iPhone Saga - Removing the Sim Card

OK, this past saturday, I removed my sim card from the iPhone and placed it into my Palm Treo 750. I made a post about why I chose to do this and 3 days later, a firmware update comes out. How Ironic.

Anyhow, if you wondered how to remove the sim card from your Apple iPhone, check out this video.

iPhone Update 1.0.1 Online

This file is 7.1mb and is downloaded directly from iTunes. Here is the process on video. It only took about 5 minutes. Other than the version number, I haven’t found any radical changes yet. Of course, I no longer use it as my main phone, so I will likely miss any enhancements to its usability if any.

Phone Software
Version 1.0.1

. Bug fixes

This version of the software includes bug fixes and supersedes all previous versions.

For feature descriptions and complete instructions, see the users guide for your iPhone at:
    <http://www.apple.com/support/manuals/iphone/>

For more information about iPhone, go to:
    <http://www.apple.com/iphone/>

To troubleshoot your iPhone, or to view additional support information go to:
    <http://www.apple.com/support/iphone>

This text is taken from iTunes installer.

SoftMaker Presentations: New public beta available now

SoftMaker has recently released a new public beta of SoftMaker Presentations for Windows. This new beta version includes the following important bug fixes and improvements:

• PDF export (this will also be available in the next major release of TextMaker and PlanMaker…)
• Improved import and export of PowerPoint files
• Improved management of slide masters
• Many new features such as pens, text markers or fading effects have been added.
• Now also available with menus and dialogs in Dutch, Italian, and Bulgarian.
• Additional bug fixes and performance improvements
• If you already have a serial number for the Presentations beta, you do not need to register again for the beta. Get the download directly from here: http://www.softmaker.net/down/prw07beta.exe
• If you are just starting now with the beta test, you need a serial number. Please visit this page:
  http://www.softmaker.com/english/pr_en.htm

Blackberry Curve 8310 available in Germany

Vodafone and Research In Motion (RIM) introduced today the new BlackBerry Curve 8310 smartphone in Germany, with built-in GPS navigation and advanced multimedia functionality.

The BlackBerry Curve 8310 features integrated GPS functionality that works with pre-installed Vodafone Navigator software so mobile users can easily know exactly where they’re going. The software displays the user’s precise location on a local map and also integrates directly with their address book. Thanks to Vodafone Navigator on the BlackBerry Curve 8310 smartphone, Vodafone customers can avoid traffic problems caused by bad weather, traffic jams or road closures as known problems are automatically taken into account when the route is planned. The Vodafone Navigator is an off-board navigation system, which downloads route planning information from an up-to-date central server.

Facts & Figures on the new BlackBerry Curve 8310

• Memory: 64 MB internal flash memory; Expandable memory slot for microSD cards
• Display: 320 X 240 pixels, supports more than 65,000 colors
• Supported networks: Quadband GSM (850, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz)
• Data transmission: GPRS, EDGE
• Interfaces: Bluetooth 2.0, mini-USB
• GPS: Integrated GPS module
• Multimedia: 2 megapixel camera with flash and 5X digital zoom; Media Player supports audio
• formats (MP3, MIDI, AMR-NB, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, WMA) and video formats (MPEG4 Part 2 Simple Profile, H.263 and WMV)
• Push-based email: Supported by BlackBerry® Internet Service and BlackBerry® Enterprise Server
• Additional features: Full QWERTZ keyboard, trackball operation, Vodafone Navigator, integrated speakerphone, language selection

The BlackBerry Curve 8310 is available now from Vodafone in Germany for 99,90 Euro in combination with a Vodafone Business Kombipaket Zuhause 240.

Source: Blackberry press release

Do you use Facebook?

If you do then Jason Langridge has a great tip for you!

He has been using Facebook and found an interesting by-product of using Facebook that can benefit all Windows Mobile 6 users. So what is it?

He found a neat way to collect pictures for your contacts for your device.  He simply saves the profile picture of his friends and contacts have to his PC and then associates the picture with the contact in Outlook.

Simple and easy to do, this is a terrific tip for those of you that like that picture on your contacts!  As a side note, Jason said: “This also means that when I get an SMS/Text Message or an Email the contacts picture is shown on the email or text.”

Thanks for the TIP Jason!

So you spent HOW MUCH on that iPhone?

With all that you spent on the “frond end”, why even consider “cheaping out” on the back end?

I’m really surprised at all the baloney that seems to be overtaking the web relative to concern over the EOL (End of Life) of the iPhone battery.  It is just not going to be an issue for the overwhelming majority that have purchased the device.  Why?  I would expect that a large percentage of those that have a current iPhone will not have that device in a year (or two).  They will either have upgraded to the newest iPhone  (if they are still enthralled with it) or will have moved on to another great device.

But for those that still have their iPhone, when (and if) the battery does reach its EOL, unless you are super talented and have the ability to meticulously take apart your precious iPhone, why would you even consider it? So Apple will charge about $85 but you will get a device back that will work, will have a rated battery and some sort of a warranty. But if you decide to be “chinchy”, a $20 do-it-yourself replacement is going to cause you more aggravation than what it is worth and the chances are it will not even come close to the quality of the Apple replacement.

Engadget Mobile reported today about a mysterious Chinese company has stepped in and “created” a “solution” to your problem with its iPhone battery replacement kit. For just $20, which is cheap enough to elicit genuine concern, you get a 1400mAh, 3.7V iPhone battery, some type of screwdriver-like tool, a strange plastic shiv, and an instruction manual (presumably in English, but you never know).

So they say “All you have to do is crack open your $600 phone, de-solder your old battery and solder in the new one” …yeah, I can just imagine the throngs of people doing that!

It’s time to get off of the battery issue … it is a NON-ISSUE!  The battery will last, and it will provide you with more than adequate service for a long time!

HTC Kaiser - Very Close to Launch

According to Tracy and Matt’s Blog, we can expect to see the Kaiser soon … real soon!  They are preparing their review with what they believe is the final version and impressed is an understatement.  This device WILL BE a best seller because of its size, form and the power that is packed behind a Windows Mobile OS.

There are some images as well as some introductory thoughts so check the out here at Tracy and Matt’s Blog

Cellfire: Mobile Coupon Redemption

Cellfire, the only nationwide mobile discount offer and coupon service, today released key findings regarding mobile coupon redemption, including the top 10 cities in America that are super savers. Miami-Fort Lauderdale tops the list of markets with the highest per capita usage of mobile coupons, with Northern California and Texas taking the majority of the remaining top spots. The findings are based on mobile coupons redeemed during the six month period ending June 30. 

Top 10 Markets for Mobile Coupon Usage per Capita:

1. Miami/Fort Lauderdale, FL
2. Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto, CA
3. Chico/Redding, CA
4. Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
5. Waco/Temple-Bryan, TX
6. El Paso (Las Cruces), TX (NM)
7. San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose, CA
8. Jonesboro, AR
9. West Palm Beach/Fort Pierce, FL
10. Atlanta, GA

 Not surprisingly, 68 percent of coupons redeemed were from mobile savvy shoppers between the ages of 18-34, followed by shoppers aged 35-44 with 18 percent. Food and entertainment topped the list of categories for which coupons were most frequently redeemed.

Cellfire automatically delivers savings directly to cell phones and provides frequently updated discounts specific to that consumer’s geographic area. By clicking on a particular coupon or discount offer, consumers receive a unique redemption code that is presented at the time of the purchase. Unlike SMS text-based offers, Cellfire’s secure application-based service enables consumers to easily store, search and use many discounts across multiple merchants in a spam-free environment.

For more information about Cellfire visit here

Source: Cellfire press release

Samsung i600 WM6 upgrade

Samsung has released the Windows Mobile 6 upgrade for the Samsung i600 for customers in Netherlands and Russian. Hopefully, the upgrade for those in the UK (and elsewhere) won’t be too far behind!

Download information can be found HERE

Source: Jason Langridge’s blog

AT&T launches OTA music downloads with eMusic

AT&T has announced the launch of an over-the-air music download service with eMusic. The eMusic over-the-air service will give AT&T’s customers the ability to preview and purchase music via their wireless devices from a catalog of 2.7 million songs.

Songs purchased from eMusic Mobile are immediately sent to the user’s wireless handset, and a duplicate copy is available for download to the user’s PC at no charge. AT&T customers can subscribe to download five tracks a month for $7.49, and additional packages of five songs are available for the same price whenever desired.

eMusic Mobile will be initially available on some of AT&T’s music devices, with many to be added in the future. Users of the Samsung a717, a727, new versions of the popular Samsung SYNC and the Nokia N75 will be able to access the eMusic wireless store by clicking on the music note key, choosing the Shop Music option and then selecting eMusic.

eMusic Mobile also offers customers more value with dual delivery of purchased tracks. When a customer purchases a song from a wireless handset, a DRM-free track is delivered to the phone while a second version is delivered to the user’s home computer for use in his or her larger music library or with any music player supporting the MP3 format.

For more information, visit AT&T eMusic

Source: AT&T press release

Sanyo NOT unloading mobile phone division

There has been a certain amount of speculation in the media regarding SANYO’s mobile phone handset production business, originating from an article in Japan’s Nikkei Shimbun dated July 27, 2007.

The Nikkei Shimbun article is purely about the potential sale of “Telecom SANYO”, a 100% subsidiary of SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. and domestic mobile phone sales business unit, which operates approximately 80 mobile phone retail shops in Japan and also sells other manufacturers’ brands. Therefore Telecom SANYO is solely a retail operator, and has no relation to SANYO’s mobile phone manufacturing business. In addition, the article was purely written based on market speculation, and was not officially announced by SANYO.

SANYO will continue to enhance its global mobile phone manufacturing business.

Source: Sanyo press release

Live, from Canada … The NEW Smartphone Thoughts, version 2

Jason, Mike and the crew have been very very busy and now want to invite you to come visit Smartphone Thoughts version 2.0.  It is a great site, a lot of terrific news and one that you definitely want to add to your favorites.  Jason Dunn posted an item today about the new look and the anticipated glitches that might appear … but don’t worry, he said wait a few and they will pretty much have them ironed out. 

It’s a great look guys!!

It took a lot of work - nearly a year off and on - but I’d like to welcome you to  This new version is nicer looking, faster, has more space for content, has bigger ads (sorry, they’re a necessary evil), and in general gives us the space and infrastructure to do some very cool things here in the coming years.

It seems incredible that we haven’t modified the Smartphone Thoughts template since we launched it, but despite minor modifications here and there it’s largely remained the same since day one. I can’t even begin to describe how complicated the whole process was, or how much work Fabrizio put into this process - taking all the phpBB data, injecting it into the vBulletin forums, merging two different username databases…the list goes on and on. Suffice it to say that it’s been a lot of work, a lot of sweat, but that the results were worth it. The groundwork done on this process will allow us to move Pocket PC Thoughts and Digital Media Thoughts over much easier when the time comes (and that time will be soon).

Smartphone Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

BlueAnt launches voice isolating Z9 Bluetooth headset

I think BlueAnt products are terrific and now they have finally released the long await Z9 Bluetooth headset. Engadget Mobile reported that the final version weighs in at 0.35-ounces, measures 1.5-inches in length, boasts a glossy, translucent finish, and most importantly, touts a two-level approach to noise cancellation. Very Cool!!

Here is the Press Release on the Z9:

BlueAnt?s Z9 Bluetooth Headset Brings New Voice Isolation Technology To Life

BlueAnt Wireless released the much anticipated Z9 Bluetooth Headset as part of the company?s first step into the global distribution of its products. Awarded for its innovative design at CES 2007, the Z9 leads the next generation of Bluetooth headsets with its stylish design and use of dual microphone, noise reduction technology via BlueAnt?s patented Voice Isolation Technology, a revolutionary proprietary Digital Signal Processor (DSP) software solution.

Voice Isolation Technology uses sophisticated techniques to separate the voice signal from all background noise, enhancing and isolating all frequencies that affect voices coming in to and out of the headset and resulting in noise suppression, wind noise reduction and echo cancellation.

[Read more]

Medical Records Now Accessible With iPhone

MedeFile International, a company specializing in portable electronic medical records management solutions, today announced that MedeFile members can now enjoy access to their actual personal medical records, anywhere, anytime, on the iPhone.

“One of the key benefits of subscribing to MedeFile is the fact that our members can rely on having 24/7 access to their personal medical records whenever and wherever they may need them without the hassle and inconvenience of managing hard paper files,” stated Milton Hauser, Chairman and CEO of MedeFile International. “With the advent of cutting edge mobile devices, such as the iPhone and other popular web-enabled hand-held computing devices, coupled with our unique MedeDrive portable drive that can be carried on a keychain, the inherent value of MedeFile is greatly enhanced and further extends the comprehensive range of Internet access venues that can be used by our members to securely view and manage their actual medical data. Whether traveling across town, across the country, or across the globe, MedeFile members enjoy peace of mind knowing that
wherever they are, all of their medical records are safe and immediately accessible.” 

For more information about MedeFile and the MedeFile system, visit MedeFile 

Source: MedeFile press release

Treo Film Festival

The Official Palm Blog announced the Treo Mobile Comedy Film Festival. The festival has been created to celebrate the emerging art form of made-for-mobile films. “Made for mobile” means films created specifically for the smaller screens of mobile devices. Treo Film Festival entries do not have to be made using a Treo smartphone or mobile phone. Films may be shot and edited using any traditional or non-traditional filmmaking method. Both experienced and inexperienced filmmakers are welcome. Entrants may create and edit video using any means. In other words, there’s no requirement to use a Treo smartphone or another mobile phone to capture video.

Award Categories:

Choose a category below or enter at-large. The Best of Festival winner does not have to come from one of these categories.

• This Mobile Life: You’ll be asked to focus on subjects such as mobile romance, mobile manners, or the lighter side of life as a mobile warrior.
• Retake: Rewrite the ending to a famous movie. Shoot your own version of a scene from TV. Here’s your chance to parody that film, TV show, or commercial.
• Animation: Create your very own made-for-mobile comedic animated short on any topic you choose. (No nudity, foul language, or graphic violence.)

Prizes:

• Best of Festival: $5,000 cash prize, a mobile filmmaking toolkit, plus travel and accommodations for the October 18th Los Angeles gala event.
• This Mobile Life: $2,000 cash prize, a mobile filmmaking toolkit, plus travel and accommodations for the October 18th Los Angeles gala event.
• Best Animation: $2,000 cash prize, a mobile filmmaking toolkit, plus travel and accommodations for the October 18th Los Angeles gala event.
• Retake: $2,000 cash prize, a mobile filmmaking toolkit, plus travel and accommodations for the October 18th Los Angeles gala event.

More information:

• Treo Film- home page and how to join
• Treo Film Festival Guidelines - more details about prizes and the judging process
• Treo Film Festival Rules - all the Rules and Terms
• Mobile Movie Making Tips - information about how to make mobile films

The entry deadline is September 14th, 2007. Entries will be accepted from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Entrants must be 18 or over. Select films will also be featured during the festival on MobiTV.

Source:Treo Film and Palm blog