JailbreakMe 2.0

JailbreakMe 2.0 is a website that will jailbreak Apple i-devices simply by visiting http://www.jailbreakme.com from within the i-device’s mobile version of Safari.

One of the very first methods developed for users to “jailbreak” the original iPhone was via a website called JailbreakMe. Those who owned the iPhone could simply visit this website right from the iPhone mobile version of Safari and the website would jailbreak the iPhone, allowing owners to install unofficial applications and utilities that Apple will not allow into the official App Store. One such utility, for example, is capable of software unlocking the iPhone, ie allowing it work on other mobile service carriers.

This jailbreak service worked for a short period of time before Apple was able to identify the mobile Safari loophole and block it.

While other methods of jailbreaking have since then been released, JailbreakMe 2.0 is now capable of jailbreaking any iOS device (iPhones, iPod Touches, and iPads) that runs either iOS 4.0, 4.0.1, or 3.1.2.

Skype for iOS4

Skype has finally released a multitasking version of its software for Apple i-devices that run iOS4. The update allows users to receive both incoming Skype calls and messages by way of notifications if the app is running in the background. Additionally, if you’re on a Skype call, you can now freely tap the Home button to do other things while still maintaining the call. A red glowing bar is placed on top of the screen when the Skype app is not in the foreground. Tapping it takes you back to the Skype app.

Furthermore, Skype had initially planned to charge extra for calls made over a 3G connection starting September. However, Skype has now decided against this charge. Skype-to-Skype calls, whether made over 3G or WiFi, are absolutely free. Normal rates for SkypeOut calls still apply.

Pastebot

Of all the awesome iPhone apps out there, the ones that interest me the most are able to sync with a desktop counterpart. For example, Things on the iPhone lets me take my GTD list from my Mac on-the-go. The concept of being able to simultaneously use my iPhone both as a powerful standalone device and as an extender to what my desktop can do really just does it for me and Pastebot is a perfect example of exactly what I mean. Here, have a look:

For even more information or to download to your iPhone, click this link: http://tapbots.com/pastebot/

Opinion: iPhone Video Rant

I have to say that with each iPhone OS upgrade, the iPhone gets better and more fun to use. Even now, despite the fact that Apple has released the new iPhone 3GS, I am still in love with my regular, old 3G.

But there are a few very simple video-viewing related issues on the iPhone that I would have thought would have been addressed already. Unfortunately they have not, and now I will share them with you.

If you have a video loaded on your iPhone through iTunes, you can watch it in landscape in either orientation. The top of the phone with the power button and headphone jack can point either towards the right or left depending on what feels more comfortable in your hands. The video will flip right-side-up accordingly.

Now I understand that you get the biggest picture when you view the screen in landscape, but what if you want to watch the video in portrait? What if you want a quick preview of the video? What if you want to watch while the iPhone is docked in its cradle? It’s my iPhone and if I want to watch in portrait, even if it means a smaller video size, then it should be my choice, right?

Additionally, while the iPod app will at least let you watch in landscape on either side of the iPhone, the YouTube app will not. If you load a YouTube video on the iPhone, you must watch with the power button/headphone jack pointing to the left and home button/dock connector pointing to the right. Now I have big hands and holding the iPhone in that specific orientation with the headphones plugged in is uncomfortable. The headphone plug digs into my palm and doesn’t make for a pleasant viewing experience, especially while riding on the bus or other forms of public transportation.

Apple should, in future upgrades, allow the user to control the video playback orientation. As a matter of fact, this should also extend to games as well. Not all the games have consistent landscape orientation on the same side and only very few games let you chose the orientation yourself within the settings.

This certainly won’t stop me from watching videos while on the go, but it would certainly be nice to see Apple make these changes.

Any thoughts?

Real Rhapsody for the iPhone

Apple has approved the Real Rhapsody iPhone app, the online streaming music service provided by Real Networks.

Watch the video for a demonstration on how the app operates.

A thought:

With the advent of so many subscription-based online music services, in tandem with affordable unlimited mobile data, is it even necessary to load music anymore? Why focus on how many gigabytes of memory you have on your device or which music to load when you can just stream from an online library containing thousands or millions of songs on demand?