The iPhone i+Case

A few days ago I got an Aramex package containing some iPhone cases the I ordered a couple of months ago via Kickstarter. The i+Case reminds me a lot of the Element Case’s Vapor case for the iPhone that I previously owned. But the i-Case is more compact and I can use 3rd party chargers, A problem I hated when I was using the Vapor.

I really loved the high quality of the compact screwdriver and the fact it has button extensions. But as it is with this type of cases, you can’t take it off unless you got the miniature screwdriver with you.

I also dislike the mute button extension, its not as firm and secure in its position as the rest of the case, I’m not sure if its only a problem with that particular case or if it is a design flaw.

There is also a signal  loss issue according to some users. They confirmed that but its not that serious and I haven’t  noticed it that much. Especially since the iPhone is not my main phone.

All in all, I really love the case so far and haven’t got any major issues with it during the 18 hours that I have had it installed.

Macbook Pro SSD Upgrade

After having the problem with my SSD in my PC build a few weeks ago and having to order a new one. I kept experimenting with my “faulty” SSD and see if I missed something. After playing around with it for a few days  discovered that it ran fine as a data drive (opposed to a boot disk). So I thought I might as well try sticking it in my Macbook Pro.

I’ve opened up every computer I’ve owned but still I had to research the matter before diving into it. After a quick read it was confirmed that it was pretty straight forward and that I had all the tools necessary for the job.

After unscrewing the bottom of the Macbook Pro (I have the unibody 2010 edition) and popping it open, you can see the HDD in the bottom right secured by a latch. removing the latch and the SATA connector completely releases the HDD. And from there its just a matter of replacing the HDD and putting everything back together.

There are a number of benefits to having a SSD such as:

• Speed: boot time is 18 seconds from pressing the power button to read use and having 3 programs running (Pixelmator, Safari and MarsEdit).
• Silent: Because SSD has no moving pars it is virtually silent and also there is no vibrations.
• Slightly better battery life.

The 2 major and only disadvantages that SSD have in my opening are price and capacity. but in time we “should” get there.

This is the first day of using the MBP after the upgrade so I’ll be watching if it acts up.

Get Your Mac On: 4 Mac software Bundles

If you haven’t got much apps installed on your mac then this is a good time to start purchasing some. There are some crazy saving with these bundles and they have a good software collection.

Mac Legion

Mac Legion’s bundle only has a few hours left but it might be the least desirable from the bunch as most heavily discounted apps are Motion Composer and Nisus Writer Pro, which I have no interest in.

Link

Productive Macs

Productive Macs bundle is the least discounted, selling at $40 down from $264 but has a pretty good collection of apps such as Fantastical and Default Folder X among others. The bundle has 8 days to go.

Link

Bundle Hunt

Bundle hunt has remarkable savings as its the most discounted app bundle of the bunch, selling at $50 down from $1100. But again, the app collection is not for everyone as a Vector Collection wont do everyone some good. The bundle has 4 days left.

Link

Mac Update

I have written about Mac Update and their bundles before. They usually have the best app collection and this time its no different. The Winter 2011 bundle has some essential apps and I like there software management system. The bundle has just under 10 days left.

Link

Fake Jailbreak App in The App Store

Got an iPhone? Thinking about jailbreaking it? don’t be fooled by the $10 app in the app store that doesn’t have sufficient description and tricks you into thinking it actually jailbreaks your phone. Its just a cheap game. I remember when the App Store was much more strict, but then again, I also remember the I Am Rich app that was being sold for $1000

Maybe The Coolest Feature in iOS5

There are a lot of small and hidden features in iOS5 that weren’t advertised as much as say the notification drawer or iMessage but this is pretty awesome.

You can create a custom vibration pattern and set it to individual contacts on your iPhone. So now even silently you can know who is calling you without the need to look at your phone.

1. Navigate to the Accessibility menu of iOS 5 (by tapping your Settings app, and selecting General and then Accessibility), and enable Custom Vibrations.

2. Navigate to Settings, Sounds, Vibration to record a custom vibration pattern that will replace the default iPhone vibration.

3. Use the touchscreen to tap out a custom vibration pattern. When you’re finished, tap Stop. To double-check your pattern, press the Play button; then save the pattern with a custom name.

Use the Contacts menu (bottom center) to assign custom vibrations to your friends.

4. To assign a custom vibration pattern to play only when a specific person calls, open the Phone app, switch to the Contacts tab, tap the contact to whom you want to assign a custom vibration, and select Edit, Vibration, Create New Vibration.

Source

A Quick Look Into Apple

This is a brief video showing how Apple operates. From the monopolization of the entertainment industry to the high demands from the Chinese manufacturers that cause a lot of suicides last year.

iPhone 4S vs. Samsung Galaxy S II Drop Test

Are you the kind of guy that drops his phone constantly? the video will shows what will happen if you drop your iPhone 4/S from various heights vs the Samsung Galaxy S 2. The outcome is predictable as the iPhone’s glass finish is more prone to breaking than the lighter plastic finish of the SGS2.

iPhone 4S Buying Guide

The iPhone 4S has been up for preorder since the 7th. And should start shipping in the 14th. If you are planning to get your hands on one as soon as possible here are few hints.

The iPhone 4S will be released on the14th in only 6 countries (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Germany and Japan) if you happen to be in one of those countries and willing to wait whole day in line for it you will be able to get your hand on the iPhone 4S for the following prices:

iPhone 4S Price in UK:
iPhone 4S 16GB – KWD 212.71
iPhone 4S 32GB – KWD 255.33
iPhone 4S 64GB – KWD 297.96

iPhone 4S Price in France:
iPhone 4S 16GB – KWD 230.48
iPhone 4S 32GB – KWD 270.78
iPhone 4S 64GB – KWD 311.09

iPhone 4S Price in Germany:
iPhone 4S 16GB – KWD 230.48
iPhone 4S 32GB – KWD 270.78
iPhone 4S 64GB – KWD 311.09

iPhone 4S Price in Canada:
iPhone 4S 16GB – KWD 175
iPhone 4S 32GB – KWD 200
iPhone 4S 64GB – KWD 230

iPhone 4S Price in Australia:
iPhone 4S 16GB – KWD 220
iPhone 4S 32GB – KWD 250
iPhone 4S 64GB – KWD 275

iPhone 4S Price in USA:
Carrier unlocked phones will be available in November
iPhone 4S 16GB – KWD180
iPhone 4S 32GB – KWD 205
iPhone 4S 64GB – KWD 235

If you have someone in Canada then you are lucky. But if you are ordering online your best bet is to order from Apple UK as they ship to forwarding addresses last time I checked. But keep in mind the the first batch of phones is currently out of stock and the next batch should be here in 1-2 weeks according to all of Apple’s online stores.

By the end of October, The iPhone 4S will be available in 22 more countries (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein,Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland) and the rest of the market (i.e. UAE)  by December. No word on pricing though.

October is One Geeky Month

We just heard yesterday from Apple the specs of the latest iPhone 4S. Next week its Samsung and Google’s turn to announce the anticipated Nexus Prime/Galaxy, a rumored 4.65″ screen with 720P Super Amoled Plus display And from the teaser video it looks like it will have a curved screen. And by the end of the month Nokia world will be taking place and we should see the first Nokia Windows Mobile Phone device. I hope they don’t reveal something too awesome or that means I’ll be broke this month. That’s not taking into account the Amazon’s Kindle Fire that was announced last week.

Watch Siri in Action

Apple iPhone 4S exclusive feature is voice control done by Siri. Siri is a company purchased by apple back in April of 2010 and just made its way into the iOS.