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iPhone 2.0.1 firmware update released
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Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,
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While it’s not quite the iPhone 2.1 firmware that we are patiently waiting for, Apple has released the iPhone 2.0.1 firmware update earlier this evening. As you can see in the image above, all Apple is telling us is that this release is all about “bug fixes” - you won’t find us arguing though, as we mentioned during the week on our Twitter and FriendFeed accounts, our problems got so bad that we had to have the Apple Store hook us up with a brand new iPhone altogether. So, yeah, we aren’t mad at bug fixes.
We’ve already installed the almost 250MB update on our iPhone 3G, and right off the bat, I notice that I am no longer getting the stalled keyboard bug, and also, when I launch NetNewsWire now, it actually works. That’s a first.
Let us know how the new firmware is treating you.
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RIchard Solo Smart Backup Battery Pack rocks for iPhone 3G
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Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, USB, Apple, Smartphones, Features, Handhelds,
Anyone who has picked up an iPhone 3G knows that the battery, while great for a 3G phone, still leaves a lot to be desired. It’s simply no fun when your phone warns you that you have 20% power left while you are in the middle of your lunch break. Heck, I don’t even need to leave the house to go to work, and even I have issues with the battery. During E3 2008, I had to be careful with my iPhone usage if I didn’t want the phone to run out of juice. Since I am going to be taking a trip to NYC this week, I wanted to be sure I was armed with a backup.
After doing some looking around, I came across this Richard Solo Smart Backup Battery Pack for the iPhone. In all actuality, it works with the iPhone as well as any iPod with a dock connector. It basically holds a charge that is similar to about 80% of the iPhone battery. That means that if you see your iPhone give you that 20% warning, you just plug this thing in, and it will charge it back to full. That is cool.
Even better though, you can charge the iPhone or iPod and the Backup Battery at the same time. You plug in the battery to your phone, and then connect the battery to the charger. This will first charge your device, and then once that is done, it will charge the battery. So if you do this overnight, you have a fully charged phone, and backup battery, when you walk out the door. Love it.
The device is thin enough to not be burdensome at all, reminding me of an iPod nano. I am gonna give this a try during this next week, where I will definitely be out and about and using my iPhone on a near-constant basis, being the awesome road warrior that I am. I will let you know how it turns out. Meanwhile, if you wanna pick up one of these for yourself, you can grab one here for $50. If it works as advertised, we think this is well worth it. Check the video after the break for more details, and also, we have a small Richard Solo Smart Backup Battery pack gallery we just put up as well.
Click to continue reading RIchard Solo Smart Backup Battery Pack rocks for iPhone 3G
Read More | Smart Backup Battery Pack gallery
Gallery:
Apple beta testing iPhone 2.1 firmware, adding more GPS features
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Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, GPS, Handhelds, Software,
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We just got word that Apple has released a beta version of iPhone OS 2.1 to developers. Along with the 2.1 firmware, a new version of the iPhone SDK has been seeded as well, but the new SDK can’t be used for submitting applications to the App Store at the moment.
A few new things we are seeing in this version of the software is the addition of a bunch of Core Location features that track the direction you are heading, and the speed you are traveling. Looks like we might see a turn-by-turn GPS app after all on the iPhone 3G.
The Simpsons Limited Edition Apple iPod nano
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Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Apple, Design, Home Entertainment, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
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If you love the Simpsons, you have to love the limited edition iPod nano that holds 8GB. Only 2000 are available and each is numbered and personalized by laser for up to 30 characters. The music player lets you watch your favorite episodes, movies, podcasts, and music. The nano comes with earphones, a USB 2.0 cable Dock adapter, and stand at a price of $269.00. Other styles/sizes are also available.
Read More | The Simpsons Shop
Apple iLife 08 updates bring MobileMe support
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Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Internet, Software,
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Of you’re a MobileMe user who has been annoyed at the lack of integration of iLife 08 apps with the service, fret no more. Apple has just unleashed a few updates for the application suite, aimed at squashing a few bugs, improving stability, and integrating MobileMe where it make sense. You get an iLife Support update, as well as news versions of iPhoto, iWeb, and iMovie. Not too bad a deal, right? Now you can get back to editing those iWeb pages and MobileMe galleries. Just fire up Software Update to get the goods.
Read More | Apple Downloads
Beats by Dr. Dre unboxing gallery
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Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Features, Galleries, Portable Audio,
We’ve been following the Beats by Dr. Dre headphones ever since we first got some hands-on (and ears-on) time with them back at CES. The Gear Live group that got to try them out included a few serious audiophiles, and we were thoroughly impressed by the sound that they were putting out, and this is when they were still in the development phase.
We just got a pair of the final production model, and early indications are that they are full of a bit more awesome than they were back then. We will hit you with a proper review soon, but for now, we wanted to get you a nice Beats unboxing gallery, chock full of unboxing shots. We’ve got over 30 images for you to chew on while you wait for these bad boys to launch on July 25th. If you want them, you will find them exclusively in Apple Stores and Best Buy, as well as over at BeatsByDre.com. They will run you $349.95, $50 less than they were announced for back at CES.
Also, in case you missed it, check out our Beats by Dr. Dre unboxing video.
Beats unboxing gallery
Gallery:
Gear Live custom iPhone contest winners
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Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds,
We wanted to shout out the winners of the customized Gear Live iPhone giveaway that we held a couple of weeks ago. We let three winners walk away with a piece of the action, with the grand prize, of course, winning our orange painted iPhone.
The grand prize went to Kat
So there you have it, the end to another Gear Live contest. Stay tuned though, we still have a bunch of stuff that we plan on giving away to your readers. You know, like Wii Fit, Microsoft Zune, etc. In the meantime, be sure you are a Gear Live member.
How to tether your iPhone 3G to your laptop
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Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Broadband, Smartphones, Internet, Mods / Hacks, PC / Laptop, Software, Wireless / WiFi,
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With the launch of iPhone 3G, many have been waiting and hoping for a method that would allow tethering of the iPhone to a mobile computer like, say, a MacBook. Well, lucky for your mobile warriors, that time has finally come - it’s just takes a bit of work to get it functioning. Do remember, though, that AT&T isn’t offering any sort of tethering plan with the iPhone, so if you get caught, you may be forced to pay a bunch of money out of pocket. Or your service could be shut off. Still, if that isn’t something that matters to you, then click on through for the instructions, provided by my pal Nate True. He took a bunch of different pieces of software and solutions, and mixed them together into a powerful concoction that allows you to use your iPhone 3G as a modem by way of 3Proxy, Terminal, and WiFi. Now all we need are batteries for the iPhone 3G that don’t die in a matter of seconds.
Read More | Cre.ations.net
Bleeding Edge TV 279: The Wait for iPhone 3G
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Posted by Nate True Categories: Full Episodes, Apple, Cell Phones, Handhelds, Peripherals, Portable Audio / Video, Videocasts, Videos,
We were quite nearly first in line at the Alderwood Mall Apple Store in Lynnwood, WA for the launch of iPhone 3G. Sure the purchasing experience was a fiasco, but overall the night was great fun. We had an exclusive Tap Tap Revenge tournament, along with a giveaway of the excellent Monster LRG iPhone cases, and even an impromptu listening demo of the Beats by Dr. Dre headphones, which we recently unboxed.
We must admit, towards the end we were kind of jaded over the whole thing, since between everyone in our group we had a 15 iPhone mixture of original iPhones and iPhone 3G units, all of which didn’t work due to the activation issues - but to be fair, the employees at the Alderwood Mall Apple Store location were all top-notch. Check out the full adventure in the video.
Unboxing Live 038: Apple iPhone 3G, White and Black, unboxed in Apple Store
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Posted by Nate True Categories: Apple, Cell Phones, Features, Handhelds, Internet, Peripherals, Videocasts,
After a long and arduous wait and a somewhat aggravating purchase experience, we had to insist that the folks at the Apple store allow us to film this episode of Unboxing Live. Obviously, we are unboxing the 16GB iPhone 3G, in both black and white flavors. Included with the iPhone are iPhone earbuds, a Dock cable, and a new tiny USB power brick. It also comes with a SIM removal tool, a cleaning cloth, and the ever-present Apple stickers. Conspicuously missing from the package is the iPhone 3G stand-up dock, which is sold separately for $20.