iLikeMyiPhone.com

After using Pwnage I have restored my iPhone numerous times following the AppStore apps crash! Interestingly enough Unofficial Apps and Cracked apps work great, just that official AppStore applications continue to crash with minimal usage of Cydia and Installer. It proved to be a challenging task to combat this issue. The following solutions or quick fixes may help you get a headstart saving you a trip to the Apple / ATT store or panic attacks for that matter! I might add this too - Steve Jobs admits the issue is common place and a September release might etch this F***ing issue out.

p.s : Your mileage may vary depending on your iPhone and its virginity! Pwnage may or may not be the root cause! It is Apple’s bugs as Steve admits!

Solution 1 : Restart your iPhone. Try launching the apps again. If it still fails, visit App Store on the iPhone (default apps should never crash, if they do - we are looking at a much bigger issue!). Delete an application from the iPhone by holding the respective icon for 3 seconds and then hit ‘Delete’. Try downloading the same app from the iPhone again. it worked on my iPhone 3G. You might want to reboot the iPhone too.

Solution 2 : While Solution 1 is a quick and simple way to try our luck restoring our quasi-dead iPhone apps, Solution 2 should WORK in most cases particularly when Solution 1 bears no fruit!

• Connect the iPhone to iTunes and Uncheck “Sync Applications” and hit “Apply”. This should remove all apps on the iPhone.
• Make sure your iPhone shows the boring default applications on the homescreen and nothing more!
• Go to iTunes “Store” menu and click “Authorize this Computer” and make sure the authorization info matches with Info obtained by right clicking app from Applications menu on the left (in iTunes) and clicking on “Get Info”.

• Now make sure “Sync Applications” is checked under Applications menu (at the top right corner in iTunes) and click on Sync. You should now be able to access your AppStore apps.

I am sure this Authorization issue will be fixed ASAP (iPhone 2.1 in Sepetember).

p.s : This process also worked for me when no media was showing in iPod application. AppStore apps crashing not only applies to jailbroken iPhones but even to virgin iPhones! I restored backup from 2G iPhone on my 3G iPhone and all the apps crashed. Solution 1 worked just fine though. Thanks to kcrmson from MMi.

written by kiran \\ tags: AppStore App Crash, Solutions

If you are new to the whole cashback idea from Microsoft, quickly skim through this detailed article. Many feared it is a hoax and what not but Microsoft is really doing a great job by paying back customers for purchasing products via Live.com . Attached is the proof, so that definitely a green signal - go ahead and buy hot and hard to find products on eBay.com using this Microsoft’s economic stimulus package!

eBay and Microsoft revised the Cashback agreement now allowing you 6 eBay transactions and a maximum of $200 per transaction. I love the way Microsoft paid $250 for my Macbook Pro

The whole Microsoft Cashback is beneficial if you are up for a 3G iPhone, Wii Fit or the like. 

written by kiran \\ tags: Deals, Microsoft Cashback

Simply amazed, thrilled and what not! Never really tried Qik on pre 2.0 iPhone but this really is an intuitve approach to video on the iPhone! We are all waiting for video recorder to show up and hopefully it will soon but using Qik’s amazing FREE app downloadable from Cydia, we can infact capture video and save it online in real time. How better can it get?!

Step by Step guide to Video Streaming on the iPhone :

1) Pwn your iPhone 2.0.1 using Winpwn or Pwnage.

2) Launch Cydia and Search for ‘Qik’ app.

3) Install it and create a quick profile at Qik.com

4) You will be sent an SMS which upon recieving and clicking on the link sent will activate your account! It did not even take more than 2 minutes for the whole process. Really Qik it is

Remember, your first video is public and everyone can see it! No private stuff people, not in the first video! The next time when you see an incident worth capturing, Qik it and see it online in realtime!!

What are you waiting for, Qik it now

written by kiran \\ tags: free, iPhone 2.0, Qik, streaming, video

Just a shout to those early adopters who stood in line for an iPhone and got a new line activated such that the contract can be terminated after a month by paying the ETF ($175) and owning the device without an enormously huge data plan requirement! Things get really interesting now! What if you slide a SIM with iPhone 2G plan into the 3G iPhone - will we be able to save $15 every month by gaining 200 free SMS messages and 2G data plan pricing!

In effect, for a 16GB iPhone, we end up paying

$299 (Handset)

$18 (Tax - Varies)

$170 (ETF - Prorata ETF in  effect, so $5 less for eeach month you keep the service for)

$90 (Approx First month bill)

—————————————————————————-

~ $600 Approx. (Not bad given that no contract option costs a minimum of $100 extra).

Make sure you cancel it after 30 days of signing up a contract to be eligible for owning the device by paying ETF. Every single day may add to pro-rata bill. Also be aware that you can return the handset before 30 days and pay no ETF (if you are not pleased by the cracks developed on the iPhone - its just been 30 days and so many cosmetic issues reported already, it doesn’t look so good at the moment!).

eBay and Microsoft’s 25% promotion is still up, so if you don’t mind waiting 60 days to earn your cashback, you can get a 3G iPhone for affordable prices

written by kiran \\ tags: ATT, Deal, ebay, ETF, iPhone 3G

We all love SMSs from our loved ones, don’t we? I always had issues with SMS since I tend to loose them with so many different firmware installs and I always have issues with setting up the iPhone from a backup (it just messes everything up!).

Anyway, openSSH comes to your rescue! Make sure you have openSSH installed via Cydia or installer and boom, use Fugu, Cyberduck or any FTP tool (Windows and Mac) and login to your iPhone (ip address from WiFi settings, username : root, password : alpine, port: 22).

This is the path you have to check for SMS.db file which has all your SMSs!

var/Mobile/Library/SMS

Copy the SMS.db file locally and make sure you update the cop before and after you restore a new firmware! Told ya its easy Lemme know if you have any issues with this process…

written by kiran \\ tags: openSSH, SMS Backup, SMS iPhone

Thank you iPhone Devs for such a fantastic job after a teasing wait for Pwnage 2.0.2! Pwned iPhone 2.0.1 firmware is much faster when it comes to response times and overall a stability upgrade from the buggy 2.0.

Here are the downloads to get you upto iPhone Firmware 2.0.1 (unlock for 2G iPhones, Jailbreak for 3G iPhones included). Make sure you have your SMS backed up before attempting the firmware upgrade!

Please DIGG this article and spread the message to the iPhone community worlwide!

If you want to build the Pwned 2.0.1 Firmware, download Pwnage 2.0.2 and bootloaders here (MAC Only).

Pwnage_2.0.2_Bootloaders.39.46

If your iPhone is already Pwned (if you see the pineapple logo on your iPhone boot screen), then you can download the Pwned firmware 2.0.1 from the following links. Use HJ-Split (Mac, Windows) to join the files. Once downloaded and joined, use iTunes and Shift+Restore (Windows), Option + Restore (Mac) to select the Pwned firmware. Your iPhone should be Pwned (1.1.3, 1.1.4 or 2.0).

This has

Cydia and installer.app

Custom boot logos (Pineapple and Steved!)

Jailbreak/Activate/Unlock

iPhone1_1_2.0.1_5B108_Custom_Restore.ipsw.001

iPhone1_1_2.0.1_5B108_Custom_Restore.ipsw.002

iPhone1_1_2.0.1_5B108_Custom_Restore.ipsw.003

Alternative mirror (2 Firmware files, one with custom logos and the other with default apple logos) : Me.com (Full file in one link, might be slower, good luck!)

iPhone 3G users ipsw File download: http://idisk.mac.com/spmwilson-Public?view=web (Activate Unchecked)

Windows Users : WinPwn 2.0.0.4 is Finally Released. Download it here.

p.s : Providing the firmware file since WinPWN is yet to be released with 2.0.1 support. iPhones already Pwned need not perform the time consuming firmware build process. Enjoy a faster Pwned iPhone

FAQ : If you are facing any issues with iPhone 2.0.1 and Pwnage, make sure you check this out, it will ease comments on this post.

written by kiran \\ tags: Custom iPhone Firmware 2.0, Cydia, Firmware 2.0.1, installer 4, iPhone 2.0.1, Pwnage 2.0.2, Pwned, Windows Pwn

Any iPhone user will definitely use the iPhone not just as a phone but  alot more - games included. And with more openGL 3D applications to play with, iPhone’s battery life is seriously taking a big hit. Just imagine using your iPhone on a train journey with all those GPS, Location aware features, games, internet and a lot more.

The idea is to conserve the battery charge rather than use a 3rd party add-on which might cost like $100! While we all know the basics of conserving iPhone’s battery, let me list them here :

Monitor battery usage for each app using iPhone’s hidden Numerical Battery Indicator

• Apple introduced this hidden feature (Numerical Battery Indicator) in iPhone 2.0 firmware. All we have to do is enable it using BossPrefs to change the concerned plist file. BossPrefs tool is a nifty little tool to achieve enhanced productivity the Graphical way! You have to use Pwnage to jailbreak your iPhone and install BossPrefs app in Cydia.
• All you have to do is monitor the battery charge as you use your favorite apps (which you use for longer periods and more frequently). This way you can save your much needed battery by choosing the right app to whale away your time with

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Turn Bluetooth/WiFi/3G off unless really required

• That makes complete sense. WiFi / 3G or any radio (bluetooth, IR) generally tends to drain power. Use them with caution! Efficient usage of these radios may help you achieve better battery.

Display brightness

• Though auto brightness is on by default, you might want to play around with the display brightness slider given that it plays a major role in deciding how much juice your battery can hold and for how long!

Auto lock Your iPhone

• 1 minute is the best but don’t pull your hair if you are performing SSH related tasks on your computer/iPhone, you must then set it to ‘Never’.

iPhone battery Charge cycle

• Well, time and again it was told that Li ion batteries just don’t care how much they are charged not requiring a full charge cycle but it is always a good practice to wait for the battery to die completely reach the threshold level 10~20%(red indicator) (thanks Dizzy and David) and then recharge it.
• It is also a good idea to recalibrate your iPhone battery every few weeks. All you have to do is let your iPhone run out of battery charge completely and then charge it fully. You now know what to do at home, play lots of games on your iPhone and then leave it to charge

mail.app Fetch Cycle for Email

• If you choose a fetch cycle of 15 minutes, the battery drains power at the same rate. Your best bet is to go ‘Push’ (MobileMe or Exchange). Forward your Email (Google, Yahoo,….) and expereince Me.com for a battery savings push alternative!

Use your headphone for listening to music, watching movies

• Well, this is not even a tip, more like common sense. Ignore it completely as we all know how to enjoy the stuff on the iPhone.

written by kiran \\ tags: battery, battery indicator, digital battery, iphone

When Cydia first surfaced in the 1.1.4 era, I thought I shouldn’t complicate the readers of iLikeMyiPhone, particularly when there is a user friendly installer.app lingering around! Come iPhone 2.0 firmware, I have no other choice but to recommend Cydia given its enhcanced performance, possibility of various critical apps (Summerboard, BossTools and the like) and an intuitive user friendly interface! Apple’s own AppStore closely resembles installer and Cydia though AppStore seems terribly buggy when it comes to installing an application from your iPhone. Cydia does just this much more intuitvely by letting the user know what is cooking in the background. installer.app though leaked as of today needs much more compatibility testing but Cydia has been going great guns ever since Pwnage saw the light of day!

Recommended apps from Cydia to follow soon!

Cydia Interface Step by Step

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Complete list of BigBoss’ Cydia Repository

Quick Facts / F.A.Qs

How to get Cydia?

• You have to use Pwnage to Jailbreak your iPhone 2.0 and Cydia is a piece of cake given its inclusion in Pwnage software itself. Download all the essential upgrades initially and Cydia works best, trust me

Is Cydia Stable?

• So far so good! Yet to face an issue! Launch Cydia frequently and it will perform the needed updates from time to time. As simple as it gets!

What are all the apps available?

• Loads of them already if not overwhelmingly high at the moment. Check my recommended apps from the screenshots below (new apps keep popping up all the time, check check check!)

Why should I even use Cydia when AppStore/installer.app does the same job?

• Installer.app is buggy at its best so far and AppStore has some serious restrictions on the type of apps it can SELL, while Cydia thwarts those limitations and best off all its FREE! Even better : Installation and updation of an app on Cydia is a zillion times faster than the AppStore apps!

Is the User Interface for Cydia neat/confusing?

• It can never get any more user friendly! Resembles AppStore and installer in the best manner possible with the ability to add sources, delete, modify applications!

Will it void my warranty?

• Hell yes but you can always revert back to the official firmware from iTunes. You just have to do a quick GOOG search before opting for a warranty claim and it will get easy as a pie! Easy huh?!

Great to see Sauirk’s efforts. Consider donating to this college kid’s efforts, you never know what he has in store for you in the near future!

written by kiran \\ tags: AppStore, Cydia, free, installer.app, iPhone 2.0

With a not so impressive launch, MobileMe team had a rough outing ever since! The much touted term ‘Push’ definitely didn’t make much sense given the delays involved, not to mention the long hours of server issues. Apple clearly under-estimated the number of users probably. Though they sold MobileMe packages ($99 and $149) they failed to accomodate all of them on the server which led to outages.

After lots of chatter all around the world that Push is dead in MobileMe especially since it dropped the ‘Push’ feature till yesterday (most users) which led to users reflashing their firmwares hoping to get the ‘Push’ effect from the service. I myself bought MobileMe for uninterrupted email, contact, calendar sync which finally started working as advertised starting July 23rd, 5 pm. That is a welcome addition! For someone playing with pwnage, I don’t think reflashing firmware is always fun! Anyway, I just wanted to tell the community that Push service is finally working, I tested email, contact sync and it works great! Though the 15 minute Mac/PC sync delay is yet to be polished.

Save the battery and use PUSH! [Noob's question : What is Push Email?]

Push uses a unique technology wherein a tcp port is constantly open with the iPhone and alerts the iPhone (so far, no battery is used since we didn’t yet fetch the email after the alert). Once mail is fetched only then does the battery come in to the picture. Hence, MobileMe is a tremendous service with all the right intentions!

Forward any email to Me.com account and simulate the push experience on popular email services like Gmail. Looking for a cheap MobileMe account, head over to this post for an amazing $3 per month deal!

written by kiran \\ tags: MobileMe, Push

These are the most essential files for Jailbreaking/Unlocking iPhone 2.0 and since they are scattered all around the place, I thought of providing a single link which would definitely ease the process.

DOWNLOAD THE COMMON FILE

I am working on a video as well as detailed Pwnage 2.0.1 guide for the noobs. Pwnage is rock solid but some surprises here and there surface every now and then.

written by kiran \\ tags: Downloads, iPhone 2.0, iPhone Bootloaders, jailbreak, Pwnage 2.0.1, unlock