Some clever IPad apps

Yes, there are some clever applications using the closed IOS architecture. Mobile banking applications make clever use of the IPad system. Banking applications on Windows platforms have to use elaborate and complicated verification procedures to keep your money safe. In Finland banks usually use key codes which are used only once (in addition to user names and passwords). For the IPad several banks offer mobile banking apps, like ABN-AMRO in the Netherlands and Sampo bank in Scandinavia.  Also N ordnet offers an IPad app for its online trading system. These applications use the fenced playground idea, every app has its own playground, and connects only with the provider. Therefore a less rigorous security is needed, this gives the customer the possibility to make money transfers with just a few fingertip movements. Safety can be added to set a limit by using the normal security procedures. For small money transfers and just to check your bank account tis is a safe and easy way to go on with your mobile life.

Other financial apps which I started to use are QFolio HD, giving real time Nasdaq quotes for the Nordig and US markets. 

The Windows Tablet

As I noted the IPad is more a mobile reading and communication device. It’s main and at the moment unbeatable battery life, 10 hours, speed and slim design. However, many people like me live in an open environment where data has to flow freely from one device to the other and between applications. For this one would need a Windows or Unix based system.

I think that the present solution to create Windows tablets is not really working. A tablet has to be lightweight, slim and must have a very long battery life, other it is just another heavy piece of equipment in your bag. Present Windows 7 based tablets have a very short battery life; they are bulky and too heavy. Size should be at least the ten inch the IPad offers; otherwise it is not very useful for reading documents. Let’s face it, writing on a tablet, even with a Bluetooth keyboard is not very user friendly.

A windows tablet, to be successful, should have the versatility of the Windows system, being the freedom to move data, multitasking and openness, but the physical design should be lightweight, slim, a battery life of more than ten hours and a USB port.  It is clear that Apple set the standard for the design, to beat it means work has to be done on battery life, and there is no need for a tablet with a power cord attached to it all the time.  On the other hand it makes sense to integrate touch screen technology and laptops, hey have been available for a long time, but are extremely expensive.

For an example go to YouTube:  Asus Windows tablet

My IPad, after two weeks

I have been working, playing and living with my IPad2  for a few weeks now and after the initial enthusiasm, I have now reached the stage were I would like to give my opinion sabot this peace of equipment. 


Now to begin one must admire the design, thin A4 size, with a bright high resolution screen, it is a real beauty. I have the 64 GB, 3G version and memory has been no problem. Battery life, is supposed to be ten hours on one full charge cycle, this however is depending upon use, and I had to charge my IPad every second day, sometimes every night. But I have used it on a six hours drive, surfing and watching video constantly with no problem.


The problems start while using the Safari browser,no Flash support, this is not a disaster, but  often annoying. The absence of my favourite browser Firefox hurts, as are other details common to the Windows user.


In my view the most serious problem is the IOS, the operating system has no file structure,  all programs store data in their own "body". This with the absence of background processes makes the IPad fast, but this goes at a price. Without a file system it is extremely difficult to imort or maintain data or files. It also replicates the same files in the various programs operating on them. For example, if one opens a PDF file in the PDF- reader it will be stored there. Then if opened into the IBOOK reader, it will also be storedin that program. This creates a lot of redundancy. 


Forget your USB stick, the IPad has no whole for it. As I noted before there are many programs to exchange files to and from the IPad, and some work with certain programs, but not with others, which is rather confusing.


The cameras work fine and are of reasonable quality,but  no flash, and the size of the tablet makes it not very suitable to use as a camera, but for use with Skype it is ok.


I think taken everything into consideration, the IPad is in reality a mobile device for surfing, reading documents and email. I have been able to reduce printing documents and in this way have saved money and resources.  However, it is not the final solution from my point of view, and I thin there is room for a Windows tablet.

If you are interested, in this stuff, it continues in my other blog, alfred.colpaert.blog

My N-Phone

OK, let the IPad be for a while and talk about phones; I have had many phones, mostly Nokia, but also a Siemens and other obsolete brands. All my phones have one thing in common, you can make telephone calls. Most of them still work, and some of the first ones I still use outdoors.  I will definitely not go into discussing what is the best phone, that is not constructive, I look at the functionality, and especially what does it do for me. From that perspective there have been two major breakthroughs, the introduction of free navigation by Nokia, and the second is the introduction of Linux based operating systems. The Nokia N900 has been my favorite for the last two years, as an old Unix man I can go under the hood, and configure it the way I like, not the way Nokia planned it. The operating system Maemo is open software, and is community driven. This community has produced a host of free software for the phone. However, Nokia maps for this phone lacks some of the functionality and therefore I should change to the N9, which has the newer Meego operating system and full function Nokia navigation. Anyway I have also an E7 Nokia, which will do the navigation if I need it. The great thing about the Nokia navigation system is the fact that all maps are downloadable before one travels, and there is no need for continuous 3G connection for data transfer. This saves a lot of money when traveling abroad. 

Just to illustrate how convenient pocket held navigation is; just recently I was in Windhoek, Namibia, and had to go by taxi to the residence of the Finnish ambassador. The taxi driver of course could not find the address and wanted to turn back, my phone however insisted to go on for a few blocks, and, voila, there we were. The way back of course was more complicated as no taxi wants to drive in the dark, but that is another story.

For the outdoors I still use an old Nokia 5140, waterproof and very tough phone, it was used by my son during his army time in Lapland as a motorcycle scout. He has broken most phones, but not this one, luck?

For my work I have only one demand, the calendar and email should be synchronized with my desktop computer, most phones do that, also switching between daylight saving time or time zones should be automatic and reliable.  I also need a QWERTY keyboard and preferably a good one, as my fingers are too big and clumsy for most smartphones. Another item which has many applications for professional use is the camera, a good camera, with records also the GPS-coordinates can be used to document lots of situations, from car accidents to serial numbers.

So what phone should I buy next? Can’t say, actually there is nothing wrong with my present phone. I will wait till spring and decide between the N9 Meego or the new Lumia Windows phone.