tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84135122024-03-12T19:46:28.241-04:00Trifsters DomainAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-60054479400847599542012-01-21T09:49:00.001-05:002012-01-21T10:07:43.665-05:00iPhone 4S and iPad 2 Jailbroken (Untethered)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Huh? What does that even mean? So I am writing this blog post to inform all my friends who are new to the iPhone and iPad within the last 18-24 months of some cool unofficial apps and tweaks that us geeks have been using and playing with since iPhone 2G was launched.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you've never seen Steve Jobs introduce the first iPhone, please do. Even if you do not care about "ancient" history its a fantastic example of top notch presentation skills and communication of new ideas. Immense complexity, simplified.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The first iPhone didn't have apps. The web was it as far as extending its primary functionality. But then the computer science and programming geeks got a hold of the iPhone and started tinkering. </span><br />
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A few days after the original iPhone became available in July 2007, developers released the first jailbreaking tool for it,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ricker2007_23-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_jailbreaking#cite_note-ricker2007-23">[24]</a></sup> and soon a jailbreak-only game app became available.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-24"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_jailbreaking#cite_note-24">[25]</a></sup> In October 2007, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JailbreakMe" title="JailbreakMe">JailbreakMe</a> 1.0 (also called "AppSnapp") allowed people to jailbreak iPhone OS 1.1.1 on both the iPhone and iPod touch,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-25"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_jailbreaking#cite_note-25">[26]</a></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-26"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_jailbreaking#cite_note-26">[27]</a></sup> and it included <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Installer.app" title="Installer.app">Installer.app</a> as a way to get software for the jailbroken device. From Wikipedia.</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As you can see from day one, the potential to run programs (now known as Apps) was baked into the iPhone. It wasn't just a phone, it was a miniaturized computer with a direct connection to the internet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For an indepth look at the reasons and history for Jailbreaking, I point you to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_jailbreaking</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So you made it this far (or skipped) in this blog post. What does Jailbreaking mean to you! It means several things in terms of installing apps from an alternate app store called Cydia. After you jailbreak, the Cydia app becomes the primary method of finding, trying, buying (some paid and some free) apps. This includes things from quick-access to settings via my favorite tweak SBSettings to complete icon and background theme system called Winterboard. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home Screen of the Cydia "App Store"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SBSettings quick access toggles</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It also lets developers release software that Apple would prefer not to include in their app store. The best example of this is My3G. This paid app allows you to bypass certain download limit restrictions when you are on 3G. It also allows FaceTime over 3G (your mileage depends on data speeds) and downloading larger apps and podcasts over 3G (the normal limit is 20MB then you need to be on wifi). Another great paid app is MyWi. This turns your phone into a mobile hotspot without having to pay your Cell Phone provider an additional fee (on top of your already expensive data plans). One word of caution, this is not for heavy use. I only connect my Wifi iPad 2 to it when I need some internet. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EAe7Y0wnUB4/TxrM2UIqZ5I/AAAAAAAADQY/_b6cMwXV0ys/s1600/photo%25281%2529.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EAe7Y0wnUB4/TxrM2UIqZ5I/AAAAAAAADQY/_b6cMwXV0ys/s400/photo%25281%2529.PNG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My3G app that removes download limits for green checked apps.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ok, by now most people are moderately convinced that they're for some freedom on their iDevice. But IS IT SAFE?? There are risks involved when you tinker with your toys. You do jailbreak at your on peril however over the last 4+ years of jailbreaking, the iDevices have proven very resilient to error and the jailbreak developers are masterfully skillful. One Jailbreaks via a program for your Mac or Windows computer. The current Jailbreak for all devices iPhone 4 and older (including original iPad) is an application called redsn0w. The best site to get the software to Jailbreak is from the developers themselves at http://blog.iphone-dev.com/ (click the Redsn0w links at left). iClarified.com has the best instructions to walk you through the procedure (really, you can do it). http://iclarified.com/jailbreak/index.php</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For folks on iPhone 4S and iPad 2 (collectively referred to as the A5 devices as their CPU is the Apple A5 chip) need to use the ChronicDev Teams Absinthe tool. As of this writing their websites are seeing heavy traffic however you can follow this guide with links to the software to download: http://iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=19462&laid=</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Please feel free to comment and I'll look to update this post and respond in the comments as possible!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-5567263075678042009-08-06T11:32:00.002-04:002009-08-06T11:40:34.090-04:00Apple Best; Dell Worst in customer supportSince I've been trashing Apple the last week over the App Store its time to return some love that I've personally experienced. Cyn at the Lehigh Valley Apple Store provided excellent support to me for my iPhone and Andrew for mine and Michelle's Macbook.<br /><br />Read all about laptop customer support from <a href="http://www.laptopmag.com/mobile-life/tech-support-showdown-2009.aspx?page=1">LaptopMag</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-57419489724320718772009-08-04T21:51:00.001-04:002009-08-04T21:52:39.889-04:00Another insightful perspective on the Google Voice app fiasco: number portability<a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13846_3-10303252-62.html">Apple, Google Voice, and number portability</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-65061342856565273332009-08-04T21:38:00.000-04:002009-08-04T21:39:41.552-04:00Engadget Editor In Cheif on Apple/ATT and Google Voice<object classId="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="320" height="298" id="VideoPlayerSm40433"><param name="movie" value="http://g4tv.com/sv3/40433" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed src="http://g4tv.com/sv3/40433" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" name="VideoPlayer" width="320" height="298" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" /></object><div style="margin:0;text-align:center;width:320px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;color:#FF9B00;"><a href="http://g4tv.com/" style="color:#FF9B00;" target="_blank">Video Games</a> - <a href="http://g4tv.com/e3" style="color:#FF9B00;" target="_blank">E3 2009</a> - <a href="http://g4tv.com/attackoftheshow/index.html" style="color:#FF9B00;" target="_blank">Attack of the Show</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-24074235921876916242009-08-04T10:43:00.002-04:002009-08-04T10:48:06.212-04:00On the same Page re: Apple and AT&TIt looks like someone else is now strategising how the Apple/AT&T Google Voice App(s) saga will conclude now that the FCC has stepped in. PC World steps in with a suggestion that I bantered about last night:<br /><br /><blockquote>It's time fo<span style="font-family: times new roman; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">r </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Apple</span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> a</span>nd AT&T to fully consider what is at stake and do the right thing. Give the FCC a win if that's what it takes, but let your customers have Google Voice if they want it--as they obviously do.</blockquote><br /><br />Read the full article at <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/169554/inevitable_apple_should_accept_google_voice.html">PC World</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-51798368272865679232009-08-03T21:51:00.002-04:002009-08-03T21:54:27.895-04:00Some more for good measure...Why not. Fast Company does a <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/chris-dannen/techwatch/seven-more-reasons-ditch-your-iphone">very nice article</a> laying out its time to recognize more of the iPhone's shortcomings and other offerings benefits.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-31145558069923195252009-08-02T18:09:00.002-04:002009-08-02T18:14:32.788-04:00AT&T publicly lays blame at Apple over Google Voice appsAT&T has further inflamed the Google Voice apps vs. Apple battle. AT&T as publicly told the Washington Post that it has nothing to do with App approval and Apps in the Apple iTunes app store. <br /><br />Check out the "update" at the end of this Washington Post article as see for yourself.<br /><br />What happens next? Apple blames AT&T, some mid-level manager for making a bad decision and reverses decisions, approves Google Voice app and restores all others?<br /><br />Should Google release their Google Voice app for the jailbreaking app manager Cydia?<br /><br />This is fun.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-55831399765893967382009-08-01T06:25:00.002-04:002009-08-01T06:49:11.232-04:00I see your outrage and I raise you the Feds!For the past several days I have let it be perfectly clear on my frustration with Apple rejecting the Google Voice app from the iTunes App Store. You can relive <a href="http://trifster.blogspot.com/2009/07/confused-by-at-blocking-of-google-voice.html">assumption</a>, <a href="http://trifster.blogspot.com/2009/07/when-you-assume-you-only-make-ass-out.html">outrage</a>, <a href="http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/31/i-quit-the-iphone/">resignation</a> and <a href="http://trifster.blogspot.com/2009/07/hits-keep-coming.html">analysis</a> at the respective links.<br /><br />I'm not even a developer. I haven't written code since undergrad and as a joe schmoe user I'm pissed.<br /><br />Apparently the fine folks at the FCC love their iPhones too. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/31/AR2009073103917.html?wprss=rss_technology">The Washington Post</a>, <a href="http://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/01/its-the-feds-fcc-quizzes-apple-atandt-and-google-about-google-v/">TUAW</a>, <a href="http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/31/fcc-takes-on-apple-and-att-over-google-voice-rejection/">TechCrunch</a>, <a href="http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2009/07/report_apple_patching_sms_flaw_on_saturday.html">Chron</a>, and <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10301259-37.html">News.com</a> all have continued their coverage of this major issue.<br /><br />The FCC is a giant typical bureaucratic government agency. Within one week of the Google Voice apps (Google's and 3rd party) being removed from the iTune app store the FCC head of wireless communications has a letter out to all 3 major parties. The FCC folks!! This isn't Mike Arrington rating for more web page hits or Google fanboy's. This the The Federal Communications Commission! <br /><br />Like to be one of the many to welcome the FCC to this party. Kegs to the left and jello shots in the fridge...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-86950723047496892062009-07-31T08:18:00.004-04:002009-07-31T14:12:27.589-04:00The hits keep coming...If enraged iPhone users are a one-two punch combo, AT&T and Apple are getting clobbered, on the internets anyway. We're seeing double-digit daily articles on how screwed up Apple is with the App store and how utterly incompetent and borderline criminal AT&T has been running their 3G network.<br /><br />Today's Roundup:<br />MG Siegler from Techcrunch: <a href="http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/30/fed-up-a-popular-mac-developer-quits-the-iphone/">FedUp</a><br />Mike Arrington Quits...<a href="http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/31/i-quit-the-iphone/">I Quit The...</a><br />Gizmodo on <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5327170/google-voice-debacle-causes-arrington-to-ditch-the-iphone-and-with-good-reason">MA</a><br /><a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/142022/2009/07/appstore_innovation.html?lsrc=rss_main">MacWorld</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-63649605992149359162009-07-30T19:32:00.006-04:002009-07-30T21:48:18.601-04:00When you assume you only make an ass out of u and me!Unbelievable! I not only take the time to author an original thought on the whole AT&T, Apple iPhone app store and Google Voice apps fiasco to get it, at least now, entirely wrong!!<br /><br />Let's examine the latest today from <a href="http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/29/att-dont-blame-us-for-the-iphones-google-voice-ban/">Techcrunch</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Last time we reached out to AT&T to comment on the story, the company gave TechCrunch writer MG Siegler a very blunt and brief statement:</span></p> <blockquote><p><span style="font-size:85%;">“Nope – Apple is the one who can talk about their App Store.” </span></p></blockquote> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">But today, the company has begun sending out more detailed messages to some of the frustrated customers who have been voicing their complaints. The message below was written by Glenn Lurie, AT&T’s President of Emerging Devices and Resale.</span></p></blockquote> <blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Your letter concerning Apple’s decision on the Google Voice iPhone app was forwarded to me since I work closely with Apple.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">While we’re very proud to offer the iPhone 3GS along with the thousands of apps available through the App Store, AT&T does not manage the App Store – and we are not involved in the approval process for apps in the App Store. I recommend in this particular case that you express your concerns to Apple.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">I’m glad you’re enjoying your iPhone and hope that you continue to be an AT&T customer. We appreciate and value your business.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Sincerely,<br />Glenn Lurie</span></p></blockquote> <blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">AT&T’s stance is no longer that it can’t talk about the App Store — it’s that it doesn’t manage the App Store, and that any concerns about this case should be directed at Apple.</span></blockquote>WOW! Zing Apple. You've just been called out and bitch slapped from the company that cannot possibly f___ up its network and support to the iPhone any more! It's the constant roar since you hear since the release of the iPhone 3GS. Not any more do we hear how you have the #1 smartphone or how you've engineered and delivered an improving evolutionary device adding value with every HW revision and software update. The daily discussion is how you are completely screwing up the App store, completely screwing your app developers and how AT&T is so f______ incompetent it can't run a 3G cellular network THAT THE ENTIRE GSM USING WORLD runs flawlessly!<br /><br />You use to be a master at managing your name, products and brands. Every message, move and decision has been 100% the wrong answer. As a solutions oriented iPhone owner I'd like to help you, basically, un-f___ yourself.<br /><br />1. Put every Google Voice app back in the store.<br />2. In fact put every bandwidth using, hogging app in immediately. Full slingplayer, uncompressed Youtube over 3G, Qik, Ustream video streaming, MLB..you get the idea.<br />3. Extend middle finger to AT&T and show them the uncompromising determined and awesome company that you were when you started this iPhone (the awesome company that gave $100 credits for minor hiccups).<br /><br />Update: Another <a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/142012/2009/07/googlevoice_riverturn.html?lsrc=rss_main">terrible story</a> about this Google Voice app removal<br />I keep finding them and I keep adding them. The world hates Apple right now. <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5324724/bad-apple-an-argument-against-buying-an-iphone">Lifehacker</a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />digg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/How_much_long_will_Apple_completely_mis_manage_AT_T_AppStore';<br /></script><br /><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-90058357008205021882009-07-28T08:05:00.013-04:002009-07-30T13:54:51.722-04:00Updated: Confused by AT&T blocking of Google Voice App for iPhoneUpdate 1 29 July 09: Great article about this ongoing debate! <a href="http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/29/att-dont-blame-us-for-the-iphones-google-voice-ban/">http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/29/att-dont-blame-us-for-the-iphones-google-voice-ban/</a><br /><br />Update 2 29 July 09: Wow the google voice and GV Mobile removal is blowing up: <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_admits_att_requested_gv_apps_be_pulled">http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_admits_att_requested_gv_apps_be_pulled</a><br /><br />Update 3: <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5325539/apples-chickenshit-approval-process-has-gone-too-far">Gizmodo</a><br /><br />Update 4: <a href="http://www.tuaw.com/2009/07/30/yeah-theres-an-app-for-that-but-for-how-long-and-at-what-cos/">TUAW</a><br /><br />Update 5: <a href="http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2009/07/29/is-the-iphone-causing-apple-to-lose-the-plot/">TechCrunch</a><br /><br />I am confused by AT&T's decision to block the Google Voice iPhone app. As a new user to Google Voice I am struggling to integrate it into my mobile life. My wife, mom, sister and brother in law all use iphones and of course are on AT&T. To call each other its free mobile to mobile. Only myself (soon to be canceled) and mom have "landlines" to also direct a google voice call too.<br /><br />Part of the features of Google voice is SMS notifications of VM. While Google Voice has integrated, free SMS in its implementation its only usable for fellow geeks. For me to text my full compliment of friends from/via google voice would confuse them. My GV number is not in their phone and its hard to get folks to use a new GV number. This is why number portability was so big. I've had my cell number since ATT was Cellular One (IIRC it went Cellular One, AT&T Wireless, Cingular, New AT&T Wireless)<br /><br />My mom pointed out to call my GV number uses cell plan minutes. They won't use it and will only call my mobile number. Receiving GV VM transcriptions come via SMS to mobile number (3 seperate texts).<br /><br />To address these changes in my life, I am canceling home phone to use GV number as a primary number to give to "new people and businesses". I'm INCREASING our cell phone plan to the next higher plan to allow for canceling of landline and accepting calls via GV. I've also upgraded my SMS plan from the 200/month up to the 1500/month plan.<br /><br />Google Voice has made me INCREASE my services to some extent to AT&T. I'm sure there are a minority set of users that may reduce costs but in my well established existence under AT&T's rule, I see GV adding value to mobile services not lessening.<br /><br />Please hit the comments to continue this discussion...<br /><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />digg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/Trifsters_Domain_Confused_by_AT_T_blocking_of_Google_Voice/';<br /></script><br /><script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-60511439891258935112009-07-26T08:16:00.001-04:002009-07-26T08:17:19.009-04:00AT&T is a heaping pile of....<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TMOCXUVX1P8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TMOCXUVX1P8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-40900238875383194122009-06-15T19:42:00.011-04:002009-06-15T21:41:54.278-04:00Our Zeo is now myZEOThere are few things that can drive me to take a few minutes and write an original thought blog post. Without hitting up the achieve link the iPhone comes to mind. What the iPhone has done to transform the smartphone, the Zeo is on target to re-think our approach to sleep ( I think of it as SmartSleep ).<br /><br />I always love a new tech gadget so when my sister-in-law offered to let me try the newest product from a new client I was more than excited. The true story is that she gave it to her sister (my wife) and not only did I try it but I commandeered it as "mine."<br /><br />The Zeo is made up of a sleep sensor and aesthetically pleasing base unit (i purposefully avoid term alarm clock but it even does that function only more advanced).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SjbfBtyljdI/AAAAAAAADEs/bojwG-sLVAk/s1600-h/Picture+6.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SjbfBtyljdI/AAAAAAAADEs/bojwG-sLVAk/s320/Picture+6.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347706828113677778" border="0" /></a>Each night the Zeo records all aspects of my sleep and awake states. It captures light and deep sleep, REM (or rapid eye movement) sleep and times awake. More than just noting these makers it captures the duration of each state of sleep.<br /><br />That alone is quite awesome. Zeo takes it a step farther with the a web based application appropriately titled myZeo Personal Sleep Coach. The excellently laid-out Web 2.0 application allows you to upload your sleep data from your Zeo to your online account.<br /><br />Here is an example of a night-view of a typical nights sleep for me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SjbgRJKnRUI/AAAAAAAADE0/Gxk4_cA5l28/s1600-h/Picture+5.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SjbgRJKnRUI/AAAAAAAADE0/Gxk4_cA5l28/s320/Picture+5.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347708192671876418" border="0" /></a><br />There are many views and graphs to explore and my favorite is the weekly ZQ chart that shows a summary of your ZQ score. The ZQ number allows you to "quickly gauge the quantity, quality, and depth of your sleep each night."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SjbiYwO4jiI/AAAAAAAADE8/ty9c8fQFV0k/s1600-h/Picture+4.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SjbiYwO4jiI/AAAAAAAADE8/ty9c8fQFV0k/s320/Picture+4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347710522441109026" border="0" /></a>The most apprehensive part when I started using the Zeo came when looking at the headband. It turns out to be super comfortable with soft adjustable straps on both sides and a padded sensor front. It is so comfortable that I usually wake up in the morning needing a moment or two to recall I am wearing it. Now with 3 small kids at home there are invariably going to be sleepless nights through no fault of my own. It looks like 4/28 and 5/4 were one of those nights from the above chart.<br /><br />There is not much too improve on either. You can select days to not upload however I haven't been able to remove a specific day like 4/28. I did get lots of sleep that night but probably lost (or threw in a middle-of-the-night tantrum) the headband when tending to one of the kids.<br /><br />It seems so many aspects were so well thought out. The headband with super easy adjustment, the base station with variable dimming and great graphical display and the myZeo website with dozens of additional features. If I could suggest anything, it would be the addition of an iPhone app to completely tie in my affection for tech gadgets.<br /><br />...Oh and that alarm clock thing I mentioned earlier, Zeo uses a smart wake (no, really thats the name: SmartWake™) "alarm feature will look for a "natural awakening point" based on your sleep patterns to decrease the grogginess associated with waking from Deep sleep. When SmartWake is selected, Zeo will find a time to wake you within a half-hour of your set time, never later."<br /><br />Internets: <a href="http://www.myzeo.com/index.cfm">Zeo</a>, <a href="http://myzeocoach.myzeo.com/">myZeo</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/zeology">Zeology</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-1830885308746590762009-03-03T20:33:00.000-05:002009-03-03T20:34:05.194-05:00Twitter and the Media elite....for the LOLs<style type='text/css'>.cc_box a:hover .cc_home{background:url('http://www.comedycentral.com/comedycentral/video/assets/syndicated-logo-over.png') !important;}.cc_links a{color:#b9b9b9;text-decoration:none;}.cc_show a{color:#707070;text-decoration:none;}.cc_title a{color:#868686;text-decoration:none;}.cc_links a:hover{color:#67bee2;text-decoration:underline;}</style><div class='cc_box' style='position:relative'><a href='http://www.comedycentral.com' target='_blank' style='display:inline; float:left; width:60px; height:31px;'><div class='cc_home' style='float:left; border:solid 1px #cfcfcf; border-width:1px 0px 0px 1px; width:60px; height:31px; background:url("http://www.comedycentral.com/comedycentral/video/assets/syndicated-logo-out.png");'></div></a><div style='font:bold 10px Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif; float:left; width:299px; height:31px; border:solid 1px #cfcfcf; border-width:1px 1px 0px 0px; overflow:hidden; color:#707070; position:relative;'><div class='cc_show' style='position:relative; background-color:#e5e5e5;padding-left:3px; height:14px; padding-top:2px; overflow:hidden;'><a href='http://www.thedailyshow.com/' target='_blank'>The Daily Show With Jon Stewart</a><span style='position:absolute; top:2px; right:3px;'>M - Th 11p / 10c</span></div><div class='cc_title' style='font-size:11px; color:#868686; background-color:#f5f5f5; padding:3px; padding-top:1px; line-height:14px; height:21px; overflow:hidden;'><a href='http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=219519&title=twitter-frenzy' target='_blank'>Twitter Frenzy</a></div></div><embed style='float:left; clear:left;' src='http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:219519' width='360' height='301' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='window' allowFullscreen='true' flashvars='autoPlay=false' allowscriptaccess='always' allownetworking='all' bgcolor='#000000'></embed><div class='cc_links' style='float:left; clear:left; width:358px; border:solid 1px #cfcfcf; border-top:0px; font:10px Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif; color:#b9b9b9; background-color:#f5f5f5;'><div style='width:177px; float:left; padding-left:3px;'><a target='_blank' href='http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/index.jhtml'>Daily Show Full Episodes</a><br /><a target='_blank' href='http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/important_things/index.jhtml'>Important Things With Demetri Martin</a></div><div style='width:177px; float:left;'><a target='_blank' href='http://www.indecisionforever.com'>Political Humor</a><br /><a target='_blank' href='http://www.jokes.com'>Joke of the Day</a></div><div style='clear:both'></div></div><div style='clear:both'></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-26184852530283907542009-03-02T20:41:00.001-05:002009-03-02T20:41:55.012-05:00Hudson River Plane Landing (US Airways 1549) Animation with Audio<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/imDFSnklB0k&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/imDFSnklB0k&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-3796099225694943772009-03-02T16:11:00.001-05:002009-03-02T16:11:39.967-05:00Just how versitle is the iPhone???<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rjx5_-SPhk0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rjx5_-SPhk0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-44283340039416044032009-03-01T10:19:00.001-05:002009-03-01T10:19:27.298-05:00<h3 id="start-widget-focus" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:-10px;"><a href="http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm" style="margin-left: 40px; font-weight: bold;" title="Jump directly to the FDA Product Recall List to search for peanut product recalls or call CDC-INFO at 1-800-232-4636 for more information.">FDA Product Recall List</a></h3><br /><!--[if !IE]> <--><object tabindex="0" id="fda_widget_salmonella09" data="http://www.cdc.gov/widgets/salmonella/Salmonella2009.swf" width="254" height="425" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" title="Jump directly to the FDA Product Recall List to search for peanut product recalls or call CDC-INFO at 1-800-232-4636 for more information."><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="FlashVars" value="bg=ffffff"><param name="pluginurl" value="http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/" /><div style="width:254px; height:425px; overflow:auto"><img src="http://www.cdc.gov/widgets/images/Salmonella_425x254.jpg" width="254" height="425" alt="FDA Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak 2009. Flash Player 9 is required." />FDA Peanut Product Recall Widget. Flash Player 9 is required. Visit http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm to search for peanut product recalls or call CDC-INFO at 1-800-232-4636 for more information.</div></object><!--><![endif]--><!--[if IE]><object tabindex="0" id="fda_widget_salmonella09" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" width="254" height="425" title="Jump directly to the FDA Product Recall List to search for peanut product recalls or call CDC-INFO at 1-800-232-4636 for more information."><param name="movie" value="http://www.cdc.gov/widgets/salmonella/Salmonella2009.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="FlashVars" value="bg=ffffff"><div style="width:254px; height:425px; overflow:auto"><img src="http://www.cdc.gov/widgets/images/Salmonella_425x254.jpg" width="254" height="425" alt="FDA Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak 2009. Flash Player 9 is required." />FDA Peanut Product Recall Widget. Flash Player 9 is required. Visit http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm to search for peanut product recalls or call CDC-INFO at 1-800-232-4636 for more information.</div></object><![endif]--><a id="end-widget-focus"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-15754308396667508342009-01-08T16:15:00.003-05:002009-01-09T19:31:59.437-05:00Windows 7 Beta Build 7000 Impressions<div>The first install I needed to do was to install Windows 7 on the exact hardware (laptops) that I tested Vista on for the absolute personal direct comparison. The PDC build and even more so with the 7000 build Windows 7 install is awesome. Fast, straight forward and an enjoyable experience. Install was a clean one on fully reformatted HD.<br /><br />Windows 7 PDC and 7000 also run signifiantly faster out of the box than Vista SP1 out of the box on my new Aluminum 13" Macbook. Boot times are significantly shorter. Also, Time from logon screen to desktop is faster and a smoother experience. There is a lot less hard drive thrashing while at the logon screen waiting for password input and an appropriate amount of activity when logging into desktop.<br /><br />The taskbar in 7000 is very nice. Great feature improvements. Icons with running applications need much better change in graphics to allow user a visual que that it is running already. Yes need the equivalent of the OS X Dock blue dot. I was thinking about this and it wouldn't be to hard to change the grey to some colors that make up the icon to complement the visual-ness of the icon/button.<br /><br />Snaps are very nice. Looking to play with them on multi-monitors.<br /><br />I'd like a IE8 icon on desktop/start menu even if I change default browsers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SWfsLXdKVMI/AAAAAAAADBM/noWH3fc-Vts/s1600-h/FSWin7.PNG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SWfsLXdKVMI/AAAAAAAADBM/noWH3fc-Vts/s400/FSWin7.PNG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289455967388980418" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-41870924621332148302009-01-07T22:00:00.001-05:002009-01-07T22:02:04.918-05:00Windows 7 Beta<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SWVsn5kAP7I/AAAAAAAADBE/oI6EfLEzf6E/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SWVsn5kAP7I/AAAAAAAADBE/oI6EfLEzf6E/s400/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288752770139045810" border="0" /></a><br />Steve Balmer keynote at CES as seen in IE8 on Windows 7Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-53891809837318051592009-01-05T21:08:00.001-05:002009-01-05T21:08:26.613-05:00Macbook Wheel<embed src="http://www.theonion.com/content/themes/common/assets/videoplayer2/flvplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="355" flashvars="file=http://www.theonion.com/content/xml/92328/video&autostart=false&image=http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/NO_KEYBOARD_article.jpg&bufferlength=3&embedded=true&title=Apple%20Introduces%20Revolutionary%20New%20Laptop%20With%20No%20Keyboard"></embed><br/><a href="http://www.theonion.com/content/video/apple_introduces_revolutionary?utm_source=embedded_video">Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-89537344036366557102008-12-23T10:25:00.006-05:002008-12-23T10:45:18.087-05:00My new toy...The perfect storm of some generous 30th birthday gifts in late October and some smart sales by Apple and Apple authorized retailers before thanksgiving I was able to buy my long sought after Apple Computer. I bought the base 13" MacBook. The gorgeous all aluminum one!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SVEEoUHfehI/AAAAAAAADAk/7OE9nFCfMDM/s1600-h/photo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SVEEoUHfehI/AAAAAAAADAk/7OE9nFCfMDM/s320/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283008928523713042" border="0" /></a><br />As a long time Windows guru and still a Windows enthusiest, I am excited and really enjoy using OS X. The operating system is so simply and elegantly laid out. Necessary configuration items are in one location (System Preferences) and has a simple subset of configurations for my Mac.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SVEFnYubKqI/AAAAAAAADAs/pS1Qzk0akjg/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SVEFnYubKqI/AAAAAAAADAs/pS1Qzk0akjg/s320/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283010012092508834" border="0" /></a>The Finder is a combination of Windows Explorer and the Start Button<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SVEGZUPI7XI/AAAAAAAADA0/np_dsqefY3Y/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 279px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SVEGZUPI7XI/AAAAAAAADA0/np_dsqefY3Y/s320/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283010869881007474" border="0" /></a>Finally, the Dock is an enhance version of the windows task bar. It has applications to launch and marks open applications with blue spotlight under a programs icon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SVEHceKxj-I/AAAAAAAADA8/MWJme7umQr8/s1600-h/Picture+3.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 21px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SVEHceKxj-I/AAAAAAAADA8/MWJme7umQr8/s320/Picture+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283012023598288866" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-49001676366845944942008-09-12T09:52:00.001-04:002008-09-12T09:53:58.278-04:00iPhone 2.1 Software released.Since I like to have the firmware handy for things like restores and pwnage here is a link to download the new firmware for iPhone 3G and iPhone 2G.<br /><br />3G: <a href="http://appldnld.apple.com.edgesuite.net/content.info.apple.com/iPhone/061-5198.20080909.K3294/iPhone1,2_2.1_5F136_Restore.ipsw">http://appldnld.apple.com.edgesuite.net/content.info.apple.com/iPhone/061-5198.20080909.K3294/iPhone1,2_2.1_5F136_Restore.ipsw</a><br /><br />2G: <a href="http://appldnld.apple.com.edgesuite.net/content.info.apple.com/iPhone/061-5202.20080909.gkbEj/iPhone1,1_2.1_5F136_Restore.ipsw">http://appldnld.apple.com.edgesuite.net/content.info.apple.com/iPhone/061-5202.20080909.gkbEj/iPhone1,1_2.1_5F136_Restore.ipsw</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-23983308390629274752008-07-12T12:46:00.001-04:002008-07-12T12:46:57.358-04:00iPhone is fast but will it blend?<script src="http://flash.revver.com/player/1.0/player.js?mediaId:1033087;width:480;height:392" type="text/javascript"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-40700671562015343392008-07-11T20:25:00.005-04:002008-12-10T21:01:40.434-05:00Waiting in line for a insanely in-demand product: checkSO I DID IT! And I kinda really only did it because it took no extra effort to do and I always wanted to do it. I am talking about waiting in line and buying the latest iPhone from Apple, iPhone 3G. I went to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Lehigh</span> Valley Apple Retail store to execute my fun. The morning started off sluggish but by around 6:45a Alex was today's early riser. I took him downstairs along with all that I need to head off to the Apple store.<br /><br />Luckily, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Grandmom</span> Salerno (my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Grandmom</span> and Alex Great <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Grandmom</span>) and my Mom are here for the next few days to help out and enjoy twin and Robert time while my wife is in Hawaii. I made my way over the the Apple store via a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">McDonalds</span> for a coffee and egg <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">McMuffin</span>. I got to the Apple Store by around 7:15a. The line was about 150 people deep by then with the majority having arrived early this morning. The handful at the front of the line started a 6PM on Thursday. Their prized spots in line fetched $100+ before the store even opened.<br /><br />In line with me was Josh (who didn't end up getting an iPhone), Glen, and a group in from San Diego visiting friends. I took the liberty of downloading and installing the iPhone 2.0 software on my first generation (2G) iPhone last night so was showing off some of the app store. By 7:45 we had our first pep-run from the apple store employees. Also had in-line-served <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Starbucks</span> coffee from the local <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Starbucks</span>. Starbucks is always a class act. They also gave out some free water to the line for about the first 2 hours of the opening.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SHgGqDQGGPI/AAAAAAAACA8/PX9xG6vwqeI/s1600-h/IMG_0492.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SHgGqDQGGPI/AAAAAAAACA8/PX9xG6vwqeI/s320/IMG_0492.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221931087433177330" border="0" /></a><br />There was no shortage of laptops, iPhone 2Gs and in line <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">upgraders</span>. After the first few waves of iPhone buyers between 0800-1000 eastern the line really began to slow. That's when we first new about the activation woes due to the line's constant following of tech blogs like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Engadget</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Gizmodo</span>. Myself, I was on and off Twitter reading and posting status alerts. I was one of the early <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">confirmers</span> of the activation issues. Our Apple store manager "Pipe" was a cool fellow and did a great job communicating all the issues and status to the line. He had to "line-inform" from the back mid morning with local press. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">WFMZ</span> channel 69 was on hand to take some video of the "festivities." It took about 3 seconds for the line to tell her what's going on as opposed to fighting for a never-coming apple employee comment.<br /><br />Sometime between 1000 and 1100 we all met Phil! Phil was the "line crasher". And by crasher I mean he <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">donted</span> $200 to Josh's pocket and took his spot right in front of me in line. Phil was prepared. With pockets full of the cutest (yes I used that word) <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Coors</span> light cans he was a guy right out of a Jimmy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Buffett</span> concert. Well buzzed and with about 3 hours less of a line he was good to go! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">WFMZ</span> recorded and broadcast an interview with both Josh and Phil over the line position transaction. Phil was a trip and quite fun to have in line. He did disappear for a good 45 minutes to his car for some food and beers. He kindly offered but I decided to stick with coffee and water.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SHgG5yKgy7I/AAAAAAAACBE/eRtkWy9azUo/s1600-h/IMG_0494.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SHgG5yKgy7I/AAAAAAAACBE/eRtkWy9azUo/s320/IMG_0494.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221931357724265394" border="0" /></a>Glen during most of this along with another gentleman and his 14-year old daughter were fighting with their laptops and finishing the activation portion of their iPhone 2G 2.0 software update. The same activation servers that handle the new iPhone 3G's activation also handle the upgrade process for the iPhone 2G 2.0 Software. It was some time we were about 10 people from entering the store that the activation servers came up for them to get their bricked iPhone 2G's working again. The App store is a hit.<br /><br />The Cali crew were also a trip. There was a short <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">blond</span> in her mid-late 20's along with her brother, a former Marine and his wife. The short <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">blond</span> (I think was Amanda) was a loud chick. She was the mouth of our little group. The most interesting thing I learned in this group is how liked the white iPhone 3G 16GB was. They ate that one up. The Apple Store employees made their rounds in the line with some store demo units. The white one was sharp. I really laughed at it but there are plenty of takers out there for it. Apple Employee Josh sporting the navy blue employee shirt was kind to take our harassment, not answer our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">privileged</span> info seeking questions and show us some things.<br /><br />Side by Side the 3G iPhone killed the EDGE 2G iPhone in web page loads. It was a joke. Unless your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">wifi</span> is connected to a strong cable modem, 3G is a total <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">FTW</span>!! The Google Maps, GPS chip and triangulation were very accurate. I also found the location on the iPhone 2G to have improved vastly from just the 1.1.4 firmware. I specifically asked to hear the speakerphone, my #1 bitch about the first iPhone. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Unfortunately</span> his Demo enabled phone had no voice service but a video sounded nice and loud.<br /><br />Pipe let us know due to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">iTunes</span> activation portion of the purchasing process being down, that we would be able to buy our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">iPhones</span> but would have to complete at home with our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">iTunes</span> just like last year. To the tech <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">savy</span> group around me that was actually a win. The line crawled at least mentally until our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">admittance</span> into the store around 12:05.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SHgHR1vPwYI/AAAAAAAACBM/I7LMMQ4L3uQ/s1600-h/IMG_0497.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pYYzAyKgPgI/SHgHR1vPwYI/AAAAAAAACBM/I7LMMQ4L3uQ/s320/IMG_0497.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221931771000504706" border="0" /></a><br />The in-store buying process was somewhat straight forward. The only AT&T issue MANY of us in line had is that if you got a employee discount on your cell phone plan or your cell phone plan was associated with a discounted account (FAN) such as a school or military discount the Apple <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">POS</span> (point of sale) system would error with and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">IRU</span> account access error message from AT&T. This required a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">surprisingly</span> fast call to 611, AT&T removed the FAN, the Apple <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">POS</span> completed the sale in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">realtime</span> and I was off. The removal of the "discount" from almost <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">everyone's</span> affected AT&T account to complete the Apple sale was a non-issue. Everyone with a iPhone 2G already lost all their discounts last year so it was simply procedural. I will all out AT&T and Apple for an epic FAIL here though. They should have known the numbers of those class of customers going to Apple.<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">iTunes</span>/iPhone activation servers came back online around 3PM eastern and my activation process after that point was a non-issue. In my short time with the new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">HW</span>, the Google Maps tracking with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">gps</span> trip was awesome. I used it to take a new road to the Pizza joint My Place. It showed me as I drove along <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Newburg</span> Rd, E. Main and then finally onto Broad St. As I drove up Broad the "beating" blue dot tagged along and was only about 1/4 block behind my movement. Given this small test, I could see a turn by turn <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">gps</span> app for sure!<br /><br />Given all of the events of today iPhone related for me is was a big success. For Apple/AT&T some of the activation woes signal EPIC FAIL in my book until about 3PM when they got their act together. All in All it should have gone smoother and Apple / AT&T should take some shit for that. For me, this was a great experience and I am very glad that I took the time to "enjoy" the line and buy a launch day iPhone 3G.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8413512.post-38335383773192273772008-06-07T20:29:00.002-04:002008-06-07T20:30:54.779-04:00Twitter WhoreOMG. WTF. ROTFLMAO.<br /><div></div><br /><object width="425" height="349"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ALbH63Ali9U&hl=en&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ALbH63Ali9U&hl=en&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="349"></embed></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09347855868116764564noreply@blogger.com0