Hmm… Computer Geek + 8-Track Zeppelin + LSD trip = iPod?

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Dear Mr. Steve Jobs,

Hello from Albert Hofmann. I understand from media accounts that you feel LSD helped you creatively in your development of Apple computers and your personal spiritual quest. I’m interested in learning more about how LSD was useful to you.

I’m writing now, shortly after my 101st birthday, to request that you support Swiss psychiatrist Dr. Peter Gasser’s proposed study of LSD-assisted psychotherapy in subjects with anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. This will become the first LSD-assisted psychotherapy study in over 35 years.

I hope you will help in the transformation of my problem child into a wonder child.

Sincerely,

A. Hofmann

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It’s speculated that this article has come about due to the large number of people complaining about their iPhone displaying the “Temperature: Your iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it” error. Although Apple hasn’t come out and acknowledge the issue directly, the fact that they’ve release this article shows that they are receiving a large number of reports.

The article outlines the following (no-brainer) recommendations:

Recommended operating temperatures
Operate iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS in a place where the temperature is between zero and 35 degrees Celsius (32 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit). Low or high-temperature conditions might temporarily shorten battery life or cause the device to temporarily stop working properly.
Recommended storage temperatures
Store iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS in a place where the temperature is between -20 and 45 degrees Celsius (-4 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit). Don’t leave the device in your car, because temperatures in parked cars can exceed this range.
Symptoms of overheating

• iPhone will no longer charge
• iPhone display will dim
• Weaker cell signal
• iPhone temperature warning screen appears

This update comes after some pretty interesting stories about the iPhone 3GS overheating.

“The handsets are getting so warm, in fact, that the plastic cases of the white models are discoloring to pink.” – wired.com

“…and at some point, I became aware the handset had become very hot. Very, very hot — not just on the back, but the entire length of the front face, too. I was using a game, and then later the Web browser for reading the news about Michael Jackson, all over a Wi-Fi connection while plugged in. And in those circumstances, well…toasty doesn’t even describe how surprisingly hot it got. It was too hot to even put the phone against my face.” – Cnet Reviews

> Experiencing any heat issues? Post it in the comments =)

I’ve had the new MBP, fully loaded, for 3 days and I’ve made a few observations.

Trackpad: The new trackpad is definitley a cool concept. New gestures, huge real estate and a slicker texture make gliding around almost as much fun as skating on a frozen pond. However, push clicks don’t register as effectivley as they did on the previous model trackpads, and the overall sound of the pad seems clunky, high-pitched and downright cheap by comparison.

The Screen: Back lit LED screen. The new screen is really, really sharp and vivid. I am a graphic designer, and let me tell you, the colours on this sucker pop like you wouldn’t beleive. Is it accurate? Probably not. I’ve been having a tough time calibrating it, but it does look spectacular. The gloss doesn’t seem to bother me too much either. I guess, if I had the choice I would probably ask for a Matte screen version, but… Apple doesn’t care. Quick shout out re: the Hinge issue that’s I’ve seen floating arround the Apple support site. Yes, when your’re lying in bed and have the MBP on your knee at a 45, the lid does close. The hinges aren’t bad by any means, theyre just… different.

The Keyboard: Back lit chicklet style. What can be said? If you like it you like it. If not… Apple doesn’t care. I think it’s pretty cool. The keys seems more spaced out to me but I could be seeing things. Other than that, I would go so far as to say that the plastic used on these keys by comparison to my previous MBP are of a much cheaper grade of plastic. Also, getting dust or hair under them is more of a nuissance than before.

Overall Design: Overall, the 4,1 MBP / Late 2008 unibody Macbook Pro, is really sexy looking. It may take some getting used to but I’m sure in time I will love it more than its predescessor.

I ran a few Xbench tests with noth system side by side. I will post the results when I get some time. I can confidently say that the new Macbook Pro beat its predescessor in every single benchmark. No question.

However, the 320Gb 7200 Hitachi in my new MBP lost horribly to the 320Gb Seagate I bought seperatley and installed myself. Hitachi vs Seagate. Seagate FTW.

I am noticing that the track pad is certainly not as responsive to push clicks as my previous MBP. However, I think this is largely to due the fact that the size of the “click-able” area is so enormous. It does seem that, overall, the new MBP is composed of cheaper grade aluminum and plastic components and does have a clunkier click sound than its predecessor.

In all honesty, I think I like my old (4,1) MBP better then the new (5,1) one. Only time will tell I guess.

The iPhone 3G is blaring with issues, from spotty 3G coverage to horrendous battery life. Pegging this device as suitable for a business user is ridiculous. Aside from it’s evident hardware and software issues the iPhone 3G suffers some fatal flaws.

The inability to search emails or calendar entires is imperative for users that are regularly searching through hundreds of emails a week. It’s apparent disregard for key scheduling features such as meeting invitations via the calendar. Let’s not forget the fact that its ability to “push” email is a farce, unless you’re using Apple’s mobileme service, which has suffered it’s own number of issues since It’s launch. How many free days of service are we at now, 90?

Back to Rogers and their iPhone faux pas. Swithing from a Blackberry to an iPhone 3G wasn’t as difficult as I initially anticipated. The lack of a tactile keyboard is some that I have gotten used to quite easily. In fact, this entire post is being typed on my iPhone while sitting on the subway. Now, I know what you’re thinking. How can this guy be bashing the iPhone when it obviously seems useful? I’m not saying the iPhone 3G is a bad device, I’m simply saying it’s not a good one. Not when compared to a Blackberry, not when productivity or efficiency are important. If you’re looking for a device that gets the job done the iPhone 3G is not that device. If you want to look cool and don’t require abdevice that allows you to work from the road then it’s just fine.

I have determined a way to resolve the 3G problems with the iPhone 3G… Turn 3G off. That’s right! If you want the iPhone 3G to survive the day the first thing you must do is disable 3G all together. Great job Apple! Why did I buy a 3G phone if 3G doesn’t work? Someone, hopefully Rogers, please tell me.

Part II to follow shortly.