Newbie iPhone questions

cullenswood

Hi
I am thinking of upgrading to an iPhone 4 whenever I can get my hands on one from my W995. I have a couple of questions though.
I use my phone mainly to listen to the radio while surfing the web (using Opera Mini). Will I still be able to do this with the multitasking that is now available?
I also listen to a lot of music and watch the odd movie, both of which I would normally download from torrent sites. Can I still do this or do I have to download them from iTunes?
I have also heard something about the alarm not working if the phone is not turned on. Is this true?
There are things I take for granted and would have to be musts if I was to shell out on an iPhone.
Thanks

kjl

cullenswood wrote: »

Hi
I am thinking of upgrading to an iPhone 4 whenever I can get my hands on one from my W995. I have a couple of questions though.
I use my phone mainly to listen to the radio while surfing the web (using Opera Mini). Will I still be able to do this with the multitasking that is now available?
I also listen to a lot of music and watch the odd movie, both of which I would normally download from torrent sites. Can I still do this or do I have to download them from iTunes?
I have also heard something about the alarm not working if the phone is not turned on. Is this true?
There are things I take for granted and would have to be musts if I was to shell out on an iPhone.
Thanks

The answer to the first question is no, not with the current multitasking, but with jailbroken multitasking(backgrounder) you can. Jailbreak and unlock should be out next week sometime

As for the second part..what an odd question, are you asking is there a bit torrent client for the iPhone? well surprisingly enough there is, now its obviously not on the app store, but you an get it from cydia(jailbroken app store).

The iPhone doesn't play divx, or xvid, well it does, but not very well, so you would need to re-encode them. I personally download from Torrent Damage and they have a mp4 section which has most of the popular movies. Music download from bt can be synced to the phone with no issue. There is also a program called mewseek, which allows you to download individual songs for free and add them to you music library all on the phone.

No sadly the alarm does not work if the phone is off, but if you switch the phone part of the phone off, it kills all processes running running and when you have the phone on sleep the battery can last for ages.

To give you an example, I took my sim out of my old 3gs about a week ago, and i just checked it there and its still on 40% so it does last.

I would say go for it, you have nothing to lose.

snappieT

I use my phone mainly to listen to the radio while surfing the web (using Opera Mini). Will I still be able to do this with the multitasking that is now available?

The iPhone doesn't have an FM radio, but there are several apps that can stream radio. If they have been background enabled, then you can leave the app, continue listening to it, and use some other app. Of the 3 radio apps I have (Capital FM, Planet Radio, and Spin 1038), two support backgrounding (Spin doesn't, yet). That said, there is a workaround for the Spin app to have music in the background (plays through Safari instead). I'm sure it'll be updated soon.

I also listen to a lot of music and watch the odd movie, both of which I would normally download from torrent sites. Can I still do this or do I have to download them from iTunes?

The iPhone only supports .mp4 formatted movies, so you will need to convert them before putting them on your phone. OPlayer (an app) seems to play more codecs, but performance may not be great.

I have also heard something about the alarm not working if the phone is not turned on. Is this true?

This is correct. You need to leave the phone on (in standby) for the alarm to work. You can enable Airplane Mode if you want to avoid receiving calls/texts during the night.

kjl

snappieT wrote: »

The iPhone doesn't have an FM radio, but there are several apps that can stream radio. If they have been background enabled, then you can leave the app, continue listening to it, and use some other app. Of the 3 radio apps I have (Capital FM, Planet Radio, and Spin 1038), two support backgrounding (Spin doesn't, yet). That said, there is a workaround for the Spin app to have music in the background (plays through Safari instead). I'm sure it'll be updated soon.

The iPhone only supports .mp4 formatted movies, so you will need to convert them before putting them on your phone. OPlayer (an app) seems to play more codecs, but performance may not be great.

This is correct. You need to leave the phone on (in standby) for the alarm to work. You can enable Airplane Mode if you want to avoid receiving calls/texts during the night.

so basically everything I just said....

snappieT

Actually you said you couldn't play radio with the current multitasking, without jailbreaking. That was incorrect.

Gumbo

kjl wrote: »

so basically everything I just said....

doesnt matter how many people say it, the OP is looking for advice and if two people confirm the same story then thst good imo.

kjl

snappieT wrote: »

Actually you said you couldn't play radio with the current multitasking, without jailbreaking. That was incorrect.

I just downloaded the FM104 app on my iphone 4 and put it in the background and guess what, it didn't keep playing. I did the same on my 3gs running 4.0.1 and jailbroken with backgrounder and its does, so actually I am right.

miralize

kjl wrote: »

I just downloaded the FM104 app on my iphone 4 and put it in the background and guess what, it didn't keep playing. I did the same on my 3gs running 4.0.1 and jailbroken with backgrounder and its does, so actually I am right.

Not exactly, you pretentious git. With IOS4, developers need to retool their apps to run in the background. The benefits of this would be that theres not such a drain in battery life, which is quite poor while using backgrounder. This keeps the apps running at full speed, which slows down the phone and effectively kills your battery life.

phill106

Now now people, keep it civil...

cullenswood

Looks like I've started something here. In fairness I did want as many peoples opinions as possible and not just that of the first to reply. I also don't appreciate my questions being described as odd. I am new to the iPhone world.
Basically I am wondering why an iPhone is so much better than my W995 seeing as it seems to be able to do all the things I want without many problems!
I may be missing something obvious though...so I hope that was not an 'odd question' !

kjl

miralize wrote: »

Not exactly, you pretentious git. With IOS4, developers need to retool their apps to run in the background. The benefits of this would be that theres not such a drain in battery life, which is quite poor while using backgrounder. This keeps the apps running at full speed, which slows down the phone and effectively kills your battery life.

well then my point still stands, until the radio channels update their software the only way of playing them in the background with with backgrounder.

Why exactly do you think that the apple background will be different to backgrounder with regards to battery usage? Ive used backgrounder since it came out with out any battery issue.

kjl

I

cullenswood wrote: »

Looks like I've started something here. In fairness I did want as many peoples opinions as possible and not just that of the first to reply. I also don't appreciate my questions being described as odd. I am new to the iPhone world.
Basically I am wondering why an iPhone is so much better than my W995 seeing as it seems to be able to do all the things I want without many problems!
I may be missing something obvious though...so I hope that was not an 'odd question' !

I only meant that it was odd that you thought there would be a bt client, what other phone legally has one? certainly not the sony erricson. Maybe you shouldn't get the new iPhone if you can't appreciate that its about 100X better than the w995

cullenswood

kjl wrote: »

I

I only meant that it was odd that you thought there would be a bt client, what other phone legally has one? certainly not the sony erricson. Maybe you shouldn't get the new iPhone if you can't appreciate that its about 100X better than the w995

I was wondering could I just drag and drop my mp3 and mp4 files onto the iPhone like I can with my W995? Or do I have to take them from iTunes or something.
As the thread title describes I have on experience with iPhones. Hence would not know this automatically, nor would I know why it is 100 times better

Gumbo

cullenswood wrote: »

I was wondering could I just drag and drop my mp3 and mp4 files onto the iPhone like I can with my W995? Or do I have to take them from iTunes or something.
As the thread title describes I have on experience with iPhones. Hence would not know this automatically, nor would I know why it is 100 times better

everything must come through iTunes unless its jailbroken iirc
you just drag and drop into iTunes then sync.

dicknorris

I have a nokia 5800 with O2 and hope to get iphone 4 tomorrow 2 questions how do i transfer my contacts from old phone to new one also with O2 package I get 2 gb of data so do i need to get tethering as well Thanks

Fat_Fingers

dicknorris wrote: »

I have a nokia 5800 with O2 and hope to get iphone 4 tomorrow 2 questions how do i transfer my contacts from old phone to new one also with O2 package I get 2 gb of data so do i need to get tethering as well Thanks

Uload all your contact to O2. then when you setup your new Iphone with O2 will import all your contacts fom their web site.

You can also move all your contacts to SIM card and import it from there...

Whatever you prefer.

MikeyCdublin

dicknorris wrote: »

I have a nokia 5800 with O2 and hope to get iphone 4 tomorrow 2 questions how do i transfer my contacts from old phone to new one also with O2 package I get 2 gb of data so do i need to get tethering as well Thanks

anybody any idea how to do this with and n97 on meteor

Fat_Fingers

cullenswood wrote: »

Looks like I've started something here. In fairness I did want as many peoples opinions as possible and not just that of the first to reply. I also don't appreciate my questions being described as odd. I am new to the iPhone world.
Basically I am wondering why an iPhone is so much better than my W995 seeing as it seems to be able to do all the things I want without many problems!
I may be missing something obvious though...so I hope that was not an 'odd question' !

Hehehe, when you come to Iphone forum and you ask why iphone is better than your Sony Ericsson, don’t expect impartial independent advice
However you are in a luck today because i had access to both phones and since I know I’m never wrong I’m the best person to answer it and besides I’m always 100% right. :cool:

Your current phone is better at:
• FM Radio (no need for costly data plan or expensive add-on hardware just to listen the radio
• Music - W995 was primary designed as walkman in mind. Sound is superior to Iphone
• 3.5 mm audio jack - standard-sized 3.5mm connector
• Camera - 8.1 Megapixel
• Drag and drop for the files


Iphone is better at:

• Screen size and resolution
• Touch screen and response
• 3-axis gyroscope
• Apps - You won’t understand importance of this until you start using them. It really turns your phone into whatever you want it to be. And games are very good too. I was considering PSP before i got Iphone. Not once i had Iphone.


Bottom line it’s up to you to decide what you prefer more.

cullenswood

Thanks FF for that. Yeah I suppose I will never know the benefits of the iPhone until I use it for a while. Cheers for the pointers though

miralize

cullenswood wrote: »

Thanks FF for that. Yeah I suppose I will never know the benefits of the iPhone until I use it for a while. Cheers for the pointers though

Head in to o2, and start playing around with one, just to get a feel for things. Its great, honest!

Fat_Fingers

Its funny but my Iphone to me is first of all portable video player , mp3 player, GPS, game console , web browser on the go .. and look at it - it can make calls!
Never again am i stuck in somewhere foreign having to watch crappy local soap in language i don’t understand. Just plug in your Iphone in the back of the TV and watch your favourite TV shows or movies.

If you still feel bored and you want to punish yourself load up youtube via your Iphone on 42” TV and see how long can you stare at it before your eyes go all wonky. LOL.

cruizer22b

Fat_Fingers wrote: »

Its funny but my Iphone to me is first of all portable video player , mp3 player, GPS, game console , web browser on the go .. and look at it - it can make calls!
Never again am i stuck in somewhere foreign having to watch crappy local soap in language i don’t understand. Just plug in your Iphone in the back of the TV and watch your favourite TV shows or movies.

If you still feel bored and you want to punish yourself load up youtube via your Iphone on 42” TV and see how long can you stare at it before your eyes go all wonky. LOL.

So you can save some movies or tv shows to your Iphone then just plug it into the TV to play them ? I reckon ill bite the bullet and go for the Iphone. Would you know if I can listen to music as in ipod and have a sports tracker or running app going at the same time ?

Fat_Fingers

cruizer22b wrote: »

So you can save some movies or tv shows to your Iphone then just plug it into the TV to play them ? I reckon ill bite the bullet and go for the Iphone. Would you know if I can listen to music as in ipod and have a sports tracker or running app going at the same time ?

Yes, you can watch it on the tv. You will have to buy apple cable for that , i think i paid 40 euro but it's AV cable and charger in one and continental plug also so while you are watching stuff on tv its charging at the same time . you will have to convert to mp4 format. Easy, lots of free converter software on the internet. Sorry, I dont have sport tracker so i dont know.

snappieT

kjl wrote: »

well then my point still stands, until the radio channels update their software the only way of playing them in the background with with backgrounder.

Why exactly do you think that the apple background will be different to backgrounder with regards to battery usage? Ive used backgrounder since it came out with out any battery issue.

Your point doesn't stand. You said you can't listen to radio with the current multitasking. You can, if the radio station has updated their app. I do it every day.

Current method of multitasking is that app can request specific services to continue (such as audio) after app termination. This is completely different to keeping (multiple) apps running in full in the background, from a system resources point of view.

kjl

MikeyCdublin wrote: »

anybody any idea how to do this with and n97 on meteor

Yes, I do

use pc suite to copy the contacts from your n97 to pc

in pc suite select all contacts and export the contacts as a CVS file

Next log into / register a gmail account

click on contacts -> import -> browse and upload the cvs file to gmail

next in itunes when your phone is connected click in the info tab and down the bottom somewhere there is an option to import your contacts from google contact, enter your gmail user name and password and sync the phone

all you contacts will now be on the iphone and backed up in gmail

kjl

snappieT wrote: »

Your point doesn't stand. You said you can't listen to radio with the current multitasking. You can, if the radio station has updated their app. I do it every day.

Current method of multitasking is that app can request specific services to continue (such as audio) after app termination. This is completely different to keeping (multiple) apps running in full in the background, from a system resources point of view.

ok point taken, but still i think that jailbreak is the current solution to all the apps that haven't yet updated.

Tell you what, how about I write an app to stream all the Irish radio station and allows background audio processing. You will have to forgive me, I'm still on the 3.2 sdk and was only going on experience.

MikeyCdublin

kjl wrote: »

Yes, I do

use pc suite to copy the contacts from your n97 to pc

in pc suite select all contacts and export the contacts as a CVS file

Next log into / register a gmail account

click on contacts -> import -> browse and upload the cvs file to gmail

next in itunes when your phone is connected click in the info tab and down the bottom somewhere there is an option to import your contacts from google contact, enter your gmail user name and password and sync the phone

all you contacts will now be on the iphone and backed up in gmail

Thanks for that

cruizer22b

Fat_Fingers wrote: »

Yes, you can watch it on the tv. You will have to buy apple cable for that , i think i paid 40 euro but it's AV cable and charger in one and continental plug also so while you are watching stuff on tv its charging at the same time . you will have to convert to mp4 format. Easy, lots of free converter software on the internet. Sorry, I dont have sport tracker so i dont know.

Thanks.

Clare_Culchie

cruizer22b wrote: »

Would you know if I can listen to music as in ipod and have a sports tracker or running app going at the same time ?

Yes you can. Download MapMyRun+ and you can play music through the app (you can play music in the background anyway when running the free version but with the chargeable version (€3.99?) you can control through the app).

"The new iMapMyRun+ makes running easier.
It uses the built-in GPS technology of your iPhone to enable you to track your runs and gets you closer to achieving your health and fitness goals. Step out your front door, start running, and this app will effortlessly mark out your path along and interactive map and record essential metrics including duration, distance, pace, speed and elevation. Once you finish your run, save your data and it automatically uploads to MapMyRun.com where you can view your rout, run data, and a comprehensive workout history. The new iMapMyRun+ also gives you the ability to easily share your workout data with friends and family via email, and Twitter, listen to your iPod during your run without leaving the application and geo-tag photos along your route."

It's pretty darn good, if you ask me.

scwazrh

kjl wrote: »

I personally download from Torrent Damage and ......

How do I get membership to this site??