Hack-Proof iPhones

Word on Mac Blog Street is that Apple has released into the wild iPhones immune to the unlocking and jail-breaking tools of intrepid and brilliant individuals that have unleashed the power of the iPhone in ways, well, Apple currently doesn't not permit officially.

Untapped potentials of the iPhone is what is at stake here. We want more and Apple doesn't appear to be ready or willing to provide that to us. Talk about night and time when compared to the Android platform. But iPhone users want it and developers who provide unlocking/jailbreaking tools are giving it to us.

But it appears that Apple is changing the rules a bit with an updated bootROM for the iPhone 3GS. More at Appleinsider. With the new scheme, currently tools will have no effects on these new iPhones.

I'm not a betting man but at times when something appears to be favorable, I dabble a bit. And my bet is on the development community over Apple any day on this issue. And another bet: this is going to be a seesaw battle for years to come until Apple realize the futility of this exercise.

Microsoft's Sidekick Mess: Valuable Less For iPhone Users

Alright, remember when Apple launched MobileMe services to replace .Mac but there were issues with?  Well, that was growing pain and things continued to get better with each passing day (actually, we had some issues with MobileMe for about 30 minutes or so this morning).

Over the weekend, T-Mobile's Sidekick users were cut off from their data in the cloud when their connections were severed.  By all accounts, data have been lost and some might never see them again.

Forget the blame for now.  Forget that Microsoft bought Danger and is now responsible for providing services to thousands of Sidekick users.  Now, it's about us MobileMe users and just about anyone who relies on the cloud for computing and data access.

MobileMe works very differently from Sidekick services.  We've got copies of our information in Macs or PCs as well as on our iPhones and iPod Touches.  Apple has servers with our data but unless something weird or deliberate happens, MobileMe users are not going to suffer the same effects as Sidekick users in terms of completely getting cut off from the data.

However, as Apple continue to innovate, introduce new products and services, and becomes increasingly more reliant on cloud computing, I can't help but be a bit worried.  The future of mobile computing is a certainty that we cannot deny.  But in the short-term, we should expect more hiccups along the way.

Macpromo Security Bundle - The Best Bundle So Far

First, I just want to say that I don't get a penny of this bring this Mac bundle promotion (just check the link).  It's just my daily Web surfing and I came across it.  In fact, I intend on buying this tonight and installing the ones that I need.

Macpromo has a Mac Security Bundle for $49.99 for us right now.  Twice or thrice a year, Macpromo has bundles that Mac users can get for dirt cheap.  And to be honest, for most bundles, half of them are pretty good while the other half, not so much.

However, this one looks very good.  Look, Mac folks, the Mac isn't immune from Internet attacks.  And if you're a regular user like myself, we have no idea how the inner workings of the OS X work and why we seem to not be suffering from the constant barrage of security holes, viruses, and other darker elements of the Internet.  Perhaps it's because the Mac install base is still small and not worth the efforts of the hackers and virus writers.

But the day will come when the Mac is going to need some protection.  Well, this bundle is a good start.  I've got like 4-5 applications running on my XP machine at work.  I just don't trust Microsoft or just any one specific application on the PC.  And since we don't know a lot about how Macs work, having these applications in the bundle is provides me with a piece of mind.

So, again, I am bringing this to your attention because it's a great bundle and having some distance between us and the bad elements of the Internet, whether we need it or not, just makes good sense.  And again, I'm don't get a penny of this.  I'm just a satisfied customer.  This will be my 2nd bundle that I've got from Macpromo and third Mac bundle over all.

Of these, I'm particular interested in TechTool, VirusBarrier, Personal Antispam, Spring Cleaning, and FileGuard.  As a matter of fact, Klix and Personal Backup, and ContentBarrier are the three applications I probably won't use much.  The Computrace LoJack is interesting though I almost never let my Macbook out of my sight (I don't even trust my family with it).

So head over and see if this is something you'll be into.  I highly recommend it.  A lot of times, they have a couple of hidden applications that will unlock when certain number of bundles sold are reached.  It doesn't appear to be the case this time around.

More at Macpromo.

Car Dealers With Complimentary Wi-Fi Access

Okay, as strange as it sounds, Starbucks, superbook stores, and malls aren't the only place that offers Wi-Fi access to patrons.

Car dealerships and oil change places like EZ-Lubes also provide Wi-Fi.  You're asking why anyone would want to go there just to access the Internet.  Ordinarily, you wouldn't.  I'm not a big car guy.  But once in a while you have to take it down to the dealership for some maintenance work.  Sometimes, it's 30 minutes.  Other times, it could take a few hours especially if you don't have an appointment.

Still, there are times when you're there with your spouse, family, or friend looking to buy a new car.  The dealing and haggling can take a few hours.  I was once there for more than half a day.  Could I have used Internet access then?  You betcha!

Plus, some dealerships also have fast food joints and coffee houses for patrons that had to spend hours there at a time.  It's actually quite brilliant for all involved.  And it certainly makes taking the car in for servicing less of a chore.  A few of them even gave games on during the weekends so folks aren't missing their favorite team in action.

Also, about a year ago, I was sitting in EZ-Lube waiting lounge and I opened up my then Powerbook to hack out some notes.  I turned on the Wi-Fi to see if I can access the hotspot at a nearby Starbucks.  To my surprise, I found an open network from EZ-Lube.

Anyway, I'm wait for supermarkets to follow these examples.  I believe Whole Foods offer Internet access but other supermarkets like Ralph and Vons have renovated their stores with seating areas for patrons.  As you know by now, I often go to supermarkets during hot summer months because of the air conditioning and easy access to food and drinks.  There are even Coffee Beans and Starbucks in some of the stores.

The only shortcoming is that none of the ones I go to offer Wi-Fi access.

English Choice: iPhone Carrier Choices

To our British readers, you are so frakking lucky!  You not only get one choice.  You not only get two choices.  You're going to be getting three choices of iPhone carriers!

The mobile world, specifically the Apple mobile fans, will be watching to see what this means for them. You're going to get competition for your hard-earned money.  Perhaps more features.  Perhaps just lower monthly rates.

But I reckon you'll get more features and lower rates.  For us on this side of the Pond, folks, it feels like we're looking into the window of a rich family whose kids are playing with new toys.  It's a bit of a downer.

A while back, there was news that some Canadian carriers are looking to bring the iPhone to their networks so Rogers don't get all the fun and continue to charge users the crazy rates.

Again, what about the mobile warriors in the States?  Conventional wisdom is that We're stuck with ATT until the LTE network from Verizon is built.  I'm not so sure about that.  I'm still hoping T-Mobile somehow is able to provide the iPhones since they're got a more robust 3G network from when they came online with it last year.

Otherwise, we'll have to wait until the middle of 2010 at the earliest when Verizon's LTE is tentatively scheduled to come online.  For now, we can see what competition among wireless providers will mean for the customers.  And I'm sure the FCC are also looking as well.

Plus, given how Apple was able to secretly negotiate with the Orange and Vodafone to sell the iPhones without spies and bloggers finding out about this.  The same thing can potentially be going on with American carriers.

For now, congrats to the Brits on finally getting choices.

Will There Be An Apple Event In October or November?

Appleinsider is report both Mac Minis from Apple now have a 2-3 weeks waiting period while iMacs are also experience longer than usual shipping period.  Why am I mentioning this and how does this relate to Apple mobile?

Events.  See, there's a lot of moving parts with Apple's mobile strategy.  Not just app stores and iPhones.  There's music, movies and televisions.  Also with Apple TV.  See, Apple is very good at making money by creating a viable self-sustaining ecosystem.  

Almost all of Apple news these days are about the iPhone.  For instance, take the news yesterday about Apple buying a mapping service company.  Immediately we think iPhone but it could be that they also want to provide additional geo-tagging or overlay services for the Mac.

So, events.  If there is an event this October or November, chances are it'll be more than just refreshing the Mac hardwares.  It may involve Apple TV which has been stagnant and just recently received a price cut.

An Apple event this late may mean a new digital entertainment strategy.  Then there is always a chance that perhaps the iPhones and iPods will also benefit from this as well.  

We should know by the middle of October what's going on if an invitation to the press is issued.  Just so you don't get too excited.  Even if there is an event this fall, it won't be about the tablets.

More at Appleinsider. More at Onxo about Apple's map company.

Apple Arms For Mobile War By Buying A Map Service Company

We didn't get Google Voice for our iPhone and iPod Touch.  See, things aren't too good between Apple and Google at the moment.

Regardless, that's not our problem, right?  So long as Apple, Google, and others continue to innovate, we're really the folks in the driver's seat.

So, Apple acquired a map service company called PlaceBase.  It is to replace Google Maps on the iPhone or to provide better services and features for the Mac?

Remember, there's a tablet on the way.  Maybe Apple is doing something special for it.  Regardless, so long as we get whatever Apple has up its sleeves sooner rather than later, that's all good to me.

More about Apple's strategic map buy and possibility of Apple unveiling its own search engine at Onxo.