Apple: If you have an iPod Nano (1st Generation) you may qualify for a replacement from Apple. (Due to exploding battery issue)

Over the years there has been numerous reports of iPod’s unexpectedly exploding (Not that one should ever expect their iPod to explode). Here are just a few of the online stories about the iPod exploding issue (LINKS)

2007 – iPod sets mans pants on fire (From WSB-TV / Atlanta) (http://www NULL.wsbtv NULL.com/news/news/ipod-sets-mans-pants-on-fire/nFDP9/)

2009 – Apple tries to silence man and his daughter over exploding iPod (From Daily Telegraph / UK) (http://www NULL.telegraph NULL.co NULL.uk/technology/apple/5963015/Apple-tries-to-silence-man-and-his-daughter-over-exploding-iPod NULL.html)

2009 – Exploded iPod video (From YouTube) (http://www NULL.youtube NULL.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=gqTDUjbHueE)

2009 – Exploding iPod sets kids pants on fire (From Engadget) (http://www NULL.engadget NULL.com/2009/03/13/exploding-ipod-touch-sets-kids-pants-on-fire-melts-his-underwe/)

In some countries, Apple has acknowledged that there is an issue with the iPods battery. Apple started offering replacements in Japan last year, as well as in South Korea over two years ago. Apple has finally made the replacement program global. In an announcement on the (LINK) Apple support site (http://www NULL.apple NULL.com/support/ipodnano_replacement/),

Per Apple, “Apple has determined that, in very rare cases, the battery in the iPod nano (1st generation) may overheat and pose a safety risk. Affected iPod nanos were sold between September 2005 and December 2006.”

“This issue has been traced to a single battery supplier that produced batteries with a manufacturing defect. While the possibility of an incident is rare, the likelihood increases as the battery ages.”

“Apple recommends that you stop using your iPod nano (1st gen) and follow the process noted below to order a replacement unit, free of charge.

Note: This battery issue is specific to the iPod nano (1st gen) and does not affect any other iPod.”

Some key notes

You may order a replacement unit via the web. Click here (https://supportform NULL.apple NULL.com/201110/) to begin.
Your iPod Nano serial number will be checked to verify that it is eligible for this program. You will receive a replacement unit approximately 6 weeks after we receive your current iPod nano (1st gen).
If you have a personalized iPod nano, you will receive a non-personalized replacement. Make sure to use iTunes to back up any data on your current iPod nano before sending it in for a replacement unit. \
Your replacement iPod product is warranted to be free from defects for 90 days from the date of service.

You can see the complete iPod Message on the (LINK) Apple site (http://www NULL.apple NULL.com/support/ipodnano_replacement/)

Apple: New iPhone–iPhone 4S now confirmed

Updates as of 2:45 p -

~~Many things will be coming out in the next hour or 2 concerning the new Apple iPhone 5 and the rumored 2nd version of the iPhone~~. It seems just short of the announcement from Apple (scheduled for 10 am PST), there is now 1 thing that can be confirmed

~~There will be 2 phones released by Apple this year. There will be an iPhone 5 (based on all the hype and information so far) and~~ there will also be an iPhone 4S edition (rumored to be the lower end / cheaper version).

The iPhone 4S seems to now be confirmed based on the Apple Tokyo site (LINK) http://www.apple.com/jp/retail/ginza/#onetoone_browser_gettingstarted (http://www NULL.apple NULL.com/jp/retail/ginza/#onetoone_browser_gettingstarted)

which is now showing an iPhone 4S listed on its site.

The screenshot above has been translated to English via (LINK) Google Translate (http://translate NULL.google NULL.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww NULL.apple NULL.com%2Fjp%2Fretail%2Fginza%2F%23onetoone_browser_gettingstarted&act=url)

More Information to follow -

UPDATE: @ 2:40p –>

Prices for the iPhone 4S are as follows:

$199 for 16 gigabytes of storage,

$299 for 32 GB, and

$399 for 64 GB.

There will be an iPhone 4 with 8 GB for $99. And there will be an iPhone 3GS for… free, with a two-year contract.

Preorders for the 4S start Oct. 7, delivery on the 14th.

Sprint gets it too! So a world phone on three out of four major networks

So it seems that there is NO iPhone 5 (Don’t believe all the rumors). The new iPhone is the 4S. The only rumor that appears to be correct is that yes Sprint will also have iPhones.

New Spec’s and additional information to follow –

Apple: Using an iPad 3G without getting a data plan (Basically Wi-Fi only mode)

In this economy there are times where you just don’t want to pay for all the bells and whistles. People are always looking for a way to cut the “FAT” out of expenses.

One way to save a little is to not pay the ridiculous prices cell providers charge for data services. (Keep in mind, that some of you may be under a data contract that has REALLY HIGH PENALTIES if you cancel, so check how much its going to cost you before trying to get out of your data plan) For those that already have expired contracts or can get out of your data plan, you could be seeing $50 or more a month in savings while still being able to use your device via Wi-Fi.

The specific situation I will be addressing at this point comes because of helping a friend (Shannon this one is for you) that has a 3G iPad from Verizon that she would like to use but doesn’t need the 3G access. Since the main uses for her iPad will be at home where she is already paying for internet (and has Wi-Fi) or maybe while out at Starbucks or McD’s. The error / issue she was getting was an error message about “Needing access to her account”. That message is because the 3G service is turned on with the iPad 3G by default.

So here is how you convert the iPad 3G in to a Wi-Fi iPad

Steps -

Turn on your iPad. (Ok I know this one is obvious but I still have to include it)
Go to the “Home” screen on your iPad.
Tap “Settings” –> Then tap “Cellular Data”
Change the selection that says “Cellular Data” to “Off” (3G service is now off)
At this point, The iPad should automatically detect wireless networks (as long as you are somewhere that has Wi-Fi, so yes make sure you are in a Wi-Fi area)

-> If your Wi-Fi (or the Wi-Fi in the area you are in) is secure, You may be asked to type in a username and password to connect, depending on the network security settings. .

6. That’s it, you should now be able to use your iPad with only Wi-Fi

Additional Notes -

You may see random values displayed for Cellular Data in the General Settings when after you turn off cellular data. If you do you can ignore it. These numbers do not represent any real data being transferred (At the moment cant really explain why the numbers appear)
Also Keep in mind these changes don’t have to be permanent, its just a matter if contacting your iPad provider and getting a data plan from them, then turning the Cellular Data back on to get your iPad back on a 3G data plan

Apple: GameStop will now by your old iPod, iPhone, iPad

GameStop has announced today that in addition to consoles, games, and accessories that they accept as trade-in, that they will now take your iPod, iPhone, or iPad. (LINK: http://www.gamestop.com/gs/landing/events/idevice/default.aspx?cid=eml_10000286 (http://www NULL.gamestop NULL.com/gs/landing/events/idevice/default NULL.aspx?cid=eml_10000286) )

Rumors (that are unconfirmed) are still circulating that GameStop also soon start selling iOS products, which makes sense with the upcoming iPhone 5.

GameStop does have a few rules for trading in your iOS device

Trades must be in full working condition to receive full value
Trades with case damage or unsightly scratches, personalization or engravings will not be accepted
All trades are subject to manager approval

Software: You should turn off Geo Tagging on your phone or camera.

There is a new site that shows you another reason why you need to turn off geo tagging on your camera or phone before posting pictures to the web. The site called “I can stalk u” (link) http://icanstalku.com/ (http://icanstalku NULL.com/) takes information the is publicly available on twitter and shows you the additional information that can be found from pictures with geo tagging enabled.

The site is attempting to raise awareness of how inadvertent information can make you more public than one might want to be. The site also has information about geo tagging and links to help you turn off geo tagging (look toward the middle of the page on the right)

For users of Android phones, you can open your camera program –> go to settings and look for “Geo-Tag photos” and make sure that is unchecked.

iPhone: How to capture a picture of your screen

There are many reasons why getting a picture of your screen is helpful. You may want to take a picture of a text or IM conversation, an error, a game score, or anything else imaginable, are just some of the reasons I’m aware of.

The following simple steps can be taken to capture a picture of any screen of the iPhone

Step 1: Navigate to The Screen You Want to Capture

Move to the screen you want to that an image of just like normal. Make sure it appears on the screen exactly as you want it to appear in the picture. Once you see it on the screen exactly as you want it, you’re ready to take a screenshot!

Step 2: Take The Screenshot

Taking the screenshot is an easy process, as you only need to push 2 buttons:

Hold down the sleep/wake button on the top, right edge of the phone
At the same time press the home button 2 times (short presses)

The screen will flash momentarily, signifying the picture has been taken. These screenshots are now automatically saved as photos in your camera roll.

Apple: iPhone is FINALLY coming to Verizon (in the U.S.)

Verizon is getting the iPhone, in an announcement made just a short time ago in NYC, it was finally confirmed. After a couple of years of speculation, Pre-orders for the iPhone will start on Feb 3rd with the device actually going on sale on Feb 10th. (LINK) http://www.apple.com/iphone/notify-me/ (http://www NULL.apple NULL.com/iphone/notify-me/)

Here are a couple of things to keep in mind, if you are thinking about a Verizon iPhone

Verizon has yet to announce what the data plan will be. As of this post, they had the announcement, but the one thing that was missing from it, was the data plan requirements. Remember this is an iPhone, one of its biggest draws is the apps, and a large amount of the apps require data usage.
The Verizon iPhone will be CDMA which is the older/slower 3G version compared to the newer 4G or LTE networks (Analogy – If it helps clear things up, imagine CDMA/3G as being VHS and 4G/LTE* as DVD). Due to the limitation of CDMA, that also means you can’t web surf and talk on the phone at the same time.
Verizon requires a 2 yr. agreement. If you go for an iPhone you REALLY to know what the cost/penalty will be if you want to move to the next generation iPhone that works on LTE before your 2 yr. agreement is up.
In addition, if you are an AT&T iPhone owner, and you are thinking “Great I can now leave AT&T, (considering AT&T has won the honor as the worst cell phone company when it comes to customer satisfaction the 2 past yrs., you will need to buy a new Verizon version of the phone as the GSM (AT&T) iPhones do NOT work on the CDMA Verizon network. (So getting out of your AT&T agreement early and then buying a new iPhone could cost you more than $700 to move)

Alert: iPhone users – those not using Recurring alarms. The alarm STOPS working on 1/1/2011

It seems that Apple is facing another issue with its alarm clock feature in the iOS software. The following information comes from 9to5MAC (LINK: http://www.9to5mac.com/45310/new-years-2011-breaks-non-recurring-iphone-alarm-clocks (http://www NULL.9to5mac NULL.com/45310/new-years-2011-breaks-non-recurring-iphone-alarm-clocks) ) posted this evening 12/31/2010. The work around for the issue is to make all alarms set on iOS software recurring for the time being …….

*******************************************************************************************************************************

According to multiple users expressing their frustration through Twitter (http://twitter NULL.com/search?q=iphone%20alarm), come New Years 2011 (where ever you are) your iPhone alarm clock won’t function correctly. You may recall a similar bug in iOS (http://www NULL.9to5mac NULL.com/33276/daylight-savings-welcomes-ios-alarm-bug-to-europe) when daylight savings time switched on but this is exactly the opposite. This New Year’s 2011 iPhone alarm clock bug shows its face to users without recurring alarms.

This means that anybody who sets an alarm just for tomorrow won’t be woken up by the iPhone’s built-in alarm clock application. To avoid this issue you need to set a recurring alarm by tapping repeat to select the days you want the alarm to go off on. Apple is yet to say anything and it is still unknown whether this is iOS 4.2.1 only or if it affects past system versions too. Be sure to tell everyone you know with iPhones! (via Engadget (http://www NULL.engadget NULL.com/2010/12/31/psa-iphone-alarms-not-working-come-new-years-day-2011/))

Update: We just ran a few tests and the above iPhone alarm clock issue fixes itself on January 3rd. You should follow our steps to avoid the issue above until then. Reader Aaron F. (https://twitter NULL.com/aaronmfisher) has let us know that the issue is occurring on his iOS 4.1 iPhone 4 as well. Let us know if you see the issue on anything earlier.

(http://www NULL.9to5mac NULL.com/45310/new-years-2011-breaks-non-recurring-iphone-alarm-clocks/repear)

Apple: iOS Table Edition

To my knowledge the “Table Connect for iPhone” is in no way an official Apple product and there are even questions on how REAL this video is, however with that being said, I still think this is pretty sweet. The Apple version of the Microsoft Surface table.

Finally a screen I can see clearly

Apple: (Alert) Secret Button Sequence Bypasses iPhone Security

There is no doubt that the iPhone is one of the most successful phones of all time, but with success also comes a bigger target for people to want to find flaws with the product. The recent issues with antenna gate, among others, have shown a flaw in the Apple armor.

Now we have a new issue for iPhone users, today a Brazilian iPhone user has discovered how to bypass any security code on any iPhone. So if you trust that the keypad lock will keep others out of your phone, listen up……here is how to bypass the lock screen on your iPhone.

To bypass any lock screen simply hit “emergency call”, then enter three pound signs, hit the green call button and immediately press the lock button and you will have bypassed the security feature on the iPhone. “That simple procedure gives a snoop full access to the Phone app on the iPhone, which contains the address book, voicemail and call history.” In addition, it seems that you also get access to the phones photo album.

Bug no iOS 4.1 (http://vimeo NULL.com/16179929) from Salomão Filho (http://vimeo NULL.com/salomao) on Vimeo (http://vimeo NULL.com).

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