the ginkgo blog

Free iPhone 4 bumpers to give a quality fix for the iPhone 4 death grip... [UPDATED]

[UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE]

Our good friends at Mobile Fun are very serious about helping their customers and non-customers alike to resolve the so called 'death drip' that has been occurring with the recently launched iPhone 4.  

 
 

Simply put, if you would like a FREE bumper to fix your iPhone 4's reception issues - and we do mean free... Pop along to mobilefun.co.uk and get your name on the list.

Whilst this is obviously great marketing for Mobile Fun - It is an amazing offer and a great gesture and one I am more than happy to spread the word about. Feel free to do the same...

Here's the wording they sent me...

"We've been very aware of people's worries about "death grip" with the iPhone 4 and reading up on various solutions and tips to prevent the problem, especially because quite a few on our team are also suffering from it.

To help people out and set their minds at rest we here at Mobile Fun are offering these free iPhone 4 cases to anyone that's worried about the problem.  They're made from non-conducting silicone type gel which acts as an insulator, preventing your hand from causing signal drop issues. It's an easy and effective fix.

We've got a minimum of a thousand to go out, possibly extending to more if it proves popular." 

The link "free iPhone 4 case" to this blogpost http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/blog/free-iphone-4-case-for-death-grip-sufferers which explains the giveaway

And also the link "iPhone 4 cases" to our category page http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/cat/iPhone-4-Cases.htm

If your concerned about the issue - Go and get yourself one and don't forrget to say a very big thank you to them too!

[UPDATE]

Having 'given away' over 5000 free bumpers to iPhone 4 owners from all over the world, Mobile Fun are now stopping the offer as Apple has followed their lead and is now offering the same to all iPhone 4 owners - a free bumper to fix the 'Death Grip' issue with their antennas. 

Well done Apple for doing this, eventually. But we should also be saying a very big thank you to Mobile Fun for being so generous in their offer - Yes it was great marketing for them, but they didn't have to do it.

So, if you are looking for a place that you know will not only provide you with a large range of iPhone 4, iPod Touch and iPad accessories, but also a place that seems to have an amazing customer service & care ethic. I think Mobile Fun kinda proved that one from the get-go. So why not check em out!

I have already reviewed one of their pre iPad launch iPad cases and no doubt will be providing more reviews on their products in the months to come. So keep an eye out for when they are posted by signing up to our news feed.

iPad Cases & Accessories Reviews UK - iPad Flip Case in Blue from MobileFun.co.uk

OK, this review was supposed to have been published last Monday. Two things stood in the way of that... First was that I forgot Monday was a bank holiday and therefore I would definitely have a to do list from the love of my life. Second, our hot water tank sprung a leak, so all my best laid plans remained just that... Plans.

So I received this iPad case just over a week ago from the chaps at Mobile Fun to see what I thought of it. The short version is I really like it. Good quality, functional and does look nice with your pride and joy slipped inside... For the modest price tag of £14.95 and in a selection of different colours, you really can’t go far one with this as a choice. I’m not so sure it would be to most blokes taste though as it does has a bit of a feminine feel in it’s design and colour choices. There are a few minor niggles, but nothing major. Frankly it’s a bargain and well worth more than it’s price tag suggests.

Longer and more detailed review after you click the jump below...

UK iPad Cases & Accessories reviews - Flip Case (Blue) from the guys at www.mobilefun.co.uk

 
So, iPad Cases...This week I have been sent and asked to review one of the flip cases that the guys at Mobile Fun (who seem to stock just about everything there is in terms of mobile accessories) have in stock ready for the launch of the iPad here in the UK at the end of May... Seems it is now sometime in June.

So, the plan is to use this flip case for the iPad as my defacto protection for our little baby day in and day out for a whole week and then share what our conclusions are on this £14.95 product.  

Here are the specs and the official description for now... Ours will follow a week today - so the 31st of May.

DESCRIPTION

This classic leather style folio is custom designed to protect the iPad. Made from quality materials, the iPad slides inside for all round protection against bumps and scratches - ideal for 'on the go' professionals and students.

The case flips open to reveal the iPad touch screen display, then closes like a book for privacy and protection. The case is held shut with a magnetic button and the inner cover includes pockets for business cards, bank cards and more. The microsuede lining protects your iPad from scratches and smudges.

KEY FEATURES

- Slim, one-piece folio 

- Inner cover includes card pockets 

- Soft microsuede interior 

- Pebble grain leather style exterior 

- Hard wearing and durable 

- Protects iPad screen when closed 

- Fully opens for unrestricted use of iPad 

- Secure magnetic closure 

- Easy access to all controls and connections 

- Shock resistant 

- Scratch resistant 

- Soft inner lining prevents scratches 

- Perfect fit for all models of the Apple iPad 

UK iPad case & Accessory reviews - Saddleback Leather iPad Pouch from Texas in the US.

The iPad is without a doubt a simply stunning bit of kit. Many criticise because it's not a so called fully fledged OS with multitasking and all of the other things that help to make your netbook or notebook slow, frustrating and ultimately battery sapping.

Personally, I think that it is an amazing bit of technology whose journey is only just beginning. Having had a play with the new OS4 for the iphone, I can see many of the points that critics love to hate about the iPad removed from their firing line altogether. Given the improvements that OS4 will be bringing to the platform and the fact that all the iPad specific apps are so new (and no doubt rushed to get them out the door ready for launch based on simulator testing only), we haven't seen anything yet!

So, while we are waiting for the paradigm shift to seriously get under way, we here at Ginkgo Studios thought we would have a look at the emerging cases and accessories that are starting to appear on the market place.

 
 

The first of which is a case I actually purchased to snugly look after my iPad. The Saddleback Leather Companies iPad Gadget Pouch...

It comes in many flavours. Aesthetically and functionally. I opted for the Tobacco Leather pouch. Simple clean and very attractive indeed

It's a nice thick saddle leather pouch (or boot leather to be accurate) to look after your new investment. That's it... And, that's all I wanted. Together with the iPad, it is a beautiful fusion of the traditional and the cutting edge that perfectly complement each other.

There is the option for other shades of leather and for the addition of two pockets on one side of the case to hold your power supply (not a practical solution for the   UK plug format) and your iPhone, MiFi or whatever else you fancy putting in there.

My personal view however, is that on reflection, these pockets do detract from the overall aesthetic of the product. And, given that there are no pocket securing devices, it's not likely to be your primary carrying case, more an attractive cover for it while in your primary carrying case.

In summary, I love it. It's simple, good looking, has a very positive cool factor and does the job it was designed for very well. It doesn't have lots of additional functionality like other cases but, what it does do, it does perfectly. And at a price tag in the mid $50, it's not cheap, but definitely worth the price.

2008 in Pictures - the New York Times put together a quite effective collection of the year that was 2008...

The splash page to the New York Times '2008 - The Year in Pictures"...

   

The New York Times has popped together a quite effective gallery of the year that was 2008 in pictures. In nice and, no-doubt very technical 'full screen' web-based slideshow.

Even though it is very US-centric (hardly surprising for a nationally respected US based newspaper really is it), it is a good little summary of the year covering some of the major themes that helped to define 2008. From the Olympics in Beijing, the devastation caused by the collapse of the banking system (are you allowed to shoot bankers for sport yet?) through to the arts and entertainment that will help to create an image of 2008 in the annals of history.

If photography is your thing. Be it journalistic, commercial, social or amateur - This a definitely worth a browse and a bookmark.

Key galleries:

1. The Election
2. The Nation (US) 
3. Iraq & Afghanistan 
4. Sports 
5. The Economy (you bankers!) 
6. The World
7. The Region 
8. Arts & Entertainment 

Feel free to discuss - Or as is often the case - Don't.... 

We are looking for guest writers for our blog - Interested?

Those of you who know us here at Ginkgo, will know that we are as much about sharing as we are about business when it comes to photography.

  

  

But obviously there is a limit to our knowledge and our areas of speciality. Plus, there are undoubtedly other professionals in our industry out there who are better than us at certain parts of our discipline. We would have to be delusional to think otherwise. Plus there are experienced individuals in complimentary fields who will hold gems of information that our readers (and probably us too) will find invaluable at some point in the amateur or professional careers.

Therefore, we would like to invite you to share your knowledge and experience with our growing reader base, whoever you are and whatever you do. If you feel that you have something of value to share with our readers who are primarily amateur and professional photographers - Get in touch, send us some links of your work or an article - and let’s go from there.

The more useful information we can get out there and link points of interest together, the better it will be for all of us.

Here are some examples of peeps that we would really love to see articles from here on our blog. This is not a definitive list, just a few examples. So whoever you are and whatever you do; if you feel you have something of value to share - don’t hold back - get in touch...

1. Web Designers & SEO’s - We all need to know more about this and in terms we with little brains can understand
2. Copy writers - Copy is the completion of the image in the creative industry. Whether for marketing or advertising or your promotional materials. 
3. Marketing - Viral marketing - What is it, how does it work, should be looking at it? Traditional marketing :  What’s important, what’s not?
4. Finance - No matter how good you are - If you screw this side of your business, you are going to get hurt - What are the best and most important things to take care of? And how?
5. Editors - What do you want form a photographer? How do you want to receive it? How should we be approaching you? How shouldn’t we be approaching you?
6. Models - How to get the best out of a session? - Your relationships with your subjects and how they will impact your results - Do’s and don’ts

And the list could go on and on and on...

What’s in it for you? Simple... Exposure. And, the right kind of exposure, to the right kind of peeps. And of course, the sense of self satisfaction that you have probably helped others in some way and at pretty much any time in the future. Oh the power of Google.

OK, you get the idea. So enough said. If you’re interested, drop us a line. If you’re not, then sign up to the News Feed or eMail subscription and see what develops.

CameraBag - A whole bunch of cameras in your iPhone for those snaps on the go - This is a really nice little app to have with you...

I came across an application the other day that was recommended to one my contacts on Facebook. It’s called ‘CameraBag’ and is from ‘NeverCentre Ltd’. And can be found in iTunes App store. And I have to say, I simply love it...

So what is it? Well, the name is a little bit of a clue - It’s a bag of cameras.

In a nutshell, it will render your photographs taken on the iPhone into one of currently 10 distinctive styles seen from cameras over the last 40 years. It’s exceptionally quick, you can take images from within the application, and the results are pretty much, smack on.

Ever since I downloaded this application, all of my iPhone snaps have either been taken in it - or immediately opened in it and converted, while the feel of the moment was still fresh -  before saved, e-mailed or uploading.

Interested? - Read on after the jump...

Canon 50mm lenses - what are they each like and which one should you choose? Or, not choose?

 

Canon have three very capable 50mm lenses over quite a large price range. The very latest addition to this range is the 50mm f1.2L which if I am honest, is one of the most beautiful lenses I have ever used. But at around £930/$1,400 - You’d kind of hope it would be...

There are of course 3rd party 50mm lenses you can look at - which, whilst I will list them, I won’t comment on them, as I haven’t used them personally. I have generally stuck with Canon lenses throughout my career for our Canon bodies, as they have never let me down and I have always been very impressed with what you get for your money.

However, it now appears that Zeiss are getting in on the act for supplying lenses for both Canon and Nikon - So keep watching this space - As I may have to get my hands on a 50mm f1.4 Planar with EOS fit and have a damn good play with it, as I suspect it will be very, very nice if the experience with our Hasselblad lenses are anything to go by.

So - Back to the Canon range...

Click to read on after the jump...

Squeeze the LIME is up, live and starting to post... 'Huh - what you talkin'bout?'

I got strong-armed into signing up with Facebook recently - and to actually use it too. No idea why, but it keeps them happy and more importantly, quiet, so I go along with it.

Whilst looking around trying to figure out what hell all this 'stuff' was that people were doing on there - and why?! I found a group called LIME. Didn't seem to give much away, but I thought I'd join to see what it was going to turn out to be. Along with the other 460 users.

And today they very kindly send me a message letting me know that they had gone live. So I felt it would be rude not to actually find out what I had been waiting for and headed over to their site.

Read on, there's more...

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Air Sharing iPhone application - It's a seriously good bit of kit!

I found the Air Sharing application for the iPhone about a month ago - which was rather lucky as it was free then. And I have to say that it has been one of the most useful applications I have used on the iPhone to date.

Given that it is currently on sale for the holiday season - I'd highly recommend taking a look at it.

So what is it? How is it any good for a photographer? Read more after the jump - Go on, click the link, you know you want to...