iPhone 3GS 3.1.2 jailbreak released. PwnageTool 3.1.4

Ok this is for people who have iPhone 3GS’s. If you do not care about jailbreaking and unlocking your phone, then this isn’t for you either.

1. What is an unlock? An unlock basically allows you to pop in a different SIM card from a GSM carrier (T-Mobile, AT&T in the U.S.A, sorry Verizon).

2. Why is this important? Because, if you go overseas, the rates for data is astronomical. When I went to Amsterdam, AT&T wanted to charge me $20 dollars per MEGABYTE. I used 20 megabytes in less than 3 hours. Under AT&T’s plan that would have cost me $400 bucks.

3. What is a jailbreak? It allows you to install software not supported by Apple. For instance, an unlock program to allow you to use other SIM cards.

I unlocked my original 3G iPhone because I was an idiot and upgraded to 3.1.2 on my 3GS. I bought a vodafone prepaid sim and popped it in. Sent an SMS to a special vodafone code and got unlimited internet for about $15 USD for 30 days. I only needed it for 7 but still. $15 for unlimited as opposed to $400 for 20 megabytes. That’s a difference.

NOTE: YOU CAN NOT UNLOCK YOUR 3GS IF YOU ARE ON 3.1.2 CURRENTLY. However, you WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO UNLOCK EVER if you are NOT JAILBROKEN.

Which brings me to the point of this message… Apple is gearing up to prevent jailbreak’s altogether. They have already patched the bootrom and newer 3GS’s can NOT be jailbroken at all right now. However, if you have an older 3GS and wish to jailbreak, now is the time to do it, or else you may NEVER be able to.

For the super technical: “Note for 3GS users not already jailbroken and stuck at 3.1.x: this version of PwnageTool has a side feature to jailbreak your 3GS.  It uses a simple implementation of the usb control msg hole found by chronicdev, geohot, and our very own gray.  Now that the hole is public and in use, we expect Apple to close it by the next major firmware update. That’s why 3GS users need to get their ECID hashes for 3.1.x now, and need to stay onboard the “jailbreak train” in all future updates.  For more details on what this means, please see our earlier posts or ask in our comments section (moderated by the always helpful @angie and @confucious!).”

So, go do it if this at all sounds like something you might need to do in the future.

Some links:
http://blog.iphone-dev.org/

Stop and Shop Scan It! – Shopping in the 21st Century

Today, I really felt like I was in the 21st century. I walked into my local Stop and Shop at Cross County center, and there I encountered something technologically amazing; The ability to scan and bag as you walk threw the store. It was a completely phenomenal experience, and I recommend everyone to try it.

As soon as you walk in they give you the scanner and the bags. You have to scan your Stop and Shop card, then a scanner activates. You pick it up, and take a bunch of bags from where the scanners are hanging. When you are finished, you go up to the counter, scan this barcode at the register, and then it downloads it onto their main computer. Then you pay like normal.

I did not video tape the end of the experience, but I added a little ending to the video from the store. Watch the video embedded below to see the experience in action.

Launch of Local LTD website

Hey all, just put up my first app for review in the iTunes store. It’s not there yet, but I will make a new post once it’s approved. This program is for iPhone 3.0 with In-App E-Mail, and an In-App map. Website for the program is located at

http://www.melman101.com/Local_LTD

Here is the description once approved in the App Store:
Since the dawn of time, there has always been a question in the minds of humans. This question is quite possibly the most epic question pondered throughout the day. That question is “What’s for Lunch?” (or Dinner ). Local Lunch Time Decider or LTD for short helps you answer that question in today’s wonderful world of technology. Everytime you launch the app, it already has a random choice chosen for you. Then you can have it choose again, find new locations around you, map those locations, call them, e-mail your friends to meet you there, and even add in your own secret locations!

Save these locations in here so you don’t clutter up your address book! Driving down the highway with a friend? Have your friend check out the local eats, and save them in your list! Then you can check them out whenever you get a free chance

Have fun and I hope you do enjoy!

Check it out when you get a chance!

Asus EEE PC 900A

Just to give you the specs up front, it’s got a 4Gig SSD, Intel Atom 1.6ghz, 1GB Ram, SD Card slot, No bluetooth, No webcam. 

Recently, I read an article at TUAW detailing how a Dell Mini 9 failed a fellow blogger when he installed Mac OS X on it. I myself have been running into problems getting an opening system that is usable on it. I have used Linux since back in the mid 90s, and been an avid OSX user since 2000/2001 whenever the public beta dropped.

Linux has been a bear to install and run on here. Easy Peasy v1.0 was working fine but Jaunty Jackolepe came out (9.04) and decided I needed a run at that. So I had my run, and then eventually it would not boot. I would be able to log in but not be able to see any sort of screen or anything. Instead of trying a re-install I thought I’d go a different route.

I made an N-Lite WinXP CD and took out most stuff. I followed a great guide located here:http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=37047

Included in that link, is a link to the guide that creates your Windows XP CD. Then also, some other tips on improving the speed. This thing is working fantastic. Really, really fantastic. I have to say.

However, back to my original point. The TUAW Blogger stated that the machine was cramped and no good to type novels on. I have to agree with him. While I am banging away at the keyboard right now typing this post, I can see how my right and left hands both have to contort in a weird way to type what I need. This is causing discomfort in my right hand. However, for browsing the Internet, quick AIMs, and what not, this machine can not be beat. Especially when I got it from a friend for $150. This is the ultimate portable computer.

Final comment is that I think this machine can be used in the right conditions. To use this to type a novel, I doubt it. To use it as an internet/aim machine, definitely. If you get yourself an external mouse, that also increases the experience a million fold. I’m not a big fan of external mouses, but in this case it is way worth it.

This post was written on my Asus EEE PC 900A running Google Chrome on WinXP N’Lited!

Response to iPhone 3.0 beta firmware faq on Engadget

I just got finished reading Engadget’s article “iPhone 3.0 beta firmware faq”: http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/19/iphone-3-0-beta-firmware-faq/. I have to say, their one question and I quote:

“Is it stable enough for real use?

So far, yes — if you’re an Engadget reader, you’re probably an early adopter-type who’s willing to deal with a little pain. So far 3.0 has been pretty good, I wouldn’t try to talk anyone out of it (unless they had some crucial apps that weren’t yet working in 3.0, or needed it to be unlocked or jailbroken).”

I do not agree with that. I don’t think it is stable enough for real use yet. Granted, I am using it but I have been having problems that I would much rather fix than have the new features. To be honest, I’ve been an iPhone user since iPhone original day 1. I never had landscape SMS. So I haven’t used that new feature yet, and don’t see that I will cause I’ve just been used to portrait SMS for ever now. Secondly, I really wanted MMS. Guess what? It doesn’t work on AT&T yet. So that’s a bust. Also, I have had numerous weirdo bugs like freezing while trying to answer a phone call. Also, photos don’t load in facebook, and twinkle puts messages behind the status bar on occasion. I tried to play music, and nothing was playing. I had to fully restart the phone.

Don’t get me wrong, I love iPhone and I love iPhone 3.0. I would think twice before installing beta software again. And I definitely wouldn’t recommend it to people who are just casual users. However, I do plan on building an app that takes advantage of some of the 3.0 SDK features, hoping to get it out for 3.0 launch. That would be awesome.

Wii extension controller to USB project

I have created an open source hardware project for the purpose of converting Wii extension controllers to USB using the AVR atmega168 microcontroller.  So far it only works for the nunchuck and classic controller and has serious limitations but I hope it helps some people.  I have posted the source code and manual on google code: http://code.google.com/p/wii-ext-to-usb/

Here is the video I shot playing Street Fighter IV on the PS3. (nb: the turbo feature is not in the source as I wanted to make a general converter, not something just for fighting games ((I have made headway into programming macro functions for special SFIV moves though.. muhaha XD )) )

Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 for PS3

Well, I broke down and bought the Hori Real Arcade Pro 3 for the PS3 for use with Street Fighter IV. I got to say, this stick is wonderful. It has a Sanwa JLF-TP8Y-SK stick and Hori buttons from what I’m told are quite similar to the Sanwa OBSF30/24 buttons. However, if you do want to switch them out for the Sanwa button, apparently it has Quick Disconnects (QD) which make replacing the buttons a breeze. The difference between the OBSF30 and the OBSF24 are the size of the buttons. 30mm and 24mm respectively. Also, if you did want to replace the stick for a stiffer stick, you could get the Seimitsu LS-32-01. I hear that fits well. However, most people agree that the Sanwa JLF stick is not worth changing as it is a quality part. Most people also change the artwork, or even make it compatible with both the 360 and PS3/PC. I found a bunch of info here:

http://forums.shoryuken.com/showthread.php?t=95713&page=1

Also, to buy a bunch of those parts, go to

http://www.lizardlick.com

I tell you, I love the stick. it feels great. I play with it on my lap and it feels like I’m playing Street Fighter in the arcade again. Amazing!

SimCity 1.4.0 for iPhone released

I’m not sure how long it has been out, but apparently it’s suppose to increase overall stability. I have a city with around 350,000 people and it always crashes. Let’s see if it fixed it. I’ll report with an update later!

An interview with an adware developer

In the field of computers many people have dealt with adware, either fixing infected PCs or being infected the ebil apps.  So here we have an interview with an author who has claimed to have his adware installed in 4 million PCs.

http://philosecurity.org/2009/01/12/interview-with-an-adware-author

He seems quite honest and teaches some interesting strategies used by adware developers.

Weird problems resulting in deletion of post….

So I just installed the WordPress app for iPhone. I had trouble connecting to it and was getting and NSXMLParserErrorDomain error 1. From the iPhone app. So I checked out the w3c validator and one post had bad characters. I deleted it and am now posting this from the iPhone.

Happy New Year once again!