With all the updates 3 point this, 3 point that, the decision to update your iPhone firmware might make your head spin.  Don’t worry, we are here to set the record straight.

Experts say there’s no reason to update unless you’ve personally seen a problem with the reporting of your battery percentage or  issues with third party apps that might have trouble launching.  But for those of you cutting edger’s, you will update anyway. The PwnageTool 3.1.5 for Mac OS X will let you do so safely preserving your jailbreak and ultrasn0w unlock. (If you use the blacksn0w unlock (at baseband 05.11.07), you need to stay at 3.1.2.)

Any 3G and 3GS unlockers updating should always be aware and wary. If you make a mistake along the way, you may find yourself updating to official 3.1.3 in which case you will lose your unlock, possibly forever.

Regarding jailbreaking, any 3GS users should stay away from this and all 3.1.3  jailbreak tools, unless you are certain you have your “SHSH hashes” backed up in Cydia.

So, to be or not to be in 3.1.3?  It’s up to you.  It’s not a earth shattering update, but could benefit some of you.  If you are unsure or have any questions,  don’t hesitate to consult with us first!!!!!

Apple finally approved the 3G-streaming capable version of the popular TV-streaming iPhone application, SlingPlayer. As most of us know, Sling, Apple, and AT&T and previously tussled over the concept of streaming live TV over AT&T’s 3G bands, as they had suspected that it would place to much strain on the network, especially with the popularity of the iPhone. However, just like their recent lift on the VoIP ban, which AT&T anticipated would keep people from using their AT&T minutes by using a service like Skype to make calls instead, AT&T seem to have lifted this “live TV streaming” ban as well. Until now, only jailbreakers who had paid for a premium app such as 3G Unrestrictor or My3G were able to stream Sling over the 3G airwaves, but it looks like today, everyone is free to watch Sling on their iPhone at their leisure.

I can also personally confirm that streaming works on EDGE as well (this is good for you T-Mobile customers =])

The New Apple iPad

Well he has done it again folks. Steve Jobs and Apple INC. continue to take us to the next level with technology with the Apple iPad. After announcing a record breaking 4th quarter for what was formerly known as Apple Computers, Steve Jobs introduces the Apple iPad in a press conference yesterday. Think Kindle on steroids! This device is Apple’s version of the netbook, so popular on the PC format, but with an iPhone interface.

“This is a positive move toward touchscreen technology which is the order of the day” says Eric Patterson of iPhoneiCandi. “The user interface on the iPhone is the industry leader and now Jobs has taken that same format and integrated it into a foundation that iPhone users are familiar with. I’m curious as to what MS and Google will do to counter this. ‘iPhone Killers’ haven’t worked, but now they have to find an iPad killer”.

The iPad will be available in 3 memory sizes-16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. The 9.7 inch screen makes for a nice viewing area for reading your new e-book downloaded from the Apple iBook app that will be native to the new device.  It also has the ability to run the iPhone application right out of the box. It can connect to your Mac or PC, via USB and it can play HD video (1024×768 or 780p).

The dimensions are 9.5 inches x 7.5 inches x 0.5 inches. iPad weighs in at 1.5 pounds and is powered by Apples own 1GHz A4 chip. In addition, it has a microphone, accelerometer, compass, Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11n Wi-Fi, and 3G available on the higher end models for those who need more than just Wi-Fi access. It’s a very fast little device and a great size for surfing the net with its full multi-touch screen. Battery life is 10 hours at full use and it will last a month on standby.

The interface is a custom version of the iPhone 3.2 OS, and there is a new SDK for developers. As mentioned, the iPad can run all of the iPhone apps, but you can run them in their native resolution or double pixel mode resolution to accommodate the large screen on the iPad.

For the web-surfer, the iPad will use Safari as the internet browser, like its smaller brother the iPhone. One big issue is that it doesn’t support Flash which could be a deterrent for the same people who dislike that inability on the iPhone. The Photo app does add new features and some multi-touch input changes that allow you to manage photos easier as well as view and organize multiple pictures.

The iPad pricing is nice too. They start at $499 and top out at $829 for the 64GB 3G model. That’s cheaper than the base model iPhone 3G S 16GB if you buy it outright from Apple. There is no phone services available, but that’s what you have the iPhone for… and hackers. I’m sure you could also use VOIP since there is a microphone available and speakers. Keep it up Steve. More photos for your viewing pleasure.

iPad

Steve Jobs, Apple CEO announced Monday it had its best quarter earnings and revenue in the history of the company.  The Macintosh laptops and desktops did much to help this record setting quarter.  The Mac did very well in spite of the Windows 7 launch in the fall.  The iPhone had a 100% increase in sales, but Van Baker, an analyst at Gartner said, “We expected more.  The China launch of the iPhone wasn’t as good as Apple thought it would be.”   Expectations aside, 87 million iPhones were sold and 3.36 million Mac computers were sold in the 4th quarter, a 33% rise for Macs from the prior year.  iPod sales are on the decline.  21 million were sold, but unit sales were down 8%.  The iPod iTouch sales went up 55%, actually bringing up iPod sales up 1% because iTouch’s are in the iPod category.  Apple’s revenue for the4th quarter was 15.7 billion and earnings were 3.4 billion.  Those numbers were up from last year, 11.9 and 2.3 billion, respectively.  Yesterday,  Jobs introduced the  iPad to the world in a much anticipated and media frenzied press event.  Like  iPhone’s big brother, the iPad, a multimedia touch screen wireless device,  does everything iPhone does,  but has  a Kindle-like library component and space for large photo files.  I’m sure I’m only touching on the basics.  Once on the market in March, the price of the iPad will start out at $499.  Not too bad on the wallet either.

Dragon Dictation iPhone App

Here is an iPhone app that has been long over due. With everyone resorting to text messaging, this is one of the handiest apps to come about. There has been some dictation apps before but Dragon Dictation by Nuance, the worlds most popular desktop dictation software, has created one that seems to be the most feasible in the bunch.

The Dragon Dictation app does almost everything you would normal do with your iPhone keyboard, but you use your voice instead. With all the people causing wrecks and other traffic mayhem due to the new texting culture rapidly developing, this is a no brainer. This also includes the ability to say your latest tweets or Facebook updates. Clipboard cutting and pasting is supported as well.

The app is free (for a limited time) and is still pending approval in the App Store. There is some concern about Nuance gathering the names and companies in your address book, which is expressed in there EULA. Other than that this looks like a nice app. Have fun and please leave commits about your experience with this app.