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Guides & How-Tos

Integrating the iPhone with car Bluetooth systems

We previously noted that the iPhone is significantly hampered with regard to Bluetooth connectivity. Under Mac OS X, Apple's Bluetooth File Exchange cannot send files to the iPhone and iSync cannot be used to synchronize with the iPhone. We've also yet to hear of a Windows utility that can perform an Bluetooth-based synchronization or exchange with the iPhone.

The iPhone can however, integrate easily with most cars' hands-free Bluetooth systems. We've identified some compatible systems, and instructions for a few.

Toyota (Prius and other models) The iPhone integrates well with this system. Instructions for pairing from iPhone … Read more

Talkety: Working VOIP for the iPhone (sort of)

Searching for a viable VOIP solution for the iPhone, we recently gave Talkety a test run. In a nutshell, the service works as you'd expect: some slight delay, but overall decent voice quality.

To sign up, you simply enter a login name and password as well as your name. You're then prompted to enter your iPhone's phone number, at which point you'll receive a phone call from Talkety asking you to enter a verification code. You'll be given a free .50 British pound credit to experiment with the service.

To make a call, you fill … Read more

How to use prepaid service with the iPhone: Getting functionality without a contract

TUAW has instructions for using prepaid service with the iPhone. Essentially, connect a just-purchased iPhone (or one with an inactivated SIM card) to your computer and begin the iTunes activation process, then enter 99-99-9999 as your social security number. Your credit will (obviously) be denied, and you will be presented with options to go to an AT&T store and put down a deposit, or choose an AT&T prepaid plan, allowing you to "auto pay in advance each month for service using a credit or debit card."

The prepaid plans appear to be unique to … Read more

What can you do with Bluetooth on the iPhone?; Bluetooth File Exchange, iSync do not work

The iPhone has Bluetooth 2.0 EDR built-in, but so far it seems to carry little functionality outside use of accessories like the Apple Bluetooth headset.

Apple's Bluetooth File Exchange for Mac OS X cannot send files to the iPhone stating "Device does not have the necessary services."

iSync for Mac OS X cannot be used to synchronize with the iPhone via Bluetooth, delivering the message "iSync can not connect to this device."

We've yet to hear reports of Windows applications that can successfully interact with the iPhone via Bluetooth.

So, what can be … Read more

How to Report a Bug to Apple

Submitting problem reports and solutions to MacFixIt serves a dual-purpose: it helps publicize issues to garner attention from developers (including Apple), and more importantly it allows the quick dissemination of fixes among the reader-base that could otherwise take much longer to make their way into application updates or official statements from developers.

However, it should be noted that Apple also maintains a channel for reporting software bugs that is separate from normal support lines:

http://www.apple.com/macosx/feedback/

This method of contacting Apple can help specific issues gain credence and result in faster turnaround on official fixes. If, … Read more

Video formats supported by iPhone: H.264 up to 1.5 Mbps and MPEG-4 up to 2.5 Mbps

The iPhone supports the exact same set of video formats as the current 30GB and 80GB iPods, meaning that video exported for use on the iPods should be immediately usable on the iPhone.

The supported formats are:

H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 768 Kbps, 320 by 240 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 1.3 … Read more

iPhone will require iTunes 7.3, Mac OS X 10.4.10, XP SP2 or Vista Home Premium or better

The iPhone will require iTunes 7.3, which has not yet been released, according to a newly revised specifications page.

On the Mac side, the iPhone will require Mac OS X 10.4.10. On the Windows side, the iPhone will require Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate Edition; or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later.

Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.

iPhone keyboard: Learns what you type, dynamically resizes key "hot zones"

Another iPhone demonstration video has been posted to Apple's Web site, this time detailing usage of device's the virtual, touch-screen keyboard.

Claiming that the keyboard "constantly analyzes keystrokes as you type," Apple says the iPhone keyboard uses two methods of text prediction: storage of frequently used words, including names and other data stored on the device, and a full dictionary that can auto-correct mistyped words.

As previously recommended, Apple says its best to start by using one finger with "deliberate" taps to type.

A magnifying glass pops up when touching and dragging over words … Read more