iSmashPhone - Turn your Phone into your MyPhone

Today's Notable iPhone Apps - Monday July 13th Edition

2009-07-13T16:35:07-04:00

Today's iPhone app reviews are all about enhancing your activities. With TuneWiki, you'll never be bored while listening to music. With Worms, the classic game that's been on virtually every platform, you'll keep yourself entertained when you need to kill some time. With MotionX GPS (updated version) you'll be ready for running, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors. And with PhotoBeamer (and it's companion BeamCatcher) you'll be able to share your photos at parties without passing your phone over into another person's hands.

TuneWiki

by TuneWiki Limited

Category: Music

Price: Free

App Store Link

TuneWiki has been around for a while, but only in Cydia. It's now officially an approved App Store app. This awesome application allows you to listen to music while watching the lyrics on the screen (translated into over 40 languages.) You could also see what people around you or anywhere else in the world are listening to on a built in map. It's not at all necessary, but it's kinda fun to see what kind of junk people listen to. It's certainly worth a download.

Worms

by Team17 Software Ltd

Category: Games

Price: $4.99

App Store Link

The classic computer game has been around for ages, and it's finally made it to the iPhone. The game offers single plater battles, 2-4 player multiplayer mode, full campaign mode, and everything else you expect to see in Worms. The controls, however, are a bit difficult to use because Worms relies heavily on precision and it's not so easy to be precise on the iPhone while playing a game. But with practice, it's certainly usable. If you're a Worms fan, then get it.

PhotoBeamer and BeamCatcher

by AppMobi LLC

Category: Photography

Price: $0.99

Photo Beamer: App Store Link

Beam Catcher: App Store Link

Every iPhone user eventually has the horrible experience of passing around his or her iPhone to an entire crowd to show a photograph. And we all know what happens. People start thumbing through your whole photo album...and chances are, you don't want every photo seen. The developers of PhotoBeamer and BeamCatcher realized this dilemma. With this app, you can share photos right over BlueTooth to any other iPhone user with the same app (or BeamCatcher.) PhotoBeamer allows you to share photos and receive photos. Beam Catcher allows you only to receive photos (which is why it's free.) While the app won't always save you from passing around your iPhone (not everyone has an iPhone for you to share pics with), atleast you'll be safe when iPhoners are around.

MotionX GPS

by MotionX

Category: Navigation

Price: $2.99

App Store Link

MotionX GPS has just released it's 6th version. In the new version, MotionX GPS introduces iPod music integration, faster maps, and full iPhone 3GS Compass Integration. This app, which is intended for outdoor activity, shows your position and track at all times on street, topographic, and satellite maps. You can share all routes with friends via email, Facebook, or Twitter. There's lots of other features in this application, but the exciting news is that you no longer need an internet connection for the compass to work if you have an iPhone 3GS.

15 Useful iPhone Hacks That Will Make Your Life Easier

2009-07-13T14:32:51-04:00

Some people might say that the iPhone has everything you could possibly want from a smart phone. While it's sure got a lot to offer, modern society always has us wanting more. We're not unsatisfied with the iPhone (it's truly a miraculous device), but we like adding a little something extra. The truth is, there's some things that you just can't do without a little iPhone hack. And then there's things that Apple or AT&T just don't want you to do.

This list has 15 iPhone hacks and tricks that will give you that extra functionality so you can truly optimize your iPhone. These modifications should certainly enhance your mobile experience and simply make your life easier.

We have tested all of these iPhone hacks, and they all work.

1. How to get Push Gmail on your iPhone

While the new iPhone OS 3.0 has push notifications, it failed to include a push version of Gmail. So, while true push Gmail for the iPhone is yet to exist, there is a very, very good work around that uses an iPhone app called Prowl.

Currently, the iPhone uses fetch, as opposed to push, which means that emails aren't forwarded to your phone until your phone goes lookin' for them. While the difference isn't huge, Push gets you your emails in real time. You also save battery, because now your iPhone doesn't have to use resources to go checking for emails - they're just automatically forwarded by a server.

So how do you get push Gmail?
It's simple. There is an application in the iTunes App Store called Prowl - Growl Client (link opens iTunes) and it allows your iPhone to connect with the famous Growl (follow link to download) program. Growl is a simple program that has one funtion - to notify you. It alerts you of whatever you tell it to. It can alert you when something is finished downloading, when you get an IM, when someone mentions you on twitter, when you get a new email, and more.

So with Prowl, a $3 iPhone application, every notification from Growl gets pushed right to your iPhone. That means when you get a new email, you'll be notified by Growl on your computer, and by Prowl on your iPhone. Simply download Growl and set it up to notify you of new emails on Gmail. It's not true push, but it's pretty damn close...and it accomplishes the same exact thing.

Note: Prowl only works with Growl on Macs as of now. There is a Growl client for Windows, but it doesn't work with Prowl yet. It will in the next update, so just hang on Windows users.

2. How to enable tethering now (prior to AT&T allowing it)
1. Install iPhone 3.0:

Get On With iPhone 3.0: Download and Install Now

2. Go to http://tr.im/oS1h on your iPhone's Safari browser

Go here for the rest of the guide.

This process only takes minutes and does not require jailbreaking. You will be able to tether very easily, via Bluetooth or via USB. It works perfectly.

WARNINGS:
AT&T could be charging you. Nobody knows.

Do this at your own risk.

3. How to sync your iPhone with multiple computers

Apple only allows you to sync your iPhone with one iTunes library at a time. When you attempt to sync your iPhone to another computer, you get the following message.

There is an easy way to "trick" iTunes. All you need to do is switch the "Library Persistent ID".

Read "How to sync your iPhone with multiple computers" for the full step-by-step process.

4. How to enable Emoji icons on iPhone 3.0

1. Install Spell Number from the iTunes App Store (it's free)

2. Launch the app

3. Type 91929394.59
4. Press the Home button
5. Go to Settings > General > Keyboards
6. Select Emoji under Japanese
7. Delete the app (if you want) because the emoji icons will still be there

5. How to turn off the iPhone's accelerometer

Have you ever tried reading something on your iPhone while laying in bed? Well then you've certainly gotten annoyed at the accelerometer, which flips the image from portrait to landscape with the slightest turn. Reading on the iPhone while laying down is no easy task, and you'll be distracted by constantly having to position the phone a specific way to keep it from flipping. That's why it would be great to have the option to simply turn off the accelerometer for a while.

Here's how you do it:
1. Jailbreak your iPhone (follow the link for instructions).
2. Go to Cydia.
3. Search for Boss Prefs.
4. Install it.
5. Go back to Cydia and search for Rotation Inhibitor.
6. Install it.
7. To toggle rotation on and off, simply open up Boss Prefs, and you'll now see a Rotation option in there.
Note: There is one problem with this app: you can only lock your screen in portrait mode, not landscape. Also, it will crash springboard on iPhone 3GS

6. How to add a 5th row of numbers on your QWERTY keyboard

This hack is extremely useful and I use it constantly. It adds an extra row of numbers to your iPhone's keyboard so you don't have to swap back and forth between the "ABC" and "123" modes. Tapping shift changes only the top row, and turns the 0-9 into "!@#$%^&*()". It makes the letters just a tad smaller, but using landscape mode will solve that issue.

To get it:
1. Jailbreak your iPhone (Go here for simple instructions.)
2. Go to Cydia
3. Search and download 5-Row QWERTY
Note: work only on iPhone 2.2.1 developer has no update for 3.0 at this time.

7. How to quickly move apps between pages

One of the most irritating experiences for an iPhone user is moving an application from one page to another. With the average iPhone user having more than 6 pages of apps, dragging an app from the last page to the first is a pain that usually takes several tries.

A lot of people fail to realize that ALL apps are movable, even the 4 on your iPhones silver dock at the bottom of the screen. Let's say you want to move an app from the first page to the last page, or vice versa. Instead of having to drag it to the side of each individual page, messing up the order of other apps, simply place it in that silver dock. Then, scroll to the last page, and drag it in. Just remember to put the original app back in it's place.

8. How to get Hulu TV shows on your iPhone for offline watching

1. Go here and download Hulu Video Downloader

2. Copy and paste the URL to any Hulu video
3. Choose a file format (.flv or .avi)
4. Use any video converter program to convert it to an iPhone friendly format
4. Put the video in iTunes, and sync it up!

Hulu Video Downloader does not allow you to instantly convert the Hulu video to an iPhone friendly format unless you upgrade to the pro version of Hulu Video Downloader, which costs money. So simply download it in .avi or .flv and convert it on your own.

Note: Only for Windows.

9. How to use Skype and SlingPlayer over 3G

While SlingPlayer and Skype are both incredible applications, the fact that they are limited to WiFi is a bummer for both developers and iPhone users. Developers - who spent much time developing these apps for the iPhone - certainly had not planned to be limited to WiFi. This limitation exists for a logical reason: AT&T doesn't want these apps to suck the 3G network dry. iPhone users, who are ready to dish out money for these apps, lose the true value of these apps: their mobility (WiFi's not everywhere...and if you're in a hot spot, might as well use your laptop).

Good news! There's a way to hack the iPhone in order to use SlingPlayer Mobile, Skype, and Fring's VoIP over 3G.

The following simple process essentially tricks your iPhone into believing you're using WiFi, even when you're not.

1. Jailbreak your iPhone You have no reason to be scared. Jailbreaking your device is easy, safe, and well worth it.

2. Launch Cydia from the SpringBoard

3. Go to "Manage"

4. Search "Tricker ThreeG"

5. Install the application.

6. Press "Confirm"

7. Use SlingPlayer, Skype, or Fring

That's it! You're free, no longer barred by AT&T's 3G greed.

10. How to stop app crashes

1. Reboot iPhone

Just like your computer, sometimes you just need a plain ole restart. Shut down your iPhone, wait 30 seconds, and power it back up. You'll be surprised how often this works.

2. Delete and Re-Install

Press and hold on the application, and tap the "X" to delete it. Connect your iPhone to iTunes, and resync to get the application back.

3. Restore your iPhone

NOTE: MAKE SURE YOU DO A BACKUP FIRST. Restoring your iPhone wipes all the data, and then rewrites whatever you backed up. This could take some time. If restoring your iPhone doesn't make the application work, give up and wait for an update with bug fixes.

4. Reduce your Number of Apps

Sometimes your iPhone is just overwhelmed. Go through your device, and get rid of all the junk apps you never use.

11. How to add an extension to a contact's phone number

Rather than listening to the whole "If you know that extension of the party you're trying to reach, enter it now" speach every single time, there's a way to have your iPhone automatically dial the extension along with the phone number.

1. Click on the contact.

2. Click on Edit.

3. Press on the number. Then, press "+ * #" in the bottom left corner.

4. Press "pause", which inputs a comma. After the comma enter the extension.

12. How to add words to your iPhone's dictionary

1. Open Safari

2. Tap the Google search bar in the top right corner

3. Type the word you want to add and click search

For example, if you work for a company called "SAF", but the iPhone always corrects it to "Sad", just search for "SAF" on Google one time, and next time you type in "SAF" it won't be corrected.

That's it. There are other methods, such as adding the word as a name in your Contacts, but that takes more work and clutters your contacts.

13. How to disable auto-correct and auto-capitalize

1. Go to Settings

2. Go to General

3. Go to Keyboard

As you can see, you can toggle Auto-Correction on/off. You can also disable auto-capitalization, enable caps lock, disable the "." shortcut, or change the number of international keyboards.

(The "." shortcut refers to double tapping the space bar to insert a period followed by a space.)

14. How To Redirect A Call To Voicemail

Very often people call you, and very often you don't want to answer. A great way to stop the ringing of the phone and not hang up on the person is to send the call directly to voicemail. This is an extremely simple and easy iPhone trick.

How do you do it?

Double click the Sleep/Wake button on the top right of your iPhone.

If you are using headphones, simply double click the microphone button. The only downside to this trick is, well, listening to people's voicemails.

15. Easy way to stop iPhone auto-correct by typing "z"

Let's say your typing a note or text message in another language, but typing in English. Or let's say your using a lot of techincal jargon and the iPhone tries to correct every other word you type. Going up with your thumb and pressing the little red "X" next to the correction word to make it go away is a pain in the neck. We're lazy, and we wanna keep our thumbs on the keyboard and on the keyboard only while typing a message!

That being said, you could go into settings and turn off the auto-correct option entirely (as shown above), but that will keep the iPhone from correcting words that you may actually want to correct. So use this very simple trick:

At the end of a weird word you're certain the iPhone will try to correct, simply type the letter "z". Yes, z as in zebra. The auto correction will go away immediately. Now just hit backspace to delete the z, and move along. It seems like a process, but it is MUCH more convenient than pressing the little red X in the correction bubble. Just try it.

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We hope you enjoy these iPhone hacks as much as we do. Please feel free to ask any questions in the comments, we'll always answer them. When you're done with these hacks, go check out our articles about iPhone OS 3.0 tricks, here and here.

Testing Testing One Two: Add An External Mic To Your iPhone

2009-07-13T11:10:42-04:00

Whether it's that first cassette tape recorder I bought back in the 70's, or my nifty HD camcorder that was financed by Dubya's economic-stimulus check, the mantra is the same: Get An External Microphone! The audio you record will be automatically better than from the built-in variety.

There are now a handful of add-on microphones available for the iPhone and its cousins, with the Brando Workshop Flexible Mini Capsule Microphone claiming to be both the latest and greatest. It boasts battery-free operation, plug-and-play compatibility with the iPhone 2/3/3GS and iPod Nano 4G (sorry, iTouch fans!), a swivel design for omni-directional positioning, and a 25dB gain increase over the internal "iMic."

("Boasts" being the operative word: the unit is not scheduled to ship until the end of July, but the pre-order page also includes sample audio recordings done with and without the Mini Capsule for your own comparison -- and the difference in sound, if legit, is like night and day. Still, if you plan to do a fair amount of audio recording with your iPhone, its MSRP of US$14.00 -- plus another three bucks shipping from Hong Kong -- might make trying it out worth the risk.)

Journey From Cydia to App Store: TuneWiki Went Legit

2009-07-13T09:57:35-04:00

As of today, TuneWiki is a legit iPhone app that's available in the App Store. You can check out our tunewiki review from the days when it was available only on Cydia.

Besides being available in the App Store, not much has changed. TuneWiki is a must have app for any music lover.

(From our previous review...)

Features:

- easy to use navigation buttons

- album art support for your music collection

- live song lyrics - sing along with your favorite tunes, and contribute back to the project with lyrics for your songs if they are not in the database.

- music maps - see what songs are playing near your location or in a specific region (like the United Kingdom)

- Tune Wiki Top 50 - see what other Tune Wiki users are playing

- help menu - shows you how to use the tunewiki interface

- very good reliability - never crashed during my tests

Limitations:

- it needs an internet connection, either WiFi or EDGE/3G because all the information displayed is stored on Tune Wiki's servers.

- can be sluggish in low performance network conditions

We are glad that Apple's new iPhone 3.0 allows access to the music library, which encourages developers to migrate their jailbroken-only apps to legitimate ones.

Strangely, TuneWiki is still available on Cydia, which is (we're pretty sure) against Apple's agreements.

Try Tune Wiki for free at the App Store.