iPhone TIPS: Apple Article Lists Jailbroken iPhone Issues

Q: What trouble do I get in if I jailbreak my iPhone? A: We have spent several blogposts about jailbreaks. The latest blogpost was the Redsn0w article HERE. However, the findings of the troubles were more user experieces. However, as of yesterday, Apple has published a support article [ HERE ] which cautioned users about jailbreaking the iPhone. Q: What are the most importend issues when according to Apple, if I perform a Jailbreak? A: The title of this article is

"Unauthorized modification of iPhone OS has been a major source of instability, disruption of services, and other issues"

The highlights of article HT3743 is quoted below:

"As designed by Apple, the iPhone OS ensures that the iPhone and iPod touch operate reliably. Some customers have not understood the risks of installing software that makes unauthorized modifications to the iPhone OS ("jailbreaking") on their iPhone or iPod touch. Customers who have installed software that makes these modifications have encountered numerous problems in the operation of their hacked iPhone or iPod touch. Examples of issues caused by these unauthorized modifications to the iPhone OS have included the following:

Device and application instability: Frequent and unexpected crashes of the device, crashes and freezes of built-in apps and third-party apps, and loss of data.

Unreliable voice and data: Dropped calls, slow or unreliable data connections, and delayed or inaccurate location data.

Disruption of services: Services such as Visual Voicemail, YouTube, Weather, and Stocks have been disrupted or no longer work on the device. Additionally, third-party apps that use the Apple Push Notification Service have had difficulty receiving notifications or received notifications that were intended for a different hacked device. Other push-based services such as MobileMe and Exchange have experienced problems synchronizing data with their respective servers.

Compromised security: Security compromises have been introduced by these modifications that could allow hackers to steal personal information, damage the device, attack the wireless network, or introduce malware or viruses.

Shortened battery life: The hacked software has caused an accelerated battery drain that shortens the operation of an iPhone or iPod touch on a single battery charge.

Inability to apply future software updates: Some unauthorized modifications have caused damage to the iPhone OS that is not repairable. This can result in the hacked iPhone or iPod touch becoming permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone OS update is installed.

Apple strongly cautions against installing any software that hacks the iPhone OS. It is also important to note that unauthorized modification of the iPhone OS is a violation of the iPhone end-user license agreement and because of this, Apple may deny service for an iPhone or iPod touch that has installed any unauthorized software. "

Q: familiar? A: Ehmmm, wow, these problems looks very familiar. When we look at the world wide iPhone forums and blogs we read a lot about drained batteries, Ghost Push Notifications, cannot connect to YouTube etc, etc. The most important message Apple is bringing in this article is in the last 3 lines:

"Apple may deny service"

"Apple strongly cautions against installing any software that hacks the iPhone OS. It is also important to note that unauthorized modification of the iPhone OS is a violation of the iPhone end-user license agreement and because of this, Apple may deny service for an iPhone or iPod touch that has installed any unauthorized software. "

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iPhone TIPS: OS 3.0.1 Landed And Fixes SMS Vulnerability

Q: What? A: As expected, Apple has released iPhone Firmware 3.0.1 which patches the SMS vulnerability that has been getting a lot of news lately. Q: How to get it? A: Connect your iPhone of any version (2G 3G 3GS) with your PC or Mac, then start iTunes.Remember to have the latest version of iTunes (8.2.1) installed.*** Warning: Also note that if your iPhone is jailbroken or unlocked, do not update just yet.*** Hit the "Download and Install" button, when asked. Q: How big is the update? A: The firmware update is 280MB.
Q: What is the "SMS vulnerability" and can you explain it simple and easy? A: Here is a non-geek explanation in 3 steps:

Step 1. Basically someone can send you a SMS message with some dirty code inside.
Step 2. This code will make your iPhone crash. NOTE: The code will execute without opening the actual SMS message! (This SMS vulnerability also affect the Android and Windows Mobile platform based phones)
Step 3. Your iPhone can be remotely controlled, caused by that code. The hacker may send messages on your behalf, take pictures with your camera, start safari etc, etc.

Q: Thanks, but I am a geek and want to know everything about this SMS Vulnerability. Do you have geek-level info? A: Yep, 20+ pages full of them. Please check the Black Hat 2009 document shared by fellow blogger mashable.com. NOTE: You need flash to see the shared document.

iPhone TIPS: Navigon Europe Sale $139.99 -> $99.99 Now!

Q: What? A: The subject of this post says it all. German Navigon has put the European version of his popular navigation software into summer sale. The Navigon Europe costs $99,99 App Store Info This offer starts as of now and ends 31 st August. This price has been the introduction price back in June. Then it was lifted to $139,99 (earlier post HERE). This is your chance to grab your copy for a great price. Before you buy, please first check the countries this version covers, to avoid surprises, via the App Store Info. Q: Okay, but I live in North America. Can I navigate turn-by-turn with Navigon too? A: Yes, there is a separate Navigon N-America version released last (earlier post HERE) week and still on sale until 15th August, for the introduction price of $69,99. So grab your copy of Navigon N-America before 15th August App Store Info.
Resume:

Navigon Europe Sale $99,99 link [until 31st August]
Navigon N-America Sale $69,99 link [until 15th August]

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iPhone TIPS: OS 3.1 Copy and Paste Videos Into Email on iPhone 3GS

Q: What will be cool in iPhone OS 3.1 Beta 3? A: With iPhone OS 3.1, now available as Beta 3, WhenWIllApple reports a new feature and that is the ability to Copy and Past videos in emails Q: That's cool, how does it work. A: The best way is to check the video demo below:

You see, it is shocking simple to do that! Q: But hey, what happens when I send a big video as email attachment over a slow 3G connection? A: Well, if you does not have a flat fee plan you lose! But wait, the blog discovered that bigger video's are automatically shrink underway! Read this report:

“I was able to copy, paste, and email a 33 second / 14.7MB file through gmail. I got the file at the full 640×480 / 30fps. Sending the same file via the share function yeild a file size of 3.21MB at the compressed 480×320 / 30fps.”

But there seems to be size limit, thanks to AT&T (might be with Airtel also). And this limit is there with pictures also. Your mail will not send pictures if it exceeds 15mb:

“There does seem to be a limit on what you can paste into the email though. When trying videos over 1 min I was still able to copy, but when pasting nothing would show up. Looks like the limit is 15MB. I wonder if this is a setting in place due to concerns from AT&T”

Source: WhenWIllApple

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iPhone TIPS: Fear and Violence in Resident Evil 4

Q: What is up? A: Since some hours ago, you can play Resident Evil 4 [App Store info $7,99] on your iPhone or iPod Touch. Q: What can I expect? A: You can experience one of the most thrilling chapters of the Resident saga in an all new way. Engage in running gun fights against crowds of enemies utilizing Resident Evil 4’s intuitive tap interface. Face an enemy quicker, smarter and scarier than any zombie and put your skills to the ultimate test.
The Story:

It has been six years since the destruction of Raccoon City. Leon S. Kennedy, formerly Raccoon City Police Department’s idealistic rookie cop, is now a U.S. agent with a top-secret mission to rescue Ashley Graham, the President’s daughter. Leon begins his investigation in an undisclosed Spanish-speaking village in Europe, where he encounters a horde of unruly villagers who pledge their lives to Los Illuminados, the cult that perpetrated Ashley’s kidnapping. As Leon encounters unimaginable horrors, he must find out who or what is behind everything.

Watch the demo stream below



Features (according to the product description)

• More action, more epic, more fear than ever before.
• The best 3D graphics to date on iPhone!
• 3rd person perspective camera for a panoramic view of the action.
• Blast enemies apart with laser precision. New location based damage means where you aim is what you hit.
• Shake the iPhone/iPod Touch to reload.
• Context sensitive controls pop up as need allowing you to perform complex actions with a tap of the button. Climb ladders, equip binoculars and jump out windows with a press of an icon.
• Play through the game to unlock ”Mercenary Mode,” a separate mission mode with pre-set goals, weapons and conditions.

Read the user reviews via this App Store info link.
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iPhone TIPS: N-America Maps Released for Turn-by-Turn Navigon App

Q: What is up? A: Navigons successful MobileNavigator app is just released with North American maps USA and Canada.(see the release of the European version HERE). The app works on a iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S. Q: That is cool, but the question is: How much? A: You are lucky US $69,99 This price is valid only until August 15. Grab your copy HERE for this special price. (After that, it will be priced at US $99,99) Q: What do I get for that money? A: For that money, you have a Turn-by-Turn navigation device incorporated in your iPhone. It will instruct you via screen and via a voice where to drive to and when to turn. We think Navigon won again from TomTom by releasing this great N-America version. TomTom is only announcing with a '''Coming Soon" on their site Navigon releasing real stuff available now. Q: What app do you get exactly? A: With the NAVIGON MobileNavigator (1,29 Gbytes!!) you can transform your iPhone into a fully functional mobile navigation system that is every bit as good as the multi-award-winning personal navigation devices from NAVIGON in terms of its user-friendliness and features.

Thanks to a faithful adaptation of the menu functions, the NAVIGON MobileNavigator fits in seamlessly with the operating concept of the iPhone. The application includes the latest map material from the market leader NAVTEQ and can be used without an Internet connection, which is of enormous benefit abroad, for example, as no extra charges are incurred. Q: What are the app features? A: Features and range of functions are:

- Simple, intuitive user interface
- Can be used in portrait and landscape format
- Precise voice announcements
- Intelligent address entry
- Reality View Pro (realistic display of motorway interchanges and exits)
- Lane Assistant Pro
- Real signpost display
- Speed Assistant with adjustable audio-visual warning
- Day and night mode for map display
- Direct access and navigation to contacts saved in the iPhone’s address book
- The latest NAVTEQ map material
- Navigation is automatically resumed after an incoming phone call
- 2D and 3D map displays (bird’s-eye view)
- Quick access to user-defined POIs in the area and along the route
- Take Me Home function with a single click
- Automatic language selection to match the iPhone’s user language
Included maps:
USA (incl. Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands), Canada

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iPhone TIPS:Download Movies /wo PC or Mac Watch Them Offline

Well I have OS 3.0 a while and did the Jailbreak enables me to install the 3G Unrestrictor app [see post] With the 3G Unrestrictor, I can make skype calls over my 3G connection and watch better quality YouTube streams.
However, next week I will be staying outside the country. So I won't (want to) have the 3G connection because of the roaming costs$$$$. But I still want to watch movies.
Question: Can I (still) download and watch movies directly on my iPhone / iPd Touch without a PC or Mac? Answer: Yes you still can install the dTunes package from Cydia and download movies and watch them offline. Q: Alright I have a Jailbroken iPhone iPod Touch and want that, how do I get it? A: Two easy steps:
1 follow the instructions below and,
2 go back to THIS older post from the OS 2.2 era. It will guide you to download your first mp4 movie. The only thing you need is your iPhone OS 3.0/ iPod Touch OS 3.0 and a fast Wifi connection. TIP: You will find more links to movies, which unknown people (NOT US!!!) has posted for download.

The dTunes Package installation:
Now we are ready to install the dTunes Package.

• - In Cydia, Tap Search, type dTunes in the searchbar.
• - From the results, select dTunes.
• - Tap the Install button.
• - Tap the Confirm button.

The dTunes installation will install the following things:

• - dTunes App
• - Enhanced CTorrent App
• - Mobile Terminal App
• - The OpenSSL Package
• - And last but not least, The Safari Download Package.
• The last packages enables you to download almost anything from the web, like iPhone sized mp4 movies what we gonna do in a second:)

Instructions post: dTunes

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iPhone TIPS: HowTo Make Voice Calls Over 3G/Edge/GPRS

Q: I have an iPhone with a flat fee data plan over 3G or Edge but I can not download apps bigger than 10 Mbytes, also I can not make Skype calls over 3G. The YouTube video's are from lower quality than over wifi. Can I make my iPhone think it has an wifi connection, while in reality it is over 3G or Edge? A: Yes, last year we reported about VoipOver3G older post which was a solution from the jailbreak OS 2.x era, to trick your iPhone to thinks she is connected to wifi. As of today, the developer has realeased it's succesor of VoipOver3G. The 3G Unrestrictor app is available via Cydia and costs $2. Q: Okay what do you get for that money? A: For that money you will be able to do the following ove your 3G Edge connection:

• Large downloads from AppStore (>10MB)
• Large downloads from Tunes Store (>10MB)
• Skype voice calls
• Slingplayer watch movies
• YouTube Higher resolution stream
• Nimbuzz and Fring voice calls
• Truphone, FriendCaller, SIPphone, more..

Q: That sounds great, I want it but how? A: You need a jailbroken iPhone 2G 3G or 3Gs. (jailbreak see older post) That will install Cydia repository app. To install 3G Unrestrictor app, start Cydia. Then search fro the 3G Unrestrictor app. Hit the "Purchase" button. You need to authenticate with a Facebook or Google account. Wire them $2 via your Paypal or Amazon.com account and install the app. After that, you can blow your 3G dataplan:) Yahooo! Be aware of the high costs with your dataplan if you have a usage limit.
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iPhone TIPS: [Update] Fring Does Push Notifications longer than 30 minutes?

If you shutdown the Fring app [App Store Info Free], you now still can receive Instant Messaging notifications. That is basically the new feature of the updated Fring app. Push Notifications is a new feature in OS 3.0. Please read about an possible issue with Push on unlocked "hacktivated" iPhones HERE.
Most of the IM apps like eBuddy and NumBuzz already supports Push Notifications.
Q: So which IM services has push support? A: Push notification support has for

• Fring
• Skype
• MSN Messenger
• Google Talk
• ICQ, SIP
• Twitter
• Yahoo!
• AIM communities

Skype Calls:
Regarding Skype voice calls, when fring is closed and someone is calling you, a push notification will popup stating that someone was trying to call you.
Push Active period longer than 30 minutes?
Other Push applications like eBuddy and Numbuzz have a maximum Push Active period of maximum 30 minutes. So if you close the app with Push Notifications enabled, after 30 minutes it wil sign you out. No notifications can be received. I just hope Fring does not build in a 30 minute limit because this is for many people too short. On forums and reviews, people are saying for example a duration of 3 days is a good period. I am not sure if this is a service rule dictated by Apple but If this is a fixed rule, I can imagine this period will be stretched soon.
UPDATE: Frings Push Active period is longer than 30 minutes! Just tried: I signed in at 10:49 pm and now I just send a skype message at 11:29 pm. And my iPhone woke up by popping up a message, also a badge appeared on the fring icon notifying there is an new message.

UPDATE 21th July 2009: At the Fring Blog Fring Staff member confirms:

"the time should be 6-8 hours, we're currently adjusting it based on users' feedback"

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iPhone News: How Works Google's My Location?

Q: What is Google's My Location and how does it work on my iPhone? A: As of today, when you visit www.google.com from mobile Safari on your iPhone 3.0, you can choose to turn on My Location by tapping on the link on the homepage. And if you decide to turn it on, google knows exactly where you are, so a Google search query will now find places in walking distance. Q: How can I use it? A: When you tap on the "update" link, your location will be updated and displayed right there on the homepage. Whenever you want to refresh your location, just tap the "update" link.

Testing this in New York, my search for "jazz clubs" returned a handful of places within walking distance. I picked one, tapped the phone number, made a reservation, and we were set for the night. [source + pic googlemobile blog]

As always, your privacy is one of our top concerns. Google won’t use your location in search unless you explicitly opt in. And you can always disable the feature from Preferences at the bottom of the homepage.

Q: I which countries does Google My Location work? A: As of today, search with My Location from mobile Safari is available in English in the US and UK. Look for other country and language combinations soon. You can also search with My Location using Google Mobile App, available from the iPhone App Store.

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iPhone TIPS: Learn How to Win an iPhone 3GS Within 4 days?

Q: I want to Win an iPhone 3GS for free, how can I accomplish that? A:You are in luck! All you need to do is include the following hash tag in ANY tweet you post on twitter: #twitviddotcom. You'll automatically be entered in a draw to win an iPhone 3GS. The draw will take place 4 days from today. Q: Before I read along, how can I quickly join the competition. A: Simple, no personal information is asked, no email or questions is asked. To Join the competition click the Tweet Now link below and you are part of the competition. It can't be easier. The correct hash tag is included with few kind words about our blog: Tweet Now
Q: Yep I just Tweeted and am in the competition, but how do I know If I won the iPhone 3GS? A: Simple, just follow @TwitVidCom Twitter account for the announcement and if you win, they send the iPhone 3GS to your house anywhere in the world! Please read the exact rules below:

Rules

• This competition is offered by EatLime, Inc. ("TwitVid") and is open to anyone with a Twitter account who is at least 16 years of age. Employees and agents of TwitVid and/or its affiliated companies and family members of such employees are not eligible to enter.
• The competition give away will begin at 9am PST on Tuesday 14th July and finish at 9am PST on Tuesday 21st July.
• Winners will be chosen at the end of the 7 day period. Winners will be announced after the close of the 7 day period from the @TwitVidCom Twitter account
• The prize itself is unused iPhone 3GS. We purchase the prize on your behalf and have it shipped directly to your door anywhere in the world. (You must prove ownership of the winning entry and your shipping address). We will dispatch the prize within 30 days of the competition closing date.
• To enter the competition you must send out a tweet from your own Twitter account and include #twitviddotcom in your message. The rest of the message is up to you. You don't have to be a customer of TwitVid to enter, so no purchase is required.
• You can tweet as much as you like, but entries using automated tweets will be disqualified. The more you tweet with the message, the higher the chances of winning.
• We will choose winners randomly from all the entries within the 7 day period. We will then announce winners from our twitter account (@twitvidcom) . We'll use a computer program to randomly select the winner.
• Entrants' personal details will be used by TwitVid strictly in accordance with TwitVid's privacy policy.
• Neither TwitVid nor its affiliated companies shall have any liability for (i) any technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; (ii) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the competition; (iii) any malfunction of or damage to the prizes; or (iv) any restrictions or delays imposed by any customs authorities or any import or other taxes of any kind imposed by any taxation authority in respect of the prizes

Company site: TwitVid

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[UPDATE] iPhone TIPS: Fix Blocked Push Notifications Unlocked iPhones?

[UPDATE: There is a "Fix" available via Cydia. However, I have read the comments at many, many forums blogs. There are many reports about spam or ghost notifications coming from unknown people. And reports that is not working or it works with xx% 'lost' of notifications which are not received. Fellow blog IClarified has published a post with clear instructions "how to install" the "Push Fix" via Cydia. Link. It is more for the advanturous people among us, who has the time to fiddle around. Read all the latest comments and think twice before you get into this. You are warned.
Czech iPhone developer PoweryBase notes that Apple appears to be blocking Push Notifications on iPhones that have been unlocked for use on non-official wireless carriers, fellow blog MacRumors.com reports. Specifically the developer of NotifyMe

states:

"5 percent of users using unofficially modified or so called
"hacktivated" iPhones. 5 percent of these users generate more than 80 percent of
customer support requests daily, claiming the application does not work as
advertised"

I can imagine this will keep your busy. The developer also explains why the notifications for "hactivated" iPhones are not working, even OS 3.0 is running on it with "notifications" enabled under settings:

"When the Push based application such as NotifyMe requests an ID
from APNS, the server responds within a second and identifies the device with
the unique token. From that point, the connection between APNS and user's device
is successfully established," said Pavel Serbajlo, PoweryBase's lead developer.
"However, on a unofficially activated device, APNS keeps the application wait
forever and does not provide any respond at all, keeping user wait infinitely or
time out the connection, if the target application is capable of timing
out."

Lets Try Push On a Hactivated iPhone
When the above assumption is correct, than any notification app should have trouble with "hactivated" iPhones. We at IT&T did a simple test with the free ebuddy app. ebuddy notifies that you are logout after a predefined time period. We set this time at 5 minutes. After you close the app, ebuddy notifies 5 minutes later that you have signed out. We runned ebuddy on an official factory unlocked iPhone 3G and also on a "hactivated" iPhone 2G. Result: With the official iPhone 3G, push was working correctly. With the hactivated iPhone 2G, no notification message ever appeared. Disclaimer: This was of course a quick test, not based on rocket science maths :)
How about a Fix?
As far as I know of, there is no official statement about this item from Cupertino. And well in my personal opinion, if this is an issue, it will be officially fixed in the near future. This is just because even with a "hactivated" iPhone, you still are a paying App Store Customer. And in Cupertino, they probably like to keep any paying App Store customers. But what I also think is, first, there should be some kind of an official statement to back the poor "Notifications-App-Developers" from complains from hactivated iPhone owners. Fingers crossed. Till then, only install "Free" push notification apps on hactivated iPhones?

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iPhone TIPS: Where To Buy Factory Unlocked iPhone 3GS ?

If you ever touch down at for example Hong Kong airport or Australia or New Zealand for a holiday or business trip, don't forget to grab some Factory unlocked iPhones 3GS from the local Apple Online Store. Especially when your home is Western Europe , or USA and don't want to stick on a 2 year subscription plan with that particular (pricy) 3G provider you don't want. The prices are not bad compared with for example Italy [see ealier post], the Hong Kong Apple Online Store sells factory unlocked iPhone GS for much better price. The iPhone 3GS 16 Gbyte costs in HK$ 5,388 (696 US$ or 499 Euro) The iPhone 3GS 32Gbyte costs HK$ 6,388 (812 US$ or 582 Euro). If we look at the italian TIM Telecom store, the factory unlocked iPhone 3GS 16 Gbye costs 619 Euro and the 32 Gbyte version costs 719 euro. that is paying more than 120 Euros less! (> 167 US$). In few countries, the iPhones are sold factory unlocked and without a plan. When you find the following text at the iPhone country page of the Apple Online store, then you are sure that country will sell it factory SIM unlocked iPhones.

"iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS purchased at the Apple Online Store can be activated with any wireless carrier. Simply insert the SIM from your current phone into iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS and connect to iTunes 8.2 to complete activation."

Other prices beside the HK prices I have found on the Apple Online Stores are:
iPhone 3GS 16 Gbyte:
New Zealand 1,150.00 NZD = 518.033 EUR = 722.202 USD
Australia 879.00 AUD, 491.287 EUR, 684.991 USD
iPhone 3GS 32 Gbyte:
New Zealand 1,349.00 NZD, 847.172 USD, 607.422 EUR
Australia 1,040.00 AUD, 810.469 USD, 581.121 EUR

Store pages: New Zealand, Australia , Hong Kong
For user reviews, check via the App Store Info link.
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Disclaimer: exchange rates source xe.com, additional costs and/ or taxes not investigated..

iPhone TIPS: Vassup! Ubergay Bruno hits the App Store

Vassup! It is July 10th today and beside you can see Brüno in action in his movie in theaters, he also already made it to the App Store! With the Brüno app [App Store Info free, 17+ yrs. only, maybe NSFW] you may shake your iPhone to see his fabulous range of thongs and underwear :) Hilarious! Borat is out, Brüno rocks!

Product description:

Austria’s sexiest export since the crotchless lederhosen has been let loose on the iPhone and iPod Touch. This is your chance to get up close and very personal with Sacha Baron Cohen’s most outrageous comedy creation, Brüno. The Brüno iPhone app features exclusive ringtones, alarm clock alerts, games and soundboards showcasing the flamboyant fashionista’s favorite catchphrases. Brüno enjoys nothing better than being manhandled by complete strangers, so let your fingers do the talking with the exclusive ‘Touch Brüno’ feature. Hit his sweet spot and he’ll reward you with some Austrian dirty talk. Who wouldn’t want the chance to become the great man himself? Upload a picture of your face to Brüno-ize yourself. Marvel at Brüno’s ‘unterhosen’ by shaking your phone to see his fabulous range of thongs and underwear. Get wet with the Austrian zeitgeistmeister in the ‘Brünoquarium’. Don’t miss out on this chance to be seen with this season’s most fabulous iPhone app. If you want more Brüno action then make sure you catch his movie in theaters on July 10th

For user reviews, check via the App Store Info link.
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iPhone TIPS: Fingerbeat Retro Synthesizers And Samplers

Q: What? A: Minutes ago, a virtual instrument app named Fingerbeat [App Store Info $3,99] is released in the app store.
Q: What is Fingebeat? FingerBeat is a virtual instrument designed for creativity & self-expression, inspired by retro synthesizers & samplers. Available on iPhone & second generation iPod touch.A homage to Dance Music & Pop Culture from the last decades.FingerBeat is a classic for absolutely everyone. Q: Do I need to learn musical notes to use it? A: You don't need to know a single musical note to create beats or draw melodies using your finger. Annotate your musical ideas, record external sounds directly into the pads to express yourself. Q: The screens are stunning, but what is are those buttons and sliders exactly? A: This is explained here:

Step Sequencer:
Making beats is easy as drawing and taping boxes to generate unique sequences. Each color is associated to each channel type of pad.

Pitch Keyboard + Editor:
While recording, the notes you play will immediately appear in the editor.
Its easy to make changes and draw free-form to create / delete notes using your finger.
Multi-Touch Mixer:
FingerBeat is built for user experience & live performance.
Create your very own mix.
Pocket Sampler + Kit Edit:
Record any external sound using the built-in microphone.
Or load any existing sounds from the library.
Perform & Sing:
Once you have programmed some patterns, connect to headphones and hear yourself sing over your musical creation. Conveniently change patterns with your thumb.
Q: Are there technical specifications around? A: Yes, check the list below.

• Low latency pads
• x8 Pads/Channels with Volume, Balance Mixer + Mute functions
• x6 Pattern blocks per Kit
• x6 Themed Skins + User Photo option using iPhone camera or gallery.
• x16 Kits "x8 User"
• Built in sounds + kit templates
• 16bit 44Khz Sampler using internal microphone
• Demo Patterns
• Ability to use microphone* with external speaker source

* only on iPhone & iPod Touch 2nd generation.
For user reviews or to buy it, please follow this App Store Info link.

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iPhone Tips: Doom Resurrection Released Crude Violence

In my younger years, I've loved to play DOOM. It seems like decades ago that I had such a fun to kill those monsters with the most terrifying weapons. Now growing older, I am happy to see today's release of the Doom Resurrection [App Store Info $9,99] on the iPhone. The first user reviews comes from people of my age and are very positive about the game. The graphics are looking fantastic on that iPhone / iPod touch screen and the game play is crude and violent as it should be [12+ only]. For the very experieced player, you may finish the game in 1,5 - 2 hours. With less fanatics like myself, the game should last hours and hours before I finish the game. Like the big version, the controls let you 'look' around freely, however, one little complain is that you walk automatically. If you get used to that, it is a wonderful game to play.
So grab your copy now via this App Store link $9,99 or you can read all user reviews first.

Features:

• An all-new chapter of the DOOM saga designed exclusively for the iPhone and iPod Touch
• Advanced graphics engine designed from the ground up to take full advantage of the power found in Apple’s mobile devices
• Wield an arsenal of heavy-hitting weapons to defeat a variety of hideous monsters and bosses
• Innovative controls for fast-paced and accessible first-person action
• Intense story that new players and long-time DOOM fans can enjoy
8 all new levels
• 6 various Mars themed levels
• 2 Hell themed levels

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iPhone News: iPhone 3GS SIM Unlock and Jailbreak for OS 3.0

Just minutes ago, the iPhone Dev Team has released a software unlock method for the new iPhone 3GS. Till few minutes ago, the iPhone Dev Team had already provided the tools to Jailbreak and Unlock then iPhone 2G and 3G with OS 3.0. The method for the iPhone 3GS is as simple usual. First you perform an Jailbreak with an updated Resdsn0w program on your iPhone 3GS.This will install the Cydia app repository. In Cydia you will find the Ultrasn0w program to remove your carrier lock, beter known as the SIM Unlock. After that you can slip in any SIM card and it should work. At the iPhone Dev Team blog we find the following resources:

"...How to get the goods:

• The redsn0w torrent seeds are all here. Any direct mirroring help would also be appreciated.
• The updates to ultrasn0w, MobileSubstrate, and WinterBoard are all handled directly through Cydia (after you’ve jailbroken!) ..."

via: iPhone Dev Team Blog

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Note: I haven't tested ultrasn0w, beacause I have an Italian iPhone which is SIM Unlocked in the fabric.

iPhone TIPS: Very Cheap $2 Turn-by-Turn Navigation app

Q: What is cheap? A: Just $2 for a Turn-by-Turn Navigation system is cheap. The name of this app is Roadee [App Store Info]. Q: What can you do with it? A: For this money, you can enter a destination address or pick, a Point of Interest or even a Contact from your iPhone Address book. Then you can tap on the "GO" button, and Roadee will "show" you how to drive, when to turn left or turn right. I must say "show" because the current release does not include a "voice" yet. It is not friendly telling you how to drive like the Navigon (see older post). In stead you have to read it from the iPhone screen. That is currently a disadvantage compared with the other app. The other disadvantage is it does not include the maps. Instead it downloads it via internet. You better have a flat fee subsription for your data. And abroad, it can be pretty expensive with the roaming costs. Be warned! Q: Why is the price much lower than for example Navigon? A: According to the App Store description, Roadee makes use of the daily growing mapdata of www.openstreetmap.org. Openstreetmap is like wikipedia for maps and is the community mapping project which is making a free map of the world. The other part is the routinginformation which are calculated and provided by www.cloudmade.com. Q: Are you planning to use it? A: I will give it a try! $2 for Turn-by-Turn Navigation is worth to try. especially local routes are extremely suitable to try it all out. Let's hope the update with Voice is free! The latest user reviews can be found via the App Store Info
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iPhone News: 1st Augmented Reality App Finds London Underground

One of the reasons to buy the new iPhone 3GS and NOT to choose for the proven iPhone 3G is that the GS has a Digital Compass onboard. This piece of hardware makes the iPhone GS aware to which direction your iPhone 3GS is pointing to, even when you stand still. This enables develoers with the new OS 3.0 and SDK 3.0 to create a new sort of applications which can categorized as Augmented Reality apps. In a post earlier this year we reported about Augmented Reality apps.
Acrossair, the makers of the TVGuide.co.uk iPhone app bring you Nearest Tube one of the first augmented reality apps to go live in the iPhone AppStore. Forget boring 2D tube maps! Try this amazingnew application that tells Londoners where their nearest tube station is via their iPhones video function.[watch demo stream]

When you load the app, holding it flat, all 13 lines of the London underground are displayed in coloured arrows. By tilting the phone upwards, you will see the nearest stations: what direction they are in relation to your location, how many kilometres and miles away they are and what tube lines they are on. If you continue to tilt the phone upwards, you will see stations further away, as stacked icons. Only available to Apple iPhone 3GS users.
Release: App is submitted and launches as soon as Apple approves it!
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iPhone TIPS: Run Pee App Time Management For Moviegoers

The Run Pee app [App Store Info] is an ingenious iPhone /iPod touch app that tells you when to head for a bathroom break during a movie so you don't miss any good parts. It is build on the same premise as the RunPee website.

RunPee is a must have app for every moviegoer with a bladder. Run Pee tells you which points in a movie you can safely "run" and "pee' without missing a hugely important plot point.

Each PeeTime tells you:
-Approximately how many minutes into the movie each Pee Time is.
-Cue: what happens in the movie to let you know when that Pee Time begins.
-How long the Pee Time lasts - so you know how many minutes you have before missing something important,
-And best of all: exactly what you'll miss while you're away!

As an example from the new Star Trek movie:
Run Pee approximately 50 minutes into the movie when...Capt. Pike leaves the bridge on his way to Nero's ship and says, "Chekov, you have the con."

You have about 3 minutes to RunPee while...Nero and his crew prepare the 'red matter' - we don't know what that is yet. Captain Pike gives orders along the way to the shuttle craft. He promotes Kirk to first officer and tells him that he, Sulu and Olson are going to go with him on the shuttle craft and he is going to drop them off along the way so that they can dive down the length of the drilling cable so that they can disable it. Pike then promotes Spock to Captain and leaves him in command of the Enterprise. On the shuttle craft Kirk asks Sulu, "What sort of hand to hand combat training do you have?" Sulu responds, "Fencing." There are a few long scenes, like the dive along the drilling cable, where nothing really happens. Many of the scenes from the fight on the drilling platform are in the previews which you have probably scene already.

What did I miss?
Now you can relax and RunPee during a movie with the knowledge that you can return from the toilet (or concession stand) and slip right back into the story without asking anyone, "What did I miss?"

But wait, there's more...
Additionally, you can find out if there is an extra scene after the credits finish rolling! Did you miss the real ending of Iron Man, or one of the many in Wolverine? Well, you won't have to worry about that again. You will now know whether or not you need to sit and wait through the credits to see any extra film footage.

The Timer - Getting ready to RunPee
The app has a built in timer for you, so that you can see at a glance how much longer you will have to "hold it" before the next Pee Time. Then, when you leave the screening room you can easily read what's happening while you are busy elsewhere. You just need to start the timer when the movie begins.

Coming Soon
And this is just the beginning! Updates will be rolling out every few weeks as users suggest improvements - all at no extra charge. For instance, we are already working on a feature to vibrate your iPhone a few minutes before each PeeTime just in case you forget. Nifty, eh?

Is there more you'd like? Can we help your bladder more efficiently? You tell us. If you have a suggestion to improve the app we'll add it in there. We're always thinking of your comfort....because, as you know, “a bladder is a terrible thing to hold”.
For user reviews, please follow this link to the App Store Info
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Website: www.runpee.com
Support: support@rocksoftware.com

iPhone TIPS: 3GS Oleophobic Screen Coating Shows Burden of Wear?

Fellow German based blogger iFun.de reports about an iPhone 3GS owner is complaining about the burden of wear by playing a game. Flickfishing is a fishing game where the player must make intensive turn movements on the iPhone screen for hauling the fish line. He wrote the following:

Meine Anti-Fett-Beschichtung ist zum Teil nämlich schon weg, und das ist nicht nur merkbar, sondern auch auffällig gut zu sehen. Falls ihr euch wundert warum die Stelle so Kreisförmig ist, das ist die Stelle, auf der man beim Game “FlickFishing” (AppStore-Link) kurbelt”.

Basically it says: My anti-fat protection or oleophobic screen coating is already gone. I am not only notice that, I also can see it on my screen. If you are wondering why there is round spot, well that is the place in the "FlickFishing" I make the turn movements on the iPhone screen for hauling the fish line. See picture in the Forum or user "Samsas Traum" HERE
Source: iFun.de
Q: How can I avoid those spots on my screen? A: To be honest since a long time I am using a screen protector to protect my both iPhone 2G and iPhone 3G. So I have no reason not to put a screen protector on my new iPhone 3GS as soon I get a hand on one. The screen protector I am using also prevents me from fingerprints and scratches. The big advantage of a screen protector is ofcourse you can remove them and stick a new one on it for just a few bucks! I wrote a review about those Invisible Shields by Zagg. shields months ago HERE. The condition of the Zagg shield on my iPhone 3G is still perfect, no spots no burden of wear, nothing. And yes I did also a lot of "FlickFishing"

iPhone TIPS: How To Activate MMS on iPhone 2G /w APN Fix

Q: Which iPhone model supports MMS? A: The new iPhone OS 3.0 natively adds MMS support on the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS models. However the original iPhone 2G is not supported. Q: Is there a iPhone trick to make the iPhone 2G work with MMS? A: Yes, but you need a jailbroken iPhone 2G. see this post Q: Okay, got a jailbroken iPhone 2G, what to do next to get MMS support? A: There is a known issue that the APN settings for MMS won't remembered after they are set. However, I found a really easy solution for that. First we need to install the ActivateMMS2G hack from Cydia. Warning: iPhone 2G only, do not install this on your iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS. Please follow these steps:

1. Start Cydia and make sure load all the essential updates
2. In Cydia, tap search (magnifier)
3. Find this app "ActivateMMS2G"
4. Tap "ActivateMMS2G"
5. Tap Install
6. Tap Confirm
7. Tap Reboot Device
8. [added] Go to Settings > Messages. And make sure the MMS Messaging option is set to On.

Now you need to add MMS settings of your provider. If you don't know these settings, the easiest way to find this information is via internet. Or try our older post HERE. The toughest part is to keep the APN provider settings. Mant reports on forums and blogs reporting thaht the APN setting are cleared, which results in preventing MMS messages to be sent. However, a site in New Zealand we reported earlier will help us to keep the APN settings to remembered in a few easy steps:

1. Start mobile Safari (should work as before)
   
2. Open http://www.unlockit.co.nz
3. Tap Continue
4. Tap Custom APN
   
5. Enter the APN ex. live.vodafone.com
   
6. Enter Username ex. vodafone
   
7. Enter Password ex. vodafone
   
8. V3 Tethering + MMS => select Yes
9. Carrier select one
   
10. Tap Create profile
11. Tap Install to Install the APN Carrier Settings
    
12. Settings => General =>Network =>Cellular Data Network
13. In Cellular Data => MMS section add MMSC url ex. http://mmsc.mms.vodafone.nl
14. In Cellular Data => MMS section add MMS proxy ex. 192.168.251.150
    
15. Tap home

If you look back, the MMS settings are persisted now. Now you are ready to send and receive MMS messages. Please leave a comment or twitter me if this iPhone tip helped you or not.
Note: The instructions are as is, and I don't feel responsible if you mess up your iPhone 2G.
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iPhone TIPS: How to Fix Expired iPhone Developer Certificate

Today I upgraded my Xcode development environment from iPhone 2.2.1 SDK to the latest released iPhone 3.0 SDK. However, as soon I tried to build and run my program into the device, it complains with this message:

"Code Sign error: The identity 'iPhone Developer' doesn't match any valid certificate/private key pair in the default keychain"

I started the keychain Access program on my MacBook and found out that my iPhone Developer Certificate was expired! To solve this issue was easy! Q: How did you solved it? A: Just as soon you logged into the iPhone Developer Portal, you simply use the "Development Provisioning Assistant"
Just click the Launch Assistent button and follow the steps and within 5 to 10 minutes, you are u and running.
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