Tag: iPhone

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Quick Review: Belkin ExpressCard and Griffin Clarifi

Two new accesories I’ve recently acquired are Belkin Media Reader-Writer ExpressCard™ Adapter and Griffin Clarifi Case for iPhone 3G.

Belkin Media Reader-Writer ExpressCard™ Adapter is compatible with multiple flash memory cards including SDHC cards. The previous Belkin Multimedia Reader & Writer ExpressCard™ does not support SDHC cards. This ExpressCard™ Adapter can be used with any laptops that have 34mm or 54mm ExpressCard™ slot built-in. Due to its size, this ExpressCard™ Adapter does not support CompactFlash cards.

Griffin Clarifi Protective Case for iPhone 3G has a close-up lens built in on a slider. The iPhone camera has a fixed lens with a fixed focal length, which makes it impossible to take a sharp close-up pictures of anything. With the addition of Griffin Clarifi built-in lens, it is now possible to take sharper close-up picture using the iPhone 3G. With the lens, the iPhone can now take pictures of objects 4 inches away.

Please check back for more detailed review.

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Troubleshooting: Remote App and iTunes 8

Just  a little tip if you’re having problems with the Remote Apps on the iPhone or iPod touch.

Symptom:
Remote App can not play a song or media. Error message: “An unknown error occured. Please check your library and try again.”

Solution:
Delete Remote-iTunes share pairing. Disable iTunes sharing, then re-enable it. Re-pair the Remote-iTunes share.

That should do the trick.

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iPhone Software 2.1: So Far, So Good.

Apple released iPhone Software 2.1 in the early Friday morning (September 12th, 2008). I managed to install iPhone Software 2.1 on an iPhone and an iPhone 3G without any problems whatsoever. I use the iPhone as an iPod in Airplane Mode with Wi-Fi turned on. I use the iPhone 3G as a phone, and I set the GPS and 3G network on.

I fully charged the iPhone 3G around noon time, and using it as I’d use it everyday. Phone calls, emails, the internet, picture-taking, maps, GPS, and iPod. It is around 10:00PM as I’m writing this, and it has been 10 hours since I’ve fully-charged the iPhone 3G. I did connect it to my MacBook Pro several times to transfer some music and podcasts. A disclosure that the iPhone was connected to power source during the period, but not long enough to put a lot of charge in the battery. At this point, the iPhone 3G warned that there were 20% of charge left.

Prior to iPhone Software 2.1, I’d be lucky to get 4 hours out of a fully charged iPhone 3G, with the same usage pattern sans the iPod part. With iPhone Software 2.1, it seems that Apple manages to improve the power management.

Another improvement that I noticed is that the iPhone 3G is now a lot more stable. Previously I was unable to use play audio and use Safari or Mail or Maps without having the iPod randomly stoppping. Applications crashes whenever the iPod is playing too. With iPhone Software 2.1, slight pause occured only when the GPS is turned on and Maps is fetching some data.

Other notable improvements are the Address Book performance and synching, 3G connectivity, Apps stability, and keyboard responsiveness.

There are still a lot to explore in iPhone Software 2.1, and what I am experiencing so far is still anecdotal. I need more time to findo out more about this software update.

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Apple Releases iPhone Software 2.1

As promised, Apple releases iPhone Software 2.1 today. The update is available through iTunes 8.

iPhone OS 2.1 for iPod touch and iPhone is available through iTunes (installation of iTunes 8 is required).

iPhone Software 2.1 for iPhone – iPhone1,1_2.1_5F136_Restore.ipsw 231MB
iPhone Software 2.1 for iPhone 3G – iPhone1,2_2.1_5F136_Restore.ipsw 237.8MB
iPhone Software 2.1 for iPod touch – iPod1,1_2.1_5F137_Restore.ipsw 239.5MB

Before you upgrade to iPhone Software 2.1, you might want to do the followings:

  • Import all the pictures from the iPhone.
  • Import all the purchased songs, movies, and apps if necessary.
  • Sync your iPhone with your computer using iTunes 8.
  • Let iTunes perform complete back-up of your phone.

If your iPhone is having trouble doing any of the above, it might indicate problems with your current iPhone. Please proceed with caution.

Security Updates included in iPhone Software 2.1 release notes can be found here.

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Apple to Release a Torrent of Software Updates

Based on some unconfirmed chatters, Apple is planning to release numbers of software updates in the next few weeks.

  • Mac OS X 10.5.5
    The update to Leopard is getting closer for release. According to sources, Mac OS X 10.5.5 will be released around the time new hardware refresh is announced. How about the Quad-Core Macbook Pro, Apple?
  • iLife ’08
    Maintenance update to the iLife suite is expected to be released in the coming weeks. According to sources, we might see new version of the iLife suite as early as January 2009 or as late as Summer 2009.
  • iWork ’08
    Maintenance update to iWork suite is expected to be released in the coming weeks also. Apple is definitely working on new version of iWork suite. Based on the available informations, the new iWork suite will heavily utilize Mac OS X Core Animation.
  • Apple TV
    Maintenance update to Apple TV will bring compatibilities with iTunes 8 including “Genius” feature.

Remember, that these are unconfirmed informations.

As a reminder, Apple has scheduled iPhone Software 2.1  release date on Friday September 12th, 2008.