11/12/2009
NASA App for iPhone
Good news space nerds. NASA just released an app for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The application is available free of charge in the iTunes App Store.
Here's a quote from the official press released posted on the U.S. Air Force's website:
"Making NASA more accessible to the public is a high priority for the agency," said Gale Allen, director of Strategic Integration and Management for NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate in Washington. "Tools like this allow us to provide users easy access to NASA information and progress at a fast pace."
The NASA App also allows users to track the current positions of the International Space Station and other spacecraft currently orbiting Earth in three views: a map with borders and labels, visible satellite imagery, or satellite overlaid with country borders and labels.
For more information about NASA's iPhone application, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/iphone or you can download the app from the iTunes Store here.
methodshop
10/01/2009
Make Music on Your iPhone with GrooveMaker [review]
Feel like using some slamming loops to create a nasty, floor shaking electronic/hip hop track for your next party or record? To get your groove on, just take out your iPhone, go to the App Store and get busy with GrooveMaker.Review: Making Music on Your iPhone with GrooveMaker
methodshop
9/03/2009
AT&T Rolling Out MMS for iPhone Users on September 25th
It's been a long time coming, but today AT&T announced that MMS will finally be available to American iPhone users starting September 25. MMS messaging was probably the most hyped feature of the new iPhone OS 3.0 when it was released this past June.
AT&T confirmed the September 25th release date today in an e-mail to Wired.com.
AT&T had originally promised that MMS would be ready by "late summer." Technically, September 21st is the last day of summer, so a September 25th release means a broken promise.“We know many of our iPhone customers are eager for an update on our rollout schedule for Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS),” an AT&T spokesman said. “We’ve been working for the past several months to prepare our systems and network to ensure the best possible experience with MMS when it launches – and today we can announce that launch date: September 25 for iPhone 3G and 3GS customers. MMS will be enabled through a software update on that day.”
Several class-action lawsuits have already been filed against Apple and AT&T. Both companies aggressively promoted the not-yet-available MMS features of iPhone OS 3.0 and the iPhone 3GS using advertising on TV, radio, newspapers, direct mailers, and on the Internet. Failing to deliver on their MMS promise is a violation of the Unfair Trade Practices Act in several US states.
AT&T also told Wired that tethering is next. Tethering would allow iPhone owners to connect their computers to the Internet through their phones. But currently AT&T's mobile network doesn't have the bandwidth to support this increased traffic. AT&T still hasn't specified a release date or time line for tethering. AT&T just says that tethering will be offered "in the future."
We won't hold our breath for that one.
methodshop
7/20/2009
Sandy iPhone [pic]
Tired of making sand castles on the beach? Maybe your iPhone is the inspiration you've been looking for. Nice shot uurf.
methodshop
6/15/2009
iPhone Helps Apple Triple Total Number of Mac Users in Only 2 Years
Before announcing the new iPhone 3.0 S at WWDC last Monday, Apple's SVP of Marketing, Phil Schiller, presented some big news about the increasing number of Mac users."We’ve TRIPLED the number of users," he said to big applause. "It's astounding."
In the 5 years after Apple launched Mac OS X, the number of Mac users has grown steadily to 25 million. But between 2007 and 2009, the number of Mac users tripled and now surpasses 75 million.
According to statistics compiled by Net Applications, Mac OS X is the second most popular general-purpose operating system in use, after Microsoft Windows, with a 9.6% market share. It is also the most successful UNIX-based operating system ever released.
So what happened in 2007 that could have caused the spike in new Mac users? If you guessed the iPhone, then give yourself a pat on the back. Apple first announced the iPhone in January 2007.
methodshop
6/11/2009
iPhone 3GS Feature Roundup
In case you were hiding under a rock all week, Apple announced a new iPhone Monday at WWDC. It's called the iPhone 3GS and according to Phil Schiller, Apple CIO, the "S" stands for speed.
"It’s the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet. What’s inside is entirely new. It's a REALLY fast iPhone. Everything you do will have incredible speedups."Besides being fast, what else does both the new iPhone 3Gs and its 3.0 operating system have to offer? Let's take a look:
iPhone 3.0 OS:
- MMS - Unfortunately MMS won’t be available on AT&T right away. Americans will have to wait til late Summer. The rest of the world gets it right away. Why is MMS so hard for AT&T to figure out?
- Cut, Copy and Paste - Really? WTF. Why did "copy and paste" have to wait until version 3.0?
- In App Purchases, allowing developers sell content and services from within their apps
- Peer to Peer Connectivity, particularly useful for multi-player game apps
- Email Push Notification
- A new Map Kit framework integrating Google Mobile Maps
- iPod Library Access allowing users tap into their music, podcast or audio book libraries from third party apps
- The ability to search your iPhone
- Read and compose email and text messages in landscape orientation
- Find My iPhone - Did you lose your iPhone? Did you leave it at a restaurant, a friend's house, or maybe in a taxi? The Find My iPhone service will show you exactly where your iPhone is on a map. You can even make your phone emit a sound (even in Silent mode) to help you find it. You can also display a message on its screen like "$50 reward" or even remotly wipe the phone's data if you think it’s lost for good.
- Direct TV and Movie Downloads
- Turn-by-Navigation - GPS manufacturers like Tom Tom are producing navigation software for the iPhone. They are also planning on selling dashboard mounting kits with the app. Very smart.
iPhone 3GS:
- Video Camera - 3MP camera with 30 FPS video recording and editing capabilities. Upload by Email or to YouTube or MobileMe from the device.
- Voice commands - You can now use your voice to place calls or play songs. For example, "Call methodshop.com" or "Play a song by David Hasselhoff."
- Built-in Digital Compass
- Colors - Black or White
- $199 (16GB version) and $299 (32GB version) from 19th June.
Apple also reduced the cost of the original 8GB iPhone 3G to only $99.
methodshop
6/03/2009
iPhone 3.0 to Get Direct Video Downloads
According to Apple Insider, the new Apple iPhone 3.0 operating system will include the ability to directly download movies and TV shows from the iTunes Store. Users would be able to skip the step of downloading and syncing an iPhone or iPod Touch with their Mac or PC.Apple already supports the direct downloading of video podcasts and music from their mobile version of the iTunes Store, but has held off directly selling movies and TV shows while mobile carriers expanded their 3G network capacity. The update will make Apple one of the top companies selling paid content to mobile users.
The iPhone 3.0 software update is due to arrive later this summer. In addition to direct downloads, the update will introduce over 100 new features, including the ability to:
- Send photos, contacts, audio files, and location via MMS
- In App Purchases, allowing developers sell content and services from within their apps
- Peer to Peer Connectivity, particularly useful for multi-player game apps
- Cut, copy, and paste
- Email Push Notification
- A new Map Kit framework integrating Google Mobile Maps
- iPod Library Access allowing users tap into their music, podcast or audio book libraries from third party apps
- The ability to search your iPhone
- Read and compose email and text messages in landscape orientation
methodshop
4/20/2009
iPod or iPhone Reset
Is your iPod or iPhone frozen? This can happen for a number of reasons and does not necessarily indicate a serious problem. Sometimes they just need a reset much like the way your computer needs a restart once in a while.Restarting an iPod or iPhone is a simple procedure that will not erase any of your music, data files, or customized preferences.
Tutorial: How to Reset a Frozen iPhone or iPod
Sometimes the iPhone just gets confused. For example, the iPhone may be powered on but it won't respond to any button, switch, or touchscreen input. Try pressing and holding the Home button on the front of the iPhone for 6 seconds until the active program closes.
If this technique does not resolve the issue or the iPhone is in a different state such as showing a persistent Apple logo on the display, then you should reset the iPhone.
methodshop
3/19/2009
BlackBerry iPhone Theme
Are you stuck with a BlackBerry at work but really want an iPhone? There's no magic trick to physically convert your BlackBerry into an iPhone, but you can install the free "bPhone for BlackBerry" theme and make your BlackBerry feel like an iPhone.
The theme will reskin your Blackberry icons with iPhone icons and even replaces the hourglass with the OS X spinning beach ball.
You can install the bPhone theme here if you are reading this on your phone right now or check out the author's website here.Here's a step-by-step bPhone install tutorial:
- open this link on your phone
- Select your BlackBerry phone model (ie. the curve is the 8300).
- Select the "Icon" theme
- Enter in your BlackBerry email address
- A download link will be emailed to your phone
- Download the bPhone theme on your phone
- Go to Prefs on your phone
- Select the bPhone theme
- Enable the bPhone theme
But before you install the theme, please make sure your BlackBerry meets the following requirements:
- 8700 series: BlackBerry OS 4.2.1 or later. WARNING: You MUST have OS 4.2.1 or later or you may render your BlackBerry 8700 unusable! Go to Options > About to check your OS version.
- Pearl (all versions): BlackBerry OS 4.2.1 or later
- Curve (all versions) and 8830: BlackBerry OS 4.2.2 or later
- 8800: BlackBerry OS 4.2.1 or later
methodshop
2/12/2009
Restart a Frozen iPhone or iPod
Is your iPod or iPhone frozen? This can happen for a number of reasons and does not necessarily indicate a serious problem. Sometimes they just need a restart much like the way your computer needs a reset once in a while.Restarting an iPod or iPhone is a simple procedure that will not erase any of your music, data files, or customized preferences.
Tutorial: How to Restart a Frozen iPod or iPhone
Sometimes the iPhone just gets confused. For example, the iPhone may be powered on but it won't respond to any button, switch, or touchscreen input. Try pressing and holding the Home button on the front of the iPhone for 6 seconds until the active program closes.
If this technique does not resolve the issue or the iPhone is in a different state such as showing a persistent Apple logo on the display, then you should reset the iPhone.
methodshop
1/22/2009
Duck Hunt for iPhone
If you grew up during the 1980's, then perhaps you might remember playing an 8-bit shooter called Duck Hunt. Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985, Duck Hunt was one of the first games to use the "NES Zapper" or light gun.Finding a working NES, light gun and original Duck Hunt cartridge 25 years later can be a little tricky and require some time searching around on eBay. But if you're looking for a quick Duck Hunt fix, you can play an online version of Duck Hunt here, or buy an iPhone version from the iTunes Store.
The iPhone version of Duck Hunt isn't exactly legit, so buy it while you can. It's clearly a quick port of the original game. Because the iPhone version of Duck Hunt was done without Nintendo's blessing, it's missing some of the core elements that made the NES version such a classic. For example, 1) the iPhone version is missing the dog that picks up the ducks or laughs at you when you miss, 2) the Zapper gun and 3) sound.
A lawyer from Nintendo will probably pull the game from the iTunes App Store before the end of the month. And don't expect Nintendo to make an iPhone version of Duck Hunt anytime soon. Remember, Nintendo has their own portable gaming system, the Nintendo DS.
So if you really want to play Duck Hunt on your iPhone, buy it soon. The unofficial version of Duck Hunt sells for $0.99 in the iTunes App Store.
methodshop
1/14/2009
iSteam Earns 22-Year Olds $100k in 1 Month
Move over iFart, iSteam is now the hottest thing in the iTunes App Store.iSteam turns your iPhone or iPod Touch into a foggy glass surface and allows you to wipe it clean with your fingertips. Exactly like a mirror after a hot shower.
The concept behind iSteam may sound simple, but it has already earned the 22-year old kids who created it $100,000 in only one month. Since being released on December 30, iSteam has sold over 1 million copies and overtaken iBeer, iFart, Ocarina, Whoopie Cushion and Pull My Finger to become #1 "entertainment" application in the App Store.
iSteam sells for $0.99 in the iTunes App Store [link].
methodshop
11/19/2008
iPhone Update Expected Nov. 21
According to Greek blog post on iPhone Hellas (translated), another software update for the iPhone is expected on Nov. 21. iPhone 2.2 will supposedly...
Let’s hope iPhone 2.2 also gets Google's new Compass View feature that debuted with Android. Compass View automatically senses your orientation and will rotate the Google Street View panorama to match the direction you are facing.
methodshop
- add Google Street View and Google Maps transit directions
- offer the ability to download podcasts directly to the iPhone
- prompt users to rate their favorite apps to help users prioritize applications
Let’s hope iPhone 2.2 also gets Google's new Compass View feature that debuted with Android. Compass View automatically senses your orientation and will rotate the Google Street View panorama to match the direction you are facing.
methodshop
11/17/2008
Play Your iPhone like a Flute with the Smule Ocarina [video]
Do songs like "Bungle In the Jungle," "Stairway to Heaven" and the Zelda theme song have 5 stars ratings on your iPhone? Then perhaps you should check out an iPhone App called the Smule Ocarina.An innovative company called Smule has written an iPhone App that utilizes both the iPhone's touch screen and microphone and created the first true iPhone wind instrument - The Smule Ocarina.
An ocarina is an ancient flute-like wind instrument, and one of the easiest instruments to learn. To use the Smule Ocarina, just blow into your iPhone's microphone and control the pitch with different fingerings on the touch screen.
VIDEO: Smule Ocarina version of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven"
The Smule Ocarina's advanced options allow you to choose between diatonic, minor and harmonic scales. There's also another option called Zeldarian mode which will make your iPhone sound like it was used to compose The Legend of Zelda theme song.
VIDEO: The Smule Ocarina's Zeldarian mode
methodshop
10/22/2008
How to Rip DVDs For Your iPod, iPhone and Apple TV
Do you have a ton of DVD's? Want to watch them on your iPod, iPhone or Apple TV? Here's a tutorial that explains how to use an awesome DVD ripping program called Handbrake.Handbrake will rip any standard video DVD into an iTunes compatible MPEG-4 video file.
Tutorial: How to Rip DVDs into MPEG4
methodshop
10/07/2008
Amtrak iPhone App
When someone says "trains," you probably think of non-modern things like the Wild West, Jesse James and drunken boxcar hobos, not the iPhone right? Well, not if Amtrak can help it.
According to an Amtrak press release, the company now has an "iPhone App." After unsuccessfully searching for the Amtrak App in the iTunes App Store, we quickly realized that the Amtrak App isn't an "App," like an iTunes App Store "App," but a "Web App" (aka an iPhone compatible web page). The Amtrak press release probably should have said they made an "iPhone optimized mobile site" and not an "App" for the iTunes App Store, but you have to at least give Amtrak credit for trying.
The Amtrak iPhone "Web App" enables mobile customers to buy, change and manage ticket reservations, check train statuses, review schedules and sign up to receive email alerts to find out when their train is delayed (which with Amtrak is quite often).
Amtrak iPhone Site: http://www.amtrak.mobi/
With the soaring price of gas and plane tickets, you might find yourself taking the rails sooner than later.
methodshop
According to an Amtrak press release, the company now has an "iPhone App." After unsuccessfully searching for the Amtrak App in the iTunes App Store, we quickly realized that the Amtrak App isn't an "App," like an iTunes App Store "App," but a "Web App" (aka an iPhone compatible web page). The Amtrak press release probably should have said they made an "iPhone optimized mobile site" and not an "App" for the iTunes App Store, but you have to at least give Amtrak credit for trying.
The Amtrak iPhone "Web App" enables mobile customers to buy, change and manage ticket reservations, check train statuses, review schedules and sign up to receive email alerts to find out when their train is delayed (which with Amtrak is quite often).
Amtrak iPhone Site: http://www.amtrak.mobi/
With the soaring price of gas and plane tickets, you might find yourself taking the rails sooner than later.
methodshop
9/24/2008
Line Rider for iPhone
Line Rider, the popular drawing game, is now available for the iPhone and iPod Touch for $2.99 in the iTunes App Store.The game allows you to draw a landscape with a simple pencil tool, creating ramps, hills and jumps. Then you test out your landscape by sending a boy on a sled down the hill, until he wipes out.
The web version of Line Rider has attracted million of players and created a cult following since its debut in September 2006.
According to game developer inXile, the iPhone/iPod Touch version of Line Rider also includes a "movie" mode for players to record tracks, and an upload feature so you can share tracks online.
"In just the first day Line Rider is in the top 10 of paid applications on iTunes," said Brian Fargo, chief executive officer of inXile. "Our strong and vocal audience has been asking for an iPhone/iPod Touch version of Line Rider ever since the touch interface was introduced... Line Rider is a natural fit for the iPhone as mobile users will be able to share their tracks and ride the lines almost anywhere now."
iTunes App Store: Line Rider ($2.99)
methodshop
9/22/2008
iPhone 3G Power Adapter Recall
Did you recently buy an iPhone 3G? Do you have an ultracompact Apple USB power adapter like the one pictured on the right? If so, stop using it immediately.
According to an Apple press release issued last Friday, there's a design flaw with the metal prongs that can cause them to break off and get stuck in the electrical outlet. Users may receive a shock when trying to remove the metal pieces, but so far no injuries have been reported.
It's estimated that Apple sold more than 4 million 3G iPhones since it was introduced in July. The defective power supplies were supplied to the following regions: United States, Mexico, Canada, Japan, and Latin America.
If you do own an ultracompact Apple USB power, there are 2 ways you can exchange it for a new, redesigned adapter.
Product recalls are not unusual in the computer industry, but Apple usually manages to avoid them. The last Apple recall was in August 2006, when Apple had to recall 1.8 million Sony laptop batteries because they had a tendency to overheat and catch on fire.
methodshop
According to an Apple press release issued last Friday, there's a design flaw with the metal prongs that can cause them to break off and get stuck in the electrical outlet. Users may receive a shock when trying to remove the metal pieces, but so far no injuries have been reported.It's estimated that Apple sold more than 4 million 3G iPhones since it was introduced in July. The defective power supplies were supplied to the following regions: United States, Mexico, Canada, Japan, and Latin America.
If you do own an ultracompact Apple USB power, there are 2 ways you can exchange it for a new, redesigned adapter.
- Order a replacement adapter via Apple's website. These replacement adapters will ship within 3 weeks, starting on Friday, October 10.
- Exchange your adapter at an Apple Retail Store starting on October 10.
Product recalls are not unusual in the computer industry, but Apple usually manages to avoid them. The last Apple recall was in August 2006, when Apple had to recall 1.8 million Sony laptop batteries because they had a tendency to overheat and catch on fire.
methodshop
9/17/2008
iPhone 2.1 Update
If you own an iPhone, don't forget to update your software to 2.1. To update, just sync your iPhone with iTunes. You will also need an Internet connection (duh).
The new 2.1 software will decrease dropped calls and call errors, reduce iTunes backup time and increase battery life.
To begin, just plug your iPhone into your computer and click on this link to launch iTunes.
methodshop
The new 2.1 software will decrease dropped calls and call errors, reduce iTunes backup time and increase battery life.
To begin, just plug your iPhone into your computer and click on this link to launch iTunes.
methodshop
8/29/2008
Solar Powered Bonsai Tree Can Charge Your iPod and Mobile Phone
Recharge your cellphone, iPod, iPhone and camera with this USB solar powered bonsai tree by French designer Vivien Muller.
Thanks to 54 tiny photovoltaic panels, the iBonsai (we just made that name up) will store energy in a hidden battery during the day, allowing you to recharge your gadgets even at night.
Hate wire clutter? Who doesn't. The bonsai charging tree cleverly hides all wires and plugs under the tray.
Need to slim down the tree's girth so you can fit it on your desk? No problem. You can rotate each part individually and produce an endless number of different shapes. It's like metal adult LEGOS.
The iBonsai Tree is decorative, good for the environment and sexy. It's also just still a concept, so sorry. You can't buy this yet. Hopefully Vivien will sell his concept and get the tree mass produced soon.
methodshop
Thanks to 54 tiny photovoltaic panels, the iBonsai (we just made that name up) will store energy in a hidden battery during the day, allowing you to recharge your gadgets even at night.
Hate wire clutter? Who doesn't. The bonsai charging tree cleverly hides all wires and plugs under the tray.
Need to slim down the tree's girth so you can fit it on your desk? No problem. You can rotate each part individually and produce an endless number of different shapes. It's like metal adult LEGOS.
The iBonsai Tree is decorative, good for the environment and sexy. It's also just still a concept, so sorry. You can't buy this yet. Hopefully Vivien will sell his concept and get the tree mass produced soon.
methodshop
8/26/2008
Yahoo Introduces New iPhone Optimized Search Tools
Earlier this week, Yahoo introduced a useful mobile search site optimized for the iPhone. The new mobile site comes with some goodies, too: SearchAssist, to auto-complete inquiries; compatibility with Yahoo's SearchMonkey widgetized results (if you're logged in), and search shortcuts like weather, movie times, and local information.
You can check out the site here: http://search.yahoo.com/i
methodshop
You can check out the site here: http://search.yahoo.com/i
methodshop
8/25/2008
Kevin Rose says New iPods Coming Soon
Is Digg.com founder and Diggnation star Kevin Rose abusing his Apple contacts? This past weekend Rose blogged about some new stuff being released by Apple next month including new iPods and an iTunes update.According to Kevin, Apple will announce the following within the next few weeks:
- the iPod nano will take on a slimmer, more rounded look
- the iPod Touch will get an update with a new 2.1 operating system
- Prices of the iPod line will drop to differentiate the product from the iPhone
- iTunes 8.0 will be a major new release with several additional features
- Further out Apple is planning to add Blu-ray support to Mac OS X
Why would Rose risk exposing his Apple contacts by announcing this information? And why now? Rose mentions his Twitter account multiple times in his blog post and urges people to "follow" him on Twitter to get more information. Perhaps Rose is bitter that Barack Obama took the top slot away from him on Twitter earlier this month.
methodshop
8/24/2008
Get Cash for Your Old iPhone
Got an old broken iPhone laying around the house? Want to upgrade to an iPhone 3G but feel guilty because your old iPhone still works?RapidRepair.com is offering up to $200 for your fully functional 1st gen iPhone regardless of the condition. Even if the iPhone has a cracked screen, Rapid Repair will still buy it. They want it for parts.
Rapid Repair will also repair your existing broken iPhone or sell you a cheaper refurbished 1st generation iPhone with a 90-day warranty. It's a much better deal than buying a sketchy iPhone from eBay or Craigslist.
For more information, check out Rapid Repair's service page here.
methodshop
8/12/2008
60 million iPhone Apps Downloaded... Already
When Apple launched their new App Store on July 10th, everyone knew it would be a success. But no one could have known it would be this BIG of a success.The App Store has delivered more than 60 million apps to iPhone/iPod Touch owners in less than a month. According to an interview in the Wall Street Journal, Apple CEO Steve Jobs says that the App Store is bringing in an average of $1 million a day for the fee-based apps which range from $1-$10. That's right. Apple is on track to make $360 million per year from their brand new App Store division even though Apple gives 70% of all App Store revenue to developers.
"I've never seen anything like this in my career for software," ~ Steve Jobs
Sega's Super Monkey Ball ($9.99) game remains the top app, selling 300,000 copies during the store's first 20 days. We'll do the math for you on that one: 300,000 * 9.99 = $2,997,000. Not bad for a game Sega only spent 8 weeks working on.
Sega's Super Monkey Ball game.
methodshop
7/28/2008
iPhone Battery Conservation Tips
Paying attention to just a few commonsense pointers will pay off with a longer battery lifespan and battery life for your iPhone.Here are some tips to help you conserve your iPhone 3G battery life and make sure you always have a phone with some juice:
- Condition your battery when it's new. The first week you have your new iPhone, it is a very good idea to fully discharge and charge your battery. This both lengthens the life of your battery and helps ensure your battery knows when it's full or empty. For proper maintenance of a lithium-based battery, it’s important to keep the electrons in it moving occasionally. Be sure to go through at least one charge cycle per month (charging the battery to 100% and then completely running it down).
- Moderate the temperature. The most important thing you can do for your battery is to keep your iPhone out of the sun, hot car (including the glove box) or next to the BBQ grill. Heat will degrade your battery’s performance a lot.
- Lock your iPhone. It may seem obvious, but you should lock your iPhone when you aren’t using it. You will be able to receive calls and text messages while it is locked, but nothing happens if you touch the screen. To lock iPhone, press the Sleep/Wake button. You can also set the Auto-Lock interval so your iPhone will turn off more quickly after a period of inactivity. To set Auto-Lock, go to Settings > General > Auto-Lock and set the interval to a short time, such as 1 minute.
Update your software. Always make sure your iPhone has the latest software from Apple. New software will probably include new ways to optimize battery performance. Make sure you have iTunes 7.7 or later. Then connect your iPhone to your computer, select iPhone in the Source List. In the Summary panel, click “Check for Updates” to see if there’s a new version of the iPhone software available. Click Update to install the latest version.- Make charging your iPhone part of your daily routine. Get extra charge cables. Keep one next to your bed, in your car, by your desk at work, in your backpack, at your girl/boyfrinds house, etc. A really good time to charge is at night while you are sleeping or in the car on the drive to and from work.
Conserve your usage. Resist the urge to mess around on your iPhone when you don't need to. For example, do you really need to check your email while standing in the elevator at work? Just say "hi" to the person(s) in the elevator and kill the idle time with a conversation. You'll be back at your desk in a couple minutes anyway and you can check your email there. Or do you really need the GPS to walk down the hall to the vending machine? Limit the tasks you perform on your iPhone 3G and save your battery for important phone calls and watching movies on the subway.- Turn-off WiFi and Bluetooth. When you really need to save some juice, then turn-off WiFi and Bluetooth. When these services are on, your iPhone is actively scanning for signals from wireless access points or Bluetooth devices. We'll go into more details about these settings below in #8. Both of these can be switched off via the Settings option and will save you a major amount of juice. Speaking of settings....
- Optimize your settings. Depending on how they are configured, a few features may decrease your iPhone battery life. For example, the frequency with which you retrieve email and the number of email accounts you auto-check can both affect battery life. The tips below apply to an iPhone running iPhone 2.0 software or later and may help extend your battery life.
- Minimize use of location services: Applications that actively use location services such as Maps may reduce battery life. To disable location services, go to Settings > General > Location Services or use location services only when needed.
- Fetch new data less frequently: Applications such as Mail can be set to fetch data wirelessly at specific intervals. The more frequently email or other data is fetched, the quicker your battery may drain. To fetch new data manually, from the Home screen choose Settings > Fetch New Data and tap Manually. To increase the fetch interval, go to Settings > Fetch New Data and tap Hourly. Note that this is a global setting and applies to all applications that do not support push services.
- Turn off push mail: If you have a push mail account such as Yahoo!, MobileMe or Microsoft Exchange, turn off push mail when you don’t need it. Go to Settings > Fetch New Data and set Push to Off. Messages sent to your push email accounts will now be received on your phone based on the global Fetch setting rather than as they arrive.
- Auto-check fewer email accounts: You can save power by checking fewer email accounts. This can be accomplished by turning off an email account or by deleting it. To turn off an account, go to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars, choose an email account, and set Account to Off. To remove an account, go to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars, choose an email account, and tap Delete Account.
- Minimize use of third-party applications: Excessive use of applications such as games that prevent the screen from dimming or shutting off or applications that use location services can reduce battery life.
- Turn off Wi-Fi: Like we said above, if you rarely use Wi-Fi, you can turn it off to save power. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and set Wi-Fi to Off. Note that if you frequently use your iPhone to browse the web, battery life may be improved by using Wi-Fi instead of cellular data networks.
- Turn off Bluetooth: Again, if you rarely use a Bluetooth headset or car kit, you can turn off Bluetooth to save power. Go to Settings > General > Bluetooth and set Bluetooth to Off.
- Use Airplane Mode in low- or no-coverage areas: Because your iPhone always tries to maintain a connection with the cellular network, it may use more power in low- or no-coverage areas. Turning on Airplane Mode can increase battery life in these situations; however, you will be unable to make or receive calls. To turn on Airplane Mode, go to Settings and set Airplane Mode to On.
- Adjust brightness: Dimming the screen is another way to extend battery life. Go to Settings > Brightness and drag the slider to the left to lower the default screen brightness. In addition, turning on Auto-Brightness allows the screen to adjust its brightness based on current lighting conditions. Go to Settings > Brightness and set Auto-Brightness to On.
- Turn off EQ: Applying an equalizer setting to song playback on your iPhone can decrease battery life. To turn EQ off, go to Settings > iPod > EQ and tap Off. Note that if you’ve added EQ to songs directly in iTunes, you’ll need to set EQ on iPhone to Flat in order to have the same effect as Off because iPhone keeps your iTunes settings intact. Go to Settings > iPod > EQ and tap Flat. If you want to learn more about the EQ settings, then read this article: Demystifing Apple's Equalizer Settings
- Turn off 3G: Using 3G cellular networks loads data faster, but may also decrease battery life, especially in areas with limited 3G coverage. To disable 3G, from the Home screen choose Settings > General > Network and set Enable 3G to Off. You will still be able to make and receive calls and access cellular data networks via EDGE or GPRS where available.
MethodShop.com also has an article with tips on how to conserve MacBook, iBook and iPod battery life.
Tutorial: How To Maximize Battery Life on Your Laptops, iPhones and iPods
methodshop
7/21/2008
Brazilians Hack iPhone 3G
DesbloqueioBr, a Brazilian telecom company, says they are the first to find a way to unlock Apple's new iPhone 3G. Brazilian newspaper, Folha de Sao Paulo, says DesbloqueioBr alterd the iPhone's firmware and added a special card to the phone's SIM chip.Users with one of these Brazilian iPhones can connect to any mobile carrier they want and not the carrier that Apple made exclusive agreements with in each country.
Although the iPhone isn't officially available yet in Brazil, it's already become a must-have item for many gadget freaks and wealthy businessmen. Many Brazilian purchasers have ventured overseas or gone online to find unlocked iPhones.
The Brazilian hack doesn't isn't cheap. DesbloqueioBr is charging ~$300 to unlock an already purchased iPhone and iPhones aren't cheap. Owning a hacked iPhone is a risky and expensive gamble considering that Apple can wipe out the hack with a software update.
Here's a video of the hacked Brazilian iPhone from YouTube.
methodshop
7/13/2008
iPhone 3G Launch Plagued by Long Lines and Network Problems
The long awaited iPhone 3G was released on Friday, July 11th. But what should have been a happy and joyous day for iPhone fans, ended up being an exercise in frustration for many.After waiting in line outside of Apple Stores for hours (or even days), some consumers then spent up to 7 hours inside because of "network problems" that slowed or even halted the activation of new iPhones.
The iPhone 3G line outside the Manhattan Apple Store on 14th Street at 12:52PM.
Estimated wait time was ~4 hours.
Apparently Apple's authentication servers weren't prepared to handle the amount of global network traffic from new iPhone 3G activations. Network slowdowns were first reported after stores opened in Europe. The network then came to a halt after US East Coast stores opened. By the time American West Coast stores had started selling iPhones, Apple's servers just couldn't take it anymore and started crashing. It was AT&T's insistence that all phones get activated in the store that caused the problem. During last year's iPhone 1.0 launch Apple had everyone activate their own phone at home through iTunes.
Fanboys try beat the heat with umbrellas while waiting in line for an iPhone 3G.
Some customers were even sent home with a new iPhone and instructions on how to finish activating the phone at home or even worse... a rain check. This definitely made quite a few people mad.
"I skipped work and waited in line from 12 noon to 2AM to get my boyfriend a new iPhone only to walk away with rain check slip," Paul Hahn told MethodShop.com. "The [authentication] servers were down most of the day and [an Apple store employee] told me I should to come back [Sunday] morning. This sucks. I'm so angry and so hungry right now." Paul also said that employees at the Apple Store were were giving away Apple umbrellas and waters to try to keep the crowd happy.
The new iPhone 3G.
Unfortunately, Apple's network problems also caused headaches for original iPhone and iPod Touch owners who tried to upgrade to the new 2.0 software. "After one of my officemates came back from his lunch hour with a new iPhone, I tried upgrading the software on my old iPod Touch," said Collin Pisarra, a graphic designer in Manhattan. "I really wanted to check out the new App Store but I guess Apple's network problems messed up [my iPod Touch]. It got bricked. I hope I can restore it when Apple's servers are back online. Right now I'm getting an error message that says: [We could not complete your iTunes Store request. An unknown error occurred (type -9838).]"
Networking problems left many users with both iPhones and iPod Touches that couldn't complete the 2.0 update process.
Apple wasn't responding to requests for comments, but a spokesman for AT&T, the exclusive iPhone carrier in the United States, said the problems were caused by iTunes servers and referred further questions to Apple.
Network problems caused many iPhone and iPod Touch users to see this iTunes error screen when attempting to update their device to the new 2.0 software.
Earlier this week, Apple also had problems with the relaunch of their data service now called MobileMe (it was previously called iTools and .Mac). The MobileMe service is designed to synchronize a user's personal data across devices, including the iPhone, but many users were denied access to their accounts this week, including Frank Accarrino."I've been trying to upload pictures from iPhoto to my .Mac website for the past few days but it's offline. I can't even get to my Mac mail. I bet Steve Jobs is pissed right now," Frank said.
Apple is usually known for flawless product launch events. Let's hope Apple solves these network issues for next time. It's estimated that 1 million iPhone 3G models were sold in the U.S. this weekend.
methodshop
7/10/2008
iTunes App Store
Apple launched the iTunes App Store for the iPhone and iPod Touch this afternoon. There are currently 500+ applications available for download. The cost for these applications range from free to over $30.
All the big players have apps in the store including MySpace, Facebook, AOL, and eBay. There's also a mix of games like Texas Hold'em and Super Monkey Ball, lots of utilities and even ebooks.
You can download applications now, but you can't do anything with them until the iPhone/iPod 2.0 firmware is released which will probably happen on Friday July 11th - the official release date of the new iPhone 3G.
methodshop
All the big players have apps in the store including MySpace, Facebook, AOL, and eBay. There's also a mix of games like Texas Hold'em and Super Monkey Ball, lots of utilities and even ebooks.
You can download applications now, but you can't do anything with them until the iPhone/iPod 2.0 firmware is released which will probably happen on Friday July 11th - the official release date of the new iPhone 3G.
methodshop
7/02/2008
Why the iPhone Makes Some Women Angry
One of the coolest features of Apple's iPhone is the mutitouch capable screen. From navigating menus to interacting with features like Google Maps, using the iPhone's multitouch screen isn't just easy, but it's fun.When the iPhone first debuted, some users complained that their fingers were too fat to use the touchscreen. But those cries quickly faded as users got more practice with the mobile phone's interface.
But now, according to a report from the LA Times, there's a new group of iPhone users angry at Apple... women with long fingernails. Why? Well, since the iPhone's touchscreen only responds to electrical charges emitted by your bare fingertips, women with long nails aren't able to effectively use the iPhone's touchscreen.
Erica Watson-Currie, who was interviewed for the LA Times article, even went so far as to call Apple 'misogynistic' because they didn't include a stylus for women with long fingernails. Erica gave the LA Times this quote for their article: "Considering ergonomics and user studies indicating men and women use their fingers and nails differently, why does Apple persist in this misogyny?"
Should every manufacturer change the design of their products to accommodate users with long nails, or should people with long nails learn to work around this problem like they have in the past?
Is Apple being unfair to women with long fingernails?
How do other women feel about this? Is Apple being misogynistic with the design of the iPhone?
Mary, a Production Assistant in the television industry says: "I'll admit, I've had fake nails before and know from experience how difficult they can be. I couldn't type as fast, I lost my ability to speed text, I couldn't even turn on a lamp without fumbling. So I made the obvious choice. I took the stupid things off and stopped blaming the world for not catering to my vanity. I suggest women who have a problem using the iPhone do the same."
Libby, a Senior Associate at a non-profit in New York City, finds this complaint ridiculous. She told MethodShop.com that "...this whole fingernail complaint is asinine. When I hear that other women are complaining about the iPhone's interface because they have fancy long fingernails, it makes me dizzy. What's next? Should the military make fingernail friendly assault rifles so women can look gorgeous on the battlefield. Shut up and cut off your tacky nails already. And stop giving idiotic quotes to the LA Times. You are an embarrassment to women everywhere."
Apple launches its vastly improved 3G iPhone ($199) on July 11, 2008.
methodshop
AT&T to Offer No-Contract (Unlocked) iPhones
This week, American cell phone provider AT&T announced plans to offer a contract-free version of Apple's 3G iPhone... for a price.How much? About 2-3 times more than a "locked" iPhone.
Why are Apple and AT&T selling unlocked iPhones? Probably to eliminate the black market demand for unlocked iPhones that hackers are reselling overseas.
AT&T says an unlocked iPhone will sell for about $600-700. To get the cheaper subsidized price Steve Jobs announced at the WWDC ($199 for 8GB, $299 for 16GB) you must commit to a 2 year contract and be a new AT&T customer.
If you're a current AT&T customer, you must have already purchased a 2G iPhone or be eligible to renew your contract.
methodshop
6/16/2008
Loopt Now Available For BlackBerry, iPhone 3G Coming Soon
Wish you knew where your friends and family were at all times? Have you heard of Loopt yet?
Loopt is a mobile phone application that enables users tospy on see the location of their friends on an interactive map (see image below). The application also allows you to message friends in your general area and setup automatic alerts to notify you when friends are nearby.
In the last few months, Loopt has published several BlackBerry versions of its software for all major American cellphone carriers including T-Mobile, AT&T, Alltel and Sprint. Loopt also demonstrated an Alpha version of their software for the 3G iPhone at the 2008 World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC). You can sign up to be notified when the full iPhone version of Loopt is released here.
If you have a Jailbroken iPhone, then the function and features of Loopt might sound similar to Twinkle. Twinkle is a native Twitter client for the iPhone that pairs your GPS location with your Twitter posts. Twinkle also gives you the ability to add images to your Twitter Tweets.
But whether or not you use Loopt, Twinkle or Twitter.. it's not any fun unless all your friends are also using the service.
methodshop
Loopt is a mobile phone application that enables users to
In the last few months, Loopt has published several BlackBerry versions of its software for all major American cellphone carriers including T-Mobile, AT&T, Alltel and Sprint. Loopt also demonstrated an Alpha version of their software for the 3G iPhone at the 2008 World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC). You can sign up to be notified when the full iPhone version of Loopt is released here.
If you have a Jailbroken iPhone, then the function and features of Loopt might sound similar to Twinkle. Twinkle is a native Twitter client for the iPhone that pairs your GPS location with your Twitter posts. Twinkle also gives you the ability to add images to your Twitter Tweets.
But whether or not you use Loopt, Twinkle or Twitter.. it's not any fun unless all your friends are also using the service.
methodshop
6/13/2008
Developers and Consumers Get Ready for Apple's iPhone App Store
A massive new online business is scheduled to launch on July 11: Apple's App Store - an online hub for third party iPhone and iPod Touch applications.Beginning later this month, developers will begin to upload apps to the store accessible by iPhone users or to a new section of the iTunes Store, sharing revenue from app sales with Apple in a 70/30 split. These apps will be in addition to the 1,700-odd apps already developed for the iPhone's Safari web browser.
One of the games people are looking forward to playing is Super Monkey Ball. Sega's Ethan Einhorn showed off Super Monkey Ball on stage at the WWDC. According to Einhorn, after 8 weeks of development, the developers have created 110 stages.
The new 3G, GPS-enabled iPhone should open up a world of possibilities for clever developers in the realms of gaming, entertainment and enterprise applications.
In related news, the AOL Radio app for the iPhone won for Best Entertainment Application at the 2008 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), providing users free access to over 350 online radio stations (including 150 local CBS radio stations) and more than 200 AOL Radio channels.
Other WWDC iPhone App winners:
Best iPhone Game:
Enigmo by Pangea Software
Best iPhone Social Networking App:
Twitterrific by the Icon Factory
Best iPhone Productivity App:
OmniFocus by the Omni Group
Best iPhone Healthcare & Fitness App:
MIM from MIMVista
methodshop
6/11/2008
Was the 3G iPhone a Letdown
In case you've been living under a rock, Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the new 3G iPhone during his keynote speech at the World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) this week.The iPhone 3G announcement had the blogosphere buzzing with both excitement and disappointment the past few days. While many people are excited for the iPhone 3G, there are plenty of bloggers lamenting about missing features that they feel were unaddressed.
Here's a roundup of the most popular features that still remain on our collective "iPhone Wishlist":
- Physical keyboard - What the BlackBerry lacks in style and interface, it makes up for by having a physical keyboard. It's tough to type out a company memo on the iPhone's touchscreen keyboard.
- User-swappable battery - This complaint goes back to the first iPod.
- Copy-and-paste function - It's hard to believe that this "feature" was overlooked.
- Memory card slot - Many people use their iPhones as cameras. A card slot would be very useful.
- Bluetooth stereo audio - Most of the new 3G phones have this feature. Personally I'm tired of tangled headphone cables and ready to go wireless.
- MMS - MMS is the ability to send photos, video, and audio directly to other cellphones. Most modern phones added this feature years ago. Why was it left out of the new iPhone?
- Video recording - There are several applications for Jailbroken iPhones that use the still camera to record video. It would have been pretty easy for Apple to implement this feature. Again, not sure why they left it out.
- Video Chat - One of the most popular rumors about the new 3G iPhone, was it would have a built-in video chat feature that would allow you to video chat with other iPhones or even computers with webcams.
The last item on the list, the video chat rumor, was the thing that had most bloggers complaining. Many blogs (including MethodShop.com), were reporting on the rumor and many people were excited to conduct mobile phone video chats like Dick Tracy’s watch.
Were you hoping for more features?
methodshop
6/09/2008
iPhone 3G Announced
Apple CEO took the stage June 9th at WWDC 2008 and announced the new iPhone 3G. Jobs said that Apple has taken everything they've learned from the first iPhone and created the next generation of the iPhone... the iPhone 3G.
Here are some of the new features of the new iPhone 3G:
Here's a commercial for the new iPhone that Steve Jobs showed on stage:
The iPhone 3G will be available July 11th in 22 countries. Apple hopes to launch in 70 countries this year. The maximum price around the world is $199 USD. You can order an iPhone 3G at Apple.com starting July 11th.
methodshop
Here are some of the new features of the new iPhone 3G:- Thinner.
- Cheaper. An 8G iPhone 3G will sell for... $199. $299 for the 16GB. Right now, it's actually cheaper than the iPod Touch?!
- Wireless access to the new iPhone "App Store" full of applications and games specifically made to take advantage of the new iPhone's features. You can also access the App Store via iTunes.
- Plastic back cover.
- Solid metal buttons.
- Improved "Accelerometer" that rotates the screen content when you rotate the orientation of your iPhone.
- Multitouch display.
- Better camera.
- Normal headphone jack (you no longer need special headphones).
- Dramatically improved audio.
- Faster. The iPhone 3G is 2.8X faster than the old iPhone on AT&T's slow American EDGE network.
- Advanced GPS support. iPhone 3G uses signals from GPS satellites, Wi-Fi hot spots, and cellular towers to quickly get the most accurate location.
- Longer battery life. 300 hours of standby, 2G talk-time now has 10 hours (as opposed to 5), 5 hours of 3G talk-time (most phones only have 3 hour 3G talk time), 5 to 6 hours of high-speed browsing, 7 hours of video, 24 hours of audio.
- Enterprise email support.
- More colors. The new 3GF iPhone also comes in white.
Here's a commercial for the new iPhone that Steve Jobs showed on stage:
The iPhone 3G will be available July 11th in 22 countries. Apple hopes to launch in 70 countries this year. The maximum price around the world is $199 USD. You can order an iPhone 3G at Apple.com starting July 11th.
methodshop
6/04/2008
iPhone 3G and WWDC Announcement Predictions
There's no doubt that an iPhone update is imminent. But while nearly everyone has agreed on that, nobody knows anything definite about the specifics... except that the new iPhone will be compatible with the Microsoft Exchange email services. There's a link on the main Apple.com iPhone page where you can apply to be a beta tester.In regards to the iPhone, here's what we know today:
- Apple.com lists the iPhone as “Currently Unavailable.” Stock is so low that you can't buy it. Usually a good sign that a new model is coming out soon.
- Apple continues to make iPhone sales deals across the globe. Netherlands, Hong Kong, Singapore, India and Australia were all announced with the last few months.
- A 3G settings screen was found by hackers in the latest firmware update for the iPhone.
- The new iPhone will most likely be unveiled during Steve Jobs’ keynote speech at Apple’s WWDC (World Wide Developers Conference) on June 9th.
- AT&T is prohibiting retail-store employees from taking vacations between June 15 and July 12, claiming that they’re expecting a “heavy selling period”. They implemented a similar policy last year for the iPhone launch.
- AT&T executives have said numerous times that all of their smartphones (the iPhone is one of the) will support 3G networking soon.
- The Apple Stores have been out of stock of the iPhone for weeks. And people are forming daily lines outside Apple stores that still have a few iPhones in stock.
And here are some rumors that MethodShop.com compiled about what Steve Jobs might announce at the WWDC on June 9th:
- Prediction/Rumor: The new 3G iPhone will be about 20% thinner.
- Prediction/Rumor: The new 3G iPhone will have built-in video chat that would allow you to video chat with other iPhones or even computers with webcams.
- Prediction/Rumor: The Apple TV is going to get an add-on USB camera that will turn the Apple TV into a video chat system (see item above). How would it work? A picture in picture effect would happen if you were watching a movie on your Apple TV when someone tried to “video call” you from an iPhone.
Prediction/Rumor: Just like the iPods, the new iPhone will come in several colors including black [pic] and white [pic]. Several colored iPhone photos have already surfaced on the Interweb. There's no doubt that black would be an extremely popular iPhone color.- Prediction/Rumor: The new iPhone will have built-in GPS (it's about time).
- Prediction/Rumor: Apple will also announce a new, wireless keyboard specifically for Apple TV, with multi touch capabilities. Basically it will be a super remote control.
methodshop
5/22/2008
iPhone Line Forms Already at Apple's 5th Ave Store
This morning I had to go buy another copy of OS X Leopard (my original copy got scratched). As I walked closer to the Apple Store on 5th Avenue I was somewhat surprised to see a line of about 50 people waiting in line. The 3G iPhone announcement isn't rumored to happen until June 9th right? Are these people going to wait in line for over 2 weeks or do they know something we don't?I asked the security guard by the Cube what was going on and he said it was for the iPhone. He wouldn't say if it was for the 3G iPhone or for old iPhone leftover inventory That's all he knew and he very was annoyed at me for asking him about the iPhone line. I'm doubt I was the first person to ask.
Still confused I walked downstairs and bought my copy of Leopard. Before I left the Apple Store, I asked Jessica, my cashier, if the people outside were waiting for the new 3G iPhone. She cryptically said "They are waiting to buy an iPhone. We will sell them whatever phones we have in stock." She was kind of pissed off too.
For some reason the majority of people waiting in line were Asian. I was later informed by a friend that to get around iPhone per-person quantity restrictions, you can pay people (usually from Chinatown I guess?) to buy you extra iPhones and even hold your place in line.
The line is most likely for people looking to get their hands on the current iPhone and ship it overseas, but I wonder how many of these people will still be in line on June 9th.
More Pictures: Lines Form Weeks Before Rumored iPhone 3G Announcement
methodshop
5/20/2008
3G iPhone Launch Set For June 9
According to Gizmodo, Apple is set to unveil the 3G iPhone on June 9 at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco.
Here's an excerpt from the Gizmodo post:
The 3G iPhone will also supposedly do away with fixed-price iPhones. Apple will be adopting a more traditional subsidized pricing model. This means that certain carriers can offer discounts and subsidies on the Apple handset. This also means that large companies will probably be able to purchase iPhones in bulk and offer them as part of their companies internal wireless plans.
What will this new 3G iPhone look like? Rumors say it might come in multiple colors including black (see a mockup above). There's no doubt that a black 3G iPhone would be extremely popular.
Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, first promised a 3G iPhone at a London press conference in September 2007. Sine then, it's been a guessing game trying to figure out when the 3G iPhone would be released. In April, hackers found a 3G toggle switch in the iPhone's 2.0 beta firmware hinting that a 3G iPhone release was imminent.
methodshop
Here's an excerpt from the Gizmodo post:
"We all suspected it, but now it is confirmed: someone very, very close to the 3G iPhone launch has told me [Gizmodo’s Jesus Diaz] that Apple will announce their new model at the WWDC Keynote on June 9th. The second-generation iPhone will be available worldwide right after the launch, and not at year’s end, as previously thought. The new model will also herald new sales policies in some countries.
In Spain, for example, the 3G iPhone will be available for sale at the June 18th grand opening of Telefonica’s megastore—an Apple Store-like shop located in the company’s historical building in Madrid’s Gran Vía— with nationwide availability the next day or after a few hours. The other European countries with iPhone availability will have similar launch schedules."
The 3G iPhone will also supposedly do away with fixed-price iPhones. Apple will be adopting a more traditional subsidized pricing model. This means that certain carriers can offer discounts and subsidies on the Apple handset. This also means that large companies will probably be able to purchase iPhones in bulk and offer them as part of their companies internal wireless plans.
What will this new 3G iPhone look like? Rumors say it might come in multiple colors including black (see a mockup above). There's no doubt that a black 3G iPhone would be extremely popular.
Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, first promised a 3G iPhone at a London press conference in September 2007. Sine then, it's been a guessing game trying to figure out when the 3G iPhone would be released. In April, hackers found a 3G toggle switch in the iPhone's 2.0 beta firmware hinting that a 3G iPhone release was imminent.
methodshop
5/15/2008
Use Your iPhone to Slim Down Your Wallet
Tied of carrying around all those specialty credit cards and membership cards in your wallet? Why not use your iPhone to help slim things down?A blogger named Albert Alberts, scanned all his membership cards to his computer, synced them to his iPhone and made a new photo album called "WalletCards."
Membership numbers, bar codes, security codes, expiration dates, etc... are now right at his fingertips anytime he needs them. And the scanned bar code images can even be scanned directly off the iPhone's screen at the register!
There is a downside to this however. The scanned cards on his iPhone obviously can't be swiped in a credit card machine. So this technique won't work every type of card, but it can at least help slim down your wallet a little bit.
methodshop
5/12/2008
iPhone 3G Settings [pic]
Still doubt that the 3G iPhone is coming soon? This settings screen with a 3G toggle switch (see image) was found in the latest beta release of the iPhone's 2.0 firmware.
Why would you want to turn off 3G? Because 3G drains cell phone batteries very quickly. In this screenshot, Apple has included a toggle setting to turn 3G off, and use AT&T's slower but more battery friendly EDGE network instead. Probably a very useful feature if you are almost out of juice.
In April, Apple released beta version 3 of its iPhone SDK. Hackers found that the new firmware contains references to an updated chipset—namely, the SGOLD3H from Infineon. This chip adds support for 3G networking, including WCDMA - the 3G flavor used in Japan and Korea.
So according to Apple's SDK and Firmware updates, a 3G iPhone is definitely coming very soon.
Apple's stores are also indicating that a new iPhone is coming soon. While the Apple stores have been having a shortage of iPhones for a couple weeks now, the Apple website now is also saying there is no ship date available.
Also AT&T employees have already suggested a release date of June 15th.
Add all these clues up and it's a pretty safe bet to say that the new 3G iPhone is coming out either late May or early June.
How much will this new iPhone cost? The 3G iPhone has been rumored to have a starting price even higher than the original iPhone at $599 for the 8GB and $699 for the 16GB. No word on whether the data plans will remain the same with the new 3G data speeds.
methodshop
Why would you want to turn off 3G? Because 3G drains cell phone batteries very quickly. In this screenshot, Apple has included a toggle setting to turn 3G off, and use AT&T's slower but more battery friendly EDGE network instead. Probably a very useful feature if you are almost out of juice.
In April, Apple released beta version 3 of its iPhone SDK. Hackers found that the new firmware contains references to an updated chipset—namely, the SGOLD3H from Infineon. This chip adds support for 3G networking, including WCDMA - the 3G flavor used in Japan and Korea.
So according to Apple's SDK and Firmware updates, a 3G iPhone is definitely coming very soon.
Apple's stores are also indicating that a new iPhone is coming soon. While the Apple stores have been having a shortage of iPhones for a couple weeks now, the Apple website now is also saying there is no ship date available.
Also AT&T employees have already suggested a release date of June 15th.
Add all these clues up and it's a pretty safe bet to say that the new 3G iPhone is coming out either late May or early June.
How much will this new iPhone cost? The 3G iPhone has been rumored to have a starting price even higher than the original iPhone at $599 for the 8GB and $699 for the 16GB. No word on whether the data plans will remain the same with the new 3G data speeds.
methodshop
5/06/2008
Wixi iPhone Media Storage
One of the shortfalls of the current iPhone is that it doesn't allow video to be stored. Check out the ad supported online app called Wixi, which stores photos, music and videos on a server then formats them for viewing on the iPhone.
Premium subscribers who pay $6/month or $50/year are offered unlimited, ad-free storage. You can get more info at Wixi.com.
methodshop
Premium subscribers who pay $6/month or $50/year are offered unlimited, ad-free storage. You can get more info at Wixi.com.
methodshop
3/31/2008
20 Free Fixes for Common iPod and iPhone Problems
Is your iPod acting funny? Has a virus or hard drive crash wiped out your entire music collection on your computer? Need some free iPod tech support and repair help?Here are 20 free fixes and trouble shooting tutorials for common iPod and iPhone problems.
You broke your iPod. Now fix it!
- How to Copy Music Off Your iPod
- How to Use the iPod Diagnostic Mode
- "Do Not Disconnect" Mesage Won't Go Away
- How to Erase Your iPod and Fix Most Problems
- iPod Icons: What is Your iPod Saying
- iPod LCD Screen Problems
- Skipping Music on Your iPod
- Restart a Frozen iPod
- How to Rename Your iPod
- My iPod's Battery Won't Charge
- My Music Disappeared
- How to Delete Duplicate Songs in Your iTunes Library
- Importing Tips for iTunes
- How to Join or Merge Tracks in iTunes
- How to Convert Audio Files in iTunes
- Put Your iPod Into Disk Mode
- iPod Won't Mount or Update
- Using Multiple iPods on One Computer
- I Dropped My iPod in the Toilet (or any other boy of water)
- How to Assign Your iPod to Microsoft Drive Letter "i"
Good luck! If you didn't find what you were looking for, there are more iPod Support articles available. And if all else fails, then try an Overnight iPod Repair Service.
methodshop
3/26/2008
iPhone Destroyed in Blender [video]
Everybody knows that the iPhone can make phone calls, play movies and music, surf the web, and a lot more. But will it blend?There's a podcast called Will It Blend?. It's kind of silly. They promote blenders by putting random objects inside a blender and recording it in slow motion. So what happens when you turn on an iPhone and put it in a blender? Watch this video and find out.
methodshop
3/21/2008
How to Restart a Frozen iPhone or iPod
Occasionally an iPod or iPhone may freeze or fail to respond to your commands. This can happen for a number of reasons and does not necessarily indicate a serious problem. Sometimes they just need a restart much like the way your computer needs a reset once in a while.Restarting an iPod or iPhone is a simple procedure that will not erase any of your music, data files, or customized preferences.
Tutorial: How to Restart a Frozen iPod or iPhone
Sometimes the iPhone just gets confused. For example, the iPhone may be on but it won't respond to any button, switch, or touchscreen input. Try pressing and holding the Home button on the front of the iPhone for 6 seconds until the active program closes.
If this technique does not resolve the issue or the iPhone is in a different state such as showing a persistent Apple logo on the display, then you should reset the iPhone.
methodshop
3/13/2008
iPhone SDK Downloads
Apple's open platform iPhone developer's kit has already been downloaded more than 100,000 times since its launch on March 6.
What does that mean exactly? We should expect a massive amount of 3rd party iPhone apps to hit the market this summer. If you thought the iPhone was popular now, just wait.
methodshop
What does that mean exactly? We should expect a massive amount of 3rd party iPhone apps to hit the market this summer. If you thought the iPhone was popular now, just wait.
methodshop
Labels: iphone
3/07/2008
Microsoft Exchange Compatible iPhone Coming Soon
Apple announced the next generation of the iPhone due out in June will support Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, meaning that the business world will now be able to use it for Blackberry-like functions such as syncing corporate email and calendars. iPhone users at Nike and Disney are currently beta testing the new Microsoft Exchange mail software.
Apple also officially opened up its internal APIs to allow 3rd party software developers to create applications utilizing the innovative "Cocoa Touch" interface.
iTunes will become the exclusive online retail outlet for iPhone apps, some of which will be offered for free if in an ad supported model is chosen. Developers will get to keep 70% of the sales revenue generated monthly from each application.
This should not only help Apple discourage people from "jailbreaking" their iPhones, and at the same time enable the company to profit from application sales.
In related news, everyone at RIM, the company that makes the Blackberry, just crapped their pants.
methodshop
Apple also officially opened up its internal APIs to allow 3rd party software developers to create applications utilizing the innovative "Cocoa Touch" interface.
iTunes will become the exclusive online retail outlet for iPhone apps, some of which will be offered for free if in an ad supported model is chosen. Developers will get to keep 70% of the sales revenue generated monthly from each application.
This should not only help Apple discourage people from "jailbreaking" their iPhones, and at the same time enable the company to profit from application sales.
In related news, everyone at RIM, the company that makes the Blackberry, just crapped their pants.
methodshop
Labels: iphone
2/27/2008
iBand Jam
Got a few friends with iPhones and a Nintendo DS? Why not start an iBand like these guys.Here's a clip from 5min.com (a YouTube ripoff) of a few guys jamming out using PocketGuitar and and iAno on their hacked iPhones. Both apps are available after Jailbreaking your iPhone and enabling Community Sources. But a bulk of the song is being performed by the Nintendo DS.
Their song kind of sounds like something Jimmy LaValle from Album Leaf would write.
gigamegater from Digg.com had a clever comment about this clip that made me laugh:
Me: Hey baby, I'm in an iBand, wanna get it on?
Groupie: Sorry I'm only into Guitar Heroes.
methodshop
2/06/2008
16GB iPhone with 3G Announced
Yesterday, Apple unveiled a new 16GB iPhone ($499) that will work on AT&T's faster 3G network. When the iPhone was first announced in January 2007, Steve Jobs said 3G would need to become more widespread in the United States and much more energy efficient before it's included in the iPhone. I guess that time has come.The lack of 3G in the current iPhone model was a major turnoff for many people because AT&T's data network in the United States in notoriously slow. Typically, 3G networks provide users with service at 5-10 Mb per second - fast enough to watch good quality streaming video.
Current iPhones use AT&T's non 3G data network, EDGE, which is painfully slow and sucks ass.
According to The Wall Street Journal, "the new version of the iPhone is the first step in what many analysts expect to be an effort to expand the gadget this year into a broader family of products, possibly with a less-expensive model and a version that's compatible with 3G, a fast, wide-area networking technology that lets users access the Internet at broadband speeds."
3G technologies enable network operators to offer cell phone users a wider range of more advanced services while achieving greater network capacity through improved spectral efficiency. Services include wide-area wireless voice telephony and broadband wireless data, all in a mobile environment.
Apple says it has sold 4 million iPhones to date.
methodshop
Labels: iphone
2/05/2008
How to Reset a Frozen iPhone or iPod
Occasionally an iPod or iPhone may freeze or fail to respond to your commands. This can happen for a number of reasons and does not necessarily indicate a serious problem. Sometimes they just need a restart much like the way your computer needs a reset once in a while.Tutorial: How to reset a Frozen iPod or iPhone
Restarting an iPod/iPhone is a simple procedure that will not erase any of your music, data files, or customized preferences.
methodshop
1/29/2008
Secret iPhone Diagnostic Codes
I lied. These codes are really that secret. A quick Google search will return thousands of results, but these codes aren't exactly advertised or listed in the manual.Most cellphones use special "diagnostic codes" - numbers that can be dialed to display various technical information about the unit, the user's account, the cellular network it's "registered" on, or the local network that's currently available. You might have dialed a few of these already while on the phone with tech support.
This is a list of iPhone specific codes. But some of these may work your non-iPhone phone. Some are AT&T or North America specific. The only way to know if they work on your phone is to try.
Feel like dialing some secret iPhone codes? I thought so. Enjoy.
*3001#12345#* and tap Call. Enter Field Mode.
Field mode reveals many of the inner settings of your iPhone, specifically up-to-date network and cell information.
*#06# Displays your IMEI. No need to tap Call.
IMEI is the unique identifier for your cell phone hardware. Together with your SIM information it identifies you to the provider network. It's like a SSN for phones.
*777# and tap Call. Account balance for prepaid iPhone.
*225# and tap Call. Bill Balance. (Postpaid only)
*646# and tap Call. Check minutes. (Postpaid only)
These 3 above are pretty self explanatory.
*#21# and tap Call. Setting interrogation for call forwards.
Discover the settings for your call forwarding. You'll see whether you have voice, data, fax, sms, sync, async, packet access, and pad access call forwarding enabled or disabled.
*#30# and tap Call. Calling line presentation check.
This displays whether you have enabled or disabled the presentation of the calling line, presumably the number of the party placing the call.
*#76# and tap Call. Check whether the connected line presentation is enabled or not.
State whether the connected line presentation is enabled or disabled. Presumably similar to the calling line presentation.
*#43# and tap Call. Determine if call waiting is enabled.
Displays call waiting status for voice, data, fax, sms, sync data, async data, packet access and pad access. Each item is either enabled or disabled.
*#61# and tap Call. Check the number for unanswered calls.
Show the number for voice call forwarding when a call is unanswered. Also show the options for data, fax, sms, sync, async, packet access and pad access.
*#62# and tap Call. Check the number for call forwarding if no service is available.
Just like the previous, except for no-service rather than no-answer situations.
*#67# and tap Call. Check the number for call forwarding when the iPhone is busy.
And again, but for when the iPhone is busy.
*#33# and tap Call. Check for call control bars.
Check all the usual suspects (voice, data, fax, sms, etc) to see whether barring is enabled or disabled for outgoing.
If you are looking for information and detailed instructions on how to use the iPod's Dianogistic mode, then click here.
methodshop
1/15/2008
Macworld: iPhone 1.1.3 Update
It turns out that Andru Edwards from GearLive.com was right about the iPhone 1.1.3 update.New features include:
- location data via cell tower triangulation (via Google) or WiFi triangulation (via Skyhook Wireless)
- Webclips - ability to make sections of web pages into widgets
- custom icon layouts for home screens (up to 9 total)
- SMS multiple recipients
- Chapters for video and subtitle/audio language options
- Karaoke mode (Lyrics displayable)
All these new features are available today as a free software update for every iPhone.
But what about iPod Touch owners? You can add Mail, Maps, Stocks, Notes, Webclips and Weather... but it's a $20 upgrade! Come on Steve. That wasn't very nice.
You can watch the leaked iPhone 1.1.3 video here.
methodshop
12/30/2007
iPhone 1.1.3 Leak [video]
Here it is... video evidence of the new unreleased iPhone 1.1.3 software improvements. The embedded video below is a nice and thorough walk-through of the unreleased iPhone 1.1.3 firmware updates hosted by Andru from GearLive.com. Watch it fast before Apple's lawyers take it down.Anyone still think it's fake?
If the embedded video above doesn't load, then click here.
methodshop
12/12/2007
Apple iPhone Platinum Edition
If you weren't the first guy on your block to bring home an iPhone, it looks like you'll get another shot to impress when the iPhone Platinum Edition becomes available next month. Goldstriker International, the fine folks who brought us the 24k gold iPod, will release the Power of Platinum collection in January. But you better act quick, because they are only making 250 of these bad boys.As you can imagine there is quite a premium to own the world's first Platinum iPhone. Expect to pay about $2230 after the conversion from English Pounds. If the 250 units sell out as quickly as we think they will it's quite possible the phones will fetch a small fortune on eBay or at other auction sites. Keep your eyes on the Goldstriker website ( http://www.goldstriker.co.uk/aboutus.html ) early next month for your chance to buy the Platinum iPhone.
Goldstriker also offers a full line of professionally plated products ranging from laptop computers to keychains. You can also send Goldstriker your current iPod or iPhone and they will adorn the item in the precious metal of your choice. Turnaround is usually a super speedy 48 hours. We'll be interested to see what the always innovative Goldstriker comes up with next. For now we'll just keep on refreshing their website until we can buy the iPhone Platinum.
A PimpWiz Exclusive By Scott Bernstein
11/19/2007
Hacking YouTube Videos
UPDATE: YouTube has reworked their site again in response to this article. They absolutely hate us. If you get an error when trying to download a YouTube video, please try some of the plug-ins and scripts listed in step #3.YouTube.com is a great resource. Not many sites allows users to freely upload, view, and share video clips like YouTube does. YouTube even lets users easily post videos on their blogs and personal web sites. But because anyone can upload a video clip on YouTube, copyright violations are rampant.
In an effort to prevent the widespread distribution of illegal copied video files, YouTube encodes its video files in the Adobe Flash format, which prevents viewers from downloading files and making digital copies.
Here's a step-by-step tutorial on how to rip video files off YouTube.com and convert them for Apple TV, iPod Video, iTunes and iPhone. This trick will work on Mac or PC using Firefox or Internet Explorer.
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop
10/23/2007
Napster Mobile Coming to U.S.
AT&T is making Napster's entire music catalog (5 million songs) available for direct-to-mobile purchase in mid-November via a new service called Napster Mobile. While not compatible with the iPhone, the catalog will be accessible via AT&T's network for the price of $1.99/song or 5 tracks for $7.49.Matchbox Twenty's new album "Exile on Mainstream" will kick off the service.
Two things strike me as odd about this deal:
- It's kind of weird that AT&T didn't try to integrate any music system on their phones with iTunes. They already have a pretty solid relationship with Apple. In the US, AT&T is the only approved mobile carrier for the iPhone.
- When it comes to music, are people really ready to leave their iPods behind and just use their phones? Maybe if you have an iPhone, otherwise, probably not. The media player built into my brand new BlackBerry Curve sucks so bad that I just bought an iPod Touch.
10/18/2007
Worst iPhone Accessory
Hate fingerprints on your iPhone or iPod Touch? Enough to spend $9.90 on some finger condoms? A enterprising company in Austria is selling something called Phone Fingers that prevent smudges and fingerprints on the screens of the iPod Touch and iPhone.
Here's a video of the "Phone Fingers" in action. It has a strange ending.
One more thing, the Phone Fingers only come in black and make the user look like they have a severe case of frostbite.
Silly product idea, weird choice in color and a demo video that ends in a theft... Yep, the Phone Fingers are a gag gift... like the Pet Rock.
Apple's touchscreen technology works by sensing the electrical fields in your skin. A latex finger condom is an insulator and would prevent the iPhone and iPod Touch from detecting any input from your fingers. The Phone Fingers website even says "This is probably the funniest accessory for the iPhone available!" But if you go over to Digg.com, there's a pretty heated debate going on in the comments. A lot of people initially thought this was serious product, not a gag gift. If you have a few minutes, it makes for a pretty entertaining read.
BeSocial: methodshop
Here's a video of the "Phone Fingers" in action. It has a strange ending.
One more thing, the Phone Fingers only come in black and make the user look like they have a severe case of frostbite.
Silly product idea, weird choice in color and a demo video that ends in a theft... Yep, the Phone Fingers are a gag gift... like the Pet Rock.
Apple's touchscreen technology works by sensing the electrical fields in your skin. A latex finger condom is an insulator and would prevent the iPhone and iPod Touch from detecting any input from your fingers. The Phone Fingers website even says "This is probably the funniest accessory for the iPhone available!" But if you go over to Digg.com, there's a pretty heated debate going on in the comments. A lot of people initially thought this was serious product, not a gag gift. If you have a few minutes, it makes for a pretty entertaining read.
BeSocial: methodshop
Labels: iphone
10/15/2007
New Weather Apps for iPhone
This week the Weather Channel's interactive division launched an application for the iPhone and iPod Touch.Created by The Weather Channel Mobile, the app maps in a fully interactive environment and offers functionality like sliding pages and "fade ins."
Features include current conditions, hourly and 10-day forecasts, interactive radar, and maps that allow you to track the heavy stuff. You can also set up severe weather alerts for 5 different locations.
Open up the browser on your iPhone or iPod Touch and go to http://weather.com/iphone to check it out.
BeSocial: methodshop
10/01/2007
BlackBerry iPhone Theme
Got iPhone envy? I do. My company is Blackberry only and won't support the iPhone. So I installed the free "bPhone for BlackBerry" theme.
It reskins all your Blackberry icons with iPhone icons and even replaces the hourglass with the OS X spinning beach ball.
You can install the bPhone theme here if you are reading this on your phone right now or check out the author's website here.
Here's an install step-by-step:
methodshop
It reskins all your Blackberry icons with iPhone icons and even replaces the hourglass with the OS X spinning beach ball.
You can install the bPhone theme here if you are reading this on your phone right now or check out the author's website here.
Here's an install step-by-step:
- open this link on your phone
- Select your BlackBerry phone model (ie. the curve is the 8300).
- Select the "Icon" theme
- Enter in your BlackBerry email address
- A download link will be emailed to your phone
- Download the bPhone theme on your phone
- Go to Prefs on your phone
- Select the bPhone theme
- Enable the bPhone theme
methodshop
9/20/2007
ReplayTV DVR Geared Towards iPhone and iPod Playback
ReplayTV is not the first to introduce a USB dongle for DVR use, however, they are the first to integrate a format easily playable on Apple hand-held devices like iPhone and iPod touch.
The Personal HD system bundles both digital ATSC and analog NTSC technology and play over-the-air HDTV signals or old school analog TV source. So now you TV junkies can overload on adictively pathetic reality TV shows (well, except Survivor).
The ReplayTV goodie bag for the Personal HD system include direct encoding in a 4:3 ratio, intelligent keyword filter system to find shows by cast member names, show IDs or genre. Although the reply system isn't out just yet, it will be later this fall at the tune of $100.
Source: GetUSBinfoBeSocial: digg story | methodshop
9/19/2007
3G iPhone Confirmed for 2008
Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, has confirmed that there is a 3G iPhone in the works and it should be ready by 2008. Jobs made the following statement at the "Mum is no longer the word" press conference at the Regent Street Apple store in London this week:
The news comes as a 2G EDGE-enabled iPhone will be available in the UK on November 9th. When asked why the current model didn't have 3G, Jobs blamed power issues saying that the 3G chipset would be too much of a drain on the unit's battery life which promises 8 hours of call time, but said that future models would have the technology.
BeSocial: methodshop | digg story
"You can expect a 3G iPhone later next year... We are working on the next iPhone already, the one after that and the one after that."
The news comes as a 2G EDGE-enabled iPhone will be available in the UK on November 9th. When asked why the current model didn't have 3G, Jobs blamed power issues saying that the 3G chipset would be too much of a drain on the unit's battery life which promises 8 hours of call time, but said that future models would have the technology.
BeSocial: methodshop | digg story
Labels: iphone
9/17/2007
iPhone Credit Instructions
Were you one of the thousands of people who bought an iPhone (US) before Apple lowered the price by $200? Steve Jobs announced the iPhone price drop after he introduced the iPod Touch and angered a lot of customers. To placate iPhone owners, Jobs published an open letter on Apple.com where he offered a $100 rebate.As of last Friday, you can go to Apple.com and apply for the $100 credit but there's a catch... Much to the dismay of iPhone owners, Apple has released several restrictions on how you can use the credit, who qualifies for it and how long it's available.
SPENDING RESTRICTIONS
I hope you didn't already have a spending plan for your $100 iPhone credit. The credit can only be used to buy items from Apple's retail stores or Apple.com. The credit cannot be used to buy Apple gift cards, content on iTunes, or be redeemed for cash.
WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE CREDIT
Not every iPhone owner qualifies for the credit. Any iPhone registered with an address outside the U.S. won't be eligible. iPhones bought between Aug. 22 and Sept. 4, also aren't eligible but fall under Apple's price-protection program until Sept. 19. If you qualify for the credit, go to the iPhone section on Apple.com and click on the $100 credit link on the left side of the page. After you fill out the form, you'll get a text message coupon on your iPhone that you can redeem.
TIME LIMIT
If you do qualify for the credit, use it fast. The credit offer expires on November 30th.
BeSocial: methodshop
9/06/2007
An open letter to iPhone owners from Steve Jobs
This week Apple announced new iPods and lowered the iPhone price by $200. But what if you were one of the millions of people who bought an iPhone 2 months ago? You'd probably be a little pissed off right? Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, got so many emails from angry customers that he wrote an open letter on the Apple website today. The letter says that every customer who purchased an iPhone from either Apple or AT&T will receive a $100 Apple store credit.
It's a brilliant move by Apple. This rebate will placate the angry early iPhone adopters who are feeling cheated, still keep the money in Apple's pocket and generate lots of press (like this article).
Here's the open letter from Jobs:
Once again Apple has proven why they are so loved by their fan base. But, hey Steve, shouldn't it be a $200 store credit?
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop
It's a brilliant move by Apple. This rebate will placate the angry early iPhone adopters who are feeling cheated, still keep the money in Apple's pocket and generate lots of press (like this article).
Here's the open letter from Jobs:
To all iPhone customers:
I have received hundreds of emails from iPhone customers who are upset about Apple dropping the price of iPhone by $200 two months after it went on sale. After reading every one of these emails, I have some observations and conclusions.
First, I am sure that we are making the correct decision to lower the price of the 8GB iPhone from $599 to $399, and that now is the right time to do it. iPhone is a breakthrough product, and we have the chance to 'go for it' this holiday season. iPhone is so far ahead of the competition, and now it will be affordable by even more customers. It benefits both Apple and every iPhone user to get as many new customers as possible in the iPhone 'tent'. We strongly believe the $399 price will help us do just that this holiday season.
Second, being in technology for 30+ years I can attest to the fact that the technology road is bumpy. There is always change and improvement, and there is always someone who bought a product before a particular cutoff date and misses the new price or the new operating system or the new whatever. This is life in the technology lane. If you always wait for the next price cut or to buy the new improved model, you'll never buy any technology product because there is always something better and less expensive on the horizon. The good news is that if you buy products from companies that support them well, like Apple tries to do, you will receive years of useful and satisfying service from them even as newer models are introduced.
Third, even though we are making the right decision to lower the price of iPhone, and even though the technology road is bumpy, we need to do a better job taking care of our early iPhone customers as we aggressively go after new ones with a lower price. Our early customers trusted us, and we must live up to that trust with our actions in moments like these.
Therefore, we have decided to offer every iPhone customer who purchased an iPhone from either Apple or AT&T, and who is not receiving a rebate or any other consideration, a $100 store credit towards the purchase of any product at an Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store. Details are still being worked out and will be posted on Apple's website next week. Stay tuned.
We want to do the right thing for our valued iPhone customers. We apologize for disappointing some of you, and we are doing our best to live up to your high expectations of Apple.
Steve Jobs
Apple CEO
Once again Apple has proven why they are so loved by their fan base. But, hey Steve, shouldn't it be a $200 store credit?
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop
Apple Unveils Wi-Fi iPods
Apple unveiled its new line of iPods yesterday including a model with an iPhone-like touchscreen interface and Zune-like WiFi access. The "iPod Touch" sports a 3.5-inch widescreen and a Safari browser, creating a mobile YouTube delivery device that essentially replicates the iPhone browsing experience for non-AT&T subscribers. It's going to run $299 for an 8 GB model and $399 for a 16 GB version, scheduled to ship later this month. You can pre-order the new iPods from Apple.com.The former Video iPod has been renamed the "iPod Classic" with a slimmer design and a bigger hard drive.
Although the new iPod Touch is very impressive with its Wi-Fi and touch-screen, the fact that it only has a 16GBs sucks big time. I like to keep my current iPod Video full of movies and TV shows that I ripped from DVD for my morning commute. The new smaller hard drive is a major sticking point for me. The reason the new iPods have smaller hard drives is because they are Flash memory based (no moving parts) and are able to withstand an occasional bump or drop better than traditional hard drives.
Apple is also teaming with Starbucks to allow customers to browse a new WiFi iTunes store for free inside of its coffee shops. Go near a Starbucks and an icon pops up. Click on it and you can buy Starbucks' current music selections.
Steve Jobs also announced he was phasing out the entry level iPhone and cutting the price of the upper-end model from $599 to $399.
BeSocial: methodshop
7/18/2007
Original 1983 iPhone (PIC)
The iPhone may be Apple's first "official" phone, but apparently they toyed with the idea 25 years ago. Way back in 1983, designer Hartmut Esslinger, the same guy who made the Apple IIc computer, came up with this phone/tablet prototype.
Writing an electronic check with the 1983 iPhone.
The 1983 version of the iPhone obviously never made it into production, but it's still a cool concept. Although writing a physical electronic check seems a little silly now that we have online banking. The image is from fudder.de.
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop
Writing an electronic check with the 1983 iPhone.
The 1983 version of the iPhone obviously never made it into production, but it's still a cool concept. Although writing a physical electronic check seems a little silly now that we have online banking. The image is from fudder.de.
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop
Labels: iphone
7/12/2007
iPhone Termination Fee Making Lawmakers Upset
Apple's iPhone has enjoyed favorable reviews since its recent debut, but it got some criticism on Capitol Hill in Washington this week.The phones, which cost between $500 and $600—are usable only on AT&T Inc.'s wireless network and will remain that way until 2012. Even though the phones become expensive paperweights if customers quit AT&T's wireless plan, the company will still charge a $175 early termination fee, said Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., chairman of a House subcommittee on telecommunications and the Internet.
Markey described the phone as a "Hotel California service. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave—you're stuck with your iPhone and you can't take it anywhere."
Timothy Wu, a law professor at Columbia University and commentator on technology issues, described the cell phone industry as "spectrum- based oligopoly" where customers have given up their property rights.
"Imagine buying a television that stopped working if you decided to switch to satellite," Wu said. "Or a toaster that died if you switched from Potomac Power to ConEd."
BeSocial: breitbart | digg story | methodshop
Labels: iphone
7/09/2007
iPhone Developer Guide
Thinking about making applications for the iPhone? Apple released an iPhone developer guide to offer guidelines for creating widgets and applications that will integrate with the device's Safari browser, mail and mapping applications.
IM chat service Meebo, mini-blogging service Jaiku and gaming site WeeWar have already developed iPhone versions of their software.
The following guidelines will help developers prepare web content and design a website or web-based application for iPhone.
BeSocial: iphone developer guide | digg story | methodshop
IM chat service Meebo, mini-blogging service Jaiku and gaming site WeeWar have already developed iPhone versions of their software.
The following guidelines will help developers prepare web content and design a website or web-based application for iPhone.
BeSocial: iphone developer guide | digg story | methodshop
Labels: iphone
7/05/2007
Download the iPhone Ringtones
Not ready to shell out $600 for the new iPhone? You can trick out your current phone with the iPhone ringtones. These ringtones are the official iPhone ringtones ripped off the iPhone.
You can download them HERE from jasonromero.com.
BeSocial: digg story methodshop
You can download them HERE from jasonromero.com.
BeSocial: digg story methodshop
7/02/2007
500,000 iPhones Sold Last Weekend
The iPhone was one of the most anticipated product launches of 2007. So how did it do? According to Blackfriars, an analyst firm that has been monitoring Apple's stores, iPhone sales topped 500,000 last weekend. Here's a quote from the Blackfriars daily blog:
Apple must be pleased with such strong sales over the first weekend, it will be interesting to see if they can keep the sales up, over the coming weeks and months.
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop
"The bottom line: some analysts claimed that the iPhone launch would be a failure if Apple failed to sell 100,000 iPhones during the first weekend. Based upon the limited data we have, we believe that number was exceeded in just the first two to three hours. Blackfriars’ prediction is that Apple will sell 500,000 iPhones this weekend, and based upon limited sales rates reported, that number now looks quite achievable. The only question is whether the demand and iPhone supply is great enough that they might push past the million unit mark this weekend."
Apple must be pleased with such strong sales over the first weekend, it will be interesting to see if they can keep the sales up, over the coming weeks and months.
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop
6/26/2007
iPhone Rate Plans Revealed
Today Apple posted a page detailing the cost of the iPhone rate plans (US). And they aren't as bad as most people had thought. All plans have unlimited data (nice!) - $60 for 450 minutes, $80 for 900 minutes and $100 for 1350 minutes. Existing AT&T customers can add unlimited data for $20 - $40 with a varying number of text messages.
BeSocial: iphone plans | digg story | methodshop
- All iPhone service plans include Visual Voicemail and unlimited data — Internet and email — so you only have to decide how many minutes and SMS text messages you need. You’ll select your plan when you activate your iPhone using iTunes on your computer.
- If you’re already an AT&T customer and want to keep your current voice plan, you can just add an iPhone Data Plan with unlimited data (email and web) and Visual Voicemail for just $20 per month.
BeSocial: iphone plans | digg story | methodshop
Labels: iphone
5/23/2007
Cingular Brand Killed Before iPhone Launch
After purchasing the remaining 40 percent of Cingular last year, AT&T has begun the process of rebranding some 1,800 Cingular stores. The telecom, which will be the sole carrier of the iPhone in the U.S., is undertaking the rebranding move just weeks before Apple's hotly anticipated smartphone hits the market.
"Our branding Email Marketing Software - Free Demo campaign is performing at and above projected levels, and customer response has been very positive," Randall Stephenson, AT&T's chief operating officer, said.
The San Antonio-based phone giant is accelerating its rebranding efforts of one of the best-known brands in the market, and will make the orange "Jack" logo and Cingular name disappear from new devices being sold.
The decision to move to this phase of the branding campaign is based on research that indicates that consumer awareness of AT&T -- one of the best-known, most durable and iconic brands in the world -- is high and ahead of expectations, the company said.
[Via technewsworld.com]
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop
"Our branding Email Marketing Software - Free Demo campaign is performing at and above projected levels, and customer response has been very positive," Randall Stephenson, AT&T's chief operating officer, said.
The San Antonio-based phone giant is accelerating its rebranding efforts of one of the best-known brands in the market, and will make the orange "Jack" logo and Cingular name disappear from new devices being sold.
The decision to move to this phase of the branding campaign is based on research that indicates that consumer awareness of AT&T -- one of the best-known, most durable and iconic brands in the world -- is high and ahead of expectations, the company said.
[Via technewsworld.com]
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop
Labels: iphone
5/18/2007
FCC Approves iPhone
The Federal Communications Commission approved Apple's iPhone, clearing the way for the combined phone and music player to hit the shelves. Apple expects to begin selling the iPhone in late June.Some of the FCC documents confirm a few features of the phone, including it will have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and will operate in the 1900MHz and 850MHz frequency bands.
That means that despite the phone's high price, users won't be able to roam with it into Europe, where operators use different frequencies. The phone uses GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) technology and the EDGE (Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution) wireless data standard. Apple has said the phone will ship initially only in the U.S. but many GSM phones today, even on the low end, are capable of operating in both Europe and the U.S.
Eager potential users who hoped for a faster data connection will be disappointed that the approval is only for EDGE. Many operators, including Apple partner AT&T, have upgraded their networks to deliver download speeds of about 500K bits per second or more, more than twice as fast as EDGE.
[Via PC World]
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop
Labels: iphone
2/26/2007
Oscars iPhone Ad
If you were watching last night's American broadcast of the Oscars, then you might have noticed the first Apple iPhone ad. Apple reportedly paid $1.7 million to run the ad during the Oscars. The ad features 28 scenes from popular movies and TV shows with actors saying “hello” on a phone. The ad ends with an image of the iPhone and some text that says "Coming in June". You can see the ad here on YouTube.com.According to Gizmodo, this phone will be in service with AT&T instead of Cingular.
BeSocial: digg story | methodshop
2/06/2007
Gadget Birthday Cakes
How do you know you are a true geek? Well, when someone bakes you a gadget themed birthday cake, you might as well admit your chosen place in life. In a weird coincidence (or was there a gadget cake bake off recently) I found both an iPhone and Mac Mini cake on Digg's front page this past weekend.
A flickr user named icruise was surprised with this iPhone cake for their birthday. It looks like a sweet cake with a multitouch interface you can lick. Can you hear me now? No? Must be all the frosting in your ear.
The other photo is from 123macmini.com. Miles, the birthday boy, got this Mac Mini cake from his loving mom for his 15th birthday. Hopefully not too many people at his high school saw this online. He might get the frosting kicked out him after school. Just don't try to eat the disc. It looks like Miles' mom used an actual CD and covered it with frosting. Good luck trying to upgrade the RAM.
If you want to look for more Apple themed birthday cakes, try searching flickr for icake. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a black MacBook tray of brownies for my next birthday. I didn't find any Zune cakes on flickr for some reason. Poor Bill. :(
BeSocial: digg (iphone) | digg (mini) | flickr | methodshop
A flickr user named icruise was surprised with this iPhone cake for their birthday. It looks like a sweet cake with a multitouch interface you can lick. Can you hear me now? No? Must be all the frosting in your ear.
The other photo is from 123macmini.com. Miles, the birthday boy, got this Mac Mini cake from his loving mom for his 15th birthday. Hopefully not too many people at his high school saw this online. He might get the frosting kicked out him after school. Just don't try to eat the disc. It looks like Miles' mom used an actual CD and covered it with frosting. Good luck trying to upgrade the RAM.
If you want to look for more Apple themed birthday cakes, try searching flickr for icake. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a black MacBook tray of brownies for my next birthday. I didn't find any Zune cakes on flickr for some reason. Poor Bill. :(
BeSocial: digg (iphone) | digg (mini) | flickr | methodshop
1/18/2007
Conan iPhone Commercial
Apparently Steve Jobs was holding back at last week's Macworld Expo. Apple's new iPhone can do a lot more than just play music, movies and make phone calls.As you can see from this video, the research staff at Late Night with Conan O'Brien were able to uncover all of the iPhone's features including camera, movie player, remote control, electric razor…
If you want to copy this video off of YouTube and save it on your hard drive, then check out this tutorial: Copy Videos Off YouTube.
social: youtube | digg story | methodshop
1/11/2007
iPhone: Cisco vs Apple
If you were paying attention to all the hype building up to the Apple iPhone announcement on Tuesday, then you might recall the little snag concerning who actually owns the "iPhone" name.Even though Apple unveiled the iPhone in San Francisco this week, Linksys, a division of Cisco Systems Inc., announced a product called the iPhone on December 18th, 2006. The Linksys iPhone is a Web-enabled telephone handset capable of making calls over the Internet using voice over Internet protocol (VOIP).
So how can two different companies lay claim to the "iPhone" name? That's the problem... they can't.
Linksys, actually owns the "iPhone" trademark because of a Cisco acquisition. A company called Infogear registered the "iPhone" name in 1996. Then Cisco then absorbed the "iPhone" trademark when it acquired Infogear in the year 2000.
So what happens now? It's all up to the lawyers. Cisco filed a lawsuit against Apple yesterday in the U.S. District Court in San Francisco. Basically Cisco and Apple need to reach a settlement or Apple will have to call their iPhone something different like iChat Mobile.
According to the NY Post, Cisco thought it had reached a deal with Apple. The two companies were reportedly engaged in heated talks over the "iPhone" name the past few weeks leading up to the Apple iPhone announcement.
"We sent them final terms on Monday, but we never got approval back," Cisco spokesman John Noh told The Post. "We're very open to sharing the trademark. We made that clear. But then they went ahead and used the name without our permission."Apple has been trying to get the iPhone name away from Cisco since 2001 when they first released the iPod. Will Apple finally be successful? They obviously have something up their sleeve or they wouldn't have halted talks with Cisco and just announced the iPhone this week. It will be interesting to see what happens these next few months.
Apple plans on releasing the iPhone in June 2007.
digg story | methodshop
Labels: iphone
1/09/2007
Apple Announces iPhone, Apple TV
Every once in a while a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything. Apple, a company known for innovation, has been very fortunate in this regard. In 1984 they introduced the world to the first Macintosh and changed personal computing forever. Then in 2001 Apple introduced the first iPod and redefined the music industry.Today Apple introduced 3 revolutionary products: widescreen iPod, mobile phone, and internet communicator. But there's a catch... these revolutionary products aren't 3 separate devices. They are all rolled into one product called the iPhone ($499 4GB, $599 8GB).
The iPhone (GSM+EDGE) has a touchscreen interface with multitouch capabilities. That means you can use multiple fingers at the same time. How can such a small device have an advanced multitouch interface? The iPhone runs the Macintosh operating system OS X. How did Apple fit an entire operating system into a tiny phone? I don't know. Magic?
The iPhone syncs to your computer just like your iPod. All your media (music, videos, podcasts, etc.) as well as contacts, email amd calendars will sync to your iPhone. You can even add any any IMAP or POP email account. Yahoo users will like this next perk. Yahoo is giving all iPhone owners free IMAP email. You normally have to pay extra for this feature.Web browsing on a mobile phone was probably one of the worst user experiences you've ever encountered. Well those days are over. The iPhone uses the Safari browser and can smoothly navigate complicated sites like Google Maps.
And if all this iPhone business wasn't enough, Steve Jobs also announed Apple TV ($299) - a way to enjoy your media on your big screen TV. Anything you put into iTunes (content from iTunes, DVDs you've ripped, videos from YouTube, etc.) can be wirelessly transmitted to your Apple TV box.
The Apple TV has 802.11 WiFi (b, g + n) and will automatically sync from your PC.
More Apple TV specs:- 40GB HD
- 720p HD video
- componet
- RCA
- USB 2.0
- ethernet
- WiFi
- HDMI
digg story | methodshop
12/18/2006
Linksys Launches iPhone?
On Friday afternoon I heard a rumor that the "iPhone" was coming out on Monday, December 18th. It was an interesting rumor because most people thought that Apple would announce their mobile phone product at the January 2007 Macworld conference.Well, a new product called the iPhone did indeed come out today but not from the company that everyone thought. Linksys announced the iPhone in this press release, not Apple. So what the hell happened? For almost a year now people have been speculating about the possibility of Apple releasing a communication product called the iPhone. But apparently Linksys, a unit of networking equipment maker Cisco, already owns the "iPhone" trademark. According to BusinessWeek.com, a company called Infogear registered the "iPhone" name in 1996. Cisco then absorbed the "iPhone" trademark when it acquired Infogear in the year 2000. Oops. Score -1 for the bloggers. We really should have picked up on that little tidbit months ago.
Just like the rumored Apple version of the iPhone, the Linksys iPhone a Web-enabled telephone handset is compatible with all major Internet chat services including Skype, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, QQ, and ICQ.
So if Apple really has a mobile phone product in the works, they obviously can't call it the iPhone. What about a variation of a name they already own like iChat Mobile? While the name of this product may still be in question, a trail of clues about an Apple phone product have been popping up all over the Internet for over a year now:
- In June 2005, the source code of an iTunes update contained multiple references to an Autofill phone playlist function.
- Apple has owned the domain iphone.org since December 1999. It redirects traffic to apple.com.
- In March 2006, a source at BenQ, a Taiwanese phone manufacturer confirmed that an Apple phone product was in the works. Why would BenQ leak info about an Apple phone to the media? Sour grapes. Hon Hai Precision, a competitor to BenQ, allegedly won the phone contract with Apple.
- Apple's CFO, Peter Oppenheimer, might have let the 'cat out of the bag' on an Apple analyst 2006 Q3 conference call when he said the following: "As regards cell phones, we don't think that the phones that are available today make the best music players. We think the iPod is. But over time, that is likely to change. And [Apple is] not sitting around doing nothing."
- According to analysts, Apple is rumored to be ready to release an Internet phone product at the January 2007 Macworld conference. "From a technical standpoint, the phone is pretty much done," said American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu. "It's a big endeavor and we believe it's beyond speculation." Apparently the rumored existence of an Apple phone has morphed from a question of "If" to "When."
Here's the official Linksys press release on the iPhone.
digg story | methodshop
12/26/2005
Rip DVDs for Your iPod Video
Do you have a ton of DVD's? Want to watch them on your iPod, iPhone or Apple TV? Here's a tutorial that explains how to use an awesome program called Handbrake to rip DVD's into iTunes compatible MPEG-4 video files.Tutorial: How to Rip DVDs into MPEG4
methodshop
RSS Subscribe
Email Subscribe
Turkey Bowl is a 3D perspective target game where you celebrate the fall harvest by knocking over turkeys with bowling apples. Here's a hint, the turkeys further away are worth more points. Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Has a virus or hard
drive crash wiped out your entire music collection on your computer? No
problem. Here's how to copy music off your iPod or iPhone and back onto your computer.
Bugs tend to freak us out. Mosquitoes, spiders, wasps, centipedes... you name it. If it crawls, bites or buzzes anywhere near our faces, then we squirm, swat and run. But what's worse than a little bug crawling on or biting you? How about a really, really big one? Here are some of the biggest bugs on Earth. Enjoy!. 
Need
something to watch on your iPod or iPhone? Here's a tutorial that
explains how to use a program called Handbrake to rip DVD's
into iPod compatible MPEG-4 video files.
Post a Comment