iPhone TIPS: Using Google Voice Apps Outside The US [UPDATED 4x]

- by iphone-tips-tricks.com -  Dirt cheap phone calls and SMS messages, that is what I want on my iPhone and iPod Touch. In Europe, many mobile providers are starting charging calls per minute in stead of seconds. Which means, they charge me for 2 minutes if my iPhone call duration is 61 seconds in stead of charging me for 61 seconds - Those b*stards! - But they will pay for that. I will explain why. Mobile network providers should change their business model now. In stead of focusing on the ticks per minutes to charge their smart customers, they should focus more on the needs of the customer like better internet speed, better signals and better service. And let me tell you, within 1-3 years, the big providers are under control of companies like Google, because mobile network providers will not earn a penny on their charge-you-per-minute business model. Why? Because dirt cheap internet call services like Google Voice, Skype and SIP [See Fring Post] will takeover this part of the business too. including dirt cheap SMS texting and dirt cheap voice mail. Vodafone a subsidiary of Google?

[Developing Post........] Let's look what is happening now. Apple has started re-approving the Google Voice (GV) apps. Currently there are two of them available. 1. GV Connect ($2.99) and 2. GV Mobile + ($2.99)

NOTE: at the moment of writing the GV Connect was available, however the GV Mobile + was available on the US App Store, but not on all App Stores abroad. Probably still propagating to other servers in the world.

Review: GV Connect
I succeded to install GV Connect. The setup is very easy - Just sign in with your Gmail account where Google Voice is enabled. In my case, I am beta testing Gmail.
Unfortunately there is a known bug in this 1.0 version of GV Connect - It avoids me from login properly. The developer has put a statement on the app store page with the following text:

----------------------------------------------
NOTE: there seems to be an issue for some people (mostly outside the US) with the application being stuck continually logging in or loading settings
Version 1.0.1 which fixes this issue will be submitted shortly
----------------------------------------------
The screenshot below shows the symptom of this bug. So I have to wait for the update. 

1.0.0 issue? 1.0.1 should fix this

UPDATE 28 sept 2010 part 1

GV Connect version 1.0.1 is now available in the App Store. It does logging in successfully now. I tried to make a phone call but that doesn't work. I get a popup stating "invalid number". And I now understand why: You need to upgrade to a "Full" Google Voice account. Unfortunately I live outside the US and at this moment I can't upgrade. on the Google Voice Blog you see the instructions below:

"Upgrading to a full Google Voice account

If you do not already have a full Google Voice account, you must upgrade your account before receiving phone callsin Gmail. This process is free and gives you access to additional Google Voice features such as one number that rings all your phones and voicemail transcription.
To upgrade:

1. In Gmail, click the Call phone link in the Chat list.
2. From the Call window, click your current account balance and select History or Add credit.
3. Once in Google Voice, click the Upgrade your account button.
4. Complete the upgrade steps including picking your new Google number.

Note: upgrading requires a valid US number to get started."

Because you need to slect the number in GV Connect for the Start calls from setting. See quote from the support page

"I receive an 'Invalid Number' error message for every number I try to call - I'm sure that the number is correct! 

If you still get the error with numbers entered in on of the above formats, make sure that you have at least one actual phone number defined as a forwarding number on your Google Voice account on the website and select that number in the "Start calls from" setting - if your only number connected to your Google Voice number is your 'Google Talk' account you will get the 'Invalid Number' error.

"

Review  GV Mobile +:
As said, the app is still propagating to the app stores and hopefully also my local app store. As soon as it arrives, I will buy it and try it and tell you what my experiences are.

UPDATE 28 sept 2010 part 2
Well, no GV Mobile+. I asked the developer and he explained to me why he probably is not pushing the app to all the european app stores and I respect his decision. See the extended app description of  GV Mobile +

UPDATE 28 sept 2010 part 3
Techcrunch reports  Apple Has Already Approved The Official Google Voice App For iPhone, Expect It Soon Link

UPDATE 28 sept 2010 part 4
Techcrunch reports that Pinger app Now Turns Your iPod Touch Into A Free Cell Phone http://bit.ly/cISIW5


 

iPhone TIPS: Huge 6000 mAh Juice extender

Lowbat - Let’s face it, your world runs on batteries. It’s batteries that keep you on time and up to date with everything that is important to you. So why should your world be limited to the capacity of one tiny little battery?

Introducing the ZAGGsparq 2.0. Scientifically engineered to keep your world revolving when you need it most. Packed away in its ultra portable design lies the world’s most powerful portable charger of its type. 6,000 mAh of Lithium Polymer power on tap to keep you talking, texting, and taping your feet to the beat wherever you may go. Smart and beautiful, the ZAGGsparq 2.0 will charge two devices simultaneously, even while charging itself.

Once your gadgets are charged and ready, just slip this sleek little beauty inside your bag/pocket/purse and you are ready to face the world on your schedule, not your batteries’. Charge your world with the ZAGGsparq 2.0. Get your ZAGGsparq today and never go without a fully charged device.

    

iPhone TIPS: Why Register Your Nickname ASAP in Game Center?

- by iphone-tips-tricks.com - Today, I have two tips for new Game Center users.

TIP 1 - Register your unique nickname a.s.a.p.

Game Center is added as new iOS 4.1 feature. It can be used to track your scores on a growing list of games. One of the features is to get listed in the worldwide leader boards. Among the Game Center compatible games, my favorite is the paid version of Real Racing [app store]. Isn't it cool to be listed in the top 3 of the world for Real Racing [app store] Time Challange with your personal Nickname? Well that is the problem. The nickname must be unique and there are 120+ million potential (iTunes) users wanting your favorite and personal nickname. Like for example the nickname "Thor" used in the Steve Job's keynote, cannot be used again by you, because it is taken by Steve. So immediately action is required. Register now! - ... Okay your unique nickname is already taken, no worry please go to TIP 2 to solve this elegantly . If you succeeded to register you unique nickname, than congratulations. Please tell you friends about TIP 2

TIP 2 - Add the Apple logo to your nickname

You could try to register Thor1 then Thor2 ..... ending with Thor827773 Successfully registered! You don't want that. More elegantly is to add the Apple logo at the end of your nickname. Like Thor [apple logo]. In the screen shot for example, someone wants apple as nickname, that was already taken by someone else. So in this example the user registered apple [apple logo] See shots below

Apple is the nickname appended
with the 'neutral' apple logo

In the leader boards shows your nickname like this.
Not bad huh? Better than nickname apple8725

 Follow these steps to get the apple logo:

1. Open mobile safari from your idevice
2. google search for apple logo
3. select the 'apple logo' wikipedia page
4. tap and hold the logo symbol and tap copy.
5. Open notes and paste the symbol symbol int a fresh notes page
6. When you register your nickname in Game Center, append it with the apple logo by simply copy and paste from your notes page.
7. If you was fast enough, you have the most personal appleish nickname.

Of course you can try to past the apple logo in other places like in "Folder" names. Have fun with it and please leave comments.

- by iphone-tips-tricks.com - [COPYRIGHT, PLEASE DO NOT COPY, JUST LINK TO THIS ARTICLE]

iPhone TIPS: Amazing iPhone Microscope Mod [video]

Q: What is it? A: It is a really simple and cheap microscope mod for your iPhone 4 Q: What can I do with a iPhone microscope ? A: You can see small things with it, you can't see with your own eyes. For example you can see the texture of any textile. More exiting is seeing the head lice living on your kids hair :) And it looks amazing. Also checkout our FishEye Lens Mod Post HERE.  Q: What does it cost ? A: please check at Amazon for the microscope. At the time of writing, the se mini 45x microscope w illuminator costs US $10,75. The Body Glove Snap-On Case for iPhone 4 cost US $15 Please checkout the Amazon picture-links I've  included in this post. Q: How hard is it to make the mod? A
: Please check out the video and visit the blog of the inventor crabfuartworks

iPhone TIPS: PDP Authentication error After iOS 4.1 Update

Q: After I updated my iPhone 4 to iOS 4.1,  I get a PDP Authentication error while trying to browse the internet over 3G. Everything works fine over wifi, the problem only occurs when I use 3G or GPRS. How can I solve this? A: I have figured out why. After the upgrade, my APN settings were wiped. It happened to me before in OS 3.0 with my iPhone 3G. Q: How to reconfigure my  APN settings? A: Set your APN information again via Settings =>; General => Networks =>; Cellular Data Network . Then I entered for my provider, vodafone, the following APN Settings:APN: live .vodafone.com

Username: vodafone
Password: vodafone

TIP: Forgot your APN Settings please find them in THIS post. After that, it was solved immediately. I had internet and no PDP popups anymore!

iPhone TIPS: Invisible Shield + Bumper Combo Review

- by iphone-tips-tricks.com - [COPYRIGHT, PLEASE DO NOT COPY, JUST LINK TO THIS ARTICLE] 
Finally, after 3 long weeks of waiting, I have received my iPhone 4 last week. I am now officially owner of a black iPhone 4 with 16GB and Factory Unlocked. After cutting my old mini SIM into a micro SIM, I was connected to Vodafone 3G again. The next question is, how do I protect my brand new iPhone 4 from scratches and other damage. After 10 minutes I had worked out a two steps plan: Step 1 - Apply invisibleSHIELD to protect the front and the back of the iPhone 4 against scratches and Step 2 - Put a Apple Bumper case to protect the outer edges of the phone.

Applying the Shields

Applying the shields is a straight forward action. I know these shields by Zagg before. Please check my older post using Zagg shields with my iPhone 3G HERE. It is transparent strong material which covers and protect my iPhone device glass surface. To apply this invisibleSHIELD, I used the liquid spray which is included in the package. It is quiet easy to position the sticky invisibleSHIELD when plenty liquid is sprayed on the sticky side of the invisibleSHIELD. After the liquid has vaporized, the invisibleSHIELD become solid and firm and wraps on my iPhone as a second skin. All air bubbles were gone within 24 hours.

Camera and flash are nicely cut-out

The Home Button hole is slightly bigger than the Home button itself. However overall the shields quality is very good

No fingerprints and Not slippery anymore!

The first thing I noticed after applying the invisibleSHIELD was that my iPhone was not 'that' slippery anymore. Impossible that my iPhone would slip out of my hand. That is caused by the rubber-a-like feel it becomes after applying the invisibleSHIELD.
The second sensation I noticed was that no fingerprints were left behind after touching my screen, Great! It looks like the invisibleSHIELD did not allow me to leave any visible dirt behind, which is amazing. That is exactly the problem of the iPhone 4: You must clean it all day, with your tie or tissues etc. And now, No more cleaning is needed before every demo, because it is always fingerprint free. After the invisibleSHIELD was applied, the touch surface felt slightly rougher then rather smooth before the application of it. It feels a kind of softer, more rubber-like touch feeling then rather a hard glass surface. But no worries, I got used to it in less than 1 minute! It feels good it feels safe and protected. Exactly how I wanted it.

The Apple Bumper Case installation

The next step is the Bumper Case. Apple comes with fruity colors. Everyone who bought the iPhone 4 before 30 September 2010 is eligible to receive a Bumper or other Case for free. This is to avoid the Grip of Dead situations if you are far away from a 3G pole.

I looked for the other Cases too, but found Apple's Bumper provides the best protection , while leaving the beautiful iPhone 4 design nearly untouched. That is because the Bumper only covers the outer edge of the phone. The installation is easy, just wrap it around your iPhone. However, be careful not to loosen the invisibleSHIELD now. That's it. And the result is stunning .

Conclusion
After 1 week of heavily use, the invisibleSHIELD remains like new. The Bumper provides me a good grip. It avoids any dead grip situation. The invisibleSHIELD and  bumper case is absolutely complementary. The total look and feel is optimal. It protect you from scratches, damage after a drop, provides an excellent grip, even for slippery hands and last but not least: less annoying (visible) fingerprints are left behind after your lunch. The idea is also that you can easily remove the invisibleSHIELD and the bumper, if you want to sell your iPhone 4 as new. So besides Zagg is an affiliate partner of IT&T, I can again truly recommend to use this combination of invisibleSHIELD and the Bumper case. You won't go wrong with it. It protects, keeps the screen clean, and make your iPhone 4 a beauty.
- by iphone-tips-tricks.com -
Disclaimer: Zagg is a affiliate partner. 

iPhone TIPS: FIX Emails Sitting in Outbox, Not Sending Automatically

- by iPhone-tips-tricks.com -Situation: I just added ActiveSync mail account. (see howtos HERE) When I sent mail from an application other than the mail app, the mail is stuck in my outbox. Q: What can cause this? A: Most likely you still have an imap profile of the same email account. If this is true, just fix it by deleting this imap profile. Don't disable it, just delete it! The next time you send email from for example the camera app, you should hear the sound of a rocket launch.  - by iPhone-tips-tricks.com -