
News
4 Steps to Turn Your Old iPhone Dock into a New 3G Dock
I was rather upset when I opened (actually AT&T representatives) my iPhone 3G and there was not a dock included. I figured, ok, my old iPhone dock will work… Not so much.
If you look closely, it is even more upsetting that the iPhone 3G is just shy of fitting in the dock which made me think about manipulating the old dock in a way that the iPhone 3G could fit.
Stephen Beals of iPhoneFreak read my thoughts.
He lists four steps that could turn that old dock of yours into a nice iPhone 3G-welcoming dock using three simple tools no more that $5.00 tops:
-Clear packing tape Sharp tool or a pocket knife
-A small flathead screwdriver
-100 Grit Aluminum Oxide sandpaper “(found in the Paint isle of any home improvement store for about $2.50)”
I’m a little reluctant to try it seeing as how I don’t have much faith in myself to make it look as good as his. I may end up creating something that I brought home to mother when I… more...
Mobile Safari Much Faster in iPhone 2.0
Despite random crashes and being pretty buggy, the iPhone 2.0 software does have something going for it (besides all the other cool features).
Safari, if you haven’t noticed, is a lot speedier when compared to the iPhone 1.1.4 software. When downloaded on my old iPhone, I could definitely see the improvement.
However, I have an untrained eye when it comes to detailed analysis of subtle software improvements, so you don’t have to take my word for it. An extensive test was done by John Gruber detailing his results.
“In side-by-side page loading tests between two original iPhones running 1.1.4 and 2.0.0, the new version consistently finished at least a few seconds faster.”
Perhaps not the most noticeable trait of the iPhone 2.0 software, but definitely a nice change.
iPhone 3G Finder Tool
Most of you may know that it is hard to find a iPhone 3G, especially if you are in the 23/38 states that sell iPhone at Apple retails stores.
I already have my iPhone 3G, but I still like to check and see what the availability of it is. Of course, Apple has their own tool to see if it is available in your area, however, I stumbled over a new tool that is just a tad cooler, revealing availability on a google map instead.
If you head over here and search, you may be able to find yourself an iPhone 3G. It may be a little tough to find a black 16GB because apparently those are the most popular, but good things come to those who wait.
Apple Sells 1 Million iPhones and 10 Million Downloaded Apps in First Weekend
Apple announced they sold 1 million iPhones over the opening weekend. This is a staggering number when you think about.
“iPhone 3G had a stunning opening weekend,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “It took 74 days to sell the first one million original iPhones, so the new iPhone 3G is clearly off to a great start around the world.”
This number is especially staggering considering how little changed between last year’s iPhone and this year’s 3G model. Besides the 3G capability, GPS functionality, and a slightly larger Hard drive, it was hardly a significant upgrade. Of course, you may be hearing a slight sarcasm in that line. This is because for some people, that may seem insignificant. But for those who have owned the first generation iPhone for over a year, you would know that all of these additions are game-changing.
Apple also announced that 10 million applications were downloaded over the last weekend. This number seems almost disappointing to me. There is no question, that most everyone who purchased a new iPhone tried to download at least 1 application from the new iTunes App Store. But throw in the millions of first gen… more...
Uh Oh… it is the “iPocalypse”
Does anyone have their phone activated yet? I don’t and neither do any of my friends. When activation took too long in store, I was instructed to return home and activate my phone. Now I face the same problem with activation at home. Apple and AT&T were not ready for this kind of traffic on launch day. Now I am left with 2 iPhones, none of which have service.
This does not look good. Apparently people at home can’t even upgrade to firmware 2.0 and the problem is afflicting iTunes on an international scale.
So How Did This Happen:
The source of the iTunes crash/slowdown seems not be those buying iPhone 3Gs from Apple/AT&T stores at all but the millions of people updating to the new firmware at home. Firmware 2.0 isn’t like other firmwares in that it needs to update the phone and reauthenticate the service. And in turn, when the servers are slammed and the phone reaches for reauthentication, the server isn’t always there to reactivate the service. This is how some of those newly bricked iPhones are occurring, and a source tells us that even first… more...
Line Forming in NYC
Do you think it is too early to start forming a line in anticipation of the iPhone 3G?
I would think so, but the hundreds lined up at the flagship store in New York City beg to differ.
Although it’s not the first release and ample supply is expected, a queue has reportedly begun outside of Apple’s Fifth Avenue retail store to buy iPhone 3G a full week before its release. Perhaps because of the scary words, “first come first serve.” That definitely sparked an interest in myself to be the first in line come Friday, however, a week ahead of time is shocking.
Of course, it is said to take a considerable amount of time (compared to last year) since the iPhone 3G must be activated in store. The earlier, the better in this case to spend the rest of the day playing with your newly purchased iPhone.
AT&T Customers: 4 Steps to Become Instantly Eligible for iPhone 3G
Current AT&T customers who don’t have a first generation iPhone, or who aren’t eligible for an upgrade, will have to pay an extra $200 to purchase an iPhone 3G. Sad, but true.
However, if you follow these simple instructions (instead of waiting until upgrade time rolls around, or impatiently throwing down an extra $200 for an unsubsidized iPhone) then you will be able to get yourself an iPhone 3G also.
All you need is a little help from a friend who already has an iPhone.
1. Grab a friend who already has a first generation iPhone.
2. Remove the SIM card from your friend’s iPhone and replace it with the one from your own phone.
3. Plug the iPhone into a Mac or PC running a recent copy of iTunes. (iTunes will recognize that the iPhone is loaded with a different SIM and begin the activation process.)
Note: You’ll literally need to sign up for an iPhone plan at this point, sign a new two-year contract… etc
4. When you’re done, you can return your friend’s SIM… more...
Be “Weary” of Fake iPhones Out There
I had a roommate that purchased an “iPod” from Ebay one day and the iPod mimicked the look and feel of an iPod, but with closer inspection, realized it was far from the truth. That is what a forum member at Macrumors has found out on his recently purchased iPhone.
As it turns out, the iPhone was purchased in China. After some photos of the phone were posted, it was clear that the phone is a very convincing knock-off of the actual iPhone.
The packaging appears authentic, and at first glance the phone itself looks pretty similar. The proportions are slightly off, but the icons are identical except for the presence of a Penguin icon which launches a Chinese game.
Some people are just so sneaky, and for those who have not owned an iPhone, or even an iPod in my roommates case, then they will never know the difference.
Some of the pictures even reveal a USB connector instead of the normal dock connector.
It is not too surprising that there are fakes out there, but it… more...
ACU Giving Away iPhones and iPods to Incoming Freshman
Abilene Christian University announced that starting with the incoming 2008 Freshman class all student will receive an iPhone o iPod touch.
Not so much giving them away (because nothing is free) but the cost of these units will be built into each student’s tuition in hopes of bringing new technology and resources on the go for these students.
They have prepared over 15 web applications making it easy for students to locate professors’ offices, answer in-class surveys and quizzes and even check their meal ticket balance.
I wish when I was going to school they had this program. I think it is a wonderful device to give to students, not only because they are awesome, but because they can also make wonderful educational tools if used correctly.
“We are not merely providing cutting-edge technology tools to our incoming students,” said Roberts. “We are also providing the web applications that ensure these tools will become critical to the students’ learning experience. Because 93 percent of ACU students bring their own computers with them to college, we are choosing to take them to… more...
iPhone Thief Was After More
An NBC affiliate reported on a both shocking and upsetting story over the weekend. Police are looking for a teenager who attacked a passenger on a COTA bus in Ohio on Wednesday, May 21, at Karl Rd and state Route 161.
Unfortunately, they have yet to find the attacker, however, fortunately, the person was able to keep his iPhone.
The signature white earphones are easy to spot out and I see it everywhere. I use to play a game with myself trying to spot out who had an iPhone and who had an iPod. Now that everyone has one, it is no fun.
The attacker on May 21st, however, was not playing a game. The victim was sitting near the front of the bus, listening to his iPhone with his headphones on, when he was attacked by a teenager trying to take his iPhone.
He was after his iPhone, yet the attacker kept persuing the victim long after the iPhone slid out of his pocket and onto the floor. So was this a hate crime? That term has suddenly been thrown into the situation because he says that the assailant… more...





