Month: March 2011

Top Five Paid Jailbreak Apps/Tweaks: Vote for Your Favorites

Guest Author ∙ March 19, 2011

Most people tend to jailbreak for the packages and features that don't require payment. Among the many, SBSettings, Mobile Substrate, Cydia, OpenSSH, ActionMenu, SwitcherMod, and others stand out for functionality the iPhone should have. But which apps are truly worth buying in Cydia?

We're calling for a vote for the top five paid packages and products available from Cydia. If you were to lose all of your purchases, what would be the first five jailbreak tweaks that you spend money on to perfect your iPhone's configuration?

Spotted iPhone 5 Prototype With Metal Back Suggests a More Durable Design

Alex Heath ∙ March 18, 2011

A report claims that iPhone 5 prototypes have been spotted at Foxconn, and new intel confirms that the device will have a very similar design to the iPhone 4. Although the form between the two devices will remain similar, there should be two major design changes to set the iPhone 5 apart from its predecessor.

We've already heard that there will be a larger display, and a new rumor claims that the iPhone will have a metal back. This isn't the first time we've heard about Apple ditching the easily-breakable glass of the iPhone 4 for something more durable...

A Year Later, the “Lost iPhone” Investigation is Almost Over

Sébastien Page ∙ March 18, 2011

You remember the lost iPhone debacle last year? If you don't, let me refresh your memory.

Apple engineer goes to a bar, gets drunk, forgets a prototype of what will later be known as the iPhone 4. Another dude finds the prototype, sells it to Gizmodo which of course ran the full story about "the next iPhone". Apple gets pissed, sends cops over to Gizmodo editor's house, bust down his door, which was the beginning of a long investigation.

I made it short but you get the idea. Here we are, 11 months later, and it seems the investigation is getting close to an end...

‘Springboard Enhancer’ Promises Cramped iPhone Home Screens

Jeff Benjamin ∙ March 18, 2011

It seems like we've been down this road before, doesn't it? Springboard Enhancer is a tweak that promises springboard customization, and it generally focuses on adding 5 app icons on your springboard, in your folders, in your dock, and in your app switcher.

If you've been using tweaks like Five Icon Dock, Five Icon Folder, Five Icon Switcher, etc., Springboard Enhancer can outright replace all of those jailbreak tweaks, and it's free just like the aforementioned tweaks as well.

Springboard Enhancer is all tweak, there are no app icons, and no settings section to worry about configuring; just install it and go...

Djay for iPhone Makes Listening to Music Fun Again

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 17, 2018

I must admit, it's been quite some time since an application took me by surprise. But when I read that algoriddim's djay app was coming to the iPhone, I seriously underestimated its entertainment value. I don't typically fall into the 'DJ' category, but it's fun to pretend. I love music, but wouldn't have a clue what to do if you put actual mixing equipment in front of me.

I've played with these kinds of apps before, but only on my iPad. The 10" screen allowed me plenty of room to spin my records, and that's about all I ever did. The novelty usually wore off within 5 minutes. So how could djay for the iPhone give me hours of entertainment?

AT&T Cracks Down on MyWi Tethering Users

Sébastien Page ∙ March 17, 2011

If you're a heavy user of MyWi, the most popular jailbreak app that allows tethering, then watch out because AT&T is coming after you. According to various reports from MyWi users, AT&T has been sending SMS and emails warning them that they have to activate the official tethering option if they want to tether their iPhone.

Additionally, the email AT&T sent to some MyWi users warns them that if they don't hear from them before March 27, those users will automatically be enrolled in the 4 GB DataPro plan, which is required for activating the official tethering option...

iPhone Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Other Smartphones

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated May 11, 2018

For the 5th time in a row, Apple is ranking #1 in a customer satisfaction survey conducted by JD Power. The iPhone scored 795 out of 1,000 points, which is slightly lower than the 800 points it had scored in the same survey a few months ago.

Closely followed by Motorola (763) and HTC (762), the iPhone performs particularly well in ease of operation, operating system, features and physical design. This score is obviously not a surprise to anyone who owns an iPhone...

Watch Every March Madness Game for Free on Your iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 3, 2018

I love college basketball, particularly March Madness. Games go into overtime, double overtime, it's a fight to the finish. I also love my iPhone 4. It literally does everything.

So what happens when you combine my two favorite things? You get NCAA March Madness On Demand. The app that has been bringing every live March Madness game to your iDevice for the last two years is back and better than ever.

Microphone Differences Between Wi-Fi and 3G iPad 2?

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 30, 2016

If you're still on the fence about which iPad 2 model to go with, pay attention. The folks over at iLounge have been giving their next-gen iPads a workout. They've written an in depth comparison between the 3 models (Wi-Fi, 3G AT&T, 3G Verizon) and have found some unique differences.

One of the most interesting finds was the difference in microphone quality. In their review they found that the microphone on the Wi-Fi iPad 2 offered considerably better sound quality versus either of the 3G models.

They note that the 3G versions had a bit of an echo and sounded muffled. The microphone on the Verizon model seem to suffer from the issues more severely, but they were clearly evident in both.

What could be causing the deteriorated sound? The answer could be simple. The mic sits right above the FaceTime camera, which in the 3G models is exactly where they stick the plastic antenna strip.

They note the microphone problems were more evident when the iPad's screen is facing the user, such as in a FaceTime call.

If you are still looking for help in making your iPad 2 decision, check out Sebastien's review with sample pics and video.

Has anyone seen these mic issues with their iPad 2 3G? Tell us below!

Apple’s “If You Don’t Have an iPhone” Ads Highlight App Store, iTunes, and iBooks

Alex Heath ∙ Updated May 11, 2018

Apple has released some new ads that focus on the three main e-commerce stores for the iPhone. These short, 30 second promos focus on the App Store, iTunes, and iBooks.

The main focus of these three ads is to show what people who don't have the iPhone are missing. The "If you don't have an iPhone" tag line plays throughout the ad as different features of each store are pointed out. Each ad ends with a little jab: "If you don’t have an iPhone, well, you don’t have an iPhone."

What do you think? The ads clearly get the intended message across. Perhaps a little too boldly? Apple sure knows how to make a poignant little commercial.

[MacStories]

Use Your iPad as a Fridge Magnet

Sébastien Page ∙ March 17, 2011

I saw a similar photo online yesterday so I decided to try it to see if it actually worked... and it does! This all works thanks to the 21 magnets that are in the Smart Cover. I tried to pull a little bit on the iPad to make sure it was not going anywhere and you can really tell it's relatively safe. The magnets are strong enough that your iPad is not going to slide down. Likewise, the magnets that hold the Smart Cover to the iPad are pretty strong too.

Somewhat useless but fun to try.

Apple Adjusting iPad 2 Inventory Shipping Strategy?

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 30, 2016

Analysts are predicting that Apple sold close to a million next-gen iPads during launch weekend. They are so backed up, online orders are showing shipping dates 5 weeks out.

Apple Insider is reporting that the iPad 2 shipments that some stores got this past Tuesday actually arrived Monday. Their source, who claims to be familiar with Apple's retail operations, states that the change is a direct result of previous device launch issues.

Apple's previous strategy has been to get the products from truck to shelf as soon as possible. But apparently it led to inventory inaccuracies and other problems at Apple retail locations. The new 24 hour delay is to give retailers ample time to check the iPad 2 shipments in, calmly and properly.

To the majority of us, an extra 24 hours may not seem like a big deal. But to the faithful that are still lining up at Apple stores every time there's word of an iPad 2 shipment, it can be a lifetime.

Has anyone been able to snag an iPad 2 since launch weekend? Tell us below!