What’s happening now?

A while ago I praised the iPhone/iPod Touch Software 2.0. Since then Apple has released a few updates, the latest software version being 2.1.

The updates have fixed a few problems, such as the backup process happening on every sync. This previously took ages to complete, but the updates have improved it to just being slow. That I can deal with.

Apple has also worked on the general stability of the system, reducing the constant crashing quite a bit. From what I’ve experienced, the third-party apps rarely crash anymore. This is huge concerning that nearly every app had random crashes with the old software. Actually the most crash-prone app for me now is Mobile Safari, which usually calls it quits at least once per day. Not too nice. Fortunately it saves the session information, so all is not lost.
The software seems to be especially unstable and unresponsive when listening to music – I’ve had a few occasions where the entire iPod has hung up, not responding to anything. Fortunately after restart we were back in business.

As I’m writing this, my #1 annoyance is the text recognizition. It works with a completely opposite logic from mine. From where I see it, it would make sense to require user to tap on the suggested word IF he/she wishes to use it. No. Instead the software automatically replaces the words unless the user taps on the suggested word to remove it. This is both highly inefficient and frustrating as I have to constantly tap between the words I write and the on-screen keyboard. Although by listening to music while writing and tapping around the screen at the same time gives me a kind of a Guitar Hero/Tap Tap Revenge experience. Sweet. I hear the next update allows to turn text recognizition off, so there is still hope.

Text recognizition makes me sound like a Scandinavian character from some Monty Python sketch.

Issue #2: STILL no copy & paste. You know what’s fun? Writing down a parcel tracking code from your inbox to a piece of paper and then write it to Safari just because there’s no proper way of transferring it from Mail otherwise. I can think of few more reasons to continue whining, but this is the most recent one.

Issue #3: About those language-specific characters (such as ä, ö and their friends)… Accessing them by eg. first holding down letter A and selecting from the pop-up menu makes typing fast and fun. Why indeed include them straight to corresponding international keyboard when you can implement them like this? Slow and steady wins the writing race. This makes me glad I don’t have an iPhone, writing text messages would be smooth.

Much rejoicing

Concerning software, things are looking rather good for the App Store. Even with my “cheap bastard”-policy of trying only freeware apps, I’ve found a plenty of useful and fun programs.

In fact, the sheer amount of programs on few most popular categories forces Apple to soon rethink either the categorization or the way the programs are listed on App Store. Unless someone there really thinks that scrolling around 400+ programs on the same list view is a good idea for you or your index finger…

WordPress. I’m using it to write this, actually. Works rather well for small updates like this and writing drafts. I would like to have a horizontal mode for writing, though.

Currency. Currency converter, no more, no less. Does its job well and looks good. Minus-points for ads and slow startup, although the startup-time has been improved significally on later versions.

WeekOtY: Displays the current week number and other week numbers you might need. Why? Because the official Calendar-application can’t do this. Ideally there shouldn’t be need for apps like this, but since there is, thanks for the developer for making it possible to see when that week 42 Friday appointment takes place.

Ping (lite). Network tools Ping and Traceroute on your pocket. Comes really handy especially on home networks.

Wikipanion. Access Wikipedia from a stand-alone app. Handy every now and then, especially if you don’t want to access (and crash) Safari just to quickly check something out.