the brightness in settings. I do get dazzled by the screen when I check the weather when I'm in bed.
I've only had Wi-Fi at home for the last month. Before that, I used the free Wi-Fi at Maccas or an open Wi-Fi connection up the street.
1. I want to get one outright. Prefer no plans, but if so, what is the
absolute cheapest option available - based on the criteria below.
Norm, I found the best way for me was on a $45 Telstra business plan (I needed to stay with Telstra).
I get $40 per month from my employer for mobile phone costs, I signed to a $45 business plan that gives $45 call credit, a miselry but probably adequate (I try to use WiFi most of the time) 150mb data download and the 32Gs for $399 extra, plus I took the bonus option of untimed landline calls, 20c only flagfall untimed anywhere in the country (some exclusions 13,12,1800)..
Given that outright the 32Gs phone costs around $1K that's good value for me.
The astronomy apps don't need an internet connection to work properly in most respects.
In StarMap Pro for example, if you have no link all it means is that it can't retrieve detailed data and images for an object from whatever source it uses, but the rest will work fine.
Thanks Chris for your detailed response and others. I'll look into it more before committing, but its sounds pretty reasonable what the outlay is for what you get.
Correct Andrew. The iTunes Apps Store is the single point of entry for all apps. It's strictly controlled, all apps go through some reasonably stringent quality control checks (I know - I've seen it done) and at the end of the day it makes it a far more controlled and familiar environment for you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Octane
Andrew, yep, you buy/get apps straight through the App Store button on your phone, or through browsing iTunes on the PC.
Good, I think it's the most sensible way to do it, I was hoping I understood that right.
Thanks for the info.
Quote:
Originally Posted by acropolite
I signed to a $45 business plan that gives $45 call credit, a miselry but probably adequate (I try to use WiFi most of the time) 150mb data download and the 32Gs for $399 extra, plus I took the bonus option of untimed landline calls, 20c only flagfall untimed anywhere in the country (some exclusions 13,12,1800)..
Given that outright the 32Gs phone costs around $1K that's good value for me.
Sounds like a good deal Phil, something I need for my business too.
I woke up feeling a little less groggy today - and attribute it (trying to! LOL!) to my iPhone. I downloaded a little progie called "Sleep App".
You set your alarm clock to wake you up "around" whatever time (I wanted 6:00am), and place your phone behind your pillow. Its accelerometer monitors your tossing and turning pattern and graphs your sleep pattern in real time as it's charging.
It then wakes you with a nice little melody when it thinks that you've been in a deep sleep for a measured amount of time and you're approaching "light sleep" again. Theory is that if it wakes you at the right part of the cycle you wake up more refreshed.
I'll run it for a few nights and see it it really works!
See attached stats page from last night. It'll be interesting to gather some stats over a week. I'll also try forcing myself into going to bed at around (groan.....) 10:00pm tonight to see what happens. More sleep I'm thinking....
Also, I couldn't believe how sensitive it is -- the accelerometer picks up the slightest of local movement on my bed (queen-sized pillow top mattress).
I was amazed when analysing the graph this morning how regular my movements were throughout the night.
Thank you for this brilliant find, Chris.
I feel wonderful this morning!
H
Quote:
Originally Posted by Omaroo
I woke up feeling a little less groggy today - and attribute it (trying to! LOL!) to my iPhone. I downloaded a little progie called "Sleep App".
You set your alarm clock to wake you up "around" whatever time (I wanted 6:00am), and place your phone behind your pillow. Its accelerometer monitors your tossing and turning pattern and graphs your sleep pattern in real time as it's charging.
It then wakes you with a nice little melody when it thinks that you've been in a deep sleep for a measured amount of time and you're approaching "light sleep" again. Theory is that if it wakes you at the right part of the cycle you wake up more refreshed.
I'll run it for a few nights and see it it really works!
See attached stats page from last night. It'll be interesting to gather some stats over a week. I'll also try forcing myself into going to bed at around (groan.....) 10:00pm tonight to see what happens. More sleep I'm thinking....
Hi Norm, now look at what you started. Are you sure that this wasn't a ploy to advertise the Apple iphone, very sneaky.
Hi Henry, can you tell me if you are satisfied with the ipod touch regarding using it for astronomy. I would appreciate your comments.
1.Do you use "Starmap Pro" or something similar?
2.Are you able to read az/alt settings for a given object and if so is it updated in realtime.
3. Do you think the screen effects your dark adaption as does a laptop?
Richard
Richard, I think I can help with this question as I use my iPod Touch for Astro.
There are two main apps people use for Astro with the Touch or Phone and that is Distant Suns or Starmap Pro. Distant suns has a FREE version called Distant Suns Lite and it's perfect for all but the most professional of us amatuers. And yes, it updates in Real time. Just have to input your time/zone and long/lat into its settings.
The only downside about the Touch compared to the phone is there is no link to GPS as such you cannot use the 'autopoint' feature. Where if you hold the Touch/Phone up at a particular angle on a particular bearing it WILL NOT show you that particular region of the sky. With the iPhone, you CAN.
2.Are you able to read az/alt settings for a given object and if so is it updated in realtime. I've only got experience with Distant Suns Lite and yes. When you move your view around with the simple touch and drag method, it shows you what alt/azi you are on. Also if you centre your view (mainly with the targetting crosshair feature turned on) it will show you the details of the object you are looking at, including its Alt/Azi.
Do you think the screen effects your dark adaption as does a laptop? Not that I've noticed. Then again, even though my town has dark skys, my eyes are never fully adjusted to darkness due to only having left the house lights within half hr or so, most times. But, you CAN dim the level of brightness of your Touch or Phone from what I understand.
I very rarely spend more than $50 a year on phone calls from my mobile and have been using my old nokia for years. I was also against all the bragging about the iphone UNTIL I got one myself. It really is the best thing since sliced bread.
All the functions not to mention the best astronomy apps ie starmap pro and other features just blew me away. I have had it for a week now and still havent made a phone call from it.
New convert to Iphone
I very rarely spend more than $50 a year on phone calls from my mobile and have been using my old nokia for years. I was also against all the bragging about the iphone UNTIL I got one myself. It really is the best thing since sliced bread.
All the functions not to mention the best astronomy apps ie starmap pro and other features just blew me away. I have had it for a week now and still havent made a phone call from it.
New convert to Iphone
Thankyou Mr Apple
LOL Lonnie
I was wondering can you actually make calls and text on these things too hahahaha
I was wondering can you actually make calls and text on these things too hahahaha
Jen, they aint called iPhones for nothing. However, they're not cheap either. If you get one on a plan, you would want to be making a lot of phone calls to justify the high cost of the plan. The other method is to buy the iPhone outright then go on the plan of your choice.
There are several models of iPhone too. Check them out at your local Telstra Shop.
BTW I don't have an iPhone. I have a 8Gb iPod Touch that can run most (but not all) the apps that an iPhone can.
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can you tell me if you are satisfied with the ipod touch regarding using it for astronomy. I would appreciate your comments.
. Having said that I may end up being the biggest hyprocrite on the forum. Yes, I am now seriously considering in purchasing one in the weeks to come. The resistence is getting to much to bear
.
