What would you do for a free iPhone 3GS?

Would you be willing to sacrifice this cute little puppy for an iPhone 3G S? Or de-friend your closest friends and family on Facebook, for two years?

Given that today was iPhone 3G S review mania day, I’ve given up all hope of publishing anything meaningful today on ZDNet for fears of it being buried in the cumulative iPile. Apple product releases are like the Britney Spears or the Paris Hiltons of the tech reporting industry, the irrational obsession with them seems to monopolize virtually all the screen space on the various tech news outlets when some new development or enhancement comes along.

So rather than beating them, or resigning not to post anything at all, I’ve decided to join them. That being said I think it’s a given that people LOVE iPhones. But how much?

[via ZDNet]

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Free iPhone Tethering Options - Get a Free iPhone Modem!

Tethering your iPhone for free used to simply require jailbreaking your phone and installing PDAnet, but JuneCloud got wise and has since have since started charging $30 per year for the software.

But don’t fret, Gizmodo reports that there are at least two free options for tethering. One is iPhoneModem.de the other is iPhoneModem ($10 gets rid of the nags). The piece notes that there’s a third option called 3proxy but that it requires lots of manual configuration.

If you’re gun shy about jailbreaking your iPhone in light of Apple’s insistance that it’s illegal, you’ll have to wait for the rumored official tethering from AT&T. Good luck with that.

Read the whole article @ ZD Net

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Surprise! Santa delivered a bunch of free iPhone apps for Christmas

Got coal in your stocking? Not happy with your festive sweater or that beautiful tie that you’ve always wanted? Don’t sweat it, Santa delivered a bunch of free iPhone apps - just in time for Christmas.

• Easy Shake – Do you want to have a band or training your sense of tempo ? There are 6 sound effect with Easy Shake. Hold your iPhone and press one of it. Follow the background music and shake your iPhone!
• Classic Memo – Simple classic audio recorder with very basic functions with attractive interface! and let’s you change wallpaper!
• Tankcheck – With these program you can check the prices of petrol stations in - Germany - France - Belgium - Netherlands - Switzerland - Austria - Luxembourg You can check it with you postcode.
• Weather: Zero configuration! – Weather application does what it claims: it shows current weather and 4 days forecast for exact point where you are.
• Crossbones – Crossbones is a challenging and addictive pirate-themed puzzle game. Match cards as fast as you can to collect pirate loot. Play solo or against computer opponents.

Read the whole article @ ZDNet

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Top 10 free iPhone applications

1. Remote
2. Twitterific
3. Pandora
4. Shazam
5. Box Office
6. AIM
7. eBay Mobile
8. NetNewsWire
9. Bloomberg
10. Eventful

Read the whole article @ ZDNet

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What the iPhone SDK means for open source

In a purely technical sense, news that Apple will offer an iPhone software development kit and allow third-party applications is not an open source story.

This is still a proprietary platform.

But with this move Jobs is admitting that the iPhone is a computer platform, thus subject to computer rules, and that is an important move.

It means the absolute device control AT&T and the other U.S. carriers have exercised must give way. It means that the iPhone is not a phone, and that’s what its competitors, such as the coming GPhone, will be as well.

So what we have is a tipping point, from mobile voice to mobile data. One that will change public attitudes. While people can accept “it’s the network” as an excuse for maintaining voice reliability, they know better when it comes to data.

They have the Internet, the “network of networks,” not (supposedly) under any one carrier’s control, offering fixed monthly service pricing, a comparative gob of bandwidth, with voice as just one of many low-bandwidth applications.

Read the whole article @ ZD Net

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Airplane passenger detained for playing movie on iPhone

My colleague Tom Krazit notes a Consumerist report that an ATA Airlines flight attendant tried to get a passengerto turn off his iPhone because, well, cell phones are not allowed to be used in flight and he was watching a movie on his iPhone.

The passenger, who we know as Casey, tried to explain to the flight attendant that the iPhone was in airplane mode, really truly.

If you’ve flown at all, you know that as a general rule, airplane mode use is generally allowed above 10,000 feet. And hey guess what, the plane was above the Pacific Ocean.

The passenger was briefly detained in Hawaii but was allowed to go.

There are two aspects of this story that strike me as at least somewhat relevant.

As Tom writes:

First of all, “airplane mode” doesn’t appear to be a universally defined state of being by the FCC, FAA, the airlines or the mobile phone industry, and perhaps it should. Apple’s Web page on the iPhone’s airplane mode clearly states, “If you turn on airplane mode, the wireless features of iPhone are disabled, and if allowed by the aircraft operator and applicable laws and regulations (emphasis mine), you can continue to use the non-wireless features after takeoff.

Probably this is a good juncture to note how Apple explains iPhone’s airplane mode:

Turn on airplane mode to disable the wireless features of iPhone on a plane.

Read the whole article @ ZD Net

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Firmware upgrade BRICKED his UNLOCKED iPhone

iPhone Central blogger Jonathan Seff writes a sad tale of what happened when he downloaded and attempted to install today’s 1.11 iPhone firmware update on his “unlocked and hacked” iPhone.

Long and short of it: firmware installation seemed to go OK- that is up until he restarted his iPhone.

Message on screen: incorrect SIM card.

So he takes the SIM card out of his iPhone and puts it in his Treo, and the SIM card comes to life.

But then he went to his local AT&T store and told them essentially what I just wrote.

Salesperson hands him a new SIM.

Popped the SIM back into his bricked iPhone.

Still bricked. Seeing same errors.

Just popping into my head: “Ow, it’s a bricked.. iPhone.” Reference: Brick House by the Commodores.

Not OK.

Hey, have any of you readers download the firmware upgrade on a hacked iPhone and got it to work?

Read the whole article @ ZD Net

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Apple’s growth, an unwinnable iPhone war and a reputation at risk

Apple is clearly in a war with hackers over the iPhone and its most loyal fans could take a few hits. How Apple performs through these battles will determine the company’s overall reputation going forward.

Today’s angst over iPhones becoming iBricks because they were modified is really just the beginning. There are a few reports of non-hacked iPhones going dark following Apple’s latest firmware update. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes and others note that Apple has a PR problem on its hands. These issues could affect how Apple is perceived in its core markets.

The iPhone issues are really just a side effect of a much larger issue. As Apple grows it increasingly loses that feel-good underdog image. It starts looking like every other large company. Apple even starts to look like a bully–even to large media players that merely want to try different pricing schemes on iTunes. To make matters worse Apple is alienating its base. Add it up and customer service declines. Customer service declines won’t happen overnight, but Apple will have issues simply based on numbers–the more customers it has the more people it can annoy. Steve Jobs is treated as a messiah able to leap over options scandals and create a never-ending stream of delightful products, but that won’t last forever.

Read the whole article @ ZD Net

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Does iPhone update 1.1.1 kill off 3rd party application development?

We were all warned by Apple and those of us who SIM unlocked our iPhones knew there was the risk that they could never be updated. Apparently, lots of people (even some who should have known better) must have thought Apple’s notice was just a false warning since they tried to update their iPhones anyways and turned them into iBricks. I knew better than to take another risk since I am very happy with my iPhone in its current state running on the T-Mobile USA network and made the decision to never update it unless there was a reliable hack I could trust not to brick it. Other than all the news surrounding the SIM unlock hack and iBricks, I think the bigger story of this latest iPhone 1.1.1 update may be the complete loss of 3rd party application support.

According to various forums where you can find info on hacking the iPhone, the firmware 1.1.1 update may have made the iPhone structure more like the iPod Touch and locked it down even more with stronger encryption. While I can understand that Apple wants to keep the iPhone locked down to reduce customer service calls and create a consistent experience for all owners, many mobile enthusiasts are used to installing 3rd party applications and customizing their Windows Mobile, Palm, Linux and S60 devices to their particular needs. The web-only 3rd party applications are decent, but many applications work better for people when a connection is not required. Stand-alone 3rd party applications also are more functional than a web widget.

Read the whole article @ ZD Net

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iPhone firmware 1.1.1 released; breaks everything

Today Apple released iPhone firmware version 1.1.1 via iTunes and it appears to be pretty nasty toward unlocked and otherwise hacked iPhones. According to Gizmodo and Engadget the update re-locks unlocked phones and renders the brilliant AppTapp installer and other third-party applications useless.

Features of the 1.1.1 update include:

• iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store
• Louder speakerphone and receiver volume
• Home Button double-click shortcut to phone favorites of music controls
• Space bar double-tap shortcut to intelligently insert period and space
• Mail attachments are viewable in portrait and landscape
• Stocks and cities in Stocks and Weather can be re-ordered
• Apple Bluetooth Headset battery status in the Status Bar
• Support for TV Out
• Preference to turn off EDGE/GPRS when roaming internationally
• New Passcode lock time intervals
• Adjustable alert volume

Read the whole article @ ZD Net

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Sun slams Apple over Java-less iPhone

Not that it's news in any sense of the word, but Sun's VP of software has issued a timely reminder of one of the biggest problems with the iPhone - its lack of (opensourced Sun tech) Java.

Two billion other phones have it, so why not Apple's fanboitoi? "Fundamentally, they don't like open systems," was Bob Brewin's take on the matter at AJAXWorld. At least the things do JavaScript and Java will eventually make it onto the Jesusphone, he said, but for now Apple is just rainin' on the developers' parade.

That's telling 'em. Sadly, with a million-plus-and-counting sales, I doubt that iSteve is overly moved...

Read the whole article @ ZDNet

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First-ever VoIP over iPhone app: say so long to huge roaming fees

Oliver Starr, a friend who is now offering his considerable expertise to Blognation, writes that he has witnessed the first ever VoIP calls made from an Apple iPhone.

This has been accomplished by TruPhone, a softphone VoIP solutions provider based in the UK.

Not even ready for beta, what I have just referenced is a rather pre-alpha cross-your-fingers-and-hope-it-works setup that, Starr writes in part:

Currently requires the use of terminal on the iPhone to tell the iPhone to use its on-board SIP stack to place the call over WiFi instead of via the SIM card. To use the terminal application, in turn requires that you first Jailbreak the phone using an application like iBrickr or iFuntastic. This is not an application for the inexperienced or the faint of heart.Instantitating the SIP Stack for TruPhone.

Still, Oliver emphasizes that, well, it’s kinda early. TruPhone says it will simplify the application and will add seamless switching between VoIP and open WiFi systems, with the SIM card kicking in when the iPhone is out of open WiFi range.

I agree with Oliver that the real plus-plus will mean an alternative to international roaming fees charged to iPhone users.

ETA to beta is about four weeks, but because TruPhone wants to ensure capacity, this will be one of those invitation-only, limited betas. So if you are tempted, I would advise waiting until enough information is gathered from these early beta testers.

Read the whole article @ ZDNet

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The question is not whether it’s legal to unlock the iPhone …

… the real question is whether Apple is allowed to brick an unlocked iPhone.

My posts on the possibility that Apple will brick unlocked iPhones have generated a lot of feedback. Many of you are wondering whether it’s legal to unlock an iPhone. The fact is that, within the US, it is legal to unlock a phone, and it’s enshrined in law:

Rulemaking on Exemptions from Prohibition on Circumvention of Technological Measures that Control Access to Copyrighted Works

The Librarian of Congress, on the recommendation of the Register of Copyrights, has announced the classes of works subject to the exemption from the prohibition against circumvention of technological measures that control access to copyrighted works. Persons making noninfringing uses of the following six classes of works will not be subject to the prohibition against circumventing access controls (17 U.S.C. § 1201(a)(1)) during the next three years.

…

5. Computer programs in the form of firmware that enable wireless telephone handsets to connect to a wireless telephone communication network, when circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of lawfully connecting to a wireless telephone communication network.

The question is not whether it’s legal to unlock the iPhone, the real question is whether Apple is allowed to brick an unlocked iPhone. That’s the interesting question, and since I’m not a lawyer I don’t pretend to have the answer, but here are some thoughts:

• Apple’s given prior notice that a future update “will likely result in the modified iPhone becoming permanently inoperable”
• Users will consent to the installation being carried out
• Most updates are preceded by a license agreement which says that if things go wrong, well, tough
• The warranty doesn’t cover making any unauthorized changes to the device
• Apple is under no obligation to make sure that you tweaking remains compatible with updates

On a related note, the iPhone Dev Team is promising a patch to restore unlocked iPhones back to factory fresh condition.

So, where does this leave users of unlocked iPhones and Apple? My guess is that if iPhones start getting bricked, there’s going to be trouble.

Read the whole article @ ZDNet

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Nine steps to (hopefully) re-lock your iPhone

With an iPhone firmware update coming this week that could potentially be permanently device-crippling to unlocked iPhones, relocking tutorials are popping up.

One of the most definitive, if not yet battle-tested, comes from TUAW (The Ultimate Apple Weblog’s) Erica Sadun.

Not without reader feedback (some of it critical) Erica recommends that if you feel the need to relock your iPhone that you perform the following steps:

1. (Take out your SIM from your iPhone.)–Erica writes she is still checking on this step.
2. Download the 1.0.2 firmware to your computer and unzip it. It uses a .ipsw extension but your unzip program should still work. Change the extension if you have to.
3. Extract the ramdisk as such: dd if=009-7698-4.dmg of=ramdisk.dmg bs=512 skip=4 conv=sync
4. Mount the extracted ramdisk.
5. From the ramdisk, copy /usr/local/bin/bbupdater,/usr/local/standalone/firmware/ICE03.14.08_G.eep, and /usr/local/standalone/firmware/ICE03.14.08_G.fls to your iPhone.
6. Place these into a folder on the OS partition (such as /bbupdate) and not into a folder on /var/root. The /var/root partition is set noexec and you cannot run programs from there.
7. Disable com.apple.CommCenter.plist–either using UIctl or launchctl: launchctl unload /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.CommCenter.plist
8. On the iPhone, navigate to the folder where you stored bbupdater and the eep and fls files. Run bbupdater as such: ./bbupdater -f *.fls -e *.eep Reload comm center: launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.CommCenter.plist
9. Reactivate with your favorite AT&T SIM. Erica indicates she personally likes using iASign.

And cross your fingers. This might work.

Then if it does, maybe you’ve learned your lesson- that you shouldn’t have unlocked your iPhone in the first place.

Read the whole article @ ZDNet

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Stephen Fry calls for "iPhone killers"

I have sometimes mused on certain similarities between ZDNet.co.uk's technology editor and recipient of an unfair share of brain-matter Rupert Goodwins - and the some-time thespian and general knower-of-all-things-worth-knowing Stephen Fry.

What would happen if these two titans of trivia were ever to clash their massive noggins -- who would emerge triumphant? Until recently the likelihood of their spheres ever intercepting was pretty slim -- despite Rupert's frequent appearances on the BBC and Fry's reputation as a a major Apple Fan.

Read the whole article @ ZDNet

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Some iPhone gift certificate applicants deemed ineligible

Some users attempting to get their US$100 coupon from Apple for iPhones purchased before 22 August 2007 are being greeted with an error message stating that they “may not be eligible.”

The person is got the error message at right is none other than the PowerPage’s Rob Parker and I know that he’s eligible because I purchase my iPhone with him on launch day–29 June 2007.

I didn’t have any problems receiving my coupon and we both purchased our phones from an authorized AT&T store and activated them at the same time.

I haven’t redeemed my US$100 coupons yet so I don’t know if they’re going to have a $0 balance when I go to use them as some have reported. Luckily there’s a solution–re-apply and reprint.

Anyone else getting the error?

View the whole article @ ZDNet Blogs

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Medical records on an iPhone?

With dozens of electronic health record outfits struggling for market share, you need a gimmick to get attention.

Life Record has just such a gimmick. Put your health records on your iPhone.

This is obviously a gimmick because there are not yet many iPhones out there, and AT&T charges out the wazoo for data transfers. But the deal does let Life Record talk about its concept of Web-based health records, which is a worthy subject of discussion.

The solution was announced back in July, and Life Record now has a key customer to offer. It’s a doctor. But doctors aren’t the point of sale on EMR technology. Hospitals are.

View the whole article @ ZDNet

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Just TRY to return a malfunctioning, hacked iPhone

Colleague Jason O’Grady of The Apple Core blogs about a friend of his who took his iPhone into a local Apple Store for repair, but didn’t receive the warmest of greetings.

That despite the fact that his friend’s iPhone’s camera was apparently suffering a green tint problem that has been reported before.

No, Jason’s friend and his ailing iPhone were uncourtly greeted because the device had been hacked with some third party apps and worst yet, had been running on T-Mobile.

Jason’s friend was told that because the iPhone in question was running T-Mobile (rather than the pre-configured ATT) forget about your warranty, we won’t fix your phone, nor will we accept its return.

View the whole article @ ZDNET Blogs

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Apple to fight iPhone hacks with firmware upgrades sent via iTunes

Apple CEO Steve Jobs says that the company will do its best to stop all these iPhone hacks.

“It’s a cat-and-mouse game,” Jobs remarked at the UK unveiling of the iPhone yesterday in London. “We try to stay ahead. People will try to break in, and it’s our job to stop them breaking in.”

“At the moment, as a consumer, you need to be very careful about unlocking the iPhone, and know how you want to use it,” said Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi, who attended the presentation. “If you unlock it, you are not going to have a flat rate, and you will not have access to the 7,500 hot spots.”

The “7,500 hot spots” she referred to are those of UK Wi-Fi provider Cloud, where use of iPhone will- unlike UK iPhone carrier O2 Ltd.,’s monthly flat rate plans of $70 to $110 a month- will be free.

Computerworld’s Gregg Keizer believes that Apple will try to fortify the iPhone with firmware updates sent via iTunes.
“Both of the firmware updates issued since the iPhone’s U.S. debut in late June have either broken other, non-unlocking hacks, or forced users to restore the device from scratch,” Gregg writes. “IPhoneSIMFree, for instance, does not guarantee that its unlocking tool will work after future firmware updates.”

Artilce @ ZDNET Blogs

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If true, Jobs quote of “A 3G iPhone later next year” should kill demand for iPhone 1.0

Already having conceded to upset “early adopters” of the iPhone who were taken by surprise when Apple dropped the price of the 8GB iPhone (and dropped the 4GB iPhone altogether), Apple may have yet a new crisis on its hands: CEO Steve Jobs’ apparent pre-announcement that a 3G version of the iPhone will be available next year.

If the report is true, this could be worse news for Apple given that the price drop had to have come so soon to stimulate demand. There’s nothing that kills demand for the current generation of a product like an announcement that the next generation won’t be stillborn with obsolete networking technology the way the currently available generation was. Even if the report of Jobs saying this isn’t true, my guess is that a 3G iPhone in 2008 is pretty much a sure bet.

Jobs has been quoted as saying that “The trade off with 3G [in battery life] is too bad right now.” Either something is about to change when it comes to battery life that Jobs knows about but we don’t, or, Apple is realizing that price isn’t the only reason that prospective iPhone buyers are holding off for iPhone 2.0 (a suggestion I’ve been making since the iPhone came out). Sure, the next version of anything will always be better than the current one. But iPhone 2.0 will very likely get the things right that iPhone 1.0 got so wrong.

The whole article is @ ZDNet Blogs

Get a Free iPhone! Yes, that is correct! Stay away from the hassles of waiting in long lineups for you can get it the simple way .... straight to your doorstep! Free! Interested? Then find out how to get a Free iPhone!