iPhone4's Prejudice Against Lefties and Sweaty Palmed Citizens

This was my response to David Pogue's article dealing with the signal loss issue of the new iPhone4. Read his article, it's humorous and right on!
http://ow.ly/23p1U

My response:

This is such a wild development. I guess there's a range of effects for whoever uses the phone. I can say without a doubt, I can reproduce the problem of the bars going away but I haven't seen any detriment in my call quality. In fact, it's improved over the 3GS! Was it you or someone else who said it might be an indicator issue?

To me, there has always been something underhanded and sneaky about how Apple does business. These bumper theories are just an outgrowth of how much we trust or distrust Apple.

At least for me, I haven't had any issues with call quality AND I'm getting a case in the mail soon from China. A very good rubber case that's only a dollar and came with free shipping. I've had the same sort of case on the 3GS as well so it's quality without the Apple price tag.

Anyway, I guess that will be my solution should the problem ever develop. I hope it's a software issue but for now I guess I don't have to worry about it. I'm not left handed either :) (just a joke) Great article, I enjoyed reading it.

As promised, how to change all the systems sounds on the Iphone

First option, you'll need an FTP program, I like filezilla and winscp best.
I currently use winscp.

You'll want to use this as your info and ssh in:
File Protocol: SCP (WinSCP)
Hostname: Your iPhones IP address - it needs to be on your internet network (use the network address 192.xxx.x.xx or plugged into your computer using the data ip address).
Username: root
Password: alpine

I would suggest changing that default password after this if you haven't done so. If you use the Rock crack store, it should allow you to change it the first time you log in.

Option 2:
IF you are not used to SSHing, I believe for system sounds, you can just use Iphone Explorer which is free as well instead of SSH and WinSCP. You need to go to Rock or Cydia and install "afc2add" though, this will allow you to reach the root on a 3Gs phone using Iphone Explorer.

Then- back to common instructions:
Go to this directory:
System/library/audio/uisounds
Make a backup of it and store it somewhere safe. You'll be replacing these files.

Then, I like Switch sound file converter, you need to change the sounds you want to use to .aiff format. Then, rename the file to a .caf file using the original name of the file you want to replace.

For example: I use the NCIS theme song for incoming text messages so I changed my NCIS.aiff to sms-received4.caf. Also I sometimes use the transformers transforming sound for my unlock sound so I changed tf.aiff to lock.caf.

Then I copied these files to the directory above replacing the old files. You may have to respring but after you do that, viola! You have customized sounds!

I hope this was helpful, take care, backup, and share the info with someone if they need it.
The net should be a free, open, helpful society as an ideal world. It isn't but we can help.

Have a good one!

Btw, this was an aggregation of many sites I have read in the past and I give full credit to those who had done this before me. I needed to compile the info into one easy to read instruction sheet though so that's what this is. I hope it's as easy to use as I think it is. Feel free to copy and save it.

Add a customized mp3 ringtone to your Iphone!

Someone from Walyou asked about how to change ring tones and UI sounds on the jailbroken Iphone. I thought I'd post them here in case anyone else needed them.

For Ringtones:
You DO NOT need a jailbroken Iphone:

I would first select an mp3, use something like Techlogg.com Toneshop because it's easy and free - there are others out there as well - to clip the mp3 to 30 seconds or less. I think that's max.

Then, go back into Itunes, import and right click on the audio file you created and convert it to AAC.

When you see the new file, right click and go to "show in windows explorer."
It's an .m4a file, rename that to .m4r

It should appear in the ringtones folder. If not, drag the file to ringtones. There you have it, a new customized ringtone.

I'll post another blog later about changing UI sounds, I have to head out.

Have a great day out there in internet land! :)

Slacker response.

My response to a Slacker article at: http://ow.ly/11S2w

I encourage everyone to give it a try. It's almost perfect to begin and with your hearts and hates it can only get better! Slacker.com - I received no payment, this is just my honest opinion.

"I love the slacker service. I have been a PLUS subscriber ever since Nov 2008 when I needed to find a replacement for lowering quality Satellite Radio. It's great, I've used the online version at home and out at friends' houses. I've used their G2 device in my car and I use the iPhone app endlessly. They are adding news soon and caching from what I hear and I can't wait for that. My preloaded and my personally created channels are just about perfect. I don't even need skips anymore but I have unlimited skips. They really know what they're doing when it comes to the service. If I had one gripe, it's that they haven't upgraded their Chinese music selection in over a year. Yes, they are multicultural too. Bollywood fans will get their fix as well. Try it, I think you'll like it. "

My response to AT&T article in the Chicago Tribune

Image from:touchmyapps.com

Response to article: http://bit.ly/92jdat

Tighter controls on wireless data usage coming for iPhones and other devices, AT&T exec warns

Their service is going downhill but it's not because of users, it's because of equipment they own.

In Chicago, I have gone from perfect crystal clear iphone service to (after November 18th for whatever reason) hit or miss, drop call, 3G loss all over the city. So far all the ATT technical support ppl have admitted that they have wide ranging tower problems right now and "degraded" service on all towers (whatever that means). They are also working on some kind of project that will keep a percentage of the towers offline until sometime in January.

On their behalf, I would say they assured me that they are getting more repeaters out there in Chicago to pick up the slack and they have already done that in San Francisco (confirmed). Service has been a lot better in the last week (going up from unusable) but still not what it was from before Nov 18th when I found every call I made dropped.

The Iphone and smart phones (most of them) were made for internet, music, AND video. I see "tighter controls on those who watch video" as a serious threat to business and what the phones were made for. I and many others keep up with news, stocks, and entertainment using internet AND video. It's the 21st century! Video is required and makes us better businessmen and knowledgeable ppl. Especially when on the road, driving or riding mass transit, it's much easier to listen and watch than to read.

I try to use Wifi whenever it's available and I think all users should look for that to lighten the load but AT&T, you need to shape up! If you keep selling devices you can't support, you should lower your service rates! You have the highest prices on mobile internet connectivity, you should be giving us the service to match!