What better weekend news to read than iPhone app news? Honestly, is there anything that phone can't do? Just minutes ago I've finished writing about Steve D.'s Trism game for the Apple device and now
I've stumbled upon news on this app called iChinese. As its name implies, its helps you learn your characters.

They say you can take a Chinese course and still forget the ideograms. Huh...! Well, if that's the case, iChinese is just what you need. It is designed as a native iPhone application, according to Matthias Huber. He told tuaw.com that iChinese helps train iPhone users writing and reading of Chinese characters. The app actually features lessons that are based on well-known training courses, such as "Practical Chinese Reader."

If you need something to compare the app's system to, check out Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day! released for Nintendo's DS. It pretty much uses the same concept, only without the stylus.

A jailbroken iPhone is required for the installation procedure (no need to remind anyone that Softpedia doesn't condone hacking/jailbreaking your Apple devices) in order to be able to run 3rd party apps on it. However, those who've downloaded Nullriver's Installer and installed it on their iPhone simply need to add a new source repository and install iChinese from the "Learning" category.

Using iChinese is as simple as saying "ni hao"! You go to "Library" and download (at least) one training lesson in order to be able to start doing writing exercises.

If you're dying to get this thing up and running on your phone you have two options, one of which Softpedia reckons is safer than the other, and that is waiting for the iPhone SDK to arrive. Apple's upcoming software development kit will aid developers in creating nifty apps such as iChinese, iAno, iHalo Stats or casual games like Trism, which ultimately will have you installing them on your Apple phone without having to jailbreak it prior to installation.

Samsung F700
Samsung F700 Vs Apple iPhone

When it was launched, it was termed the iPhone Killer, and after a small comparison with the iPhone - the end results were as follows. The Samsung’s F700 had more megapixels, a little bit more format support, an actual keyboard, and 3G connectivity, the iPhone has it beat on screen size/resolution, HTML Email, storage, widgets, google maps, and push.

But some may argue that it is much better, especially those who are used to the older Samsung phone models. What you will not find on the older models that makes the F700 so special is the large full control touch screen. Whilst the Samsung G600 or G800 will need a navigation key or a joystick to scroll through your phone’s menu, the F700 will only require a light tap on the screen. email. Plus, of course, the whole built-in iPod thing.

Design and Usablity

Another unique and exciting feature of the F700 is the full-sized QWERTY keyboard that slides out on the side for easier text and email composition. There is also an on-screen QWERTY keyboard, but as the touch screen phone is a new technology, Samsung thought first-timers would like to be eased in to it and provided an alternative. Like all QWERTY keyboards, you should type in text messages and emails with both hands on the Samsung F700. This should be easy to master, as it is exactly like typing on your computer keyboard, and faster than texting on a regular mobile keypad. Fortunately, it doesn’t look plastic, as the finish is ultra sleek and polished, so much so that the phone may even seem slippery.

Performance

F700 excels with crystal clear audio and consistently good reception. Likewise the battery performance is good, lasting over two days with fairly heavy usage. This will vary depending on the use of 3G and HSDPA, but you shouldn’t find yourself cursing the fact you’ve left your charger at home too often. there’s also a 3-megapixel camera with autofocus- but, here’s also no flash, but the LED photo light does improve low-light shots.

What’s Cool

1. 3G HSDPA support
2. Slide-out Qwerty keyboard
3. Large touchscreen display

What Sucks

1. Fiddly user interface
2. No Wi-Fi
3. Limited music player