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Using SmartPhone Without a Voice Service Plan
Revisions:
12-27-13: Initial release.
A few months ago I had purchased an iPhone 4 from Amazon (used) for a really great price from Amazon gift cards that I had in my account.
The most interesting part about this purchase is I had no intention to get a data plan or voice service plan for it. Why is that? Well, I already had a company cell phone that I use for business and sometimes personal use, but it wouldn’t be right to have personal stuff and games on a business phone.
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Update on yesterday’s post — More info on the battle of smart phones
When the concept ‘mobile phone,’ and the actual device were introduced around 30 years ago, people were amazed by the idea that one could build audio communication with others without the limitations and boundaries of location. (Quote THE STANDARD, an acclaimed English newspaper in Hong Kong.)
Nowadays mobile phones go far beyond; from video conferencing, word processing to online banking, this little device can do it all. It is a market that anyone would want a piece of, and different venders have been very active in providing new platforms, functions and devices to gain advantage in this enormous battleground.
One of the hottest topics in the mobile world lately must be the bang Apple iPhone brought to the market, and it continued to heat up in the past two years. From iPhone 2G to the latest iPhone 3GS, each launch has created huge expectations, and in reality its market is still expanding rapidly. According to the latest data from Gartner, Apple’s share of worldwide smart phone sales grew from 5.3% in the first quarter of 2008 to 10.8% in the first quarter of 2009. Gaining over 10% of the global market within two years is indeed very impressive, but what’s more significant is that in some sense this figure is created by one product only (if we consider all versions of iPhone as one). The 50000+ applications available for download also suggest the new market trend Apple has set.
Another smart phone that the market has showed great interest in is Sprint’s Palm Pre. Even though there are concerns about lacking in applications in the App Catalog, and no access to the webOS SDK(software development kit) by developers, Palm Pre still sold out fast when available in the US recently. Some critics believe the impressive sales of Palm Pre were largely related to current Sprint customers looking for an upgrade, rather than a flow of new Sprint subscribers, but the solid selling number shows its first stage of success, and there are huge noises of interest from countries and markets including Hong Kong, which are yet to have a scheduled launch date.
RIM
Another leading smart phone platform, Research In Motion’s Blackberry, also has a fruitful year. In the previous fiscal quarter, RIM’s $3.42 billion revenue increased 53% from $2.24 billion in the same quarter of last year, and shipped approximately 7.8 million devices After promoting ‘consumer models’ Blackberry curve 8900 and Blackberry Storm, RIM turned their focus back to business users, and launched Blackberry Enterprise Server 5.0 recently. BES 5.0 is a push-based server software, focusing on enhancing the connection link between BlackBerry smart phones and enterprise systems, applications, corporate phone environments and wireless networks. It integrates with IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange, and Novell GroupWise, providing highly secured access to email, organizer data, instant messaging, browser and other enterprise applications.
President Obama’s insistence on keeping his BlackBerry device is a great example (especially for RiM) showing how tightly BlackBerry could merge into one’s life and BES 5.0 plus future launches would definitely stick to this angle.
All these platforms have their own advantages and supporters; along with the Android ‘Google’ phone, Windows mobile 7.0 platform, Nok ia’s partnership with 1nte, the haule of smart phones has probably lust began.
Program Contest for Windows Mobile? Trying to look like iPhone?!
iPhone’s success might be partly due to the vast array of imaginative and entertaining software for that platform, so Microsoft are doing the best to persuade the community to make software of iPhone in the form of a “Windows Mobile Software Contest” that is going to be held worldwide. This means that Microsoft are eager to excavate new software for the Windows Mobile.
A successful program should achieve a balance among the following aspects: creativity, functionality, aesthetic design, interface operation, usability and entertainment factors. It is suggested that team members may divide their respective roles as below: (It is not a must to have all these roles in a team)Ø Playwright: Create characters and arrange the storyboard.Ø Research: Collect and consolidate information the program requires.Ø Interface Graphic: Arrange interface elements and design graphics.Ø Programming: Determine data structure, program code and server.Ø Debugging: Testing and debugging the program and suggest improvements.Each team is required to appoint a team leader. The team leader will be the only eligible person to claim any prizes of this Contest. The Organizers will not be involved in any prize assign issues within the team.
Tic Tac Toe Ten – Slick iPhone Game
Today I was talking to a friend, and he had told me he and his roommate had developed a game for the iPhone together! Holy crap! The game is called Tic Tac Toe Ten? Ever heard of it? The game premise is very simple. Be the first person to win a 3×3 square among a larger 3×3 square grid. Huh? See the video below for better explanation. >_>
There is a free version, as well as a paid version. In the free version, the first person to win 1 square is the winner and you can play against the clock, as well as 2 player game mode.
In the paid version, you can configure the game to the be first to win 2 squares or 3 squares. There are more background skins, a leaderboard, and more! This game is fun, and if I had an iPhone, I would definitely be playing it.
Free Version: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=316140600&mt=8&s=143441
Paid Version: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=317168510&mt=8&s=143441
Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hwF4U1vIyc
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iPhone and iPod Touch 2.0/2.0.1/2.0.2 unlock!
Ok, here is the much awaited iPhone unlock for Windows! This time, its not with the famous Pwnage Tool, developed by the iPhone dev Team, but we will use WinPwn. You can get WinPwn Here (Its a Rapidshare file from the official website, so no question of invalid or expiring links), the WinPwn has got a totally new GUI makeover, just like the Pwnage Tool and its easier than ever to use. Somethings which have have to keep in mind while updating are:
*UPDATE 6: Hey guys! I just wanted to tell you all that for unlocking your iPhone with 2.1 update, you will have to wait till Sunday, because I will add it to the V2!! And now for the sad part… I have decided to colse this post, i.e. there wont be any other updates here. Although, you can ask me for help down in the comments or mail me at: jvalintejpal@gmail.com
*UPDATE 5: Here is the list of all IPSW files available for online download for iPod Touch and iPhone:
iPhone
1.0.0: iPhone1,1_1.0_1A543a_Restore.ipsw
1.0.1: iPhone1,1_1.0.1_1C25_Restore.ipsw
1.0.2: iPhone1,1_1.0.2_1C28_Restore.ipsw
1.1.1: iPhone1,1_1.1.1_3A109a_Restore.ipsw
1.1.2: iPhone1,1_1.1.2_3B48b_Restore.ipsw
1.1.3: iPhone1,1_1.1.3_4A93_Restore.ipsw
1.1.4: iPhone1,1_1.1.4_4A102_Restore.ipsw
2.0.0 (2G): iPhone1,1_2.0_5A347_Restore.ipsw
2.0.0 (3G): iPhone1,2_2.0_5A347_Restore.ipsw
2.0.1 (2G): iPhone1,1_2.0.1_5B108_Restore.ipsw
2.0.1 (3G): iPhone1,2_2.0.1_5B108_Restore.ipsw
2.0.2 (2G): iPhone1,1_2.0.2_5C1_Restore.ipsw
2.0.2 (3G): iPhone1,2_2.0.2_5C1_Restore.ipsw
2.1 (2G): iPhone1,1_2.1_5F136_Restore.ipsw
2.1(3G): iPhone1,2_2.1_5F136_Restore.ipsw
iPod Touch
1.1: iPod1,1_1.1_3A101a_Restore.ipsw
1.1.1: iPod1,1_1.1.1_3A110a_Restore.ipsw
1.1.2: iPod1,1_1.1.2_3B48b_Restore.ipsw
1.1.3: iPod1,1_1.1.3_4A93_Restore.ipsw
1.1.4: iPod1,1_1.1.4_4A102_Restore.ipsw
1.1.5: iPod1,1_1.1.5_4B1_Restore.ipsw
2.0.0: iPod1,1_2.0_5A347_Restore.ipsw (Must purchase through iTunes)
2.0.1: iPod1,1_2.0.1_5B108_Restore.ipsw
2.0.2: iPod Restore 2.0.2 (torrent) mirror: iPod Restore 2.0.2 (Torrent)
NOTE*: I will update this as new firmware versions come out of course 🙂
NOTE2*: All iPod Touch Software upgrades from iTunes are stored in: C:\Users\[USER]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPod Software Updates
*UPDATE 4: THE MUCH AWAITED QUICKPWN GUIDE IS COMING UP IN A 1 – 2 DAYS!!! KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR THE UPDATE!!!!
*UPDATE3: WinPwn 2.5 Beta 2 has been released, which provides the IPSW custom crash bug fixes, check out the completed guide below.
*UPDATE2: My WinPwn 2.5 is crashing each time I try to create an IPSW. So… please wait for sometime. Sorry for the inconvenience!
*UPDATE: iTouch Users: Right now, there is NO way to update to 2.0.1, as no SOFTWARE is available. The DEV Team has come up with a solution, but have not released it. CMW WinPwn is releasing WinPwn 2.5 on 2 PM EST on 29th August, i.e. Today. New Guide for iTouch users will come up by tomorrow or day after tomorrow, thanks for the patience!! Here is a pic of WinPwn 2.5:
– YOU MUST DO A FULL UNINSTALL OF WINPWN BEFORE INSTALLING THE NEW VERSION.
– MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE LATEST VERSION OF iTunes.
– GET THE BOOTLOADER IMAGES: 3.9 and 4.6.
-GET THE PROPER IPSW RESTORE FILES HERE: 2G Restore Image(IPSW 2.0.1) and 3G Restore Image(IPSW 2.0.1).
– WinPwn 2.0.0.4 uses 300MB of RAM at peak due to IPSW being extracted in memory.
– You must first click browse and load an IPSW to use WinPwn (for newbies)
– If you see Failed to Load Image catalogue/payload catalogue, this is fine and wont cuase problems.
– If you already have service with AT&T do not activate or install the Youtube Fix.
OK, Lets get started!
Step 1: Install winpwn, iTunes, and extract your restore images and bootloaders to your desktop. Note: if you have a previous copy of winpwn installed, uninstall it before installing the new one.
Step 2: Connect your iPhone to your PC and load up winpwn. You will see this screen:
Step 3: Click “Browse .ipsw” button and select your firmware image(IPSW file) from your desktop. Note: winpwn will determine if you have an iPod, an iPhone 3g, or an iPhone 2g based off the firmware image you select and downloaded. So make sure you got the correct image(file). 2g and 3g iPhones have different firmwares!
Step 4: Now, click on “IPSW Builder”. You will get a screen with many tabs. First is the ‘Applications’ screen. Here you have three options: Cydia, Installer 2.0 and Youtube Activation click. Select Cydia (IT IS COMPULSORY!), then select the Youtube activation Fix ONLY IF YOU DONT HAVE A CONTRACT WITH A CARRIER CERTIFIED BY APPLE (LIKE AT&T IN THE USA, VODAFONE AND AIRTEL IN INDIA, ETC!!). Installer 2.0 is optional, I recommend right now that you don’t download it, because it has almost no apps. Here is how your screen will look like (almost):
Step 5: Click Advanced tab. This is a critical tab. If you have a contract carrier such as AT&T you do not need to unlock. So you must make sure everything is unchecked here. Again, if you have a contract carrier, select nothing here! If you do not have a contract carrier, you will need to use this to configure activation and unlocking. Check activate phone, Enable Baseband Update, Unlock Baseband, Autodelete Bootneuter.app. Click the two bootloader file buttons and browse for your 3.9 and 4.6 firmware we downloaded at the start of this guide. Your finished screen needs to look something like this:
Step 6: Now all you have to do is to click the “Build .ipsw” at the bottom of the window. Note: save your file to some place where you can find it (I saved it on the desktop). The default location is going to be hard to find. Winpwn will start the stuff and finally you will see the success box:
Step 7: Now, go to the main WinPwn screen and click on the “iPwner”. This will open a new dialog box, where you have to choose the ‘Custom IPSW’ which we last created in Step 5. Note: If you saved the Custom IPSW, (i.e. the one which we created in Step 5) in the same location in which you originally downloaded the 2.0.1 IPSW from the internet, then choose the ‘Custom IPSW’ and not the original IPSW:
Step 8: Good, you have reached this far, only a few more things. Now you will get a successful message that your iTunes has been Pwned!
Step 9: Get your phone into DFU mode. You cannot use any tools to do this. It must be hardware DFU mode only done by pressing the buttons on your device. Use this guide here for the steps. This works on every device so keep trying if you are having problems.
Step 10: While in DFU mode, open iTunes 7.7 (if already not opened), iTunes will recognize your iPhone in DFU mode (this may take a few mins (1-2) and then will prompt you to restore your iPhone. Press Shift and click on the Restore button. Choose the custom firmware IPSW we made. This will take about 10-15 minutes. You can either choose a new iPhone in restore or restore from a previously backed-up version.
Step 11: Congrats! You just upgraded!
If you need any help, just post in the comments, happy to help!!!!
****************************************************************************
UPGRADE TO 2.0.2
What all you will need:
1. IPSW files (242 MB each): 2G and 3G (choose 1 depending on which phone you have)
2. iTunes 7.7
3. Bootloaders 3.9 and 4.6 (Only for 2G Users)
4. Note that you have the latest .Net Framework!
5. Make sure that you have uninstalled all other versions of WinPwn and Downloaded WinPwn 2.5 here.
Step 1: Install WinPwn, get all the IPSW file, bootloader 3.9, bootloader 4.6 on the desktop. Attach your iPhone to the computer. Now load WinPwn. Choose the Default Mode and then select the device you have:
Step 2: After choosing your phone, you will be shown a new screen, which will have 3 options: 2.0, 2.0.1, 2.0.2. As this guide is for 2.0.2, choose 2.0.2:
Step 3: Now you will be asked to answer some questions. First will be if you are with an official carrier (like AT&T in America, Vodafone and Airtel in India, etc.) If Yes, then click the thumbs up, if no, then click the Thumbs down:
Step 4: Next it will ask if you want to unlock the iPhone or not. Click Yes, i.e. Thumbs Up. Next it will ask if you want a custom restore/boot image. Say no, i.e. Thumbs Down. Then, WinPwn will automatically Start Searching for the IPSW file on your computer, and if it finds it, It will automatically start building the custom IPSW file, otherwise it will prompt you to browse for the file manually:
Step 5: Now you will be asked if you need help getting into DFU mode. There will be a helper in the app to get you there. Use this DFU guide here.
Step 5a: Turn off your phone. Hold power, slide to power off, and wait. When it is done, give the green thumbs up on this dialog:
Step 5c) Restore your phone in iTunes using the custom firmware you just made. Note, this firmware file is most likely in the “my documents” folder.
Step 6) Open iTunes, it will tell you that the iPhone is in DFU mode, and then Shift+Click on restore button. And go to my documents and select the Custom Firmware File. There you go, done 2.0.2 is on your iPhone!!!!
Apple Launches second generation iPhone!!
First of all, sorry V1 and Volatire and all the other community members that I posted this without it being my day, but I felt it was very very important to relase this news to the public. So we’ve got it on authority that the second-gen iPhone is already well into testing, and numerous units are floating around in super secret pockets. A trusted source got a chance to check one out, here’s what I’ve heard.
- The first thing people will notice: the 2nd gen iPhone will be about the same size and shape as the first gen.
- It will, of course, have 3G. And proper GPS!
- The most noticeable physical difference is back of the phone is no longer metal — the whole thing is glossy black, from top to bottom. The volume buttons are now chrome.
- Because it’s got a little less metal to deal with, it doesn’t have quite as many angular edges. The battery is (still) not removable.
- The phone itself will be slightly thicker than the first gen device.
- The headphone jack will no longer be recessed, and will finally be flush with the body.
- The device itself uses roughly the same size and resolution screen as the first generation product.
- No solid word on battery life or storage capacity.
Radio
iPhone 2.0 will be 3-G. If it is to stand any chance in the as-yet-untapped Japanese market, a fast data connection is a must. The official line from both Apple and AT&T is that a 3-G iPhone will ship this year, and as two launches in one year are unlikely, we can only assume that there will be one international 3-G iPhone. Certainly, the Infineon chipset expected to power the new phone will work on both HSDPA and WCDMA networks, as well as continuing to support EDGE for customers outside of good 3-G coverage.
Camera
The iPhone’s camera sucks(I forgot that all age groups visit this website). It offers the user no more than the most basic functionality and only captures a measly two megapixels. It’s so bad that a range of unofficial software upgrades has already been released, adding new features and even video. The Infineon chipset mentioned above supports cameras of up to 5 megapixels and also video capture using Apple’s codec of choice, h.264. So more pixels and video seem very likely, but what of video calls? Apple’s Mac application iChat has had video conferencing for some time. It would be a perfect match for the iPhone’s big bright screen, but that would entail a second camera. I’d give this one a 50-50 chance.
Software
Software is arguably the most important part of the iPhone. Ever since its launch last year, seemingly every cellphone maker has released a touchscreen phone. None of them comes close in ease of use, because none of them understands that the interface is everything.
The currently beta iPhone SDK shows us that the v2.0 operating system will be an incremental upgrade, adding niceties such as search and, if we’re lucky, copy-and-paste. With the iPod, Apple has often held new features back from older models in order to drive sales. Part of this is the accounting model it uses: In order to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley (or Oxshit) laws, Apple won’t add new features to old hardware. The iPhone, though, like the Apple TV, is accounted for on a subscription basis. Expect the v1.0 iPhone to run the exact same software as the new one, exempting features which utilize new hardware.
For current iPhone Users:
Ok, first of all bad luck for us (even I have an iPhone!). Even though Apple will introduce a 2.0 upgrade which can be downloaded via the installer.app which will provide all the features which will be present in the 2nd gen iPhone, we wont be able to experience the beautiful and exotic body of the iPhone. I have got some pictures of the new iPhone but I am not 100% sure that it is the iPhone, I think it is only a case:
It really is soooo coool! To see all the features please go to the official Apple iPhone 2nd gen website.
Now it’s your turn. What do you expect to see? Suggestions in the comments.
— Tizil 7
iPhone themes and battery life.
Well, first of hi!! I am new to this underground community and will work here as an author. My name is Jvalin but you can call me Tizil7 🙂 This is my first post and I will try to make your’s a memorable experience here:) I will try and include all I can so, here it is:
I. Lets start with iPhone advice.
a)Themes (How to apply them without downloading from Installer App.)
1. First, you will need to use the installer.app and install OpenSSH on your iPhone.
2. You will then need to install WinSCP on your computer. To connect to WinSCP you will need to go into your settings on your iPhone into Wi-fi, click on the little arrow next to the Wi-Fi you are connected to and get the ip address. Now open WinSCP on your computer….the Host Name is your ip address (with the periods) the user name is root and the password is alpine. Don’t worry about the Private key file, you don’t need to put anything there. Hit login.
3. Once WinSCP opens, the themes go into the var/root/library/SummerBoard/Themes folder. Once you are in that folder you will see all the themes that are on your iPhone. This is where you will want to add your new themes.
4. Create a folder somewhere on your computer that is the title of the theme you would like to add (ex…Chalkwork) then inside of the Chalkwork folder create another folder called Icons (with a capital “I”). Inside the Icons folder put all of the icon images that you would like to have. They must be named the same as the Title of the app, starting with a capital (Ex…Calendar, Customize, SummerBoard, Photos, Stocks….). You can also add a Dock and Wallpaper to the Chalkwork folder, they also need to be capitalized (do not put them in the Icons folder…just in the main Chalkwork folder). Once you have a folder of the theme with a folder of icons inside it you just drag the whole folder, Chalkwork, into Themes on WinSCP and hit Copy. Once it is done transferring you can go on your iPhone into SummerBoard and select the theme you just added. Note: your iPhone has to be on for the file to transfer!
5. If you are downloading a theme that is in a zip file…you will have to open the zip file and then create a folder on your computer that is the same name as the theme you are trying to download. Then copy the Icons folder from the zip file into the folder you created on your computer. This unzips the file so that you can add it to SummerBoard through WinSCP. You can also copy the wallpaper and dock out of the zip file into the file you created if you would like them too.
Trusted websites: Apple iPhone School, 5ubox, iPhone ThemeWorld, iPhone Wallpapers.us
Hope this little guide helped all those who needed it. 🙂
b) Increasing battery life.
1. Go to Settings>Mail>AutoCheck>Manual (This will save your battery by 50%)
2. Go to Settings>Mail>Push Mail Account>Advanced>Turn Off (Use this if you have a pushmail account)
3. Autocheck fewer e-mail accounts.
4. If you rarely use Wi-Fi, you can turn it off to save power. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and set Wi-Fi to Off.
5. If you rarely use a Bluetooth headset or car kit, you can turn off Bluetooth to save power. Go to Settings > General > Bluetooth and set Bluetooth to Off.
6. Use it regularly so that all of its features and components are constantly used.
Hope all of this helps 🙂
[It took me about an hour to think what to write about and then pen it down] I will try my best to provide information to all of you 🙂 I will be happy to answer any questions.
–Tizil 7
Touchpad for iPhone!
Touchpad for your iPhone or iPod Touch acts as a wireless touch pad for your pc! You can control the mouse on your pc through the iPhone: move the mouse around, click, double-click, and even drag (double click but keep it pressed and then move it around). Vertical scrolling is even possible, by clicking and dragging on the right edge of the iPhone screen.
You can use it to control videos, show pictures, advance slides in a presentations — whatever a regular touchpad can do.
Installation instructions:
- You need a jailbroken iPhone/iPod Touch with Installer.app on it. Here are some great instructions on how to do this.
- Start Installer.app, and go to Sources. Click “Edit”, and then Add this repository: http://cnp.qlnk.net/
- After the refresh, install Touchpad from the Utilities category.
- Install VNC on the machine you want to control. I recommend TightVNC for Windows and Linux. Mac users should follow these detailed instructions (thanks, Archetype!).
Taken from http://touchpadiphone.blogspot.com/
Downloading music to iPhone/Touch Without iTunes over WiFi
Ok, after much tinkering, I figured out how I can download music to my iPod Touch… AND LISTEN TO THEM FREE!! Ok, here it is.
First:
Download this .zip file:
Then extract it to a SAFE place.
Second:
I wrote out almost the whole tutorial and then realized I left out a few steps. I found this helpful video that will be much better at explaining the steps. Sorry. The files he talks about is the link I posted above. If you have any questions, please comment and I will answer them ASAP.
How To ‘JailBreak’ Your iPhone/Touch
I recently purchased an iPod Touch for myself for Christmas! As soon as I took it home,
what was the first thing I had to do? Hack the crap out of it!! But there was only one problem, the iPod touch comes with the 1.1.2 Firmware which has not been jail broken yet as far as I know. One reason I am writing this tutorial is because of the lack of explaining other sites do. They say here it is, do it. In this tutorial, I will explain step-by-step how to downgrade your iPod and JailBreak it.
First Step:
The first step is to make sure there is NOTHING on your iPod that you would like to save. Downgrading will erase your music.
Second Step:
Download and save the following file. This file is the 1.1.1 firmware for the iPod Touch/iPhone.
Third Step:
Open iTunes and click on your iPod so it brings up the screen to update or restore your iPod. While holding the shift key, click on update. This will bring up a file browser. Browse to where you saved your 1.1.1 Firmware and double click it. Let iTunes do its thing. It will extract and do other crap to your iPod. When it is finished, your iPod will restart and be blank.
Fourth Step:
With the 1.1.1 firmware now on the iPod, you are ready to JailBreak it. Click Safari and navigate to:
Read the instructions and click Install at the bottom of the page. This will install a .tiff file and also restart the iPod.
Fifth Step:
After restarting, there will be an Installer.app on the main screen. Click this and at the bottom, click install. There will be TONS of 3rd party apps for you to play with! A favorite of mine is the nes emulator.
If you have any questions, leave them here and I will do my best to answer them!
Happy Hacking!!
Welcome to the Underground. 