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How To Use Your iPhone as a Wireless Laptop Modem

cate — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 06:30:12 +0000

Excerpt from pcworld:

“…Jailbreak your iPhone
Download and install QuickPwn, an easy-to-use jailbreaking application for Windows and Mac (the latest version works with iPhone OS 2.2.1). Run the software and follow the onscreen instruction very carefully!

Install iPhoneModem by Addition
QuickPwn installs an app on your phone called Cydia, which is essentially the App Store for apps that were rejected from the official App Store (or, for whatever reason, the developer chose not to release through Apple). Run Cydia, search for iPhoneModem by Addition and install it. Keep in mind you can only delete Cydia installed apps via Cydia’s Manage-Sources function. Now download and install the helper app on your laptop and you’re almost ready to go.

Set up the network
Run the helper app and hit Connect. The helper app sets up an ad hoc wireless network that can be accessed via iPhone. The default network it creates is called “iPhoneModem” and does not have a password (you can change this in the Preferences of the helper app). Now open up your iPhone’s Settings and tap WiFi. Make sure WiFi is turned on and select the network “iPhoneModem” (or whatever you called it). Type the password if you assigned one. Open up the Modem iPhone app and everything else will configure automatically. After a few moments the helper app and the iPhone app will confirm that a connection has been established and you can browse away with all the comforts of your laptop!

Shortcomings
While 3G seems plenty fast on a phone, it feels a little slow on a laptop. Also, most major web browsers work but not all are supported. In addition, a lot of other internet applications aren’t supported, but for all intents and purposes, you should be able to browse just fine….”

The Possible New Things from Apple

cate — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:28:28 +0000

New iPods: “More likely.” Apple refreshes its iPod line in the fall, and there’s no reason it won’t this year. To compete better with the cheaper iPhone, Apple could offer higher-capacity iPods at lower prices, one possible explanation for its warning about low gross margins.

Refreshed MacBooks: “More likely.” No major shape/size changes, but faster laptops at lower prices.

Apple Tablet: “More likely.” Shope wouldn’t be shocked if Apple released a tablet soon to take advantage of its exclusive, multi-touch technology on a product with a bigger screen.

iPhone nano: “Less likely.” It makes sense that Apple would extend the iPhone family the way it’s done with its computers, iPods, etc. And a cheaper, slimmed-down iPhone could reach a broader audience than today’s. Just not so soon after it launched the iPhone 3G, which has strong demand.

Super-cheap laptop: “Less likely.” Eventually, Apple will need to come out with a laptop under $800 to tap into new markets. But Shope’s conversations with Apple “suggest that the company may not be ready for such a drastic change in product strategy in the near-term.”

Super-cheap desktop: “Less likely.” An all-in-one, not the Mac mini, which would expose Apple to the “sweet spot of the desktop market fairly quickly.” Just not convinced Apple is ready to play in the “discount PC market” yet.

Mac TV: “Even less likely,” a “long shot.” Apple could skip the set-top box by building its Apple TV software into a flat-panel TV. While Shope (and we) would probably be buyers, he thinks “this seems a bit outside of Apple’s normal sphere of business for now.”

According to alleyinsider

Razor Sharp MacBook Air

cate — Wed, 28 May 2008 05:50:31 +0000

It slices! It dices! It slashes your arm in a single bound! Look! On your desk! It’s Macbook Air!

From engadget

Help Extend the Life of Your MacBook’s Battery

cate — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:49:41 +0000

From mactipsandtricks:

“1) Only use the battery as needed. For example the less you use the battery the long it will last. Instead of using the battery only a little and then recharging keep it plugged in.

2) Drain the battery down. Although it is not as need as much, it has shown (on my battery) that by draining the battery down and then doing a recharge it seems to make the battery last as long as possible.

3) Keep your battery cool. Batteries are designed to run at around 15 degrees Celsius. So if you keep your battery really hot, for example using it outside all day, or two cold (inside a fridge). By keeping your battery at a good temperature you may keep the charge longer and more healthy.

4) Calibrate your battery. It keeps it up to date with the maximum and minimum battery capacity and helps you computer work out how to use its charge more effectively.

5) Keep firmware the latest. Download the latest firmwares and it will help. Although you may not see an immediate difference. It will help you keep it in tip top shape.

Finally buy a new battery. If you battery has really died, and has become a lump of metal it might be time to buy a new battery. Until we develop a battery that always keeps its charge you may have to keep replacing them every 18months.”

Boston Apple Store Will Be the Largest

cate — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:27:28 +0000

Picks are up!

cate — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 09:26:24 +0000

Check them out here: mac games

Hope you like ‘em.

Picks are up plus a new strategy game for Mac

cate — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:17:28 +0000

Picks are up here: mac games

Something I missed that’s new is:

Tradewinds Legends is a strategy game where you must build a flotilla of ships armed with weaponry, both man-made and magic. Sail into the sky to discover new ports and engage in aerial combat with other magical sky ships. Check it out.

Download it now

New Accessory for iMac: iLEVL

cate — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 01:55:25 +0000

iLEVL attaches magically to your iMac’s built-in magnet to be used as a holder to put paper to the side of your screen to easily access text copy. Simple and indispensable. An iLEVL to be used with Macbook and Apple’s cinema displays is envisioned for the near future. See how it works in the video on the site.

Get one here

Mac Mini is not dead. Long live the Mac Mini!

cate — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 06:37:45 +0000

From Appleinsider:

“Apple Inc.’s Mac mini, a tiny desktop system previously pegged for extinction, won’t fade into the distance after all, at least not yet.

Last Memorial Day, AppleInsider cited sources in reporting that it appeared to be the end of the line for the itsy-bitsy Mac, which had seen limited adoption and an uncertain role during the first 24 months on the market.

Since then, the product line has remained in a state of limbo, with subsequent updates consisting of minor component swaps that required little if any engineering effort.

For the first time in nearly a year, however, people familiar with the matter tell AppleInsider there’s new life in the Mac mini department, where a small team of engineers have recently been tasked with gutting the diminutive desktop and applying fresh internals.

Thanks partly to Intel’s rapid phase out of previous generation Core 2 Duo mobile processors and associated components…”

Read the full article

New Mac Event: Mac Day L.A.

cate — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 02:52:13 +0000

4th Saturday of every odd month, except where holidays conflict.

Premier Event: Saturday, March 22, 2008.

Mac Day L.A.
CBS Studio Center — “Radford Studios”
4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City CA 91604
Website: Macdayla (for details and required RSVP)

Sunday in the Technology Park with Steve

cate — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:31:51 +0000

Sort of like pointilism but instead of using dots to paint a picture, Steve is painted with Apple products.
Source

MacBook Pros on Sale for Cheap at Amazon

cate — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 10:05:16 +0000

Last generation MacBook Pros are really cheap right now at Amazon.

Time Capsule Now Shipping

cate — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 01:02:22 +0000

Check it out

Dead iPod Song

cate — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:44:21 +0000

Watch it

This week’s picks are up

cate — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 10:19:27 +0000

A quick note to let you know I’ve posted this week’s picks early (as usual). Here it is:

iPod and Accessories Week

Note: For those of you who only use RSS readers, the week’s picks have a different rss feed. Here it is: Mac Games and More Weekly Picks RSS FEED

New Screen Protectors for MacBook Air

cate — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 09:57:45 +0000

From shaggymac:
“Avoid screen damage from key contact, dirt, oils, and residue. Even with a recessed keyboard, the MacBook’s lcd is still prone to the same problems faced by most laptops. Utilizing True Micro-Fiber Technology, the ShaggyMac Laptop Screen Protector boasts over 1 million fibers per square inch, which translates into the best possible screen protector available. This screen protector was designed specifically for the MacBook Air. The slimmer material is compatible with the magnetic latch, and all of the Air’s “Thinnovation.” The ShaggyMac Screen Protector even doubles as a screen cleaner to safely wipe away dust & debris. Sensible insurance for your screen….”

Order one now

This Week’s Picks are Up: Valentine Gift Ideas for Mac Users

cate — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 08:27:15 +0000

I just posted this week’s picks. Since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and you only have a couple of days to decide what you’ll get your sweetheart, I’ve suggested some things. Here it is: Valentine Gift Ideas for Mac People.

FYI: There’s a separate RSS Feed for the week’s picks, which I usually post on Sundays. Here’s the RSS Feed for that: Mac Games and More Weekly Picks (RSS Feed)

Host your server at LiquidWeb and NEVER have to worry ’bout your site being down

cate — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 03:54:44 +0000

If you are looking for a great company that can host your server, I highly recommend Liquid Web. They are simply the best. Excellent and highly skilled customer service 24/7 – 365 days a year. That includes being open at 3am on Christmas! If you ever have any problems, they are on it right away. (Those of you outside the U.S. Do you think you can find a French server company open on the weekends, let alone on Christmas? Answer: NO.)

Liquid Web
4210 S Creyts Road
Lansing, MI
48917-9526, U.S.A.

Steve Jobs MWSF 2008 Keynote in 60 Seconds!

cate — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:53:58 +0000

Just in case you missed it, here’s the keynote from MWSF 2008 in 60 seconds – with Steve Jobs. If only all keynotes were this short. Also, I wished they could have left out R. Newman.

Click here to watch the vid

Tablet Mac is here!!!

cate — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:36:01 +0000

Axiotron has converted MacBooks into Tablet Macs (ModBook) and they are now available for $2,290. Particularly interesting to mobile users, artists, students and professionals, the Modbook enables its user to draw and write directly on the screen, while the handwriting recognition built into Mac OSX not only turns hand scribbles into text in every application, but also provides extended control of the system through gesture recognition. The Modbook comes standard with a built-in iSight™ camera and an integrated CD/DVD combo drive that can be upgraded to a 8.5 GB DVD burner, and it is the only portable Mac solution that also features an optional built-in Global Positioning System (GPS).

Axiotron

[via]

Bamboo MacBook? or MacBook Pro?

cate — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:46:00 +0000

This is just wishful thinking but wouldn’t it be totally awesome if Apple reduced the amount of plastic on their MacBooks and replaced it with materials that are more sustainable? And pretty to boot. Wouldn’t you just LOVE Apple even more if they were more ecofriendly? I would. For example, these PC (*cough* *hack* *gag*) laptops have bamboo exteriors. Apple could surely make a version perhaps with lighter color bamboo. It would be totally sleek and wonderful. I would get one immediately!

Apple Slim Notebook Rumors

cate — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:54:42 +0000

From: macrumors:

As rumors start to build for Macworld San Francisco 2008, the most consistent rumor appears to be one of an ultra-portable Apple notebook computer.

These rumors started back in March 2006 by MacScoop who indicated that “very reliable” sources had indicated that Apple was planning on releasing an “ultra-thin 12 inch Mac Book Pro”. More confirmation came from an analyst, Benjamin Reitzes in June, 2006 with expectations that an “ultra-portable” Mac could be delivered as early as Macworld San Francisco 2007. Reitzes also suggested that these new ultra-portables would use NAND flash memory, either in combination with a traditional hard drive or using NAND flash alone.

Indeed, earlier in 2006, Digitimes had first reported that Apple and Intel were researching the use of NAND flash in portables to improve boot time and battery life. MacScoop later detailed the thin-laptop to be a $1700-$1800 12″ MacBook Pro with dual core processor and still retain an optical drive.

Macworld San Francisco 2007, of course, came and went with no new ultra-portable, but in February, more claims emerged from Appleinsider confirming that Apple was working on a mini-MacBook “lighter and more compact than any other Mac portable Apple has put forth in recent years”. These specs claimed that the new laptop would exclude a built-in optical drive and would indeed use NAND flash memory.

9to5mac added a report in September that an aluminum MacBook prototype had been spotted that was…