What is Jailbreaking?
Jailbreaking is the process by which an iPhone firmware is modified to allow unsigned code to be run to
gain access to files that Apple wouldn’t normally let you access. Jailbreaking adds unofficial application
installers to your iPhone such as Cydia or Icy (I personally only use Cydia), which let you download
many 3rd-party applications previously unavailable through the App Store.
Why Jailbreak Your iPhone?
Jailbreaking lets you install applications that are not approved by Apple. Many of these applications
can be very helpful but they will unfortunately never make it to the App Store due to Apple’s
restrictions. There are many reasons why you would want to jailbreak your iPhone:
* install 3rd party applications rejected by Apple for various reasons (ie. nudity)
* video recording (now available on the iPhone 3GS)
* changing the look and feel by installing custom graphics and themes
* free tethering
* get access to cracked App Store apps for free (not endorsed by me, but still worth noting)
* be able to unlock your iPhone
What Is Unlocking?
Unlocking is the removal of SIM restrictions on the modem, allowing the use of the iPhone on any
carrier. There are 2 types of iPhone unlocks:
* software unlock: the iPhone is unlocked by a software
* hardware unlock: modification have to be made to the actual hardware to unlock the phone
Software unlocks are safer because they do not modify your device and can easily be reverted back.
Soft unlocks are mostly developed for free by the Dev Team, an international group of iPhone
hackers. Hardware unlocks are a little tricky and usually cost money. In clear, if you want to unlock
your iPhone, you can do it for free by with a safe software unlock.
“Finally!” I can almost here you all shouting with sighs of relief, mixed with jumps for joy. When the iPhone 4 was released with a front facing camera I’m sure many of us were expecting the Skype app to be video enabled. It’s taken six months, but that day is finally here.
The most recent Skype app update includes:
- Ability to make Skype calls to desktop users and other iPhone users (Mac and Windows)
- Two-way video calls supported on iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch 4thgeneration
- Receive only video supported on iPad and iPod touch 3rd generation, without camera
The update is compatible with any iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod Touch 3rd and 4th gen, and the iPad sporting iOS 4.0 or later. It’s important to note, since there is no camera on the iPad or 3rd gen iPod Touch, you can only receive video, you obviously have no means to send it.
So guys, what do you think? Are you as excited as I am? Will FaceTime become less interesting now that a more universal video calling program is available? Comment below
The long-awaited RedSn0w untethered jailbreak for iOS 4.2.1 was released earlier todayby the iPhone Dev Team. As we mentioned before, it is still a beta version, which means it is very unstable and causes a few noteworthy bugs.
We’re aware that some of you are true dare devils so we thought it’d still be a good idea to post a guide on how to untether your iPhone. This step by step tutorial will show you how to untether your iPhone 4.2.1 using RedSn0w. This only works for the iPhone 4, iPad, and iPod Touch 4G…
Note: You will need a Mac to use this tutorial, this currently does not work on Windows machines.
Step 1: You will need to be already on iOS 4.2.1, so if you have not done so, update your iPhone firmware to iOS 4.2.1 via iTunes update. Next, jailbreak your iPhone running iOS 4.2.1 with Redsn0w using this tutorial. You may want to use Redsn0w beta 0.9.6b6 which addresses a battery drain issue.
Step 2: Download RedSn0w 0.9.7b1 from our downloads section and make sure your iPhone is connected to your Mac.
Step 3: Download usbmuxd, open a terminal window on your Mac, and navigate to the python-client directory inside the extracted usbmuxd folder.
Step 4: In your terminal window type the following commands:
You should now see a dialogue that says “Forwarding local port 2222 to remote port 22” (see screenshot above). This is a very important step, if you run Redsn0w without this running, you will have to restore to stock firmware, and try again.
Step 5: Execute RedSn0w 0.9.7b1, and browse for your iPhone 4.2.1 firmware. It should be in the “~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates” section on your mac. If you don’t have it on your Mac, you can download it from our downloads section. Once the IPSW file has been identified successfully, click next.
Step 6: You will see a small box pop up saying “preparing jailbreak data”. Once that completes, you will be at a screen that features multiple checkboxes. Cydia will be checked by default.
Step 7: Next, check the box that says “Jailbreak Monte (untether)”. Upon doing so, a new box will pop up asking for the 4.2b3 IPSW (Google is your friend). Once you’ve located the beta firmware, click next.
Step 8: At this point, you will see a screen asking you to prepare to put your iPhone into DFU mode. Make sure that your iPhone is plugged into your Mac and powered OFF. Click Next.
Step 9: Follow the on screen instructions to put your iPhone into DFU mode.
Step 10: It’s smooth sailing from here, grab a soda, sit back, and watch.
For those of you who are old hats at jailbreaking, you’ll witness some familiar activity on your iPhone
Step 11: The Redsn0w dialogue should indicate that the process is done; Click ‘Finish’ to close Redsn0w. Enjoy your untethered, jailbroken iPhone 4 running iOS 4.2.1!
Again, remember that there are some known issues with the Redsn0w beta, so make sureyou take ample note of those.
What do you think, are you a true dare devil, or do you still planning on waiting it out for an official release?
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Google’s been making some huge improvements across its services for mobile users lately. Now they’re looping the iPad in on the action: The search giant not only made Google Docs editing available for Apple tablet users, but this iPad-optimized editing comes closer to a “full desktop” experience.
Now, you don’t have to pay for or load extra third-party apps to create and share your GDocs, spreadsheets and other files anymore (or use any wacky series of steps to make it happen. Seriously — using one or two apps plus Mail was so unfun).
This is great news for anyone who needs GDocs editing on the go, or just wants to be able to change spreadsheets from their couch. One thing to note, though: That “full desktop” experience, however, isn’t quite 100% yet, admits Google. So editing via the computer will still be more robust, at least for now.
AccuWeather
Category: WeatherPrice: Free
TiP Rating: 4.0/5.0 stars
Version: 2.0
Languages: English
Seller: Steven Mesko
Rated: 4+
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch. Requires iPhone OS 2.2 or later.Link to app (clicking launches iTunes)
App Store Description: Get the “Best Weather on the Web” wherever you go with the AccuWeather.com application for iPhone. This worldwide forecasting tool has all the free features you need to “weatherproof” your day. The Weather Channel takes your weather experience to another level with in-motion radar maps, traffic cams (select markets), improved graphics and more.
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The Weather Channel
Category: Weather
Price: Free
TiP Rating: 4.7/5.0 stars
Version: 2.76
Languages: English, French, Spanish
Seller: The Weather Channel
Rated: 4+
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch. Requires iPhone OS 2.0 or later.Link to app (clicking launches iTunes) App Store Description: The Weather Channel 2.76 takes your weather experience to the next level with in-motion radar maps, traffic cams (select markets), improved graphics and more.
The Full “TiP Off”
There are some things in this world that do not have a clear advantage over whatever happens to be next to it. (Baby wipes, for instance. There is a choice of scented — which is slang for “make you gag on that smell instead of whats in the diaper — or unscented, which still smells “fresh” for some reason, and remains the clear choice. However, between the 20 unscented choices in the grocery store aisle, there is no discernible difference. Trust me, save your money: Three-dollar wipes are just as effective as the five-dollar variety.)
When it comes to iPhone apps, though, such a lack of differentiation is not the case. One program can vary a lot from another, even if the boasted features sound similar in the description. Here, I’m going to take a look at a couple of similar apps and see how they stack up. Given all the climate-related news and natural events lately, it seems pretty timely to talk about the weather — in particular, two projects from AccuWeather and The Weather Channel.
As you might know, we had a bit of a storm system come through recently, and here are a couple screenshots of the two apps in the minutes leading up to and including the storm actually reaching us.
Both apps have video reports, as well as severe weather warnings. These can be set to be full push notifications for both apps, and really, when you’re talking about a possible flash flood or tornado, don’t you want to know these things as soon as the National Weather Service does? As you might have already seen, the AccuWeather screenshot does have one severe warning notification. The Weather Channel has the same sort of system.
The two also have very similar home screens, which are of course customizable for wherever you are, or wherever you are going, with the ability to program in many different cities. However, there are some differences. The Weather Channel quite simply cannot compete with the AccuWeather when it comes to sheer beauty. AccuWeather gives you a nice (almost) full screen shot of what the sky is supposed to look like, just in case your neck is broken and can’t look up. Weather Channel, on the other hand, gives you something constructed with graphics first created in the late ’70s, and they quite simply do not do this app any justice at all.
It all sounds pretty equal, you’re saying. Nearly makes no difference, right? Then why, oh why, did I make that long statement at the beginning about there being a clear choice? Scroll back up to those first two screenshots of the storm moving in. Are you back? Look at them one more time. Back again?
The map shown on AccuWeather is all you get. One size, one screen. The Weather Channel, on the other hand, uses Google Maps, and everything that comes along with that on an iPhone. This means pinch to zoom, slide scrolling, and numerous different options when it comes to roads, points of interest, airports, and so on. It’s pretty easy to predict what is going to happen in Phoenix when one can see what’s happening in San Diego and Los Angeles. It’s a piece of cake with the Weather Channel app. (TWC even offers a paid “Max” version of the app for $3.99, that includes a more robust feature set with videos, forecasts and an ad-free environment. It might be overkill for most consumers, but serious weather junkies will love it.)
For me, there was only one thing that needed to be adjusted with the Weather Channel app, though, and that’s the transparency. It determines how dark the rain and clouds will appear on the map. Out of the box (so to speak) it is set up to barely register any color at all, but a simple adjustment takes care of that completely. AccuWeather gives no such option.
If I just want to check the temperature outside when I leave in the morning, I use AccuWeather (the home screen really is that good, and that may be all you need). But if I want to see whether or not I should have gotten those new wiper blades yesterday afternoon for an upcoming storm surge, I use the Weather Channel app.
So in the end, AccuWeather is a solid free app with more that enough features to keep you up to date on all the weather-related issues in your area. It includes alerts and alarms to try to make those serious moments a little less problematic. With The Weather Channel, the animated map is not the best at first glance, but after adjustments it can be pretty much whatever you want it to be. Useful every day because of the customization and interesting features, it is a must-have for anyone who has an even passing interest in weather (or just whether or not your golf game will be delayed). In my book, The Weather Channel + Google Maps = Win.
Skyfire CEO Jeff Glueck has made it public that his company will be prepping a version of its now-famous Skyfire browser for the iPad.
The big deal with this $3 iPhone/iPod Touch app is that it converts Flash video to HTML5 on the fly. The application debuted to such ridiculous demand that the company actually had to (temporarily) pull itself from the App Store to ramp up for the enormity of usage it would inspire. After a short hiatus, it was released in batches to the masses, and has now made it available without limitation for U.S. users, as well as Canadian users. On tap next is UK and Ireland, with roll-outs in other countries to follow.
Glueck, no doubt thrilled with the buzz and success of his company’s app, has also announced that Apple tablet users will be getting some dedicated Skyfire goodness as well. The current version does work on the tablet as it is, but the upcoming incarnation will be a dedicated iPad application.
“A number of you have asked about an iPad version of Skyfire, and we are working on an iPad-optimized version. No dates to promise yet, but we hope to have news before the end of this year… If your primary device is the iPad, we suggest you hold off and wait for Skyfire’s iPad app,” he wrote. “It will have a host of extra features…”
Skyfire is also eyeing Android users with an upcoming app for the Android Market. This may not be quite as thrilling for the Google mobile platform, thanks to Flash 10.1, but if you’re a user who pairs an iDevice with an Android phone, and wish to have a consistent UI and experience, it’s definitely something to note. Glueck hints that social networking will be among the enhancements.
As noted pretty much everywhere, Skyfire supports Flash videos alone, so if you’re looking for the capability to play Flash games on your iDevice, this still isn’t the solution. But it’s better than what we had before, which is a complete barrier for all online Flash components.
