Micro Lifestyle: free iphone

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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

White iPhone 4 Now Delayed Until "Later This Year"

As is reception issues, Bluetooth connection problems, and proximity sensor failures weren't enough, Apple has announced that elusive white iPhone 4 will be delayed even longer.

This is Apple's official statement:

White models of Apple's new iPhone 4 have continued to be more challenging to manufacture than we originally expected, and as a result they will not be available until later this year. The availability of the more popular iPhone 4 black models is not affected.

According to a report from 21st Century Business Herald, the company that produces the glass for the iPhone 4, Lens Technology, is having production problems with applying white paint to the glass. More specifically, the company is having problems with finding the right balance of paint thickness to allow clearance for the digitizers while at the same time adhering to the physical standards for "beauty" that Apple has for its products.

Apple's iPhone 4 retails for $199 (16GB) and $299 (32GB) with a two-year contract. Due to the production problems with the white iPhone, only the black model is currently available.

[via Daily Tech]

Get a Free iPhone 4! Yes, that is correct! Why pay for one when CNN, BBC, NBC, and other news sites have proven this system LEGIT. Get it the simple way .... straight to your doorstep! Not interested? Then maybe get a Free PS3!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Jailbreaking, Rooting Phones, Video Montages are Legal

Somewhere Steve Jobs is screaming in frustration

With the advent of modern smartphones, many users have sought to jailbreak their phones to allow them to use unauthorized code (such as controversial apps or services not officially allowed by hardware or service providers). Many also have sought unlock the SIM cards on phones, allowing them to be used on networks which the hardware providers do not officially have deals with.

Apple has long contended that unlocking and jailbreaking is illegal under the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Apple claims that it supports a vast variety of evils including gangs, drug dealing, and terrorism. Other companies like Microsoft or Palm [now part of HP] have remained mum on the issue. And yet others -- like Google -- have been mildly supportive/tolerant of unlockers, while stopping short of providing the tools to unlock phones themselves (which might endanger their valuable carrier contracts).

Some expected the U.S. Supreme Court or further legislation by Congress would eventually tackle the issue. However, a surprising source appears to have, in essence, given unlockers and (phone) jailbreakers the legal green light -- the Library of Congress.

While not typically officially considered a part of the legislative branch, the Library of Congress is rather an independent research organization tasked with supporting Congress in a variety of ways, including legal research and preserving our nation's history.

[via Daily Tech]

Monday, July 26, 2010

Rogers iPhone 4 Hardware Upgrade Plans Leaked?

We have some news regarding the iPhone 4 from Rogers. Rogers iPhone 4 Hardware Upgrade (HUP) details have been revealed in a placeholder employee training manual. This info is not �final� but take it with a grain of salt as changes will occur closer to the launch date.

Our sources have provided us with the following information and here it is:

Last year, Rogers provided a special iPhone upgrade that gave iPhone 3G owners the chance to upgrade to iPhone 3GS before their normal hardware upgrade eligibility. This year, we�re doing it again � and we�re expanding it to give millions more customers the chance to get an iPhone 4 at a discounted price! Every Rogers customer with a smartphone, quick messaging device, or regular cellphone (purchased on contract before June 7, 2010) is eligible for a discount on a new iPhone 4!
At time of launch, an eligibility tool will be introduced on Rogers.com that allows customers and sales representatives to validate their eligibility for exclusive offers and discounts based on their profile. The link (and all additional HUP information) will be available in Sales Central, so keep an eye out for it!

Usually Rogers/Telus/Bell provide upgrade details at the very last minute and this time around it�s no different. According to the above, if you purchased a cellphone on contract prior to June 7, 2010 you�ll be eligible for an iPhone 4. Most likely your subsidy will be determined by how many years you are into your contract.

[via iPhone in Canada]

Canadians Can Pick Their Own iPhone 4 Carrier

To lock or unlock, that is one choice facing the thousands of Canadians intent on purchasing the iPhone 4.

On Friday, the smartphone will be on sale unlocked, or free to purchase without the confines of a wireless contract, at Apple�s retail and online stores.

The phone will also be available through wireless carriers Rogers, Bell and Telus, which sell the phones for low cost if consumers are willing to lock into what are typically long-term contracts.

�An unlocked iPhone means you have to dig a little bit deeper into your purse or jeans,� said Iain Grant, managing director of consulting firm The SeaBoard Group.

�Most Canadians have actually shown they are more interested in saving the upfront cost than actually paying the real cost for the phone and having the option of moving around.�

On Monday, Apple released pricing for the unlocked phone. The 16GB iPhone 4 will cost $659, with the 32GB model costing $779. The stores also sell an iPhone 3GS 8GB model without a contract for $549.

[via Toronto Star]

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Top Apple iPhone 4 Press Conference Predictions

Is there really a problem with the iPhone 4 antenna? Apple is about to answer this question Friday, at a hastily announced press conference at its Cupertino campus. Meanwhile, millions of iPhone 4 customers (and tech pundits) are playing the guessing game running up to Friday's event. What does Apple have to say about the antenna issue and what will it do - if anything?

First off, a quick recap: evidence to date is not helping Apple. From users, to tech media, and the independent Consumer Reports said that something is wrong. Some iPhone 4 owners have complained of being stuck in iPhone 4 hell saddled with multiple iPhone 4 problems. Steve Jobs is now being directly implicated in iPhone 4 antenna-gate and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-New York) has penned a letter asking Jobs to personally solve the problem. Schumer is calling Apple's current software fix "insufficient."

So what could Apple do to solve the problem? Here are some educated guesses tech pundits have put forward ahead of tomorrow's event:

The iPhone Is Selling Very Well

The first thing we are going to hear tomorrow is probably how well the iPhone 4 is selling. 1.7 million devices in the first three days, so expect at least two million iPhone 4s sold to date.

Acknowledge The Problem

"Apple will undoubtedly acknowledge that holding the iPhone 4 does affect the signal. But they'll note once again that this is true of all cellphones," predicts TechCrunch's MG Siegler. Apple said all smartphones experience signal drops when held in a certain way (some call it the 'death grip'), and reports say that many now have better reception with the iPhone 4 than they did with previous iterations of the device.

Bumper Cases Won't Make The Cut

If Apple's solution to the iPhone 4 antenna woes will be to give away $29-worth bumper cases to all customers, it would cost the company over $51 million just to cover the initial batch of 1.7 million iPhone 4's sold in the first three days of availability (figure at market value, as Bumper Cases are said to cost Apple $1).

The iPhone 4, when used with one of Apple's bumper cases (which surround the sides of the phone) fixes the antenna issue, Consumer Reports confirmed. However, MacObserver notes that the bumper cases would be incompatible with the iPhone 4 dock, and also won't fit in third-party cases, thus not an ideal solution.

iOS 4.1 Is Just Software Fix

Another road Apple could take is to flaunt the iOS 4.0.1, which addresses the way signal bars are displayed in the top-left corner of all iPhones. Those pinning their hopes that the OS update would fix the antenna issue will be disappointed to hear that the first reports indicate iOS 4.0.1 does not fix the 'death grip'.

A Recall Would Be Too Costly

Apple would lose even more money if it will have to recall all iPhone 4s sold to date. One analyst estimated that this would cost the company around $1.5 billion, a sum that would increase by $200 million per each ongoing week of sales. Another analyst quoted by Reuters said she expects Apple to quickly move past this issue, as a recall is not on the table.

Non-conductive Coating Over Antenna

One of the most probable scenarios is that Apple is already rolling off the assembly lines in China a new iPhone 4 batch that has a special non-conductive coating over the metal band around the phone, which in theory would solve the �death grip' issues.

Steve Cheneyis over at TechCrunch argues that Apple and its suppliers have the skills to make quick modification to apply the extra coating layer. MacObserver also notes that Apple could set up a free exchange program for those who wish to swap their device with an iPhone 4 with the new coating.

Boom! One More Thing

"Sounds crazy, I know, but I think something big, or at least biggish, is going down tomorrow," writes Darin Fireball's John Gruber. He has a hunch that Apple will come up with something special in addition to a resolution to the iPhone 4 antenna problem.

How do you think Apple will solve the iPhone 4 antenna issue? Sound off with your predictions in the comments.

[via PC World]

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

iPhone case fixes reception problem - Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports said on Wednesday its tests confirmed that putting Apple Inc's new iPhone into a case fixes the reception problems that some users have experienced.The influential publication said using a Bumper -- a $29 frame-like cover sold by Apple -- prevents a drop in signal strength that occurs when the iPhone 4 is held in a certain way.The finding confirmed what bloggers and others said about using a case with the iPhone, which went on sale last month and became Apple's fastest-selling product ever."The Bumper solves the signal-strength problem," Paul Reynolds of Consumer Reports said in a blog posting."So does a piece of duct tape, as we reported earlier, or just being careful how you hold the phone. But these options all put the onus on consumers to solve or pay for a fix. We're still calling on Apple to provide an acceptable free solution to the iPhone 4's signal-loss problem."Consumer Reports generated headlines on Monday when it said it could not recommend the iPhone 4 to buyers due to reception issues.

[via Reuters]

Free Angelina Jolie iPhone Wallpaper

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Apple iPhone 4 Reception Issues Mocked By Nokia

Nokia has a little bit of fun with Apple's iPhone 4

Apple may have sold over 1.7 million iPhone 4's during its initial launch, but that doesn't mean everyone is satisfied. Over the past week, there have been numerous reports popping up regarding reception problems with the iPhone 4 when held left-handed.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs boldly proclaimed "Just avoid holding it that way" in an email when a new iPhone 4 customer inquired about how to resolve the problem.

Nokia is now getting in on the action with a posting on its official blog, Nokia Conversations. Nokia points out that its users have a number of ways of holding their phones, and points out four of the most popular: Thumb and Finger, The Cup, The Balance, and The Four-edge Grip.

The Cup is the method that has been nicknamed the "Death Grip" by owners of the iPhone 4 which is the root of the reception problems. Nokia describes that it is "Popular with smaller devices, and typically comfortable for longer phone calls, the cup basically enables you to cup the phone with your whole hand.

"This might result in much of the phone�s edges being covered and the back of the device sitting snugly in the palm of your hand � but don�t be concerned about this, it won�t impact the device�s performance."

Nokia goes on to stay that these four methods of holding a phone result in no signal degradation, and that "The key function on any Nokia device is its ability to make phone calls. After all, that�s why we know them universally as mobile phones."

Now all of this may seem silly in the grand scheme of things, but Nokia is looking to pour a little gasoline on the iPhone 4 �reception� fire. With Nokia finding itself on the losing end of the high-end smartphone market, it probably needs all the help it can get.

[via Daily Tech]

No Fix in Sight for iPhone 4 Antenna Woes

"Upon investigation, we were stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong." -- Apple

The iPhone 4's launch went well for Apple in terms of sales -- moving 1.7 million units -- but not so well in terms of publicity. Just before the official launch, news of Apple's scheme to track users' whereabouts and use it to target ads at them was aired. And then the launch itself was marred by some ugly reception issues.

Apple has at last formally responded to those issues, curiously claiming, in essence, that there is no issue at all. It writes in a press release:

Upon investigation, we were stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong. Our formula, in many instances, mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength. For example, we sometimes display 4 bars when we should be displaying as few as 2 bars. Users observing a drop of several bars when they grip their iPhone in a certain way are most likely in an area with very weak signal strength, but they don't know it because we are erroneously displaying 4 or 5 bars. Their big drop in bars is because their high bars were never real in the first place.

To fix this, we are adopting AT&T's recently recommended formula for calculating how many bars to display for a given signal strength. The real signal strength remains the same, but the iPhone's bars will report it far more accurately, providing users a much better indication of the reception they will get in a given area. We are also making bars 1, 2 and 3 a bit taller so they will be easier to see.

We will issue a free software update within a few weeks that incorporates the corrected formula. Since this mistake has been present since the original iPhone, this software update will also be available for the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G.

We have gone back to our labs and retested everything, and the results are the same� the iPhone 4's wireless performance is the best we have ever shipped. For the vast majority of users who have not been troubled by this issue, this software update will only make your bars more accurate. For those who have had concerns, we apologize for any anxiety we may have caused.

So in essence the long awaited firmware "fix" from Apple is apparently to change the way bars are represented on the phone to reassure disgruntled customers.

[via Daily Tech]

Friday, July 2, 2010

IPhone 4 �Holding� Problem Finally Fixed

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Hitler Reacts to the iPhone 4 Antenna Issues

Monday, June 28, 2010

"You're Holding It Wrong" - Steve Jobs on iPhone 4 Reception Issues

Steve Jobs responds to complaints about iPhone reception issues

Gizmodo has a thread with nearly 2,000 posts, Engadget is pushing 900 posts, and Mac Rumors is nearing 1,000 posts with regards to iPhone 4 reception issues. I have witnessed the same issues with the iPhone 4 that I picked up this morning (yet don't have any such reception issues with an HTC EVO 4G that I am currently testing or a year-old iPhone 3GS). The iPhone 4 starts off having 4 to 5 bars sitting by itself on a table, but if you pick the phone up and �palm it�, you may drop down to 1 bar or even get a �No Service� message.

For those that have just plunked down $200 or $300 on a new iPhone 4 (or more if you are upgrading before your contract is eligible), having your cellular connection drop out while doing something as simple as holding the phone in your hand is unacceptable.

However, according to Apple CEO Steve Jobs, those who are having reception issues are just holding their phone incorrectly. A reader sent an email to Steve Jobs stating that his new iPhone 4 was having receptions issues when holding it his hand. In typical Jobs fashion, his response was short and to the point according to Engadget:

Just avoid holding it that way.

Apple's official stance on the issue is the following:

Gripping any mobile phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas. This is a fact of life for every wireless phone. If you ever experience this on your iPhone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases.

So Apple made a phone with an external antenna that has problems with reception when it comes in contact with the human body, then blames the consumer for holding the iPhone 4 in a perfectly reasonable fashion. This seems to be a very puzzling and troubling statement from the boys from Cupertino which sounds more like a hardware design problem than a "you're holding it wrong" problem.

[via Daily Tech]

Sunday, June 27, 2010

iPhone 4 Jailbroken!

Yes you read that right! iPhone 4 has been successfully jailbroken only within a few days of launch! It looks like the �userland� jailbreak vulnerability which was used by Spirit jailbreak tool was not all that properly patched by Apple, and hence @planetbeing (of Android port for iPhone fame) and @chpwn has managed to get root access on the device using code of @comex�s userland jailbreak method. @Planetbeing posted about this news on his Twitter account.

Think I�m the first one I know about to get a root shell (and SSH) on iPhone 4, using poor @comex�s code (since he has no iPhone 4)

Musclenerd of iPhone Dev Team then followed in by posting this picture a while ago of Cydia running on high resolution screen of iPhone 4.

Since iOS 4.0.1 is rumored to be rolled out as early as this coming Monday, an update to Spirit userland jailbreak tool can only be expected after this firmware update has been released sometime in the next week or so which will jailbreak iPhone 4, along with iPhone 3GS (new bootrom), iPod touch (MC models) and iPod touch 3G.

[via Redmond Pie]

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Billing Information, Addresses of iPhone 4 Buyers Lead by AT&T

One tech at an AT&T contractor suggests that you shouldn't preorder the iPhone 4

Security is a lot like combating illness -- sometimes you have a relatively minor issue that affects many people, other times you have a major issue that only affects a few. AT&T's iPad email leak and its ramifications were bad enough, but AT&T's latest breach appears to be even worse.

This morning the iPhone 4 preorder process was having some serious denial of service issues thanks to a deluge of customers looking to order the hot new phone from Apple. But AT&T's servers didn't just deny service to some -- they also apparently started doing some naughty things as well.

Several customers have written reporting that they logged in to their AT&T accounts, only to enter another user's account. Full information, including bills, phone numbers, possible credit card information, addresses, and more greeted them according to growing reports over at Gizmodo.

This nightmarish scenario, appears only to be affecting a few of AT&T's subscribers, but for those impacted it could lead to some very serious problems, should the info fall into the hands of someone who might be tempted to abuse it.

One user, John King, describes:

I LOGGED IN AS ME AND IT BROUGHT UP A MARY ???? BIG PROBLEM
-JPK

A tech at one of AT&T's contractors reveals an untested security update rolled out to servers over the weekend may be to blame.

[via Daily Tech]

Friday, June 11, 2010

Roommate Ratted Out iPhone 4G Thief, Finders Tried to Destroy Evidence

Vandalism and sale of trade secrets are two of the top charges that may be leveled against Gizmodo's staff

Gizmodo/Gawker employees Brian Lam and Jason Chen are embroiled in a mess over the fourth generation iPhone that they purchased and then tore apart. Lam and Chen contend that the iPhone was merely lost and that they are innocent. Apple, however reported the phone stolen.

Documents concerning the case and the search of Chen's house have been released in the form of an affidavit pertaining to the search of Chen's home. The damning summary of the case comes on page 12, which reads:

Suspect Brian Hogan found or stole a prototype iPhone 4G that was accidentally left at a restaurant by Apple employee Robert "Gray" Powell. Hogan identified the owner of the phone as Apple Engineer Gray Powell through the contents of the phone and through Internet searches. Rather than return the prototype phone to Powell and/or Apple, Hogan subsequently sold the iPhone Jason Chen in Fremont for $5000. Upon receiving the stolen property, Chen disassembled the iPhone, thereby causing it to be damaged. Chen created copies of the iPhone prototype in the form of digital images and video, which were subsequently published on the Internet based magazine Gizmodo.com.

It's will be mighty hard for Gizmodo to dispute that, except perhaps for the phone's status being stolen. However, Apple had reported the lost phone prototype stolen before Gizmodo found it.

[via Daily Tech]

Friday, April 23, 2010

Free Google Maps Navigation App Coming to iPhone

Google working on bringing free nav app to other platforms than Android

Smartphones are highly converged devices that offer users the ability to surf the web, talk, text, and take pictures. One of the more popular uses for smartphones today is as GPS navigation devices. Most platforms have GPS applications that require the user to purchase the app or pay a monthly fee.

Google unveiled a free GPS navigation platform for its Android devices in October of 2009 that provided free GPS navigation services in America. The platform recently landed in Europe for free as well. Along with the move into Europe, Google has announced that it intends to extend its free Google Maps Navigation service to other platforms.

Those other platforms include the iPhone. Getting its free GPS navigation platform onto the iPhone would be huge for users. TomTom, Navigon, and other providers on the iPhone right now charge $60 or more for GPS applications and some like AT&T charge a monthly fee for GPS navigation.

The launch of Google Maps Navigation in Europe is a big deal; Europe was left out of the launch last year. UK users can get Google Maps Navigation on their Android device as a free update to Google Maps.

�Google Maps pre-caches the entire route,� said Mobile Maps product manager, Steve Lee. �It needs a data connection when you ask for navigation. But while driving to your destination, if you intermittently lose the connection, it will still carry on. As long as you stay on the route.�

The free GPS service will undoubtedly hurt paid offerings from companies like Garmin and TomTom in the UK. Google simply says that other providers had become stale and its offering will force them to innovate in the GPS market.

[via Daily Tech]

Get a Free iPhone 3GS! Yes, that is correct! Why pay for one when CNN, BBC, NBC, and other news sites have proven this system LEGIT. Get it the simple way .... straight to your doorstep! Not interested? Then maybe get a Free PS3!

Friday, April 16, 2010

iPhone OS 4.0 Will Bring Multitasking, iAd, Social Gaming Network This Summer

Third-party multitasking finally makes an appearance on the iPhone

It's been just over a year since Apple last held an event touting the latest and greatest version of its iPhone OS. In March 2009, the big features that Apple brought to the table with iPhone OS 3.0 included copy/paste, push notifications, and push notifications (to make up for the lack of third-party multitasking).

Today, Apple is back at it again with iPhone OS 4.0. As has been widely speculated for the quite some time now, Apple is finally enabling third-party multitasking on the iPhone OS (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad). As the rumors suggested, double tapping the home button now brings up a �multitasking dock� which shows up to four programs running at once (here's a video of multitasking in action). The user then selects the application they want and "boom", you're there. As you would expect, the current application state is saved as you're double tapping in and out of apps.

For a demo, Apple's Scott Forstall showed off an app that has probably been the poster child for the multitasking movement on the iPhone: Pandora. Previously, if you wanted to listen to streaming music in Pandora while performing another task, it wasn't possible (without jailbreaking). The new multitasking APIs of iPhone OS 4.0 now make what seems like a no-brainer feature possible. As an added bonus, Pandora can now be controlled from the lock screen.

[via Daily Tech]

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Opera Mini Approved for iPhone! Yes, That is Right!

Apple does the unthinkable and approves Opera Mini for the iPhone, iPod touch

In what must be one of the most shocking developments in the whole Apple App Store versus the third-party app market comes news that Opera Mini has been approved by Apple for the iPhone and iPod touch. When Opera Software submitted the apps for Apple's prying eyes back in March, no one really took them seriously and thought that they were just showing off to drum up some press.

Well, Apple has shown Opera some leniency and Opera Mini will be available to U.S. iPhone and iPod touch users shortly. Here's the Opera press release in its entirety:

Opera today announced its popular mobile browser, Opera Mini has been approved for iPhone and iPod touch on the App Store. Opera Mini will be available as a free download within 24 hours, depending on market.

Opera Mini, with more than 50 million users worldwide, enables fast mobile Web browsing by compressing data by up to 90 percent before sending content to the device, resulting in significantly improved page loading. Users of the app will notice an uptake in speed, especially on slower networks such as the 2G Edge network. Surfing the Web with the Opera Mini App on iPhone and iPod touch will also help users save money because of its data compression capabilities. This will hold especially true while the user is incurring roaming charges.

"We are delighted to offer iPhone and iPod touch users a great browsing experience with the Opera Mini App," said Lars Boilesen, CEO, Opera Software. "This app is another step toward Opera's goal of bringing the Web to more people in more places."

The Opera Mini App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore

Could the walls be crumbling in Apple's heavy-handed approach to App Store acceptance/rejection? Maybe Opera just caught Steve Jobs on a good day. Who knows, but this is at least a good step forward for Apple.

[via Daily Tech]

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

MapQuest Offers Voice Guidance in Free iPhone App

Before now, only Android users were able to take advantage of free turn-by-turn navigation from their phone.

iPhone users, now its your turn.

Through its official blog, MapQuest announced yesterday the inclusion of voice guidance in the latest version of its free iPhone app.

In the post, MapQuest principal product manager Michael Iams describes a trip he took from his Las Vegas hotel to the airport with help from the new application. Basically, users search for the location they are interested in then press the Start button to begin navigation. Whenever you hit a detour or miss a turn along the way, the application brings up a prompt with a button that reads �Reroute me.

Iams also mentions that the app doesn�t waste the phones power, dimming the screen during navigation and allowing the user to customize energy settings.

Other than Google Maps on Android 2.0 phones, the MapQuest app is the only free turn-by-turn navigation app available and the only one for the iPhone, so do check it out.

Source: Tuscaloosa News