Program icon
for “iPowerhour,”
a drinking game
for your iPhone.
So when I was in the Apple Store today taking my phone in for repair (don’t even say it, I know it’s because one of you touched it), I started talking to a tech guy who, very quietly, hinted that I search google for some cool things. I found them, and everything I’ve been complaining about on the iPhone since I got it (read my review on it) are solvable through hacking. We all knew this was coming, but I was surprised it was here already, with so many options!
cre.ations.net was my starting point, which gives a video on how to “jailbreak” the iPhone – basically using iTunes and a program called iBrickr to edit some in-phone firmware to allow you to install and change and edit ringtones (and even supports every kind of file) and also install more applications to the phone, including instant messaging, voice notes, games, ebook readers, and even a program that lets you switch between two iTunes libraries, so you can sync it with multiple computers! Wow! They even have a document reader and a Nintendo emulator. I’d like to see your Zunes and Helios do that! However, the only thing I’m concerned with is that one software update from Apple could potentially cause all of this to blow up in the user’s face, so I suppose it’s a do-at-your-own-risk sort of a thing, but since all the important stuff gets backed up with every sync, I don’t suppose too much could go horribly wrong — just simply reset it to factory mode.
This post, of course, comes on the day when Apple announced that they are launching a ringtone service through iTunes. From the Apple site:
99¢ + 99¢ = ringtone bliss.Create your unique ringtone from more than half a million songs on the iTunes Store. Buy a song for 99¢. And turn it into a custom ringtone you can buy for 99¢. At $1.98, that’s still less than most ringtones sold elsewhere. The ringtone is entirely your creation. And the song is yours to keep forever. Talk about win-win.
Talk about bull-sh!t!Personally, I think this is ridiculous. You have to buy a song from iTunes (can’t use your own) then pay another dollar to cut that song down to 30 seconds? That’s gay! What about the 99 billion songs I already have in my iTunes? Some, I suppose (the purchased ones) may be able to be converted down to 30 seconds, for 99¢ of course. That’s retarted. Stop trying to make so much God Damn money.
However, as earlier mentioned, there’s always a way to get it for free. Awesome.
Ya but does that thing have text messaging?
Helio.
I SAID DON’T F*CKIN SAY IT, A-HOLE. Dude, with all these hacks, the iPhone will be better than most computers. There’s even a remote desktop for it, so you can control your PC through your phone. That makes it better than most people, too.
This is going too far…does it have texting? Other than that and the ability for chicks to send me pictures that’s all that mattters.
You can make your own ring tones on Helio too a-hole. How do you think mine blasts Panama when Mark calls?
Did I mention that the Helio Ocean has GPS? Does the iphone?
Did I mention that the Ocean has integrated AIM, Yahoo, and MSN messengers? Does the iphone?
Did I mention that the Ocean browes the net on a 3G network? Does the iphone?
Did I mention that the Ocean has a REMOVEABLE battery? Does the iphone?
Did I mention that my plan for 500 anytime minutes, unlimited weekends, and UNLIMITED texts, picture messaging, internet browsing, etc, etc, is $60/month? How much is the iphone for the same service?
Finally, did I mention my Ocean only cost $195? If I’m payin 3 times the price for an Iphone, it better be 3 times as good……..that my friend as you and I both know, is nowhere near true.
Yep.
Ooooooooohhhhhhh!!!! *Pointing*
Okay, let’s talk about size and weight and bulkiness. Or accessibility of… everything in a top level menu. Or Wi-Fi capabilities (local networking anyone?). iPhone does have GPS capability, the hardware is in there, and all that’ll take is a software update to enable that. Web browsing is unmatched in the iPhone, which uses a safari browser. And, MSRP of the ocean is $300. CNET says Helio’s picture and streaming video quality are lacking. Also:
-Talk time on Helio’s battery – 5 hours, iPhone – 8 hours.
-Screen size: 240×320, 480×320
-Helio: “unlimited” storage – but only 2G at a time.
-No sync of calendar or contacts through outlook, only through helio’s website.
-$3.99 a month for weather? wtf?
-no touchscreen
-browser zoom sucks
-music tracks over the air for $1.99– apple’s set to launch iTunes over air for $.99
-coverflow? unnecessary, but it IS cool.
I’m not saying the Helio sucks, it can do a lot. But with a burdensome – looking interface and sheer size and bulk (cause let’s face it, the iPhone IS sexy), I’d still go iPhone. It’s simple yet powerful, and watching movies looks good on it.
A top level menu? Please. Everything I need can be accessed by shortcut keys.
Wi-fi? Oh boy, let’s use our iphone to browse the internet at a wi-fi hotspot. Wait, you would get a hard-on for that, since at least then your browser speed would be compareable to a 3G network like Helio. You go surf at Starbucks, I’ll surf whereever I damn well please…..fast!
A software update for GPS? I’ve read you need to buy a bluetooth GPS receiver FIRST, then you download the software update…….gay.
Who buys music? End of discussion.
You are right Steve, the MSRP of Ocean is $295, don’t forget to tack on the $100 mail in rebate sucka freak!
When I bought my first Ipod they said the battery was good for 8 hours, and it was, for about 4 months, now it lasts 1 hour, and I don’t want to ship it off to apple to fix it.
You got the bigger screen and touch screen. I’ll give you that. Worth the extra $400? Maybe to a man who calls his phone “sexy”
This is getting good. I don’t understand 90% of what is going on here but I think Garvey is winning and I do know you both get “Geek Squad” T -shirts from Comp USA for Christmas.
Oh and my phone takes pictures….so THERE! lol.
First of all, the point about Wifi is the local networking abilities, which means I could be on my home network, connected to my other home computers, or any other hotspots around the area, which, in downtown and waikiki is pretty extensive. True, not everywhere like the G3, but being able to connect to my local network at home is great. Second of all, the iPhone does have an integrated Assisted GPS chip. Thirdly, Apple is already planning a 100 dollar price drop for around Christmastime – no mail-in rebate needed (if you want to play that game), and lastly, Helio insists that you don’t call “it” a phone. I still submit that it depends on the user – personally, I like things clean, sophisticated, small, and to the point. I doubt that the Ocean’s integration with apps within itself is anywhere near the iPhone’s.. people actually complained there was no cut and paste feature on the iPhone, but I haven’t even needed it yet, not once.
Finally, why do you feel you need to defend your phone so much against the iPhone? Cause really, I never said anything on here about a Helio Ocean.
As for you Mark, Geek Squad is Best Buy, not CompUSA. Fucker.
Just busting balls bro……just busting balls. Isn’t that what STF.com is all about? I’m sorry, I love you.
Booooorrriiiiinnnnggggggg……argue again!
You’re right Bellrose. F*ck the iphone! lol Actually, I just read an article on MSN about Apple dropping the price of the phone by $200 VERY soon. Dear lord, Steve just got a $200 FACE SLAP……..not even two months after you paid $600, you can now get it for $400. Ouch.
Still twice the price of my Ocean, with half the features…….but I guess Apple is trying!
Steve, I knew you were a tech guy, but I didn’t realize that you have “numerous other” home computers. Dude, what could you possibly need to access on your extensive home network via the iphone? Even if you could access it, you’d have to be in your apartment……just use the desktop, jesus.
Screw both of you, you’re just jealous because people are always asking “is that the iPhone? it is?!” bzzzzzzz! And I know you don’t need to get ass anymore being married (and here at STF we hate you for that) but some of us do.
I don’t wanna get married but Steve should marry the iPhone and all problems are solved.
Hey, I’m sporting the Palm Treo 700w and there is more shit on this phone than I can even figure out. I like it and it has GPS capabilities and movie watching and I can download all of my tunes onto my memory card for free and I have 1400 unlimited minutes, unlimited texting, unlimited web browsing, and guess what…work pays for it all excpet for $45 bucks a month….so all of u can take your G3, Helio, iphones, wireless networking capabilities, and eat a fat dick. LoL. Just kidding….seriously though Steve, doesn’t it suck that you had to pay $200 more just to be the cool kid on the block for like a few extra weeks…I know I’d be pissed if they dropped the price like that so quick. I was watching a story on the news about it and people are pissed.
Yeah, that does suck, but all those people that are pissed need to realize that’s how technology is… it wasn’t long ago DVD players were $400, now you can get one at KMart for $30. It’s all in how they answer “well, when do I need it.” Because really, everyone knew Apple was going to drop the price, maybe not as much as soon as they did though, just like everyone knows in a year it will be as obsolete as your Treo is now (oooohhh!). But really, I don’t mind; my Apple stocks are soaring lately – according to my iPhone’s integrated stock ticker.
Oh, and Garv, one more thing – I’m just glad that you use your
phoneOcean to its capacity– I hate people who get things like that or the iPhone or any other piece of technology and have no idea how to even do the simple basic thing that the device was intended for, so cheers.You guys would love this movie……….
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Hw6zrInbtQE