[Videos] An iPhone App for EVERYTHING

You know how it goes - everyday more and more applications are created for the iPhone. They range from the amazingly useful like various productivity apps that help you manage to-do lists and schedules to the silly like apps that simulate bubble wrap.

Yes, there's bound to be an app for any purpose that you can possible imagine, as presented in the mock commercial below:


#10 - LEAKED: New iPhone Commercial

[Viral Video Chart] iSnort

Apple iPhone Applications are a pretty diverse group. You have an amazing set of highly useful apps like those that interface with sites like Gmail or Facebook or that perform essential functions. Yet of course the larger variety of iPhone Apps out there tend to be of the stupid and inane variety like those that pretend to be mood rings or those that summon hordes of Daleks to occupy your iPhone. I kid you not.

Then you get apps like the iSnort, which really make good use of the accelerometer and the various gadget tweaks available to the iPhone, although for pretty questionable purposes...

It's still pretty funny though.


#9 - The iSnort Demo

[Apple] Truth in iPhone Advertising

Image by Getty Images via Daylife The power of the modern internet user is best seen in the fierceness of certain blog posts or the uniqueness of videos posted online. Let's face it, the internet turns anyone into a potential journalist without an editor and with minimal delays between the news event and getting the information out there for everyone to see.

As much as there's a fair amount of fluff on the web (as amusing as many such stories and videos may be), it doesn't mean there's no value in what everyone has to say.

Here's a pretty simple video, which does its part in debunking Apple's advertising claims when it comes to the supposed speed of the new iPhone 3G:


#13 - 3G iPhone Ad vs Real World: A performance comparison

[Viral Video Chart] iBand

Okay, what's with all the geeky music? Still, this was pretty cool too...


#8 - iBand

[Viral Video Chart] The $100 iPhone+iPod Touch Stand

In another classic example of how given enough time, people will try pretty much anything to fulfill a perceived need of their own creation, here's a strange video demonstrating how to create a stand for your iPhone or iPod Touch using a $100 bill. Then again, it'll probably work for any denomination or currency as long as the bill is crisp enough, but I guess he felt it would sound cooler to use $100.

Only on the internet...


#15 - The $100 iPhone+iPod Touch Stand

[iPhone] iPhone sending user data to Apple?

Well, file this under who-tells-the-truth department.

9to5mac reports that Apple is tracking iPhone user data, as reported in a hackint0sh thread. The thread based the assumption on strings found in two apps, where there is a URL with an identifier named IMEI in the string.

But this assumption is immediately debunked by docpool, stating that it is the application ID that is being referenced by the string IMEI. It also linked to a German site, which claims that the application ID is being sent, not the IMEI.

Now, will security analysts stand up and clear this mess up?

[Apple] Apple announces SDK for iPhone/touch; sorry, homebrewers

In an apparent attempt to appease geek Apple fanboys and to stem the tide that is iPhone hacking, Steve Jobs announced that a software development kit (SDK) for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch will be released in February 2008. An SDK is a set of programming tools and application programming interfaces (APIs) that allows a developer to create applications for a certain platform.

By releasing an SDK, developers who want to create applications for the two products do not have to hack the innards of the device. The device becomes semi-open. Semi, because the device is still not fully open. Consider the SDK or API as a window - you are allowed to take a look but not get in.

Jobs also noted that Apple is going to implement an idea similar to what Nokia did with regards to applications - allow signed apps to be installed. His worry is that by allowing the iPhone to be open, the platform is going to be barraged by malware; by using digital signatures, any wayward app can be traced back to the creator. Engadget Mobile prick Jobs' balloon, since you can disable digital certificate verification in s60 Nokia phones.

(In a not-so-related note, in UIQ 3, you can still install apps even if the phone tells you that the signature is untrusted.)

Also, most mobile malware are spread via Bluetooth. Another vector of attack would be sending a WAP/Web link via SMS (and going on that link, a malware is downloaded). What does this mean?

Unless Apple implements a strict, signed-only apps policy, digital signature is useless. If implemented, how sure is a user that a signed app is trustworthy?

With these two caveats, the only way you can get an app for your iPhone and iPod touch is via iTunes. Plain and simple. You can almost hear the cash registers ringing now at Apple HQ. Yes, sorry homebrew developers.

Hackers, you may now continue with your work.

[Apple] Apple facing war on two fronts

Apple is currently facing a battle on two fronts, all brought about by making its two latest products as closed systems.

When iPhone was announced, Steve Jobs said a lot of things, leaving people to set high expectations on the device. As they say, the devil is in the details, and when the details and launch date neared, expectations are either whetted or disappointed.

One pitfall of Apple is that they chose to lock the iPhone to a single carrier. But probably the biggest mistake is to make iPhone a closed system. Many were anticipating about the possible things that can be done with an iPhone, only to get themselves disappointed. No third-party software, carrier-locked units, problematic activation system (at first).

In a single stroke, Apple has managed to change the rules of the game. And to enforce the new rules, Apple has released an update that has turned some iPhones into bricks, unlocked and not. Ambulance chasers are now looking for clients for a class suit. It can get ugly.

Learning from its mistakes, Apple introduced iPod touch, an iPhone less the phone capabilities. And this time, they used an encryption system to prevent access to the file system. Yes, Apple has learned all right.

Two giants in their own fields are ready to join the fray.

Nokia, one of the largest mobile phone manufacturers, fired the first shot, taking advantage of the negative perception of iPhone's closed system by introducing the "Open to anything" initiative. Leveraging on the S60 UI platform, Nokia touts that its mobile phones are open, allowing anyone to develop applications for its mobile phones. Now, if Nokia pushes its buttons right, this is a market opportunity.

The problem with Nokia is that touchscreen is its Achilles heel. Remember Nokia 7710? Nokia started Series 90 as Symbian touchscreen UI, only that 7710 is way ahead of its time, technologically and market speaking. Series 90 is dead, so is 7710. (Speaking of 7710, my 7710 is dead, literally. It won't power on anymore. The unit is now a brick, after almost two years.)

Now, Apple is content releasing new iPod models, leaving behind old models to dust. Microsoft made a gesture that not only warmed the hearts of old Zune users, it also showed the world how Apple treats its old iPod users.

Microsoft recently released new generations of Zune with new features, and (I'm not sure if this was a product of forward-thinking) old Zunes will get the same features as the new Zunes via software update. Yes, Microsoft shows the right way to treat loyal customers - you do not leave them behind.

(As an owner of a 30GB iPod video, this gesture by Microsoft was touching - no pun intended. Good thing I got this iPod free, otherwise, I would be seething with resentment over the new iPod releases.)

While no iPhone nor iPod killers, Nokia and Microsoft are showing Apple what could have been. In the end, at least we know we have a choice.

To Apple: it should be not just about profit. Treat your customers right, and profit will follow. Learn from your mistakes.

To Nokia and Microsoft (and other Apple competitors): just do it.

[iPhone] Why I am not getting an iPhone

Some people are speculating if iPhone will officially grace our shores. (Let me speculate that if ever it does, Apple will select Globe; but if the criterion is bucks, Apple will select Smart, a money-generating monster.) To be honest, even if I have the means (which I have none at the moment), I will not get an iPhone.


First, it has no mobile broadband features. Sure it has WiFi, but for me who lives in the boondocks masquerading as a city (read: Caloocan) with no broadband connection options to speak of, mobile broadband is essential to me.

Second, Apple is acting as if it is a telco when it is not. Other phone manufacturers release open line products, but Apple does not. I don't like the almost-dictatorial stance that it is exuding. It should not dictate what telco to choose if I want to use its phone.

Third, and the most crucial: when you buy a product, you own it, and you should be able to do anything you like on it, since you own it. Apple should not dictate to iPhone users what they can and cannot do with the product that consumers bought.

Whoever says that consumers control the market, think again. Companies will try their best to control the market, push people to buy their products, earn big bucks.

So there, plain and simple, the reasons why I will not get an iPhone (assuming that I can afford it).

Will you get an iPhone? (Assume that you can afford it.)

Related readings:
Gizmodo: iPhone Revisited (Verdict: Don't Buy)
Saunderslog.com: The backlash over iPhone
Machinist: If you care about your rights, don't buy an iPhone

[Apple] iPod touch

In his recent keynote address, Steve Jobs did what he does best - make cool Apple announcements in his typically dramatic style. Not that all the Apple geeks in the world are complaining - when Steve has something to say, we tend to listen, don't we?

Part of his announcement was related to a $200 drop in price for the 8Gb iPhone and that the 4Gb model was to be phased out. Ouchies for all those who shelled out the extra cash for the model with the bigger memory! News likes this always gets stock brokers jittery and it resulted in a slight dip in Apple stock price over fears they were under performing in terms of sales for the year. Of course Steve says that it's just a marketing move for the upcoming holidays and for now we'll keep listening.

Apart from announcing a variety of new variants on the various iPod lines like an iPod Nano, he also announced a completely new iPod called the iPod touch.

Yes, this was the real money shot - time to drool...

The iPod touch promises to have all the media-handling capabilities of the iPhone without the cellular capability, which is exactly what a lot of folks have been pining for. Let's face it - most people don't really need a new phone and don't necessarily need an iPhone. What people do want is tht 3.5 inch screen, the touch interface and the mobile web browsing experience.

There's a guided tour for the iPod touch in case you're interested and it goes on to showcase all the best things we liked about the iPhone. So far it's promised to be in 8Gb and 16Gb models starting at $299. Still a hefty price tag but it does look like a phenomenal device.

This iPod touch has WiFi capability, which is needed to make the addition of the Safari browser anywhere near useful. This also means getting access to iTunes from the device - a nifty way to try and get people to purchase more music for their players if you're into using the iTunes Store, of course.

This is one media device I've love to get my hands on considering I've survived this long without a portable media player until today, haha. iPhone? Who needs that anymore - this is the device that people are really going to want from a global perspective.

[Security] Apple's laziness can lead to problems

Two related security issues for Apple products Mac OS X (Leopard) and iPhone were raised recently.

In this year's Black Hat Briefings conference, a security researcher claims that Mac OS X is easy to hack. The researcher highlighted three options in hacking into OS X:

1. Elevation of user privilege using suid: OS X has more than 50 suid root applications. That means 50-plus vectors of attack.

2. Safari: When opened, the browser also opens several programs, and any flaw in any of the said apps can be exploited over the Web.

3. Open source components: it seems that OS X 10.4.10 contains open source components that are out of date, and as such, are candidates for bug exploitation.

And iPhone being a Mac machine in the micro level, vectors number two and three mentioned earlier are also present on the iPhone. Apple had released patch 1.0.1 for the iPhone July 31, and a vulnerability was included in the said patch, courtesy of an outdated open source component (PCRE).

Security experts always tell users to patch systems and apps when patches are released. I guess it is time they tell Apple to do the same.

(Crossposted from here.)

[Apple] After the Hype

Technically speaking, this is my first iPhone post after the official launch of the device in the US. I've been trying to avoid jumping on the bandwagon and instead have been waiting and trying to evaluate how the device is really doing. I didn't want to factor in the challenges (or the lack thereof) in terms of getting a device and not even all the activation delays experienced by many users because of complications on AT&T's end. Let's just focus on the iPhone itself.

Arbet has written about the launch concerns and some security concerns, so feel free to check out those posts as well. Meanwhile, I've been combing CNET for more information.

For the most part, people agree is a great device. Great to look at, rather robust in functions and the like. There's still a bit of a learning curve with all the touchscreen stuff like the keyboard. Of course there are those with AT&T, but those concerns will never go completely away.

Beyond the desire to break it open and see how the darned thing works, the $500-$600 price tag is still pretty hefty. There is a lot of talk around waiting for the price to go down since historically Apple products like the iPod have a tendency to go down dramatically in price while further increasing the feature-set. Can anyone say 3G?

Bug reports have been minimal this early in the game, although there's an interesting CNET blog post about Hooters girls being capable of crashing the iPhone. If you're still feeling very anti-AT&T, perhaps you should follow the news about the hacking efforts from groups determined to "liberate" the iPhone.

My stand for now - there's no rush to buy this first generation iPhone. Wait it out people! Sure it's gorgeous and a really fun toy to play with but if you're patient, there's bound to be an even better device that has more features, is more stable and hopefully with a lower price tag. Sweet.

[Security] Insecure iPhone?

Insecure iPhone?

The bundled Safari browser in iPhone contains one of the vulnerabilities that was discovered in the Windows beta version of the said browser. This vulnerability allows for remote code execution in iPhone via Safari. No exploit is available yet.

Also, there seems to be a security problem with the Mail application for iPhone. According to this page:

There does not appear to be a way to turn off the rendering of inline images in Mail. This combined with the fact that it supports full HTML mail, has implications for possible exploits by viewing mail messages.

It remains to be seen if this "mistake" is exploitable. Inline images in HTML email had caused serious problems for Microsoft before (like the one addressed by Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-028). Most email clients block/remove inline images by default; in the mail client for iPhone, it appears that the client does not block inline images, nor there is a way for the user to configure the client in such a way that inline images are blocked.

Wait, there's more.

In a report by The Register, Errata Security reported that a bug in iPhone's Bluetooth features can allow an attacker (by using a fuzzer) to lock the entire device.

And here's the cute part:

Among the advances made to date, hackers have discovered the password the iPhone requires to give an application root access is, amazingly, "dottie" (minus the quotation marks). A second password for mobile access is "alpine."

Here's a wiki for those who are interested in iPhone hacks. Start hacking, folks. That is, if you have an iPhone.

(Exclusive to The Geeky Guide.)

[Apple] iPhone Conquers the US; is the world next?

How much is Apple earning on every iPhone sold?

Around US$379 for the 8GB model, US$299 for the 4GB model. Steve Jobs must be proud; Apple shareholders must be happy. (Unless, of course, Cisco gets some piece of the profit pie; it owns the iPhone name, after all.)

Because Apple is not known for disclosing companies that supplied parts for its products (so you can't speculate on stocks and earn), Portelligent has opened an iPhone and scrutinized its parts.

And with around 500,000 units sold in the weekend (Goldman Sachs thinks the number is 700,000), the Apple cash register must have turned hoarse from ringing. Now the question remains: can Apple keep up with the demand?

People outside the US are asking: will we get iPhones, too? The answer is yes. World, get ready - iPhone is set to conquer you. Soon.

As for me, I'm not excited about it; I feel that HTC phones are better. Unless it get 3G radio, that is.

(Crossposted from here.)

[GeekyCast] And Now the News...

The second GeekyCast didn't go quite as well as the first one and I've learned a few lessons because of that.

Yes, I promise, NO MORE PARIS HILTON! Hahaha!

This episode is a bit longer than the previous ones and that may become the growing trend as I become more and more comfortable with podcasting. Today we tackle a number of major news items for geeks around the world namely:

1. The new Transformers movie, which premieres today in the Philippines
   
2. Recent updates to The Geeky Guide to Nearly Everything
   
3. The New Worlds: Transformed event in July
   
4. The special CNN feature about LGBT Rights
   
5. And the Apple iPhone

And of course the GeekyCast is littered with random tidbits and geekisms about myself that you may or may not really care about, but they're going to be there no matter what you do.

Feel free to leave your thoughts, suggestions and possibly requests as a comment here on the blog. Come on, don't be a stranger now...

Enjoy!

Download this episode (16 min)

[Viral Video Chart] Apple iPhone Videos

If you check out the Viral Video Chart these days, you'll notice a significant number of the recent Apple iPhone ads making their rounds of the top 20 list. Can you blame them - the previews are wicked cool and they really show off some of the amazing things this device promises to pull off.

Sure, it's expensive. Sure, it's locked to the new AT&T (formerly Cingular Wireless). Sure, a number of other phones promise do have similar functions and more.

And yet we're still drooling over it.


#4 - iphone ad june 29th never been an ipod


#6 - Apple iPhone Ad: Calamari


#10 - Apple iPhone Ad: This is How


#17 - New iPhone Ad

[Apple] And the Winner is...

Finally, the copyright lawsuit madness between Apple and Cisco over the iPhone name is over. The result, which was more or less expected, is that Apple will be allowed to use the name. Heck, they're officially sharing it now with Cisco. Isn't it nice that they've made nice with one another?

So now I hope this stops the blogosphere from speculating on ways Apple would have defeated the lawsuit or how to prove Cisco didn't really have true ownership over the trademark due to non-use or something to that effect. While the exact details of the agreement remain a mystery, this is definitely a good thing for Apple and their impending device launch scheduled for June of this year.

Now to move on to more important news...

Related Links:

• [Apple] Reinventing the Phone
  
• CNET News.com: Apple, Cisco settle iPhone trademark lawsuit
  
• PC World: Apple, Cisco Settle iPhone Dispute
  
• Reuters: Apple, Cisco agree both can use iPhone name
  
• CNN.com: Cisco, Apple settle iPhone trademark lawsuit

Photo linked from Flickr user Dan_H's photostream.

[Apple] iPhone Only for iPhones

Talk about harsh. We all know Apple has always been rather protective of their copyrights if history is any basis but who could have foreseen how zealous their legal team can be.

Last week ModaCo posted a link to a faux iPhone skin that would work on the Windows Mobile operating system and related smart phone systems that would work for Pocket PCs and Palm Treos.

Apple's legal team eventually went after some of the sites hosting the download but in a surprise move also sent a cease and desist order to Paul O'Brian, Founder and Administrative and Technical Contact for MoDaCo. Paul wrote about it on his blog voicing out his complaints about the rather aggressive legal action.

I have to agree - it's one thing to ask a file-hosting service to remove something that violates their copyright but to go after an independent blogger just writing about? Sure, the letter of the law probably allows for Apple to go after Paul in some vague loophole but what about the spirit of the law in this case? Does Apple really want to start alienating the very user base they want to market these rather expensive products to? Do they really want the blogosphere up in arms agains these kinds of nearly-Facist actions?

Watch your step, Apple. The blogosphere is not to be treated so lightly. We buy your products. We increase their popularity through viral marketing and word-of-mouth. Bloggers have ended political careers - there's no logic in underestimating what we're capable of at this point.

So far, the advent of the iPhone seems wrought with trouble ranging from little things like this incident to larger things like the Cisco lawsuit for the iPhone name against Apple. Not exactly the best way to get the ball rolling.

[Apple] Reinventing the Phone

I never really understood what was so big about the iPod - and I mean no offense to fans of the MP3 player market, really. I guess I was just never a mobile music person. Heck, I never truly got the appeal of the Walkman either, haha. Perhaps it's time for me to change my (i)tune with Apple's more recent announcement.

In recent years Apple has been playing around with their revolutionary iPod concept. They made it hold even more ridiculous amounts of songs while making it smaller and smaller. They gave it a bigger screeen of video. Now they've made the big leap everyone's been talking about - at least in the tech rumor circles.

During today's Macworld conference Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the iPhone - and NO, I'm not talking about that Cisco crap. We're talking about the new mobile phone product from Apple that runs on OS X - I kid you not! Why on earth would a mobile phone need something that powerful?

Because it can do so much.

I'm practically drooling as I've been reading the Live Macworld Coverage over on CNET courtesy of Tom Krazit and the iPhone sounds amazing.

It's sleek and slim and amazingly powerful. Just like the iPod, the iPhone is changing the way we deal with technology with what they're calling the "multitouch" system, which makes the buttons change depending on what application you're running. Say goodbye to mobile browsing - the iPhone lets you run full webpages and even complete browsers like Safari. All that plus the usual iPod music component and a 2 megapixel camera.

You can view pictures from his keynote address here:

• CNET News.com: Steve Jobs takes Macworld stage

Good lord, he claimed they we going to reinvent the phone, a somewhat cheesy tagline used by AT&T CallVantage when they tried to hit it big. This time, however, I think Apple has actually done it.

I want one!!!

Related Links:

• Apple - iPhone (Official Site)
  
• TIME Magazine: Photo Essay - iPhone
  
• TIME Magainze: Apple's New Calling: The iPhone
  
• ZDNet.com | Ed Burnette's Dev Connection | iPhone blows away expectations