Tech Talk

The Dallas FOX-affiliate roasted journalists’ use of social media. It is worth watching:

A venture capitalist hopes to equip 1,000 livery cars in New York City with WiFi by early fall, the Wall Street Journal reports — and then blanket the city with roaming hotspots.

The plan calls for free, advertising-supported wireless Internet access for passengers and anyone within about 400 feet of the vehicles, the newspaper reports.

While the plan would directly benefit the passengers in the WiFi-enabled vehicles, anyone around the vehicles would also benefit as long as the car is idling — which happens a lot in the city. And if technology expands and allows WiFi to work like cell phones, the plan could make WiFi available throughout large parts of the city.

The vehicles, the Journal reports, will also have nearly a dozen plugs to charge gadgets like iPads, iPhones and BlackBerrys.

Now perhaps the livery cabs will be worth their steep prices.

Apple released more unfortunate news on Friday.

The highly anticipated white iPhone 4 has been delayed — again.

In a statement, Apple stated:

White models of Apple’s new iPhone 4 have continued to be more challenging to manufacture than we originally expected, and as a result they will not be available until later this year. The availability of the more popular iPhone 4 black models is not affected.

ZDNet reports that some have speculated the delay may be a result of engineers revisiting the poor antenna. However, the technology news site reports that the speculation seems unlikely — and likely has more to do with supply issues.

But don’t be down, we posted several iPhone 4-related videos to cheer you up. Check them out here. And check out more iPhone coverage here.

Although the iPhone 4 may not be as good as its predecessors — and may drop more calls than phones a half decade older, at least it offers the opportunity for a good laugh. Tech Talk strongly supports laughter, and so rather than offering a lengthy narrative, today, we offer some videos originally collected by Tech Crunch at Apple’s expense:

Warning: Some of the videos may offend some folks, so viewer discretion is advised.

To read more about the iPhone 4, check out previous Tech Talk posts here. To check out more iPhone 4-related videos, please click here.

UPDATE: Apple may need a good laugh more than ever. News was just released that it’s white iPhone 4 would be delayed — yet again. Tech Talk has the scoop. Check it out here.

Apple’s chief executive officer tried to extinguish the fire raging around its newest device.

Although Steve Jobs acknowledged that the company’s iPhone 4 has some antenna problems, he contended the issues afflict all smart phones.

“This has been blown so out of proportion that it is incredible,” the New York Times quoted Jobs as saying.

In an attempt to put the issue behind the company, Apple promised free bumpers, or cases that wrap around the edge of the phone but does not cover the phone’s screen or back, to all iPhone 4 buyers who want one.  Anyone who had already purchased a case would be eligible a full $29 refund, the Times reported.

Customers still unhappy will receive a full refund upon return of the device.

The CEO acknowledged that the iPhone 4 dropped more calls than the iPhone 3GS, but contended that the wrap-around case would solve the problem.

Tech Talk commends the technology giant for trying to make peace with its customers — and is confident that the worst press is behind Apple, a company that is not used to such wide-spread criticism.

In terms of call quality and reliability, however, Tech Talk still recommends the iPhone 3GS or the HTC Incredible over the iPhone 4.

However a mistake was made, sort of acknowledged and the company is trying to make right with its customers.

The entire entire episode should serve as a powerful warning to Apple and other manufacters that it is important to think of the consumer first. Apple, a company that prides itself in telling the world what gadgets they did not know they could not live without, incorrectly assumed its customers would know how to hold its newest phone — and arrogantly decided not to offer any guidance. It backfired — and the customer ought not to be blamed for this failure.

Let’s hope it doesn’t happen again.

Is the $199 price tag the only thing stopping you from upgrading to the iPhone 4?

If so, Radio Shack may have solved your problem.

The iPhone 3GS could reportedly be traded in to the gadget retailer for a $200 credit toward the new iPhone, according to reports on the Web and compiled by MacRumors.com.

This means if you still have last year’s model and are eligible for an AT&T phone upgrade this year, you could essentially get the new iPhone at no cost.

The retailer appears to confirm the reports on its Twitter account.

And, according to Radio Shack’s Twitter account, the iPhone trade-in prices are good from June 24 through July 25.

Please click here to check out Tech Talk’s iPhone archives.

Trudi Shaffer sent this tip to Tech Talk. Do you have a tip? Please tweet it our way.

The new iPhone 4, as seen in this Apple photo.

If you’ve been holding your breath in anticipation of ordering the new iPhone 4, prepare to exhale.

The latest must-have shiny gadget is now available for pre-order — that is if you are willing to settle for black. If you want a white iPhone 4, you will have to wait a little while longer. Like the iPad, the limit is two per customer.

The 16 GB phone starts at $199 and will be delivered on June 24. The 32 GB phone starts at $299 and will be delivered on June 24. A two-year AT&T wireless contract is required.

The Apple store has been down for a while Tuesday, but appears to be functional again — albeit a little slower than usual.

In-store pickup will be available beginning on Thursday, June 24.

Please click here to check out Tech Talk’s iPhone archives.

The new iPhone 4, as seen in this Apple photo.

Despite having some idea of what the next generation of the iPhone would have, Apple still managed to impress audiences — despite a rare glitch.

Among the most awe-inspiring features:

• Stronger, scratch-resistant glass
• The highest resolution screen display available
• A stainless steel band that is five times stronger than standard steel
• A powerful, yet energy-efficient processor
• Built-in three-axis gyroscope
• Five-megapixel camera with built-in LED flash
• Two microphones
• Multi-touch capabilities

But you don’t have to take Tech Talk’s word for it.

Check out Apple’s full description and video.