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iPhone News, Reviews, & Opinion
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News, Reviews, & Opinion
White iPhones Are Cracking
So says
ehPhone's ruffdeezy:
"I noticed something very upsetting today, my iPhone was beginning
to crack. It is a very minor crack but it is really frustrating since
I've only had my iPhone for a few days now. The crack has formed
between the metal surrounding the screen and the metal volume button.
It looks like hairline stress fracture to me....
"I'm starting to wish that Apple hadn't cheaped out with the plastic
backs on the iPhone 3G."
Link: White
iPhones Are Cracking - Report
Cracks Appearing in iPhone 3Gs
TUAW's Robert Palmer reports:
"Filed under: iPhone
"Let's be honest here for a second. Cracks don't appear. Cracks
don't form. They don't develop. Your iPhone 3G cracked because you
dropped it. 'Fess up! It's not a manufacturing defect if your phone
takes a tumble down a flight of stairs. This is why we can't have nice
things.
"Just kidding. Apple could have has another iPod nano or G4 Cube
problem on its hands: careful users are seeing cracks and fissures on
their new iPhone 3Gs. MacRumors has a thread about new, white iPhone
3Gs (which haven't been 'dropped or pressed') that are beginning to
show hairline cracks around the edges and near the buttons and
headphone jack."
Link: Cracks
'Appearing' in New iPhone 3Gs
iPhone 3G: All Cracked Up
DailyTech's
Brandon Hill s a
"Apple's iPhone 3G is not all it's cracked up to be
"Apple's 3G iPhone was met with much fanfare when it launched
earlier this month....
"All is not well in iPhone 3G land, however. The folks over at
Engadget noticed that a number of people are noticing stress
fractures/cracks in their iPhone 3G casings. The cracks seem to mostly
affect owners of white 16 GB iPhone 3G models, but owners of black
iPhone 3Gs have reported problems as well (but to a lesser
degree)."
Link:
Apple's iPhone 3G: All Cracked Up
iPhone 3G and MobileMe: New Features Add Little
Value
MacFixIt's Ted
Landau says:
"The more time I spend with my new iPhone 3G and the new MobileMe
software, the more I find that neither of these upgrades were worth the
bother. Now, before you start sending me hate mail, let me be
clear:
"I still consider the iPhone to be one of the greatest technology
inventions of the decade. And the new iPhone 3G is even better than the
original. The iPhone 2.0 software, especially the App Store, is a
significant leap forward from iPhone 1.1.4. As for MobileMe, on balance
(assuming the service can ever get past its initial hassles and
actually work as intended), I believe it is marginally superior to the
.Mac service it replaces.
"So what's the problem? The problem is this: The new hardware
features in the iPhone 3G and the new options in MobileMe are largely
irrelevant to me (and I suspect to a lot of other people as
well)...."
Link: iPhone 3G
and MobileMe: New Features Add Little Value
The Politics of Mobile Phone Battery
Indicators
iPod
Observer's John Martellaro says:
"Your mobile phone is lying to you, according to Daniel Rutter at
Dan's Data on Tuesday. Mobile phone battery indicators are designed to
hedge towards the full side to keep the user making calls - and
spending money.
"After investigating the issues behind the mobile phone's signal
strength bars, Mr. Rutter turned his attention to the battery
indicator.
"'Battery meters are even more fun....
"'It's possible to monitor the charge in a battery - any kind of
battery - with considerable accuracy. There's a certain amount of
guessing involved, because the 'fullness' of different battery
chemistries doesn't necessarily map well to terminal voltage even if
the battery's powering an unchanging load. But modern 'smart' batteries
with little chips on them that keep track of how long they've been
lasting lately really do work pretty well.'
"With that technical knowledge, mobile phone makers, given a choice,
would like the user to think that there's just a little more charge
than there really is. There's ample motivation for this...."
Link: The Politics of Mobile Phone
Battery Indicators
The Long and Short of the iPhone's Battery
Mac Observer's
Ted Landau says:
"Guess what? The more you use your iPhone, the faster its battery
drains. This is hardly a surprise.
"Further, certain iPhone features require a bit of extra power and
will drain the phone's battery even faster. Again, not much of a
surprise. It's simply a matter of physics.
"Still, it's worth pointing out exactly what these battery-eating
features are. It may be of particular interest to iPhone 3G owners,
many of whom claim that the 3G's battery life is significantly shorter
than that of the original iPhone...."
Link: The
Long and Short of the iPhone's Battery
Is the iPhone the OS 9 of Phones?
AppleMatters'
Hadley Stern says:
"Remember back in the day when you would tell all your friends and
family how the Mac rocked? How it was the easiest-to-use and most
powerful computer light years of anything before it? And then they
bought it. And, a few weeks later you'd get a call about crashes. Oh,
you'd say, that's simple, it must be an extension conflict. Or
. . . don't run too many applications or it may crash!
"This pattern would inevitably repeat itself a few times until, when
recommending the Mac, if you were a good soul, you would get a slight
lump in your throat.
"OS X has thankfully obviated any concern for guilt. The occasional
kernel panic aside the operating system is rock-solid.
"Which brings us to the iPhone, and, more specifically, version 2 of
the iPhone operating system....
"I recognized yesterday, as I needed to make a phone-call and had to
reset my iPhone for the third time that day, that familiar feeling of
dread. Waiting for my iPhone to reboot brought me back to those Classic
OS days. It isn't quite as bad as running Extension Conflict and
waiting for the computer to reboot 20 plus times to tell me which
extensions are in conflict (It's utterly amazing to think such a
product existed, isn't it?!). But a phone is different than a computer
in how we need it."
Link:
Is the iPhone the OS 9 of Phones?
Prominent Cancer Doctor Warns of Cellphone
Risks
CTV.ca News
reports:
"A prominent American cancer doctor has warned his colleagues to
limit their use of cellphones because he believes they might pose a
cancer risk, while other experts disagree.
"Dr. Ronald B. Herberman of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer
Institute wrote a memo to the hospital's 3,000 faculty and staff urging
them to take precautions when using their mobile phones, The Associated
Press reported.
"He said that although current medical data does not indicate a
clear link between cellphones and cancer, he believes people should not
wait for current and future studies to be concluded.
"Herberman said future research could yet prove a link between the
electromagnetic radiation produced by cellphones and an increased risk
of cancer."
Link:
Prominent Cancer Doctor Warns of Cellphone Risks
10 Tips: Cell Phones & Limiting Radiation
Exposure
KDKA.com has posted 10 practical advice tips on limiting your
exposure to cellphone radiation.
Link: 10 Tips: Cell
Phones & Limiting Radiation Exposure
'iPhone as Modem' Tethering Hack Revealed!
ITWire's
Stephen Withers reports:
"Want to use an iPhone to deliver data to your notebook or other
device? Apple and the phone companies didn't want us to have this
capability, but smart users have found a way.
"We're not going spell out in detail how it's done - for that, you
should go to cre.ations.net for some illustrated and reasonably
detailed step-by-step instructions. NB: the method requires a
jailbreaked iPhone, but that's not likely to be a surprise to
anyone."
Link: 'iPhone as Modem'
Tethering Hack Revealed!
Download Speed: iPhone 3G vs. EDGE
Bare
Feats' rob-ART Morgan says:
"Is 3G really two times faster?
"We had an opportunity to test the new iPhone 3G in both 3G an EDGE
mode in the middle of San Diego where both coverage is strong for both.
Is 3G really 2 times faster?"
Link: Download Speed: Apple iPhone
3G vs. EDGE
Multiple iPhone Household? Share Your Apps
TUAW's Scott McNulty says:
"iPhone apps are wrapped with Apple's delicious flavor of DRM called
'FairPlay' that has some fairly open terms of use. You can authorize up
to five computers to access items purchased from the
iTunes Store (that aren't iTunes Plus tracks, since they don't have
any DRM on them) and you can then play those tracks (and one assumes
applications) on any unlimited number of iPods and iPhones.
"...FairPlay makes it clear that those apps should be able to run on
multiple iPhones...."
Link:
Multiple iPhone Household? Share Your Apps
Turn Your iPhone into a Wireless Drive
iPhone Buzz's
Brenda Stokes says:
"If you've ever had the urge to add functionality to your iPhone, a
new program called DataCase can help you do that. In fact, this nifty
app will turn your iPhone into a wireless drive. You can store your
files on it just like an external drive. It will even show up in your
Finder window as such."
Link:
Turn Your iPhone into a Wireless Drive
For iPods and iPhones
iPhone: The Missing Manual Available
PR: New from O'Reilly The Ebook Is Here! Everything You Want
to Know about the iPhone 3G
"The new iPhone 3G has a nicer shape, GPS, and of course 3G
speeds in the big cities," says a blissed-out David Pogue. "But it's
the iPhone 2.0 software and the App Store that really change the game."
A year ago, Pogue, the New York Times technology columnist and
best-selling author, helped usher in the iPhone Age with his
entertaining, definitive, best-selling guide, iPhone: The Missing
Manual.
Now Pogue is back with a bigger, better, up-to-the-nanosecond second
edition - a witty, complete guide to both the iPhone 3G and the
original iPhones with the iPhone 2.0 software. iPhone: The Missing
Manual, Second Edition (O'Reilly) is the first and best book about
every Apple improvement to its own second edition - the iPhone 3G and
iPhone 2.0. Over 100 new features are demystified, troubleshot, and
evaluated: GPS position tracking, MobileMe synching, Microsoft Exchange
server synching, make-your-own ringtones, geotagging photos, and much
more.
The print version of iPhone: The Missing Manual, Second Edition can
be purchased on or around Aug. 15. But for those who don't want to wait
for the book (or prefer a virtual one), an electronic downloadable
version of the book is also available, in three different formats. The
PDF (available now) and EPUB versions can be read on the iPhone; the
Mobipocket version can be uploaded onto the Amazon Kindle e-book
reader. Best of all: those who pre-order the print book/electronic
bundle (which includes all three e-book formats - PDF, EPUB, and
Kindle-compatible Mobipocket) instantly save 70% on the book.
Each stunning, full-color, custom-designed page of iPhone: The
Missing Manual helps you accomplish specific tasks with complete
step-by-step instructions for everything from scheduling to web
browsing to watching videos. You'll learn how to:
Use the iPhone as a phone - get a guided tour of the iPhone's
calling features; learn how much time you can save with things like
Visual Voicemail, contact searching, and more Treat the iPhone as an
iPod - listen to music, upload and view photos, and fill the iPhone
with TV shows and movies Take the iPhone online - learn how to get
online, use email, browse the Web, and use the GPS and other location
services Go beyond the iPhone - discover how to use iPhone with iTunes,
get wireless "push" synching of your email, calendar, and address book
with MobileMe or Exchange, and learn about The App Store where you can
pick from thousands of free or cheap add-on programs Fill in the blanks
- find out which new apps restore "missing" features to the iPhone:
voice dialing, video recording, sending geotagged photos by email,
radio, voice recording, and more
Teeming with high-quality color graphics and filled with humor,
tips, tricks, and surprises, iPhone: The Missing Manual, Second Edition
quickly teaches you how to set up, accessorize, and troubleshoot your
iPhone. Instead of fumbling around, take advantage of this device with
the manual that should have been in the box. It's your call.
David Pogue is the weekly personal-technology columnist for the New
York Times and an Emmy award-winning tech correspondent for CBS News.
With 3 million books in print, he is also one of the world's
best-selling how-to authors. In 1999, he launched his own series of
complete, funny computer books called Missing Manuals, which now
includes more than 30 titles.
- iPhone: The Missing Manual, Second Edition
- David Pogue
- ISBN: 9780596521677
- 376 pages
- $24.99 , £15.50
- order@oreilly.com
- 1-800-998-9938
- 1-707-827-7000
FarFinder: Access Your Mac's Files from Any
Computer or iPhone
PR: FarFinder lets you access files on your Mac from any
computer or iPhone anywhere you happen to be.
- Any Computer: Access your Mac's files from Mac OS, Windows or
Linux
- iPhone: The iPhone-optimised version gives you access to your Mac
absolutely anywhere
- Any Browser: Connect to your Mac with Safari, Firefox or Internet
Explorer
- Clever downloads and uploads: Fetch files and folders easily, and
send files to your Mac too.
- Email files on the go: Email files without even downloading them
first. Great on the iPhone.
- Spotlight: Find files fast, and refine your results with Finder
search
- Image Slideshow: Slideshow for easy image viewing, even of types
that browsers don't understand
- Look through your Mac's camera: See who's using your Mac or just
keep an eye on what's happening
- Easy Setup: Setup is automagic for many users; diagnosis and help
is given to others
- Your own easy-to-remember URL: Like this:
http://findme.flyingmac.com/joebloggs
- Secure: Your Mac is protected and your data is transferred
safely
- No Fees: Once you've bought FarFinder it costs you nothing to
use
System requirements: FarFinder requires Mac OS X 10.4 or higher.
Connecting computers can run any operating system as long as the
browser requirements are met; supported browsers are Safari 2+, Firefox
2+, Camino 1.5+ and Internet Explorer 6+.
While Internet Explorer is fully supported from a functional
perspective, appearance and performance will not be as good as with the
other, more standards-compliant browsers.
$35
Link: FarFinder
Ivyskin Introduces World's First Touch-Thru Case
for iPhone 3G
PR: Ivyskin announces a new, premium range of iPhone 3G cases
and accessories that are second to none in the market today developed
and designed in the USA
The first thing typically added to the
iPhone 3G is a case to protect the phone. Ivyskin announces a new,
premium range of iPhone 3G cases and accessories that are second to
none in the market today. Designed to enhance the iPhone experience,
the range uses the latest Polycarbonate and Polysilicon to ensure a
sophisticated look and feel.
"Body and screen scratches, regardless of how careful you are with
your iPhone, are inevitable," said Mike Panahi, Founder and President
of Ivyskin. "We built a full solid screen cover into our new XyloT3's
enclosure that's specifically designed to protect the whole device from
scratches wherever iPhone users go."
Ivyskin's case offerings for iPhone 3G include Xylo, XyloDuo, and
XyloT3. Other accessories available for iPhone 3G include SpyScreen,
XyloReflect, iGlass and an array of full body armors.
XyloT3™ - XyloT3 for iPhone 3G features curved-shaped contours
that wrap the new iPhone with a patent pending design of Xylo Surface
Technology. The Touch-Thru is a real breakthrough in the industry, as
it is a unique, sophisticated and elegant case with the first complete
advanced touch interface that registers changes in the ultrasonic waves
and position of the touch event and sends this information to the
iPhone's screen for processing. This is a truly revolutionary case
designed right here in the US of A.
- XyloDuo - Providing the ultimate luxury in iPhone cases, its
sophisticated design accentuates the modern individual. Featuring
bumper to bumper protection for iPhone 3G and amazing high-graded
polysilicon material, XyloDuo's minimalist all-silicon design
integrates a discrete protective screen that blends seamlessly with
durable black smooth silicon and is remarkably slim. It features a
unique coating on the silicone which gives it a smoother, more polished
look and creates a lint free surface.
- XyloReflect - Xylo reflect Screen is a solid hard plastic screen
that provides a crystal clear view of the iPhone. This unique product
has good specular reflection; that is, it is smooth enough to form an
image when the iPhone 3G is not in use. The Xylo reflect Screen easily
adheres to the iPhone's screen without the use of any adhesives. It
allows your fingers to slide freely, offering full touch sensitivity
and screen protection that is second to none in the market today.
- SpyScreen - For your eyes only. The Privacy Screen provides
security for +/- 45 degrees that helps to keep prying eyes from
personal information. When viewed directly, the privacy film gives you
a clear view of your display. Angled views appear tinted, near complete
black, to create an effective privacy barrier. The SpyScreen's privacy
film easily adheres to the iPhone's screen without the use of
adhesives. It allows your fingers to slide freely, offering full touch
sensitivity and screen protection.
- iGlass - Ivyskin's latest Screen Protector. This is a solid 1mm
Hard Screen glass that goes over the iPhone. Think of this as a second
screen on your iPhone. It is made of the same glass screen as the
iPhone, tough, hard, anti-scratched.
Ivyskin's products are designed here in the USA. Ivyskin is proud to
be an American company that designs, manufactures and delivers useful
and fun solutions for digital entertainment and personal computing to
people in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
Link: Ivyskin
iSkin's revo2 Gives iPhone 3G Fans Feature-Filled
Protection in a Stylish Solution
PR: iSkin has introduced its new revo2 soft premium silicone
protector designed especially for iPhone 3G - the second generation of
the company's award-winning revo iPhone protector, introduced exactly
one year ago. Designed for complete coverage in an elegant package, the
revo2 gives iPhone fans protection, quality and style in a
feature-filled package for their beloved iPhone 3G.
revo.jpg
Crafted for a superior fit, the revo2 snugly encapsulates the iPhone
3G and provides complete coverage from everyday hazards such as impact,
shock, dirt, dust and moisture. Complimenting this protection is an
array of impressive features, highlighted by Microban(a) antimicrobial
product protection, a detachable ViSOR transparent face shield, a dust
repelling micro-texture grip, integrated port-to-port protection,
accented volume and power buttons, an anti-glare and anti-fingerprint
screen film, unobstructed silent mode switch, mic, camera and speaker
access, and an industry first: a special translucent silicone zone that
protects the iPhone's proximity and ambient light sensors without
obstruction. The revo2 is also compatible with the iSkin revoClip
(sold-separately): a belt holster that keeps iPhones and their owners
safely connected.
Offered in a range of fashionable two-tone colors combinations: Onyx
(Black/Black), Diablo (Red/Black), Sonic (Blue/Black) and Ozone
(Clear/Black), the revo2 retails for $39.99.
Link: iSkin
A New Development for Learning Languages on Your
iPod or iPhone
PR: BBC Active is re-launching its
Quickstart language-learning series, which has now been fully optimised
for use with your iPod or iPhone.
Working with iPod and Mobile software developers Coolgorilla, BBC
Active has developed these new products so that in addition to
listening to the audio course, you can also view the accompanying
translations and course text on the screen of your iPod or iPhone.
Chapters within each episode enable users to navigate easily around the
courses, making it simple to pick up key phrases such as booking a
hotel, getting directions or ordering a meal.
This innovation means that your
Quickstart to any language is now as portable as your iPod or
iPhone.
The series contains eight languages -
Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish
and come as part of a two-CD package retailing at £13.99.
.Available from early August see http://www.bbcactive.com/languages
languages for more info.
Coolgorilla are a
pioneering UK software development company specialising in the creation
of applications for iPod, iPhone and mobile devices.
Artwizz Releases New iPhone 3G Cases and
Protective Covers
PR: The original SeeJacket Crystal case is now available for
the iPhone 3G with the same snug, snap-on design and impact resistant
polycarbonate construction with cutouts for easy access to controls .
To accompany the Crystal are the SeeJacket Silicone and SeeJacket
Silicone 2C. Both are made from a high-quality, smooth silicone and
including a ScratchStopper to protect the display
Harmonic Inversion Technology's Leanne
Miller says:
Artwizz was created in 2004 in Berlin, Germany to
further the development of intelligently designed accessories for
entertainment electronics. They have had great success with
sophisticated iPod accessories and are eagerly working to produce the
highest quality of accessories for iPhones as well. As the innovators
of the first all inclusive hard protective iPhone case, Artwizz is now
introducing their new collection of cases and protective covers
specifically designed for iPhone 3G.
The original SeeJacket Crystal case is now available
for the iPhone 3G with the same snug, snap-on design and impact
resistant polycarbonate construction with cutouts for easy access to
controls and inputs through connector cutouts. The same classic, sleek
and transparent case keeps the display completely viewable and
functional while being fully protected and keeping the iPhone 3G the
center of attention.
To accompany the Crystal are the SeeJacket Silicone
and SeeJacket Silicone 2C. Both are made from a high-quality, smooth
silicone and including a ScratchStopper to protect the display, these
SeeJacket Silicone cases offer complete protections for the iPhone 3G.
The SeeJacket Silicone 2C is created with a dual silicone layer for
added security. The cases are stain-resistant and washable and also
offer users easy access to controls and inputs through cutouts.
Artwizz has continued the new line of iPhone 3G
products with this new exclusive trio: Leather Pouch, Leather Pouch
Exquo and Leather Pouch Select. All three are handmade using
high-quality leather and lined with velvet for an executive finish.
Specifically, the Exquo is constructed out of Nubuck Leather embossed
with a unique urban design while the Select model is made with Straight
leather with a stylish print design. The simple pull-to-release method
is used for both Leather Pouch Exquo and Select, yet all three provide
quick and easy access to the iPhone 3G while providing remarkable
protection.
Finally, Artwizz also has among their new line of
iPhone 3G products the popular MirrorFilm and ScratchStopper. Both the
MirrorFilm and ScratchStopper are coverings that protect the display
against dust and scratches. These display coverings do not impede the
function of the touchable screen and if removed, they leave no residue.
The MirrorFilm offers a unique feature as it is clear when the display
is on and then shows a mirror effect when the display is off. The
ScratchStopper on the other hand is completely transparent and is
easily washable. A microfiber cloth also accompanies the ScratchStopper
for easy cleaning. I might add that the mirrorfilm can be used in
junction with the SeeJacket Crystal case.
Link: Artwizz
Better Power BP-S500 iPhone/iPod mini
Speaker-Charger
PR: The BP-S500 can broadcast stereo
music over longer time. Generally Speaking, when BP-S500 is fully
charged and does not charge for iPhone, it can play more than 12 hours
, if charging iPhone, it still can play more than 8 hours and act as a
mobile energy to supply power to the iPhone.
For iPhone
- BP-S500 can broadcast stereo music over longer time. Generally
Speaking, when BP-S500 is full of power and do not charge for iPhone,
it can play more than 12 hours , if it charge for iPhone, it still can
play more than 8 hours
- BP-S500 can act as a mobile energy to supply power to iPhone if
iPhone is in low power ,
- It just takes 50-80 minutes to charge iPhone battery Fully.
- BP-S500 is equipped with the original base available iPhone??It can
transmit data directly after connecting the cell phone and
computer
- betterpowercoll.jpg
- BP-S500 is also equipped with an USB-MINI socket, Dealed with
high-end software, so BP-S500 can transmit data directly after
connecting the cell phone and computer
- When your iPhone is ringing, you can answer by BP-S500 directly
with stereo sound
For iPod
BP-S500 Can broadcast the stereo music in
overlong time, Generally Speaking, when BP-S500 is full of power and do
not charge for iPod, it can play more than 12 hours, if it charge for
iPod,it still can play more than 8 hours- BP-S500 can act as a mobile energy to supply power to iPod if iPod
is in low power, it just takes 50-80 minutes to charge iPod battery
fully.
- BP-S500 is also equipped with the original base available iPod? It
can transmit data directly after connecting the cell phone and
computer
- Also, BP-S500 is equipped with an USB-MINI socket, Dealed with
high-end software, so BP-S500 can transmit data directly after
connecting the cell phone and computer The use for Common MP3, MP4
BP-S500 can be connected with MP3/MP4 with original data cable and
broadcast the stereo music in the overlong time, if it is full of
power.BP-S500 can play more than 12 hours The use for other mobile
phone
BP-S500 can broadcast the stereo music in the overlong time, when we
connect it with cell phone with the original data cable or audio cord,
under the full power circumstances, it can play more than 12 hours
- Voltage: 3.6-4.2Volt
- Warranty: 12 months
- Size: 68x68x98mm
- Capacity: 4800mA
- Weight: 500g
Link: Better Power
BP-S500 iPhone/iPod mini Speaker-Charger
