Smartphones

iPhone 3.1 firmware reversing iPhone jailbreaks

If you're one of the millions of iPhone users who've jailbroken their iPhones or iPod Touches--the desktop hacking trick that allows you to use non-Apple approved apps, access the iPhone's file system, and other tweaks--you'll want to hold off on the latest software update (3.1) that Apple announced Wednesday. Updating your iPhone or iPod Touch will break your jailbreak, meaning any services and apps you've installed via Cydia will be gone, as well as Cydia itself.

The Dev Team is working on a new app to jailbreak the current version, but no word … Read more

Make your own robot iPhone mask

A new video from cell phone Web site Recombu promises to teach you how to turn you into a very low-tech robot that incorporates an iPhone.

It may not be as cool as this battery-operated sound equalizer T-shirt, but it's bound to get some LOLs as a Halloween costume.

All you need is a cardboard box, a few household items like glue and aluminum foil, lots of tape, and an iPhone with the MouthOff app.

The popular application syncs animated mouths to the user's voice, allowing for endless hours of silliness.

Once assembled, the aluminum foil mask with … Read more

Pandora Radio launches on Android

Pandora finally has released its first Google Android application after revealing several months ago that it was in the works. The popular streaming music service had received some criticism by choosing to target other mobile platforms first, but Android fans should be pleased by this first release. Pandora has produced a very polished application that demonstrates that it takes the platform seriously.

For users unfamiliar with Pandora, the service allows you to create free streaming radio stations by entering a single song or artist you enjoy. Users then provide feedback on each song, which Pandora remembers for future selections. It'… Read more

iPhone 3.1 brings Genius changes, ringtones

Updated at 2:00pm PT with screenshots

At its special event Wednesday, Apple announced the latest iPhone software update iPhone 3.1. We're still downloading it now, but below you can read the list of changes as provided by Apple. Keep in mind that the ability to save a video from a multimedia message is dependent on MMS going live on September 25.

Genius recommendations for Applications Support for iTunes 9 ( Mac and Windows downloads), which offers Genius Mixes, app organization in iTunes, improved syncing options for music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, and photos, iTunes U Content organization Redeem … Read more

First Take: iTunes 9

iTunes 9 was announced today at this year's annual music event from Apple. Named the "It's Only Rock and Roll event," Apple didn't disappoint with the return of Steve Jobs, upgraded (and cheaper) iPod Nanos and Shuffles, and plenty of new iPhone app demonstrations from third-party developers. As many predicted, iTunes 9 (Mac or Windows) was also on the agenda and it received a number of cool new feature enhancements to make navigation and syncing to your devices easier. iTunes 9 is available today, but has not yet been added to Apple's software update … Read more

iTunes 9 breaks Palm Pre media syncing

Earlier on Wednesday morning, Apple CEO Steve Jobs took center stage here in San Francisco and unveiled a new lineup of iPods, iPhone 3.1, and iTunes 9.

The latter brings new additions, such an improved overall interface, an LP feature, a Genius Mix functionality, and oh, hey guess what? It also breaks the ability for the Palm Pre to sync with iTunes. This doesn't come as much as a surprise as Apple and Palm have been going back and forth on this issue. While mildly entertaining at first, this little cat fight is beginning to wear thin, particularly … Read more

Palm thinks small with new Pixi smartphone

Hoping to capitalize on the momentum created by the release of its Pre smartphone, Palm on Wednesday will unveil a smaller, cheaper smartphone called Pixi.

Apparently geared toward younger consumers than those targeted by the Pre, the playfully named smartphone will be longer but slimmer than the Pre and will sport a smaller multitouch screen, a full QWERTY keyboard, and a 2-megapixel camera, Palm said. However, like its smartphone sibling, the 3.5-ounce Pixi will still have 8GB of memory and GPS capabilities.

In addition to a new Facebook application, the Pixi will also be able to integrate LinkedIn contacts … Read more

Facebook app for Android released

While iPhone owners have long had a powerful Facebook app with a wide range of functionality, Google Android users have had to make do with the mobile version of the social networking site (called Facebook Lite). Not only does it offer limited features, but also it is clunky and rather difficult to navigate.

But that changed Tuesday when a new and long-awaited Facebook app hit the Android market. The free app offers many of the features that you've come to expect on the iPhone app and the full version of the site. You can scan your news feed, view … Read more

D'oh! Sprint pulls $99 Palm Pre promo after error

Earlier on Tuesday, Sprint published an enticing deal to customers of competing carriers by offering a $100 service credit to anyone who bought a Palm Pre and ported his or her old number to Sprint. Sounds like a great deal, right? Well, it would have been had it lasted.

Sprint has since pulled the offer, saying the promotion was posted in error and issuing this statement:

After further internal review today, the offer of a port-in service credit of $100 to new customers who buy the Palm Pre has been pulled because it was put into the system in error. … Read more