iPhone 3GS Tethering with Firmware 3.1.3

Updated on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 8:38 by Willem

With the release of firmware 3.1.3 the tethering option is back on the iPhone. After the reboot of the iPhone you get additional fields in the 'Cellular Data Network' section in the 'Network' menu (Settings -> General -> Network -> Cellular Data Network). Just enter the appropriate information in the APN field (for KPN in the Netherlands enter internet in the APN field) and the Internet Tethering option is back (w00t) in the 'Network' menu.

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iPhone Firmware Update 3.1.3

Apple released an update for the iPhone. Release 3.1.3 fixes some issues like;

• improves accuracy of reported battery level on iPhone 3GS
• resolves issue where 3rd party apps would not launch in some instances
• fixes bug that may cause an app to crash when using the Japanese Kana keyboard
• Tethering is back (even on the non exclusive carriers)....
  Results may vary since not every carrier allows tethering (like T-Mobile in the Netherlands).

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Canabalt

Updated on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 14:37 by Willem

Yet another great iPhone game I found in the iPhone store. Canabalt is a bit more expensive (but still below €3). It's a running game. The graphics aren't that flashy. There's only black, white and some area's of grey in between. As soon as I saw it, it reminded me of an Apple classic called Dark Castle.

Controlling the game is real easy (just tap your finger on the screen to jump). The only variation is that you can tap harder (or softer) to jump higher (or lower). That's about it.....

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Dutch KPN Second iPhone carrier?

A page on the website of KPN (the biggest Dutch telecom provider, and former employer) suggests this.

At the moment, the iPhone is exclusively sold by T-Mobile, but for as long as the iPhone has been in the Netherlands, there have been rumors about other carriers.

A prank, a mistake, or somebodies wettest dream? I have no idea. All I know that the page is there (today), and that I saved it to make sure it stays 'there'.

A mirror of the 'analogue' pages can be found here.

Update on Friday, December 4, 2009 at 10:58 by Willem

It seems that KPN purchased a batch of iPhones for special customers (probably high-volume customers who are able to demand things).

At this moment it's just this one batch of iPhones. It is not known if KPN will continue to sell iPhones when this batch is sold.

I just hope that they aren't selling the 'Antwerp iPhones'.

iPhone Apps That Rule

Normally, I wouldn't write about every app I try (or buy) in the iPhone App Store, but sometimes there's a good reason. In this case two;

• GeoDefense Swarm
• Appie

GeoDefense Swarm is a highly addictive Desktop Tower Defense game. Very good gameplay, great graphics, and addictive as hell. I heard about this game om MacBreak Weekly, and I curse them every time I start the game (for getting me to buy it and getting addicted).

Appie is a Netherlands-only app. It's an application for Albert Heijn (Supermarkt in the Netherlands). It shows what articles are on sale, what you bought in the last three months (based on your Bonuscard number). It also holds recipes, and a lot more. A definite must-have for everyone who owns an iPhone (or iPod Touch), and who shops @ Albert Heijn.

Squarespace.com iPhone App

Squarespace.com released their iPhone App. This App let's you manage your (Squarespace) website(s);

• create content
• upload images
• manage posts
• view statistics
• et all

I used to do all these things by using Safari on the iPhone, but makes it a whole lot easier. A definite 5 star program.

Nikon Learn & Explore iPhone App

Nikon Learn & Explore on the iPhoneNikon (USA) launched their Learn & Explore iPhone app. The application is there for you to learn & explore the magical world of Nikon. Learn about shooting techniques by renowned photographers, see photos taken around the world.

A quote from Nikon USA;

Read an article on getting the most from your travel photography while you’re on vacation. Check information on adjusting depth of field or selecting the right shutter speed when you’re taking photos at your child’s sporting event. Access advice on the right aperture for shooting photos indoors when you’re attending a wedding. It’s all there on the Learn & Explore iPhone app. Photography information at your fingertips.

Nice for those moments when you're not busy at all. Light reading material is always welcome. Especially when you can learn something new. So I want this app.....

BUT unfortunatelly, the app is US only(?????). Why? Don't ask me. I already asked Nikon this, but they haven't answered (yet).

I guess Nikon World starts and ends in the US....

Update on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 18:53 by Willem

And yes!!! We have an answer from Nikon. Albeit an automated responds......

Thank you for your inquiry regarding the Learn & Explore iPhone App. We are reviewing consumers' comments for future enhancements. In the meantime, we encourage you to visit the Learn & Explore section of NikonUSA.com (http://www.nikonusa.com/L&E) where you will find all the content available on the iPhone as well as additional features such as Capture Your World articles, Nikon Technology descriptions and information on Nikon-sponsored workshops.

Thank you again for your interest in Nikon and the Learn & Explore iPhone App.

The Editor

I wonder if I'll be getting an answer to my responds to their e-mail. I don't think so, since it was kinda explicit (sort of).

Additional iPhone Thoughts

Before I go into the imperfections of the iPhone, I must mention that the iPhone is one of the best (smart)phones I've had so far.....My (smartphone) references are the Nokia Communicator, Nokia E61i, Nokia N95. While the PDA experience comes from Psion (to bad that they are gone), and a boatload of crappy/unstable Windows CE/Mobile platforms over the last 10 years.

Every device had its limitations, but the iPhone clearly has the upperhand (at the moment). But there's always room for improvement :-)

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Initial Thoughts on the iPhone Friendliness

The next morning; The initial rush of a new iPhone is gone (not that much though). So it's time to look at the thing with a more open mind. After my earlier post I had some time to think about the features I stumbled upon. Especially the tethering and syncing problems I ran into.

At first the tethering; no idea why Apple stripped that one from the 3.1.2 update (when you're not having the correct carrier). Most countries allow (by law) the users to remove the SIMLOCK from the iPhone. This opens the iPhone for other carriers. But it seems that when you switch carriers you end up with a 'crippled' phone, since the tethering gets 'disabled'. Not having the visual voicemail with other carriers is only a nice-to-have gone away. But tethering is something more basic. Something you (I) cannot live without.
Every other phone I've owned in the last 5 years was able to 'tether' through either an USB cable or through Bluetooth. It's like stepping back in time with the iPhone.

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