At first, it simply refused to close down the ‘phone application’. So I could make calls, but I could not return to the home screen. Pressing the home button had no result. Trying out my options, I simultaneously pressed the sleep/wake button at the same time as the home button. Normally this would cause a screenshot to be taken. And it did (see below).

screenshot of a white-screen-of-death'ed iPhone 3G

Only – the screen stayed white. 

The phone rang. I instinctively “swiped-to-answer” across the white screen. The phone was working fine – except for the screen that is. I finally made it home, and plugged it into iTunes. Sync was fine. Still a white screen.

Finally I tried a “hard reset” (sleep/wake + home button pressed for 10 seconds). Fine. Power on. Apple logo. And then .. “slide for emergency”.

After plugging into iTunes, the iPhone finally showed the message “iPhone is activated”. Everything was back to normal.

I wonder what that was all about. Please don’t do that again. I need my phone.

Photo by zαxεr on Flickr

Yesterday I dropped by the humac (the biggest independent Apple reseller in Denmark) flagship store hoping to leave with a Time Capsule unit. After all – the Time Capsule is the #1 selling item on the Apple Store (in DK anyway) – so I kind off assumed that humac would stock them.

The response from the sales clerk was dissapointing: “No units in stock – but I could write you up for one. And we’ll give you a call once we have one for you.” I quickly remembered that I did the same thing in April. I actually have a piece of paper from humac, confirming that I have reserved a Time Capsule and that they would contact me. I have heard nothing from humac. No calls. No e-mail. Nothing.

“No thanks – I really don’t have time for that” I quickly responded and left the store.

In the afternoon, I went onto apple.com and ordered a Time Capsule (and some other stuff). The delivery estimate was Dec. 1 – Dec. 5. Around evening I received a shipment confirmation. The delivery estimate was now Nov. 25 – Nov. 28.

Just before lunch today I received a SMS telling me that my 2 parcels from Apple in Netherlands had arrived.

My conclusions:

• Physical shops will only survive if they have the goods in stock (or can get it faster that others can provide it).
• It is probably not fun being an icelandic owned company at the moment.
• I hope that the norwegian newcomer to the danish market, Eplehuset, have already learned that lesson. Maybe I’ll drop by their new shop, when they open and see.
• Apple knows how to pick logistics partners.

Anyway – I have now learned not to bother with physical shops with regards to Apple kit.

• iPhone 2.1 to 2.2 (I need streetview in Copenhagen)
• AppleTV 2.2 to 2.3
• Xbox old to Xbox new experience (Netflix not in DK)

Oh – and finally – this was posted from a new MacBook. Yay.

Gadget geeks all over the world are participating in a frantic wildest-guesses competition, but so far it looks like a 13″ Aluminum MacBook of some sort is part of the announcement. And also reduced prices thruout the range. Whee.

Good news every one! It seems that Apple is getting ready for a refresh of the MacBook line. I realise that getting a “just-after-lauch” version of a Cupertino product, may shatter my experience of reliability and stability – but I’m getting desperate.

Maybe a 13″ MacBook Pro will soothe my aches. (Crosses fingers)

Apple TV

Plus side:

• Hot (as in form-factor)
• Really nice Front Row GUI
• Most convenient way to show those vacation photos to your friends
• Go to the States and get ~50% off (compared to DK Apple stores)

Negative:

• Hot (as in temperature)
• Availability of TV Shows, Movies, Music Videos, etc. in Denmark
• Tweak-ability limited

Verdict: In gadget terms, it’s old – but I still like it.

Update: It’s update time. Any maybe it’s worth checking out Boxee