iPhone and rich multimedia experience

18 March 2010

Corinne Webb

For the savvy multimedia user, the iPhone is the most user-friendly and indispensable platform for work, online experiences, and mobile entertainment. Below is a list of the latest and upcoming features aimed to offer a more seamless and powerful multimedia and game experience for iPhone users:

1. We7's premium music streaming: the new music streaming service for iPhone provides unlimited instant music streaming in a stable environment. Priced at £4.99 per month, the service is available on an ad-free basis. For those who would like to have music on the go, however, you will need to pay the £9.99 subscription which allows offline playback of songs.

2. Netflix: this service, expected to launch shortly, allows iPhone users to watch movies and television shows instantly in a WiFi-connected environment. The cutting-edge technology enables movies to load in less than 30 seconds.

3. Camera as input interface: the new concept by Apple enables the iPhone user to take charge of voice calls and voicemail with a simple swipe of his/her finger over the camera lens. The technology will yield a better experience when wielding the gadget single-handedly, giving a more seamless interface for web browsing, contact list usage, and playing songs from the iTunes music library. The function will also allow the user to better control and manage voicemail options such as rewind, fast forward, or pause the message when he/she is listening to the playback.

4. Pioneer: Pioneer has announced two new 5.1 audio-video receivers for iPhone. With the Bluetooth audio streamed right from an iPhone, and an added iPhone control button, it serves to enhance the music experience, without even the interruption of incoming calls. The receivers come with an optional adapter.

5. Adobe Connect Pro: the enterprise web conferencing application has arrived, which will allow users to participate in Connect Pro meetings, training sessions, and web seminars in a WiFi or 3G environment. Users can listen to or watch live presentations such as real-time webcam videos and screen-sharing demonstrations. A live chat function is also supported. According to Adobe, the app was created in Flash Professional CS5 beta and uses Adobe's Packager converter to work on the iPhone.

6. Scribd: the new "send-to-device" feature that enables users to forward documents to their iPhones to read more on the go. According to Scribd, there are around 10 million documents published on the site to date, including content from publishers like Simon & Schuster, Lonely Planet, O'Reilly, and the Chicago Tribune. The feature is activated by a phone number and a text message that gives the URL of a web-accessible PDF file to the phone.

7. Final Fantasy: for computer game lovers, the recent launch of the first and second versions of Final Fantasy offers addictive entertainment on the go. Maneuvered using the touchpad and coming in for £5.49 a piece, it will be a good and reliable game to play on the train or during coffee breaks. The newer versions are expected to arrive soon.

8. Streetfighter game: the prospective Super Street Fighter IV will even come in with several character-branded iPhone cases, including Rya, Blanka, E Honda, and Sagat. Users will make use of the virtual D-pad control interface to combat.

For just £7.99 a month, you can protect your apps-stocked mobile with a comprehensive iPhone insurance policy against unforeseen mechanical breakdowns, accidental damage, or theft anywhere you go. The cover also includes unexpected replacement in case of the above. This will ensure that you can enjoy your iPhone experience. Policy Terms and Conditions apply.

Any prices stated are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.