Nelson Wong Life Blog

PwnageTool for iPhone OS 3.1.3 released

While the list of tweaks is absurdly small in the latest iPhone OS update, we know that some of you simply have to run the latest and greatest OS at all times regardless of risk. Fortunately for you, the Dev-Team has stepped to with a new version of PwnageTool (v3.1.5 for Mac OS X) that handles the update to iPhone OS 3.1.3 with aplomb while preserving your device’s ultrasn0w unlock and jailbroken state. As usual, there’s a litany of precautions depending upon the device you own so hit the source link and read the dev-team’s words carefully before proceeding. With a little luck, patience, and undue stress, improved accuracy of your device’s reported battery level can be yours.

Nexus One vs iPhone 3GS vs Droid vs Pre

If you’re looking for the definitive comparison table between the Google Nexus One, Apple iPhone 3GS, Motorola Droid, and Palm Pre, here you have it. From storage capacity to price to plans. Guess who wins (you’ll probably be wrong).

My impression is that nobody clearly wins. Each of these phones have their own strengths and weaknesses, but there’s still not a definitive one. My favorite is still the iPhone just because the user interface design and the amazing applications—it’s not the number, but when you have 126,000 apps, inevitably you are going to have some amazingly good apps in each software category. However, in terms of specs, things are not that clear at all. At the end, it’s still a matter of personal preference.

How to reinstall cydia without repawning

1. ssh into the ipod touch/iphone…
2. download cydia.rar
3. decompres package
4. place in the / directory “aka root directory”
5. type and run “dpkg -i cydia.deb”
6. respring

How to Downgrade your iPhone 3G baseband from 2.30 to 2.28

They did it! No, it wasn’t the venerated iPhone Dev Team that figured it out. The folks at ModMyi have posted an iPhone 3G baseband firmware downgrade utility, developed by “pH,” that should give bricked iPhone 3G owners new hope. Thanks to pH and the “pHasebandowngrader” utility, the iPhone 3G baseband firmware version 2.30 can now be downgraded to the more unlock-friendly 2.28 baseband firmware! But only if you’re running bootloader 5.80…

But, why would you want to downgrade your iPhone 3G’s baseband? Because the newer 2.30 version of the iPhone 3G modem firmware (baseband) will not work with the only true software-based SIM unlock utility, known as “yellowsn0w.” The iPhone Dev Team’s iPhone 3G unlocking utility can liberate many iPhone 3Gs to work on any GSM network in the world, but will only work an iPhone 3G running baseband version 2.28.

To downgrade your iPhone 3G’s 2.30 baseband:

1. Download pHasebandowngrader here.
* Download to Desktop
2. Connect via SSH to your iPhone
* Open MobileTerminal
* Type “login”
* Default login/pass is root/alpine
3. Copy the downloaded “phasebandowngrader” folder to your iPhone’s “Applications” folder
* The folder MUST named phasebandowngrader with lowercase letters!
* Type “cd / Applications/phasebandowngrader/”
4. Execute pHasbandowngrader
* Type “./phasebandowngrader”
5. You should now be running iPhone baseband 2.30!

More complete instructions and warnings can be found in this MMI thread.

The pHasbandowngrader is only intended to be used on iPhone 3Gs that were accidentally flashed to the latest 2.30 baseband firmware. Those same users that are now looking to unlock their iPhone 3G to roam the globe can now downgrade their baseband and run the yellowsn0w utility (available from Cydia). Unfortunately, most newer iPhone 3G units have upgraded bootloaders that prevent baseband downgrades. So, if you recently bought your iPhone 3G, thinking you could unlock it for use overseas, you’re out of luck. Sorry.

But, if you’ve been waiting for the day when you would finally be allowed to downgrade to 2.28 and use yellowsn0w, consider this your lucky day!

Warning: pHasbandowngrader has only been tested with baseband 2.30 and commercially available iPhone OS versions. iPhone Devs out there that have updated to iPhone OS 3.0 will be testing pHasbandowngrader at their own risk

HP iStream iPhone App Available Now

The highly anticipated HP MediaSmart Server iStream application for Apple iPhone is now available, at least in North America it seems. Users can download the free iPhone application directly in iTunes (search for “HP MediaSmart” to narrow the results), or using the App Store application directly on the iPhone itself.

The HP MediaSmart 2.5 software update has not yet been spotted in the wild but we are hoping it won’t be long now.

HP MediaSmart Server iStream
Your digital media is just a fingertip away!
Customers owning a HP MediaSmart Server EX485 or EX487 can now enjoy their digital media on their iPhone or iPod touch. The HP MediaSmart Server iStream is a free application that allows you to stream the photo, music and video libraries* stored on your HP MediaSmart Server (EX485/EX487) to your iPhone or iPod Touch.

Key Features and benefits
• As the heart of your digital life, the HP Media Smart Server (EX485/EX487) is your all-in-one solution for managing your digital media.
• As an owner of the HP MediaSmart Server (EX485/EX487), use the iStream application to stream your personal digital media from the server to your iPhone or iPod Touch.
• Forgot to sync your library? No problem! With the iStream application, your entire photo, music and video* libraries can be accessed anywhere you have an internet connection – no more worrying that you haven’t sync’d to your iPhone or IPod Touch.
• Enjoy all of your favorite pictures, listen to your entire music collection and watch your favorite video* knowing that all of your files are protected on your HP MediaSmart Server (EX485/EX487).

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HP’s MediaSmart Server update

HP’s MediaSmart Server ex487 (1.5TB) and ex485 (750GB) both received copious amounts of praise when launched late last year, but considering just how many issues the original two had (the ex470 and ex475), it wouldn’t take much to best ‘em. Today, HP is issuing its second firmware update of the year for the series, but the first ever for the newest duo — and make no mistake, it’s a big one. The v2.5 update adds in loads of new features, far too many to cover in this space, in fact. If you’re interested in hearing more, follow us past the break for all the details.

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Wal-Mart to Sell $99 4GB iPhone Dec. 28

Wal-Mart iPhone training material. Image courtesy MacRumors.com

Wal-Mart may be set to sell a 4GB iPhone for $99, Starting Dec. 28, the BoyGenius Website suggested Thursday. The move would mark the return of the iPhone version dropped in 2007 in favor of the 8GB iPhone.

Although BG told readers to take the tip with a grain of salt, reviving the once $399 iPhone comes as handset makers struggle against tightening consumer spending.

“Anyone looking to spend $99 on an iPhone probably doesn’t care that much about storage anyway,” according to the blog.

If true, the action would jive with analysts who have suggested Apple could cut the iPhone’s price to $99. In October, Needham Research’s Charlie Wolf said Apple’s high margins would permit a 50 percent price drop, increasing the marketshare of the already popular iPhone.

The $99 iPhone would require a two-year contract. In October, BG wrote that the iPhone would appear Nov. 15 on Wal-Mart shelves.

Please Fix the iPhone Site Bugs Jobs About Your Biggest iPhone Complaints

Have problems with the iPhone? Who doesn’t? Sure, it’s an amazing piece of gadgetry, but countless bugs and glitches have plagued the Apple product from the beginning. Now networking company Fullsix has launched a site dedicated to gripers called “Please Fix the iPhone.” The site gets owners to vote on the most pressing issues plaguing their iPhones, in an attempt to get Jobs and friends to work on them faster. There’s even a version of the site specifically made for the mobile’s browser, so that you can complain about your iPhone on your iPhone.

Link