some very iphoney decisions

The News

Today marks AT&Ts official release of the Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) for the iPhone. While the controversy has run deep from day one of the EDGE version release, the moment has finally come for iPhone users to be able to send picture and video messages. There are still some caviats you may run across depending on which version of the iPhone you’re currently sporting. Regarding MMS in particular here’s what you can expect based on your model.

iPhone 2g (aka EDGE) – MMS will not be supported on the first generation model of the iPhone. There is no specific reason why considering it runs the same software.

iPhone 3G – iPhone 3G owners will be able to send picture but not video messages as the 3G does not feature video recording capabilities. Unsure whether or not jailbroken (see below) devices will allow for it using third party recording software.

iPhone 3GS – The latest iteration of the popular handheld will support both picture and video messaging. Video messages will likely be limited to a certain recording length to prevent tying up network resources, though without a 3GS of my own I can’t be certain.

Jailbreaking

Since the release of the original iPhone there have been significant complaints regarding absent features on such an otherwise capable device. These upsets were the genesis of the jailbreaking revolution that led to unlocking the handset for third party software installation. A handset that had been jailbroken could suddenly install new applications not featured in the original device, such as messaging clients, games, internet browsers, and much more. I myself was a contributing member to this movement, having setup a website of my own to guide less technical users through the process. In fact, it’s how I earned my original 16GB iPhone 2g. In their second generation device Apple responded to the jailbreaking community by releasing the app store, which more or less made the practice obsolete for all except those seeking to use it on other carriers.

While jailbreaking an iPhone has always been a risky practice, Apple has recently gone out of their way to make it downright inconvenient or destructive. By adding code to iTunes that would block jailbroken phones from synchronizing or outright crashing their software, Apple showed their disdain for the mostly free community. I personally haven’t jailbroken an iPhone since my original iPhone 2g as everything I’ve wanted up to this point has been available via the app store. With this latest software update however, the question may once again be raised as to whether or not hacking your handset is worth it.

Why You Might Want To

If you’re an iPhone 2g owner there’s a good chance you’re mildly irritated that you were skipped over in the MMS release today, especially if you’re a power user that wants their device to do it all. If this is the case jailbreaking may be right for you. Here are a couple reasons that may push you toward cracking open the software for a little bit of tweaking.

1. MMS for 2g
As previously mentioned those of you sporting the original have been completely left out of the latest update. Never fear though, if you’re a little bit tech savvy and have a lot of determination, there are a number of websites that can guide you through jailbreaking your EDGE device and adding yourself to the mob of MMS users. Just google MMS for iPhone 2g and get ready to defy big blue man.

2. Video Recording
Unless you’re rocking the 3Gs with it’s hi-def video recorder, your iPhone 2g and 3G are nothing more than low resolution camera phones. You can forget about ever getting a software update that will allow you to record video, as Apple has already said that the camera installed on both earlier models can’t keep up with their standard of video recording. Plus, you know, why else would you buy the new model if an update could make your old one do the same thing? That’s where jailbreaking comes in. Using Cydia there are a number of recording apps available to you that can record upwards of 15 frames per second. While this isn’t exactly high definition video, it’s on part with lower cost handsets, and at least now you’ll have the option.

Why You Might NOT Want To

Granted, while some of us may find some value in giving it a go, the jailbreaking process brings with it a tremendous amount of risk. What jailbreaking essentially does is alter your devices factory firmware, programming into an entirely new set of instructions that Apple hadn’t originally planned on. Because you are altering such an important part of your phone’s software, there are a lot of things that can go horribly wrong. Some attempts have ended in irrecoverable software errors, while others have completely bricked (made unusable) their precious toys. Because Apple is constantly trying to keep on top of the latest firmware mods, you may one day plug your iPhone in and find the latest update has wiped everything off your handset, or blocked it from synchronizing all together. On top of it all jailbreaking voids your Apple warranty. If you break it while modding it, Apple won’t touch it, and you’re out an iPhone.

The Decision is Yours

Be it a 2g user who just wants to send picture messages, or a 3G user who just wants to capture those candid video moments, you have to weigh whether or not the risk is worth it to you. Having jailbroken my share of iPhone 2g units I can say that the margin for error is low when done by a knowledgeable hand; however, I’ve never risked it on my 3G because I like having my warranty intact just in case something else fails during my daily power use. Like I said earlier there are plenty of sites that can guide you through the process if you really want it, but standing where I’m at today, I can wait until I upgrade to the next one to get video.

I hope you found this brief iPhone update informative. I am now off to do something most likely more productive.

and today in the news…

Kanye West interrupts Taylor Swift at VMA awards, crowd looks appalled, YouTube viewers call him names.

Obama calls Kanye West a biblical word for a donkey lovingly named Jack. Twitter leaks it to the world.

Obama makes another speech, then another, then another.Presidential public appearances now outnumber commercials on TV and radio.

Patrick Swayze dies of pancreatic cancer, very sad. Kanye West interrupts his death in parody videos and pictures immediately following.

Joe Wilson calls Obama a liar during a joint session of Congress, apologizes out of sheer class, offended Democrats demand additional apologies, Wilson refuses. Still no apologies from Democrats regarding eight years of vehement Bush hatred and public character assassination.

Psycho kidnapper and wife may have had more than one victim after having been caught in their last 18 year long abduction. Hell buys neighboring property in anticipation of their arrival.

Apple releases new iPod Nano with built in video camera. Signing final papers on ownership of the universe next week.

Well, I hope you enjoyed today in the news narrated by Matt’s wit and sarcasm . I had originally had a longer post in mind but I had to plug these leaks in my brain first. Maybe next time.

the post you’ve all been waiting for

So that may have been a little bit of false advertising on my part, but if you’ve been one of the two or three people who still check in on me occasionally, this would actually be the post you’ve been waiting for. I spent a little bit of time trying to think what I would write in my first post after such a long hiatus, but nothing that ran through my head made the cut. I could of course go into a long political rant that a small number of my dear readers would eventually hate me for, but I’m just not feeling it tonight. In an effort to get the creative (yet possibly entirely uninteresting) juices flowing, I present you with this brief commentary on Apple products.

Apple products are like crack.

Addendum: Apple products are like chemically enhanced crack with the same addictive properties as oxygen.

There is a small number of things in my life that I find myself relying heavily upon every day, and that when they’re missing cause a lost feeling that is akin to a blind sheep wandering in a snow storm. I will exclude the obvious ones (God, my wife, life sustaining nutrients, blood, you get the idea) and focus on the issue at hand.

I had a guy offer me a fairly new Dell XPS studio laptop. It was very nice and actually specced out (referring to the hardware specifications for the less geeky crowd) higher than my MacBook. I thought about it for two seconds. In that brief amount of time I started with the logic of greater processing and graphics power, and then, before the logic could get two words in, a sorrow at the idea of my pet project not being at my side overwhelmed me completely. It was sad, pathetic, awkward, and a little scary all at the same time. Since when does a laptop, of which I have used and abused many, make me think twice about upgrading?

Then there was the iPhone.

Before I begin let me clarify what you probably already know: I have had more individual iPhone handsets than most people have ever even considered possible for someone to possess. I went through three today as a matter of fact. In all of these handsets I have only ever paid for one, and that was a while ago. Weird I know.

In case you cared to know at all here is my iPhone history:

1. Was bought a brand new iPhone 2g 16GB for hacking an iPhone for a customer of mine at Circuit City.
- Dropped this shiny new iPhone face down in the parking lot the next day shattering the glass.
2. Took shattered iPhone to Apple store that evening with tears in my eyes and was promptly given a warranty replacement.
- Dropped this shiny new warranty replaced iPhone in a toilet (clean!) a month later.
- Sold the water damaged carcass on eBay for $350 and bought a BlackBerry Pearl.
3. After several warranty replacements on my Pearl AT&T issued me a free upgrade to the BlackBerry Bold which I promptly hated. It had just come out on the market, however, and was in high demand. Enter the good idea.
4. Traded shiny new BlackBerry Bold warranty replacement (track ball issues) on craigslist for used iPhone 3g.
- Previously loved iPhone 3g screen stops responding to touch and crashing.
5. Receive shiny new warranty replaced iPhone 3g from Apple due to faulty touch screen.
- Drop shiny new warranty replaced iPhone 3g face down in parking lot, thoroughly damaging trim and chipping glass.
- Cosmetically damaged iPhone begins to exhibit problems with native applications crashing too much.
6. Receive shiny new warranty replaced iPhone 3g from Apple due to faulty software/hardware. Promptly buy hard case.
- Sell shiny new warranty replaced iPhone 3g on craigslist to explore other smart phone handsets.
- Go through the following phones (I probably forgot some): BlackJack 2, LG Vu, Nokia, BlackBerry 8110, RAZR, Palm Centro.
7. Contract upgrade comes along and I buy the reduced price iPhone 3g.
- Hard case leaves ugly marks on the trim and body of shiny new iPhone 3g.
8. Apple warranty replaces iPhone 3g for various hardware/software issues (AKA ugly marks all over, whacky Safari).
- Barter shiny new warranty replaced iPhone 3g for something I needed along with an unlocked BlackBerry Bold.
9. Trade unlocked BlackBerry Bold for the iPhone 3g. I planned to barter back with the BlackBerry in the first place.
10. Apple warranty replaces used iPhone 3g screen due to bad seals that led to dust under the display.
- New display has seals so bad that I can see phone internals through them, I promptly show it to the Genius.
- Genius issues new unit to try and make me happy, walks away.
- Take plastic off of new unit and am surprised to be staring at damage on the trim.
- Show it to another Genius who promptly hands me another unit.
11. Matt is happy.

Before you leave your mind boggled comment there was a reason I even listed that history in the first place. I have owned nearly every advanced phone ever made. Trust me, that brief listing didn’t cover 1/1000 of what I’ve had. In all of my exploring various technologies and brands I have never found another device like the iPhone. Even with it’s stunted features (we still don’t have MMS!!!) it is unrivaled in design and application availability. I do everything with it. I play video games, take photos, manage my calendar, email back and forth with craigslist buyers, post to craigslist, write blog posts when my MacBook isn’t handy, text my beautiful wife, and even lose weight.

Remember that Birth of a Fanboy post from earlier? Scratch that. Birth of a Fanboy Apple Dependent. How did this happen? For years I vied on behalf of PC supremacy, and now here I am thinking about how much I would love a copy of Snow Leopard. How truly pitiful I have become.

Now that I’ve written a nearly 1000 word essay on my strange affinity for Apple products I think I’ll go for now. I have my FarmVille farm to manage, Pirates to boss around, and Facebook posts that need my comments. Hopefully I’ll be inspired to write something unrelated to technology next so that the rest of the universe can nod their heads in gleeful agreement.