Problems

Apple’s user base was shocked when Steve Jobs so nonchalantly proclaimed the Internet would be the iPhone’s only means of using any 3rd party Software when in reality it was comparing a toddler’s bike to a Corvette. But when the community spoke up and had their wishes fulfilled, all that was left to do was wait until February but now we might need to wait some more.

The upside if you can call it that, Apple will be giving developers a simulator to make Application creation that much easier. While it’s practically a requirement, it could be used as a valid reason to delay the SDK if rumors coming Erica Sadun’s way are true.

Nothing has been confirmed but Apple’s word has been February for the SDK release and they’ve often waited until the very end to ship out what they announced. It wouldn’t be surprising if there was a slight delay, they’ve already pushed back the AppleTV update probably to focus more on the iPhone’s SDK.

Via: Ars Technica: Infinite Loop

As of now, there are 1072 signatures petitioning 802.1 compatability in the iPhone. But why?

The iPhone has a list of features that many users want but one that is not as common is the lack of 802.1x support.

802.1x is utilized to secure wireless networks and restrict access. Since the iPhone does not have the capability to act as an 802.1x supplicant, it cannot join networks that make use of the protocol.

College students are the most significantly affected by this missing feature, unable to make use of their school’s WiFi networks.

The school at which I attended works perfectly, but there at least 1072 users who unfortunately are not so lucky.

Apple currently has supported 802.1x in other versions of Mac OS X since Mac OS X 10.3. (Panther). When we’ll we see this support? Only time will tell…

Before you begin Jailbreaking, you’ll have to take some important steps. Chances are you’ll have to downgrade and even upgrade, below is a helpful list for determining what to do.

Firmware 1.0.0 to 1.0.2

-Sorry guys, you’ll need 1.1.1 for this.

Firmware 1.1.1

-Must be Jailbroken using TIFF exploit (http://www.jailbreakme.com)
-OktoPrep must be installed through Installer.
-Proceed to upgrade to 1.1.2 ONLY.

Firmware 1.1.2

-Must be Jailbroken used Conceited Software’s method (http://conceitedsoftware.com/iphone/site/112jb.html)
-There are various methods of Jailbreaking available, check out our post

Firmware 1.1.3

-Must downgrade to 1.1.1 to perform Jailbreak for 1.1.2
-Baseband will not be downgraded, reverting to an earlier Firmware will disable all phone features
-Only way to enable phone features is to do a total restore of 1.1.3

Software

Firmware 1.1.1 is available here for download
Firmware 1.1.2 is available here for download

1.1.3 Jailbreak files are available via this mirror.

Nate True has recently released a semi working Jailbreak for iPhone running 1.1.3 but we are issuing a word of caution for those thinking of running this: don’t.

There are a lot of issues most of which can cause a lot of problems. iPhone Atlas reports most of them below.

The Google Maps “Locate Me” function will not work as well after applying this jailbreak. That’s because this method doesn’t upgrade the iPhone’s cell phone radio, meaning only Wi-Fi data will be used to estimate your current position.

iTunes Store previews don’t work with this method.

A variety of issues can cause you to have to restore your iPhone — over and over in some cases — in order to get this jailbreak to take.

Your iPhone may take a while (up to 4 minutes) to boot after applying the jailbreak.

The jailbreak currently doesn’t work on PowerPC-based Macs.

Developer Jonathan Zdziarski reports of another serious problem with the Jailbreaking method.

“It looks like Nate’s update causes Nikita to break (Nikita is the component on… more...

After wasting away a whole day trying to Jailbreak my iPhone running 1.1.3, there are some very important thing I’ve found that should be passed on to those looking to do the same thing.

What To Do If you Mess Up

You’ll probably run into iTunes spurting out errors with seemingly random numbers or your iPhone refusing to boot up staying stuck on the “oh crap, you need to fix me now!” screen. All of this is reversible but once you start, you can’t go back and if you fail, you’ll have to keep trying. The biggest issue is mucking around with the Base Band which is upgraded alongside 1.1.3 to accommodate SkyHook’s Locate Me feature.

Downgrading your Firmware does not downgrade the Base Band.

This is very important to keep in mind when you revert back to 1.1.1 or even 1.1.2 to prepare for Jailbreaking 1.1.3. In some cases I was able to get my calling capabilities back running 1.1.2 but until you upgrade back to 1.1.3, you’ll be going through a lot of pain just to get it working. Alternatively you… more...

Although 1.1.3 brings better support for IMAP in Gmail, Google is warning users that issues may arise after updating.

The problem results from updates to Mail in 1.1.3 in which a POP Gmail account will be converted to IMAP. Because of this, any messages read or modified on the iPhone will be reflected in other clients accessing the same account alongside the web interface. The only fix is to delete the account and recreate it.

Via: MacNN

After their recent and bold statement at CES about considering a filter placed on their Internet services, AT&T is imposing a 5GB cap for data on mobile devices.

The cap although low is not meant to trap customers into paying outrageous fees or into void their contract but to warn customers that they’re overloading AT&T’s servers and that by paying more of an even more unlimited plan might be in order.

However, the cost of data plans should drop down to $30 which is the same charge for the BlackBerry Personal plan. Also, text messaging will be broken from data bundles allowing even more savings. These changes should supposedly happen in a few weeks.

Via: Electronista

As I was riding my bike the other day I noticed a flaw in the design of my pants, a lightly padded pocket. I thought nothing of it but my iPhone ended up on the receiving end. I learned the hard way that sweat and iPhones do not mix.

It happens, we sweat but usually it’s absorbed by our clothes or doesn’t make contact. We toss in our iPods and iPhones without a second thought and set if to play some music. I did same thing but at the end of my ride, I noticed the entire screen drenched with sweat. I didn’t panic right away but my previous experiences with spray on shields, I had a feeling my iPhone might have lost its touch.

It didn’t but it required a lot (and I mean a lot) of wiping. Not gentle strokes but long strokes with pressure that is absorbant. You’ll want to repeat this several times and you should be set. Me, I will be investing in some alternate means of transporting my iPhone.

A problem that has plagued some iPhone users is a freeze during data syncing which can crash iTunes. Luckily there are some possible fixes which comes our way from iPhone Atlas.

So far there are three possible fixes which range from simply breaking iTunes’ connection to the Internet to deselecting certain sync options which narrows down the possible suspects of a slow sync.

In addition, a Mac only tip is to launch Activity Monitor located in the utilities folder and quit the process called “MDCrashReportToo”.

Another hangup and one I often encounter is a slow USB connection. Apple has clearly stated that USB 2.0 is the only choice to sync data to and fro between a computer and an iPhone but for some of us on older systems it all comes down to Firewire 400 or USB 1.1. Since Apple cut out Firewire support to save a buck, syncing through USB 1.1 is very slow often times hanging up when transferring large files. The only recourse is too either purchase a USB 2.0 expansion card (PCI or PCMIA depending on what expansion slots your system has)… more...

The iPhone may grow on you and come with you everywhere but keep in mind some places might be too harsh for your handset.

David Morgenstern of the Apple Core takes a closer look at the biggest threat to an iPhone’s lifespan: heat. It’s well known that hot temperatures don’t play nice with electronics which raises concern as mobile devices pack components stripped from systems not meant for mobility. But environmental temperatures also pose a hazard.

The operating temperature for an iPhone, iPod or MacBook is 95°F (35°) and if kept in this environment for prolonged periods of times, permanent damage to the battery could occur hampering its use.

A report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that a car can be just as bad if not worse for electronics

Cars parked in direct sunlight can reach internal temperatures up to 131° F - 172° F (55° C – 78° C) when outside temperatures are 80° F – 100° F (27° C – 38° C).”27 Even outside temperatures in the 60s can cause a car temperature to rise well above 110° F. When the outside temperature is 83° F, even with… more...