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Showing posts with label Apple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Apple. Show all posts
Apple’s Official iPhone 3G Unlock
While most iPhone users are aware of unofficial unlock methods, you may be surprised to discover that it’s possible to legally unlock your device.
The above image is the not-often-seen official unlock notification, as displayed in iTunes. The dialogue succinctly confirms that the user’s iPhone, in this case a 3G, has been unlocked and can now be used on any carrier. Note the Apple logo at the top left — this is a result of an official unlock sanctioned by Apple.
Read on to find out how an iPhone 3G can be legally unlocked.
Some of the iPhone distributors are happy to lend a helping hand in unlocking your old iPhone 3G. When the 3G was released last year, customers had to sign up for a two-year contract. When upgrading to the iPhone 3GS, those same customers are given the option to pay off the remainder of their original 3G contract. Paying off the contract, and thus completing the two years prematurely, entitles the customer to have their iPhone 3G unlocked.
The assistants at the iPhone distributors store make a note of your IMEI number and then pass it onto their boss — after that there’s a special piece of software that only their boss is authorized to use. This mystical application submits the IMEI to Apple, which in turn authorizes the device for unlocking.
And the next time you sync your iPhone 3G with iTunes, it would be unlocked. Just connect the iPhone 3G to iTunes and you will receive a new carrier settings update. After downloading and installing the update, Apple’s official iPhone unlock screen appeared.
Going the legit route is a much more painless process than using a proxy SIM or the Dev Team’s unofficial unlock. Also worth noting is that, unlike some of the illicit approaches, this unlock is permanent; you will be able to keep updating the iPhone’s OS without losing the ability to use any carrier SIM in the device.
It is surprisingly quick, easy and free unlock, although I’d be very interested to find out if any other iPhone 3G users around the world have had similar success in unlocking their iPhones.
Top 10 iPhone/iPod Touch Games
The iPhone is the best handset when it comes to the mobile gaming segment thanks to the brilliantly designed gaming environment and the list of games is just getting longer and better. So here are the top 10 games for the iPhone users, wondering which one’s are worth spending their money on.
Rolando (ngmoco Inc.) - $5.99 (Rs. 291) (Lite version available)
Similar to the PSPs Loco Roco, fans of that will find this game as much fun and more. The story line is that the Planet, Land of the Rolando has been invaded and the citizens, the Rolandos, are rebelling. The game uses all of the iPhone’s screen features viz. the accelerometer and multitouch for gameplay.
Simply put Rolando has plenty of entertainment value. The physics of the game are great so interaction itself is a ton of fun. The variety of levels and obstacles to cross get better and better and even the music adds to the overall feel. With a total of 36 levels that can be played again and again, Rolando is worth the dough.
The ngmoco game fared so well that they’ve even released a part two – Quest for the Golden Orchid, which is priced at $9.99. They’ve upped the graphics and given the game a better 3D look and much more in terms of gameplay.
Super Monkey Ball (SEGA) - $5.99 (Rs. 291)
The best use of the devices accelerometer when it comes to gameplay can be experienced with Super Monkey Ball. The Silly Simians are up to their old tricks running around in their transparent, errr... balls, collecting bananas and jumping over or maneuvering around obstacles.
The game is full paisa vasool. Control will require a little getting used to since the iPhone’s accelerometer is so fluid. Once you’ve gotten used to it the game can get very exciting and you’ll find yourself either cursing loudly or screaming cheers. Either way it’s a lot of fun. The levels are intense and with 110 stages there’s plenty of gameplay. Another game that you will play again after completion.
Super Monkey Ball (SEGA) - $5.99 (Rs. 291)
The best use of the devices accelerometer when it comes to gameplay can be experienced with Super Monkey Ball. The Silly Simians are up to their old tricks running around in their transparent, errr... balls, collecting bananas and jumping over or maneuvering around obstacles.
The game is full paisa vasool. Control will require a little getting used to since the iPhone’s accelerometer is so fluid. Once you’ve gotten used to it the game can get very exciting and you’ll find yourself either cursing loudly or screaming cheers. Either way it’s a lot of fun. The levels are intense and with 110 stages there’s plenty of gameplay. Another game that you will play again after completion.
The 3D graphics are extremely colorful and vibrant. It’s a really fun game that will help when you're not doing anything constructive.
Sims 3 (EA Mobile) - $6.99 (Rs. 340)
The Sims series are one of THE most popular and addictive games available for all platforms. The iPhone version of the interactive game is a near perfect experience of the Sims universe on the iPhone.
The iPhone version allows for the same amount of interactivity as found in any of the other platforms. Of course it doesn’t look as good as the PC version but it sure as hell looks better than any of the older mobile versions. The level of customization of the characters is quite intricate and it’s a lot of fun working on their personalities and traits. It offers hours of gameplay and as I said before it gets quite addictive after the first 30 minutes.
Sims 3 (EA Mobile) - $6.99 (Rs. 340)
The Sims series are one of THE most popular and addictive games available for all platforms. The iPhone version of the interactive game is a near perfect experience of the Sims universe on the iPhone.
The iPhone version allows for the same amount of interactivity as found in any of the other platforms. Of course it doesn’t look as good as the PC version but it sure as hell looks better than any of the older mobile versions. The level of customization of the characters is quite intricate and it’s a lot of fun working on their personalities and traits. It offers hours of gameplay and as I said before it gets quite addictive after the first 30 minutes.
I particularly like the 3D neighborhood that the Sims live in and exploration of the same is very well laid out. Go nuts!
X2 Football (X2 Games) - $6.99 (Rs. 340) (Lite version available)
Football fans are going to absolutely love X2 Football. I’m not and I loved it. It offers users a choice of more than 50 National teams through a number of tournaments, leagues and cups. The game will also give you the chance to get into the strategy of the game and take control of team management to make decisions that would affect the outcome of the game.
What’s really exciting is the layout of the game. It’s colorful and easy to follow and very well laid out. Gameplay with the virtual joystick and controls work out very well and it took me just a minute to get used to the same. It’s a very well managed game as compared to some of the others and the graphics are well done. The level of interaction is great too.
For that kind of price, if you happen to be an avid football fan you can carry on the season long after it’s over.
Move over PSP, pack your bags DS, the iPhone is going to be the new reigning champ when it comes to mobile gaming. I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but Apple can make a fan out of you.
DOOM Resurrection (id Software) – $6.99 (Rs. 340)
Keeping in tow with the original, this version is much better visually, and you’ll find yourself the only surviving Marine on Mars after experiments have gone awry (as usual) and it’s your job to keep the scientist safe. The Zombies (what else) are the enemies you have to contend with while trying to figure out what exactly happened at the Mars facility.
This is one of the better if not the best first person shooter iPhone games available. The graphics of the game make it a visual feast and I definitely recommend using static earphones for a great audio experience. The weapons ranging from rifles, shotguns and even a chainsaw make gameplay a great experience as well. The controls are quite automated except for the targeting which is where the handset’s accelerometer comes into play. It also has a shake to free yourself function that adds to the games overall appeal.
Move over PSP, pack your bags DS, the iPhone is going to be the new reigning champ when it comes to mobile gaming. I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but Apple can make a fan out of you.
DOOM Resurrection (id Software) – $6.99 (Rs. 340)
Keeping in tow with the original, this version is much better visually, and you’ll find yourself the only surviving Marine on Mars after experiments have gone awry (as usual) and it’s your job to keep the scientist safe. The Zombies (what else) are the enemies you have to contend with while trying to figure out what exactly happened at the Mars facility.
This is one of the better if not the best first person shooter iPhone games available. The graphics of the game make it a visual feast and I definitely recommend using static earphones for a great audio experience. The weapons ranging from rifles, shotguns and even a chainsaw make gameplay a great experience as well. The controls are quite automated except for the targeting which is where the handset’s accelerometer comes into play. It also has a shake to free yourself function that adds to the games overall appeal.
DOOM fans will love it and those who aren’t will soon, and even though it seems a bit pricey, it’s well worth it.
Assassin’s Creed – Altaïr’s Chronicles (Gameloft) - $4.99 (Rs. 243)
Based on the console version, Altair’s Chronicles is actually a prequel. It’s set in Jerusalem in the year 1191 AD. Your job, as the assassin extraordinaire, is to locate a treasure called “The Chalice” and steal it from the Templars.
I fancy myself a fan of the console version simply because of the level of detail that the landscape has and the attack sequences that it offers - especially stealth assassinations. The iPhone version is of course not equipped to handle that but it does a great job nevertheless. With the help of a virtual joystick control and action keys the game is fun to play with great visuals. Sadly though like the console version, it has quite a few cut scenes with lengthy dialogues, luckily you can just skip past them here. The fight scenes and quests make it very entertaining and the 3D-rendered environments look great.
Assassin’s Creed – Altaïr’s Chronicles (Gameloft) - $4.99 (Rs. 243)
Based on the console version, Altair’s Chronicles is actually a prequel. It’s set in Jerusalem in the year 1191 AD. Your job, as the assassin extraordinaire, is to locate a treasure called “The Chalice” and steal it from the Templars.
I fancy myself a fan of the console version simply because of the level of detail that the landscape has and the attack sequences that it offers - especially stealth assassinations. The iPhone version is of course not equipped to handle that but it does a great job nevertheless. With the help of a virtual joystick control and action keys the game is fun to play with great visuals. Sadly though like the console version, it has quite a few cut scenes with lengthy dialogues, luckily you can just skip past them here. The fight scenes and quests make it very entertaining and the 3D-rendered environments look great.
Like quite a few iPhone games iTunes offers a ‘lite’ version of the game for free that’s available in case you’d like to sample it first. Trust me once you start, it’s a little hard to quit.
Hero of Sparta (Gameloft) - $0.99 (Rs. 49) (Lite version available)
The story features a Spartan warrior, King Argos, who is cast away on an unknown beach, or island. It doesn’t really matter. Here you have to fight monsters and demons like Cerberus and the Cyclops and of course the gods themselves in an array of settings like Atlantis and the Underworld in order to find your way home.
God of War it ain’t, but I love the fact that it comes so damn close for a mobile game. Although the God of War mobile game is pretty good, there isn’t one for the iPhone... yet and I sit here hoping, Hero of Sparta is just what I needed to pass the time. It’s well laid out with plenty of baddies to cut through and upgrade etc. just like in GOW. The fight sequences are simple but very entertaining. Controls are a cinch and even the moments of the character from dodges and a few weapons etc. come pretty close to GOW. But it’s a cheap game and well worth every paise with plenty of quick time events to thrill most. Hack and Slash all the way!
Hero of Sparta (Gameloft) - $0.99 (Rs. 49) (Lite version available)
The story features a Spartan warrior, King Argos, who is cast away on an unknown beach, or island. It doesn’t really matter. Here you have to fight monsters and demons like Cerberus and the Cyclops and of course the gods themselves in an array of settings like Atlantis and the Underworld in order to find your way home.
God of War it ain’t, but I love the fact that it comes so damn close for a mobile game. Although the God of War mobile game is pretty good, there isn’t one for the iPhone... yet and I sit here hoping, Hero of Sparta is just what I needed to pass the time. It’s well laid out with plenty of baddies to cut through and upgrade etc. just like in GOW. The fight sequences are simple but very entertaining. Controls are a cinch and even the moments of the character from dodges and a few weapons etc. come pretty close to GOW. But it’s a cheap game and well worth every paise with plenty of quick time events to thrill most. Hack and Slash all the way!
Once you’re through with the games try it with a harder setting for better action with an arsenal of weaponry and really hardcore beasties.
Terminator Salvation (Gameloft) - $4.99 (Rs. 243)(Lite version available)
The year is 2018, the place LA. Judgment day is over and you are John Connor, leader of the Resistance against Skynet. This third person shooter has plenty of action and Terminator robots of all genre coming at you from all directions. From driving futuristic vehicles and even hacking computer consoles and locks, the idea to is to fight your way though missions and destroy the robots. Yes, it’s really that simple.
Terminator Salvation has tons of fast paced action gameplay. The targeting system and navigation through the game is very receptive and makes things just a little bit challenging but not difficult. The controls are pretty standard, in fact there’s just movement and fire. Swiping your hand across the display is for targeting. It has a sort of non-stop action feel to it which makes it quite easy to like. Just skip all the cut if you’re not totally into story mode and dive right in. One of the best aspects of the game is the cover system.
Terminator Salvation (Gameloft) - $4.99 (Rs. 243)(Lite version available)
The year is 2018, the place LA. Judgment day is over and you are John Connor, leader of the Resistance against Skynet. This third person shooter has plenty of action and Terminator robots of all genre coming at you from all directions. From driving futuristic vehicles and even hacking computer consoles and locks, the idea to is to fight your way though missions and destroy the robots. Yes, it’s really that simple.
Terminator Salvation has tons of fast paced action gameplay. The targeting system and navigation through the game is very receptive and makes things just a little bit challenging but not difficult. The controls are pretty standard, in fact there’s just movement and fire. Swiping your hand across the display is for targeting. It has a sort of non-stop action feel to it which makes it quite easy to like. Just skip all the cut if you’re not totally into story mode and dive right in. One of the best aspects of the game is the cover system.
Fans of the movie will find it a lot of fun to play as the environment gives the game a very movie-like feel.
NFS Undercover (EA Mobile) - $4.99 (Rs. 243)(Lite version available)
Need for Speed is one of the most popular racing. This mobile version retouched for the iPhone’s graphics and accelerometer is designed to give you the same thrill as the console versions. Underground has the same exciting cop chases and street racing sequences as the originals.
What really makes this game so good on the iPhone is the control. No other accelerometer controlled racing game has the focus on the car and the gameplay rather than the reality aspect. The controls are easy to use and controlling the car itself is a cinch. Not that I want things to be easy and unrealistic but with the enhanced 3D graphics it’s that NFS brings to the iPhone its brilliant and very very entertaining gameplay. Of course the cars are quite snazzy as well and upgrades as well as Pink Slip races will add a lot to your ‘garage’ life.
NFS Undercover (EA Mobile) - $4.99 (Rs. 243)(Lite version available)
Need for Speed is one of the most popular racing. This mobile version retouched for the iPhone’s graphics and accelerometer is designed to give you the same thrill as the console versions. Underground has the same exciting cop chases and street racing sequences as the originals.
What really makes this game so good on the iPhone is the control. No other accelerometer controlled racing game has the focus on the car and the gameplay rather than the reality aspect. The controls are easy to use and controlling the car itself is a cinch. Not that I want things to be easy and unrealistic but with the enhanced 3D graphics it’s that NFS brings to the iPhone its brilliant and very very entertaining gameplay. Of course the cars are quite snazzy as well and upgrades as well as Pink Slip races will add a lot to your ‘garage’ life.
At $4.99 the game has a lot to offer and has the capabilities to ensure repeated gameplay.
Real Racing (Firemint) – $9.99 (Rs. 485) (Lite version available)
This game takes mobile phone racing games to a whole other level. The genre is Championship Racing and this one is the king of them all in the mobile phone field at least so far. You can play against anyone in the vicinity via Wi-Fi, it even allows you to link and publish your race videos to your YouTube channel. Features coming out the wazoo!
Real Racing is one of the most realistic racing games that have hit the Mobile Gaming circuit. The graphics are truly spectacular and gameplay is accurate (well at least as much as a sophisticated mobile phone can offer). There’s so much that the game offers including multiplayer capabilities, Career Mode, Time Trials, the works. What I do like is the in car perspective, it makes the game so much more than just any old mobile phone racing games. Hardcore is an understatement.
Real Racing (Firemint) – $9.99 (Rs. 485) (Lite version available)
This game takes mobile phone racing games to a whole other level. The genre is Championship Racing and this one is the king of them all in the mobile phone field at least so far. You can play against anyone in the vicinity via Wi-Fi, it even allows you to link and publish your race videos to your YouTube channel. Features coming out the wazoo!
Real Racing is one of the most realistic racing games that have hit the Mobile Gaming circuit. The graphics are truly spectacular and gameplay is accurate (well at least as much as a sophisticated mobile phone can offer). There’s so much that the game offers including multiplayer capabilities, Career Mode, Time Trials, the works. What I do like is the in car perspective, it makes the game so much more than just any old mobile phone racing games. Hardcore is an understatement.
Facebook for iPhone 3.0
Parties are fun, but a really great party means the morning after is spent untagging photographs on Facebook. You were having a perfectly good time until some amateur lens jockey decided to give you the double chin treatment and then have the gall to tag it. If you're at all modest (or vain), you might as well start changing your privacy settings now. According to Justin Smith at Inside Facebook, Engineer Joe Hewitt just submitted the official Facebook for iPhone 3.0 app to the App Store for review. The new release will build upon a number of the community's social features including the ability to create albums, zoom into images, improve photo tagging and add video.
The current Facebook for iPhone application is used by nearly 25% of all iPhone owners or roughly 12 million monthly active users. With the new app's photo and video features, if you aren't diligent in your untagging, your work mates might just get an eyeful of your weekend blunders or bathing suit body. Then again, if you're looking to land a date, this might be a great way to socialize. Facebook for iPhone 3.0 offers a great way to see status updates, rsvp to mixers and parties, and the ability to call contacts directly from the Friends page. With these new features, your social calendar might just fill up and you might end up trading in your little black book for a big blue network.
While Hewitt admits that the Facebook app's video feature is a last minute incorporation, it will be interesting to see if the decision to add it will cut into the user base of existing Twitter video apps.
To keep an eye on the Facebook for iPhone application process or to discuss the app, follow Joe Hewitt on Twitter (@joehewitt)or check out the Facebook for iPhone page for new photos.
iPhone as a Photography Tool
Got an iPhone? Check out how you can use it as a tool in photography.
There has been a lot of buzz around the iPhone lately, especially among photographers. And for good reason… the iPhone has a host of photography-related tools that are both fun and useful.
Though the iPhone won’t be replacing our DSLR anytime soon, we almost always have our iPhone with us which means it is available many times when our DSLR isn’t. As the quote goes, “the best camera is the one you have with you”.
One of the most favorite ways to take photos with the iPhone is using an app called Pano. Pano allows you to shoot up to 16 images side-by-side which are then stitched together on the fly in about a minute. The stitching doesn’t quite line up correctly sometimes and the noise levels are higher. But still, you can create a panoramic image in less than 5 minutes without a tripod on your cellphone.
Beyond panoramas, the iPhone is capable of shooting a variety of other styles on the fly including tilt-shift fakes, fisheye images and night photography. Another interesting app, GeoLogTag geotags your images. Once you have the app running (and verify that your camera’s clock and iPhone are in sync) it will keep track of everywhere you have been during a photo trip. The data can then be exported as a standard GPX file or you can link GeoLogTag to your Flickr account and the app will automatically update the map data through that site.
Using the data services of the iPhone, you can publish photos to the web from almost anywhere. Even when you have a DSLR with you, use your iPhone to send a photo and a quick update to your blog or Facebook page so that people can see what you are doing in real-time. With the applications available on the App Store, you can upload photos to just about any social media service on the web.
Keeping your favorite photos synced to your iPhone turns the device a perfect little digital portfolio. The screen is very high quality and having a collection of images in your pocket at all times makes sharing with people very easy. You can use the iPhone to show off photos to friends, and family . I can not overstate the importance of being able to show people your work, and the iPhone is another useful tool for doing exactly that.
Do you have an iPhone? Do you use it’s camera or other features in your photography? Got any images to share with us? Feel free to link to your best iPhone images in comments below.
Unlock iPhone 3GS with Ultrasn0w
Thanks to the iPhone Dev Team which has successfully unlocked the 3G S using an app called Ultrasn0w. Here is a short tutorial and a video demo too.
- First of all take a complete backup of all your data using the iTunes.
- You need to have Cyndia installated on your iPhone.
- Then disable 3G connection on your iPhone during the unlocking procedure since its not supported.
- Install Ultrasn0w from Cyndia by entering the Cydia/APT URL using the Copy paste function.
- Once this is done you need to return to the main screen and let the installation procedure get completed.
- Once done you need to replace your current SIM card and insert a new SIM, ie removing the AT&T SIM and using T-Mobile one.
iPhone 3GS Unlock Demonstration from planetbeing on Vimeo.
Download Untrasn0w 0.8:Enjoy!
Apple iPhone 3GS - Its time to upgrade
Apple has announced a new, faster version of the iPhone: the iPhone 3GS (S stands for Speed), at the World Wide Developer’s Conference keynote.
The iPhone 3GS is 2.1x faster to launch Messages, 2.9x faster to launch a big web page, supports OpenGL|ES 2.0, and has 7.2MBps HSDPA. Apple has upgraded the megapixel count to 3.0, and also added Tap-to-focus, previously seen on some Sony Ericsson devices. There are some other upgrades made on the camera module:
- Video capture, 30fps VGA(cool!).
- Automatic macro photographs (10cm).
- Improved low-light sensitivity.
- Videos show up in photo library. You can trim them, share via emal, MMS, YouTube, MobileMe(no "Send to blog" yet. which is a de facto on all CyberShot phones).
- Tap-to-focus resets the light balance too.
One more addition to the huge list of enhancements is voice control, just hold down the home button for a few seconds and say commands like “what’s playing now” or "Play song name". Voice Control can be used in any application and and the possible voice commands start floating on the screen as you press and hold the home button.
The iPhone 3GS also has a built-in digital compass, hardware data encryption, New accessibility settings and as one of Apple's Go Green act, it uses greener materials and packaging.
Other Features:
- Cut, copy, and paste words and photos, even between applications, from the web too(most awaited feature)
- Landscape keyboard
- MMS and message forwards
- Spotlight Search
- For Visually or hearing impaired: VoiceOver screen reader, a Zoom feature, White on Black display options, Mono Audio
- Internet tethering : Access Internet on your notebook using the iPhone's 3G connection
- Voice Memo
- Nike + iPod support
The iPhone 3GS will be available in 16GB and 32GB, in both Black and white colors. Prices, $199 (16GB) and $299 (32GB), are AT&T specific and may vary with country and service provider. The older iPhone 3G will continue to be available, but at a lower price - $99.
its really an upgrade!
