iPhoneWriter.com

Review: iCHL for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch

2010-08-10T16:34:00.005-05:00

The iPhoneWriter.com team just completed a review of the iCHL for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch application. In short, iCHL for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch is ideal for anyone that has obtained a Concealed Handgun License (CHL, also known as a CCW or CPL license) or for any individual that has made the decision to own a firearm.

The App's Current Features Include:

Simple and easy to use navigation
- Fully functional in Landscape and Portrait modes
- Quick Reference Handgun & Rifle Charts for each State
- Reciprocity & Recognition information for each State
- Detailed Firearms Law and Constitutional Provisions for each State
- Integration with Google Maps for each State, provides information for: State Attorney Generals Office, Department of Public Safety / State Police, Handgun Certification and Permit Programs, Gun Shows, Events & Exhibits, and Firing Ranges & Shooter Clubs
- Related Links for Ammunition, Accessories, Books, Games and Videos
- The United States Declaration of Independence
- The Bill of Rights and the Second Amendment
- The Constitution of the United States
- Free Lifetime application updates with purchase

Specifically designed for the Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch, iCHL is a fully functional application that provides current firearms laws and information for all fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia. Every attempt is made to provide accurate and current information, however laws are subject to change so check back frequently for free updates and upgrades. We give it four stars, with a little bit of room to improve to get the full five.

Apple iPad: Best Buy? Yes. AT&T? Maybe?

2010-02-24T09:16:00.007-06:00

According to this article on the AppleInsider website, Apple has publicly acknowledged that the forthcoming iPad will launch at the Apple retail stores and direct (online) retail outlets. During the Goldman Sachs tech conference, Apple's Tim Cook was quoted as saying, "...Initially it will be around places with really great assisted sales," Cook also said that "...over time it will expand."

For those that may not know, the "assisted sales" channel for Apple includes partners like Best Buy, which Tim did mention by name. AT&T is also considered an "assisted sales" channel (jokes about AT&T's customer service aside) but Tim did not mention AT&T by name like he did Best Buy.

The iPhoneWriter.com team is willing to bet that AT&T is definitely on the list and will happily be selling iPad's come launch day. In a manner likely similar to the launch of the iPhone, one would expect the largest available inventories to be at the Apple retail stores, leaving "assisted sales" outlets like Best Buy and AT&T having fewer available. Business logic says there should also be an element of sales volume considered too.

So, where will you be standing in line? Your local Apple retail store? Best Buy? AT&T?

Pre-order the Apple iPad on February 25th?

2010-02-21T08:57:00.007-06:00

According to this article on the Boy Genius website, Apple is going to begin accepting pre-orders for their newest gem, the iPad, on February 25th. The report goes on to say this only applies to the Wi-Fi enabled iPad's.

The general consensus of the iPhoneWriter.com team is that this is not true. Sure, it's possible and a quick check of the Apple Store website on Thursday morning should say for sure, but without a named source or an actual press announcement from Apple, it's hard to think that the story is true.

Either way, knowing our addiction for mobile activity and all things Apple, the iPhoneWriter.com team is holding out for the 3G enabled version, so that we can be web enabled wherever we may roam.

Still Jailbroken, Still for Good Reason

2010-01-10T09:33:00.003-06:00

Long ago in a galaxy far, far away, the iPhoneWriter.com team was engaged in an epic battle with the Death Star. Our intention was noble and our cause was true, our desire was to be free from control by the Dark Side. Of course, this is a tongue and cheek reference to unlocking our iPhone for use on the T-Mobile network. What a difference a couple of years makes... now our contract has expired, along with the need to unlock our iPhone. That's right, the iPhoneWriter.com team has crossed back over to the Dark Side.

So far, it feels pretty good too. The network coverage for AT&T is a tad bit better in our area than T-Mobile's, which has meant having connections in areas where we didn't before. As an added bonus, we were now enjoying 3G network speeds vs. the Edge network speeds available with T-Mobile. Since being tied to a specific network carrier was no longer an issue and service was perhaps better than we had before, the question became whether or not we even needed to jailbreak our iPhone anymore. Initially, the question was lazily answered with a no and we moved on. Later though, the answer changed... whether or not to jailbreak is now answered with a resounding yes.

Why answer yes, if unlocking the iPhone is no longer required? Because of the app's. Because of the app's? Do we mean the App Store? No, we mean the app's in Cydia, not the App Store. For those that may not know, a major advantage to having a jailbroken iPhone is the ability to install 3rd party applications that are available outside of the limitations imposed (offered?) by the iPhone's App Store. Sure, there's over 100K applications available on the app store right now. With that many app's, what are the odds you'll ever need something that's not being offered in the App Store? Depending on your needs, the odds are actually pretty high.

Let's say you like to personalize things... you know, make them your own. Maybe you want a different back ground or custom icons for your applications, whatever. If your iPhone isn't jailbroken, your out of luck. How about an application to ... ... - sorry, nothing in the App Store for people like you. How about an application that blocks phones calls and messages from people you deem as undesirable (i.e., ex-girlfriends, bill collectors, unknown or blocked numbers, etc.?) Once again, you're out of luck at the App Store but in luck with Cydia (one of our favorite iPhone applications is called iBlacklist, and it's only available through Cydia.)

Long ago in a galaxy far, far away, the iPhoneWriter.com team was engaged in an epic battle. At the time, the battle was with AT&T more than it was with Apple, now the battlefront has changed but the war remains the same. One one side, you still have a Goliath, seeking domination and total control. One the other side, you still have David, wanting and fighting for freedom of his Apple iPhone.

AT&T Loves Me, How About You?

2009-11-10T07:12:00.003-06:00

Imagine our joy and exuberance upon reading a personal message that AT&T sent the iPhoneWriter.com team this morning. Obviously, the team at AT&T thinks that we're special in some way. So special in fact, they've decided to upgrade the 3G service in our area.

What? You got an email from AT&T too? Oh. Maybe we're not as special as we'd like to think to be but according to the ~~spam~~ message we've received, AT&T has invested nearly $50 million dollars to upgrade it's new 850mhz network in our area. According to the propaganda, "AT&T is always working to deliver the best possible 3G experience for our customers" as they've "nearly doubled" their 3G wireless network capacity.

Really? If so, then surely everyone found a similar message in their inbox this morning. Otherwise, one might think that AT&T is actually feeling the pressure form Verizon's recent "we have a map for that" campaign, which works to make the point that the AT&T 3G network coverage is not as robust as it should be (is "robust" the right word? How about "widespread" or "pervasive" or "dependable", oh never mind the point is made.)

Review: Apple iPhone 2G vs. HiPhone I32

2009-02-02T21:46:00.017-06:00

Within weeks of launching the original Apple iPhone 2G, the clone makers got busy working to duplicate Apple's efforts. The result took time to hit the United States and even longer to become some worth reviewing or even comparing to the Apple iPhone. Enter the HiPhone I32, which the iPhoneWriter.com team purchased for the sole purpose of comparing with the Apple iPhone.

In form factor and appearance, the HiPhone I32 is almost identical to the Apple iPhone. Measuring in at 4.19" x 2" x .63" (112mm x 15mm x 57mm), the HiPhone is only slightly thicker than the Apple iPhone 2G. Where the HIPhone i32 sets itself a part is the included features, which are innumerable and surpass the Apple iPhone on many fronts, and in the ability to expand the storage by way of Micro SD cards. Here's some of the main distinguishing features the the HiPhone I32 provides.

GPRS Dual Sim Card Telephone
SMS, MMS Messaging
Integrated SVGA camera (1.3 megapixels)
Video player
Video recorder
Bluetooth 2.0; USB; WAP 2.0
Integrated hands free speaker
3D Stereo surround sound
Voice record and playback

There's plenty of other cool features too. The HiPhone I32 also has a neat "shake" feature that allows switch between songs, in addition to decent sound when used with or without the included earphones. Also not unlike the Apple iPhone, the HiPhone I32's earphones have a built-in microphone and pause button that works pretty good too.

Where the HiPhone I32 falls short is the lack of integration with iTunes (which of course means no App Store), an inability to surf the Internet (a.k.a. the World Wide Web) and a user interface that can only be described as not-quite-Apple. Now, if what you need from a telephone is less than what the Apple iPhone provides, than the HiPhone I32 may be good enough for you. As far as mobile phones go, it's about as sleek as an Apple iPhone and has a shiny touchscreen (not optical glass like the Apple iPhone, btw) that works without a stylus, using just your fingers.

The HiPhone I32 is decidedly not the Apple iPhone though, not even close. Apple has nothing to worry about, other than the potential need for litigation over intellectual property. With that said, originating in China where even the knock-off's are cloned, the makers of the HiPhone I32 like have nothing to worry about either.

The-Webguy.com is now DurtyNelly.com

2009-01-02T20:18:00.004-06:00

NOTICE: The-Webguy.com is now DurtyNelly.com

Based on the website formerly known as The-Webguy.com, The Webguy welcomes you to visit the all new DurtyNelly.com website. Forget the past, embrace the future, accept no substitutes.

We don't normally post these types entries but a good friend of the iPhoneWriter.com team has recently fallen victim to a circumstance involving an overly aggressive spam filter and a domain name blackmailer. As a result, our friend (who is known online as The Webguy) has lost his domain name of nearly 14 years.

The Webguy is still moving content from the former The-Webguy.com website around, to get the new DurtyNelly.com website going, but it's never too soon to get the Internet spiders spidering.

Sorry to hear about your loss, Webguy!

UPDATED: Silence iPhone Spammers Forever with Silent Running

2008-12-31T22:11:00.001-06:00

Like most people, the iPhoneWriter.com team hates spam in all its forms and permutations. Electronic mail, snail mail, Boy Scouts selling popcorn, and unsolicited telephone calls all qualify as "spam" in our book and they're all obnoxious. We find unsolicited telephone calls to be particularly irritating. How many times have you been in a meeting or driving or whatever, and had your Apple iPhone ring only to find a "phone spammer" on the other end? Ugh.

Well, after one too many calls wondering if we were interested in having our carpets steam cleaned, enough was finally enough and we decided to stop the madness once and for all. The end result is a simple (and dare we say elegant) way to silence telephone spammers forever. Ah, the sweet sound of silence.

Here's how you can silence the telephone spammers on your Apple iPhone:

Download iPhoneWriter.com's Silent Running ringtone and import it into iTunes. Once imported (it's a tiny file so it should import almost instantly) the file should show up on the "Ringtones" tab.
Connect your Apple iPhone to your computer and synch your Ringtones, putting the Silent Running ringtone onto the Apple iPhone in the process.
Once the Silent Running ringtone has been synced to your Apple iPhone, create a new Contact on your Apple iPhone.
Name the new Contact whatever you like. We recommend something that you will easily (visually) recognize as unimportant should you happen to see the phone ringing or be reviewing your Recent Calls list. We chose "Phone Spammer" as the contact name, for obvious reasons.
Assign Silent Running as the ringtone for the newly created Contact.

The next time an unknown or undesired phone number calls your Apple iPhone, simply add the number to the new Contact you created in Step #3. Also, review your Recent Calls list for unknown or undesired phone numbers (telephone numbers you know to belong to "phone spammers") and add those to the same Contact. The next time you synch the Apple iPhone and iTunes, the "phone spammer" contact will be synched with your Address Book, along with all of the assigned telephone numbers.

That's it, enjoy the silence!

Review: Apple iPhone Real World Usage Battery Life Test Results

2008-12-14T18:50:00.001-06:00

REPOST: The expected battery life for the Apple iPhone is the subject of many blog entries and reviews. Most of what you will read is negative or less than objective. However, since I use my Apple iPhone everyday for everything from my primary telephone to typing blog entries for the iPhoneWriter.com web site, I decided that a real-world battery life test was in order.

Usage patterns naturally vary, from day to day. Some days are busier than others, some days are not busy at all. To be as objective as possible, I decided that performing the real-world battery usage test three (3) times and then averaging the numbers to calculate the expected (estimated) real-world usage results. To ensure a valid final result, some basic rules were followed.

Rules of the Road, for the Apple iPhone Battery Life Test:

The Apple iPhone must be used under real-world conditions, with no adjustment in usage patterns to artificially extend the life of a particular battery charge.
The Apple iPhone battery must be fully exhausted before connecting to the charging cable for syncing or charging (since the Apple iPhone charges while syncing.)
Once fully charged, the Apple iPhone cannot be re-charged or plugged into the computer until the battery is fully exhausted.

Before beginning the test, I followed the established rules and exhausted my Apple iPhone's battery. To ensure that the battery was completely drained, I listened to some music and surfed the web until the Apple iPhone shut down. At that point, I hooked up the Apple iPhone to the charger and went to bed confident that the real-world battery usage test was off to a good start.

Apple iPhone Battery Life Test: Round One
Having fully discharged my Apple iPhone before putting it on the charger the night before, Round One started with a fully charged Apple iPhone battery. I disconnected the Apple iPhone form the charging cable, checked my email and hit the road for work. During Round One, I used the Apple iPhone for a couple of phone calls, jamming to some music, checking my email and surfing the web. Otherwise, when not being used, the iPhone remained powered on and in stand-by mode. Right before the battery finally exhausted (within a few minutes of receiving the 5% Battery Life warning), the usage was:

Stand By: 1 Day 16 Hours
Usage: 5 Hours 8 Minutes
Combined Usage (Stand By + Usage): 1 Day 21 Hours 8 Minutes

Wow, not bad at all! Having owned a couple of other "smart" phones in the past, like the Treo and Sidekick, battery life like this blows me away and seems to support some of Apple's claims. Could this be a fluke? With the battery fully discharged, I connected the Apple iPhone to the charger and waited for Round Two.

Apple iPhone Battery Life Test: Round Two
With the results from Round One coming in at an outrageous 45 hours and 8 minutes, I was anxious to see if Round Two would yield similar results. Nearing the end of the battery charge, I made note of the usage. As it happened, I barely noted the times before the Apple iPhone shut down.

Stand By: 2 days 9 hours
Usage: 5 hours 3 minutes
Combined Usage (Stand By + Usage): 2 Days 14 Hours 3 Minutes

As you can see, the variation in times between Round One and Round Two is fairly significant. The difference does support the assumption that usage patterns would vary. Of course, that's why we are performing a three round test. I had slightly less usage and a bit more stand-by time this round.

Apple iPhone Battery Life Test: Round Three
After two rounds of testing, the bar was set pretty high for Round Three. When Round Three came to a close, while listening to one of our CD's from the 80's, the Apple iPhone did not disappoint, coming at just over two days combined usage.

Stand By: 1 Day 22 Hours
Usage: 4 Hours 52 Minutes
Combined Usage (Stand By + Usage): 2 Days 1 Hour 58 Minutes

Round Three ended with results that were consistent with Round One and Round Two. What makes Round Three note-worthy is that it included the use of the Aliph JawBone bluetooth headset (a review of the Aliph JawBone is forthcoming.) So, even while using a bluetooth headset, the Apple iPhone provided exceptional real-world battery life.

Apple iPhone Battery Life Test: What Is Real-World Battery Life
Put simply and for the purpose of this test, real-world battery life is defined as typical day-to-day usage of the Apple iPhone features and applications. While usage patterns varied from day-to-day, the range of applications and features used remained fairly consistent. During the testing, I used the Apple iPhone as an iPod, to listen to music and watch a movie; as a telephone, to check voice mail and make/take calls (visual voice mail rocks); to check e-mail (sending and receiving messages); to browse the Internet, participate in online forums and create content for the iPhoneWriter.com web site; as a mapping device to generate driving directions and locate a particular store; and much more, including things like checking the weather and snapping a couple of pictures.

Apple iPhone Battery Life Test: The Final Results
Averaging 50+ hours of combined usage over three separate rounds of testing, the real-world battery life for the Apple iPhone is exceptional and superior to any other smart phone we have used. During the testing, colleagues with other smart phones (like the Motorola Q, the BlackJack and a Treo) were amazed and envious of the battery life that the Apple iPhone provides. I can understand why, they are accustomed to charging their smart phones every night, with minimal usage during the day. As for the results of the iPhoneWriter.com real-world usage battery life test, the Apple iPhone passed with flying colors.

iPhone 2.2 Unlocked, Ready to Rock

2008-11-23T10:05:00.012-06:00

You have to love the iPhone Dev team, the iPhoneWriter.com team sure does. After all, it's their ongoing development efforts that helps us keep our Day One 2G Apple iPhone unlocked and ready to rock!

Apple released the latest version of the iPhone firmware last week. The iPhoneWriter.com team successfully upgraded last night, and we've been enjoying it ever since. Here's the high-level steps we followed:

First, we downloaded the latest Apple iPhone Firmware. We downloaded ours from here, but you can certainly use other sources you trust.
Second, we downloaded the latest PWNage Tool for our platform. Since we use a Mac, we downloaded ours from here but once again, you can use whatever source your heart desires.
Next, we installed the PWNage Tool into our Applications folder, and launched the program. Selecting the 'Expert Mode' option, we stepped through the interface to create a custom version of the Apple iPhone Firmware we downloaded in Step One.
Once the Custom Firmware bundle was successfully created, we closed the PWNage Tool, connected our Apple iPhone to the computer, and launched Apple iTunes program.
Within Apple iTunes, we used the OPTION+CLICK technique to click the 'Restore' button. We then located the Custom Firmware bundle we created in Step Four and let nature run its course. That's it!

Once the installation completed, we were the proud owners of a Day One 2G Apple iPhone, running the latest and greatest 2.2 version of the firmware, jailbroken/unlocked and fully functional on the T-Mobile network. Once again, the iPhone Dev team comes through for the iPhone community at large. Way to go guys!

Looking for a Genius? Try Again.

2008-11-09T19:23:00.012-06:00

At iPhoneWriter.com, we enjoy the Genius feature that Apple recently included with iTunes and the iPhone/iPod Touch. It’s especially nice to have in the car, to produce random (but related) playlists while driving around. However, a recent attempt to create a Genius Playlist on our Apple iPhone resulted in an interesting error message: “Try Again. This song does not have enough related songs to create a Genius Playlist.”

Really? AC/DC is one of the biggest rock bands ever, with numerous rock anthems to their credit and millions of fans worldwide. Not enough songs related to create a Genius Playlist? This is extremely hard to believe.

One cannot help but wonder if this is really a reaction to the band’s recent decision to distribute their most recent release exclusively through Wal-Mart stores, thereby bypassing iTunes and the associated revenue for Apple. In fact, a quick search of the iTunes Music Store reveals no AC/DC music at all. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that this is more about dollars than songs.

Review: eBay iPhone Application, Free Download in Apple's App Store

2008-08-09T20:03:00.043-05:00

Available as a free download in Apple's App Store, the eBay iPhone application regularly appears in the App Store's Top 50 list. After using eBay's iPhone application for about two weeks and a few auctions, the iPhoneWriter.com team found that the eBay application is a good start with room to improve.

Using the eBay application really couldn't be easier. After installing the application and launching it for the first time, you simply tap the "Sign In" button and enter the login information for your eBay account. The application remembers your information until you tap the "Sign Out" button and there's also a link on the "Sign In" screen, for people who do not already have an account (we couldn't help but wonder how many people without an eBay account would actually download the application?)

Once logged in, a simple Home screen is presented, with options to view the standard auction information for your eBay account. The available options include auctions that the account is Watching, Winning, Won, Outbid, Scheduled, Selling, Sold and Unsold. Tapping an option on the Home screen takes you to a listing of those items, grouped based on being Active/In-Active, or Won/Didn't Win, Sold/Unsold, etc.

In addition to the Home screen, other options within the eBay application include "Search" and "My eBay". As you would expect, tapping the "Search" option brings up a simple search screen. A nice feature eBay included with "Search" is the ability to refine the search results. Tapping the "Refine" button presents options for sorting the results based on Best Match, Price + Shipping, Time Ending and Time Listed.

Tapping the "My eBay" option provides the same options as presented on the Home screen, divided into three main categories; Watching, Buying and Selling. The user toggles between these categories by selecting the appropriate button at the top off the screen. The "My eBay" section provides nothing that the Home screen doesn't already provide, so we're not sure what eBay is thinking here. Perhaps it's more of a placeholder for future improvement? Who knows.

Selecting an item from any particular list (from the Home screen, Search Results, My eBay, etc.) provides a brief description of the item, with options to Watch/Un-Watch and Bid/Buy Now as appropriate. The current bidding price and bidder information are also provided, and users can view the auction item's image by tapping the thumbnail or the detailed item description by tapping the "see item description" option. TIP: "Pinching" the item image or detailed item description provides Zoom In/Zoom Out functionality, and using a single finger let's you scroll around the screen.

In the category of room to improve, when selecting an item you have Won or Sold, there is not an option to leave feedback. This seems like a logical feature and must be an oversight on eBay's part that we hope is corrected in a future update. Additionally, while you can see the feedback number and rating for the Seller of an item, there is not an option to view the actual feedback the Seller has received. When you consider that it is possible to Bid/Buy Now when viewing an item, not being able to review the Seller's feedback seems silly. Another obvious shortcoming is not being able to create a new auction listing or modify existing ones. With the Apple iPhone rapidly becoming the mobile Internet device of choice, this is another feature where the eBay team dropped the ball by not providing.

In addition to the items we just mentioned, there are a few other features missing too. Features like managing your eBay account settings and making payments are items that eBay's iPhone development should include on a feature list for a future release.

Overall, the iPhoneWriter.com team found eBay's iPhone application to be a solid entry in the list of applications available in Apple's App Store and worth the download at twice the price (the application is free.) Basically, the application is a great way for eBay to get the ball rolling on mobile usage of their core resources, i.e. auctions. As other feature-rich contenders enter the space though (and you know other developers are writing similar iPhone applications), eBay shouldn't depend on third parties to include features they've left out, instead dedicating the necessary time and resources to continue improving their own application. Mobile computing is the future of the Internet, and eBay (or anyone else for that matter) would be wise to include all the features they make available via their standard web site available in their mobile applications.

How To: Upgrade Apple iPhone to v2.0 Unlocked

2008-07-20T09:37:00.012-05:00

With the much anticipated announcement by the iPhone Dev team, the iPhoneWriter.com team decided to upgrade the software on our original iDay One Apple iPhone 2G. The short story is the upgrade was 100% successful, with zero issues encountered (way to go iPhone Dev team!) The longer story is detailed below, in the form of a How-To.

To start with, we needed the necessary software, which included upgrading iTunes to the latest v7.7 release. The only other software required is the latest version of the PwnageTool program and the related 3.9 and 4.6 Bootloader files.

Here's the high-level steps we followed:

Upgraded iTunes to the v7.7 release. Launched iTunes to ensure it upgraded successfully then closed it and ensured it was no longer running.
Downloaded version 2.0 of the PwnageTool progam and the related 3.9 and 4.6 Bootloader files.
Connected the Apple iPhone to the computer (notes about our Apple iPhone: original, iDay One Apple iPhone 2G; Bootloader v3.9; running v1.1.4 all the correct firmware versions; unlocked and using T-Mobile.)
Launched the PwnageTool program and selected the Apple iPhone (not the Apple iPhone 3G!) and followed the PwnageTool program step-by-step to create a custom IPSW (Apple iPhone Firmware) file.
Once the PwnageTool program was done and the custom IPSW file was created, closed the PwnageTool program and launched iTunes.
Used the custom IPSW file (Apple iPhone Firmware) to restore the Apple iPhone, by clicking OPTION+RESTORE in iTunes and "browsing" to select the custom IPSW file created by the PwnageTool program.
When iTunes completed restoring the Apple iPhone, closed iTunes and let the Bootneuter program run it's course, with no interaction or interference. The Bootneuter program runs on the actual Apple iPhone, not your computer, and is built into the custom IPSW file when the unlock feature is selected in the PwnageTool program.
That's it! Once the Bootneuter program completed and the Apple iPhone was done rebooting itself, we were done and enjoying the new v2.0 Apple iPhone software. The entire start-to-finish process took less than an hour to complete.

The team at ModMyiFone.com posted tutorials for both Apple iPhone 2G and Apple iPhone 3G owners, complete with pictures and links to the required software. If you want or need the details behind each of the high-level steps above, be sure to check them out.

Much thanks to the iPhone Dev Team for their hard work on the new PwnageTool program. We're looking forward to seeing what they come up with next (like an unlock for the new Apple iPhone 3G!)

Patiently Waiting for iPhone 3G

2008-07-16T07:18:00.002-05:00

iDay Two has come and gone and with it (an the days following) a million iPhone's. However, not everyone who wanted Apple's new 3G iPhone got one and available stock has nothing to do with it. The iPhoneWriter.com team is one example. The new activation scheme, which requires in store activation of the iPhone, isn't the deal breaker but it doesn't help.

Obviously the lower price that comes with the subsidy provided by the carrier (AT&T here in the states) appeals to the masses, the million plus 3G iPhone's sold to date is proof. However, in exchange for no contractual commitment, some of us were (are) willing to pay more for their iPhone. Sensing this to be the case, AT&T smartly decided to offer the iPhone with no contractual obligation. This is where the proverbial pooch gets screwed because AT&T also decided to tack on a premium above/beyond what a person might pay who starts a contract and then breaks it. Pure profit that, in this case, points to the Death Star's pure greed.

Will we upgrade to the iPhone 3G?

That is a question, isn't it. And, a good question at that. The short and easy answer is yes, probably. The longer answer involves pointing out that we enjoy our Apple iPhone unlocked, with the T-Mobile network. For us to make the switch to the 3G phone would mean not being able to enjoy 3G network speeds. Sure, we'd still be able to access T-Mobile's 2G network, a.k.a. Edge, but T-Mobile's interface to their 3G network operates at a different frequency than AT&T's.

For now, the iPhoneWriter.com team continues enjoying their original, iDay One Apple iPhone... now known as the 2G model. Once the version 2.0 software has been successfully jailbreaked and unlocked, we'll upgrade the software. All the while, patiently waiting to upgrade to the iPhone 3G.

[UPDATE 07.19.2008] The iPhone Dev team has done it again. We're upgrading now, entirely thanks to them. Look for a How-To to be posted soon.

How To: Fixing iCal iPhone Sync Issues

2008-05-19T21:04:00.004-05:00

One of the the iPhoneWriter.Com team's favorite features about the Apple iPhone is integration with the iCal and Contacts applications. Sure, this is a cool feature for just about any "smartphone" on the market today, but no third-party software is required for the Mac user to synch with his iPhone. Instead, one simply uses iTunes to synch the iPhone with the iCal and Address Book applications (and also the Mail and iTunes Music applications.) Despite the simplicity and ease, an issue with syncing the Apple iPhone and iCal appears from time to time.

You'll know the syncing issue when you see it, because the new events you enter into the Calendar on your Apple iPhone will not appear in iCal. Said another way, you'll enter a new event into your iPhone, use iTunes to sync with your Mac (or MacBook in our case) and the new event on your iPhone will not show up in iCal. Keep trying, synch as you might, iCal and the Apple iPhone just won't get along.

Here's the down and dirty fix:

Open iCal and backup or export your entries. Make a note of the fie name and location, you're going to need them in a minute. Once your backup/export is completed, close the iCal application.
Open Finder and remove everything inside the "Username/Library/Calendars" folder. For instance, if your username is "Joe", then move everything inside the "Joe/Library/Calendars" folder.
Open the iSync application. It's located in the "/Applications/" folder. Once iSync is opened, go into the iSync Preferences (iSync -> Preferences) and push/click the "Reset Sync History" button. Then, close the iSync application.
Re-Open the iCal application and Import (File -> Import) a new calendar. When prompted, use your notes from Step #1 to select the file your created earlier. Once completed, close the iCal application (you should have all of your calendar entries back.)
Open the iTunes application and connect your Apple iPhone to the computer.
Within the Advanced section of the Info tab for the Apple iPhone, check the box the overwrites/replaces the Calendar data on the Apple iPhone.
Click the Apple/Sync button. New, modified and deleted entries should now be syncing correctly.

That's it! You should be all set and iTunes, iCal and our Apple iPhone should all be playing nicely as friends again. We've used the exact method to repair our own Apple iPhone at least once... maybe even twice.

Custom Battery Images for Apple iPhone

2008-03-01T13:29:00.013-06:00

Many people ask us where we got the battery images on our Apple iPhone that show the percentage (%) of charge. The simple truth is that we made them ourselves, using our favorite graphics program. As it happens, "custom iPhone battery images" is one of the key search phrases that leads people to the iPhoneWriter.com website.
So, in the spirit of giving people what they want, here is the link, to download our variation of the stock Apple iPhone battery icon. The archive includes all 17 images and the image backgrounds are transparent, so you can leave them as is for a stock look and feel, or set them to whatever color you prefer based on your current skinning desires.

NOTE: In case you're wondering or unsure, the Apple iPhone's battery images are stored inside the "/System/Library/CoreServices/SpringBoard.app/" directory structure.

Enjoy!

How-To: Unlocking Apple iPhone, Easy as 1.1.4

2008-02-28T18:17:00.007-06:00

On the chance it might help someone else, here are the steps we followed to successfully upgrade to the v1.1.4 firmware release.

Particulars:

Apple MacBook, latest version of operating system/updates (Leopard 10.5.2)
Latest version of iTunes (v7.6.1)
Day One iPhone w/3.9BL, v1.1.3 with the latest Baseband and Unlock'd to run on T-Mobile (T-Mobile SIM installed the entire time.)

Steps Followed:

Used iTunes to Synch/Backup the iPhone, before beginning
Once synched and backed up:
Restored to v1.1.4 using iTunes
Once restored to v1.1.4, closed iTunes
Downloaded "ZiPhone-1.1.4_by_JBLP.zip" (a modified version of ZiPhone) from this link.
Unzipped downloaded file, and executed "./ziphone -a -j" to Activate, Jailbreak and install the Installer application. NOTE: This process took about one (1) minute to complete.
Set "Auto Lock" to never in Settings.
Configured / Established Wi-Fi access.

Installed requisite software packages:

Launched Installer application and refreshed "Sources" to ensure most recent applications.
Once "Sources" successfully refreshed, applied any/all available "Updates" and exited Installer application, to ensure updates applied.
Re-Launched Installer application and confirmed no additional updates were available.
Installed BSD Subsystem and exited Installer application, to ensure updates applied.
Re-Launched Installer application and confirmed BSD Subsystem is installed and that no additional updates were available.
Added http://installer.iClarified.com to "Sources" and relaunched the Installer application, to installation/updates applied.
Re-Launched Installer application and refreshed "Sources" to confirm that the iClarified source is installed and that no additional updates were available.

Unlocked the iPhone, for use on networks other than the Death Star.

Launched Installer application and the 'IClarified" folder from the Install tab/page
Installed the "Unlock (1.1.4) application. NOTE: During this process, we received a popup asking me which Wi-Fi network to join. We simply selected my Wi-Fi network (the one previsouly setup in step #6 above) and the process completed without issue. This process took about five (5) minutes to complete.
Exited Installed application and rebooted phone.

Final Results:

Network = T-Mobile (USA)
Version = 1.1.4 (4A102)
Modem Firmware = 04.04.05_G
IMEI = correct
iTunes = recognizes phone w/correct version. Synchs without issue (190.5 MB of "Other" prior to any synch, restoration of data.)
Telephone = fully functional, unlocked and running T-Mobile
SMS = fully functional
YouTube = full functional
Maps / Locate Me = fully functional
Internet / Safari = fully functional
Weather = fully functional
Stocks = fully functional

There is a little bit of redundancy built-in, if you read/follow each step as outlined, but we consider this to be a good thing as it errors on the side of caution. Enjoy!

:: Apple iPhone v1.1.3 Jailbreak Success

2008-01-28T21:01:00.000-06:00

Apple Computer's recent firmware update, version 1.1.3, did not take long for the Dev team's to crack open, i.e. jailbreak, and we were successfully able to update, jailbreak and unlock our own Apple iPhone. The following outlines our tale of success. Enjoy!

Scenario:
- Macbook w/Tiger v10.5.1 and iTunes v4.6
- Day One iPhone w/BL v3.9, unlock'd and running v1.1.2 w/a T-Mobile SIM

Tools Used:
- iTunes v4.6 (did we mention that already?)
- iNdependence v1.3.2 beta
- *#307# Jailbreak Method (for v1.1.1)
- Jailbreak v1.1.2
- AnySim v1.1.2u
- The ModMyiFone.com Forums
- Enough common sense to read the boards for all known issues and solutions before starting.
- Patience to keep our idle hands off the iPhone, once the process started.

Results:
When Nate released his unofficial soft-upgrade to the v1.1.3 release, we started reading and watching for positive results and issues. Once we were comfortable enough with what we thought the outcome would be, we decided to go for it... and start the process of soft-upgrading our iPhone to the v1.1.3 release.

On the first attempt, the soft-update failed.... in turn, we had to enter DFU mode (using iNdependence v1.3.2 beta) and restore our iPhone back down to v1.1.1, and start again. The second and third attempts yielded the same results, which proved enough for one Friday night.

So, come Sunday night we went about the process of restoring back to v1.1.1, Jailbreaking and moving on to an unlock'd, clean installation of the v1.1.2 release. we used this How-To through step #22 (including but stopping after step #22.) The important thing here being that we went ahead and revirginized the baseband too, which we hadn't done previously.

After step #22 of the above How-To (after completing Step #22, we stopped following the How-To), we were running a truly virgin v1.1.2 iPhone, jailbroken, unlock'd and using a T-Mobile SIM (which we didn't take out during the entire process.) After that, we refreshed the sources in the Installer application and made sure that it (the Installer application) was on the most recent version (this is important, because only the latest version of the Installer will work with the v1.1.3 release!)

Once the Installer was as current as it was gonna be, we installed the BSD Subsystem v2.0 (via the Installer) and checked that SSH was working properly. We then decided to give v1.1.3 one last shot... this time though, we went straight to the Installer and stepped through installing the v1.1.3 Jailbreak application released by ModMyiFone.com and the iPhone Dev Team... 40 minutes later, we were looking at v1.1.3 for the first time.

As a final series of steps, we ran the script to fix synching, which fixed any iTunes synching issues. Then, we installed Navizon from the Installer, which fixed the Google Maps locater issue. Everything works.... telephone functions, iPod, multiple SMS, iTunes Music Store, Ringtones (Custom and Base), Email, YouTube, the Wiggling Icons an multiple Springboards... everything.

Woohoo, a fully functional v1.1.3, unlock'd, jailbroken iPhone - and the sweet smell of success!

HUGE thanks for the ModMyiFone.com team, who have come through for the iPhone community at large once again. And, of course, hats off to the iPhone Dev Team's for getting an official release out that works as advertised.

Unlocked the Apple iPhone, Left the Evil Empire

2007-10-02T10:27:00.000-05:00

We just got off the phone with the Death Star Support Troopers (the AT&T Customer Support team) to pay our final bill and cancel the AT&T wireless account. The negative effects of the 1.1.1 firmware update convinced us to *not* apply the Apple update until the Dev team has released a "virgin application" and/or method for working around the "Invalid SIM issues". Apple Computer and AT&T are definitely forming an Evil Empire.

Instead of updating, we'll keep using the version 1.0.2 firmware that is fully unlocked and fully functional with the T-Mobile EDGE setup. Yes, this puts our iPhone to a time warp, so to speak, but we'll live... happily and Empire-free. NOTE: We did keep our AT&T SIM chip. Just in case we should need some type of support from Apple in the future, we can pop-in the AT&T chip before heading into the store.

Sure, the new features of the 1.1.1 update are appealing (not the Wi-Fi iTunes Music Store, but other stuff like increased speaker volume, TV out, etc.) but *not* more appealing than being able to use a T-Mobile account, install third party applications and custom ringtones, or have unfettered access to the Apple iPhone.

With the decision made to quit using the Death Star airwaves, we made the call. It was easy and the Empire actually waved the cancellation fee, after our explanation that the cancellation was purely because of satisfaction issues with the iPhone. When asked what issues, we simply replied "...you name it..." and then recalled items from various forum threads - stuff like display issues, low sound and ringer volumes, and less than the touted battery life. We were very careful to *not* specifically say these things happened to our iPhone, but the implication was there given we started the response with the general "...satisfaction issues with the iPhone" statement.

Along the way, we never mentioned the early termination fee, just the desire to pay the final bill (the monthly bill we happened to have in hand.) In turn, the Support Trooper apologized for the issues, reminded us that there are 59 days to re-activate without a fee, and that they were waving the termination fee since we had (a) paid full price on iDay, and (b) been a good customer for the past three months. When the Trooper mentioned the termination fee being waved, we acted surprised "...hadn't even thought about a termination fee..." and appreciative they were so helpful. The 59 days to re-activate seems cool too, just in case the #iPhone Dev team develops a solution, and we would need to go back to AT&T as a part of said solution.

So, there you have it, a smart decision to stay far away from the 1.1.1 firmware update and an even smarter decision to leave the evil Empire... at least for now.

How-To: Four Steps to Restore, Install SSH and Customize the Apple iPhone

2007-09-10T21:05:00.000-05:00

UPDATE 9/28/2007: The directions and programs detailed in this How-To do not work with version 1.1.1 of the Apple iPhone firmware (the latest update.) If your Apple iPhone is using the latest firmware update, then you will need to downgrade your firmware before proceeding.

By following some basic steps, any Apple iPhone can be tweaked to have custom ringtones and 3rd party applications. Even the system graphics, icons and text messages can be changed.

Step One: Restoring the Apple iPhone
Starting with a clean slate cannot be understated. In fact, when you are tweaking the Apple iPhone, it makes life a whole lot easier. Using Apple iTunes, "Restore and Update" the Apple iPhone. This is achieved by holding the Sleep + Home buttons at the same time, until the yellow triangle alert appears on the screen. At that point, plug the Apple iPhone into your computer and start Apple iTunes. Once opened, Apple iTunes will recognize the Apple iPhone and step you through the restoration process.

Once restored, proceed with activation but *do not* synch any data. This is critical before proceeding to the next step. If the Apple iPhone starts to synch automatically, stop it as quickly as possible (you can manually stop a synch in Apple iTunes or on the Apple iPhone itself.) Alternatively, you can "disable automatic synching for all iPhones" within the iTunes preferences, which is even simpler. Another option is to forget about iTunes altogether and activate the iPhone using a program like iActivate or iNdependence

Once the Apple iPhone has been restored and activated (but *not* synched!) completely shut down the Apple iTunes application. NOTE: You will know you succeeded with Step One because (a) the Apple iPhone will be activated, and (b) you will be prompted to provide the Voice Mail password (which is okay to enter), and (c) the Apple iPhone will not have any music, movies or photo's on it (it will have your contacts, this is okay.)

Step Two: Installing and Securing SSH
Now it's time to install SSH on the Apple iPhone. Depending on your setup (Mac, Windows, etc.) there are several "easy install" scripts available for installing SSH. The iPhoneWriter.com web site uses nothing but Apple computers, from our Apple iPhone to our Apple MacBook, so we prefer the BlueDonkey easy install for Intel based Mac's, but there is also a PPC version available.

Installing SSH requires that the Apple iPhone be "freed from jail", that is to say hacking the Apple IPhone to allow you to access and manipulate the file system. Popular programs for this include ./jailbreak with iPhoneInterface, iFuntastic, iPHUC, iActivate, and iNdependence (our current favorite is the iNdependence program, which can activate/deactivate an iPhone, install SSH, change the root password, and much more.)

NOTE: All of these programs perform the same basic task: hacking the Apple iPhone to allow manipulating the file system. However, depending on your purpose, some programs work better together than others. Individual mileage may vary, but we've found that:

./jailbreak with iPhoneInterface are ideally suited for use together
iActivate works best with iPHUC (use iActivate to "free" the Apple iPhone and iPHUC to manipulate the file system after the Apple iPhone is "free")
Install_IPB works best with iFuntastic (we'll talk more about Install_IPB in a little bit.)

Okay, back to installing the SSH server. With the Apple iPhone plugged into your computer and with the Apple iTunes application completely shut down, launch your preferred SSH server installation script. As mentioned, we'll be using the easy install package that BlueDonkey.org. BlueDonkey's SSH install is packaged with a version of ./jailbreak and *does not* require using one of the previously mentioned tools to "free" the Apple iPhone before it's use. This is one of the many attractive features of BlueDonkey's install package, it is fully self-contained and automatically downloads any other files you need but don't already have. Another attractive feature is that we've found it to work, every time, provided that Step One is followed exactly.

Once you have the SSH server installed and tested to be working, it's time to change the 'root' password. Most people skip this step, yet everyone knows the default 'root' password for the Apple iPhone is "dottie". Unless you really want to be a walking exploit waiting to happen, change the default password, especially since changing the root password is a very straight forward process, with only a few simple steps.

Step Three: Synching the Apple iPhone and Apple iTunes Data
If you've come this far, the Apple iPhone should now have a functioning SSH server installation, with a unique 'root' password to keep it secure. Now, the real fun can begin as everything is in place to start fully customizing the Apple iPhone, installing 3rd party applications and becoming a bona-fide Apple iPhone hacker.

What should we do to the Apple iPhone first? Installing 3rd party applications sounds fun. How about changing the home screen icons or adding custom ringtones to the Apple iPhone, those both sound like fun too. Now is a great time to mention that once Step Two is successfully complete, it is perfectly okay to synch the Apple iPhone with the Apple iTunes. In fact, that's what we are going to do first, before we start tweaking.

Before the Apple iPhone can be synched with Apple iTunes, it needs to be "returned to jail". Using whatever program originally used to "free" the Apple iPhone, send it back to jail. Once jailed, the Apple iPhone will synch with Apple iTunes, without issue, and can be easily "freed" again for any future changes. Also, the SSH server installation and 'root' password remain active and unchanged.

Step Four: Customizing the Apple iPhone, Installing 3rd Party Applications and Ringtones
When the Apple iPhone launched, one of the biggest disappointments was (and remains) the lacking ability to add custom ringtones. Thankfully, this was also one of the first things to be hacked and, as far as hacking goes, adding custom ringtones to the Apple iPhone is now very easy. Our favorite application, for creating custom ringtones on the Apple iPhone, is iFuntastic. However, even if you are still using Windows, a simple solution is available (and hopefully owning an Apple iPhone will turn you into a switcher.)

iFuntastic installs on your Mac vs. the Apple iPhone itself and is a great application for changing the existing files on the Apple iPhone. This means that iFuntastic is great for changing system settings, text ("slide to unlock" can become almost anything you want), system sounds and even application icons and system graphics. iFuntastic also makes it very easy to add custom ringtones to the Apple iPhone. All things considered, iFuntastic is great for what it does, although it can be time consuming to use it for extensive modifications. iFuntastic also does not support uploading new files to the Apple iPhone, which means it cannot be used to install 3rd party applications (at least, the current version doesn't, who knows about future versions.)

To install 3rd party applications on the Apple iPhone, programs like iNdependence can be used, as well as SFTP programs like CyberDuck or WS-FTP. Using the SCP command is also very handy and straight forward. If you are on a Mac, the SCP program is a command line tool built into the operating system. If you are on Windows, programs like WinSCP are available.

Once you have chosen the program you are going to use (again, we prefer using the SCP command), installing new applications onto the Apple iPhone is as simple as (a) copying an application to the "/Applications/" directory on the Apple iPhone, and (b) changing the permissions on the application to be 'executable' (chmod +x .) NOTE: Installing new ringtones in this way is just as easy, simply copy them into the "/Library/Ringtones" directory on the Apple iPhone.

Admittedly, the steps detailed in this How-To article are not exactly short, but they provide us with a 100% success rate. Individual mileage may vary, but the iPhoneWriter team follows these steps every time they come across an Apple iPhone in need of attention.

iFuntastic Version 3.0.3 Released for the Apple iPhone

2007-08-29T18:10:00.000-05:00

Customizing the Apple iPhone just got a whole lot easier. According to the fine folks over at iPhoneAlley, iFuntastic v3.0.3 is released and available for download! New features include a real file browser that allows installing 3rd party applications, multiple Home Page screens and a new feature called "unshackling". With "unshackling" you don't have to un-jail and re-jail your Apple iPhone for every modification, "unshackle" is friendly with iTunes and maintains the ability for iTunes to access the Apple iPhone.

According to the bitSplit team, the guys behind the greatness that is the iFuntastic application, other features and enhancements in iFuntastic version 3 include:

PowerPC support.
One-time unjailing - called 'unshackling'.
Drag and drop any file onto the phone in the new and true "File Manager"
Edit text files directly on the phone.
Drag and drop installation of native applications - no more restarting of the phone is necessary.
Info page: a one-stop-shop for all documentation
Troubleshooting page: a one-stop-shop for pummeling the phone and inquiring about its status.
Much improved ringtone installation.
Drag and drop replacement of system sounds.
Completely reworked Home Screen Editor. Place applications anywhere you want them
Support for multiple home screen 'pages'. Have up to 80 applications at your fingertips!
Custom home screen 'wallpaper', better called home screen backgrounds, to distinguish from the 'real' wallpaper.

The latest version of iFuntastic is available for download here. Hats off to the bitSplit team for what appears to be an incredible improvement on something that was already pretty darn good.

How-To: Using SCP to Manage Files on the Apple iPhone

2007-08-26T18:35:00.000-05:00

iFuntastic is a great application, but currently limited. ModMyiPhone's iPhone Skinner rocks and makes skinning a piece of cake (and reskinning even easier than that, like after an Apple iPhone update.) The Installer.app is really cool and makes installing many applications a simple process, but what about minor stuff, like changing the mail notification sound, or adding a custom ringtone, or changing the application icons on the Apple iPhone's Home Page? What program is good for that kind of stuff?

As it happens, a common command line utility known as SCP is perfect for these types of needs. Of course, you need to be familiar with commands like MKDIR, to create a directory using one of the Apple iPhone tools like iPhoneInterface, or iPHUC or SSH, but once the directory structure exists on the Apple iPhone, you can manage the actual files using the SCP command (SCP stands for secure copy and works via SSH.)

Adapted to your needs and own computing environment, a typical SCP command line might look like:

scp -r /directory/where/you/have/stuff/filename root@192.168.2.##:/directory/where/you/want/stuff/filename

NOTE: In this example, 192.168.2.## is the IP address of the Apple iPhone. Your own Apple iPhone's IP address may look different.

Important Notes About Managing the Apple iPhone with SCP:

SCP requires SSH to be installed and running on the Apple iPhone.
SCP can be used to move files to/from the Apple iPhone without needing jailbreak, or iPhoneInterface or iPHUC, etc.
You will be prompted for a password, use the SSH password.
Using SCP means being able to manage files and install goodies wirelessly, no USB tether required.
You can copy specific files, .app files or entire directories this way (the "-r" means recursive.)
You can reverse the order to copy files form your iPhone to any SSH server. Example:

scp -r root@192.168.2.##:/directory/where/you/have/stuff/filename /directory/where/you/want/stuff/filename

NOTE: In this example, 192.168.2.## is the IP of the SSH server. As with the previous example, the IP address may look different.
The SCP command is also useful for backing-up the Apple iPhone.
The SCP method works for replacing graphics, installing applications, installing ringtones, you name it. Again, no jailbreak or iPHUC or iPhoneInterface required, just SSH installed and running. The iPhone can even be "jailed".
Using SCP to move images maintains the image transparency. Said another way, PNG image transparency *is not lost* using SCP, unlike iFuntastic for instance. This is great news when it comes to changing the battery icons, etc.

The SCP command is very well documented, so if you are unfamiliar with it don't be afraid. Just google a term like "using SCP with X", where X equals your particular operating system, and go to town. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be glad you did. Enjoy!

Review: Ultimate Buds Apple iPhone Headphones

2007-08-23T17:54:00.000-05:00

The next article in the series of iPhoneWriter.com reviews is focused on the Ultimate Buds headphone solution for the Apple iPhone. Ultimate Buds, are a truly integrated headphone solution for the Apple iPhone, providing functionality and sound quality.

When the Apple iPhone debuted, it was hailed for it's simplistic design. Sure, some criticize the recessed headphone jack, but the uncompromising design and attention to detail of the Apple iPhone deserve high praise. Even the stock headphones, a.k.a. earbuds, for the Apple iPhone are well designed. From the length of the headset cable, which is the perfect length to go from your pocket to your ears with just the right amount of slack, to the ultra-cool multi-function mic/button, the stock Apple iPhone earbuds are definitely tough to beat, except for the sound quality. Unfortunately, the stock Apple iPhone earbuds suffer from the same lacking sound quality as their iPod counterparts. Enter Ultimate Buds to the rescue.

Built around high-end, noise isolating Etymotic ER-6i earphones and a genuine Apple iPhone headset cable, Ultimate Buds deliver excellent sound quality and all the functionality and great design of the Apple iPhone's stock headset cable. Plus, since Ultimate Buds utilize the stock Apple iPhone headset cable, the recessed headphone jack is not an issue. No extension or adapter required! Assembled with care and individually tested, Ultimate Buds come with a 90 day free replacement warranty against defects in craftsmanship, however we found the craftsmanship quality to be indistinguishable from factory made earbuds.

In-ear headphones are not for everyone and take some getting used to but, once accustomed to the fit, in-ear headphones provide exceptional noise isolation and sound quality. Even without music or sound coming through the headphones, the reduction in noise is comparable to more expensive noise canceling headphones. Our Ultimate Buds order included the Etyomotic ER-6i white earbuds, integrated with a genuine Applie iPhone headset cable with integrated microphone and pushbutton (both fully operational), various sizes of flanged tips and foam tips to ensure a perfect fit, two replacement filters and filter changing tool, shirt clip, Etymotic Research carrying pouch, and instructions. We tried all the various tips and found the standard ones to be the most comfortable for everyday use, although the foam ones are definitely going along for our next airplane ride.

While other integrated Apple iPhone headhones are bound to be hitting the market soon, the Ultimate Buds solution is available today and at a price that won't break the bank. After using the Ultimate Buds in real-world situations for almost two weeks, we found the Ultimate Buds to be the ultimate solution on the market today. From listening to music to talking on the telephone, the Ultimate Buds behaved exactly like a pair of stock Apple iPhone earbuds but with the sound quality and noise isolation characteristics one expects from higher-end headphones.

Ultimate Buds can be ordered as complete earphones (Etymotic ER-6i earbuds with the Apple iPhone headset cable), or you can provide your own Apple iPhone headset and the Ultimate Buds team will add the Etymotic ER-6i earbuds. Another option is to supply the Apple iPhone headset and Etymotic ER-6x earbuds to the Ultimate Bud team, who will handle the assembly.

Are Ultimate Buds worth the purchase price? Absolutely. The Ultimate Buds slogan is "bringing the iPhone the sound quality it deserves" and they absolutely deliver.

How-To: Successfully Installing SSH on the Apple iPhone with iTunes Restore and BlueDonkey

2007-08-17T22:08:00.000-05:00

Although the iFuntastic application makes it super easy to put custom ringtones and customize the icons on the Apple iPhone, the current version has limitations, like not being able to add files to the Apple iPhone which is a necessary element for installing 3rd party applications. For advanced stuff like that, the Apple iPhone needs to be hacked to have things like SSH installed.

Using several different Wiki's and How-To's, we were able to do the SSH install without error, but we were not able to establish an SSH connection... the connection attempt would time out. So, we re-read the WIKI's, consulted the forums, did some Googling and tried again. Same result.

Not being the types to give up and taking it somewhat personally at this point, we looked for (and tried) alternate SSH installation method's. We tried different combinations of Restoring the Apple iPhone, along with ./jailbreak vs. iFunastic vs. iActivator, and all variations of step-by-step and "easy" SSH installs. Long story short, most methods worked without error but ultimately ended with the same result of being unable to connect... the connection attempt would time out.

We pressed on, and boy are we glad that we did! As luck would have it, during yet another iTunes->Restore for the Apple iPhone, we decided to try *not* synching the Apple iPhone after the restoration, basically keeping it as close as possible to the "out of the box" product Apple intended it to be. The Apple iPhone was activated, but we did not synch it and that made all the difference. Something about synching the data *before* installing SSH turned out to be the culprit behind not being able to establish a SSH connection.

The end result? Well, after the "clean" iTunes->Restore (the one where we didn't synch the data after activation), the SSH installation process completed without a hitch and we successfully established an SSH connection to our Apple iPhone. Given that we were already able to ./jailbreak and iPHUC, being able to SSH opened up the flood gates for Apple iPhone tweaks and customizations.

In hopes that our experience will help others, here are some items of note that we discovered along the way.

The ModMyiPhone iPhone Skinner web site rocks. Use the file it produces (an .IPB file) along with Install IPB to easily and fully customize the look of the Apple iPhone (MAC USERS: iPhone Skinner uses a lot of AJAX and does not work with Safari. Use Camino or Firefox.)
The Install IPB application works best with the Apple iPhone *after* the iPhone has been "freed from jail" using iFuntastic. It doesn't seem to work right using ./jailbreak or iActivator.
Whatever iPhone Skinner doesn't change, iFuntastic can (like the mail alert sound or battery icons, etc.)
iFuntastic cannot be used to install new applications.
There are several "quick and easy" install programs for SSH.
The various "easy" SSH installers seem to work best with ./jailbreak or iActivator vs. iFuntastic. Ultimately, we preferred the package put together by BlueDonkey, due to *not* requiring the use of ./jailbreak, iActivator, iFuntastic or anything else first.
Using BlueDonkey's SSH install package *immediately* after a "clean" iTunes-Restore is the magical combination for getting SSH installed on the Apple iPhone in a very simply way (iFuntastic, iActivator and iPHUC were all installed, we just didn't use them because BlueDonkey's package has all the bases covered. Of course, IMMV.)
The ModMyiPhone WIKI's are awesome, but they must be followed precisely. If you decide to take this route, be sure to take your time and focus, Danielson.
Once SSH is installed and you are able to successfully SSH into your iPhone, installing 3rd party applications and customizing the Apple iPhone are a cakewalk.
Don't forget to change the Root password, once SSH is installed (no need to be a walking exploit waiting to happen!)
Installing new applications works best with iActivator, iPHUC and SSH *but* using SCP to copy the application to the iPhone instead of iPHUC works even better than SSH and can be done directly from the Terminal without an active iPHUC or iPhoneInterface connection (SSH does need to be installed before SCP will work.) Pretty much everything else you might want to do is covered by iFuntastic.

A huge thanks to everyone who offered assistance along the way. Every little bit helped and ultimately got our Apple iPhone to the state of goodness we now enjoy. Hopefully, this collection of tidbits will help other people too. Trust us, it sure feels good when the kid gloves come off!

ModMyiPhone Releases Web Based Apple iPhone Skinning Application

2007-08-15T21:44:00.000-05:00

The team at ModMyiPhone.com has been very busy lately. Between getting a new server running for the ModMyiPhone web site and developing their new iPhone Skinner program, it's a wonder they've gotten any sleep at all!

iPhone Skinner is a web-based application that allows user to upload a background, icons, and dock images to a project workspace to create custom Apple iPhone themes. Once uploaded, creating a new theme or "skin" is as simple as dragging and dropping images onto the example Apple iPhone. You can also drag and drop the Display Order, to rearrange icons on the Apple iPhone's Home Page.

The ModMyiPhone team reportedly has a few features and tweaks left to work out, as well as creating a How-To guide, but version one is released and ready for use. Hats off to the ModMyiPhone team!

How-To: Using Apple iPhone's Send To Web Gallery Feature

2007-08-15T17:48:00.000-05:00

The "Send to Web Gallery" feature allows Apple iPhone owners to post photos directly from their Apple iPhone to their .Mac Web Gallery, simply by tapping the "Send to Web Gallery" button. When Apple announced the new "Send to Web Gallery" feature and .Mac integration, a lot of blogs and articles were devoted to the magical appearance of the feature, without need to synch the Apple iPhone or download any updates and, truth be told, the timed released way in which the menu option appeared was really cool.

Not long after the "Send to Web Gallery" announcement though, questions started surfacing from Apple iPhone owners who were not seeing the new functionality. The reason why may seem fairly obvious to some: you need to have a .Mac account setup and configured for the magical menu option to appear. According to this support article recently published on the Apple Support web site, there are a few other requirements to meet before the "Send to Web Gallery" feature appear as a menu option on your Apple iPhone.

According to the Apple Support article, to use the "Send to Web Gallery" feature, Apple iPhone owners must have:

An Apple iPhone with Software Version 1.0.1 or later installed
An active .Mac account (full membership account—not just email)
Their Apple iPhone configured with a .Mac mail account (the same account to which you published the Web Gallery)
An iPhoto ’08 album published to a .Mac Web Gallery. See this document for more information on creating a Web Gallery.
The Web Gallery configured to "Allow photo uploading by email" as shown in the iPhoto ’08 Publish Settings (see dialog box above.)

It is also interesting to note that while you can use your own .Mac Web Gallery, the "Send to Web Gallery" feature also allows Apple iPhone owners to send pictures to the other Web Galleries, like friends and family (NOTE: In both cases, "Allow photo uploading by email" must be properly configured.) From a social networking and Web 2.0 perspective, this aspect of the "Send to Web Gallery" feature seems to create the opportunity for new communities and applications.

Pretty cool, Steve. Keep it up!

Review: In-Depth Aliph JawBone Review, Wearability

2007-08-12T19:53:00.000-05:00

In the introduction of our in-depth Aliph JawBone bluetooth headset review, we established that the real-world wearability, durability and usability would be our primary areas of focus. This installment will review the overall wearability of the Aliph JawBone bluetooth headset.

Inside the box, the Aliph JawBone comes with four earloops and four earpads. After trying several combinations, we ended up using the Aliph JawBone as originally packaged. Once properly outfitted, we found the Aliph JawBone to be lightweight and comfortable to wear. When wearing the Aliph JawBone for extended periods of time, sometimes exceeding six hours, it remained comfortable and barely noticeable.

One draw back to the Aliph Jawbone design is the earloop. Although comfortable once looped onto the ear, the process of putting the Aliph JawBone on your ear is difficult to do with one hand. Considering that bluetooth headsets are most commonly used while driving, using one hand to put on the headset is important. However, after a day or two of practice, we were able to master it. The stock earpads do not allow using the Aliph JawBone without an earloop. Although the Aliph JawBone can be comfortably worn for extended periods of time using an earloop and stock earpad, using a molded eargel provides even greater comfort.

Molded eargels are an excellent alternative to the stock earpads and allow the Aliph JawBone to be used without an earloop. Depending on preference, custom mold eargels are available without much fuss or, for quite a bit less money, Jabra makes molded eargels in common sizes. Using a molded eargel provides enough stability that the JawBone stays secure in the ear, making an earloop no longer necessary (see picture.) A molded eargel also provides additional noise reduction and improved sound clarity, without feeling like your ear is stuffed with cotton. For added stability while jogging or performing some sort of vigorous activity, the Aliph JawBone can be used with an earloop and an eargel, which is even better than using the earloop and stock earpad.

Overall and out of the box, the wearability of the Aliph JawBone is on par with other bluetooth headsets on the market. Using a molded eargel makes the experience even better, but without a molded eargel the Aliph JawBone is lightweight and comfortable to wear. In the next part of the iPhoneWriter.com multi-part Aliph JawBone review, we will focus on durability; how well the Aliph JawBone holds up during real-world use.

Apple's iPhone Is Now China's iClone

2007-08-10T21:58:00.000-05:00

Known as the miniOne, according to this article on the Popular Science web site, China's rampant cloning (product, not sheep) industry has successfully cloned the Apple iPhone. That didn't take very long, did it?

Manufactured by Meizu, the miniOne is but one of many electronic products that is illegally cloned and marketed in China. With no respect for copyright laws of any kind, it's easy to see why.

Man, I bet the real Steve Jobs and Apple are pissed off!

Follow-Up: iFuntastic New Features Request

2007-08-10T16:45:00.000-05:00

A new version of the iFuntastic application is rumored to be release within days. While the current version provides exceptional functionality, allowing Apple iPhone owners to add custom ringtones and changes virtually any image or text, it also lacked one or two features that would make iFuntastic an even better application.

What single feature would provide the most bang for the buck? Opinions vary but the first feature that comes to mind is the ability to upload or add files to the Apple iPhone. This single feature would allow additional look/feel customizations (a.k.a. "skinning") and the installation of applications. Whether it's done by browsing, as with the current file management abilities, or through a drag-and-drop interface doesn't matter, just as long as the ability is there. With this functionality, being able to add an 'icon.png' file to the DemoApp (which sets the wallpaper for the Home Page) or upload the new version of SuperNES would become a breeze.

Another feature that many people are asking for is support of PowerPC based Apple computer systems. The current version of iFuntastic only supports the newer Intel based Apple computers. Content for the iPhoneWriter.com web site is predominantly created using an Apple iPhone, but a lot of graphic work and editing takes place on our Apple MacBook, which is also the system we use to synch our Apple iPhone. Given that our MacBook is Intel based, we'd rather see file uploading more than support for PowerPC's.

Oh well, if there is any truth to the rumors, we'll soon find out what the iFuntastic team has planned.

Review: In-Depth Aliph JawBone and Apple iPhone Review, Introduction

2007-08-09T21:15:00.000-05:00

After waiting a few weeks for the whir to die down, it was time to get a bluetooth headset, for our Apple iPhone. As it turns out, waiting was a good thing because in that time Apple added their own bluetooth solution to the long list of bluetooth headset options.

Being a huge fan of Apple's computers, since switching several years ago, it could only be a good thing that Apple decided to release their own bluetooth headset. Everything Apple makes is so well designed that an Apple bluetooth headset would have to set a new standard, much like the Apple iPhone has redefined the cellphone industry. Of course, before making a buying decision, practicality dictates reading as many reviews as possible (kind of like you're doing now.)

Spending nearly a week reading the good, the bad and the ugly of every forum post, blog and review of Apple iPhone bluetooth headsets we could find, the Apple bluetooth solution did not make the final list for potential purchase. Sad but true. While Apple's bluetooth solution is commonly reported to be sleek and appealing in design, the sound quality and lack of noise reduction are also common topics. Finally, the buying decision was narrowed to two units: the Jabra NX-10 and the Aliph JawBone. Based on numerous reports and reviews, the Aliph JawBone was finally chosen (the title of this review might have given you a clue.)

Over the next few articles (not necessarily in successive order), the iPhoneWriter.com web site will be posting an in-depth review of the Aliph JawBone bluetooth headset. As with other iPhoneWriter.com reviews, the multi-part Aliph JawBone review will focus on real-world usage scenarios dealing with wearability, durability and overall usability, in that order.

With that said, the next article in the series will focus on wearability, that is to say how the Aliph JawBone fits and feels when in action.

Aliphe JawBone Review, Part Two: Wearability >>

Apple iPhone Custom Battery Images with iFuntastic 2.5

2007-08-08T00:01:00.001-05:00

Using the new iFuntastic v2.5.0 application is a whole lot of fun. Virtually every image, every icon and every line of readable text is modifiable, which makes customizing the Apple iPhone a piece of cake.

As a proof of concept, I created replacement images for the Apple iPhone battery icon. You know, the green one the displays various levels of fullness, based on the current battery charge? I changed it to also display the percentage (%) of charge remaining. It took a little time, but the end result is worth the effort.

What about the next system update form Apple? Isn't that going to wipe everything out, like it did last time? Well, it certainly could, but the new version of iFuntastic has that covered too. All of the important (and changeable) files can be downloaded directly to your computer, for safe storage *and* future re-use after a system update. My head is swimming with all the things I plan to change next.

In the meantime, here is the link, to download my variation of the stock Apple iPhone battery icon. The archive includes all 17 images and the image backgrounds are transparent, so you can set them to whatever color you prefer based on your current skin and desire.

Apple iPhone - Let The Games Begin

2007-08-07T16:51:00.000-05:00

The flood gates have definitely opened, as a slew of new third party applications have been released. From the first "Hello World" application, to a Screen Shot Utility, a Voice Recorder and a simple text editor, the list of third party Apple iPhone applications grows longer everyday. I doubt Apple Computer even expected this kind of feverish pace.

Perhaps the biggest news today is the release of the Apple iPhone Nintendo (NES) Game Emulator. With this much progress in such a short amount of time, surely it won't be long before I am able to play some Madden on my Apple iPhone. Now, that'll really rock. Boom!

Easily Change Apple iPhone With Custom Ringtones and More

2007-08-07T16:34:00.000-05:00

Changing the ringtones and having custom ringtones on the Apple iPhone are hot topics right now. In fact, the keyword phrase "change iPhone ringtones" is the single largest referring search phrase for the iPhoneWriter.com web site. Some of the first Apple iPhone hacks were for this very purpose. There are even hints about creating custom ringtones from previews on the iTunes music store.

Thankfully, in addition to command-line type hacks for the Apple iPhone, there are also GUI applications that help the ordinary (or just the old and lazy, like me) to enjoy the same benefits without the same effort. The best application to surface so far is iFuntastic, which initially offered the ability to add custom ringtones to your Apple iPhone but has since grown to include changing the arrangement of icons on the Apple iPhone Home page and, most recently, browsing the entire file Apple iPhone system.

The ability to browse and manipulate the file system is huge and cannot be understated. This feature alone provides the ability to alter virtual any image or sound file the Apple iPhone has to offer, and lays the groundwork for easily installing third-party applications. In short, iFuntastic v2.5.0 is absolutely awesome, even if it is limited to Intel based Apple's for right now (the author promises that a PowerPC version is forthcoming.)

iFuntastic v2.5.0 is available for download here and here.

How-To: Stop Multiple G-Mail Messages on Apple iPhone

2007-08-06T06:49:00.000-05:00

If you are like me, you use your Apple iPhone for keeping up with email messages when you are away from your main computer. After all, that's one of the coolest things about having a mobile Internet device, right? Well, if you are using your Apple iPhone with your G-Mail account, then you have probably dealt with receiving unwanted copies of the email messages you send.

When you use G-Mail on the Apple iPhone, any time you send an email message to someone (from your iPhone or from your main computer), the message shows up as a new email message in your Inbox. You might say that this is a feature, well it is the default behavior anyway. To stop this behavior, from the Home screen on your Apple iPhone:

Select Settings
Select Mail
Select the Account in question (your G-Mail account)
Select the "Advanced" option
Turn the "Use Recent Mode" feature Off.
That's it! :)

The "multiple copies of email messages" issue is also a real pain when you first set up or restore your G-Mail account on the Apple iPhone. So, turning this feature off in advance of downloading any email (after a new setup or restore) can save a lot of time deleting those extra email messages!

How-To: Create Custom Apple iPhone Ringtones

2007-08-05T19:37:00.000-05:00

There are several hints about creating custom ringtones for the Apple iPhone. Most of the tips entail using iTunes Music Store samples, creating/exporting the samples from iTunes as song lists and, finally, utilizing a web browser to download the individual song files from the URL's detailed in the exported song list. For some people, this is a straight forward process and a fun way to spend a Saturday night, however, for others it's an involved and time consuming process.

If you fall into the later group or you like spending your Saturday nights for other things, here is an easy way to create custom ringtones for your Apple iPhone. Best of all, this method is totally free (props to RichardHunter on the MacRumors Forums for the initial version of this hint.)

Download and install the shareware version of Audio HiJack (if you already have your favorite ringtones on hand, you can skip steps #1-6 and go directly to step #7 below.)

NOTE: Audio HiJack is shareware software and allows recording for ten minutes before ruining the recording with noise (simply restart the program, for another ten minutes of unfettered usage.)
Launch the iTunes application.
Launch Audio HiJack. Use Audio HiJack to "hijack" iTunes (iTunes will restart after this.)
Once iTunes restarts, visit the iTunes Music Store. Browse the store for the music you want to use for a ringtone. Double click any song to play a 30 second sample.
For precise control, manually Start/Stop the recording process each time, or set Audio Hijack to automatically create a new file after 2 seconds of silence.
Rename the file created by Audio Hijack. This is the name that will show up in the list of ringtones on the Apple iPhone. Be sure to store the file in a location you will remember. Your desktop is fine, but creating a 'Ringtones' folder someplace is an even better idea.
To put custom ringtones on the Apple iPhone. Download and install the iFuntastic application, which is GUI based and does not require a lot of technical understanding to use. For Windows users, there is an application known as iPhoneRingToneMaker that you can use.
That's it! Custom ringtones for your Apple iPhone are just a few minutes away. Enjoy!

How-To: Determine Apple iPhone LCD Version

2007-08-05T07:10:00.000-05:00

How can you tell if you Apple iPhone has a series 5 or a series 7 LCD screen? Unfortunately, you cannot tell without opening the box and activating your Apple iPhone. Thankfully though, it doesn't take a brain surgeon or technical genius to figure it out. Determining the LCD version of your Apple iPhone is as simple as dialing *3001#12345#* and tapping the "call" button (that's *3001#12345#* - it starts and ends with an asterisk.)

Apple Wants Your Apple iPhone Story

2007-08-03T19:58:00.000-05:00

That's right, if you own an Apple iPhone, then Apple Computer wants to hear from you. According to this page, Apple would love to hear about how the Apple iPhone has changed your life.

Apple iPhone owners are encouraged to call and leave a voicemail with their story at 1-800-764-9941, or use the online form to send them a note. Who knows, you might just end up on TV or in a future advertising campaign.

Apple iPhone Series 5 and Series 7 LCD Problems

2007-08-03T18:29:00.001-05:00

There has been quite a bit of forum-talk lately about Apple iPhone's with LCD rev number 5 and LCD rev number 7. What's the difference? Why all the discussion?

Apparently, a connection has been drawn between problematic LCD screens and the revision number of the Apple iPhone's LCD screen. Reportedly, which is a strong word given the absence of any hard facts or announcements from Apple, the series 7 LCD screens are prone to issues with dim contrast and/or white spots, where the series 5 LCD screens are not reported to be as widely effected. Additionally, individuals are reporting (again, a strong word) that Apple iPhone's with series 7 LCD screens also have an issue with the black-plastic antenna cover becoming loose or shifting. Conversely, you can find opposite opinions about the viewing quality of the series 5 LCD screens vs. the series 7 LCD screens, as well as the overall quality of the phones.

On other forums, Apple iPhone owners are comparing the battery life of the series 5 and series 7 LCD screen. As with the other issues, opinions seem to vary with no hard facts to confirm one side or the other. NOTE: The iPhoneWriter.com web site is in the final round of real-world battery life testing for the Apple iPhone. As it happens, we have a series 7 LCD screen.

One thing is for sure, there are plenty of series 5 and series 7 LCD's on the market, and there is no correlation between the date of purchase and the Apple iPhone LCD version. Logic would tell you that the higher the version number, the newer the release date. At least for now, this is not true. However, the iPhoneWriter.com website was in line on 6/29/2007 and our Apple iPhone is a series 7 LCD.

How can you tell if you Apple iPhone has a series 5 or a series 7 LCD screen? Unfortunately, you cannot tell without opening the box and activating your Apple iPhone. Once you've done this, it is as simple as dialing *3001#12345#* and tapping the "call" button (that's *3001#12345#* - it starts and ends with an asterisk.)

Should you be concerned about the LCD version of your own Apple iPhone? Based on our own experience with a series 7 iPhone, the answer would have to be "no". Another thing for sure is the one year warranty the comes standard with every Apple iPhone, and if you've sprung for the extra $69 (which we did), you have the additional year that AppleCare provides. With a combined two year warranty, it's hard to be very concerned. Of course, IMMV - Individual Mileage May Vary.

Apple iTunes v7.3.2 Update Available

2007-08-02T18:04:00.000-05:00

Hot on the heels of the recent Apple iPhone v1.0.1 software update, which was only available by using iTunes, Apple Computer has released the latest version of iTunes, version 7.3.2, via Software Update. More information is available in the Apple Knowledge base article. According to the article, which is as brief as brief can be, the 7.3.2 iTunes update "provides bug fixes to improve stability and performance." Don't get too excited though, there's nothing new for Apple iPhone users included in this update (like custom ringtones or other goodies.)

Apple iPhone and Ecamm iDrive

2007-08-01T17:23:00.000-05:00

What a great combination my Apple iPhone and iDrive make. You might say that they make beautiful storage together, to turn a phrase. Developed by Ecamm Network, the same people that develop the award winning iGlasses software, iDrive brings portable storage capability to Apple iPhone owners.

I recently tried out iDrive with my own Apple iPhone and really liked it. The one shortcoming being that to transfer files from one computer to another, both computers must have iDrive installed. Since iDrive is an Apple only application, that of course means that both computers must be Apple's. However, this limitation aside, iDrive it does the trick until Apple builds releases the functionality into the iTunes/iPhone combination (likely by way of a future software update.)

Apple iPhone v1.0.1 Update Now Available

2007-07-31T19:44:00.000-05:00

The eagerly awaited and rumored software update is finally here. According to this knowledge base article, Apple Computer has released the first update, for the Apple iPhone. Updated components in the v1.0.1 update include Safari, the WebCore and the WebKit. Quoting from the Apple Knowledge Base, the "update is only available through iTunes, and will not appear in your computer's Software Update application, or on the Apple Support Downloads site."

While the Knowledge Base article goes into details about what is included in the update, I am curious what might be included but not mentioned. Namely, are my iFuntastic changes about to quit working?

iZAP for the Apple iPhone

2007-07-30T17:45:00.000-05:00

Quoting from the ZAP press release, "Electric car pioneer ZAP says its iZAP battery designed for the iPod is more useful for the energy intensive iPhone."

According to ZAP CEO Steve Schneider, "...if an iPod runs out of power, losing your music and video is not as critical to your business trip as the iPhone. You lose your cell phone access, text messages, Internet and email access, time zone clock, business notes, scheduling software, driving maps, calculator and all the other news and information for which the iPhone was designed."

Does the battery life for the Apple iPhone really need a helping hand? The iPhoneWriter.com web site is wrapping up it's own real-world Apple iPhone battery life test. The final results and blog entry are forthcoming, but preliminary findings indicate that the Apple iPhone has superb battery life in real-world usage conditions. Is $79 and toting around an extra device worth it or necessary?

Another question is whether or not people want to carry around an extra, external device that will ultimately detract from the functionality and sleek design that the Apple iPhone provides. You shouldn't need test results to answer this question!

Change Your Apple iPhone Ringtones with iFuntastic

2007-07-26T00:11:00.001-05:00

I was let down when the Apple iPhone launched without support for custom ringtones. It was definitely a let down, to say the least. So, when the bitSplit team released the iFuntastic application, which greatly reduced the steps and effort to put custom ringtones on the Apple iPhone, I was excited to give it a try.

I originally tried version 1 of iFunstastic and, thankfully, it worked as advertised. By following the step-by-step instructions to the letter, I was able to successfully add my own ringtones to my Apple iPhone. Awesome! Finally, I can have my favorite Danger Island Ringtone alert me to new calls. Using the iFuntastic application is also free of reported side effects, so synching with iTunes, YouTube integration and Visual Voice Mail continued to work flawlessly.

Since using the first version, iFuntastic version 2.x has been released. The new version of the program has a much nicer interface and makes it even easier to manage the ringtones on your Apple iPhone. Plus, the new version of iFuntastic supports rearranging the icons on the Home Screen and changing the default AT&T logo. Sweet! This program just keeps getting better and better.

Right now the iFuntastic application is for Intel based Mac's only and can be downloaded from here or here.

Apple Store in August: All things iPhone.

2007-07-24T18:29:00.001-05:00

Judging by the email message I received this evening (with the Subject "Apple Store in August: All things iPhone") it looks like the Apple Computer marketing machine is already looking for ways to keep up the feverish pace of iPhone sales. Conservatively estimating the units sold in June and July alone, Apple is shaping up for one heck of a strong 3rd quarter.

Just think, Apple is also getting a couple of bucks per head, per subscription each month, from AT&T. Combine all of this with the success of Pixar's Ratatouille and Mr. Jobs is looking at one sweet holiday bonus!

Review: Tom Bihn Organizer Pouch

2007-07-24T17:46:00.000-05:00

As mentioned in a previous review of the Tom Bihn Buzz sling backpack bag, I also purchased the small Tom Bihn organizer pouch. At the time, I elected to hold off on reviewing the organizer pouch and focus on reviewing the Buzz by itself. Well, the time has come to review the Tom Bihn Organizer Pouches.

Measuring about 7" by 5", the small organizer pouch is a great size for carrying a collection of small items. For me, this means my portable USB hub, a couple of thumb-drives and a few other geek essentials. For others, for instance someone with a lot of jewelry, it's a great size for your watch, bracelets and rings (read on about the padded pouch, which is even better for precious cargo like an Apple iPhone.)

Slightly larger in size, measuring in at 10.3" by 7", the medium organizer pouch is perfect for carrying items that are otherwise too big for the small organizer pouch. For instance, I use my medium organizer pouch for various power cords, adapters and cables.

New additions to the organizer pouch family include the padded and clear-sided pouches. The small padded organizer pouch is ideally suited for smaller items that are breakable or require some extra protection. The inside is even lined with soft brushed nylon, for added protection. The Buzz has a built-in padded pocket on the strap that is perfect for a portable music layer or cell phone (like my precious Apple iPhone) but the pocket won't hold your music player and your cell phone (of course, if your using an Apple iPhone than you don't need two devices anymore!) The small padded organizer pouch becomes the perfect addition to hold the extra item. I have my padded organizer pouch clipped to the zipper pull, on the outside of my Buzz backpack sling.

The clear plastic side of the clear-sided organizer pouch makes it perfect for that jumbled collection of items that having visibility deep into the bag (like pencils or pens or paperclips or your favorite baseball cards) or anytime you want to know what's in the bag.

All of the Tom Bihn organizer pouches are manufactured in Seattle and are made of durable Cordura®, which is more durable than nylon, polyester or cotton. The stitching is first rate, with every stitch perfectly in line. As with the Buzz backpack sling, every inch of the organizer pouches screams quality and durability.

When combined with a backpack, the organizer pouches are the ideal solution for for carrying the extra items you don't always need. This is what makes the organizer pouches so effective, their modular ability. Arm yourself with more than one organizer pouch and suddenly, you have the ability to mix and match the accessories and gadgets you are able to carry. Some times, I don't need all of the cords and adapters that I carry in my medium organizer pouch, so on those days I remove it from the mix. Other days, I need everything I can carry, so multiple organizer pouches and my Tom Bihn Buzz combine to suit the need, perfectly.

The convenience of the clips cannot be overstated. Said another way, the clips are the key. Every organizer pouch has one, and they are the single coolest feature (and my favorite.) Made of heavy duty plastic, the clips provide the ability to attach the organizer pouch to just about anything with a loop or hook.

Another job well done, Tom. You too, Riley.

AppleCare for the Apple iPhone

2007-07-24T17:22:00.001-05:00

As expected by most and hoped for by many, Apple Computer is now making their famous AppleCare protection available for the Apple iPhone. At a price of $69, AppleCare extends the base warranty for the Apple iPhone from one (1) year to two (2) years and also includes coverage for the Apple iPhone and the included accessories, as well as the soon-to-be-shipping Apple bluetooth headset and it's included accessories.

The normal AppleCare rules apply, so if you already have your Apple iPhone then you need to add the AppleCare within one calendar year from the date of purchase. So, if you were like me and in line on 6/29/2007, then you need to purchase the AppleCare extended warranty before 6/29/2008 (which will be a Sunday by the way.)

Apple iPhone Security Flaw - Got Root?

2007-07-23T11:52:00.000-05:00

As reported today by the NY Times, attackers have discovered an exploit in the Apple iPhone that allows the hacker to gain full control of the device and the personal information it contains. While no reports of the exploit have been reported, the attack provided access to any files desired, including recent text messages and e-mail messages.

Yikes! Given that the flaw is reportedly exploitable by Wi-Fi and malicious web pages, how long before the Apple Computer team releases version 1.1 of the iPhone software? Not long, I hope!

Apple iPhone User Survey Statistics

2007-07-23T11:47:00.000-05:00

A recent article by Antone Gonsalves points to the results of a recent Apple iPhone user survey that finds 63% of iPhone users have watched a video since purchasing their beloved device.

The article and survery findings are definitely an interesting read. However, what will be most interesting to me is the ongoing real-world usage statistics. I'll be posting more about my own real-world usage findings in future iPhoneWriter.com posts.

How-To: Apple iPhone Camera Pictures into iPhoto. 5 Easy Steps!

2007-07-22T17:33:00.000-05:00

As mentioned in previous posts, a recent excursion to The Simpson's Kwik-E-Mart themed 7-Eleven near our home yielded several pictures taken with my Apple iPhone. The Apple iPhone has a built-in 2 megapixel camera that takes a pretty nice picture, despite lacking a flash, zoom or image stabilization.

The Apple iPhone makes it pretty easy to email pictures or assign them as wallpaper or a contact picture, but transferring multiple pictures to your Mac is a little less obvious. Apple must have thought about this type of functionality though, right? Thankfully, the answer is yes. Once again, the design gurus at Apple didn't let us down.

To get pictures to your Apple iPhone from your Mac, you use iTunes and the sync feature. This works great for getting pictures onto the iPhone to use as wallpaper, etc. But, the synchronization feature does not transfer pictures to your Mac from your Apple iPhone. To transfer pictures to your Mac from your Apple iPhone, do the following:

Connect your Apple iPhone to your Mac. For now, that means using the USB cable, but I am hoping that Bluetooth becomes an option in the future.

If iTunes is open, let it finish synchronizing your iPhone, then close iTunes but keep your iPhone connected to your Mac.

Open the iPhoto program.

After opening, iPhoto will detect your Apple iPhone and provide you options to import your pictures into iPhoto. You can opt to have iPhoto delete pictures from your iPhone, as they are imported, or you can keep them on the iPhone and delete them later. You can also name the Roll and provide a Description.

That's it! The pictures on your Apple iPhone should now be in iPhoto, for your viewing, exporting and manipulation pleasure.

More Apple iPhone at The Simpsons Kwik-E-Mart

2007-07-22T16:43:00.000-05:00

Although I took several pictures at The Simpson's Kwik-E-Mart, here's one of my favorites. Notice the sign and stack of Buzz Soda in the background (it tastes like RC cola by the way.)

The lighting in the store was perfect for snapping pictures with my Apple iPhone, but I am still looking for a good way to get the pictures onto my computer. Emailing them one at a time is not going to be fun, so I am really hoping to find a better way. More on how that goes to come, so stay tuned.

Apple iPhone at Simpson's Kwik-E-Mart

2007-07-22T11:30:00.000-05:00

With The Simpson's Movie about to debut, one of the cooler promotions is a joint effort with 7-Eleven, where entire stores are redone to look like the Kwik-E-Mart in The Simpson's television show. We're lucky enough to have one of the promo stores near us, so the son and I went to check it out.

No details were overlooked, from the Slurpee machines to life size replicas of the characters. The whole thing was really very cool and my iPhone was a huge hit too, as I walked around taking pictures!

iWaited on iDay

2007-07-21T21:36:00.000-05:00

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the dawn of a new technology revolution. Okay, so maybe that is a bit extreme, but it was Friday 6/29/2007, launch day for the Apple iPhone.

My plan was simple. Since I live near an Apple store and an AT&T store, I had the luxury of choice but actually choosing which place to stand in line was not easy. On one hand, the AT&T store is in a local shopping center and off the beaten path. On the other hand, I was sure that the Apple store would have more iPhone’s in stock than the AT&T store. There was also the factor of the per-person purchase limit. Again, I was sure that the Apple store would have a larger quota.

As I drove into work, I decided to swing by the Apple store for a look-see. It was about 7:30am and there were already about 25 people in line. Resuming my commute to work, I decided to see what the line looked like at the AT&T store; not even 7:45am and there were about 6 people in line. Uh-oh, this was not a good sign. If in-store quantities and per-person purchase were in short supply, there were already too many people between my Apple iPhone and me. By the time I got to the office, my mind was made up – time to take a personal day and get in line.

By the time I got to the Apple store, it was 9:30am and I was the 54th person in line. Whew! As long as there was a reasonable per-person purchase limit, I was certain to come away with at least one iPhone. As it happened, the limit was two iPhone’s per person, so I bought two 8GB models and sold one on eBay that weekend for two times the current retail price.

I will spare you the blow-by-blow details of the 8 hours I spent waiting in line. Suffice it to say that it was actually a cool experience (despite the hot Texas sun.) Throughout the day, Apple employees were handing out free bottled water and energy drinks and allowing people to use the Apple store restroom. The camaraderie and length of line grew as the day progressed and local merchants like Starbucks and Snuffers were handing out free stuff and taking to-go orders. Thankfully, I had a very large umbrella and a decent chair, so the day passed relatively painlessly and I eventually found myself back at home, iPhone’s in hand.

It was in line at the Apple store, that the idea of an iPhone focused blog came to me. Not just content focused on the Apple iPhone but content actually written on an Apple iPhone. Since going on sale, plenty of web sites have sprung up that are devoted to the Apple iPhone, but none of them are actually using an Apple iPhone to create the majority of their content (some of my favorite sites are link to via RSS on the right side of this page.)

Enter the iPhoneWriter.com blog, with regularly updated content about the Apple iPhone, originated from an Apple iPhone. Basically, iPhoneWriter.com is a mashup application providing content that is focused on the Apple iPhone. Through the glory of technology, the right column of this site will link to current items on popular Apple iPhone focused web sites, while the iPhoneWriter.com blog will feature entries made on the go using my Apple iPhone.