Is there a catch? Not really, but it's refurbished. If you understand Apple refurbished products, I guess this is a great deal.
Now, why didn't I think this was coming? And why didn't anyone out there foresee this was coming! I could have waited for this... But this probably is going to make some people consider a second iPhone, huh? Maybe me too?
Activation (Hacks)
Settings/Tweaks
Problems/Issues
Notes/Comments
Justed wanted to inform that the latest iPhone software (firmware) 1.0.2 worked fine with our hacked iPhone activated without AT&T.
The funny story is that I was actually thinking if I should take the risk and try the 1.0.2 update to see if it would work with our hacked iPhone or just keep it at 1.0.1. But since my wife has be docking to her computer daily, at some point, it had already updated to the latest software. When I checked, it was already at 1.0.2! Great!
So my conclusion is that the activation hack without AT&T doesn't really impact the iPhone software. Hope this is right...
Of course most people are going to want to use Gmail on their iPhone. There must be lots of information out there on this topic. Plus, this feature is actually built-in to the iPhone.
But honestly, I personally do not like the experience. Gmail seems to be very slow on the iPhone and especially due to the fact that the iPhone communicates with Gmail in an unintelligent manner (Gmail is limited to POP3 access), its very unattractive. I recommend using with AOL Mail.
But on the other hand, I use Google Apps and this I do want it on the iPhone. How do we set this up? Click on the title above to go see Google's article on how to do this, but there is a gotcha. To avoid this, follow the directions below.
And you should be good to go. One other setting you also might want to apply if you are mainly using Gmail or Google Apps is "Always Bcc Myself". If you turn this on, when you send a mail from the iPhone, it will automatically Bcc you and you will always get a copy of the message in your inbox. Why need this? Different from AOL Mail's setup, Gmail uses POP3 and will not sync the sent items on the iPhone to your Gmail account. So if you want to keep a copy of what you send from your iPhone, you will need to enable the Bcc feature.
Enjoy!
Skype has changed the life of many with their SkypeIn and SkypeOut service. At least for me, this is very true as I had depended on this service for an international relationship.
But now that I live in the U.S. and time has brought new things on the table, we can get SkypeIn and SkypeOut equivalent service for free. Maybe I should add "for now", since this is taking advantage of Google's beta program: GrandCentral. Users who sign-up (currently in private beta and requires an invite if you want to avoid long wait) will be provided a U.S. phone number, voicemail, call forwarding and "click-to-call" service. All of this is free during the beta period. There is no information on when or how they might charge this service in the future. Anyways, lets get started.
First, you need to sign up for a GrandCentral account. I recommend you get an invite to get started right away.
Next, download the Gizmo Project VoIP software and sign up for an account if you don't have one already. It's similar to Skype but uses a common SIP protocol instead of a proprietary one. Don't worry, we won't be using any of their fee based service. "Can I use Skype instead? It's already setup on my computer." I completely understand how you feel; I wished the same too. But unfortunately, Skype will do you no good here...
Now you are ready to setup the trick for the free SkypeIn + SkypeOut equivalent. Go to your profile in Gizmo. Take note of your SIP number which starts from "1747". Then, login to your GrandCentral account on the web. In the Settings page, click on "Add/Edit Number" and add the Gizmo SIP number. You are now all set!!
So, what does this do? The phone number you got with GrandCentral will serve as the SkypeIn number + voicemail. When a call is received at the GrandCentral number, it will forward the call to your Gizmo via SIP which will be free. If you are not available, GrandCentral can take voicemails. Then, you can retrieve your message via any phone or preferably the web.
What's equivalent to SkypeOut? The click-to-call feature that is. In the address book, a call button will appear next to the phone numbers. Click on it and make GrandCentral call your Gizmo. Again, this is done via SIP and is free. After you pick up the call on your Gizmo, GrandCentral will make a call to the number on your address book on the same line and you will immediately start to hear the ring tone.
This only works in the U.S. where GrandCentral is providing service but so far so good for me. I have been using this method for work and personal use and has been working great!!
So what is the future of GrandCentral and other Google services? What about Skype and Gizmo? Any good ideas using with iPhone or other mobile devices? Let me bring up this topic on another post.
GrandCentral reports that been working over the last several days to take care of a problem affecting about 400 of their users. What's going on with the Internet communication world?!
At least, I am not an affected GrandCentral user. As I stated earlier, I have been using their service with Gizmo smooth and sound.
FYI, the GrandCentral fix is: use a large and reliable carrier. Yeah, go mainstream. How about GrandCentral? Is this large and reliable?
As mentioned in my earlier post, Skype network was down.
According to Skype, Microsoft's Windows update made the Windows computer reboot all over the world, and this interrupted the Skype P2P network. Of course! But what about the Mac OS and Linux nodes? Are the Skype supernodes only on Windows computer?
Anyways, Skype said they are not blaming Microsoft. They better not; although that doesn't mean I like Microsoft... Skype said that it was the "perfect storm" that caused this tragedy. Umm, what does that really mean? They also mentioned that they tuned the Skype P2P core to resolve the problem. How did they do that without pushing updates? Or is the Skype P2P core not the Skype clients or the supernodes? Then why were there a problem when the supernodes rebooted? Mystery...
Anyways, the good news. Skype is giving away a week worth of free service. Here is part of the email I received from Skype:
Skype - a little extra for you
...
As a goodwill gesture to all you faithful Skype Pro, Skype Unlimited,
SkypeIn or Skype Voicemail customers, we're adding an additional seven
days to your current subscription, free of charge. And even if you
didn't miss out on using Skype last week - you can still have a week
free on Skype, on the house!
Yay!
 |     |
