Despite the fanboy ravings about hardware and interfaces, the thing that really makes the iPod useful is the integrated chain from hardware to media purchase via iTunes store. This is not rocket science, but you’d think so from the number of people who fail to grasp this fact.

It would seem that Google are going to be attempting the same for mobile apps, accounting to TechRadar.

Of course there are plenty of websites offering mobile apps, but none of them have a stamp of authority or much brand trust. Nor, in many cases, do they have very interesting apps.

While an Android store will have plenty of authority, can they get a good catalogue? Sadly their competition winners are not that inspiring, so you have to wonder. You also have to question how the network operator partners are going to react to such a store. Apple have imposed their iTunes value chain on the operator pipes, but Android is supposed to be open cuddly and, well, lockable by their partners with the bit pipes.

An interesting space to watch!

People are getting excited because there’s pacman running on an Android demo box. Gosh. So a 30 year old game is the best we can do? Compass mode is a cool toy, where the streetview changes direction when you move the device, but what practical use is it? Looks like something you show to your friends and say, wow look at this, and then never visit it again. The rest of the UI looks like an iPhone without the odd restrictions.

Where is the real innovation?

Normally it’s US-based companies proclaiming the end of text in favour of some implausible way of passing messages for the semiliterate, but this time it’s BT, or at least its quoted as saying so on webuser.co.uk. The not particularly original thinking behind this assertion is that IM is going to become the platform for interaction along with e-mail. I think this is missing the point: SMS is instant messaging for a vast number of people. Even more so when presented as a thread as on the iPhone. I think we’re going to see a lot of very innovative ways of using SMS before it finally dies out.

Remote Live in operation picture on Flickr.

I recently happily acquired a replacement DSLR for the one that was stolen last year. I waited this long to get the new Canon 450D. Despite being classified as an entry-level DSLR, it has most of the functions of the “enthusiast” models (the double-digit models) and even the professional, single-digit models. All except the weight and the higher ISO settings.

So part of the big deal of the 450D is Live Mode, which more or less makes it work like a compact camera - you can see the captor output on the screen at the back, rather than through the lens. Now this has its uses, especially when fixed on a tripod or stand. A professional photographer showed me how he used it on his 1Ds III, which was holding the camera over his head to create group and crowd shots using the live mode for fixing the view.

However the 450D comes with remote live mode via the USB cable. Wow. Amazing - not only can you see through the captor live, it also lets you set every option, including focus, and take pictures which you can upload immediately. Stunningly good for anything vibration sensitive, like astronomy or wildlife via long telephotos, and for convenience in product shots, for example in preparation for ebay.

And it all works, perfectly. I’m so pleased to be able to report on something that does. More on the importance of this kind of tool shortly.

One of my favourite features of Amateur Photographer, Chasseur d’Image and Réponses Photo magazines is the section where the editorial staff critique readers’ photos. But clearly only a tiny number of pictures ever receive this treatment. This is where something like Flickr comes into its own. With a quick dig I uncovered dozens and dozens of “rate my” and “score my” type groups. I signed up to two of them and submitted pictures. I found the feedback very interesting and helpful.

It’s interesting, and slightly sad, that these groups rely on good behaviour but require constant monitoring to prevent the selfish from spoiling them. Will we all evolve better manners for working in these groups? Can we develop a sensitive to other people’s needs when they are not physically present?

Much nonsense is talked about both on-line communities and globalisation. However one thing that never fails to amaze me is how something like photography bridges continents. I posted a picture on Flickr and 28s (yes, only twenty eight seconds) later, someone from Brasil posted a comment on it. Awesome.

I’ve had the Nokia N95 8Gb for a few weeks now, so can properly assess how well it works, and the answer is very well indeed. Of course it still has the over-hierarchical menu system, but it really works tremendously well.

However it’s worth noting that as it arrived from Vodafone it had their “theme” installed which looked like it had been designed by a bunch of untalented three years olds with blunt crayons. The icons were just awful - bad enough for me to consider returning the phone until I found that the Nokia themes were still there.

So what have I noticed in real use?

- The battery lasts several days, even with quite intense use.

- The new, larger screen is great.

- The build quality seems better - it feels more solid, and I think putting the slider flush with the side contributes a lot to that feeling.

- The new camera software is better, but that’s on the version 20 firmware for the N95 V1.

- It’s slightly faster.

- The Wifi works very reliably.

- Integration with Flickr is much smoother - no secret handshakes, just plain log in and snap, it’s setup via some downloaded configuration file. Very slick. Coupled with Vodafone’s new “unlimited” use package this is a great recipe for uploading pics as you go.

- It comes with the complete Spiderman 3 movie on the device. Yup. On board. And it plays very well, although I must admit to having lost interest before the end of the titles. I’d put that down to boring titles, not the package. I’ve not found out how big the file is or how to remove it yet.

- The GPS still takes forever to get a fix, but the maps application comes with all the bells and whistles for free.

So well done guys, more like this please.

One of the big arguments surrounding mobile operators is whether they will simply become dump pipes. The points of view are pretty simple. The mobile operators say that they will be major media companies and control everything on one side, and everyone else says get out the way and do what you’re good at - delivering bits with remarkable reliability.

And here’s an example of why the operators are doomed.

My shiny, wonderful N95 8Gb has something called Vodafone Messenger on it. This appears to be a client for MSN Live Messenger. Having found it, I thought I’d give it a try.

It all starts with the usual S60 “Which of these ten obscure networking choices do you want to fail with?” question, to which I started with the usual Contract Internet. Typing in some details, and boom. No connection. Tried again with my office WiFi. No connection. Tried again with Contract WAP.

It connected. I am now asked, on a page headed Credit Notification, “Please select one of the following asset options:”.

A what option? Did nobody from marketing or with a microgram of marketing sense check these messages?

However it doesn’t really matter as there is precisely one option. It is still presented on a radio button, with causes the long text label to scroll. Apparently I will have one month free and then have to pay £3/month there after. Are they kidding? £3/month just to get on messenger occasionally? Why isn’t it bundled with my data plan?

And just to cap it all, the Back button on that page does nothing!

How many more obstacles can they put in the way of service adoption? Are they going to ask for a blood sample next?

Try Indy Search to use Microsoft Live Search with Indiana Jones branding. Search and win! or so it says, as well as providing a list of film-related search links.

Well, after all that repair work on my N95, updating the firmware, recovering the content of the backup that wouldn’t load, blatting it back onto the machine via Outlook, and just as I was beginning to enjoy the sharpening up of the new firmware, the screen died.

The backlight burns bright, but there’s no data showing. Sigh. You can plug the phone into a TV and use it fine, but that rather reduces your mobilility.

So I’ve now a shiny new black Nokia N95 8GB. It’s very nice, and all the work I put into generalising my contacts so that I can just sync them paid off as I was fully-populated within a few minutes of opening the box. More on this cool device later.