If you haven’t upgraded to iOS4, this app will allow you to access multiple Microsoft Exchange accounts on your iPhone, keeping your work and personal email and calendar info etc. always at hand. Here’s Cult of Mac’s how-to guide to getting started using the AddExchange application which allows you to add multiple Exchange accounts available from Cydia.
The iPhone, as Steve Jobs pointed out in his 4.0 keynote, currently has the best implementation of Copy/Paste feature of all smartphone platforms. However, it still does lack some feature like a history of the clips you’ve copied, web search for selected text, etc. If you add a Cydia app called Action Menu Plus Pack, which retails for $2.99, you can easily add those as well. Here’s Cult of Mac’s how-to guide for installing and using the app.
From the earliest iPhone and iPod Touch models, Apple opted to disable OBEX — aka Bluetooth file transfers on its devices for security reasons. Now, thanks to iBlueNova, a Cydia app well worth the $5.99 price tag, you can transfer files — music, pics, etc., — to and from your iDevices. Here’s Cult of Mac’s how-to guide to get you started.
Thanks to iOS4, Apple now offers its own solution for switching between applications. If you’re using an older operating system, try this method for getting some multi-tasking on your Apple device using the handy ‘ProSwitcher’ app, which gets the job done using minimal memory to keep your device speedy as you pause that epic game to check out the weather.
UPDATE: I was initially a little surprised by the vociferous reaction to this post about installing Installous, an unofficial App Store for pirated apps. The instructions are a quick Google search away and we’re hardly the first to publish an Installous how-to.
I guess we raised a few red flags — like putting “How To Pirate Apps” in the headline and including a half-hearted disclaimer. The intent was for it to be part of a comprehensive Jailbreaking Superguide that deals with all the things people want to do when they jailbreak their devices, including playing around with Installous.
The intent for the Superguide is to be straightforward and frank — a one-stop shop for everything people want to know about jailbreaking. We don’t condone piracy, but it’s a fact that a lot of people jailbreak their devices to experiment with things like Installous. I find it dishonest and hypocritical when publications skirt around issues like this; like publishing BitTorrent guides and pretending that no one’s going to download a pirated movie.
However, it’s obviously disingenuous to say we condemn piracy in a post that shows readers how to pirate software. Personally, I’ve always believed publishing information is one thing and acting on that information is another. I’ve always liked publications that informed me about things we’re not supposed to do. I can then make my own moral decision whether to act on that information or not.
But while pirating is something people indisputably do when jailbreaking, it was a misstep for us to actually include a comprehensive DIY. Whatever our intentions, it teeters on advocacy, and was thoughtlessly disrespectful to the many app developers out there who make their livings off of programs we admire and think people should pay for.
As our readers have pointed out in comments and on Twitter, we crossed a line here. CultofMac.com isn’t some modern-day Anarchist Cookbook. We support developers and enjoy their many wonderful creations. Saying there are ways out there to install cracked apps is one thing, showing people how to do it is another.
So my apologies to readers for misjudging this, and to developers for being insensitive and opportunistic.
Also, please don’t attack the author, Sayam. This was my idea, not his. He’s a freelance writer and I commissioned him to write it, so please don’t be mean to him.
— Leander.
PS: The BitTorrent link to “pirate” copies of my Cult of Mac book posted in the comments is actually a publisher-sanctioned seed. No Starch Press turned it into an e-book and seeded it. So please help yourself, it’s free and legal.
See TorrentFreak: Publisher Posts Mac Books on The Pirate Bay
Although the Cydia app offers an extensive soup-to-nuts package, every once in awhile you might find it useful to add a source to the ones already available. Here’s Cult of Mac’s guide on how to add a source to Cydia.
I just got a call from Apple’s PR department to discuss today’s historical DMCA exception ruling that makes iPhone jailbreaking legal.
Unfortunately, because of the legal issues involved, the Apple spokeswoman would only provide me with the following statement on the record:
“Apple’s goal has always been to insure that our customers have a great experience with their iPhone and we know that jailbreaking can severely degrade the experience. As we’ve said before, the vast majority of customers do not jailbreak their iPhones as this can violate the warranty and can cause the iPhone to become unstable and not work reliably.”
Got a spare $170,000 lying around? If so, UK jeweler Stuart Hughes will sell you an iPad covered in solid gold that weighs a hefty 5.5lbs.
The 64GB 3G iPad is covered in 2.5 kilograms of solid 24ct gold. “A magnificent combination of top of the industry technology and unrivalled craftsmanship was involved in creating this masterpiece,” the jeweler says. The iPad will be limited to 25 units.
Stuart Hughes sells a bunch of other blinged-up gizmos, including a $33,000 iPhone 4 covered in 150 grams of 24ct gold. It’s a 32GB model without a SIM lock. The gold doubles its weight to about 290 grams. It includes a hand-finished wallet made from Ostrich foot.
No word on whether the gold improves reception, but investing in gold has never been hotter.
Back in the day the entertainment industry tried to stop consumers from videotaping TV shows to watch at a later time. But the courts and Congress said taping TV shows is a non-infringing use of copyrighted works: it is “fair use.”
Now, the Copyright Office has determined that Apple locking the iPhone to prevent it running unapproved apps is an unfair restriction on consumers’ fair use rights.
Consumers should be allowed to jailbreak their iPhones and install whatever applications they like: not just those approved by Apple. Unlocking your iPhone to install non-approved apps is a legal exemption to the DMCA, the Copyright Office has just ruled.
To reach this conclusion, the Copyright Office applied the four famous “fair use factors” to the case:
Now that the US Copyright Office has ruled that jailbreaking your phone is not a violation of the DMCA, you can go ahead an tinker without crossing over to the wrong side of the law.
Tell us whether you will jailbreak your iPhone now or not and why in the comments.
We kick off another week of deals with a bargain on MacBooks. The Apple Store has a number of unibody MacBooks starting at $929 for a 2.26GHz unit. There is also an 8GB iPod touch for just $149. Lastly, to keep track of all those apps you are accumulating on your touch or iPhone is “App Chest” for the Mac, an application tracker and license managing software.
As usual, details on these and many other items (such as a USB adapter for your MacBook Air) can be found at CoM’s “Daily Deals” page right after the jump.
Many of the most vocal critics of jailbreaking — a group which includes Apple itself — have been quick in the past to cite the fact that hacking your smartphone is a violation of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act, and thus illegal.
It wasn’t a bad argument, all things considered, but if you’re used to relying on it, you’re going to have to ditch it: the Copyright Office has just issued a new set of exemptions to the DMCA, making jailbreaking and unlocking your iPhone officially legal.
The iPad has been called magical, but now it’s also mystical: at least one priest has used the latest and greatest Apple device to say holy mass.
A Catholic priest in Italy recently employed an iPad to perform an outdoor mass in the place of a heavy bible.
Many of you waited about 5 hours in line just to get your hands on the latest and greatest installment of the Apple consumer electronics dominance: the iPhone 4. You also had to sign your life away for another 2 year contract with AT&T, unless you’ve got the big bucks and paid for one without the contract. Apple is nice enough to cover the iPhones for a fairly hassle-free 1 year manufacturer’s warranty, but we all know that a lot of issues come up in the year after that and AppleCare doesn’t cover your phone for accidental issues. A lot of you have probably ALREADY dropped your iPhone or spilled beer on it. SquareTrade is a quality third-party warranty company that offers extended warranties for just about every consumer electronic you can think of! We got your back when it comes to taking care of your precious iPhone, and SquareTrade has offered to give away 2 FREE Extended Warranty plans for the iPhone 4 to two of our lucky Cult of Mac readers! Each warranty retails at $99! SquareTrade is a legit independent warranty company. They’ve been around since 1999, and it’s the only warranty that’s consistently been rated 5 stars! They’ll cover your phone from drops, spills, and normal use defects for 2 years! Click here for more details about the warranty. Here’s how to be entered into the giveaway:
I love @CultofMac and @SquareTrade because they got my back with my new #iPhone4 #cultofmac
Make sure you include the #cultofmac hash tag or we won’t be able to see if you tweeted the special message. Good luck!
Giveaway Terms: You must be 18 years old to enter. Giveaway is only open to people living in the United States. No purchase is necessary to enter the giveaway. This giveaway is void where prohibited. Giveaway will end at 11:59pm PST tonight. We will not accept any entries after that time. Winners will be notified tomorrow, July 27th through Twitter.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkB9vQDY3eU&feature=player_embedded
The sad fact of the matter is we’re never going to see the release of the long fabled iControlPad iPhone case, which would allow you to add a D-Pad and physical buttons to your phone.
For us jailbroken retro-gamers with an affinity for emulation, that’s pretty sad, but maybe there’s hopes: the iPhone Game Pad has now come along, adding the same functionality to the iPhone.
Unfortunately, right now, it only works with the original iPhone, with 3G and 3GS support coming soon. Double unfortunate is that, as usual, this seemingly wonderful product isn’t in the shipping phase, with its creators now looking for a manufacturing partner.
Granted, it’s understandable why iPhone accessory manufacturers both wouldn’t and couldn’t sell an accessory that depends on jailbreaking, especially if they want to keep a good relationship with Apple. Still, I hope someday one of these iPhone control pad projects gets off the ground: there’s plenty of iPhone gamers out there who miss the tactility of physical buttons underneath our thumbs.
Harking back to a time when Lost‘s mysteries had not been explained away with the MacGuffin of a stupid magic light, the original Dharma Initiative Apple II Plus computer used in the Pearl Station to release electromagnetic radiation every 108 minutes way back in Season Two is soon to go on sale.
If you’re interested in picking up this bit of Apple-centric television history, it’ll be auctioned off on August 21st. If you win, don’t worry about typing in the numbers: like everything in Lost, failure to follow the rules set down by the show’s creators will ultimately have no consequence whatsoever.
Samsung isn’t the first smartphone maker to try to capitalize on the iPhone 4 antenna issues, but they are the only one who stand to directly benefit from Apple’s latest handset’s success.
That’s what makes a recent campaign by Samsung USA so curious. They have begun giving away free Samsung Galaxy S Series smartphones to Brit’s complaining about their iPhone 4 on Twitter.
What’s so odd here is that Samsung makes an estimated $2 billion a year supplying components to Apple for sale in the iPhone. In fact, as 9to5Mac notes, they make $50 for every 16GB iPhone sold, and $75 on every 32GB iPhone sold.
In other words, Samsung’s playing the strange game of competing against itself: stressing the iPhone 4 antenna issue in order to get some free publicity for its own series of handsets, even while profiting directly from every iPhone 4 sold. It’s hard to tell whether or not this is win-win or lose-lose.
Your average digicam already takes care of almost every step of the photographic process for you. From selecting an ISO, to autofocus, to opening the aperture, to adjusting the shutter sped, today’s digicam is truly an idiot-proof affair… providing said idiot is trying to take pictures of it, as opposed to, say, eating it.
Unfortunately, while the hardware is streamlined enough that any swollen-tongued moron can use it, photographic composition itself is still very much thwartable by the dumb and untrained.
Enter the prototypical Nadia digicam, which eschews an LCD live view display for a simple read-out gauging a photograph’s composition against its own programmed aesthetic beliefs in percentage form.
Inside, there’s a Nokia N73 cellphone, communicating with a Mac via Bluetooth, which is in turn running an “aesthetic inference engine” linked to Acquine. Unfortunately, Acquine’s aesthetic taste seems pretty questionable: Goatse.cx (Wikipedia link, work safe) scored an astonishing 67.5%, for example, while a photo of the Nadia itself scores a paltry 32.5%.
Still, the theory’s sound. After all, digicams already do everything short of telling you if your shot is good, and they already boast every other software feature under the sun in the ongoing quest for brand differentiation. Why stop there?
[via Gadget Lab]
Again jabbing their paint coated thumbs right into poor Jonny Ive’s vitreous jelly comes rig pantone outfit Colorware, who are now prepared to slather your gorgeously designed aluminum unibody Mac mini in whatever garish, classless color scheme of your heart’s choosing.
The service costs $250, which is pretty cheap given how much they charge for a custom-colored iPad, but still a lot more expensive than a can of spray paint and some masking tape. For $1000, you don’t even have to mail them your own hardware: they’ll just send you a Mac mini in the colors of your choosing.
Me, I prefer the Mac mini’s gorgeous design as it is naturally, before it was dipped in a vat of Manic Panic. Pig in lipstick is the wrong analogy: it’s more like a supermodel drowned in a vat of the stuff. Your mileage may well vary.
If you’re living in one of the many international countries yet to experience the iPhone 4’s transcendent Retina Display, futuristic FaceTime capability or the infamous Death Grip, good news: Apple has just announced that they will be shipping iPhone 4s to 17 more countries this Friday.
The second-tier first-worlders who can expect to get the iPhone 4 are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Launch day? July 30th. We can’t wait to see the iPhone 4 waiting line photos from far more exotic climes.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDj_Q2HuhPw&feature=player_embedded
Although there are already quite a few iOS 4 jailbreaks out there, they don’t work on some devices like the third generation iPod Touch (MC), and — of course — the veritable iPhone 4.
The good news, of course, is that the indefatigable Dev Team is already hard at work on a new jailbreak that will support all iDevices under iOS 4.0.1, including the iPhone 4.
The new jailbreak will be very much like the 3.1.3 ‘Spirit’ jailbreak. Unfortunately, though, it’s not quite ready for prime time.
According to the Twitter feed of one of the most vocal members of the Dev Team, their iOS 4.0.1 jailbreak has been delayed because of issues with FaceTime on jailbroken devices, noting there’s no point in releasing a half-assed jailbreak if some of the best new features don’t work entirely right.
Rest assured, though: a jailbreak for the iPhone 4 is coming. It’s just a matter of patience.
As we reported on Friday, Apple seems to be unsure of itself when it came to promising swift delivery of free iPhone 4 bumpers.
In Leander’s case, his free iPhone 4 bumper won’t ship until August 27th, and delivery was slated for September 1st.
Luckily, it looks like Apple was erring on the side of caution when it comes to delivery dates: a few readers have emailed us, saying that while their original estimated delivery date was closer to Leander’s, they have already received word that their free bumpers have shipped, well over a month before originally promised.
Personally, I was pretty understanding about Apple having shipping delays: this iPhone 4 antenna issue clearly took them by surprise, and organizing and shipping out millions of free cases on such short notice is a difficult logistic problem. Good on Cupertino for getting things done more quickly.
Anyone else gotten an email saying their bumper’s on the way?
If you woke up this morning ready to pull the trigger on that long-lusted for Mac Pro, here’s some counter-intuitive good news for you: it’s currently “unavailable” for purchase at both the Apple Store and many retail stores around the United States.
This is good news, trust us. Apple pulling an item from inventory usually signifies an imminent hardware refresh, and rumors have been swirling for the last few days about what the next MacPro might have going for it.
What does the scuttlebutt have to say for itself Try a USB 3.0 capable Mac Pro with FireWire 1600 (or even 3200) ports, and — in all likelihood — a couple of Intel Core i7 processors.
We’ll keep readers informed if and when new Mac Pros go on sale. We’re certainly hopeful that any new Mac Pro update will hearken a company-wide adoption of the faster USB and — in Pro-level computers — FireWire processors.
[via Mac Rumors]
MacRumors have picked up on some claims this morning by Mac4Ever that give details on Apple’s next update to the iLife suite.
It’s rumored that the update will happen on August 7th, 2010, and will introduce a whole host of new features including a new “mystery” application:
– iLife ’11 will be sold for $79
– Release Date of 08/07/2010
– All applications will be 64-bit
– Improvements in iPhoto faces & places
– Improving the integration of social networks
– iWeb will be totally renewed
– New application (mystery!)
– Disappearance of iDVD
– MobileMe gallery in beta (with faces & places)
Several rumors have circulated recently regarding an update to iLife, some of which claim the new update will be labelled iLife ’10. However, as MacRumors points out, the iLife ’11 name would be more consistent with Apple’s previous behavior; iLife ’08 was introduced in August, 2007.
The iPhone 4 brought changes in shape, function, features, and so on, but to the joy of many cell phone photographers, the device now includes a rear facing 5-megapixel camera with an LED flash and a forward facing VGA-quality camera. Apple enhanced the cameras via software improvements like FaceTime, zoom, etc. linked to the hardware changes above. These changes will probably calm the complaints about the camera that I heard about on the previous iPhone models. However, regardless of the issues users have developed exciting ways to use the camera and there are innovative third-party applications to help along the way.
One such app is Camera+, which is a joint effort between Taptaptap and Canadian photographer Lisa Bettany. I figured it was worth taking a look at it since it was on sale Sunday for $1.99 (regular price is $4.99).
