What made me write this ?
Yesterday I happened to use my old Hotmail account in my iPhone. It was such a shocking experience to see Microsoft is well behind in web technologies and they couldnt understand the needs of this generation.

What I am targeting ?
I want Microsoft to improve their UI for mobile phones. I believe there are still a few Hotmail users left in this world. I am dedicating this post for them.

Screenshots and comparison are .. ?
.. real, took from my iPhone. (Screenshots are in the order Gmail, Yahoo and Hotmail)

Can someone re post this ?
Yes of course, drop a courtesy link to my Blog.

So here we go..

1. Login

Gmail: Perfect one. Simple layout and consistent color combi.
Yahoo: Simple but weird. See the footer! No save password, create id, forgot password links.
Hotmail: Good interface. But there is no default zoom for text fields.

2. Inbox

Gmail: Simple, Readable, Usable. More items in single view and i love it
Yahoo: Wierd, space not managed, poor usability (Menu)
Hotmail: Pathetic. Even I can’t see what’s happening in my inbox! There is no default zoom. Very bad UI. I didn’t have to mask any of my personal details (as if I could read)

3. Read

Gmail: Simple, Readable, Usable. But the header hogged a bit of space. Inbox, Archive, More, Delete could come in 1 row
Yahoo: Wierd. Header banner could have avoided. Not a pleasing UI
Hotmail: Pathetic UI. Can’t read even a single word. No default Zoom. Why are they having such a mobile theme?

4. Reply

Gmail: Good stuff. Again the header space is more. Rest is just perfect.
Yahoo: Poor usability. Disturbing textarea font size. No default zoom. Cant save draft, edit subject. Smaller textarea.
Hotmail: Oh my god! What is this theme for ? No zoom! A reply window showing the title ‘New message’ ? My finger is not small enough to touch this screen. Horrible stuff.

5. Folders

Gmail: Simple, typical palm device interface.
Yahoo: Simple but wierd. Hopefully 8,4,5,0 are shortcuts. How will I do that in a touch screen phone ?
Hotmail: I cant predict which text will be selected if I try to touch any of the links. It’s that small! .. and pathetic footer.

6. Footer

Gmail: Simple, perfect and has got only required items.
Yahoo: Simple but not readable. Poor usability.
Hotmail: inconsistency is the key to extreme failure! Same poor UI, not readable and bad usability.

Now it’s up to the readers to correct me. You an try this out in your own iPhone. I have only one message to Microsoft – Please don’t take mobile users for granted!

That’s all
Saif

No related posts.

Google located me in Trivandrum. Here is my screen shot.

Saifudeen Google Latitude

I have located couple of my friends in Flip Media, Trivandrum (Remiz Rahnas and Felix Justus)

You can reach them via SMS, Instant Message or even a phone call. If you have serious concern about your privacy, please stay back from this service.

Can I access it in my moible ? Ofcourse yes, if you are using ..
- Windows mobile
- Most color blackberry
- Symbian S60
- or Android with Google Maps 3.0 or above.

What about my iPhone?
iPhone users will have to wait for some more days. The application is FREE. That doesnt mean your cellular provider will let you walk free. If your data plan is limited, your face will turn red for sure ! Wait for Apple to update the Maps application.

And desktop version ?
- Yes, It has got one!

This is feature is as nice as anything. But privacy is a serious concern for some people. My reply for them i s – Google is not forcing anybody to use their services. It helps you to find your lost friends, school mates whom you were searching for past several years etc..

Suppose, you are planning a trip to Dubai, logon to Google Latitude and see whether you have got any mates there. It’s easy and fun! So keep this limited within your close circle friends and relatives.

Thanks for your time,
Saif

No related posts.

Hafees – Here is your reply!

“It’s a hard technical challenge, and that’s part of the reason Apple and Adobe are collaborating. The ball is in our court. The onus is on us to deliver”
CEO, Adobe.

It was a matter of time. Apple and Adobe joined their hands and working together on the project for an iPhone specific Flash player.

Flash in iPhone - Pics: TUAW, AppleInsider

We all know where does Apple products especially iPhone stand in this new generation.

Which phone has got
- Such an awesome and user friendly picture viewer
- One touch access to mails
- 15,000 applications in a short span of time
- Facebook, WordPress application
- Intelligent keyboard
- Intelligent sensor
- Internet accessibility
- Cool synchronizing
- Faster and organized access to contact list

My love for iPhone and my fight with iPhone haters will never end

Related article
A 10 year journey from Alcatel to Apple iPhone.
Video streaming application for iPhone by FlixWagon

Saif

No related posts.

Flixwagon is the first of its kind to release a version for iPhone. Most recommended connectivity for this application is WiFi.

FlixWagon Screenshot from my office

Here is my screenshot. Live streaming from my office.

• Express installation via SMS
• User friendly
• Good quality
• Meta data
• Different resolutions
• Privacy settings for each video
• Hazzle free one-touch broadcast
• Easy video sharing via short URLs

iPhone 3G and iPhone 2.x.x Instructions for Cydia

• In order to use Flixwagon on your iPhone you’ll need a “jailbroken” iPhone that can run 3rd party apps using the Cydia or Installer applications. Details on “jailbroken” iPhones can be found via various sources online.
• From your compatible iPhone launch the Cydia application.
• Make sure Cydia is up-to-date via the “Changes” tab.
• Select the “Sections” tab in the bottom navigation bar.
• Select the “Multimedia” section.
• Scroll to the “Flixwagon” section and tap it.
• In the upper right corner tap on “Install” and then “Confirm”
• Return to home screen and find the Flixwagon icon (you may need to flick through some homescreens).
• Tap the Flixwagon icon. The Flixwagon application will launch.
• If you already have a Flixwagon user name and password type them to log in. If not, enter your mobile phone number with country code and you’ll be instantly logged-in. Your new user name and password will be sent to you via SMS. You can then edit the login details or restore them by visiting flixwagon.com. Alternatively, you can have full registration via our website.

(Source for above help tips: http://www.flixwagon.com/pickphone/IPhone)

If your device or version is not listed here, please get more help from here.

Thanks to Martin Diessner for sharing this.

Saif

No related posts.

1999 – Alcatel

Alcatel - One Touch

I got my first mobile phone in Dec 1999. The device was Alcatel. I am sure I don’t have to tell anything about Alcatel. This device is as bad as anything in terms of radiation. When I was in Asianet, the leading Malayalam channel in Kerala, I had 20 minutes conversation on phone with one of my friends and I got fainted due to radiation. You can guess how bad that was. It was as huge as a brick. It has got a 2 line display with a green led backdrop. Typing an SMS in this device was a big task.

Well, I had no such complaints when I got this. Because it was the only economic mobile available during that time. I remember, I had a big fight with my Brother to take this mobile from Dad.

2001 – Nokia 3210

Nokia 3210

Life moved on fast and mobile phone users went behind the word ‘Slim’. There started the competition to buy slimmest mobile phones. I always wanted to buy a slim and weightless mobile. But my poor economic condition stopped me in even thinking. Surprise! My brother in law gifted a mobile to my Dad. Nokia 3210. It was slim compared to Alcatel. Dad was never fond of gadgets and he used it only for a month. He gave it to my Brother. I had to fight again to make it mine. I started showing off with Nokia 3210. But it was bit huge, but better when compared to Alcatel. This phone is giving me soo good memories.

2003 – Siemens S35

Siemens S35

I got bored with Nokia 3210 and started thinking of moving to a better phone. One fine day, I met one of my friends and he was using Siemens C35. It was a brand new phone as it was not launched in India yet. He got it from one of his friends in UK. I bought it for 6K and there started another show off. This is the smallest mobile I have ever used.

2005 – Nokia 3120

Nokia 3120

I used Siemens for nearly 2 years. In between it started acting wierd. The battery backup went down to as low as 10 minutes. I gave it to a nearby service center to repair it. When I went there to collect it, I came to know the repair center was closed for ever and I lost my smallest mobile. End of show off! Straight away went to a Nokia dealer and bought Nokia 3120. Back to the brand Nokia. It was a common economic phone without much facilities.

2006 – iMate PDA2K

iMate PDA2K

Internet has become so cheap in mobile phones. I activated GPRS in my Nokia 3120. But it was soo hard to use. So I bought iMate PDA2K for 13K from one of my friends. As huge as old Alcatel. I really wondered whether the world is going back to huge models. It was loaded with MS Windows Mobile 5.0. It was a true show off among friends and relative. I enjoyed GPRS and to core and made use of it like anything.

2007 – Nokia 1110

I could’nt use PDA2k for long. My uncle wanted the mobile and he bought it from me for 18K. Again back to Nokia. This time I went for the cheapest model. Nokia 1110i. I was really shocked to see the battery backup. 3 to 4 days for my usage! Everybody got surprised to see this cheapest model with me as I was a known gadget freak. In between, somewhere I read about iPhone and its features. I was sure this device is going to rule world and going to be a new generation phone. Yes – Ofcourse is was a revolutionary phone.

.. and my dream came true in 2008 – Yes!! I bought Apple iPhone

Apple iPhone

I was hospitalized for a surgery in my stomach. It was as KIMS Hospital, The multi speciality hospital in Trivandrum. I noticed a hospital nursing staff was using iPhone I got really shocked the way he was using it. I asked him about iPhone and it’s features. He said – Oh it’s such a bad heavy phone. It’s not like other mobile phones. Not user friendly, no buttons etc .. I could control my laughter! And he said, he is planning to sell it off and buy a ‘traditional’ Nokia mobile. Without a second thought, I made it mine for 15K. It was in mint condition with all accesories, pack and booklets.

I couldn’t believe I joined iPhone club. I have become the first iPhone user in my office – Flip Media Trivandrum. Do I have to tell about iPhone ? It is such a wonderful device where you can be connected with office, friends and relatives wherever you are.

There are many reasons for me to love iPhone. Listing down a few.

• The way it acts and its wise design – It is the biggest reason for me to love this device.
• It’s Engine and Sensors. The thee built-in sensors understands what I am doing and what I wanted to do. It does half of my jobs.
• One touch Email and SMS – I have never seen this usability in any other mobiles phones.
• Browsing – Just like I am using a laptop. Ofcourse there are limitations. But I am connected in the best way when I am on the wheels.

A couple of applications which will meet your requirements.

• Fring – It connects all your common messengers.
• Shozu – It connects all your social networking tools. You will love it if you are a blogger.

What else you need in a mobile phone ? So that was my journey to iPhone. You can say it is a show off. Gadgets are meant to show off. Don’y get jelous. Rush to Apple store and buy one. I dont think I can revert back to any other mobile phones as of now.

Show off will go on .. and on .. and on ..
Saif

No related posts.