• android,  google,  tmobile

    Briefly Noted: eWeek T-Mobile G2 Review

    December 3, 2010 /

    I recently came across eWeek.com’s review of the new T-Mobile G2 smartphone running Google Android.

    “Overall, the T-Mobile G2 by HTC, which is priced at $199 with a two-year contract, is quite a good Android phone. It doesn’t have every feature that can be found with the competition, but it has a few features the others don’t have, most notably the very fast 3G access. If you want an Android choice, this is right at the top of the list.”

    You can read the full review on the eWeek website.

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  • games,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  touch

    Rovio Releases Angry Birds Seasons

    December 3, 2010 /

    Rovio has followed up their successful Angry Birds: Halloween app with Angry Birds Seasons.  “Seasons” is a separate game for iPhone and iPad that includes the Halloween levels, and a new set of Christmas themed levels.

    The twist for the Christmas themed levels is that you play one a day until December 25th.  That is kind of annoying while we’re waiting for Christmas to get here, but the Seasons levels are harder for me to get 2 or three stars so I’ll end up spending a day trying to get to three starts so it won’t be a big problem for me anyway.

    One thing that I really like about Angry Birds: Seasons is that is supports iOS 4’s Game Center feature so I can compare how I’m fairing against my friends and family in the leaderboards.

    Like the original Angry Birds, Angry Birds: Seasons comes in two flavors: iPhone/iPod touch ($.99) and HD for iPad ($1.99).  If you purchased Angry Birds: Halloween, Angry Birds: Seasons will be a free upgrade.

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  • blackberry,  blackberry os

    BlackBerry Tip: Erasing the Calendar

    November 30, 2010 /

    I stumbled across a great tip today while testing out a new Exchange 2007/BlackBerry Enterprise server sync solution.

    I needed to clear out the calendar on my BlackBerry Storm2, but I didn’t want to have to hard reset the device.

    Turns out that there is a secret command of sorts that will allow you to clear out the BlackBerry calendar database without having to wipe the phone.

    Note: The BlackBerry smartphone must be running BlackBerry Device Software 4.5 to 5.0 to perform this task.

    1. Open the calendar application on the BlackBerry smartphone.
    2. Press the Menu key and highlight Options.
    3. Select the calendar to be reloaded, e.g. “Desktop” for a BlackBerry Enterprise Server enabled BlackBerry Device.
    4. With the calendar highlighted type rset on a QWERTY keyboard or ER,ER,AS,AS,ER,TY on SureType.
    5. Click Yes when asked to reload the specific calendar to continue.

    You can read the full Resarch In Motion article on the BlackBerry support website.

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  • apple,  ipad

    Oh No! I Have A “Dead” iPad!

    November 30, 2010 /

    I got home from work last night and grabbed my iPad to catch up on what has been happening while I was toiling way at work.

    I started checking email, Twitter, and a few websites.  Everything was fine.  Then disaster struck!  I pressed the Power button to turn off the screen and take care of a few things.  I came back about 5 minutes later to check the weather and I couldn’t wake up iPad!

    I was finally able to wake the iPad up from it’s deep sleep by pressing and holding the Power button and the Home button simultaneously for about 10-15 seconds.  I was greeted by the white Apple logo and then a few seconds later the password screen appeared and I was able to start using my iPad.

    Knock on wood, I’ve never had a problem with my Apple hardware, so I was a little surprised that my iPad decided it was on a break.  I knew the battery was at 76% so it wasn’t like the battery was so low that it wouldn’t turn on.  I tried pressing and holding the Power button, pressing the Power button in rapid succession, pressing the Home button, connecting the iPad to my MacBook Pro, and even letting the iPad charge up for 10 minutes.

    While I was troubleshooting I was having images of having to trek down to a “local” Apple Store a good 45-60 minutes away and then having to deal with the sea of people in the store to get to the Genius Bar to have someone look at my iPad.  Luckily for me, things weren’t that bad.

    The moral of this story, is that you should keep a level head, and try troubleshooting before having to call Apple.  If you need troubleshooting tips, manuals, or other support options for your iPad, you can visit the Apple iPad support website.  Need help with a different Apple product?  Visit the full Apple support website.

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  • apple,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  rumors,  touch

    Rumor: iOS 4.3, Periodical Subscriptions Coming in December

    November 24, 2010 /
    It seems like just yesterday Apple rolled out iOS 4.2.1 to bring a number of new features to the iPad and refinements to the iPhone 4, both models of iPhone 3, and recent model iPod touch handsets.  Oh!  Wait!  It was just yesterday!
    But today is a new day, and with it came new rumors that Apple is already at work on iOS 4.3 which is rumored to have enhancements for AirPlay will feature a new set of application program interfaces, or APIs, that will support a new type of for pay subscription system for digital periodicals, like New Corp’s “The Daily” digital only “newspaper.”
    It is also rumored that Apple will make some noise with this update and will hold a media event.  This is where things can get a little bit sketchy.  According to an article that appeared on MacStories.net today, a source indicated that Apple had planned to have iOS 4.2 out within the first two weeks of November, with a public announcement and release of iOS 4.3 about a month later in the first half of December.  It is not clear what impact the discovery of a Wi-Fi bug in iOS 4.2 will have on the iPad maker’s plans for iOS 4.3 within the first fifteen dates of December.
    What will happen between now and when we close the book on 2010 is anyone’s guess right now.  Be on the look out for an Apple media event on or about December 9 and for iOS to start hitting iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches on or about December 13.
    Personally, I’m looking forward to a digital daily news paper, and will try out News Corp’s “The Daily” for about $4.25/month.  I’m also still looking for digital subscriptions to the paper magazines that I already subscribe to.
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  • apple,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  ipod,  itunes,  touch

    How To: Upgrade to iOS 4.2.1

    November 22, 2010 /

    Apple’s iOS 4.2.1 software update that was rolled out today is a nice tweak for iPhone and iPod touch users already running iOS 4.0 and a huge leap forward for iPad owners.  This guide is intended to help you make the jump to the latest iOS release for current model iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

    Step 1: Install iTunes 10.1 on your Mac or Windows PC if you haven’t already done so.  (Use the Apple Software control panel to check for the iTunes software update.)
    Step 2: Connect your iDevice to your computer to sync your data and back it up.
    Step 3: Select your iDevice from the iTunes “Source” list.
    iTunes 10.1 Devices Source List
    Step 4: Click the Check for Update button.
    Click the Check for Update Button
    Step 5: Click the Next button to begin the upgrade process.  Follow the on screen directions.
    Click Next to Begin the Install Process
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  • apple,  ios,  ipad,  iphone,  itunes,  mobileme,  touch

    Find My iPhone MobileMe Service Become Free

    November 22, 2010 /

    As an early Christmas present along side the iOS 4.2.1 update, Apple has made the Find My iPhone feature of the $99/year MobileMe service free.

    Apple descrbes Find My iPhone (or iPad or iPod touch) on their website as the following:

    Find My iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch — the MobileMe feature that helps you locate your missing device and protect its data — is now free on any iPhone 4, iPad, or fourth-generation iPod touch running iOS 4.2.3 Once you set it up, you can find your lost device on a map, display a message on its screen, remotely set a passcode lock, and initiate a remote wipe to delete your data. And if you eventually find your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you can restore everything from your last backup.

    You can download the MobileMe Find My iPhone client for iPhone/iPod touch/iPad from the iTunes App Store (iTunes link).

    Once you have the Find My iPhone client installed, check out Apple’s easy to follow setup directions for iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad.

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