Tag: iphone

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Augmented Reality Coming To Cell Phones

The concept of augmented reality is one of those cool techie ideas that has been around for a while. We see it in science fiction (Terminator cam), military headsets, and virtual reality helmets and glasses for some software demos. A new augmented reality aimed at regular consumers is displayed in this video of an application for the Google Android phone.

This is made possible because some new phones such as the iPhone 3GS not only have a built-in GPS and accelerometer, but also have a compass. This allows the phone to know where it is and what direction it is pointing.

This app is rolling out first in the Netherlands, but more of these types of apps will be arriving soon.

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WiFi Search from an iPhone or iPod Touch

Keeping with the recent WiFi stumbling posts, I ran across this software for finding WiFi access points from an iPhone or iPod Touch:

WiFinder

It’s a simple and convenient way to analyze wireless networks. It shows you if there is wireless encryption, what kind of wireless encryption is used, the name, signal strength and network channel of the wireless networks. It can be set to automatically rescan and beep when a new network SSID (wireless network name) is found. If you see an open network, you can even connect to it from the WiFinder app. It’s a useful tool for network admins or “wardrivers” who want to see what networks are around.

Currently the WiFinder app is free in the App Store.

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iPhone Special Diagnostic Codes

Thanks to AppleGuy Tom for providing these codes which work on most US AT&T phones and have been tested on the iPhone. Simply type these codes as if you are calling them.

*3001#12345#* -Displays the Field Test Mode, network, cell, GPRS, call, and version information.

This picture shows the information from one of my cell towers. The Rx Level is showing the signal strength from that particular cell. Note that in Field Test Mode the signal meter in the top left corner changes from a 5 bar readout to a number. This is more accurate and can help when placing your antenna for a signal booster, for example.

*#06# -Displays the 15 digit IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) in the middle of the screen. (This number is also printed on the back of the iPhone.)
This number is worth writing down. Your carrier can deactivate the phone with this number so that it will not work if ever lost or stolen, even when using another SIM card.

*#21# Displays ‘forwarding’ state (enabled or disabled) voice call, data, fax, SMS, sync data, Async data, packet access, and pad access forwarding for outgoing calls.

*#30# -Displays ‘Caller ID’ (enabled or disabled).

*#33# -Displays ‘barring’ state (enabled or disabled) voice call, data, fax, SMS, sync data, Async data, packet access, and pad access forwarding for outgoing calls.

*#43# -Displays ‘call waiting’ state (enabled or disabled) voice call, data, fax, SMS, sync data, Async data, packet access, and pad access forwarding for outgoing calls.

*#61# -Displays ‘call forwarding to voicemail’ state (enabled or disabled) [and number forwarded to] of voice call, data, fax, SMS, sync data, Async data, packet access, and pad access forwarding for outgoing calls.

To change the number of seconds before the call forwards to voicemail, retrieve your eleven digit number from *#61# then carefully type *61*numberRetrieved*11*30# -those last two digits are the seconds to ring (Default is 20; Max = 30)

*#62# -Displays ‘call forwarding when unreachable’ state (enabled or disabled) [and number forwarded to] of voice call, data, fax, SMS, sync data, Async data, packet access, and pad access forwarding for outgoing calls.

*#67# -Displays ‘call forwarding when busy’ state (enabled or disabled) [and number forwarded to] of voice call, data, fax, SMS, sync data, Async data, packet access, and pad access forwarding for outgoing calls.

*225# -Requests an SMS message displaying the current monthly balance. (if applicable)

*646# -Requests an SMS message displaying the remaining monthly minutes. (if applicable)

*777# -Requests an SMS message displaying the pre-paid account balance. (if applicable)

Some other AT&T codes currently do NOT work on the iPhone: *#4720# (voice quality reduction codec -to save battery) and  *3370# (better voice quality codec)

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When to buy Apple Products

You don’t want to buy a product just before it is replaced by a faster version at the same price. That’s why MacRumor’s Buyer’s Guide is useful for Apple products. It currently shows that there are many iPods and computers that are due for revisions soon based on the time since the last revision. This coincides with recent rumors of a September 9th event to announce new products.

This does not predict exactly when a new version will arrive.  Apple could come out with a small bump in the middle of a cycle. But if a revision is long overdue, you should consider waiting unless you need something immediately.

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iPhone 3G corporate discounts?

We’ve been researching the possibility of corporate and AAA discounts with the new iPhone 3G. Because the iPhone 3G does not have a profit sharing arrangement between AT&T and Apple like the original iPhone did, it should be treated as other phones offered by AT&T. And there are online reports backing up claims that AT&T is offering discounts. One source showed me his ordered Family plan that he got a 23% discount through his corporation. This applies only to the service, not the phone itself. But when calling AT&T directly, we were told that no discounts are possible.

So what’s the real deal? We’ll continue to investigate.

UPDATE: It is possible to get corporate discounts from AT&T for iPhone plans. The discount applies to the main line, and you still pay $9.99 for each additional line.