You probably already heard that the iPhone 3.1 update is out, and you are probably wondering if you should update your phone. I found this great article that walks you though this update and what you should expect from it.

http://www.theiphoneblog.com/2009/09/09/iphone-31-software-walkthrough/

In the end, there are some bug fixes an enhancements. My guess is that there will be another update later this month to accommodate the new MMS messaging being released by AT&T on September 25th. MMS you say? Hmm. You will be able to add media to your texting, yup!

Jason

I upgraded my machine to Mac OS X, version 10.6. Still poking around, but I'll be making a list of cool things to check out. Since my primary duties are in messaging, I'll start with some observations about the new Mail, Calendar and Address Book updates.

As you may know, Apple Mail (and supporting applications) now support Exchange mail natively. After updating my machine, I had to reconfigure Apple mail using the new authentication method. It was a sinch, all I needed was my email address and password. Apple mail discovered all the correct settings using our autodiscover service for Exchange. It was just that easy.

In the Mail app you will se the Reminders category that hold information from iCal's to do list. There are also notes in there, which I found to be populated with project notes I generated in Entourage. I'll have to investigate this a little later. On for now.

Stationary is available for those of you who like to create cool looking emails. If you want a rich looking email, click the stationary buton to get to the list of email templates.

While you can pull up the address book from within the mail client, you cannot do so with the calendar app. By virtue of setting up Apple mail, the address book is automatically configured to access the UNT address book. Awesome. The calendar is also setup to show your appointments from Exchange. If you have nested address books, they will show as well.

 There is a lot more, so rather than repeat everything I'll point to yout the Apple site at: http://www.apple.com/macosx/what-is-macosx/

Cheers,

Jason G.

http://help.outlook.com/en-us/140/dd125429.aspx

If you are using iPhone 3.0, you will want to take note of the tiny print at the bottom regarding the instructions on how to locate your server name. 

Jason

Next time you go to a museum, check to see if the museum offers a audio tour in podcast format. You can find them online in iTunes by checking out the Acoustiguide podcast.

Jason  

CNET reported this application on thier site that allows you to sync the contacts in your Mac's address book with your contacts on FaceBook. Ultimately this will make it to your phone too. The application is called AddressBookSync and it runs on your Mac (sorry PC guys).

From their site, http://danauclair.com/addressbooksync/

AddressBookSync supports the automatic matching of
many common short/alternate first names between Facebook and Address
Book (i.e. Michael and Mike, William and Bill, Jessica and Jess). AddressBookSync
also supports the manual matching of any Facebook/Address Book pair, as
well as the ability to add a new contact to Address Book from Facebook
data.

AddressBookSync does not and will not
support the synchronization of phone numbers or email addresses as
Facebook does not allow this by their Terms of Service.

- Jason

 
website: http://danauclair.com/addressbooksync/ 

No really, apparently this phone gets really hot.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,529705,00.html?test=faces

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2101

I know a few people that have this phone, and I'll be one soon, though I've not heard of anyone experiencing it. Never the less, the screenshot on this new article shows that it have been warning some people.

Ouch
Jason

That's right! The wait is over. View, Create and Edit Word documents on the iPhone.

For a limited time, the next 2 weeks, it is only $5 with a free Excel spreadsheet creator upgrade. Details are on their website.

Off to download!
Jason

Apple came out with a very useful troubleshooting page on their website to help you solve email delivery problems on the iPhone.

What to do if you can't send or receive Mail

Have a great summer!

Jason

AT&T has released a new application for the iPhone called myWireless (free) that allows you to check your data useage, minutes used, pay your bill, or even add service to your exsting plan.

If you are planning on a little overseas trip this summer, you can use this app to purchase a plan to cover you in over 200 countries, as well as plans to extend your data. Normal disclaimer: read the fine print before making a change to your plan. 

To get the application lookup myWireless in the iTunes app store. It's free.

Have a great weekend,
Jason

Maybe your one of the many people who have accidentally dunked your iPhone, and after panic set in, you dried it out and found that it started back up. Then after a few weeks, you realize that it just isn't the same phone anymore and it needs to be replaced.

The policy had been that you would have to either pony up the $599 for a new phone or cancel your conract, or some other undesirable scenario. Now there is a better option to replace your iPhone.

ArsTechnica reports that Apple has recently changed their policy on replacing wet iPhones, and now only charge $199 for the replacement, with no change or update in the service contract. The previous policy required that you renew your contract with AT&T for 2 more years. 

I have it from a close trusted friend and iPhone dunker that yes indeed this policy is in effect, as he replaced his phone at the time of this writing. 

So there you have it.

Jason