| | Father, husband, geek, entrepreneur, creator. |
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| | | I came across something that is apparently being overlooked by the Windows based Thunderbird community. If you don't know, Thunderbird is a cross-platform, open source, feature rich email client.
Windows isn't quite a first class citizen with Apple's MobileMe (yet), but it is a lot closer than it was when the service was known as .Mac. With MobileMe on Windows you can sync your MobileMe Address book with the Windows Address Book, which is used by Outlook Express. If you tell Thunderbird to use Outlook Express' Address Book as a source for contacts (LDAP), any changes you make to those contacts get pushed back to MobileMe and subsequently to your iPhone and other devices (including your Macs. ;-)
There you have it. Sneaky, but it works. MobileMe meet Thunderbird. | |  |
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| | | | I've been looking for a decent pair of over the ear headphones - with a mic - for my iPhone. The closest I'd come is the Bose® Mobile On-Ear Headset - but they aren't over the ear - and they're a bit pricey compared to desktop headsets at $200.
When the iPhone 3G was released, I grew even more impatient and decided to try and make my own. I'm an old school tinkerer, so the thought of ripping apart an old pair of iPhone headphones for the plug didn't bother me in the slightest. I found the Creative Fatal1ty Professional Series Gaming Headset at Circuity City for $50 - a reasonable price for a test. A free plug and $50 is a lot better than $200.
So I ripped the plug off of the iPhone headset, and cut the plugs (2 3.5mm jacks, one stereo, one mic) off of the Fatal1ty headset. The wires looked like they mapped perfectly, so I twisted the wires together and plugged it in. Guess what I heard? Nothing. It turns out tech has advanced a bit since the last time I played with headphone wires. That was game over for me, and so began the search for someone that knows what they're doing.
I sent an email to a group of people I trust and received 13 referrals, and 3 volunteers. One of the guys that wanted to give it a shot was Ben Brightwell from SocialThing. It turns out he had all of the tools (minus the shrink wrap) handy. My wife is crafty and had a heat gun for the shrink wrap.
After figuring out the proper solder to use and which wires went to what, we were ready to test. I plugged the modified headset into my iPhone, found a good track to test with (Nine Inch Nails of course) and guess what I heard? Nine Inch Nails!
We tested the inline volume control and it worked. I gave Ben's phone a call to test the mic, and on the second try it worked! The first time failed because I hadn't plugged the mic into the headset properly.
Long story short, I'm listening to Security Now through a Creative Fatal1ty Professional Series Gaming Headset, adapted for an iPhone. Life is good.
Here are a couple of pictures from the project:
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| | | | The short answer? Yes. The iPhone will tether, and not just the 3G iPhone, the 1st gen iPhone will tether too.
Setting up tethering with the iPhone is a bit technical, but I think you can handle it. The instructions below don't mention creating a new location in the network settings for this purpose, but I highly recommend it. I have several locations, each with a specific use. For example, I have a home location that uses a static IP to get around the Leopard DNS issues (pokey lookups). I have several locations with static IPs for the same reason, actually. Anyway, I recommend that you set up a new location with just the AirPort interface in it, named something creative like "Tether." When you want to tether, switch to that location, and if you have problems you'll be assured that other interface settings aren't interfering.
The application is $9.99 and can be found here: NetShare. Appropriately, some of the commenters in the App store suggest that you keep an eye on your usage as AT&T has a ceiling on the "unlimited" bandwidth plan.
The simple instructions for Mac users on Leopard are here: Macrumors.
Let me know if you need help. I'll do what I can. | | |
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| | | | On Thursday July 31, 2008 Apple released iTunes 7.7.1 - which fixes bugs and improves performance. But wait, there's more.
Upon further inspection of the strings in iTunes, I noticed a cool new setting available in the hidden preferences. If you had used my instructions for setting DeviceBackupsDisabled, the option to back your iPhone up at all was gone. Even from the contextual menu on the device itself in iTunes.
It looks like some iTunes engineers agree that the iTunes iPhone backup process still takes to long, but they want to be sure that you can still backup your devices if you use these hidden preferences. Enter: AutomaticDeviceBackupsDisabled. This too is a boolean value, but leaves the option to manually backup your device in the contextual menu. Excellent.
Here are the new instructions for disabling automatic device backups in iTunes 7.7.1. I wasn't able to locate a way to set this with the iTunes GUI, so I'm providing instructions for the command line again.
This command will change a hidden setting in the iTunes preferences that will force it to skip the automatic backup process, leaving the option for manual backups.
1. - Quit iTunes.
2. - Open Terminal.app
3. - Copy and paste this in, then hit return: defaults write com.apple.iTunes AutomaticDeviceBackupsDisabled -bool true
4. - Copy and paste this in, then hit return: defaults write com.apple.iTunes DeviceBackupsDisabled -bool false
5. - Open iTunes
6. - Plug in your iPhone (2.0 or 3G) and sync.
The iPhone sync will take a few seconds, assuming you don't have a ton of music or podcasts. Changing the 'true' in step 3 to 'false' will re-enable the automatic backup feature.
Let me know if you have any problems with this. Please Digg this if it works for you. Everyone needs to know about this new feature. | | |
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| | | | With the release of iTunes 7.7.1, Apple has acknowledged that the backup process takes too long. See my new/updated post for iTunes 7.7.1 users.
While I understand that some people like the idea of having a backup of everything on their phone, I'm comfortable knowing that I have backups of all of my important data elsewhere. I use MobileMe for OTA (over the air) syncing, and I have Time Machine running whenever I connect to my wireless network. Text messages, and other stuff on the iPhone just aren't all that important to me.
With the introduction of the iPhone 2.0 software and the 3G iPhone, the backup process can take a long time. People have suggested that the time it takes is dependent on the number of applications you've installed from the App Store. I have 30, and it takes forever. My friend Bracken has 4 and it took seconds.
I found a way (using the strings command in the terminal) to disable the backup function. This means that YOUR PHONE IS NOT GOING TO GET BACKED UP. Let me repeat that. If you do what I list below, YOUR PHONE WILL NOT GET BACKED UP.
This command will change a hidden setting in the iTunes preferences that will force it to skip the backup process.
1. - Quit iTunes.
2. - Open Terminal.app
3. - Copy and paste this in, then hit return:
defaults write com.apple.iTunes DeviceBackupsDisabled -bool true
4. - Open iTunes
5. - Plug in your iPhone (2.0 or 3G) and sync.
It will take a few seconds, assuming you don't have a ton of music or podcasts.
Changing the 'true' in step 3 to 'false' will re-enable the backup feature.
Let me know how it goes by leaving a comment here. I will not be held responsible if your phone takes a crap and you have no backup. :)
Enjoy! | | |
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| | | | I've been asked a number of times what my favorite iPhone apps are, and rather than telling everyone over and over, I thought I'd just share them here.
1 - Google Reader - Web App
This is the only item in the list that isn't actually an application. I'm aware of exactly one RSS reader that will use Google Reader as a source on the iPhone. While I'd love to list it as a favorite, it is really short on features. The author has promised a far better release at the end of the month. Until then my favorite RSS reader (made for iPhone) is still Google Reader. It stays perfectly in sync on my phone and desktops (platform independent) and ties to my Friendfeed as I share items.
2 - Twitteriffic
I may have 15 applications open on my computer at any given time, and one that is consistently open is Thwirl. What that means more than anything is that Twitter has become a very important part of my communications world. Since there is no Twhirl for iPhone (yet), I've had to try other things. Twinkle is fine, and was the best on a jailbroken phone, but things have changed. I'm not at all a fan of the colors, or the foul sounds in Twinkle. Neither of them can claim stability, but I pick Twitteriffic FTW! For those that care, I bought it for $9.99.
3 - Loopt
Location based services are a huge business. In Boulder we have Brightkite, but they have yet to release an iPhone version. If they had, there are enough users in the area to make it quite useful. As it is, many of my friends are now on Loopt making it my winner. I use it a bit differently than most in that I leave the update text to "Loopt update" then just have it update my location when I open the app. I'll leave Twitter to do what Twitter does best. On a side note, I've heard that Facebook and MySpace are integrating location based services soon. When that happens, it is likely that all of the players around now will quickly disappear. Everyone I care about is on Facebook, so I'll have no reason to use anything else. Get on it Facebook!
4 - Evernote
Until the iPhone 2.0 software was released, I had been using Google Docs for all of my "cloud" word processing. Now I have Evernote which has the advantage of having stand alone applications for Mac and Windows, as well as the web interface for portability. The iPhone app isn't simple read access - but provides full on editing too! The best thing of all, is that they all stay perfectly in sync from environment to environment. This entry was written using Evernote on my laptop.
5 - AOL Radio
Many of you love Pandora, but I' have yet to create an account (no name calling please). While this app isn't something I use a lot, I listed it here because it really is a game changer. This, combined with apps like Pandora and Last.fm are changing what "radio" means. Having these things in your car in a useful way was unheard of two weeks ago. Today, all of my friends are tweeting about it. Watch out old media. Oh, I almost forgot, AOL Radio uses Location Services to find streaming terrestrial radio around you. It works on EDGE, 3G, and of course WIFI.
Here are other cool iPhone apps that I didn't list: Facebook (super interface to Facebook), Remote (a great replacement remote for the AppleTV that give you a "real" keyboard or interacting with the AppleTV), Mocha VNC Lite (for controlling other computers remotely), Movies.app (for finding movies and details near you), Trism (an interesting accelerometer aware chicklet game), and Restaurant Nutrition (nutrition information on several of the more popular restaurants.
In addition, here are a few great iPhone/mobile formatted web apps that I use all the time: Calorie King/The Daily Plate (for finding nutrition information on just about anything. I use these *in line* while ordering), Amazon (duh), Powerset (searches Wikipedia and formats the results perfectly), and Seeqpod (for finding and listening to music on the fly. It isn't peer to peer, or made for pirating music). | | |
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| | | | On Thursday, July 10th, like many other enthusiastic iPhone owners, I upgraded my 1st generation iPhone to the "leaked" 2.0 software. It was a blast, and I spent the entire day playing with the new features and the amazing apps that I suddenly had access to without jailbreaking.
Now I'm the proud owner of a 16GB white 3G iPhone, and I love it. I'd always planned on giving my first generation phone to my wife for use on T-Mobile, then we'd hand hers down to our son for games (he's 4, and doesn't need an active phone line!). Her iPhone has been on T-Mobile for quite a while thanks to ZiPhone (it took about 45 seconds).
Since the jailbreak and unlock for the 2.0 software hasn't been published yet, I decided to downgrade the iPhone back to 1.1.4, then run ZiPhone on it again and be done with it. As simple as it sounds, it certainly wasn't simple in execution. It would jailbreak, but would never actually unlock! There were lists and lists of instructions for this all over the net for downgrading. I spent hours (from 9:30PM to 2:45AM) trying everything. I even spent a few hours the next morning on it... until I found the answer. Hopefully this insight will prove useful to you.
The software you'll need: I used iTunes 7.7 -others may work, ZiPhone, KiPhone: Mac|Windows, and iPhone 1.1.4 software.
How to downgrade from 2.0 to 1.1.4 AND downgrade the baseband to a version that can be unlocked:
Step 1 Open iTunes, and connect your iPhone
Step 2 Hold the (on Mac, use Option, Windows, use Shift) key and click "Restore"
Step 3 Find the firmware you downloaded, click "Open"
Step 4 After that process finishes, open ZiPhone
Step 5 Click the "Unlock, Jailbreak, and Activate" button
Step 6 Follow these instructions for KiPhone but come right back, ignore the other content :)
Step 7 Repeat Step 2 through 5.
Step 8 Enjoy 1.1.4 | | |
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| | | | I've been working from coffee shops and cafes for more than 15 years and I'd like to share some tips that may make your experience much better. If you have other tips or suggestions, add a comment, and I'll post a follow up entry soon.
Bring the power - I carry two very useful power options. First is the three outlet surge protected expander. It turns one plug into three, and provides a little protection as a side benefit. Is the power outlet you're closest to full? No problem: "Excuse me, do you mind if I plug this in so we can both have power? Thanks!"
Another indispensable tool is the grounded three plug extension cord. It sounds like a bit much, but I can't tell you how valuable it has become. Want to sit outside, but the power outlet isn't in a convenient place? No problem. Want to sit inside, but the only power outlet is right next to the bathroom? No problem.
Hovering - As you become familiar with your cafes, you'll undoubtedly find that some tables are better than others. I use a technique called hovering. Hovering is when you move tables strategically to get a better table. The target may have power, or may be in an advantageous location, who knows, but you need to be there. The tactic is simple: as tables become available closer to the target table, move to them. Then, as soon as the current occupant starts packing up, don't hesitate to ask if you can move in. This strategy is particularly useful in busy work spots where availability is tight.
The "locals" - If you're like me, you go to a coffee shop to avoid interruptions. Sure the place may be noisy but you can ignore all of that and focus like nowhere else. The bottom line is that interruptions (for me) void the whole point of remote working. Try to avoid meeting the other regulars at your favorite shops. That may sound like an introvert's practice, but in this case it is very useful. Imagine what would happen if you met just 5 of the other regulars in the place... you'd spend the first hour catching up on their son's soccer stats. Avoid the locals like the plague.
The staff - You'll want to take the opposite approach to the staff. Pick a couple of favorites, then get to know them well. I try to leave those relationships in the store however, as mixing them with your life outside could lead to interruptions on their breaks. Establishing a good relationship with the staff ensures free refills, extra shots, inside news, and all sorts of other cool stuff.
Buy the internet - If your goal is to have lots of potential - and reliable - locations, make an investment in a paid WIFI option. Sure free WIFI works but in my many years of experience it just isn't as reliable. Pay the $19.95 to AT&T and gain access to 71,000 options. As a bonus, if you have DSL with AT&T, it is only $9.95, and FREE under certain conditions.
Walk away - I've found that I have a tendency to sit in one place for hours at a time. That can't be good for you, so I recommend getting up every two hours or so and taking a break. While this isn't cafe warrior specific, it is more important for us. The chairs aren't built for marathon sitting sessions, and moving around keeps the blood flowing and the thought process sharp. | | |
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| | | | I've been AFK for quite a while, focusing my work time on HyperSites exclusively. It is better than ever as a result... but now it is time to spend my off hours building my passion.
My passion is called Social Ingenuity. It is a huge project that centers directly in the social networking space. It has a few fundamental differences compared to most of what we're seeing in this space. First and foremost, it will allow people to leverage their social networks to build companies.
Social Ingenuity is so big in fact, that I've come up with a great way to get started slowly. Rather than try to build a monster application to support the company, I'm going to start it locally. This will allow us to find great talent to start the global version properly.
I'll have more news soon, but if your curiosity has been piqued, have a look at Social Ingenuity. Ping me with questions.
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| | | | My wife and I were up late this past Saturday night when a horribly produced commercial came on. It had a green background and some random person chanting nonsense about Ministry. See for yourself on Ministry's YouTube channel: The Last Sucker
I have lots of music from Ministry, but none in my current listening ecosystem. I haven't listened to music much at all since Podcasts became usable. But I was curious... what does Al sound like these days?
Here's the process I used to find out:
1. Pull iPhone out of pocket.
2. Click iTunes.
3. Search for Ministry.
4. Listen to 30 second previews of new music.
Total time invested? 2 minutes. Unbelievable. | | |
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© 2025 Michael Sitarzewski. All rights reserved. | |
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