iOS 4 Wi-fi Oddity
Here’s something weird that’s happened since my upgrade to iOS 4. But first some background as to my condition: I was first running a jailbroken 3GS on 3.1.2 which I upgraded to iOS 4 sans-jailbreak. Eventually after, jailbreakme.com came out and I happily slid to jailbreak my iPhone. That was the background part, on to the what’s happening now part.
At my university, as is the case with many private institutions, wi-fi users need to login with their credentials to gain access to the wireless network. In previous firmwares, this would be simple – my iPhone would connect to the network, I open Safari, and it would automatically load the login page. I login and presto, I have internet access.
Recently, iOS 4 has offered an alternate solution which I’m not a fan of. When I open up the Settings and enter the Wi-fi section, I’m presented with a list of networks, my university’s included. The weirdness starts here. It NEVER automatically logs in anymore. I have to manually select it only to be prompted, in the Settings app via a webpage popup, to login to the university network. Once logged in, I can’t actually access the internet unless I turn off the wi-fi and back on. Weird huh!
I don’t know what it is, iOS 4? Jailbreak? Network? My guess it’s the combination of all three somehow although iOS 4 pulling more weight. That’s my guess anyway and I would be grateful if anyone would share their thoughts and/or remedies. It’s not the end of the world since I at least know how to band-aid the situation but a real solution would be great.
A New Gadget: What Do I Think?
It’s been almost 2 months since I got it but here I am announcing it to the world: I got an iPad! I think if I wrote about it the day I got it, the result would be inane flubber trying to disguise itself as a post. But since I’ve had some time to work and play with it at home and at work, I could write something of reasonable quality.
The biggest reason I decided to get an iPad in the first place is because I wanted a way to access all of my documents, files, schedules, and all sort of other related “stuff” from a convenient and portable device. For some time, my iPhone has been device of choice but when a 1.5lb, 0.5″ thin, 9.7″ screen gadget came out that would sync with my life, I couldn’t give up the chance. Sure it wasn’t my first reaction to the iPad (my first was, “Umm, it’s a giant iPod Touch…?”) but after gathering some opinions, demoing my friend’s, seeing it in the Apple Store, I concluded that this was something I’d like to get.
After using it for the past month or so at work, I’ve had an event to run and knowing where my staff are at any given time, helping students with documents that I have on the iPad, and being able to check the internet for facts and figures have all been amazing. I love having access to all of these things at the touch of a button and have it be something that’s comfortable, portable and usable. I’m looking forward to more uses for it as it’s still being used as a work tool and here and there as an awesome touchscreen gaming device. I’ve also had many conversations with random people asking me, “Is that the iPad?!” – from young kids wowing over Tap Tap Revolution, to senior computer science students chatting with me about being at the threshold of major technological changes because of this one device. Needless to say, the vibe is great.
I could go on about my life with the iPad but I think I’ll reserve those thoughts for future posts. For now, let’s just say that I have it and I really enjoy having it!
iTunes can’t backup my iPhone 3GS! (Solved)
Where's the Back Up option?
So I was thinking of downgrading my iPhone so that I could re-upgrade with a jailbroken firmware. When I wanted to create a backup to restore to after the jailbreak, I got a surprise! I had no backups in iTunes and the option to create new ones was completely gone. I searched Google and after a good hour of finding the right keywords, I would a fix. If you find yourself stranded, quit iTunes, open Terminal and type this in without the quotation marks: “defaults write com.apple.iTunes DeviceBackupsDisabled -bool false”
Reopen iTunes and like magic, you’ll find the option magically available! I hope this helps all of you looking for an answer!
Restoring iPhone Woes
Quick post coming up:
I just spent 6 hours updating my 3GS to iOS 4. Why? you ask. I had no idea. I updated 3 times and each time it hung at the same 60% completion mark, I aborted out of frustration, the phone went into restore mode, rinse and repeat. I scoured the internet for answers. I rebooted my laptop, changed USB cables, changed USB ports. Nothing. Then, as if by divine intervention, the answer came to me. A voice in my head whispered, “Re-install iTunes.”
I did. It worked. My iPhone is currently restoring all of my personal settings and files (contacts, messages, and the like). Before the restore began, I tried multitasking, folders and wallpapers – they all work (Weeee!). In “About 4 minutes,” I’ll be enjoying my new iPhone iOS 4! (Double weeeee!)
Downside: In my rush to update after re-installing iTunes, I failed to choose the Custom Firmware that PwnageTool created and opted for the official iOS 4. Result = no jailbreak. I’m sad, definitely, but I know that hope is somewhere on the horizon and I only have to live without SBSettings and Winterboard a little while longer before the Dev-Team comes to the rescue.
So, do what I did and re-install iTunes NOW to avoid a long-ass wait time!
Wi-Fi Sync: Wireless Sync Coming Soon!
In today’s world, wireless is the way to go – wireless internet, cellphones, induction charging. Then why are we still forced to use USB cables to sync our iPhones and iPod Touches? Well, no more because Greg Hughes says Wi-Fi Sync is on its way! It’s the app we’ve been waiting for – one that finally does away Apple’s umbilical USB cable. And it seems simple enough to use frequently. Simply download the app on your iPhone/iPod and its accompanying for your computer. Load it up, pair the device with your computer, and then the syncing begins. Simple!
Of course, syncing over WiFi would definitely be slower than USB, and speeds will vary depending on your connection speed. I probably wouldn’t use it for large syncs of movies or TV shows but for quick playlist changes, one new album, or small and frequent syncs would be the way to go.
Let’s hope that Apple approves this app because I can’t wait to have it!
The New iPhone… I Want It!
Gizmodo has released images of what seems to be the next iPhone scheduled to come out later this year. It looks amazing and very different from the 3G and 3Gs versions sporting rounded squares, aluminum trims, and a flat back, to name a few major changes. Head over to Gizmodo for the rest!
Opera Mini for iPhone
I really didn’t think this post would ever be written. Opera has just announced that Opera Mini has been approved for sale in the App Store for free. 
I’ve just downloaded it and will be playing with it; I’ll hopefully write about it soon.
***
I have to say that it’s definitely not what I expected. I did expect speed and I was right about that – the speed is definitely noticeable when using 3G and not so noticeable when using WiFi. The biggest disappointment came with text and alignment rendering. The text shows up as tiny lines that you need to zoom in to read. Opera Mini also re-aligns columns and passages of text so that they are easier to read when zoomed in on but completely wrong when looking at the page at a glance. I’m currently managing a website for my university and I was shocked to see how different my pages looked on Opera Mini – it doesn’t seem to like many web standards, Javascript, or simple CSS3 tags. I found a review of Opera Mini on AppleInsider that I feel completely aligns with my experiences and opinions about this new browser that I don’t think I will be using for casual browsing.
Bowers & Wilkins P5
Late last week, I experienced the failure of my first real set of headphones, the Panasonic RPHC500. The warranty had expired and it was beyond manual repair or tinkering. I swallowed hard and decided I was in the market for a new pair of headphones. I remembered seeing a paid of headphones that I liked over on Uncrate – I entertained the idea of owning a Bowers & Wilkins product and wondered if I should make the investment. So, I did some research on various sites and collected the opinions of other audiophiles. The overall message I was getting was that these headphones were well the money and you would have to hear them to believe them. Another set of comments warned about their lack of comfort after using them for prolonged listening session. And one comment stuck with me – they’re too tight on big heads. Now, I can admit that my head is slightly larger than normal (it’s no watermelon, I assure you) so I value and internalize a comment about headphones – especially ones this expensive.
I made the trip to the Apple Store – the only store that sells them. After an initial “sold out” notice, I returned a few days, waited while they brought it from the back, I found myself opening the box while still riding the escalator inside the mall. By the time I got inside Sears, the tape had been removed and needed a place to temporarily put down the box so that I could enjoy my new headphones on my train ride home. Here comes the review part.
Comfort
When I first put them on, I have to admit they felt awkward. I found myself adjusting them often to find the right balance between comfort and ability to hear my music properly. I was so used to my Panasonic’s enveloping my ear into its speakers, having a set sit flat against my ears was a new experience. They definitely needed some getting used to. After a few more days, I realized that the headphones could rotate on an axis I didn’t know of – one parallel with the same of my ear. I could rotate them for a loose fit that rested on my ear naturally or I had the option of turning them to flatten my ear to my head causing them to stick to my ears better. I was starting to like that these headphones were designed for more than one set of ears. When riding the buses and trains in the later trips, I found myself enjoying my music and not being able to even feel the headphones on my ears – my body was getting used to this new way of listening and I was getting happier.
Sound
I’m a stickler for sound. I’m not an expert on the specifics, terminology, or much of the science behind sound but I have an ear for good sounding speakers. I enjoy listening to music and watching movies with a good sound system. My headphones need to rival sound system quality – I expect my headphones to put out great sound. Using the P5′s are, like I said earlier, different from other headphones and my RPHC500. When I put them on, I realized that my iPod equalizer was not set properly and promptly changed them from Treble Booster (Panasonic setting) to Loudness. And this is when I realized that the P5′s claim to do away with artificial bass to mimic good speakers. I can’t describe the difference but I can say that the sound quality is better – I actually can hear more.
Noise Isolation
I used to own these Sony headphones and while I despised them for the fickleness of its retractable cord, I found out that noise cancellation is something I look for in headphones. I want to hear the music and only the music. Now, I realized the hard way that this isn’t something you always want – friends on campus have tried to get my attention with no luck and I hate feeling guilty after they tell me they were yelling for me for some time. That said, the P5′s don’t have powered noise cancellation. However, the P5′s employ a technology called noise isolation, a method to focus the music into your ears alone while blocking out ambient sound by only its shape and design. The P5′s allow only certain sounds in – car honks, the guy behind you saying “excuse me,” and your girlfriend asking you a question – the rest it effectively blocks or quiets them down. Also this technology does a great job of isolating the sound to you alone. With some headphones, music tends to leak out and the guy sitting a couple of rows behind you knows that you’re secretly listening to the Backstreet Boys’ new album. These headphones though keep almost all the sound private from nosy neighbours and so only you know what you’re listening to.
Miscellaneous
For those of us who have iPhones and iPod Touches, the P5′s come with a remote on the cable that lets you control your music, answer and make calls, and record audio. There are two cables included in the box: one with the remote, and one without. Another inclusion is a soft carrying case with a felt lining. Personally, I’ve never used my headphones’ carrying case and this one kind of looks like a man purse without straps – only Indiana Jones could make it work. Finally, there’s one last reason I really like my P5′s and that’s the design of it. It has a solid and retro look. The thin steel bars, the aluminum casings, everything about it simply looks great.
*****
Pros: Amazing sound quality. Durable. Great design.
Cons: Not a con, but I’d say try and buy to make sure they feel comfortable on your head – they’re not really universally fitting. Also, they’re a bit on the steep side, price-wise.
Rating: (out of 5)
The Apps That Call My Mac, Home
Like I promised, here’s a list of the apps that sit in my Applications folder. I never really pay attention to how many there are but today, we’re all going to find out. For obvious reasons, I’m going to leave out stock Mac applications such as Address Book and iCal as well as the iLife apps. So, here they are, in alpha order:
1Password: password manager and form filler
Acorn: image editing software
AddressBookSync: Facebook <-> Address Book sync
Adobe Photoshop CS4: c’mon, everyone knows PS!
Adobe Reader: PDF viewer
AllSecure: securely encrypt your data
Aperture 3: photo management software
AppShelf: application licenses manager
AppZapper: uninstalling apps the right way
Audio Recorder: basic audio recorder, nothing fancy
Blackra1n: jailbreak software
Blitz: CPU management tool (freezes other apps and focuses CPU attention to one app)
BootXChanger: changes boot-up logo
Bowtie: iTunes controller
Braid: awesome game!
CandyBar: icons & dock manager and icon replacement software
Chicken of the VNC: VNC client
Coda: html, css, javascript, etc. editor
CoverScout 3: iTunes album cover art finder and applier
DaisyDisk: beautiful disk management software
DeskPic: self-made automator “app” that changes wallpapers on click
DemoGod: iPhone/iPod Touch screen viewer
DivX: DivX codecs and video player
Espresso: awesome and preferred html, css, javascript, etc. editor
Evom: multimedia conversion tool
Firefox: c’mon, it’s Firefox!
FixPngDroplet: not really an “app”, utility to fix png previews that are taken off devices, like an iPhone
Flip4Mac: Windows Media Player web conversion to Quicktime
Flow: FTP client
FuzzyClock: customizable menubar text-based clock (awesome)
Google Chrome: internet browser, duh!
iDMG: easy DMG maker
iPhone Simulator: from Apple SDK developer kit for iPhone web design
iSquint: dead multimedia converter (kept it for nostalgic reasons since app has ceased to exist on internet)
iTap: iPhone trackpad Mac client
iWork: for times when Keynote just kicks Powerpoint’s ass
Jumpcut: clipboard manager
LimeWire: P2P client (I know, it’s not the best)
Little Snitch: blocks at your will outgoing internet connections from silent apps
LittleSnapper: snapshot manager (excellent webpage image captures)
Loginox: Login screen background changer
Microsoft Office 2008: we all use it!
Monkey Island: just got the game from Macheist! Haven’t played it yet…
NetNewsWire: RSS reader
PhoneView: view and edit contents of iPhone’s folders (awesome app!)
Pic2Icon: convert images into icons of themselves
Picturesque: image editing software, with neat presets
Pixelmator: PS alternative, really got it for my girlfriend, don’t use it myself
Pwnagetool: another jailbreak tool
RapidWeaver: again, got it for my girlfriend who wants to learn about web development but coding isn’t an easy language
Ripit: DVD ripper
Screenflow: screen recording software
SlipCover: create boxart icons for media (create a dvd case with poster for a movie file)
Stuffit: unarchiver
The Hit List: task manager (waiting on that iPhone app!)
ThemPark: system theme replacement
Times: newspaper-styled RSS reader
TinyGrab: grab screenshots and send to friends via generated URL and cloud imaging
Transmission: torrent manager
Transmit: preferred FTP client
Tweetie: twitter client
VLC: lifesaver video player
Voice Candy: record and have fun with your voice (basically photo booth for your voice)
WMV Player: you never know…
World of Goo: amazing physics-based game with a twist
WriteRoom: ambient and distraction-free writing
There you have it – that is one HUGE list! I was thinking of adding links but that would be incredibly tedious but if you’re interested, let me get you started. Here’s 1Password. In total, my applications folder tells me that there are “96 items” totalling “7.32 GB.” That’s not bad, an average of 76MB per app. Of course, some of them I don’t use as often and collect dust but trust me, I’ve seen a greater number than 96 in my Applications folder before!
If you have questions about the apps, mini-reviews, or recommendations, please comment!
Canada wins Gold and owns the Golden Podium!
Canada wins Gold in Men’s Hockey, destroying the Americans in OT 3-2 and at the same time, bringing home the most amount of Gold Medals any country has ever won in Winter Olympics history!
I find myself extremely happy and proud to say that I AM CANADIAN! Congratulations boys and I can’t wait for you to defend the title in 4 years!
