iPhone OS 3.0 Preview - BOOM!

On 17TH March, Apple held an invite only event that gave select media an advanced preview of the iPhone OS 3.0 at its Cupertino headquarters. The next version of the operating system that runs the iPhone, is available for developers to download but we would have to wait till this summer. This 3.0 Firmware will be available for all the iPhone and iPod Touch devices. Free update for the iPhone owners but the iPod Touch users will need to pay $10 for the upgrade.



The event went on for nearly two hours, Apple demoed the new ‘API’ for developers which features 1,000 new developer APIs, following with the new additions for the users. Apple boasts 100 new features for the iPhone 3.0 OS. However Apple did not showcase all of them. Some of the most important one’s are listed below:

Cut/Copy/Paste:



You wanted it, you’ve got it! Apple has finally delivered, and it will be available for all applications on the iPhone. To use this feature, double tapping on a word pulls up an option to cut, copy, and paste. To select more than a single word, simply slide your finger across the words. You can also copy texts from Safari and Photos. To undo the selection, a simple shake is needed.

Messaging:



The SMS app has been renamed to ‘'Messages’’. Apple has added the ability to forward and delete multiple messages. However, the greatest addition to the ‘Messages’ app is the support for MMS. You can now send and receive multimedia messages (MMS). You can send photos, voice recordings, and even contacts. Unfortunately due to hardware limitations, MMS support is only available on the iPhone 3G.






Voice Memos:



This is a new application by Apple, a voice recording app and has the ability to edit the memo and can also send the recording through email or MMS.

Spotlight Search:



Apple has brought about an iPhone version of its Mac OS X Spotlight Search. Key individual apps, including Mail, iPod, and Notes will have a search bar built in. By swiping to the left of the home screen brings up an open search box which allows you to search for anything you have on your iPhone including apps, emails and contacts.

Push Notifications:



This service was supposed to be implemented last September, but it was mysteriously removed from the beta. This will finally be a part of the iPhone Firmware 3.0 OS. Works the same way as it was shown at WWDC last year. Will notify you through audio alerts, text messages, and badge notifications. According to Apple this is a better solution than backgrounding which consumes too much battery. Can’t wait for this one!

Landscape Support:



A welcome addition! All default apps will now have landscape support. You can finally take advantage of the bigger keyboard in Messages, Notes, Mail and others.

Peer-to-Peer:



Peer-to-Peer connectivity will allow the iPhone to connect to another iPhone over Bluetooth using Bonjour. This would allow users to play multi-player games without the need to be connected through WiFi. It will automatically discover other iPhone’s in close proximity running the same application. Brilliant!

Stereo Bluetooth/A2DP Support:

The iPhone 3G will now have support for stereo Bluetooth headsets.
Note: Unfortunately this does not include file transfers.

Navigation:



The iPhone Firmware 3.0 will offer support for ‘turn-by-turn’ directions and developers can build it into their apps. Very handy for some people.

In-App Purchase:



This lets you buy additional or new features from directly inside the App you are using, for example new additional levels for a game might have to be bought. However, free apps remain free. I’m not much of a fan of this new feature as it will make apps more costly.


According to Apple, this new iPhone OS 3.0 will have more than 100 new features. I for one can’t wait to see what Apple has in store for us. I’m sure you all also can’t wait to update your iPhone OS. Although, I’m disappointed that Apple didn’t announce a ‘Video Recorder’. Cycorder does a great job but I want to see a built in version. For the rest, we’ll have to wait until the *summers* :)

Some Great Cydia Softwares

After Jailbreaking your iPhone, some must have Cydia Software’s are:

Chronus: An application that allows you to back up your iPhone. You can backup your contacts, text messages and so on. So if you accidentally delete it, you can save yourself from cursing and just restore :)

Cycorder: This is a ‘must have’ Cydia software! It’s a free Video Recorder and the quality is brilliant. For a 2MP Camera, this is some good stuff.

iRealSMS: Serves as a paid replacement for the standard SMS app on jailbroken devices. It offers a few advantages over Apple's app, like landscape mode for everything in the app, the ability to organize messages into folders, save drafts, search messages by the sender's name, forward messages and more.

Installous: Download cracked apps directly on your iPhone. (Covered in more detail below).

mAdvLock: Locks applications(both system and AppStore ones) and all kinds of files in your iPhone with password. It is also a simple anti-theft tool, you can setup mAdvLock to lock your iPhone when SIM is changed, and send a SMS to a pre-defined number. mAdvLock protects important information and personal data that you have stored in your iPhone. It's a must-have application for your iPhone, especially when your iPhone is in the hands of your ‘stupid’ friends ;)

Winterboard: Gives you the ability to change the home screen (springboard) wallpaper, home screen icons, status bar and more.

[I’ll keep this page updated whenever great software’s rolls out].

Install Cracked AppStore Apps (IPA's) Directly On Your iPhone

Yeah, it’s possible! Thanks to the guys at hackulo.us, you can download all those sweet Apps from the AppStore directly on your iPhone. Brilliant! No need to sync them over every time you download a new one. So let’s start:

1] Go to Cydia, and add this source: http://cydia.hackulo.us
2] Install Installous from the source and quit Cydia
3] Reboot your iPhone

That’s it. Now you’ll have a new icon on your springboard. Open it and you’re all ready to go. Browse for an application and then tap ‘Install’ and you’re done.

Note: It is extremely important that you uninstall Safari DL Plugin first (i.e. if you have installed it in the first place otherwise just continue), otherwise you will get a source error while trying to install this application!

Now for the noobs:























Enjoy :)

[Thanks to http://how-du.blogspot.com/ for the pictures]

How to Update iPod Touch (1st Gen) to Firmware 2.0 for Free

This tutorial is directed towards people who have the 1st Generation iPod Touch.
If you have one of these and you are desperately wanting to upgrade to Firmware 2.0 and above, to have the magnificent 'AppStore' but are upset about the fee of $9.25 then this is the guide for you!

Just follow the steps below and soon you will be having an updated iPod Touch 2.0 absolutely for free:

1] Download and install the latest version of iTunes

2] Hold Shift and click Restore.

3] Select iPod1,1_2.0_5A347_Restore.ipsw

This will upgrade your iPod Touch to firmware version 2. To get the latest version (which is not v2 any more), open iTunes and click “Update”. This will automatically update your iPod Touch to the latest version (whichever it is) for free.

The iPod1,1_2.0_5A347_Restore.ipsw firmware can be downloaded from:

Here

Note: If you have the second generation iPod Touch then this guide is not needed as the new generation is loaded with Firmware 2.1. Enjoy :)

The Best Source for IPA's (Cracked Apps)

Many people have asked me, what is the best website to get cracked apps? Well I recommend: http://appulo.us/appdb/
It has a great extensive database and currently my favourite. Just hit the link and enjoy!

[After downloading the app, drag to iTunes and Sync! Make sure to read my post on 'How to install cracked apps']

How to get Cracked Cydia Softwares

For some great cracked Cydia softwares go to:
http://xsellize.com/register.php
Register and then add your 'own' source.. It'll be something like: http://xsellize.com/cydia/your username-your password'
Once you do that, you get alot of cracked Cydia softwares like Chronus, iRealSMS and alot more!

As you people know, the iPhone sadly cannot forward text messages and this feature is greatly missed. However, these great developers have found a workaround. Download 'iRealSMS' [Premium Version] software which features text forwarding from the xsellize source.

Chronus is a successor of TimeCapsule for firmware 2.x. Chronus backups and restores settings of applications on your iPhone or iPod Touch. Download from the same source.

How to Install Cracked iPhone Apps Through iTunes

As a reminder, this is illegal! I do not encourage anyone to hack or crack iPhone games. Some developers spend quite some time working on them and they don’t want to see their work ripped off. If you see an iPhone game or application that you like, download it legally through the App Store.

Installing cracked iPhone apps on your iPhone is really easy, it requires you to jailbreak your iPhone, install OpenSSH, and replace a certain framework known as MobileInstallation.

But still there is an easier method to achieve it, and it works on the latest 2.2 firmware.

Follow the 2 easy steps, click the link below.

First you need to jailbreak your iPhone.
Then go to Cydia and add this repo: xsellize.com/cydia
The last step is to install this application : 'IPA Prep 2.2'

That’s it, now you can install cracked iPhone apps directly through iTunes.

[Courtesy: http://www.macgeekblog.com]

Create an iTunes App Store account without a credit card

So you have a spanking new iPhone or iPod Touch and you can’t wait to download all these applications from iTunes until you realize you need a Credit Card to have an iTunes account. Or, maybe you do have a Credit Card but the app you want is not available in your country? Don’t panic, there is an easy solution to this problem, and best of all, it’s totally legit and should take you about 2 minutes to set up.

This tutorial will teach you how to create an iTunes account in any country whether you have a credit card or not. All you need is 2 minutes, an Internet connection and have iTunes already running on your computer.

1. Select country



1] First things first. Go to iTunes homepage, and select United States at the very bottom of the page.

2] Click on a free app

Once you have selected your country, you want to click on a free app in the “top free apps” section (see image above). After clicking on the app, it will open the app description page. From there, click on “Get App”.



3] Create a new account

After clicking on “get app”, a window like the one below will pop up. Simply click on”Create New Account”.



4] iTunes welcome message

You will see this welcome message. Click “Continue”.



5] Terms Of Service

You will now see the usual Terms Of Service. Check the box saying that you agree and click “Continue”.



6] Create your iTunes account

Enter the information required to create your iTunes account. DO NOT lie about your email address as it would be pointless. You have to provide a real email address to activate your iTunes account. After creating your account info, click “Continue”.



7] Payment method

Now, where you would normally be supposed to enter your credit card information, you have another option showing up: “Payment method: None”. Select “None”. Choose City and State as 'New York', Zip Code as '10005' and enter Phone number as '212-any 7 digit number' and Click Continue.



8] Verify your account

You now get a message saying that a confirmation email has been sent to the address you provided.




9] Check your emails to activate

Go check your emails. You should have received the email below from Apple. If it’s not here, make sure to check your spam folder. Click the link in the email to activate your new iTunes account.




10] Sign in your new iTunes account

Now you should be prompted to sign in. Enter your email and password.



11] Congratulations

Done! You now have an iTunes account that you created without giving your credit card information.



Hope this is of help to some of you :)
[Thanks to www.iphonedownloadblog.com]

The iPhone - What it replaced!

Yeah, there it is, my iPhone! Initially, I was nervous about the high cost of the phone, but in hindsight, it is very worth it when you simply consider the stuff I don't need anymore! (Granted, I didn't have all of this stuff before, but now I don't need to get it, do I?)

So here's what my phone replaces:

Telephone
Camera
Calendar
Note pad
Watch
Alarm Clock
MP3 Player
Voice Recorder
Handheld Gaming Device
Calculator (just for quick calculations)
Dictionary
Handheld Language Translator
Flashlight
My free time =P

Things it does that I didn't do at all before:
Mobile E-Mail and Mobile Messenger

Apple Reinvents the Phone with iPhone

Apple announced the iPhone on January 9, 2007, combining three products—a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod® with touch controls, and a breakthrough Internet communications device with desktop-class email, web browsing, searching and maps—into one small and lightweight handheld device. iPhone introduces an entirely new user interface based on a large multi-touch display and pioneering new software, letting users control iPhone with just their fingers. iPhone also ushers in an era of software power and sophistication never before seen in a mobile device, which completely redefines what users can do on their mobile phones.

“iPhone is a revolutionary and magical product that is literally five years ahead of any other mobile phone,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We are all born with the ultimate pointing device—our fingers—and iPhone uses them to create the most revolutionary user interface since the mouse.”

iPhone is a Revolutionary Mobile Phone
iPhone is a revolutionary new mobile phone that allows users to make calls by simply pointing at a name or number. iPhone syncs all of your contacts from your PC, Mac® or Internet service such as Yahoo!, so that you always have your full list of up-to-date contacts with you. In addition, you can easily construct a favorites list for your most frequently made calls, and easily merge calls together to create conference calls.

iPhone’s pioneering Visual Voicemail, an industry first, lets users look at a listing of their voicemails, decide which messages to listen to, then go directly to those messages without listening to the prior messages. Just like email, iPhone’s Visual Voicemail enables users to immediately randomly access those messages that interest them most.

iPhone includes an SMS application with a full QWERTY soft keyboard to easily send and receive SMS messages in multiple sessions. When users need to type, iPhone presents them with an elegant touch keyboard which is predictive to prevent and correct mistakes, making it much easier and more efficient to use than the small plastic keyboards on many smartphones. iPhone also includes a calendar application that allows calendars to be automatically synced with your PC or Mac.

iPhone features a 2 megapixel camera and a photo management application that is far beyond anything on a phone today. Users can browse their photo library, which can be easily synced from their PC or Mac, with just a flick of a finger and easily choose a photo for their wallpaper or to include in an email.

iPhone is a quad-band GSM phone which also features EDGE and Wi-Fi wireless technologies for data networking. Apple has chosen Cingular, the best and most popular carrier in the US with over 58 million subscribers, to be Apple’s exclusive carrier partner for iPhone in the US.

iPhone is a Widescreen iPod
iPhone is a widescreen iPod with touch controls that lets music lovers “touch” their music by easily scrolling through entire lists of songs, artists, albums and playlists with just a flick of a finger. Album artwork is stunningly presented on iPhone’s large and vibrant display.

iPhone also features Cover Flow, Apple’s amazing way to browse your music library by album cover artwork, for the first time on an iPod. When navigating your music library on iPhone, you are automatically switched into Cover Flow by simply rotating iPhone into its landscape position.

iPhone’s stunning 3.5-inch widescreen display offers the ultimate way to watch TV shows and movies on a pocketable device, with touch controls for play-pause, chapter forward-backward and volume. iPhone plays the same videos purchased from the online iTunes® Store that users enjoy watching on their computers and iPods, and will soon enjoy watching on their widescreen televisions using the new Apple TV™. The iTunes Store now offers over 350 television shows, over 250 feature films and over 5,000 music videos.

iPhone lets users enjoy all their iPod content, including music, audiobooks, audio podcasts, video podcasts, music videos, television shows and movies. iPhone syncs content from a user’s iTunes library on their PC or Mac, and can play any music or video content they have purchased from the online iTunes store.

iPhone is a Breakthrough Internet Communications Device
iPhone features a rich HTML email client which fetches your email in the background from most POP3 or IMAP mail services and displays photos and graphics right along with the text. iPhone is fully multi-tasking, so you can be reading a web page while downloading your email in the background.

Yahoo! Mail, the world’s largest email service with over 250 million users, is offering a new free “push” IMAP email service to all iPhone users that automatically pushes new email to a user’s iPhone, and can be set up by simply entering your Yahoo! name and password. iPhone will also work with most industry standard IMAP and POP based email services, such as Microsoft Exchange, Apple .Mac Mail, AOL Mail, Google Gmail and most ISP mail services.

iPhone also features the most advanced and fun-to-use web browser on a portable device with a version of its award-winning Safari™ web browser for iPhone. Users can see any web page the way it was designed to be seen, and then easily zoom in to expand any section by simply tapping on iPhone’s multi-touch display with their finger. Users can surf the web from just about anywhere over Wi-Fi or EDGE, and can automatically sync their bookmarks from their PC or Mac. iPhone’s Safari web browser also includes built-in Google Search and Yahoo! Search so users can instantly search for information on their iPhone just like they do on their computer.

iPhone also includes Google Maps, featuring Google’s groundbreaking maps service and iPhone’s amazing maps application, offering the best maps experience by far on any pocket device. Users can view maps, satellite images, traffic information and get directions, all from iPhone’s remarkable and easy-to-use touch interface.

Only in-- KARACHI!!!

You know your from Karachi when:
You get shocked when someone stops at a yellow light.
You never really know what to say when someone asks you what there is to see in Karachi.
You give "missed calls".
You've never really seen a tourist.
You feel you never have to wait in line if you are with "lay-diss" (ladies).
You've bought a dvd of a movie that hasnt even been released yet.
You actually go "out for coffee".
You used to go for tutions even though didnt need them.
You say that you really like that restaurant/shop and someone says "oh yea, my family owns that".
You roll down your car window and you can actually touch the car next to you.
You go by landmarks not street names.
Your only argument in the Lahore/Karachi debate is "well we have a beach".
You never realized that North Nazimabad was actually in the North.
You never have dinner before 1am in wedding season .
You blame everything on K.E.S.C
Your school closes everytime it rains.

[Taken from my friend's blog after permission. Take a look at his interesting blog at: http://faizumz.blogspot.com/]

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog.
I'll be blogging about the Apple iPhone and everything that makes it such a great phone. Hope you all enjoy it. Stay tuned!