How to jailbreak. Fast.

iPod touch and iPhone owners now have a one-click solution for jailbreaking. It's currently only available for Windows but a Mac and Linux version will surely come out eventually. However, there are several conditions that keep "blackra1n" from being a killer app:

1) If you rely on an iPhone unlock (meaning that you bought an iPhone under a carrier like Globe but got it "unlocked" so that you can use other carriers like Sun or Smart), do not download this app. If you have a Mac, you can use PwnageTool to create custom firmware that will preserve the prospect of an unlock.

2) The iPod touch 3G (the one released a month ago) is supported, but if you restart it, you'll need to do the jailbreak all over again.

So with that in mind, how to do it? Well, go to this website and click on the Windows logo. Yes, the Windows logo, trust me. It'll download the app "blackra1n.exe".

After the 600-some kilobyte download, you can open it. This is what you'll see.

Oh sorry, I forgot this was Windows. This is what you'll see.

Make sure your iPod touch or iPhone is connected before you get tempted to click that big grey button. If you do have it connected, just click it and let the app do its magic.

In my experience, it only took around a minute to get things up and running. The app will say that it's putting your iPhone in recovery mode and stuff, which means that your iPhone's screen will do a lot of crap. Don't mind that, that's normal. Once you see the picture of a man with rain as his background, that means success. You've jailbroken 3.1.2, be proud!

The iPhone/iPod touch will have a new icon (probably in the next page) that says "blackra1n". This will allow you to install such lovely sources as Cydia, Icy, and Rock. I advise you to go with Cydia since that's the source I've used ever since I first jailbroke my iPod. After you install Cydia, you can uninstall "blackra1n" if you feel like you won't ever use it again.

And if you've jailbroken (or pwned) your iPod touch or iPhone before, you can just do all that other crap again. Winterboard, NES emulators, what say you. If you don't trust my tutorial, then the two iDevices I have installing Cydia right now after the jailbreak might be from a non-existent dream.

iPhone and iPod touch 3.1 released

The people who feel left behind by the new models need not fret, as the best thing about owning an iPod touch or iPhone is their upgradability, meaning that most of the features that the newer models have, the older ones will most likely get.

Apple did not make much emphasis on the new features brought on by the new update since there aren't really any significantly pressing issues with the firmware 3.0. Still, it's recommended for all iPhone and iPod touch users to be able to access the latest apps.

The more obvious changes include the addition of Genius mixes which infinitely play a playlist of songs that sound great together without much user intervention, and Genius for Apps which recommend apps based on your collection.

Didn't I mention that it's now $5 for iPod touch users (upgrading from 2.2.1 firmware)?

iPod 3.0 software (1st gen vs. 2nd gen)

While it's all good for the iPhone bunch with their free upgrades, there's a bit of a predicament when you start talking about ponying up $9.99 for the same upgrade on the iPod touch. Like anything that's not free, much consideration will have to be made before making the jump. Is the 10 dollar 3.0 firmware for the iPod touch worth it?

1st generation iPod touch

I got my first generation iPod touch through a "points redeem" program so technically, it's sort of free. I actually wanted to hold off for the 2nd gen but my father was persistent and got me that for my birthday. It's still one of my best buds ever, and while upgrading to 3.0 gave a bit of new life to it, it's ultimately not worth paying 10 dollars for.

The only major features that first generation iPod touch users will benefit from are:

1) Push notification support (multi-tasking-ish) and App Store account settings.

2) Configurable Spotlight search...

3) Search everywhere.

4) More complete artist information on lock screen mini-player

5) Specific scrubbing

6) Safari Autofill

7) Cut, Copy and Paste

So yeah, the updates you'll get to notice are simply too subtle, so I think it's either upgrade to the next iPod touch that's probably gonna oversee release in September or October, or ignore it (and the apps along with it). 2.0 was a great upgrade since it granted access to apps, but this one? Maybe not... unless you didn't upgrade to 2.0, that is.

2nd generation iPod touch

The second generation benefits much more than the first generation iPod touch due to the fact that it has Bluetooth. Yeah, that's actually a bit of a distinctive line because what the 3.0 firmware does to it is that it "unlocks" the Bluetooth option so you can listen to music- with (stereo) Bluetooth headsets! Not only that, it also lets the iPod touch go head to head with an iPhone or similar generation iPod touch in several games that utilize the Peer to Peer thing (that or you can download apps that let you share files over Bluetooth as well).

In addition, if you buy any headphones that have a mic, you can also use the gorgeous Voice Recorder that comes with the firmware. Of course, you also get the aforementioned other features, but isn't the upgrade so much more enticing with the new Bluetooth features?

If you're not into Bluetooth headsets, don't upgrade, but if you are, this is a no-brainer.

iPhone App Demoes

A new tradition Apple has taken upon things that have to do with the iPhone is to demo a slew of cool iPhone apps.

The first company to demo was Gameloft with Asphalt 5. It has 47 licensed cars, and a few bicycles thrown in for good measure. Yes, it's basically a racing game that lets you listen to your iPod library- a first- as you drive and the graphics are actually kinda pretty.

It also has the features that will become standard on probably all iPhone games: local multiplayer through Bluetooth, worldwide online competitive modes, and DLC that nickel and dimes the player. I'm sure we'll see something abusive from Capcom some time in the future.

And here's a cool, more practical app: Airstrip Technologies' Critical Care. Unfortunately, I have yet to actually see a video for it. But when you see it in action, it's actually pretty cool.

Next is the Iceberg Reader which features quite a few books, magazines, textbooks and newspapers that you can buy.

Again, there's still no video of it, but I will update this post when a video comes.

What America considers to be the most major app demo is the Tom Tom GPS app, which also comes complete with a companion car kit. It seems pretty sweet indeed since you won't have to buy an extra GPS unit, but the thing is, Philippine maps probably don't exist there. Fail.

It was actually rejected in the App Store at first, but now it seems Apple and Tom Tom are getting buddy-buddy. Apple actually has a leg up Microsoft with this since Microsoft recently charged Tom Tom for patent infringement or something like that. Actually, even cooler is that the car kit will also charge the iPhone.

Then Neil Young from ngmoco demoed a game called Star Defense. It's an RTS that's actually available right now, but the expansions that are not free have yet to be in that version. iPhone 3.0 firmware users will get that.

45-year old company Pasco also wants to make science fun for kids through the iPhone app Spark. I'm not sure how fun it is, but at least it helps you do science experiments, like say, measuring the air pressure and how it lowers and increases when inflating and bursting a balloon. Unfortunately, I can't even find a video nor a picture, but I'm gonna update this when I do.

But here's a cool one: Zipcar. It basically lets you find all the Zipcar branches and reserve a rental of a car. You can even unlock or use the horn of your car if you can't find it. We don't even have a Zipcar in the Philippines so it's useless here (and will not probably even see the light of day in the Philippine App Store).

Here's another gem: amps for your guitar. And I mean a real guitar. Line 6 who makes amps collaborated with music iPhone app devs Planet Devs to make a pretty damn cool app. You can connect the amp to your iPhone, and the guitar will definitely sound like the amp you select.

It's so sad that there isn't any video right now.

Obviously, I'll have to do a lot of updating here. -sigh-

iTunes Gets Early

In preparation for iPhone firmware 3.0 upgraders, Apple has pushed iTunes 8.2 to Software Update for both Mac and Windows. This is most likely due to the fact that Apple doesn't want people clogging the servers and downloading both iTunes and the 3.0 firmware.

So if you own an iPhone or an iPod touch, you better get updating to version 8.2. Quicktime also got an update for security purposes.

iPhone 3.0: Yes, there's Copy and Paste and then some

No new iPhone revealed today, but existing iPhone (or iPod touch) users can expect a lot from the new firmware to be released by Apple in the Summer months (of course, American summer months) and well, let's cover them chronologically according to the media event that was held.

Developers were the ones in mind when Apple decided to conduct this media event, but that doesn't mean that there are no goodies for end-users as well. Just keep in mind though that the firmware is in beta, and new features might be added. Knowing Apple though, they might even strip one or two in the last minute or otherwise add a buggy feature for that matter.

Anyway, here we go.

Statistics, and more boring stuff
First we have the director of iPod and iPhone Development Team giving out the statistics, iPhone SDK downloads, iPhone sales, motivation for the iPhone developers in the audience, OK, the rudimentary stuff. Additionally, Apple is defending its right for having extremely tight control over App Store submissions by saying that their approval process has become a bit more lax because 96% of App Store submissions have been approved and 98% of submissions have been approved within 7 days, and the man goes on for 5 more minutes afterwards.

Here it really is...
After that, Scott Forstall is called to the stage and we go to the real deal: the iPhone OS 3.0 Software.

Transactions in-App

Developers are pretty much happier because they're able to put purchases in-app, which can actually reduce the number of apps in the App Store, but they're also able to get more revenue and give the consumer more convenience. Catch is that free apps can't do that.

Renew magazine subscriptions inside the app itself.

Local connection to fellow iPhones and iPod touches
Then there's the "Peer to Peer" functionality which enables several iPhones or iPod touches to get inside a local match in a game quickly and through Bluetooth so users need not be in a WiFi zone, nor do any inconvenient pairing. Additionally, other apps can utilize it for other purposes... perhaps file transfer with other brands of phones?

Accessories talk to iPhone (and vice versa)
Plus, accessory makers can now make an app to control an accessory from the iPod touch or iPhone. For example, if your blood pressure thingy is compatible with an iPhone, you can connect it to one and you'll be able to see your blood pressure displayed and you can send that data over to your doctor. Or, maybe you can connect it through Bluetooth if you don't like wires.

Where do I really go to get to Point B?
Next, Google Maps can now be embedded into apps so the full app can be used within a third-party app. Additionally, a framework called CoreLocation can now support turn-by-turn directions for GPS or triangulation, but developers have to make their own maps due to licensing issues. This will make driving to several destinations easier, but unluckily for us, we don't have any Philippine maps that are up-to-date.

Developers can put Google Maps in their apps.

Specific turn-by-turn directions help you cut through traffic.

Broken Promises Made Up For
Now here's one thing people have been a waiting for over a year for: Push notifications. Apple hasn't delivered that with 2.0 last year, so now, well, Forstall acknowledges the error and promises Push notifications for the new firmware. Why not background processes, developers ask? Well, battery life wasn't good that way so push notifications became Apple's workaround for better battery life. Plus, performance will not be affected as much. Let's hope Apple's claims are true though, and that the Apple Push server won't get overloaded. This will be great for IM apps.

Miscellaneous Developer Features
Oh, and I have a good feeling about iPod library access. Rhythm games...... plus voice chat during games! Consumers obviously will say 'Meh', but this is a big deal for developers.

Now Forstall invites several developers from EA, Meebo, Johnsons and Johnsons, ngmoco:) etc. to demo the iPhone 3.0 features.

"Taking care of puppies in the morning, fragging n00bs at night" (Impressions of select demoed apps)
1) The Sims 3 iPhone looks great and it was just programmed in 2 weeks, but oh crap, you're gonna have to pay real money to buy new objects! Rip-off!

The former involves a Sim dancing around to the iPhone's music library, the latter shows off the in-game store.

2) ESPN's app looks great for sports fans who want to see results and the highlights of a game. They demo the iPhone's new video streaming standard.

The quality of the game's highlights are automatically adjusted depending on the bandwidth.

3) And how about that LifeScan glucose meter? It's an app made for diabetics who want to check their glucose and food intake through just the iPhone and an iPhone compatible LifeScan accessory. Pretty nice.

4) Oh, and ngmoco:)'s LiveFire FPS... how will the controls be implemented?

The iPhone OS 3.0 also helps game developers make the iPhone a more credible gaming platform.

5) Leaf Trombone... well, not a big fan of developer smule's Ocarina app but lolz, Phantom of the Opera is the song being demonstrated by the two men from smule, and they look... funny. Two people blowing into an iPhone and just shifting the pitch, it's just... lol.

To your left you'll see the Phantom, and to your right you'll see Christine.

USER FEATURES

1) Cut Copy and Paste - Finally. How to do it? Well, you can double tap some text (or if you want a block of text, just expand the end point/s) and a bubble will appear. Just double tap the part where you want to paste the text and click Paste. Done. More elegant than Clippy, I'm sure. And yes, SMS and Photos can also be copied and pasted. Third-party apps will have support for it as well.

Jailbroken iPhone? Hell no.

2) Undo/Redo - You can shake the device to summon a dialog box that lets you Undo or Redo some erratic typing. This is prolly gonna be a nice feature for those photo editing apps.

3) Landscape typing - Typing E-mails, Notes and SMS (or pretty much anywhere) is a bit less of a pain because people can now type in that format if they so choose.

4) Messages - SMS has been renamed into a more user-friendly "Messages", and they can now be individually deleted and forwarded, thank God. Plus, MMS support has FINALLY been added. Now photos, vCards (contacts), audio, videos and locations can be sent through MMS instead of E-mail. While I don't use MMS much, I'm still happy that Apple whiners and haters can take a break from making fun of the lack of these oh-so basic features.

Can't you help but point and laugh at the two photos above?

5) Voice Memos - An all new app that should've been built-in since the first iPhone, voice memos can now help people create memos using the microphone (or external mic's). The app looks gorgeous, too.

6) Calendar Syncing - Various Calendaring standards are now supported by the Calendar app and iTunes.

7) System-wide Search - Apple finally gives the users a search feature which is pretty much a mobile version of Mac OS X's Spotlight which searches all major apps for specific information by just flicking to the left of the home screen. This will be very much convenient, especially for people who download loads of apps.

8) Shake to shuffle - I knew it. The gimmicky feature first appeared in the iPod nano, and like that device, it'll probably take a vigorous shake before it gets activated- perfect for runners.

9) Stereo Bluetooth - Yup. A2DP right here. Score 1 for Apple's geek rep.

10) Anti-phishing - More mobile security for mobile Safari

11) YouTube accounts - Yes, I can now log-in to my account straight from the dedicated YouTube app!

12) Auto-fill - You can now worry less about dealing with the virtual keyboard as this Safari feature will enable users to fill out forms with the generic information in one click (or in the iPhone's case, touch).

More than a hundred new features, and a thousand new API's can now be downloaded if you're an iPhone developer. Yep, the iPhone 3.0 beta is available on the Apple site today for developers. The final version of iPhone 3.0 will be released in "summer" for free with all the iPhone's (although Stereo Bluetooth and MMS won't be supported due to hardware limitations) and iPhone 3G owners and 10 dollars for iPod touch owners- yes, both generations.