Benefits of Jailbreaking?

Why should you jailbreak your iDevice?

Tweaks available in Cydia (jailbreak app store) allow your iPhone to do many things that it cannot normally do under apple's restrictions. I'll admit, Apple has come a long way when it comes to servicing fanboys of the jailbreak scene; adding multi-tasking and wallpapers was one of the biggest I'll admit. But there are still many tweaks and applications that fall under Apple's priorities that are available to jailbreakers. I want to discuss with you my favorite tweaks, the tweaks that bring out some of the hidden potentials of your iPhone or iPod Touch or even your iPad, and why they work.

First off is locktopulas. Sounds like a funny name right? In short locktopulas allows you to lock certain apps right from your springboard. Whenever you choose the app, a password prompt is provided. This is especially useful if you don't want snoopy people going through your pictures or SMS messages. I find this especially useful when you're drunk and want to prevent drunk texting/tweeting. I'm digressing a little but locktopulas is a great application that is something the iPhone should already do.

Next I want to talk about the notification system on all iOS devices. When Apple announced push notifications back in firmware 2.0 they didn't tell us that the obtrusive notifications system was going to be a part of it. It seems that whenever you get a text message or aupdate, you get a HUGE notification bubble. You can't reply directly from there. Once you click the reply button you are removed from your app and pushed to the messaging app or whatever is being pushed. Many times I'm in the middle of a game or a text message and a push notification is sent to me. I really want to just avoid the notification and go back to it later and continue what I'm doing, but canceling the notification doesn't tell you what it was later on. Hence this tweak called MobileNotifications+. It basically revamps facebook ps the notification system and makes it less obtrusive. Instead of a huge bubble overtaking your screen, it becomes a bar in the top under the system bar, and stays there with the option to view later or open. When you double click the home button to see the multi-tasking bar, a new window opens right above the multitasking bar. This space holds all the notifications received. A great notifications indeed.

HTC Droid Incredible Review

So guys, I've taken the plunge. I bought an HTC Droid Incredible on eBay and am extremely happy and content with my purchase. This phone is nothing short of its name; it really is INCREDIBLE. Here's a short review for you guys. BTW yes, it's rooted :)

Verizon's HTC Droid Incredible follows the candy bar design brought in by Apple's iPhone. It's very minimalistic in the front design of the phone. The only button on the front of the Incredible is the optical joystick. There are 4 touch sensitive "buttons" on the front of the phone as well, symbolizing home, menu, back, and search respectively. They are very responsive contrary to many other HTC touch android devices (nexus one). The power/lock button is on the top left of the device, next to a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The volume rockers are on the left side of the device, as well as the micro usb charging port. There are no other physical buttons.

On the back of the phone is HTC's self described "race-car" design. Raised bumps on the back cover give it the look of a edged race-car. Some people like it, others don't. I would have preferred a straight back to be honest.

It sports an 8 mega-pixel camera with dual led flash and with its latest firmware update (2.2) it can record 720p video. It has an AMOLED screen with 480x800 WVGA resolution. It sports qualcomms incredibly fast snapdragon processor which clocks in at 1ghz speeds. Of course, it can be over-clocked to 1.5 ghz ;). On normal clocked speeds, the Incredible can achieve quadrant scores between 1300-1375, while over-clocked to 1.5 ghz it can achieve between 1700-1900 scores.

The Incredible currently supports the latest Google Android build (2.2) Froyo. It gained mobile hotspot support, as well as an updated HTC Sense UI. It also supports Adobe Flash 10.95.1, something other Smartphone manufacturers have failed to allow (Apple, i'm talking to you). HTC's Sense UI gives the phone much more functionality by adding HTC specific applications and add-ons. HTC skins, Peep (HTC's own twitter client), and the addition of Scenes are just some examples. There are over 50 HTC specific widgets which help enhance the Android experience. Android itself has a pretty high learning curve, but HTC simplifies it greatly. Like all other android phones, the Incredible has access to the Android marketplace, which gives it access to over 40,000 applications.

It comes with a 1300 mph battery, one you probably don't want to use. I ended up getting a 1700 mph battery to help last me an entire day, but even still that doesn't happen. Then again, I use my phone on a constant basis so its not the phones fault. All smartphones are plagued with bad battery life. It is preloaded with 8 gigabytes of flash memory, which is amazing, and also has support for up to 32 gigabytes more with the micro SD expansion slot.

It has all the redundant wireless connections which make it pointless for me to say but I might as well say anyway. It has WIFI support right out the box, GPS, Bluetooth, and Verizon's 3G on EVDO1x and Rev1 bands. Running on Verizon's CDMA network gives the Incredible an advantage over many other android phones. Verizon has an excellent network with a wide coverage market. It's 3G speeds are comparable to that of it's main competitor AT&T's own 3G speeds, but still lags a little behind AT&T speeds. Where it loses in speed, however, it makes up for with actual signal.

Overall the HTC Droid Incredible is an amazing phone. It's fast, responsive, versatile, and has a beautiful screen. The minimalistic design makes it an incredibly desirable phone. Call quality on Verizon's network is flawless and access to Android's ever expanding and evolving marketplace makes it a viable opponent against other Smartphones like the Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy S line of phones, and Blackberries. However, poor battery life and no front facing camera puts the phone a little behind the curve. The race-car design is etchy and HTC should have included an option for either that or a completely flat back. The display, one of its biggest proponents, also hinders it. Making it almost unbearable using it outside in sunlight. Anti glare protectors should help solve this issue though.

One Click Root Method for Droid Eris

http://www.xda-developers.com/android/1-click-eris-root-app-no-pc-required/

Lately guys it seems that all the "rad" methods of rooting and jailbreaking have fallen onto one-click options. Sure that makes it simpler for the common user, but I sorta miss having to go through the struggle of installing stuff, running command code, and feeling boss while doing it. :sigh: Oh well. Here's a new method for rooting the Droid Eris. It utilizes some exploits found by jcase and eclips3 from the xda-developers forums. These guys are always making new milestones for these devices. Well watch the vid, subscribe, and hit the like button there.

Oh and maybe I should let you guys know, thanks for all the views on my froyo video. See, I made youtube individual partner status for that video. Thanks so much guys and hopefully this one gets the same response!

4.0 Jailbreak for iPod Touch and iPhone (Universal)

Universal Jailbreak for iPod Touch and iPhone on 4.0

Go to jailbreakme.com on your iDevice and jailbreak away :)

Peel?

There's this new device that just recently received FCC clearance. Its a small package from Sprint called the Peel, and what this nifty little device can do is turn your iPod Touch into an iPhone. Well sorta. See, it uses Sprints own 3G network, albeit the slower kind, and routs it to a device that can snuggly fit into the casing. The space seems oddly reminiscant of, lets say, apple's own top notch media player. If you catch my drift. Even having the headphone jack on the bottom right. It can also tether internet to up to 5 different devices. So far it has its own battery, charging via mini usb, although no word yet if it charges the device. Earlier a Chinese variant was released which charged the device and was made specifically for the iPod Touch. Still not sure here though. Hopefully more news of this comes out soon, because I already tether my Android phone to my iPod Touch, and if this comes out, it's bye bye Verizon for good.

**News and image courtesy of engadget**