After Apple released the iPhone firmware 2.0.2 over a week ago and the rumored fixes it contains, which suppose to resolve many of the issues introduced by the iPhone firmware 2.0. I was eager to be able to upgrade my iPhone (1st generation). Unfortunately, my iPhone was jailbroken and unlocked, so I had to wait for the hacking community; mainly iPhone Dev Team, to release a tool that will allow me to upgrade my pwned iPhone.
The iPhone Dev Team did introduce such a tool (Pwnage Tool 2.0.3) several days ago, but quickly pulled it off its server after several hours. Dispointed but happy that iPhone Dev Team reacted quickly on a bug that they found to be serious.
Yesterday, they finally released a new version of the Pwnage Tool 2.0.3.1 that resolved all know issues. I quickly downloaded it and after giving it 24 hours began to upgrade my iPhone.
I was happy to report that my iPhone upgraded successfully and all the issues I’ve had in the past with my iPhone running pre-2.0.2 firmware had all disappeared. Particularly the slowness when typing a message.
Today I ready the following report from iPhone Hacks…
Some analysts have reported that the problem is with the Infineon chip that Apple has used in iPhone 3G, while there are others who believe that the issue is with the carriers such as AT&T who has a relatively young 3G network…
… They concluded that the results were completely normal…
… A difference of 4 to 6 dB could have indicated that there is a something wrong.
I think the critics need to be a little bit less harsh on Apple on this whole iPhone 3G reception thing.
Yes, the reported iPhone 3G reception issue is not restricted to the USA, iPhone 3G users in Australia also have similar issues.
The thing is that both these countries do not have mature 3G cellular network cities, let alone national coverage.
Here in Hong Kong, all 5 cellular carriers: CSL, PCCW, Three, Smartone-Vodafone, People, have 3G network coverage for over 5 years.
You should see the number of cellular antennas here in the city, much smaller than most Australian and American cities.
It is expected to receive perfect cellular coverage within office buildings, malls and subway trains.
I personally have not use the iPhone 3G, because I am very happy with my “2G” iPhone (unlocked and jailbroken). I also had not heard of anyone I know who owns an iPhone 3G in Hong Kong complains about receptions either.
It is good that Apple tries to take responsibilities on the ultimate user experience of iPhone 3G owners, but the carriers (especially the less mature 3G operators) need too also.
PS: carriers in India is selling the iPhone 3G at very high prices even when compared to the rest of Asia, and they don’t even have a functional 3G network.
A student developer, Zac White, released a software framework to the Opensource community, in hopes to finally enable cross-application Copy & Paste on the iPhone/iPod Touch. He calls this framework OpenClip.
Zac claims that his framework does not violate Apple’s SDK rules. The following is a demonstration of the framework on some yet to release versions of iPhone applications.
With the OpenClip framework solving the cross-application implementation of Copy & Paste, we now have to solve the User Interface (UI) of implementing Copy & Paste within an application. Fortunately, the folks at Proximi had already gave it a good start. You can see their “Candidate UI for Copy & Paste on the iPhone” in the video below.
They have even created the iPhone application MagicPad to demonstrate the Copy & Paste UI.
Although, at the moment Apple has said that the Copy & Paste feature is not high on their list of new features for the iPhone. Copy & Paste on a computer was made popular and important part of a GUI operating system’s interface by Apple. The reluctant of Apple to implement this feature on the iPhone, is not because they do not know users want this feature. It is because Apple wants to make sure every features implement on the iPhone are full-proof and usable by the wide range of iPhone users that exist.
In the past when 3rd party developers released solutions that is highly desirable, Apple had went in and purchased the feature/implementation directly from the 3rd party developer.
Case in point is HWPen which brought Traditional and Simplified Chinese handwriting input to the iPhone. Apple purchased the software and implementation from the developer, applied the Apple touch and then released it in iPhone firmware 2.0.
If adoption of the OpenClip framework and Promixi’s Cut, Copy & Paste UI become prevalent, may be Apple will participate in the OpenClip Opensource project by adopting its technology and acquiring the work from Promixi.
I am talking about this to help spread the adoption of OpenClip.
Each time Apple release a new version of the iPhone firmware I feel the need to warn all my friends whom I have assisted with enabling their iPhones to work in Hong Kong, NOT to upgrade to their iPhone to the latest iPhone firmware. This is is no exception.
This latest firmware upgrade from Apple appear to be just a bug fix release. So far no significant feature enhancements accept the addition of a new option in the Safari settings, called “Database“, which is most likely mean that the version of Safari (MobileSafari) on the iPhone will support the HTML 5.0 features that had been announced for Safari on Macintosh and Windows at WWDC.
Apple made available firmware 2.0.1 for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
iPhone Firmware 2.0.1 Availability
If you have an iPhone 3G (non-jailbroken), original iPhone (non-jailbroken and locked) or a pristine iPod Touch, then you should definitely upgrade to this latest firmware. So far all reports show that applications runs faster, quicker synchronization with iTunes and spiffier overall functions of the iPhone or iPod Touch.
WARNING: if you are not in the above group of Apple device owners, meaning you have jailbroken and/or unlocked your iPhone or iPod Touch you should NOT upgrade. You will need to wait for the hacking community to update their hacking methods (currently Pwnage Tool) before doing any firmware update.
The only exception will be the iPod Touch owners who had jailbroken their device and do not mind returning their iPod to Apple factory condition (ie. no more unauthorized 3rd party applications).
BTW: As I have reported on Twitter and other Social Networks, I am experimenting with a method to resolve much of the frequent crashes on the iPhone with firmware 2.0. I will be reporting here on my blog as soon as I have definite results. Please stay tune.
Apparently the highly anticipated Apple iPhone 3G will only be available to the selected few, at least in Hong Kong.
Yesterday, O2 began announced that their pre-orders for the iPhone 3G had been filled and ask interested customer to return to their web site on July 10th to find information on new inventory and next availability.
Similar situation in Hong Kong with Apple’s partner carrier, “3″. I have inside sources informs me that their initial inventory of 500 Apple iPhone 3G had already been sold out 2 weeks ago. There was no limits placed on the number of phones each person were allow to purchase. Therefore, some of the selected few were able to purchase a dozen iPhone 3G, while the rest of us, under privileged in the eyes of Li Ka Shing’s mobile carrier “3″, will not be able to get an iPhone 3G on Friday, July 11th, even if I am willing to change carrier and choose one of the high tariff plans offered. Of course, I am not, so I am not too concern.
For the rest who are already a 3 customer or willing to switch carriers, I think this is very unfair and Apple HK should have been managed the situation better. Although, this sort of insiders privilege is a common occurrence in Hong Kong, Apple HK should have imposed a maximum purchase quantity so that as many individuals can share the Apple experience and privilege of owning an iPhone 3G on July 11th.
With the announcement of the iPhone 3G by Apple on Monday (Tuesday HK time), Apple apparently change its business model with the carriers around the world. I say apparent because Apple has been some what vague about the details.
AT&T has said that customers will be able to upgrade their existing Apple iPhone to the new Apple iPhone 3G without incurring any penalties (fees) for breaking their existing contracts, but they will have to start a new 2-years contract.
AT&T reports that the new Apple iPhone 3G is only available at Apple Store and AT&T outlets. Most importantly, they also state that these new iPhones will have to be activated on the spot on the AT&T network with a sign 2-years contract.
Apple’s mobile carrier partner in United Kingdom, O2 said that they will be giving away the iPhone 3G on their high-end tariff plans, as described in their iPhone 3G Service Information.
As of this writing there are still no information from Hong Kong’s “3″ on tariff plans available for the Apple iPhone 3G. I suppose it will be something similar to what AT&T and O2 had announced.
I will be checking often to see if I can share this information here before July 11th.
After Apple released the iPhone firmware 2.0.2 over a week ago and the rumored fixes it contains, which suppose to resolve many of the issues introduced by the iPhone firmware 2.0. I was eager to be able to upgrade my iPhone (1st generation). Unfortunately, my iPhone was jailbroken and unlocked, so I had to wait for the hacking community; mainly iPhone Dev Team, to release a tool that will allow me to upgrade my pwned iPhone.
Entries (RSS)