Haven’t heard of it yet? you’re missing out! Just 2 days ago Apple* announced the release of their new iPhone* 2.0. Check out the new commercial!

So what is the deal? Well. To start, the price has come down 50%! It is now only 199.00$ Thats all! That is hardly anything. Next, 3G? What is that? Well, said in a very poor and simple way, the phone is much faster. Faster in loading wireless data through high frequency (+GHz). So basically it has wi-fi, bluetooth and G3. Between the 3, weather free or through contract, you will always be able to connect through internet.

Another big deal is Apple* has made its iPhone* APIs available to anyone. SDK? What does that mean? Basically anyone who writes software for Mac* computers can easily transfer these apps to the iPhone addressing. This is a big deal. With my little basic knowledge in my self taught capabilities, can modify almost any software to fit it on the phone. I could give it my own interface and such… As it would take hours for me, some home developers have made games in less then 2 weeks or such. If you write your own soft ware, you can easily sell it on internet. Work places can easily have a professional come in, and in weeks write basic software for users to interface with work machinery and such! Example. Im if Im a industry, I can have a pro come in. And lets say in less than a month have my workers using their iPhones* to remotely connect and operate and monitor machinery from a distance. That is a very very big deal. The iPhone is taking shape in to a hole new tool. Software writing will bee much much cheeper, no doubt.

GPS? Finally, that was like the last antenna they could fit in (not true, still could use wi-max and more…) I think a lot of people misunderstood the iPhones first generations integration with Google Maps*. The first phone could pull up from internet information like Google*, it could not locate your position. Well, there are always other ways, but no fast ways for you to be able to see where you are. Now, integrate GoogleMaps* with your GPS*! Will probably be seeing a new line of software and similar come out from Google*. Some thing awesome in a few ways, almost scary in others, is LOOPT*. This one really caught my attention. Basically you can install it for free. And you and your chosen friends can see where each other are. Not only. It also integrates with maps and stores, activities, and various sites. Ever search in GoogleMaps* a store? and it come up right on the map? Well, basically this simple software, and will probably be seeing much more features come out, allows you to integrate you location, your nearest friends, on a map with local activities. In the Apple* Keynote* the demo shows the demonstrator with his friends in town and finding a near by restaurant, looking it up to see if its any good, consequently inviting the friend to join, all in a minute. My guess is that there will be versions like, if your friend gets lost…and much easier memorization of locations and friends house. Perhaps even some sort of monitoring system for parents or employs…

Another web application that caught my attention was from Associated Press*. This may sound familiar to some of you. They are, I guess, the largest internet news provider. What got me thinking, is, you can download their little software for free, consequently not only can you easily access local or international news, but you can as well participate with your photos and video from the integrated camera on the phone! Now the chances that you witness some sort of accident may not be many, but the chances that someone with and iPhone* on the spot of a crime scene, for example, are pretty high.

Apple* Success 

Why and how is Apple* so successful? As I thought about it for a while, this is one of my main reasons that make them so successful. Take a Motorola* for example. They are, or were, in the Guinness World Records* for largest something company. But what make the 2 so different? See, Motorola* (like any other company) when outputting items such as cellphones, they out put a hole series. So, lets say a new communication frequency comes out, example, Bluetooth*. Motorola will come out with a series of, let say, 7 phones. Similar design, but different. Some smaller, thinner, larger LCD, more features. They come with better ones with in them selves. The more expensive one, or the cheeper one. Six months later, a new series, complete different from the last. Maybe a similar menu but… and this is what ever single company does! I cant think of any other one who doesn’t. Accept for Apple*. How is it different? Well simple. Apple puts its best teams all focusing on the same item. One item. The iPhone* is one. The are no sub models, and no larger screen… Yes, they do vary memory sizes, but thats minimal. The iPhone. Any new that comes out, its just a better upgrade from the last one. So they put so much focus just on this phone, its their only one, and it is so powerful. An interesting fact I noticed watching the Keynote* (available at www.apple.com) was that everyone is so exited! Why? This isn’t the passion for the new item that everyone had last year when they first announced the hole gig. It s truly opening the door to a hole new world! I say this, not with my love for Apple* but because communication is taken a truly different corse, and I firmly believe that.

So, jumping ahead. I tried thinking, with todays technology (with what we already have), what is the highest end a phone could reach? The iPhone* covers most of them for now, but… this is kinda how it goes:

Phone (in/out calls, 3 ways, free voip, voice mail…) – tv (online videos, live streaming, video conferencing…) – video (your own dvd, movies, tv shows, amateur, and more) – music (you library, online radio, Pandora*) – photo (your private collection, public libraries, sharing your own…) – camera / video-camera (never miss an important moment) – GPS (where you are, where your friend are currently, your favorite locations, entering job sites, never get lost) – wi-fi / G3 (internet, email, shopping, surfing, you name it, everything!) – game (as seen, with touch screen, motion sensors all new 3D gaming and graphics(already available for the iPhone*) - book (purchase, share, write, pass notes(from teachers or students), read) – universal remote (house uses, timers, remote timers(like, dish washers and dryers or such, any appliance(you could even set your TiVo* from being away), control your house lights, garage door…) – work tool (login automatically when you get to work, for notification sensors for large machinery…) - credit card (have your phone set up with you bank, make purchases with it, like swiping it, just can just use one of the various frequencies and just punch the code in (already available in some northern Europe countries), walk up to a coke machine…) – projector (not only run PowerPoint* or Keynote* but some have already integrated a mini projector ( DLP Pico projector*) – and to conclude, all this with mega storage!

The new iPhone* is a mini computer. Eventually it will be a full computer. It is already much faster. 3D gaming? It will be available all over the world (62 countries)! mobileme* will keep your computer, phone, 2nd computer all synced! (calendar, email, contacts, photos,) + more!

As always… comments, questions, opinions and feedback is always appreciated!

As safe as it is, from keeping your computer from falling if someone were to trip over it (happens often apparently) this cord is a fire hazard as well. In most cases, if overheating causes a meltdown, consequently a shortage, consequently fire, melt, smoke, etx… this will occur in the first section of the wire (see previous post). What often seems to occur in the mag safe area is other sort of shortage. The “right” way to remove a MagSafe* connector is by lifting in an upward direction, the rectangular part. Do not pull on the wire. I as well have had this issue. It doesn’t light up the right way now. If you have recently purchased a MacBook* MacBook Pro* or a Mac Air* notice that a large percentage of people have had this issue. You can google* it. Search it on Youtube* (some times I try to direct some viewers on YouTube* to come here for help). This is an issue. As funny as it is, it always seems to occur after the first year (therefor you are more likely to not be covered be insurance ).

This is the link to the Apple* Support* that shows the “correct” way of ejecting you MacSafe* cord:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1453?viewlocale=en_US

Im a college student. I came in to my dorm one morning, between classes. I approached my computer on a wooden desk. I bent over, and as I started browsing, I heard a little sizzle. As I looked down, I started smelling it, and then I saw it. Me 80W mac safe charger was burning at the tip of the output of the charger block it self. Obviusly the cord is all fireproof and safe and such… but it was still dangerous. Like if a little kid touched it with his finger, or if it were on a carpet… As fortunate as I am, with no Apple Care, the first year had ended by a few weeks. I was out on my own. 

For starters, I noticed, not many people have seemed to post online how to open the charger for repairs. I am no expert, all self taught. Hopefully this will help. I would rate this for difficulty, on a scale from 1 to 100, a 70. The major issue is opening the encasing. Some soldering, and some cutting. And tape to keep it closed?

Before Hand: a. notice when I bold letters (imp. note. warning. ext.) b. be safe (I have a lot of experience with wires; when I completed this “simple” job, I never left the charger out of site, until I knew for sure that it wasn’t a hazard.) c. this will end up taking more time than you expect, estimate at least 1h30m (with right tools and advanced). d. I take no responsibilities for any sort of damage (you will be avoiding the warranty) or injuries (you are working with real wires, real voltage). You are at your own risk, common sense + some basic electric physics. Don’t stick your fingers in places they don’t belong.

Step 1 – Remove Shell (charger case)

It is not easy. I still wonder if there is a way to open it with out permanently damaging it. My guess is that it must contain a mini explosion, or fire, because it is hard. I used 2 screw flat head drivers. Don’t use small ones, but nice heavy metal. I stuck the first one in one of the side cracks, and used the charger it self to hammer it in the floor. Yes, thats all. Once it has got a bit loose, try it on the opposite side. Then use the 2 screw drivers to leverage the case open. Basically learn as you go. Tip: There is a thick aluminum ”wall” around the inside of the case. You can leverage on it, with out fear of damaging internal electrical components.

2nd Step. Remove the old cable from the annoying rubber splitter. Splitter because its where the to main in/out 18v cables go in as two and come out as one big one. IMP. If you haven’t figured this out on your own, the middle cable is positive. The cable that surrounds it is negative.

Step 3. Obviously your charger must be unplugged from the wall at all times. If you are following this tutorial because of a similar issue with the charger, please noticed, I have open the whole charger. My short circuit it at the beginning of the cable. If yours is in a different point, and you have enough slack to work with, just cut the wire where the burn is. Now, cut the wire. Skin all four ends. 4?? When you cut a wire, you get 2 ends. When you cut 2 wires, you get four ends. 

Step 4. If you have follwed this pretty simple process you should have 4 clean wires ready to be sottored. You don t need to be an expert sodderer. This would be a good time to start considering you will have broken all warranty voids, and the charger will be worth nothing. You would have nothing to loose. My “secret” twist the wires together. Positive goes with positive. Negative goes with negative. Yes, soddering the cables together is worth it. It ensures a better connection.

Step 5. A this point the job is done. If successful. How do you know if your successful? Hint. Turn off the computer; with battery inserted, plug in your mag safe cord. If it does not work, make sure that your wires are not touching the wrong ends (one little lonely tread of metal will do the job). You will half to have plugged the wall plug back in at this point. Constantly be very cautious. Always be ready to unplug, either the wall plug or the charger to wall piece. While the charger is open and plugged in, handle with care, don’t stick your fingers anywhere you don’t know. If the light turns on, on the mag safe chord, and is steady (it doesn’t flicker as you wiggle the wire) then you have done a successful job.

Step 6. After a successful trouble shoot in step five, proceed to clean up. Tape the single wires together (+&-). Tape the 2 together. Tape the encasing together, if it doesn’t hold on its own (like in my case). Note: use only and only electrical black tape. I do not justify any one who uses any other sort of tape. Yes colored is ok, but usually black will be a bit more professional (as in professional usually only comes in black).

FINISHED

As usual, please type comments, questions, or how your experienced went. Did this help? What specifically?What would you add? I am a computer geek, and therefor are online usually 18h out of 24… when possible. I will get back to you asap.

If you have found this helpful, please consider donating any amount by clicking on the Paypal* button on the side.

Ciao

Quick notes about me.

I switched from Windows* to Mac* in 2006, when I bought my first Apple* computer: MacBook Pro. It’s a first generation, 15inch, 1.5GB of ram for now, 2.0GHz processor. It works ok. It could be better. The battery is shot, and so was the charger. I fixed the charger with some home repairs, as I hope to use that for my first how to demo. 

I love taking things apart. People are sometimes afraid that I might pull a screwdriver out of my pocket and just randomly take their stuff apart.

I will be starting my soft-more (2nd) year this fall at Columbia International University (C.I.U. aka C.B.C.(Columbia Bible College). It is a bible college. My computer knowledge is driven by my passion. I do a lot of graphic related work (video,photo,animation,presentation,quartz,ecc…). As I finish college I do plan to return to the mission field. I grew up in Italy and feel a calling to missions as I prepare now in bible college. 

My hope through this “blog” is to help you. If Ive been there, then Ill share it. If you have questions, comments or suggestion my email is gjohn.prius@gmail.com . The question can be related to one of my postings as it can be completely off topic. If I can’t help you, I should most likely be able to direct you.

If you have found anything on this blog helpful of some sort, please consider helping me as I face my college loans through paypal. 

Thank You