T-Mobile Hotspot down - what to do

I've been a loyal T-Mobile hotspot or T-mobile wireless hotspot user for several years and every so often, I arrive at a Borders or a Starbucks T-mobile hotspot to find their t-mobile hotspot wireless access down or impaired. When this occurs, I usually try the connection on both my Apple iPhone wireless connection and my laptop to ensure it's a tmobile hotspot failure.

Here's my advice.

Rather than calling T-mobile hotspot customer service, go to another Starbucks. Their system will not allow their technicians to reboot and their system rarely detects a system impairment. In addition, the local Starbucks manager does not have the workflow or the authority to call to report the t-mobile hotspot failure.

I hope that this experience is different once they switch to AT&T wireless data. However, if you do spend the time to report the error to T-mobile customer service, make sure that you ask the technician for a credit ($20.00). Your Starbucks Manager may also give you a coupon for a free coffee of your choice. But for the hour you spent on the phone, it's probably not worth it!

I'm going to think about buying that AT&T 3G wireless card. I wish AT&T had a bundled plan for our iPhone wireless calls, access to their 3G and wi-fi networked!

Apple Leopard 10.5.2 fixes Windows Networking issues

I just installed Apple's Leopard 10.5.2 and it finally fixed my Windows networking issues!

Prior to installing this release, from a Windows PC, I could not longer view my Apple Mac computers when I clicked View workgroup computers. After installing Apple OS X 10.5.2 (Leopard) I can now view them. Using Leopard, I never had a problem viewing any Windows PCs from my iMac or MacBook, but I was unable to find a work-around for this issue. Finally, Apple has fixed the problem!

iPhone 1.14 - new 1.1.4 iPhone release

It's a 162.1 MB upgrade that is reported to address the following:

1. Boosts cell strength affecting some users
2. Improves Edge reception
3. Bluetooth issues
4. SMS Ordering Bugs
5. Problems sending mail (I have seen this one, a message gets stuck)
6. Possibly supports a new SDK!

Wii Firmware 3.2 - faster?

Today I heard that Nintendo made available Wii Firmware 3.2. I understand it makes the Wii faster. There are no new features in this release.

iTunes 7.6.1 - new release for iTunes only, no iPhone update

I downloaded and installed this release today. The release did not contain a software update for the iPhone.

-- snip iphoneatlas.com --
Apple has released iTunes 7.6.1, a minor update to the music playback, purchase and synchronization tool that “includes several bug fixes and improves compatibility with Apple TV software version 2.0.”

The new release is available through Software Update, or as a standalone download.

Disable Edge - iPhone - Disable Data Roaming

iPhone - Disable International Data Roaming – Edge

If you are traveling abroad and do no not want disable Edge so that you can avoid data roaming charges, here are instructions:

1. Settings > General
2. Network > Data roaming
3. OFF (When abroad, turning off Data roaming may avoid roaming charges when using email, web browsing and other data services.)

It works if you never see the [E] to the right of the AT&T logo.

When you return to the United States, make sure you re-enable it.

800-560-9448 is a Deceptive Mailer

Today I found another great use for Google. My mother received a post card from Gayle Clary of The Annuity Service Center as follows:

---

NOTICE

Dear Annuity Holder:

This notice is to inform you that you may have an annuity that has reached the end of the its surrender period.

Please contact Gayle Clary in the Annuity Service Center to discuss your options.

(800) 560-9448

---

This mailing from 800-560-9448 is deceptive. The Illinois Attorney General's Office has filed a lawsuit in August of 2006, but this company continues its practice of deceptive mailings.

Luckily, when I googled the phone number 800-560-9448, it provided me with this useful information. Now, I'd like to see Google remove this company's website from their index.

iPod touch Upgrade $19.99 - This Upgrade Should Be Free!

I just found out that it's going to cost $19.99 to upgrade my iPod touch. As far as I know, this is the first time Apple has charged for a iPod upgrade. Here are the reasons why I think Apple should not charge for this upgrade:

+ It's free for iPhone users
+ They should have disclosed it to iTouch buyers when many of them were deciding between the iPhone and the iTouch.
+ These features should have been in the iTouch when released.

iPhone Update 1.1.3 and iTunes 7.6

My daughter called today from college to let me know that a new iPhone 1.1.3 update is out. She said it had some great new features.

View the Apple iPhone 1.1.3 Update Video

Here is a summary of the iPhone 1.1.3 Features

• Enhanced Maps
• New Location Button - Find your location automatically
• Drop Pin - You can
  
• Display Real Time Traffic Information
• Hybrid View -- Street names on top of satellite imagery
  
• Customize Home Screens
• Add Icons to the home screen for websites or iPhone Applications/Games.
• To customize - Tap or hold icon for 1 second until they wiggle.
• Supports up to 9 home screens
  
• Scroll between home screens
• SMS
• Send SMS messages to more than one recipent
• Stores SMS groups via history
• Gmail
  
• Gmail folders are now supported.
• iMap support to gmail.
  
• iPhone Movies
• Rent movies
• Movie chapters allow navigation.
  

AT&T DNS Server Outage - Bellsouth DNS issue

The AT&T DNS Servers in Miami, Florida were down this evening. When you call their tech support phone number: 1-888-321-2375, they don't even answer. Here is my solution to get your DSL service back up and running.

1. Go to https://www.opendns.com/start

2. Go to your router at http://192.168.1.254 (2Wire)
(Your setting may vary depending on the router that you have)

3. Use the OpenDNS server settings.

I tried this and it worked!

Do you think I can get a credit on my bill?

How fast is your Broadband Connection?

I recently upgraded my DSL service from AT&T's 3.0 service to their 6.0 service. The service rep used the SpeedTest.net website at: http://www.speedtest.net site for determining the speed of my DSL line. Here's the link to find out the your broadband connection speed. Here's the link:

http://www.speedtest.net

Apple iPhone Outlook Calendar Synchronization - Fixed with ITunes 7.5

I am very pleased to report that the Microsoft Outlook Calendar Synchronization and MS Outlook sync contacts finally work with my Apple iPhone. My .PST file is over 1GB and with previous iTunes versions, I received an error. After installing itunes 7.5, the iPhone synch with MS Outlook finally worked!

Great job Apple iPhone developers, it took 4 months but this is finally fixed!

iPhone IT Guy - Installing iPhone 1.1.1 iTunes 7.4.3.1

Before installing the iPhone 1.1.1 (iPhone firmware 1.1.1) and iTunes 7.4.3.1 updates, make sure you successfully synchronize before you install it. There is no utility to backup your iPhone other than an iPhone successful sync. In addition, make sure:

• iPhone Photos -- Your iPhone Camera Roll photos are backed up or a copy is on your computer (in some cases, you must import them from your Photo program such as Google Picassa)
• iPhone Contacts -- If you are not using Yahoo or some other non-standard method to synchronize your contacts, make sure that you have a copy on your computer or a backup copy.
  
• iPhone Wireless settings -- Make sure you know your wireless settings or password to access your wireless networks.
  

This upgrade deletes and replaces your iPhone software or firmware and restores your iPhone applications and settings at the very end of the installation process. At a point in the installation process, your iPhone will be de-activated and locked and you will not be able to abort the process. If you run into a issue, you should call Apple Care!

Apple Care
U.S. iPhone technical support: 1-800-MY-IPHONE (1-800-694-7466)

This upgrade adds three main features:

1. Disable Edge -- You can disable Edge when traveling internationally or if you want to force a wireless connection which I have used when initially configuring a new wireless connection with a weak signal.
   
2. iPhone Home Button -- You will be able to set the Double-clicking the Home Button to either iPhone Favorites or iPod.
3. iTunes Icon -- A new iTunes will appear in the fouth row of your iPhone which is used to connect to the iTunes store to purchase music if you have a wi-fi connection or are in a Starbucks.
   

How do you remove information from the Internet?

I often get asked how someone can get information removed from the Internet. Here are my suggestions:

• If you are looking to delete information from a particular website, contact that website owner or their Internet Service Provider. You can usually find their contact information on the site or look it up at: http://www.whois.net/ or www.arin.net/whois/ Most web publishers can and should take responsibility for removing information that violates copyright infringement as well as false and inflammatory information.
• If you are looking to delete information from a search engine or from the search engine cache, see below.
• There are a very small number of new services that will remove the information. Most will focus on removing it manually using webmaster tools rather through legal means. I am not too familiar with these companies and have not yet used them.

1) SEARCH ENGINES -- Here is the contact information for the four major search engines for removing information on the internet. I have used this information for the removal of both copyright infringement as well as information that was false and inflamatory.

A) GOOGLE
Google Legal Support
Send the written communication to the following address:

Google, Inc.
Attn: Google Legal Support, DMCA Complaints
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043

OR fax to:

(650) 963-3255, Attn: Google Legal Support, DMCA Complaints

http://www.google.com/dmca.html#notification


B) YAHOO

Yahoo
http://info.yahoo.com/legal/us/yahoo/utos/utos-173.htm


Yahoo!'s Agent for Notice of claims of copyright or other intellectual property infringement can be reached as follows:
By mail:
Copyright Agent
c/o Yahoo! Inc.
701 First Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
By phone: (408) 349-5080
By fax: (408) 349-7821
By email: copyright@yahoo-inc.com

C) Microsoft
http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyrtInfrg.htm
Service Provider(s): Microsoft Corporation; The Microsoft Network, LLC; MSNBC Interactive News, LLC; MSBET, LLC; LinkExchange, Inc.; WebTV Networks, Inc.
Name of Agent Designated to Receive
Notification of Claimed Infringement: J.K. Weston
Full Address of Designated Agent to
Which Notification Should be Sent: One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052
Telephone Number of Designated Agent: (425) 703-5529
Facsimile Number of Designated Agent: (425) 936-7329
Email Address of Designated Agent: jkweston@microsoft.com


D) Ask.com
http://about.ask.com/en/docs/about/copyright.shtml
Copyrights and Copyright Agent
Ask.com asks our users to respect the intellectual property of others. Pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. sec. 512 ("the DMCA"), Ask has designated an agent to receive Notifications of Claimed Copyright Infringement on its site, who can be reached as follows:

copyright@ask.com, or
IAC Search & Media
Legal Dept.
Attention: Copyright Agent
555 12th Street, Suite 500
Oakland, CA 94607

2) NOTICES -- This site contains sample legal Notices

http://chllingeffects.org

A) Inflamatory Notice -- http://www.chillingeffects.org/dmca512/notice.cgi?NoticeID=1308

Apple iPhone Store Credit

On September 14, 2007, 11 AM ET, as soon as I learned about the Apple iPhone Store Credit, I went to the link below and submitted my info.

http://www.apple.com/iphone/storecredit/

My SMS message arrived less than a minute later, I entered that number and printed my store coupon.

That was easy!

iPhone International Use - Disable Edge

If you are traveling Internationally with your iPhone and want to disable Edge and the cell phone service to avoid the costly iPhone International phone charges so that you can use wi-fi, stocks, maps, mail and Safari, here's a recommendation. I've tried it and it works.

Note: There is a rumor the iPhone Firmware 1.1.1 will allow you to disable the iPhone Edge service.

Assign a Pin to your iPhone SIM Card

• From the iPhone Home screen, choose Settings > Phone > SIM PIN
• Enter 1111 (The default AT&T SIM PIN or iPhone factory pin number is 1111)
• Note: If you do not enter the correct SIM PIN, you will be prompted to enter the PUK code. It can be found on the AT&T Wirless website at: http://www.wireless.att.com/, click Phone/Device > Unlock SIM Card (Your iPhone PUK code will be displayed) or by calling AT&T at: 1-800-311-0500. Caution: Once you try and change the PUK code, you must enter the correct code or you will not be able to use your phone! If you enter the wrong PUK code ten times, you SIM will be deactivated and you will need to visit a AT&T store for a new card. Once you get an invalid PUK code message, call AT&T!
• Once you succesfully enable your SIM PIN, whenever you turn your iPhone completely off (Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button for a few seconds until the red slider appears, then drag the slider), you will receive the following prompt: SIM Locked [OK] [Unlock]
• [OK] Press [OK] to use your phone with your phone service and AT&T Edge (data) disabled. In this mode, you will be able to use wi-fi (if available), mail, stocks, maps etc.
• [Unlock] Press [Unlock] and enter your pin to use your phone normally with the phone service and AT&T Edge.

iPhone Apple Care & AT&T Support

I heard you can call AT&T and get them to enable an International service for you. They wanted me to buy an International yearly plan and the Edge data would make it very costly. I understand that Blackberry users get unlimited International data.

I called Apple Care but the support rep I talked to told me that airplane mode was my only option and did not know the SIM PIN 1111. It was also not on page 36 of the iPhone User Guide. The AT&T Rep was very nice but also did not provide this solution. She did tell me that I should look for the iPhone manufacturer's SIM PIN in the iPhone User Guide.

Applie iTunes 7.4

I installed this upgrade today. After the install, I was asked to reboot my PC. I received a brief error message that my iTunes Store was not accessible, but I was still able to access the store. Additionally, iTunes took several minutes to recognize my iPhone in its cradde, but it eventually did. Here are some notes:

• Ringtones -- There is a new ringtones tab in iTunes 7.4.
• Software Version 1.0.2 -- There was no update to the iPhone software.
  
• Bookmarks -- They synced fine with the new version.
• OutlookSyncClient.exe -- I still get the OutlookSyncClient.exe error message with my 1GB outlook.pst file. If I use a smaller .pst file, it works. The iTunes 7.4 update did not fix this. I have tried using the scanpst.exe Outlook tool but it didn't fix my .pst file. For now, I have a work-around but I will eventually try and resolve this when I have more time.
  

Apple iPhone 1.0.2 Software Update

I'm installing the Apple iPhone Softare Update 1.0.2 today.

John Mayer Concert

Last night we attended the John Mayer concert in West Palm Beach, Florida. This picture was taken with a Nikon Coolpix S50. This is my fifth digital camera in the family and I'm beginning to believe that I don't need to take my bulky Cannon Digital SLR and telephoto lens, wherever I go. In fact in most sports event venues such as American Airlines Arena in Miami and Pro Player Stadium, you can't bring in a camera with a detachable lens.

In any regard, John Mayer was incredible and I am surprised that I have a few pixs from this very small camera. This shot was taken with the flash off from row 11.

Apple iTunes 7.3.2 update - OutlookSyncClient.exe

Today, I installed the new Apple iTunes 7.3.2.6 update. I really hoped this update would fix my Microsoft Outlook contact and calendar synchronization issues. However, it did not. I received the following error message: OutlookSyncClient.exe has encountered an issue and needs to close. I called Apple Support but they were unable to resolve it, even after uninstalling and reinstalling, Apple Mobile Software, Apple Software update, iTunes and QuickTime. The rep was very helpful but it did not help me resolve this issue.

With my current 1.6GB Outlook .pst file, I was not able to get my Calendar to synchronize. It does synchronize on another profile on my laptop. When I get a chance, I will try and isolate the problem.