Problems with the iPhone 4 in Greece

When 3 week ago I got the iPhone 4 from the UK, I was excited and eager to test all the new features. Here are some of the problems I encountered since:

No Micro-Sim in Greece

My first initiative was to inquire with all mobile phone providers about a micro-sim; as you know, with the iPhone 4, Apple introduced the Micro-Sim, which in theory contains the same information chip as the standard Sim Card, however the dimensions of the chip itself is reduced to about 15 mm x 12 mm. It’s the same size as used in the iPad, however the iPad chip does not work due to different content and  configuration.

No provider can provide a Micro-Sim in Greece. Consequently I chopped up a regular Sim to stuff it into the Phone … and the experiment failed. 3 Days later I was in possession of an O2 Micro-Sim my friend Zo Nicholas had sent me from the UK and the device could finally be activated.

Roaming Cost in Greece

In spite the new European legislation trimming roaming cost across Europe I could not see any progress. After a few hours of testing features and links I was 20 Pounds down. What’s actually killing the interest is international data transfer. The next 20 Pounds held for roughly 24 hours whereas I was careful switching off data roaming after each targeted use.

A better experience resulted of course by using local WiFi and Hot spots.

Roaming Services in Greece

Most of the time I have been using Cosmote or Vodafone as local service providers. How surprised was I that it takes up to 24 hours for a sent email to reach the addressee! I don’t actually know if this is inherent to low quality services here in Greece or  if there is another cause, fact is, at this level mobile email is useless. Just for the record, I tested the email function in parallel from my desktop where it took just a few seconds to reach destination.

Connectivity – Antenna

While here in Vouliagmeni there is no connection problem as we are well exposed, my experience became a nightmare on Syros Island, the main island of the Cyclades. In the main town the reception was fine while just a few kilometers outside, the iPhone proved to be useless.

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iPhone 4 in Greece ... Searching ...

There I was sitting in the taverna at the beach, sipping an ouzo and proud of the first iPhone 4 in Greece (not verified statement :-)), and the device was just sitting there like a dead duck while all other customers were chatting away on their smart- and other phones. This had nothing to do with the way it was held or handled. We put multiple phones on the table without touching them, the iPhone 4 had no antenna while other Nokia, Samsung or unbranded junk phones were sitting at 3 bars.

Sure the iPhone was the star and from a popularity and communication point of view as good as solid six-packs at the beach – but you look like an idiot when then the hottest device on earth exhales it’s spirit when you need it most.

Apple discriminates Greece

The known antenna problem with the iPhone 4 triggered Apple to update the software and to launch the Free iPhone 4 Case Program. My experience shows that it is not just a matter of how the phone is held or whether it sticks in a case or not: the Apple iPhone 4 Antenna has an engineering problem and any car constructor would have to recall it’s concerned production.

Second: while the free case program is provided through an App, that Application cannot be accessed through the Greek App Store! May be it’s just because the iPhone 4 is not yet available for sale in Greece? In any case: the iPhone is a device for mobile people and the features allow to communicate from anywhere with anyone: why should apple not change it’s attitude to global and provide the same degree of service to all customers, irrespective where they live?

In the case of the case program it’s just a matter of a link and at least 1 case to be shipped to Greece – I am waiting for it :-).

By the way: I went to Apple support online to draw their attention to the iPhone 4 problems existing in Greece. No reaction so far, which is understandable considering the masses of complaints they get from their main markets.

A Positive Note

The iPhone 4 is a great step ahead in many respects and while not an Apple fan, I must admit: I love this device. It shoots nice clips and pictures, lets you organize your contacts, has a brilliant display screen, allows for multitasking, it can mow your lawn, you water-ski on it or you surf the wave at the beach, it gives you a shave in the morning, it pays your bills at the taverna, it plays a Serenade under the balcony of your sweatheart, it fixes your computer and repairs your car, it can even take you to the Moon and the stars …

… but it’s useless as a Phone, at least when you are island hopping in Greece.

PS: I comment on iPhone 4 Photography and Media on http://iphone4photos.net.

Author: Yorgo Nestoridis, Media Marketing & Publishing, Founder of YORGOO Publishing, YORGOO Press and Semiomantics. If you enjoyed reading the above, please consider following future tips and strategies by RSS reader, Email delivery, or Kindle subscription.

Syros by iPhone 4 Photos

Author: Yorgo Nestoridis, Media Marketing & Publishing, Founder of YORGOO Publishing, YORGOO Press and Semiomantics. If you enjoyed reading the above, please consider following future tips and strategies by RSS reader, Email delivery, or Kindle subscription.

Bistro Sixteen82 Photo

One more Image of the Bistro Sixteen82 based on the work of Biance Gubalke from Noordhoek: that Bistro Sixteen82 has the trendy look according to international standards. The remarkable Chandelier, a piece of Art, dominates the sceene:

bistro_sixteen82b

Bistro Sixteen82 Steenberg

Author: Yorgo Nestoridis, Media Marketing & Publishing, Founder of YORGOO Publishing, YORGOO Press and Semiomantics. If you enjoyed reading the above, please consider following future tips and strategies by RSS reader, Email delivery, or Kindle subscription.

Bistro Sixteen82 Image

Bistro Sixteen82 Photo by Biance Gubalke

Great Image by Biance Gubalke of the Bistro Sixteen82 in Steenberg near Noordhoek.

bistro_sixteen82

Author: Yorgo Nestoridis, Media Marketing & Publishing, Founder of YORGOO Publishing, YORGOO Press and Semiomantics. If you enjoyed reading the above, please consider following future tips and strategies by RSS reader, Email delivery, or Kindle subscription.

Edipsos Ferry Images

Last week-end’s trip to Evia lead us to Akritsa where we took the Ferry to Edipsos. Here are some images:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY6YSzk3rms

Author: Yorgo Nestoridis, Media Marketing & Publishing, Founder of YORGOO Publishing, YORGOO Press and Semiomantics. If you enjoyed reading the above, please consider following future tips and strategies by RSS reader, Email delivery, or Kindle subscription.

iPhone 4 Photos

This is a first test post from the iPhone to WordPress sending in a pic taken at Balux Glyfada with the iPhone 4.

Author: Yorgo Nestoridis, Media Marketing & Publishing, Founder of YORGOO Publishing, YORGOO Press and Semiomantics. If you enjoyed reading the above, please consider following future tips and strategies by RSS reader, Email delivery, or Kindle subscription.

Digital Media Design Ycademy Online Seminar

Digital Media Design Basics deals with all the different types of media we have been focusing on at Ycademy: Text, Typography, Images, Video, Sound as well as 3D elements. We will keep it basic this month in order to gain more confidence using different types of media and melting them together to a single output, a short clip of 2-3 minutes.

Get all info pertaining to the seminar from Bianca Gubalke at bianca(at)ycademy.com.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOaKxpnqcZY

Author: Yorgo Nestoridis, Media Marketing & Publishing, Founder of YORGOO Publishing, YORGOO Press and Semiomantics. If you enjoyed reading the above, please consider following future tips and strategies by RSS reader, Email delivery, or Kindle subscription.

Balux Cafe the House Project

Yesterday’s temperatures gave us a good reason to spend the afternoon at the beach. We headed for the Balux Cafe, an amazing set up at the beach of Glyfada, just 5 km away from Vouliagmeni.

The House Project provides a unique beach experience: the building is set up like a family home, with living areas, library, dining, gaming, relaxation and more. A place for the whole family. On top of it: when the sun sets, part of the beach is converted into the most romantic dining place focusing on Sushi.

To resume, a nice day out at a great place with friendly and efficient staff and uncountable possibilities to relax and enjoy life. By the way: the Club Sandwich was worth every cent!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYalm7itYco

Author: Yorgo Nestoridis, Media Marketing & Publishing, Founder of YORGOO Publishing, YORGOO Press and Semiomantics. If you enjoyed reading the above, please consider following future tips and strategies by RSS reader, Email delivery, or Kindle subscription.

Greek Fishing Boat near Agios

One of my preferred subjects to take pictures of are boats, particularly these small fishing boats which are so typical for Greece. I like this picture for its “busy peacefulness”.  Note the name of the boat: Georgios L spelled in Greek and pronounced “Yorgos Lamda” :-).

greekfishingboat

Greek Fishing Boat near Agios

Author: Yorgo Nestoridis, Media Marketing & Publishing, Founder of YORGOO Publishing, YORGOO Press and Semiomantics. If you enjoyed reading the above, please consider following future tips and strategies by RSS reader, Email delivery, or Kindle subscription.

New Butterfly Images on YouTube

Some of my earlier Butterflies made it to YouTube. From the clip you can see under which conditions the pictures have been taken: it was quite windy and the subject was moving in an unpredictable way. Still it’s a nice lot of Butterfly Images.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbVWtNXCNz4

The EXIF data are roughly the same for all butterfly images:

butterflysettings

EXIF Butterfly

As you can see, the pics have been taken with a credit card size point and shoot cam (the c-lux 3 is the smallest Leica available and it has the merit to fit into any pocket). The shots were difficult due to the wind conditions. Towards the end of the YouTube clip I inserted a few seconds of footage shot with the same cam to demonstrate how the subject was moving in an unpredictable way.

The quality of the images are surprising namely when you look at the HD version in full screen mode on YouTube. The wing span of the Butterfly is about 5 cm (2 inches) and yet, the large sizes are still pretty impressive.

No corrections have been applied, just some cropping for reasons of loading time.

Enjoy.

Author: Yorgo Nestoridis, Media Marketing & Publishing, Founder of YORGOO Publishing, YORGOO Press and Semiomantics. If you enjoyed reading the above, please consider following future tips and strategies by RSS reader, Email delivery, or Kindle subscription.