Infinxx icombi AP23 is Out in Hong Kong

Somehow just forgot to do an update on the Infinxx icombi AP23 when I saw it at Tomato Mobile a week or so ago.  Remember that I always mention the icombi AP21 which I used with my iPhone, iPod Touch & iPhone 3G as a Bluetooth dongle for A2DP (see old post, Finally Got My iPhone setup with Bluetooth Stereo Headphones (for both music and call)), well, the updated AP23 is now available in Hong Kong for HK$380 (US$49).  The new version, according to other users pairs up with Bluetooth headsets more swiftly and less dropping in connections were noticed.  Check it out, should be in most of the stores around town if you want the perfect Bluetooth dongle for your iPhone or iPod.

Apple Updated iPod Touch 1.1.5

So if you’re one of the few not willing to dish out US$10 for the iPod Touch 2.0 software update, now there’s another update (version 1.1.5, 165.5MB) if you elected not to do so after the update message for 2.0 pops up.  Apple said it’s only for bug fixes, and nothing more.  Check it out yourself.

Related article – Is the iPod touch 2.0 update worth $10? from MacWorld

1.1.4 Automatic Jailbreak + get iPhone apps. for iPod Touch

Source – ipodtouchmaster

New iPod Touch Commercial

Source – ilikemonkeys2

CNET Asia Community Blog Entry – iPod Touch Software Upgrade Woes

My new entry over at CNET Asia Community Blog is up. This week’s entry, “iPod Touch Software Upgrade Woes”. Click here for the read.

iPod Touch Applications Upgrade Not Happening in Hong Kong

Just got off the phone with the Apple Hong Kong Hotline Rep. Bad news. Those here in Hong Kong would not be able to get the applications upgrade as announced earlier at the MacWorld Expo for their iPod Touch. (see my previous post on Mail, Maps and other Applications Coming to iPod Touch). Unless you have an account with the US, UK or Japan or any iTune Music Store, you would not be able to purchase the upgrade. Now this really sucks for those who bought them in town. However, the Apple Hotline Rep did mentioned that the iPod Touch on sale here hereonafter will have the latest firmware and the applications installed.

My take on this, revert it back to v.1.1.1 and jailbreak for the apps if you have bought it before the MacBook Expo. What was Apple thinking. Besides, they should have long opened the local iTune Music Store.

Mail, Maps and other Applications Coming to iPod Touch

Pic from Gizmodo

See the following press release for details (check my highlights).

Apple Announces Major Software Upgrade for iPod touch

MACWORLD SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Apple(R) today announced a major software upgrade for the iPod(R) touch, making the best iPod into even more — the world’s best Wi-Fi mobile device. iPod touch customers already have the most advanced mobile web browser in the world with Safari(TM), and now Apple is adding five more great mobile applications — Mail, Maps, Stocks, Weather and Notes. The iPod touch software upgrade also includes new features such as Web Clips, a customizable home screen and beginning today, the ability to watch iTunes(R) Movie Rentals. New iPod touch products shipping from the factory will include the software upgrade and existing iPod touch customers can get the software upgrade for $19.99 by purchasing and downloading it from iTunes (http://www.itunes.com).

First Look – Optimus Touch (the iPod Touch clone)

For US$109, you can get this iPod Touch look-alike PMP and I think this makes a great Christmas gift. It plays music and videos, have a 1.3 megapixel camera as digicam or web cam, a digital photo album, a FM radio, calendar function, a text e-book reader and sound recording capability…what more do you want? For more details, go to MP4 Nation’s website. Specification as follow –

The iPhone Development Roundup: 100 Apps, Tools, and Guides

If you own an iPhone or iPod Touch, you don’t want to miss this.  Jessica Hupp of Virtual Hosting posted a complete listing of the top 100 applications, tools and guides for the iPhone.  Check out what you missed and what you be needing.  A very comprehensive list indeed, link here.

Here are the extract –

Apps

Whether you want to play games, get organized, or find your way around town, these apps are some slick offerings.

1. Navizon Virtual GPS: If you’re directionally challenged, get this virtual positioning system for the iPhone.
2. Network Test: Network Test makes it easy to run a quick speed test on your iPhone’s network connection.
3. iSubwayMaps: Get NYC subway maps on your iPhone with this app.
4. TextEdit: For a basic iPhone word processor, check out TUAW’s TextEdit.
5. iPhoneGold: 100 Free iPhone Games: For serious iPhone gamers, check out this resource for all of the games you might want to play.
6. TipCalc: This app calculates your tip and total, and even offers the option to split the total between a specified number.
7. iPhone Colloquy: This IRC client is made for the iPhone……..

Source – via Gear Diary

iPod Touch – Hacked and Jailbreaked 3-Part Series

source: ipodtouchmaster

Worlds First Unlock for iPhone 1.1.1 / 04.01.13_G Firmware

From iphonesimfree –

“Our sincere congratulations, to the iPhone/ iTouch Dev Team for their brilliant work in finding an ingenious way to jailbreak the 1.1.1 system. This exciting news means we are now able to gladly welcome all SIMFREE unlocked phone owners to UPGRADE to 1.1.1 if they so wish

Further to this, we are very proud to announce, (after some very difficult and lengthy hardware hackery), we were able to retrieve the necessary info to create the world first 1.1.1 unlock solution. We have now tested SimFree v1.6 with phones that have the new Baseband version 04.01.13_G with full success. This now means that SimFree v1.6 release, is now capable of completely restoring/repairing software unlocked “bricked” iPhone.”

Click here for the download link.

iPod Touch – Will it Scratch

Since the shops just started stocking up the iPod Touch here in Hong Kong, think I’ll link up this great video from Mitchell Oke over at Gear Diary, watch it before you buy.  Parental guidance recommended tho.

First Look – Applists 2.0 for iPhone & iPod Touch

Elias Corporation today announced the formal launch of Applists.com Version 2.0, fewer than 90 days after the original launch date of July 18, 2007.

Our goal is to get great apps into the hands of iPhone and iPod Touch owners the instant they need them, in the easiest, most intuitive, and respectful way possible,” says Elias Corporation CEO Bill Denk. “Today, I believe we’ve accomplished just that.”

According to Denk, Applists 2.0 allows owners to add multiple lists which – combined with the sheer numbers of available apps – sets Applists apart from others in the marketplace.

Notable Applists 2.0 upgrades include-

• Thumb-friendly interface, which allows for ease of typing with the “ultimate fat finger”;
• The ability to find the world’s expanding list of available apps even faster;
• BYOA (Bring Your Own Apps), which allows iPhone owners to find and suggest new apps and add apps to their own accounts instantly;
• Sharing apps and lists, which allows friends to swap their list of posted apps and even their own BYOA apps; and
• Sets, providing access to pre-created lists that can be added with a single tap.

As with the original version, Applists 2.0 enables iPhone owners to usetheir desktop Safari browser to add, update and modify their applists, which are instantly accessible when they pick up their iPhone.

For more information, click over to Applists 2.0’s homepage.

Source: Elias Corporation Press Release

iPhone or iPod Touch

[24 September] Remember I mentioned my friend Ken a couple days back? this guy been harassing me non-stop around the clock, SMSing me and emailing me, telling that I should join the party and get an iPhone or else I wouldn’t look hype enough as a gadget blog writer. With the iPod Touch coming out end of this week, it’s getting harder and harder to resist as the iPhone price is dropping fast, and I mean real fast. Latest from the local forum, HK$3,000 for a 4GB unlock and HK$4,200 for a 8GB. Hmm….

[Updated: 26 September] Been getting a few queries on the local iPhone prices. Just checked around today, the prices I posted couple days ago are correct considering the US list price (they still make a bundle). The catch is for HK$3,000/HK$4200, you get the iPhone with software unlock (what they claimed) but some users been having problems activating programs like YouTube or using WiFi and there’s no after-sale service whatsoever. For a bit more, some reputable shops would keep you updated to the latest firmware, attach the screen protector for you and maybe give you a silicon cover for the iPhone. Again, these prices are for references and are the going prices listed on local forums.

With the iPod Touch coming out end of this week, I would predict the iPhone prices to dip a bit, not much, as most of these ppl got their phones in earlier shipments. But in the next week or two, the prices should be closer to the US list price plus HK$500 or so (HK$2,900/HK$3,800).

[Updated: 3 October] The price for the iPhones went up the past couple days due to the fact that the new firmware bricked so many of them and ppl are trying to get replacements for their bricked ones. In addition, iPhone ver. 1.0.2 is becoming harder and harder to come by, thus the price hike according to supply and demand. If you still want one, get them now, price will continue to go up until someone can hack ver.1.1.1.