http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/features/just_a_peek/ Daily news, opinions, editorials, reviews, tips, forums, comments, and podcasts all relating to the iPod, the iPhone, Apple, and the surrounding industry. en webmaster@ipodobserver.com Copyright 2009 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:47:06 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/freeverse_flick_fishing/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/freeverse_flick_fishing/ Both nirvana seekers and sportsmen alike can angle to their hearts content with Freeverse's Flick Fishing. iPO Reports, Games, iPhone, iPod, iPod touch, Columns and Opinions, Just a Peek Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:15:18 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/idracula/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/idracula/ I am reliving my failure at Robotron. I can't put iDracula down. Columns and Opinions, Just a Peek Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:00:44 -0500 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/griffin_technology_road_trip_with_smartscan/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/griffin_technology_road_trip_with_smartscan/ You are openly wondering if you'll be downsized, modernized, or marginalized out of your current job. That seven year old Ford Focus is looking pretty good now and it would be nice if you had some way to play your iPod music while driving... Columns and Opinions, Just a Peek Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:46:25 -0500 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Nanosaur_II_Hatchling_for_iPhone_and_iPod_Touch/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Nanosaur_II_Hatchling_for_iPhone_and_iPod_Touch/ Vern Seward took a step back in time to become a pterodactyl in the iPhone and iPod touch game Nanosaur II: Hatchling. Read on for Vern's first impressions and to see if this game is worth your time and money. Just a Peek Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:00:00 -0500 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Why_Free_Wi-Fi/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Why_Free_Wi-Fi/ I was sitting in a rather boring meeting yesterday afternoon when my iPhone buzzed. I took a peak at the SMS, hoping it was a text message from my daughter. It was not. Like millions of other iPhone owners from New York to L.A., I got a message stating that, " Your Apple iPhone now has free AT&T Wf-Fi access at thousands of hotspots nationwide, including Starbucks..." Just a Peek Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/iPhone_Whine_and_Cheese/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/iPhone_Whine_and_Cheese/ Apple's iPhone 3G may be loaded with cool features, but after living with one for a few weeks, Vern Seward thinks the company fallen short on fully implementing several of them. Read on for Vern's take on where Apple fell short. Just a Peek Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Etymotic_Research_HF2_Noise_Isolation_Earphones/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Etymotic_Research_HF2_Noise_Isolation_Earphones/ Not everyone has ears that fit Apple's iPod and iPhone earbuds, so Vern Seward tried out the Etymotic Research HF2 Noise Isolation Earphones. He offers his take on the audio quality, mic placement for iPhone use, and how well they fit in ears that aren't Apple standards-complaint. Just a Peek Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/An_iPhone_Finally/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/An_iPhone_Finally/ There I am, driving through a torrential downpour while crossing a bridge a few miles east of Mobile Alabama, on my way to a wedding (my niece on my wife's side of the family) when my ancient RAZR vibrates. A nasally voice greeted me. "Mr. Seward, this is Dan (not his real name) at AT&T. We have your iPhone here. Can you come in today?" Just a Peek Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Seven_Days_and_Counting_Trying_to_Get_an_iPhone/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Seven_Days_and_Counting_Trying_to_Get_an_iPhone/ On Friday, July 11, 2008, I figured I'd go out and interview a few of those guys in line for an iPhone, take a few photos, write up a story and be done with iPhone 3G coverage. Then I'd be able to get one for myself, my real reason for the trip. That was seven days ago (and counting!), and I am still waiting! What's a gadget geek to do? Just a Peek Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/iPod_nano_Versus_iPhone_Decisons_Decisions/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/iPod_nano_Versus_iPhone_Decisons_Decisions/ Vern weighed the pros and cons of buying a new iPhone versus something else in Apple's iPod lineup. The end result: Wailing, gnashing of teeth, and spending a little more money than he originally intended. Just a Peek Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Sims_Pool_for_iPod/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Sims_Pool_for_iPod/ Vern Seward tried his hand at playing pool on an iPod with The Sims Pool. Read on to see how he thinks the game stacks up against other pool games and other games in The Sims lineup. Just a Peek Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Is_That_An_iPhone_In_Your_Pocket..._/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Is_That_An_iPhone_In_Your_Pocket..._/ It's no secret that much of this year's World Wide Developer Conference will focus on Apple's iPhone. What is a secret is whether or not CEO Steve Jobs will announce new models. Vern Seward thinks he will, and he has some ideas on what else Mr. Jobs may announce. Just a Peek Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Yahtzee_for_iPod/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Yahtzee_for_iPod/ Yahtzee is a great group game, but does it translate well to the iPod? Vern takes the dice out for a roll and lets us know what he thinks. Just a Peek Tue, 06 May 2008 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Big_Words_on_the_Small_Screen_Scrabble_for_the_iPod/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Big_Words_on_the_Small_Screen_Scrabble_for_the_iPod/ EA Mobile has reduced the big board game Scrabble to the small screen iPod. Vern Seward takes a peek at the new iPod game and lets us know if the small screen version is worth the effort. Just a Peek Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Go_Fast_Really_Fast_Pole_Position_Remix/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Go_Fast_Really_Fast_Pole_Position_Remix/ Namco has released a version of Pole Position for nearly gaming platform, even the Vectrix Game System (you hardcore old school gamers know what I'm talking about). Now Namco has a new version of the classic racing game for your iPod; Pole Position Remix (PPR). At first glance, PPR looks like the old 16-bit game that was one of Namco's best sellers, but with the word 'Remix' in the title you know some things have changed. Just a Peek Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:00:00 -0500 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Thoughts_On_Razr2_And_iPhone_Sales/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Thoughts_On_Razr2_And_iPhone_Sales/ As noted in a recent article sales of Motorola's new Razr2 cellphones have not been as high as the company might have liked when compared to sales of Apple's iPhone over the recent holiday buying period, and it occurred to me that not only is it possible that the iPhone affected Razr2 sales, but Motorola may be doing a better job of stifling Razr2 sales with its strange product strategy. Just a Peek Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:00:00 -0500 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Great_Balls_Of_Fun_Peggle/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Great_Balls_Of_Fun_Peggle/ Looking for a fun and easy game that's tailored for the iPod? Peggle may just fit the bill. Read on to see what Vern Seward thinks of this Pachinko-style game. Just a Peek Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:00:00 -0500 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Hi-Def_FM_Radio_Tags_That_Song/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Hi-Def_FM_Radio_Tags_That_Song/ What can Apple do to help the commercial radio market? With Hi-Def radio and iTunes Tagging, maybe a lot. Just a Peek Sun, 30 Sep 2007 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Apples_New_Best_Buy_Shops/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Apples_New_Best_Buy_Shops/ Apple and Best Buy are rolling out more "Store within A Store" locations, and unlike previous attempts, it looks like this time they are getting it right. Just a Peek Tue, 04 Sep 2007 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Verns_Apple_September_5th_Event_Predictions/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Verns_Apple_September_5th_Event_Predictions/ Ah, another Apple media event. Apple seems to like giving them and we love viewing them. For many of us it's yet another opportunity to put on our seer's hat (mine is a purple beanie with glittery zodiac signs inscribed around the brim and the obligatory USB port in the back) and guess, divine, or do that hoo-doo we do so well and predict what goodness Apple will lay on us this time. Just a Peek Mon, 03 Sep 2007 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/iSkin_Cerulean_F1_and_TXRX/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/iSkin_Cerulean_F1_and_TXRX/ Believe it or not there are some tech-journalists who didn't get an iPhone to review. It's all good though, because I have something that trumps the iPhone, at least in one tiny way: I can listen to my iPod on Bluetooth stereo headsets. No wires baby! Even better, I can make and answer my Bluetooth-capable cellphone through my Bluetooth headsets! Just a Peek Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Damn_You_Apple_And_The_Earbuds_You_Rode_In_With/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Damn_You_Apple_And_The_Earbuds_You_Rode_In_With/ It is my opinion that only a constipated mule with sore feet is more obstinate than Apple when it latches onto an idea it believes in. Apple will stand firm against herds of angry stampeding end users if it thinks its philosophy is worth defending. This time it's those silly earbuds that the company introduced to the world with the iPod. Just a Peek Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Apple_Store_240_Hours_A._i._R._After_iPhone_Release/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Apple_Store_240_Hours_A._i._R._After_iPhone_Release/ Well, it's been a bit more than a week since the launch of the iPhone and you'd think that the hubbub surrounding Apple's new consumer device would have diminished, but the clamor around the iPhone, and to a large degree, anything Apple, remains high. Just how high? I decided to go see for myself. I stopped in to one of the two local Apple Stores Just a Peek Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/iPhone_Numbers/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/iPhone_Numbers/ Well, iDay has come and gone and we're still waiting for some solid numbers on how many phones were sold, which may be a while in coming if Apple's history is to be taken into account. Still it might be fun to play around with some numbers to get a feel for just how many iPhones were sold over the weekend and put things into scale for the long haul. Just a Peek Wed, 04 Jul 2007 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/The_iPodiPhoneeBook_Connection/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/The_iPodiPhoneeBook_Connection/ One thing that some people still don't seem to understand is that, like the iPod, the iPhone is platform, a handheld computer, if you will, that just happens to let you make calls. But that's not what I want to talk about. What I want to talk about are eBooks. Just a Peek Mon, 18 Jun 2007 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Sonos_Time_To_Get_A_Bigger_House/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/Sonos_Time_To_Get_A_Bigger_House/ There is one place where listening to my music collection should be the easiest, yet it is the toughest for me: in my home. Yes, of course, I could simply buy Apple TV and the problem would be solved. But what if I wanted music to play in my bedroom, out on the deck, or in the living room? Apple TV just won't cut much mustard it this case and I have to look elsewhere for a solution, and that elsewhere is Sonos. Just a Peek Sun, 20 May 2007 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/iPhone_Survey_Crud/ http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/iPhone_Survey_Crud/ Take this latest survey done by Compete Inc. that suggests that few people would pay $500 for an iPhone. See, the funny thing about number gleaned from polls and surveys is that you can make them say anything you want. Just a Peek Mon, 26 Feb 2007 15:00:00 -0500