interweb ink » Savan Thongvanh

iPhone iOS4 Signal Strength Software Update

Savan Thongvanh — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:15:29 +0000

Today Apple announced that they’d be releasing an update for it’s operating system iOS4. The update is said to fix an incorrect equation used for calculating and showing signal strength. The fix is to be released in “a few weeks”. The update also contains a change to make the first few bars of the signal strength indicator taller and consequently easier to see..

The press release sticks with the company line that’s similar to a line in a viagra commercial, I paraphrase “it’s ok it happens to everyone”.

To start with, gripping almost any mobile phone in certain ways will reduce its reception by 1 or more bars. This is true of iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, as well as many Droid, Nokia and RIM phones. But some users have reported that iPhone 4 can drop 4 or 5 bars when tightly held in a way which covers the black strip in the lower left corner of the metal band. This is a far bigger drop than normal, and as a result some have accused the iPhone 4 of having a faulty antenna design.

Let the flame wars begin! It’s already started on the internets. People that care are still irate about the apparent mediocrity of the fix. The fix, in effect, just shows the bars differently. How can this affect the reception?

Unless the software update also includes fairy dust gripping the phone in the suspect manner will STILL affect the reception. It’s a mechanical problem, not a software problem. I can’t wait to see what happens when people apply the update and calls are still dropped. I guess we’ll find out next week.

At the end of the letter Apple goes back to another snobbish retort, if you don’t like it, take it back.

As a reminder, if you are not fully satisfied, you can return your undamaged iPhone to any Apple Retail Store or the online Apple Store within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.

Classic.

Sourc: Apple

Apple iPhone 3gs iOS4 upgrade experience

Savan Thongvanh — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:15:20 +0000

I just wanted to do a quick hit on my upgrade experience for my iPhone 3gs.

I came home for lunch today so I could do my upgrade. I hit up iTunes PRAYING that I wouldn’t get queued up for download like last time. Also in my prayers was that after going through the trouble of downloading that I wouldn’t get the dreaded “cannot contact activation server” error.

Well, it looks like this time I lucked out. My iOS4 download only took 17 minutes. I’m seeing people tweet now that the download is taking upwards of half an hour. No problemo there.

After I got the download iTunes started to backup my iPhone. Thank you. The backup status bar seemed to sit on 2%ish for EVER. After about 15 minutes of looking like it was doing nothing it jumped to about 25%.

The rest of the install included expanding the download and restoring my data from before. All in all it took me about 50 minutes to upload 17 for the download and about 35 for the backup and install.

Now on to playing around iOS4 and seeing how gimped it is on my iPhone 3gs.

More to come on the features and limitations on the 3gs.

UPDATE: This article is actually about updating a 3G, not 3gs but all info is still applicable.

UPDATE:After trying to update a second iPhone 3G I got all the way through the install process and got the activation problem that seems to be common. Servers are evidently swamped now. I’ll try later tonight to upgrade the 2nd phone.

Google’s Nexus One to be available in stores

Savan Thongvanh — Mon, 17 May 2010 14:02:30 +0000

On May 14th Google announced that the Nexus One will soon not be available for purchase via Google.

In a post on the Google blog they basically said oops, although Android has done better than we thought, we realize now that people like to play with phones when they’re buying them.

But, as with every innovation, some parts worked better than others. While the global adoption of the Android platform has exceeded our expectations, the web store has not. It’s remained a niche channel for early adopters, but it’s clear that many customers like a hands-on experience before buying a phone, and they also want a wide range of service plans to chose from.

So, in the US as they did in Europe Google is going to “work with partners” to offer the Nexus One “through retail channels”. I read that as they’ll soon be selling them in Verizon stores. Once all the retail distribution has been set Google will take the Nexus One off the web store and you’ll only be able to window shop there.

Not only will they be showcasing their wares but they’ll also be showing off other handsets that run Android.

No timing for this great plan was given.

See the original post from the Google blog

Call Of Duty MW2 Resurgence Pack to be released to Xbox LIVE June 3rd

Savan Thongvanh — Thu, 13 May 2010 14:02:54 +0000

Activision announced today that on June 3rd they’ll be releasing to Xbox LIVE a Multiplayer Map Pack they’re calling the “Call of Duty(R): Modern Warfare(R) 2 Resurgence Pack”. They’re going to need some resurgence with this map pack because the last one came out to mediocre reviews.

The map pack to be released at the end of this month will be the first multiplayer map pack releasedy by Activision/Blizzard with FIVE NEW MAPS. ADDITIONALLY, May 28th and June 4th Infinity Ward will be hosting DOUBLE XP weekends.

This is the second map pack this year, three months after the Stimulus Package. Does that mean we can expect two more this year? Only time will tell but for now I’m looking forward to five new maps and a shortcut to prestiging on the double points weekends!

iPhone 4.0 Leaked: Lost and Found (by gizmodo)

Savan Thongvanh — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:00:30 +0000

Gizmodo may have the scoop of the year with their story today on the possible iPhone 4.0 prototype that was found in a bar. Where else would it be found?

According to their tear down

front facing camera
the battery on this iPhone is 25% larger
the screen is smaller
it will take a micro SD card
Size is 4.50 by 2.31 by 0.37 inches
has separate volume buttons
higher resolution screen than the 3Gs

Engadget hinted at what may have been the iPhone in a iPad leak photo earier this year (http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/18/iphone-4g-proof/)

Now Gizmodo has done a bit better with actual hardware. Although they weren’t able to get the iPhone running they think they have enough evidence that it’s the real deal.

I’m sure they’ll be getting a call from you know who very soon…

March 27th Apple App Store Roundup

Savan Thongvanh — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 13:45:19 +0000

This week’s app is called Chalkboard Stunts and it’s done by Manta Research. I’d sum this game up as excite bike on a chalk board with a truck. Except you can’t build your own courses. Aside from that it’s a fun little app from the company who’s also done other games like Cubes, Cubix, AppSniper, and Virus.

The objective of the game is to navigate your truck through various obstacles using the controls provided. Four onscreen buttons allow you to go forward or backward and also rotate your truck clockwise and counter clockwise in case you get flipped over.

Chalkboard Stunts is a sort of 2d road rally game played on a chalkboard. It comes with 25 tracks and you start with one car and through the Chalkboard Stunts Store you can buy upgrades for $.99. In the store you can also buy upgrades for the game’s level building feature.
There is a handy little tutorial at the beginning of the game although you could probably figure it out on your own.

On the “home” screen you can sort the 25 tracks in alpha order, by target finish time length, or you can star your favorites and bring them to the top of the list. Of course you also get the proverbial high scores. There are however some other pretty cool options like the aforementioned store for upgrades, the ability to upload and download home made tracks, and the ability to flip your controls.

And here’s the rest of this weeks Top 10 Free iPhone Apps

Chalkboard Stunts by Manta Research
Shut Up Button by Shaved Ham
Solitaire by MobilityWare
Simon: Classic by Category 5 Games
Racing Live by Storm8
Race or Die 21 by The Godfather
Adult Sex Strip by IntroWizard LLC
Pets LIVE by Storm8
Spearfishing 3d by Yossi Malki
redbox by redbox

BlizzCon 2010 Set for Anaheim Convention Center

Savan Thongvanh — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:36:18 +0000

It’s been announced that this year’s BlizzCon will be held in Anaheim California on Friday October 22nd and Saturday October 23rd 2010. BlizzCon is not only a gaming convention, it’s a gaming convention held by the company that makes one of the top selling game series ever, Call of Duty.

Also, Activision/Blizzard of course make other landmark titles like Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo universe games. These three massivly multiplayer games have killed millions of hours of peoples time and BlizzConn is a time for all the gaming geeks like me to get together and have a blast IRL.

Some things to look forward to at BlizzCon are:

Hand on demos with upcoming games
A forum with Blizzard Developers
Both cut throat and friendly tournaments to show your skills
contests and prizes
special commemorative gear
and more that Blizzard will announce in the months to come

The last BlizzCon, featuring Ozzy Osbourne, sold out in minutes so keep your eye out here by subscribing to our gaming posts and on the Blizzard website (http://www.blizzard.com) for ticket info.

HTC Evo 4G Android phone coming to Sprint this summer

Savan Thongvanh — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:54:05 +0000

Sprint has announced that this summer it will be releasing the HTC Evo, a 4G Android phone. It seems like people have given up on an “iPhone killer” but this is quite a powerful phone.

[UPDATE: Sprint has not yet announced pricing.]

Android 2.1 isn’t the only cool thing this phone comes with. The HTC EVO 4G will arrive with a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, DUAL cameras – 8 megapixels for shooting forward and 1.3 megapixels for shooting backward. The forward facing camera will be able to do stills as well as HD video.

In terms of wireless yes, it’s a 4G phone, it’s got Wi-Fi, AND it has the built in ability to act as a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to eight, read again, EIGHT, devices.

Much to Apple’s dismay it will also come with, gasp, a Flash player and pinch to zoom. The jury is literally still out on whether Apple will let HTC keep the latter.

What’s the deal with 4G? Well, Sprint claims that their 4G at 6 megabytes per second is up to 10 times faster than 3g, if that’s the case it’s blazing fast. Equally as fast as most home services but alas, no 4g in my neighborhood yet.

According to Sprint, “Sprint currently offers 4G service in 27 markets, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Portland, Ore., San Antonio and Seattle. Following is a comprehensive list of markets by state where Sprint 4G is currently offered: Georgia – Atlanta, Milledgeville; Hawaii – Honolulu, Maui; Idaho – Boise; Illinois – Chicago; Maryland – Baltimore; Nevada – Las Vegas; North Carolina – Charlotte, Greensboro, (along with High Point and Winston-Salem), Raleigh (along with Cary, Chapel Hill and Durham); Oregon – Portland, Salem; Pennsylvania – Philadelphia; Texas – Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Killeen/Temple, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, San Antonio, Waco, Wichita Falls; Washington – Bellingham, Seattle. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G. ”

Hopefully you can find some 4G-ness around you so you can really take advantage of the speed, I can’t.

Lastly here are some of the more interesting specs on the phone:

3G/4G capability
Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 1GHz processor
4.3” capacitive display with pinch-to-zoom
Android 2.1
Sprint Navigation turn-by-turn driving directions and 3D maps
Visual voicemail
3G/4G Mobile Hotspot capability for up to eight devices
8MP autofocus camera with dual LED flash and 1.3MP front-facing camera
720p capture
Output pictures, slides and videos in HD quality (720p) via HDMI cable (sold separately)
Live video sharing with Qik
Built-in kickstand
FM radio and Amazon MP3 store
Bluetooth® 2.1 with A2DP Stereo and EDR
Built-in WiFi®: 802.11 b/g
Digital compass, G-Sensor, proximity sensor, light sensor, GPS
Expandable memory: 8GB microSD card included; supports up to 32GB
Main display: 4.3” WVGA (800×480) 65K colors

Google removes censorship from searches in China

Savan Thongvanh — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:17:53 +0000

Yesterday Google announced that they’d be removing any form of censorship from searches in China. Since Google has been in the China they’ve always bowed to the will of the Chinese government and filtered search results. Censor no more. Chinese Googlers will now be redirected from Google.cn to Google.hk

After an attack on January 12 of this year on Google and others, Google got furious because the attacks seemed like they were executed by the Chinese government. Google then started to flame the Chinese government’s interpretations of free speech, or lack thereof. It’s common knowledge that China blocks sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and others.

Amazingly Google acknowledge in a blog post that opening up the Red Filter was so popular among the Chinese that it may affect the performance of Google for other users.

Here’s what Google said about their rationale:

Figuring out how to make good on our promise to stop censoring search on Google.cn has been hard. We want as many people in the world as possible to have access to our services, including users in mainland China, yet the Chinese government has been crystal clear throughout our discussions that self-censorship is a non-negotiable legal requirement. We believe this new approach of providing uncensored search in simplified Chinese from Google.com.hk is a sensible solution to the challenges we’ve faced—it’s entirely legal and will meaningfully increase access to information for people in China. We very much hope that the Chinese government respects our decision, though we are well aware that it could at any time block access to our services. We will therefore be carefully monitoring access issues, and have created this new web page, which we will update regularly each day, so that everyone can see which Google services are available in China.

Way to go Google and way to go Chinese Googlers

Google launches Smart Rescheduler in Calendar labs

Savan Thongvanh — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:52:32 +0000

Today Google announced that they’d be adding a feature in Google Calendar labs that searches for free time for meetings, automatically. This is a feature people in the enterprise are familiar with in big expensive calendar programs and now Google is giving it a shot using their ranking algorithms.

Here’s how it works.

1. Enable Smart Rescheduler in your Google Calendar Settings

2. Save your settings and now when you click on an event in your calendar in the month view you should see a widget like so:

3. Click on the “Find a new time…” link and Smart Rescheduler will search everyone’s calendar that it knows about and offer new times for the meeting or event:

When you show the details of the event it’ll show you all the available times in everyone’s schedule

4. Click “Schedule This” to accept on of the suggested times

and just save your changes!

If you’ve got lots of people that you schedule with Google Calendar or if you’re like me and primarily use it for keeping appointments this will be a great time saver. Anther cool feature about this is that if you’re emailing back and forth with someone about an appointment. Try it out at Google Calendar Labs and let us know what you think!