Tag Archives: ipod

Apple Holding “Rock and Roll” Themed Event

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Apple has sent out invitations to their “Rock and Roll” event scheduled for September 9. The image above was included int he invitation. Most people would probably recognize the lyrics written on the invite to be a song by the Rolling Stones.

In the past, when Apple hosts this music themed event, they normally announce a new iPod version whether it be a new Shuffle, Nano, or iTouch. Recently, there have been news of resellers having a drop in stock volume for their iPods as well as news that Apple with discontinue all iPod SKUs (stock-keeping unit). Could this mean a fresh new face for the ever so popular iPods? Additionally, there has been reports (as well as pictures) of a new iPod Touch 3G having a camera as well as a microphone. No one knows for sure if this is fact or fiction but the reported pictures did seem believable. With this news, Apple might be releasing yet another iPod Touch (nearly one per year).

New Findings in Reports of “Exploding” iPhones

Quote (via MacRumors.com)

Last week, reports surfaced that Apple was investigating reports of “exploding” iPhones, spurred by publicity surrounding the case of a French teenager who had reportedly received an eye injury when the screen of his iPhone shattered. French news agency AFP reported earlier this week that additional claims of exploding iPhones had surfaced and that France’s official consumer affairs agency had launched an investigation into the reports.

Despite claims to the contrary from those affected by the device failures, Apple claims that the incidents are not the result of any battery issues, but have instead been caused by excessive pressure on the iPhones’ screens.”To date, there are no confirmed battery overheating incidents for iPhone 3GS and the number of reports we are investigating is in the single digits,” the firm said in a statement to AFP.

“The iPhones with broken glass that we have analysed to date show that in all cases the glass cracked due to an external force that was applied to the iPhone,” the company added.

Apple’s sales director in France, Michel Coulomb, met with French consumer affairs minister Herve Novelli today to discuss the issue, and Novelli concurred with Apple’s assessment regarding the cause of the failures.”The first results show, according to Apple management, that the iPhones weren’t damaged by a battery defect leading to an explosion, but that there had been a prior shock that cracked the screens,” the minister said.

Novelli noted, however, that it remains to be seen whether blame for the cracked screens should be pinned on unreasonable force applied by users or a design flaw on the part of Apple.

Gang$tar: West Coast Hustle

Gang$tarThroughout the life of Apple’s App Store, we have seen numerous games trying to clone Grand Theft Auto, but so far, none have come close. Gameloft‘s, Gangstar: West Coast Hustle, features an action packed 3D city complete with detailed buildings, stunning landscapes, as well as impressive cars that animate and take crash damage just as they would in Grand Theft Auto. Even the vocabulary that the character’s use is similar.

Gangstar is an almost ideal replica of GTA for the iPhone and iPod Touch. If you’re not in the mood to complete the 50 different missions, you can always drive or walk around exploring the city, shoot at and fight your enemies, or steal vehicles.

You can easily drive around a variety of vehicles thanks to the touch screen controls. You can also aim at pedestrians or other gang members by simply tapping your target on the screen. The auto-aiming feature in the game makes this even easier.

When you’re driving a car you can easily change the radio stations by swiping your finger across the radio or if you don’t like the programmed stations, you can go right ahead and listen to your own music stored in your music library.

Of course, this review has only featured a handful of features that Gangstar has to offer. It is rated 12+ as is available in the App Store for $6.99. Click HERE to download it.

Core Cases Review + Giveaway

Core Cases

Core Cases

I was given the opportunity to review Core Cases’ Aluminum Slider case for the iPod Touch 2G. Core Cases does make this case for other Apple products such as the iPhone, iPod  Classic, as well as the iPod Nano (4th generation). Core Cases does, however, make another type of aluminum case for the iPod Shuffle. There is no doubt that all of their cases will protect whatever device you may be using.

The Aluminum Slider case for the iPod Touch 2G is a great case… one of the best in fact in terms of protection. It does fall a bit short, though, functionality wise. Because the case is made from 100% brushed anodized aluminum, it can withstand almost anything that get’s in it’s way. The inside of the case is fully lined with EVA foam to add a snug fit along with some shock protection from unexpected drops. The exterior holds up fantastically against scratches and dents while the interior keeps your device from getting any type of scratches. As you can see in the image to the right, the case has cutouts for the volume rockers on the left, one for the power/sleep button on the top, another one to reveal the WiFi antenna on the back of the case in the upper left corner, as well as one long cutout on the bottom to expose your 30-pin dock connector along with the 3.5 millimeter headphone jack. There is also a small, curved cutout on the bottom, front face of the case to better display the home button.

I have found that due the curved shaped of the iPod Touch 2G, the case did not form to the device as well as I would have liked. Of course this is understandable considering the fact that it is hard to shape solid aluminum around a curved piece of technology. Because of this, at times it can be hard to access the volume rockers as well as the power/sleep button. From personal experience, this was much better on the first generation iPod Touch. The front section of the case does cover some of the front of the device as seen in the pictures above. Because of this, if the device is dropped face down on a flat surface, the screen will not be affected unless of course it happens to fall on a corner or elevated rock, as is with all cases. The 30-pin charging cord along with the 3.5 millimeter headphone input fit in to their designated inputs without flaw thanks to the bottom cutout. There is also two very small cutouts on the bottom right-hand corner so that a lanyard/string may be attached.

The case is applied to the device by simply placing the back half of the case onto the back side of the device. Once that is done, the front half of the case can easily slide onto the front part of the device. This is better explained and demonstrated in the video review below. The case features one small metal “bump” on the bottom of both sides of the back half so that the front half of the case can stay securely fastened. I have found a minor flaw with this, though, where if the bottom of the case is not resting on any part of your hand, the bottom will slip out slightly if too much pressure is applied while pressing the power/sleep button, again, featured in the video review below. I also noticed this flaw in the first generation iPod Touch model.

Overall, for being made from aluminum, the case will protect the device indefinitely along with providing for a nice design. The case is priced at $24.95 $14.95 (you save $10) and comes in brushed silver, brushed black, or deep purple. For the price being relatively low and the amount of protection you get from this case, I would recommend this case to anyone who primarily is concerned with protection  over functionality. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this case or Core Cases please feel free to leave a comment below or contact us at contact@techgeec.com.

Giveaway

It is extremely simple to be entered into the giveaway for a Core Cases Aluminum Slider case in deep purple. Here are the rules:
1. You must be subscribed to iPT2gGeec’s YouTube channel which you can find HERE
2. You must be following iPT2gGeec on Twitter HERE
3. You must leave a comment on the video review, HERE, starting with your Twitter name followed by your comment. For example, “@iPT2gGeec – I want that case”

The winner will be chosen at random and will be announced on August 31, 2009. Comments posted on this web page will not be eligible.

Lockerz: More Free Stuff

LockerzHere’s another great site where you can get stuff for free. This website is Lockerz. It is invitation ONLY so you will need an invitation to join. If you want to join just leave a comment on this page with your email address and you’ll receive one shortly.

Here’s a Q&A to answer your questions:

1. What is Lockerz: Lockerz is an invitation-only website created to connect members through commerce, content and community. Watch exclusive video, discover new music, play games, connect with friends, and get rewarded for it. The more often you visit, the more opportunities you have to earn PTZ (or “Pointz”), Lockerz’ own form of currency. Lockerz was founded in March, 2009.

2. What types of products can be purchased at Lockerz: Members will be able to purchase a wide range of products from apparel, accessories, electronics, games, sports equipment and other products from hundreds of well known brands. Members will also be able to purchase digital assets such as music, videos, art, and decals.

3. Is Lockerz a scam: Lockerz is a real company. It is funded by Liberty Media, one of the largest media companies in the US. The Chief Executive Officer of Lockerz is Kathy Savitt, a former executive at Amazon.com and American Eagle Outfitters.

4. Why is Lockerz giving away prizes at low levels on PTZ Place: First, we just want to thank you for getting involved at the very beginning. You rock. Plus, you’re helping us build the coolest group of brand trendsetters every time you invite friends to Lockerz…but you probably knew that. And finally, we want you to try out the different PTZ levels to get a taste of how everything will work when we go live this fall. This version of the PTZ Place is a test for us to figure out what you like, what we like, and how together we can make Lockerz unbelievable when it officially launches.

5. Why is everything “Fresh Out” in PTZ Place: We are “fresh out” because the overwhelming early response to Lockerz blew right through our initial inventory. We will re-stock PTZ Place with new items starting this Friday, August 14.

6. Why aren’t people receiving invites: The overwhelming early response to Lockerz has occasionally maxed out our capacity to send email invitations. We are still in a beta learning phase. We are adding capacity every day. You should now be able to send and receive invites successfully. Invites that you already entered into the system should have been sent by now. You still may not be able to invite friends directly through Facebook. We are working really hard to fix that fast.

7. Will Lockerz ship internationally: Once Lockerz begins selling products this fall, we will ship to many countries outside the US (check back at launch time for a complete list).

8. When will I get my Z-List t-shirt: Please allow 7-10 days for delivery.

9. How many accounts can I have: Members are entitled to one account per person. Each person within a household can have their own account.

10. I want to play the game again, but can’t: The game is a one-time-only way to earn bonus PTZ when you first join Lockerz.

11. How will Lockerz make money: Starting this fall, you will be able to purchase products at Lockerz. But don’t worry, PTZ Place will still be around, with way more prizes and experiences than there are now. Members will be able to earn PTZ every time they buy, watch, play, share, invite friends, or simply show up on Lockerz. PTZ will be redeemable for both products and experiences.

12. When will Lockerz launch: Lockerz is launching in stages. PTZ Place, Lockerz’ Prize Redemption Center, is now live. Other components will be launched soon. The complete site will be launched this fall.

iPod Touch 3G

iPT3gThere have been reports of the next generation iPod Touch to have a built-in camera. These rumors are starting to seem more true as new facts roll in. Below are several pictures and one video of what appears to be the iPod Touch 3G. As you can see, there is a built in camera at the top of the back of the device. These images shown seem to correspond with the rumored third generation cases.

-to show it’s real. If you look at the board, it states Apple 2009 very clear. The 2nd gen AKA iPod touch out now, has 2008 on it. They haven’t revised the 2008 touch. I will compare them in pic in a sec.

-BTW, these phones NEVER leave Apple and this one left but it was a durability test phone, so that’s why the screen is all gridded off and cracked.

-The side by side picture is the inside of the current gen vs the 3rd gen (one coming out in September).

-I acquired this from a guy that I buy parts phones and iPods from. I believe he’s a recycler in ***********, so what most likely happened is that Apple threw this away and he some how got it and sold it for parts.

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iTunes 9.0

2zs78uwAccording to Boy Genius Report, iTunes 9.0 will have the following features:

  1. Blu-ray support
  2. Application Management – You will be able to visually manage your apps and rearrange them
  3. Social Networking - Integration with Twitter, Facebook, and Last.fm

These are some great features but as of now, they are still just rumors. I do find, however, that the social networking feature is not needed all that much considering iTunes is still just a media player, much like WMP (Windows Media Player) or VLC media player. I do think that the integration of Blu-ray support is a very nice add-on. Because the are still not officially confirmed, we still do not know if this is true. Though if it is, I am curious if it would work on all computers or only on computers that have Blu-ray disc readers. The reason I point this out is because I doubt that if a certain computer does not have the hardware to read Blu-ray discs, what would make software on this computer capable of doing so?

There is no confirmed release date but it is believed to be released sometime near September when the new iPod Touch third generation will be announced (possibly).

Ideal Case Review

banner-home-1I was given the opportunity to review two cases distributed by Ideal Case. The two cases were the Cubic Series silicone case as well as the Bubble Series silicone case. Both cases are relatively similar with a few minor tweaks. They are made out of high quality and durable anti-dust material, it covers the entire device to ensure complete protection, it is easily washable, and it offers a fantastic non-slip, grippy surface.

Both cases are excellent, however, there are a few drawbacks. The best aspects of both cases are that they have an elegant shine effect. The cases are completely smooth on the outside. It is on the inside where the designs are incorporated. On the Cubic Series case, there is a continuous pattern of cube-like shapes. The entire case is clear which allows the chrome backing to be seen while the case is being used. It is the chrome backing that gives the case it’s “shine” effect. When the case is not accompanied by the device, it looks as if there are multiple translucent diamond-like shapes on it. The effect takes place when the case is on the device. The chrome backing allows the the silver color to come through, thus enhancing the shapes and giving the 3D effect. This effect has also been incorporated into the Bubble Series.Cubic Series Silicone Case for Ipod touch II (White)

The Bubble Series case that I was given was blue with translucent circles throughout. Again, the chrome backing on the device shines through the translucent part of the case (the circles) giving it the luxurious shine effect. It was with this case that a had a few, but minor, problems. The edges on this case are much smoother than on the Cubic Series. Because of this, it is a little bit harder to navigate your fingers to the volume rockers and the power button. Another thing that I was a little bit confused about, was why there was a cutout where the WiFi antenna is. The Cubic Series does not have it and it really does not make a difference if there is a cutout or not. This is definitely not a big problem but I feel as though the case would be that much better if there was no cutout.Bubble Series Silcone Case for Ipod touch II (Blue)

The grip on these cases is amazing. In the review video below, I show that the iPod (accompanied) by the case is able to stay on my laptop while it is at a nearly 90°. Because the case is able to form so well to the shape of the iPod, one can hardly feel that it is there. Because this case is so thin, it won’t help protect your device as well as some of the other silicone cases, however, it will prevent from scratches, dents, and any other sort of damage. Overall, these cases are two of the best cases that I have. What I like most is not only the fact that they do not collect any lint, but that they both have the “shine” effect. For only $12.99 I would definitely recommend buying one of these cases from Ideal Case.

How to Jailbreak 3.0.1 Firmware

Courtesy of  QuickPWN.com:

The iPhone 3.0.1 update was recently released. If you want to jailbreak any iPhone running on  iPhone OS 3.0.1, you must use redsn0w 0.8. Do not update to 3.0.1 if you are using an iPod Touch, there is no need to. This post will show a step-by-step tutorial on how to jailbreak iPhone 3.0.1 with redsn0w.

Note:

  1. redsn0w only recognizes iPhone 3.0 firmware (not 3.0.1 yet!), although you are running firmware 3.0.1 you must still download iPhone OS 3.0 firmware for your device.
  2. The recent iPhone 3.0.1 update does not fix the iPhone 3GS hole, so it’s safe for iPhone 3GS users to update. If you downloaded a purplera1nday file or your iBec or iBSS for iPhone 3GS you don’t need to redownload it because it’s identical in this update.

First you must download redsn0w for Windows, Mac, or Linux from here.

redsn0w 0.8 works for Phone 3.0.1, iPhone 3G 3.0.1, iPhone 3GS 3.0.1, iPod Touch 3.0, and iPod Touch 2G 3.0.

1. Download the iPhone OS 3.0 IPSW file for your device and save it to your desktop. Here are the file names for each device, make sure you have the right one:

  • iPhone 2G – filename: iPhone1,1_3.0_7A341_Restore.ipsw [download link]
  • iPhone 3G – filename: iPhone1,2_3.0_7A341_Restore.ipsw [download link]
  • iPhone 3GS – filename: iPhone2,1_3.0_7A341_Restore.ipsw [download link]

2. Open the redsn0w 0.8 application to jailbreak iPhone 3.0.1.

3. Click the Browse button.

redsn0w browse

4. Locate your device’s IPSW file that you downloaded in step 1 and click Open.

Browse for IPSW

5. The redsn0w window will have the “IPSW successfully identified” message. Click the Next button to continue.

IPSW Successfully Identified

6. redsn0w will ask you to “Please select which options you would like to have“. Make sure the Install Cydia box has a check mark and then click Next.

redsn0w select options

7. redsn0w will ask you to make sure your device is both OFF and PLUGGED IN to your computer. Make sure you plug in your device in to your computer and then turn it off. Click Next once you have done this.

redsn0w - Make sure your devices is OFF and PLUGGED IN

8. redsn0w will now ask you to connect your device in DFU mode, you must do this properly to jailbreak iPhone 3.0.1.

  1. Hold down the Power button for 3 seconds
  2. Without releasing the Power button, also hold down the Home (bottom center button) for 10 seconds
  3. Without releasing the Home button, release the Power button BUT KEEP holding the Home button for 30 seconds
  • If you don’t do this properly you will get a DFU Mode Failed message and you’ll have to go back to step one.

redsn0w DFU Mode

9. Once your device has successfully entered DFU Mode, redsn0w will show the following message: “Please wait while your device is being jailbroken. Waiting for reboot.” Your device should reboot after this. If redsn0w is stuck on Waiting to Reboot, unplug your USB cable quickly and plug it back in. The jailbreaking process should continue after tha.

10. Once your device has rebooted redsn0w will start uploading the RAMDisk and kernel.

11. After everything has been successfully uploaded to your device, redsn0w will have; the “Done!” message. Your device will now reboot and you should see the Cydia app on your SpringBoard. Your iPhone is now jailbroken!

Apple Releases 3.0.1 Update to Fix SMS Security Flaw

Yesterday, Apple released the 3.0.1 firmware update for iPhones and iPod Touches. It is advised that if you’re on an iPod Touch do not update considering the only difference is the SMS vulnerability fix. If you’re on an iPhone and are worried about your security, you should update. If not, don’t worry about it.firmware3.0.1