Some SMS networks vulnerable to attack

Researchers have found a way to send spoofed network-to-phones data via SMS.

Google Voice app GV Mobile ported to jailbroken iPhones, web app version in the works

So well-mannered, straight-laced iPhone users got a pretty big slap in the face yesterday by way of Apple's (and AT&T's, no doubt) total Google Voice rejection. Looks like jailbreakers are picking up the pieces, as GV Mobile developer Sean Kovacs -- whose app was in the iTunes store for some time before being yanked yesterday -- has ported the Voice client over to Cydia free of charge, although donations are gladly accepted. Even more interesting, but less concrete, Kovacs said he was already working on a web app version, possibly for submission to Palm's app catalog. No word on the fate of GVdialer, an app that was also unceremoniously pulled, but we wouldn't be surprised if it followed in similar footsteps.

Read - GV Mobile now on Cydia
Read - Sean Kovacs on Twitter

Filed under: Cellphones

Google Voice app GV Mobile ported to jailbroken iPhones, web app version in the works originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Palm’s Roger McNamee Wants to Know if You’re Still Using an iPhone?

More specifically, Palm’s biggest cheerleader at financial backer, Elevation Partner, Roger McNamee famously gaffed that:

“You know the beautiful thing: June 29, 2009, is the two-year anniversary of the first shipment of the iPhone,” McNamee said today in an interview in San Francisco. “Not one of those people will still be using an iPhone a month later.”

Well, today is July 29, 2009 — two years later and a month later. Given that Apple sold 5.2 million iPhones last quarter, and AT&T activated 2.5 million of those babies, we’re leaning towards a number somewhat higher than “not one.”

Hey, maybe that’s what he meant? Quite clearly, “millions” means “not one”… right?

(Note: Palm did retract McNamee’s hyperbole with a speed that would make Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer Open-Mic Reaction Team (SBOMRT) envious.)

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Palm’s Roger McNamee Wants to Know if You’re Still Using an iPhone?

GV Mobile Brings Google Voice to iPhone… via Cydia for Jailbreak

As Jeremy posted earlier, Apple wiped the iTunes App Store clean of all traces of Google Voice, both the official Google version and third party clients like GV Voice. (Rumor has it at the behest of AT&T)

GV Voice, however, didn’t take their removal lying down. Nope, they (meaning developer Sean Kovacs) picked themselves right up, marched over to Cydia, and promptly made themselves available for Jailbreak.

And, weirdly, it’s getting to the point that we’re wondering if this isn’t “the plan” all along.

Apple provides a closed appliance with strict and nebulously enforced rules for its App Store, placating carriers, and making a device so simple it’s become the first true consumer smartphone success. At the same time, Jailbreak provides a de facto “expert” or “pro” version of the iPhone for those willing (and able) to do the work, at no training or support cost to Apple, and with complete deniability in terms of carrier and media agreements.

Whether we think Apple and/or AT&T are evil, Google is competitive, or whatever, with GV Mobile, Qik, and all the other apps available via Jailbreak, are iPhone users actually getting the best of both worlds…?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

GV Mobile Brings Google Voice to iPhone… via Cydia for Jailbreak

Rogers Canada Roundup: Q2 Financial Results, Out of Stock, and 21Mbps HSPA+ Testing

A Canadian buffet of Rogers news today, with Q2 financial results, an update on the current out-of-stock situation at Rogers, Fido, and Apple Canada, and the beginning of an HSPA+ super-fast 3G rollout.

First up, Bloomberg (via MDN) reports that Rogers that ARPU (average revenue per user) was down $1.47 as customers curbed long-distance and travel, while total sales rose 3.1%. As to the iPhone in particular, the introduction of the iPhone 3GS and $99 price point for the iPhone 3G helped Rogers add 148,000 subscribers this quarter.

Second, TUAW reports that Rogers, their subsidiary Fido, and Apple Stores (which just began carrying the iPhone in Canada on June 19) are all in short supply or completely sold out of iPhones. Given that Apple reported 5.2 million sold last quarter amid shortages, and is planning to fill out 80 countries by the end of the year, we can only repeat Dieter’s abject shock at the continuing sales volumes…

Third, and funnest (TM iPod touch),Engadget Mobile says Rogers is ready to rock and roll with HSPA+ at 21Mbps. Zoom. Zoom. The GTA will get initial love, though Rogers says it will expand quickly to other cities. Since the iPhone 3GS only supports up to 7.2Mbps, we’re not likely to benefit directly, though we only get half that currently so who knows…

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Rogers Canada Roundup: Q2 Financial Results, Out of Stock, and 21Mbps HSPA+ Testing

Google Voice related iPhone Apps Rejected from the App Store

LocalEats app looks to save diners dollars

The LocalEats restaurant guide app has added mobile coupons for New York eateries, with plans to roll out the feature to other cities as well.

Review: PDF Reader Pro for iPhone

This PDF-reading app lets you upload files to your mobile device and organize them. More important, PDF Reader Pro can handle any PDF file with ease.

Will Apple Approve Streaming Music Service Spotify’s iPhone App?

What Will be the Killer Feature of an Apple Tablet?

With the growing evidence that Apple will be releasing some sort of Apple Tablet in the next 3-6 months, analysts and writers have started speculating about the potential success or failure of such a device.

Both Gizmodo and PC World h...

Withings Connected Body Scale remembers what you’d rather forget

More often the object of dread than fascination, the humble bathroom scale has been given a makeover by Withings, which has injected the Connected Body Scale with WiFi and an online progress tracking system not too dissimilar from that used by Nike+. This sleek metallic device is accurate to 100 grams -- oh yes, it's metric, like it should be -- and conducts a body mass analysis that can tell you the uncomfortable truth, should you care to know it. Accessing progress data can be done via a free iPhone app or the company's website, which is also the best place to plop down the €129 ($184) entry fee. And don't tell us you're not interested, somebody is buying up all those Wii Fit boards and it sure as hell isn't us. Video after the break.

[Via Chip Chick]

Continue reading Withings Connected Body Scale remembers what you'd rather forget

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Wireless

Withings Connected Body Scale remembers what you'd rather forget originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone supplies dwindle in Canada

Filed under: Retail, iPhone

Our neighbors to the north are grumbling about the lack of 3GS iPhones. The major suppliers, Fido and Rogers, are both reporting they are sold out pretty much across the country. Some Apple Stores in Canada have them in stock, but a couple of calls revealed that even Apple Stores are often out of stock.

Both Rogers and FIDO say new shipments will arrive in 'weeks,' and that back orders are being filled on a priority basis. No dates are being given, and buyers are being told to check back with their local stores or online.

There were similar shortages in Canada and the UK earlier this month. During the Apple conference call last Tuesday, CEO Tim Cook said iPhone demand has been "staggering in almost every country we've shipped in."

Apple will need to fix this issue pretty fast. The company says it is going to release the new iPhone to 20 more countries on August 22.

Thanks to our reader Alistair for the tip.

iPhone supplies dwindle in Canada originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

iPhone supplies dwindle in Canada originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple re-enables promo codes for 17+ apps

Apple appears to have reversed its decision to strip App Store developers of the ability to distribute free promotional codes for apps carrying a 17+ rating.

Found Footage: Robochan gets a 3GS upgrade

Filed under: Odds and ends, Found Footage, iPhone, iPod touch

Back in May, our own Steven Sande reported on a robot with an iPod touch for a head. At the time, Robochan was pretty limited in capability and could only mimic back taught poses and stumble around drunkenly.

A lot has happened in two short months. Robochan has received a brain-transplant courtesy of the iPhone 3GS as well as other software changes. He's been given alarm functionality to wake you up at a specified time, basic human interaction, and motion teaching and playback. But most importantly, Robochan can now dance around drunkenly to match his drunken walking.

As a robot fanatic I can only hope we see a more sober version of this robot on store shelves everywhere, but I'm not holding my breath.

Found Footage: Robochan gets a 3GS upgrade originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Found Footage: Robochan gets a 3GS upgrade originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Foxconn increases compensation to family of worker who committed suicide

Foxconn hasn't exactly been helping itself much lately in the sad case of an employee of the company who committed suicide after apparently misplacing an iPhone prototype, with it first noting that the worker had a history of misplacing such prototypes, and then going on to offer his family a rather meager compensation of $44,000 and a free Apple laptop. It now looks to be trying to improve things somewhat, however, with a Foxconn official saying that the company has now agreed to pay Sun Danyong's parents 360,000 yuan (or about $52,600) in compensation up front, plus an additional 30,000 yuan (or $4,385) every year thereafter. Of course, that official is speaking on the condition of anonymity, so things could still well change, and it goes without saying that this likely won't be the last we hear of this story.

Filed under: Cellphones

Foxconn increases compensation to family of worker who committed suicide originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: Twitterena for iPhone

For anyone looking for the colorful side of Twitter, Twitterena is worth a look. The Twitter client brings a bright, colorful and customizable Twitter interface to your iPhone or iPod touch.

Apple releases iPhone 3.1 software Beta 3 to selected parties

Apple provided iPhone developers Monday afternoon with a third beta of iPhone 3.1, the first planned update to its third-generation mobile operating system. Beta 3 is only accessible to those with an existing developer account. Labeled build 7C116A, it weighs in at 307MB. Apple also released a new iPhone SDK for OS 3.1. The SDK build [...]

Apple pigging out on Toshiba flash memory chips; why?

Apple’s demand for flash memory is proving insatiable in the run-up to new iPods, according to one report. Mixed messages from Toshiba may be a clue to a major order of NAND flash memory from Apple, if claimed sources at circuit makers are accurate. The apparent insiders for DigiTimes (a leading tech blog) say Toshiba is boosting [...]

Apple removing Google-Voice enabled apps from App Store

Apple is systematically pulling iPhone apps that use Google Voice to simplify and reduce the costs of making phone calls, though it’s suspected Apple isn’t the one making the actual judgment call. One of these, developer Sean Kovacs, was surprised on Monday to discover that his GV Mobile client for Google Voice was to be pulled [...]

Google Voice applications removed and rejected from App Store

Third-party iPhone apps that interact with Google's Voice telephony service have been removed from the App Store while Google's own app has been rejected.