For new iPhone 4 owners and iPhone 3GS and 3G owners who had previously been put off by the software-based jailbreak process pioneered by the Dev-Team, last week’s debut of Jailbreakme.com provided an easy opportunity to complete the process in an Over-the-Air (OTA) manner. Many adventurous souls who tried it quickly found out that third-party repositories such as Cydia and Rock provided access to a treasure trove of previously unimaginable tweaks, themes, and apps.
Of course, they were also made aware of the fact that Apple views jailbreaking as a warranty-voider. Nonetheless, they deemed the benefits worth the risk. This morning, though, veteran jailbreakers saw news that, to them, is all too familiar. If a USA Today report published today is correct, though, jailbreakers who allow iTunes to update their iPhones when the impending release version hits Apple’s servers may find that all of their newfound fun quickly disappears.
Okay, great. You updated iTunes to version 9.2, downloaded the iOS4 update and installed it on your iPhone 3GS. Congratulations. You now have multitasking. That’s great, but how do you use it?
It’s not hard, but the answer isn’t obvious either. So, how does it work? Well, let’s say you open the Pandora app to listen to some music. Simply clicking the “Home” button will take you back to the home screen and leave Pandora playing. If you double-click the “Home” button, the screen will grey out and show you the icons of the other apps you have installed. Touch swiping to the right will show more apps. Touch swiping to the left will take you to the apps you have running in the background (shown below). What do you do now?
This week, there has been no shortage of big news in technology and sports. Between the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the Apple iPhone 4 pre-ordering drama, it seems there has been little attention devoted to anything else. Or has there? Yes, with the the World Cup drama, we’ve also become familiar with the Vuvuzela, that insanely loud instrument which seems to be given out to everyone in South Africa. But is there anything that can make the iPhone 4 any more exciting? Geek Shui Living melded the two worlds together to bring you “iPhone 4 – This Vuvuzelas Everything”.
Can’t get enough of the Vuvuzela or simply like how it annoys others? Download one of several Vuvuzela apps from the Apple iTunes Store, via the links below the video.
You might recall that back in May, Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, announced some significant changes in leadership across several of the company’s divisions. One of these included the company’s Entertainment and Division. While the changes weren’t announced with any real drama, it was apparent to many that Ballmer is trying to find that magic combination of leaders, employees, and ideas that will result in phenomenal successes like rival Apple’s iPhone, iPad, and iEverythingElse.
So, fast forward to June. E3 2010 kicks off, making Los Angeles, CA, the temporary gaming center of the universe. We have expected (and seen) big surprises like the Nintendo 3DS, exciting new games, and… Wait. What’s this? Could Microsoft have finally found the magic formula? They call it Kinect. It looks promising, but can it rescue Microsoft from technological mediocrity?
If this week’s announcement by AT&T that they would be cancelling the unlimited data plans for all devices, to include the Apple iPad 3G, got you down, all hope is not lost. Some would-be customers were upset to learn that the short supply of 3G models might prevent them from taking advantage of the unlimited data plan option, since they would not receive their devices before the cut-off date of June 6, 2010.
Last night, the news broke that mega-retailer Walmart would be offering a 16GB Apple iPhone 3GS for the bargain basement price of $97.00. The news quickly spread like wild fire. Why? The same model was (and still is) sold for $199.00 through Apple and its authorized retailers.
The obvious reason for the price slash seems to be based on the arrival of the fourth generation iPhone 4G (or iPhone HD, as some believe it will be officially called). Walmart appears to be ahead of the competition and undertaking an effort to liquidate its current stock of 3GS models. It makes sense, right? Walmart cleans up its inventory. Consumers take advantage of a 51% discount and get an iPhone 3GS for $102.00. Before you grab your car keys and bolt out of the door, think about it. There are a few very good reasons why you shouldn’t take the bait.
After reading the results of Joe Hobot’s informal survey of seventeen Apple iPad users who expressed, at least to some extent, regret at having purchased the device, I only felt it fair to present an opposing viewpoint. After having had the iPad for about a week, I have formed my own opinions. While I, too, can list some very valid reasons why the iPad isn’t the best thing since sliced bread, I would be lying if I didn’t say there are some really great things you can do with Apple’s latest device.
This list of reasons to own an iPad is an objective response to those who would decry its limitations (e.g. lack of Flash support, lack of configurable controls for family members, awkwardness to hold, etc.) Basically, it’s an overview of eight iPad Apps that make the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. In some cases, they might even help to make us better, more productive, and calmer people. In the end, isn’t that what it’s all about? We decide if the positives outweigh the negatives and, in the process, reap some personal benefit out of the deal. So, without further ado, I present readers with my rationale by ReviewingSeven Reasons Owning an iPad Makes You Lucky.
According to published reports, Dell may launch the Mini 5, a tablet that has the potential to compete with the likes of the Apple iPad and HP Slate, by the end of 2010. Vague information has been making the rounds for the last month, but a new post by Engadget now seems to confirm that the FCC has already approved frequency requirements for the device. The post specifically mentions that the device will operate on WCDMA Band IV, which translates to service on T-Mobile (USA), WIND Mobile (Canada), and Videotron (Canada).
Launching on a wireless carrier besides AT&T, which uses Bands II and V, could be interpreted as serious effort, on the part of Dell, to make sure the tablet is sold by a carrier that isn’t hyper-focused on maintaining the Apple iPhone and iPad, as its cornerstone smartphone and tablet offerings. To compete, the Dell Mini 5 (also referred to as the Dell Streak 5) will have to pack a technical punch and offer significant advantages over Apple’s entrenched mobile computer offerings. So, what is the Dell Mini 5 bringing to the table?
The Dell Mini 5: Can it Streak into the Mobile Computing Market and be Noticed?
It seems the endless rumors and speculation regarding the next generation iPhone will finally come to an end on April 8, 2010, at 10:00 AM PDT. Yesterday, Apple extended invitations to the press for the iPhone 4.0 Event to be held at the company’s Cupertino, CA headquarters. Of course, the announcement has only served to fuel new rumors and speculation about what exactly will be announced.
Unofficially referred to as the iPhone 4G by Apple fanatics across the web for several months, Apple’s newest device will inevitably be expected to have a significant “wow factor”. This is especially true, since it will have to compete with the frenzy of attention received by the iPad, which was released only days ago. With that in mind, what great things should we expect to see? Will the improvements be enough to convince owners of current and past generation iPhones to part with their hard-earned cash, just to have the new one?
March 23, 2010 – This morning, the internet is abuzz with the news that an internal Apple (AAPL) document proves the iPhone is available for purchase, without the requirement to enter into an immediate contract with the smartphone’s exclusive carrier, AT&T (ATT). According to a document obtained and posted by the tech news website, Gizmodo, customers will be able to purchase one iPhone per day, without showing identification (You know. For the universal iPhone owner database.) or signing a painful contract with AT&T.
Since its initial release, customers were only able to purchase an iPhone if they entered into a contract with AT&T for cellular service. For many, this was tantamount to totalitarianism, since it was obviously aimed at preventing consumers from buying iPhones and jailbreaking them for use on other SIM-enabled carriers, like T-Mobile. If an iPhone just magically appeared in your hand, AT&T wouldn’t refuse to activate it and would certainly let you sign a contract with them in order to activate it, so it isn’t plausible that the purpose was really to prevent the black-market sale of the world’s number one smartphone. Read More…. »Is Apple Selling a Contract-free iPhone in Preparation for the 4G Release?
