Why George Hotz could face jail time
Posted by Dr. Macenstein Everyone’s favorite hacker of the week, George Hotz, has enjoyed 13 of his 15 minutes of fame this week, appearing on news shows and conducting media interviews about his successful iPhone hack, and good for him. Let’s just hope his last 2 minutes are not spent in a courtroom. As a fellow New Jerseyian, I am proud that first person to waste 2 months of their life attempting to unlock the iPhone came from the Garden State. However, I worry... Read More
My conspiracy theory – expect an iPhone update with new features soon
Posted by Dr. Macenstein According to Engadget, the iPhone was officially unlocked today. A rag-tag group of rebels over at iPhoneSIMfree.com were able to unlock the iPhone’s SIM to work on any carrier, freeing it from AT&T’s shackles. Apparently, this “hack” is the real deal, as even an iPhone restore doesn’t cause a problem. Yet while this is the news many iPhone hold-outs have been waiting to hear, I am a little hesitant to endorse T-Mobile... Read More
The unofficial death of the G4 processor
Posted by Dr. Macenstein Does it mattter that your OS can run on a bare bones machine if the apps you use can’t? Apple lists the current minimum system requirements for the upcoming Mac OS X Leopard as a very reasonable “G4 (800 MHz or faster)-, G5- or Intel-based Mac“. This was very welcome news for G4 owners like myself who like to try to keep as many of our machines as current as possible. However, at this week’s iMac/iLife/iWork unveiling, G4 owners... Read More
New Mac mini tomorrow – $100 cheaper?
Posted by Dr. Macenstein On this, the eve of what everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE, is predicting will be Apple’s new iMac unveiling, I would like to make my own prediction. Sure, we’ll see the new iMacs, and maybe the rumored long-overdue .Mac update. But one thing we will not see is the death of the Mac mini. No, the Mac mini will not only escape the cold, icy hand of the Grim Reaper (aka Steve Jobs), but I predict the mini will be taken off life support, and surprise... Read More
I have a dream: What “Google Wireless” could mean for Apple
Posted by Dr. Macenstein An estimated $15 billion chunk of the wireless spectrum will go up for auction this year when US TV channels are pushed into digital broadcasts, freeing up space that the more bloated analog spec required. One of the most interesting potential bidders was rumored to be Google, who had been growing increasingly worried that it might be left out of the growing wireless/internet melding that seems to be going on. Google, however, wanted certain provisions... Read More
After using the iPhone, I can tell you there will be no touchscreen iPod
After having now experienced the iPhone for a couple days, I feel I can now safely predict that we will never see the mythical “touchscreen, widescreen, Wi-Fi iPod.” Feel free to quote me. Back when Apple first announced the iPhone, I thought it was a very cool piece of gadgetry, and I knew I would one day buy it. However, what I really wanted was the widescreen, touch-sensitive Wi-Fi-enabled video iPod that all the rumor sites had been predicting (apparently based... Read More
Day 2: iPhone still available at every Apple Store. Is this a good or bad sign?
Posted by Dr. Macenstein When Apple opened its online store for iPhone orders last night, they also added an area where you can check the availability of current iPhone stock at your nearest Apple Store. Given all the hype and line waiting surrounding the iPhone, this is a thoughtful gesture on Apple’s part to help iPhone hopefuls avoid making the trip only to walk away empty handed. However, it seems that it might have been unnecessary. Just a day after the launch,... Read More
So why haven’t we seen the iPhone’s camera?
Posted by Dr. Macenstein Apple has now posted 5 flashy commercials and a whopping 20 minute video “guided tour” on how to use the majority of the iPhone’s features. However, there is one aspect of the über device that has thus far gone undocumented: The camera. With just 4 days left until the launch, we still have no idea how the camera interface looks, acts, or how to use it. For all we know it might even be able to take video, or have some stripped down... Read More
From the “We told you so” files: Universal security bugs discovered in Safari 3 beta
Posted by Dr. Macenstein When we first posted our conspiratorial thoughts on Apple’s motives for releasing the Safari 3 beta, our readers were extremely vocal. While many agreed with our theory that Apple was hoping the larger Windows hacker population would help find bugs and security holes in the Safari browser before the iPhone makes its debut next week, there were just as many who called us idiots. As faithful Macenstein reader Chris put it: “The holes that security... Read More
No Apple Store “1 to 1”, ProCare, Genius Bar or personal shopping appointments for the 29th
According to a little bird, “Apple won’t allow anyone to make 1 to 1, procare, or personal shopping appointments for the 29th“. This report was verified by a little bunny, who says the Genius Bar is also off limits. We’re assuming this is Apple’s attempt to keep folks from using that type of one-on-one service to weasel in an iPhone purchase. Or perhaps Apple just figures they’ll need every available staff member on hand to handle crowd control.... Read More
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