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iPhone 4 Droppin’ Less Calls, Pickin’ Up More Dates

The iPhone 4 survey pool is quite small: ChangeWave Research only managed to round up 213 willing participants, but they found iPhone 3GS owners managed to drop 6.3% of all calls, while only 5.2% calls were dropped on the iPhone 4. The survey also noted that 73% of those surveyed were either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied at Apple’s response to the iPhone 4 criticism. 64% stated the iPhone’s antenna hasn’t been an issue in daily use. Though a similar survey conducted in August 2009 revealed that 89% of owners were more satisfied with their handset when compared to iPhone 4’s satisfaction rate, which is surprising considering the advancements via the Retina Display and iOS 4.

The end result: of this small test group, the iPhone 4 dropped less calls, which is guaranteed to salvage relationships (or make breaking up old ones easier) thanks to the better antenna.

[via AppleInsider]

iPad One Step Closer for Sale in China

Selling product in China must be like pulling teeth. Chinese regulators have given Apple’s miraculous tablet an a-okay via the China Compulsory Certification, which is a huge hurdle to surpass for companies who’d like to sell product there. Apple’s iPad will still have to pass the scrutiny of the Telecommunications Equipment and Certification Center, but if successful, Apple’s top tier device will likely deliver the same impact as it has in the rest of the world. Analysis International analyst Fang Li notes, “The Chinese market and the overseas markets are the same. People get excited about these new devices.” While Apple hasn’t publicly announced sales in China, it’s an important market as manufacturers begin to challenge the iPad with their own takes on tablet computing.

[Network World via 9 to 5 Mac]

BBC Testing iPad Internally

I think of Steve Ballmer every time these articles come out. Oh, the iPad can’t do any work! People struggle to take notes on the virtual keyboard! These aren’t direct quotes of course, but the big man in Redmond has to realize that the iPad is more than a tool for consumption. Another big player, BBC, is internally testing the iPad and its value to journalists, producers, and related support positions.

BBC CIO John Linwood provides an example, “If a support engineer gets called into a studio, it would be handy to have a device where you could look up circuit diagrams or software help files.” The idea is to see a reduction in the use of desktop machines. Linwood also notes the benefits and cost effectiveness of a paper free office:

“On the west coast of the US, paperless meeting are the norm. If you brought paper to a meeting, they’d look at you strangely. If you actually handed paper out, they’d get upset.”

The iPad isn’t the only device Linwood is interested in, but sure it makes for a good benchmark as industries decide on whether tablets are functional enough to do real work. Though I think you already know the answer to that one.

[ITP via 9 to 5 Mac]

Spring Cleaning: What Apple’s Address Book Was Missing

My Address Book is a mess. I know I should spend more time organizing it, importing Vcards and fixing the holes myself (missing emails, website info) but somehow I never find the time to do it. What’s even worse, though, is that there are dozens of contacts I never use on my iPhone but I don’t want to delete. Why? Because Apple’s mobile Address Book is broken: you can’t delete multiple contacts at once and it takes 5 steps to delete a single one. Five.

I must thank the guys over at Elegant Hippo for shipping Spring Cleaning, which finally brings proper contact organization to the iPhone.

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The Google Search History Link Makes Life Awesome

As if Google didn’t need to know any more information about me based on my search queries and the links I click, I pretty give them free reign when it comes to recording the sites I visit. Yes, I’m an pretty avid Google history fan, and their latest enhancement to the Google Mobile page gives me quick access to the things I’ve looked at on the desktop from an iPhone. With a Google history link now available to those logged into their Google accounts, you’ll be able to get a quick reminder of the sites you visited and starred items with a nifty list view.

You’ll have to visit Google’s Mobile Blog for more information, but keep an eye out for the new feature if you’re always connected to the Googleplex.

Elements: Dropbox Based Text Editor for iPad and iPhone

Ever since I bought my iPad I’ve wanted to be able to actually work with it. To write articles with it. First came Evernote, but I ditched for Simplenote. I was an avid Simplenote user on the iPhone, and when the iPad version came out I immediately made the switch. Simplenote is a very popular app, and it’s no surprise to see it used by many professionals out there. It’s simple, reliable and fast.

Then there’s Dropbox, the cloud-based storage solution everyone loves and would like to see implemented by default on Mac OS X. Dropbox allows you store and edit files no matter what device you’re on, so what’s stopping developers from creating note-taking applications based on it? That’s exactly what Second Gear are doing with their new iPad and iPhone app, Elements.

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We Need More Details on This Wireless Music Station

When I saw The Wireless Streaming Music Centre on Gizmodo, I thought it was okay. But they point out something that I cannot find proof of anywhere: apparently this Bluelarix Designworks seats your iPhone or iPod in such a way that it appears to be floating. Consider my curiosity piqued. So I squinted my eyes and noted that the contraption they’re looking at isn’t an iPhone or an iPod, but the included touch remote (which appears to attach magnetically). So does this thing dock a floating iPhone or not? I mean, that’s a big deal.

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More Details on Foxconn’s Latest Zhengzhou Factory

We’ve talked about the new iPhone plant before, but a few more details wouldn’t hurt right? Soon to begin production in one year, Foxconn’s latest factory will churn out 200,000 iPhones a day, producing an estimating $13 Billion in export. The factory will employ 200,000 employees; 500 employees are currently employed at a temporary facility. Some speculate that as the factory begins construction on Aug. 20th, Foxconn will be using their temporary facility to test equipment and refine the manufacturing process for possibly new iPhone models (a la Verizon) to arrive in the future.

[Xinhuanet (English) via TUAW]