Apple iPhone 3G S Discussion

#121

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8/6/09 at 12:26pm

DaveF
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Thanks for the note, Ted. I hopped to DF to read the article. That was helpful; in posting my original comments on this issue, I already was hoping for clarification and elaboration on the issue.

I understand that this is not a concern to most people (just as I don't care about many social issues other have with various companies). But to me the censorship of resource materials is very bad; my interest in an iPhone evaporated after reading DF's first essay on the matter.

I'm encouraged by a positive and direct response from an Apple VP on this. I hope that this results in immediate retraining for their Reviewers and an ongoing meta-review of Review decisions. This response is still only words without actual actions.

I'm now back to wait and see for the iPhone. I need a major cellphone and PDA upgrade. The iPhone is the only game in town. But its game has a troubling element that's not yet resolved. But this response is encouraging.

#122

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8/10/09 at 7:17pm

DaveF
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Whoa.
I spent about a month addicted to Civ Rev on the 360. This is the first "real" game I've seen a review for on the iPhone (admittedly I don't track iPhone games), and I'm stunned they seem to have brought all of Civ Rev. The full game is a $20 or $40 on a console; $10 for the iPhone would be a no brainer.

#123

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8/10/09 at 10:14pm

Jimi C
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Well, I ended up having to buy a 3GS today after the iphone that I bought in 07' finally bricked. They told me that the battery was shot, which seems odd because it showed more than half full when it started to act up. It wouldnt connect to websites or any apps, I was still getting text messages but I figured I would reboot it to see if it would solve my internet problems. When I tried to turn it back on all I got was the black and grey apple logo. I tried for an hour to get it to reboot to no avail. I decided I to go to the AT&T store before It closed unsure what they would do for me. I didnt think I would be allowed to upgrade my phone til my contract was up but was happy to find out you just need to be 18 months in to do it. So, I got a black 32G 3GS. Unforunatly the thing I was most excited about was MMS texting. I didnt find out til I got home that Its STILL not possible. Even with an $800 phone and $110 monthly bill. Redonkulous.

#124

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8/11/09 at 3:00am

Ronald Epstein
Ronald Epstein
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Jim,

MMS texting should be available from AT&T in another month.

At least that was the speculated timeframe.

The problem is that with the popularity of the iPhone, AT&T has
been unable to upgrade its network as fast as the demand. I
realize this is a setback, but quite frankly, I don't expect Apple
to be remaining in bed with AT&T much longer.

Congrats on your new 3GS.

Ronald J Epstein
Home Theater Forum co-owner
Email me at: repstein@hometheaterforum.com
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#125

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8/11/09 at 5:48am

DaveF
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronald Epstein

... I don't expect Apple
to be remaining in bed with AT&T much longer.

Have you heard rumors beyond what's commonly speculated? I'm still trying to read the tea leaves on iPhone + Verizon.

#126

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8/11/09 at 5:51am

Ronald Epstein
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Nah, Dave, it's all still rumors, but the more you read from
these gadget sites the more can be speculated that the
current Apple/AT&T relationship is not particularly a happy
one. There are pretty substantial rumors that a tablet from
Apple is about to be announced with Internet access tied
to Verizon. If this is really the case, I think it lays the
foundation for a future iPhone/Verizon partnership.

Still very speculative at this point.

Ronald J Epstein
Home Theater Forum co-owner
Email me at: repstein@hometheaterforum.com
To View My Massive DVD Collection Click Here
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#127

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8/11/09 at 6:48am

Shane D
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im gonna have to find a wifi at lunch and get that civ game.
i play civilization iv on my computer all the time.

#128

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8/11/09 at 8:44am

DaveF
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronald Epstein

Nah, Dave, it's all still rumors, but the more you read from
these gadget sites the more can be speculated that the
current Apple/AT&T relationship is not particularly a happy
one. There are pretty substantial rumors that a tablet from
Apple is about to be announced with Internet access tied
to Verizon. If this is really the case, I think it lays the
foundation for a future iPhone/Verizon partnership.

Still very speculative at this point.

I keep hoping for a smoking gun rumor

Even if AT&T and Apple were blissful as newlyweds, it's obvious that the iPhone will eventually be available with Verizon. It's necessary to grow marketshare. If Apple is unhappy with AT&T, that may hasten the inevitable, but I don't think it changes anything substantial.

But so far every rumor about iPhone + Verizon has been wrong. And even if the iPhone Tablet + Verizon rumor is true, it's rumored to be six months off and a data-only device, no voice. So it doesn't really get us any closer to an iPhone on Verizon.

Despite comments elsewhere that "it's over" with AT&T and Apple, it looks like it will still take 12 to 24 months for Apple exit its exclusivity contract and go to another carrier. That's one or two generations in this sector; it's a whole iPhone lifetime away.

So I'll track the rumors, and wait for the real news, that Verizon gets an iPhone in the next 60 days, which I'll probably hear in 22 months

#129

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8/11/09 at 12:41pm

Ted Todorov
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I doubt there will be any smoking guns, one way or another, before the iTablet is released. If the iTablet comes with 3G service we will definitely know more. If it is WiFi only, the wait for info will likely continue.

And it never hurts to remind: the public statements from both Verizon and Apple have been "No CDMA iPhone ever". Could be a smokescreen, but it makes more sense to take them at their word (why would Verizon want to lie about it???) and thus the Verizon iPhone will be LTE (4G), meaning not before mid-late 2011 and probably not before 2012.

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#130

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8/11/09 at 12:52pm

Ted Todorov
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimi C

Unforunatly the thing I was most excited about was MMS texting. I didnt find out til I got home that Its STILL not possible. Even with an $800 phone and $110 monthly bill. Redonkulous.

FWIW, there is a working hack for MMS and Tethering with AT&T, neither one of which involves jailbraking. No personal experience, but if you are feeling brave: www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/17/enable-tethering-in-iphone-30/
Also, according to John Gruber, the 3.1 (beta) firmware closes the loophole. So if you do end up using it and depending on it, beware 3.1 when it is released (although one hopes that by then AT&T will have their house in order and release both officially). (Don't confuse the already released 3.0.1 with the still in development 3.1).

Hold on tightly, let go lightly.
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#131

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8/11/09 at 6:57pm

Jimi C
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They talked me into getting one of those clear protectors for it. I just applied it. It looks like crap and there were small cutouts that wrapped around the edges and they dont seem to want to stick on at all. I followed the instructions, made sure my hands were clean. Worked on a clean surface with a lot of light and as of right now it still looks like I failed miserably. Ill give it a few days to work itself out like the instructions say but im not to hopeful. I might be asking you guys the safest way to take this thing off in a few days. I never had any kind of case for my old iPhone and it really shows. Nearly two years of being in my pocket with my keys really took its toll. I have a few deep scratches even in the front glass.

#132

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8/12/09 at 10:45am

Ted Todorov
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimi C

I never had any kind of case for my old iPhone and it really shows. Nearly two years of being in my pocket with my keys really took its toll. I have a few deep scratches even in the front glass.

That's the one thing I always avoided -- keeping my iPhone in the same pocket as keys, change or other metal objects. Never had a case, the glass is totally scratch free 2+ years later (I'm still using it at home as HT remote.)

I haven't gotten a case for the 3GS either and don't intend to, ever. The cases are ugly & IMO pointless if you take proper care of your phone. They do offer some protection for accidental drops, but ultimately you could break the glass no matter what, so better to be careful then have a case.

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#133

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8/12/09 at 4:13pm

Oswald Pascual
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I am having a little trouble in clearing the cache emails.
Not Safari history or cookies, but cahed emails.

I sent an email and I typed in the wrong address,
now every time I type an email with that letter the wrong
email keeps coming up on the drop down list. Also if you
send an email to an address that is not on your contact
list it stores it somewhere since those are coming up also.

How do I clear those? It must be stored somewhere.
I can tell you deleting all the Safari cache and cookies
does not solve it. Doing a full restore with iTunes does
not solve it either. After doing a bit of google work I see
this question has been coming and nobody really know's
the answer either. I was hoping one of our in house experts
might.

Edited by Oswald Pascual - 8/13/2009 at 06:46 am GMT
Edited by Oswald Pascual - 8/13/2009 at 05:41 pm GMT

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#134

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8/12/09 at 4:13pm

TonyD
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ted what app are you using to control your ht?
or are you using a htpc remote app?

#135

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8/13/09 at 5:07am

Ted Todorov
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Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyD

ted what app are you using to control your ht?
or are you using a htpc remote app?

I have a Mac based HTPC. I mostly use Snatch (for EyeTV, Front Row and its mouse/keyboard for everything else), Apple Remote for iTunes music/podcasts.

I am impatiently waiting for iPhone based IR universal remote. So far this the only (non-vaporware) fish in the sea www.tinbert.com/iRed2/iRedTouch but I haven't rushed out to get it because the IR translator doesn't attach to the iPhone, thus I would need two of them to control components in different rooms. Plus I haven't seen a single review from a trusted source, they don't even mention that they have tested with Denon or Toshiba components and thus there is no way I am spending $160 (minimum) on that basis. However, any brave souls wishing to try it -- please do and report!

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#136

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8/14/09 at 9:26pm

Sam Posten
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Dammit =(
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kadath/3821701007/

A frigging 18 inch fall onto carpet and this....

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#137

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8/14/09 at 10:35pm

DavidJ
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Posten

Dammit =(
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kadath/3821701007/

A frigging 18 inch fall onto carpet and this....

That sucks. Sorry man.

#138

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8/14/09 at 10:38pm

Jimi C
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Are you serious? A foot and a half onto carpet? I dropped my first gen phone down an entire flight of bare wood stairs onto a concrete floor and it hardly left a mark. I dropped it dozens if not hundreds of times and it's death was the result of a weak battery.

Oh, btw. I got my old phone to work. Thanks a lot at&t for all the help with that.

All I had to do was hold down the home button while plugging in the usb cable. 15 minutes later it was restored.
Edited by Jimi C - 8/15/2009 at 05:52 am GMT

#139

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8/15/09 at 1:54am

Adam Gregorich
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Sam You sure you didn't download the cracked screen app from iTunes store?

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#140

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8/15/09 at 6:19am

DaveF
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Sam, sorry to see that photo. What kind of concrete-fiber carpet do you have that destroys iPhones??? I've never seen such a thing.

And I was sorry to read that you were stepping away from HTF. Good luck on the flip side.

#141

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8/15/09 at 7:35am

Christian Behrens
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The good news is that it is actually possible to replace the broken digitizer yourself (the screen itself is still fine). The part can be had off eBay for less than $40 bucks, and with some patience and the right tools like a suction cup it's definitely doable. I did it for my bosses iPhone 3G, who also dropped it on the carpet in his office and cracked the digitizer.

-Christian

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." (Benjamin Franklin)

#142

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8/15/09 at 11:45am

Sam Posten
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Can't get into specifics but I will say I'm back home with my original 3gs and Apple handled this out of warranty damage to my extreme satisfaction. As for me and HTF I'm still grumbling on a few things but I find it hard to quit this board despite it's problems.

Thanks for all the support for those who sent it.

Sam
Edited by Sam Posten - 8/16/2009 at 12:41 am GMT

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#143

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8/22/09 at 8:40am

Sam Posten
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Grubers allegory on app store reviews:
http://daringfireball.net/linked/2009/08/22/lucy-app-store

Blog: Navesink.net - My Flickr Stream is here - Click here to Email me - Updates at Twitter & FriendFeed
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#144

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8/22/09 at 8:43am

Sam Posten
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Deep linking to App Store products just got easier!
http://twitter.com/nsxdavid/status/3466495471

Now where the hell is Geodefense STORM Apple????

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#145

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8/22/09 at 2:01pm

DaveF
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Reviewers average 6 min / app. I guess it's a good problem to have: far more business than anyone predicted expected.

What amazes me is that Palm is following the same approach: email them your app for hand review.

#146

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8/23/09 at 12:49am

Ted Todorov
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Report from Italy -- the iPhone is absurdly fast given a good network -- they have a 7.2mbps 3G network here and the thing just flies. You can see one reason Apple didn't want EVDO CDMA, which AFAIK isn't capable of this even in theory.
Edited by Ted Todorov - 8/23/09 at 9:50am

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#147

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8/23/09 at 12:56am

Ted Todorov
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Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveF

What amazes me is that Palm is following the same approach: email them your app for hand review.

Their system will work just fine with more reviewers than apps

But seriously, it is the best system anyone has thought up yet. WinMO tried the free approach -- that didn't work too well. Android reviews stuff too -- they ban VOIP apps over 3G for instance. Apple needs to hire 10X the reviewers. They can afford it. Problem solved, for now anyway.

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#148

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8/23/09 at 9:14am

DaveF
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Todorov

Their system will work just fine with more reviewers than apps

But seriously, it is the best system anyone has thought up yet.

Palm had a better system: Users can buy and buy software from vendor and third-party sites, install it themselves without hassle.

I think Apple should keep the appStore, but also allow independent sales and installations of apps. Vendors can use both options. If the appStore provides value to the customers and to the developers, it will remain successful, even win out.

#149

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8/23/09 at 2:24pm

Ted Todorov
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Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveF

Palm had a better system: Users can buy and buy software from vendor and third-party sites, install it themselves without hassle.

I think Apple should keep the appStore, but also allow independent sales and installations of apps. Vendors can use both options. If the appStore provides value to the customers and to the developers, it will remain successful, even win out.

Such a system already exists -- it is called Cydia and works on jailbroken phones. Apple hates it, not just because of their control freak nature. They hate it because a large percentage of their iPhone support calls and face to face appointments turn out to be due to poorly written apps hosing jailbroken iPhones.

Personally I have a HUGE problem with the fact that Apple doesn't sell factory unlocked phones in the US. I have no problem with them controlling all apps through the iTunes store, though clearly I think the approval process can be vastly improved. See wilshipley.com for a wonderful suggestion on how it should work. I do not regard the old Palm system or the current WinMo system as in any way superior. Old Palm is dead and WinMo is dying for a reason. Once a novice user encounters a bunch of bad apps, they get turned off to the whole concept. Bad apps hosing your device give the device a bad rep.

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#150

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8/23/09 at 3:37pm

DaveF
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It's a pity Apple won't take some cues from the hacker underground.

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