T-Mobile USA: Un-carrier, Contract Free and iPhone 5

As expected, T-Mobile USA announced the Un-carrier event, saying goodbye to the mobile contract.

Instead of signing customers to contracts and subsidizing the phones, T-Mobile offers payment plant on the phones.

New phones are also coming to T-Mobile USA such as:

  • BlackBerry Z10
  • HTC One
  • Samsung Galaxy S 4

In addition to that, T-Mobile USA will be carrying iPhone 5 starting April 12, 2013. All four major Mobile Carriers in the US will carry iPhone 5.

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A thing or two to know about two-step verification for Apple ID

On Thursday March 21, 2013 Apple enabled Two-Step Verification for Apple ID.

Two-step verification is an optional security feature for your Apple ID. It requires you to verify your identity using one of your devices before you can:

  • Sign in to My Apple ID to manage your account.
  • Make an iTunes, App Store, or iBookstore purchase from a new device.
  • Get Apple ID-related support from Apple.

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In addition to the Frequently asked questions about two-step verification for Apple ID, there are a few things we found:

  • One phone number can be authenticated to multiple Apple ID two-step verification.
  • Not all SMS-capable phone number can be used, such as Google Voice number and Skype.
    Apple has listed supported carriers for SMS and two-step verification.
  • When verification code sent to an passcode-protected iOS device, user must unlock the device first before the code to be displayed.
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  • When verification code sent through SMS to a passcode-protected iPhone, the SMS content might be shown depends on the notification setting.
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  • Nexus 4 running Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean does not display SMS content when it is passcode-protected (including face-unlock and pattern-unlock).
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Apple was expected to beef up Apple ID security after the epic hacking of Mat Honan’s Apple ID and Amazon Account.

Flickr App now supports Hashtags

Flickr App for iOS now support Hashtags.

What’s New in Version 2.11.820

  • Hashtags! Add a hashtag in your photo’s title or description, tap on the hashtag and instantly see all photos with that hashtag.
  • #FlickrFriday: Add #FlickrFriday to your photo and instantly participate in Flickr’s weekly photo challenge. Details and the weekly theme here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/flickrfriday/
  • Bug fixes

Everyone loves hashtags! Even Facebook is reportedly working to support hashtags.

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