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Apple recently sent out an e-mail to developers testing the latest iPhone OS 3.0 software. Apple wants to put the Push Notification system through one last stress test before releasing OS 3.0 to consumers on June 17. The app picked for this second test was the AOL AIM $2.99 instant messaging application. (Previously, Apple tested the Associated Press application, AP Mobile Free.) We assume that Apple chose news and instant messaging apps because these applications will be using Push Notification the most.
Push Notification is a system Apple developed to work around the fact that Apple does not allow third-party apps to run in the background on the iPhone. (We first wrote about Push Notification last year when it was announced at WWDC. You can see a video about Push Notification here.)
Multitasking--or running apps in the background--caused security problems, according to Apple, and negatively impacts battery life. Although there are rumors that Apple may in the future be a little bit more flexible with background tasks--perhaps in answer to the Palm Pre, which does pull off multitasking--currently only Apple's native apps (such as Mobile Mail) can run in the background.
You can see Push Notification and AIM in action below in a YouTube video. We are told that with Push, receipt of the messages is practically instantaneous.
Push Notification was missing-in-action since last year and we had expected to see it last fall, but it was a no show. It appeared then that with all the new things Apple was bringing to market, the company may have bitten off more than it could chew. (Witness MobileMe's disastrous first days.) Now, fast forward to WWDC 2009 and all of this has changed. MobileMe has matured, and Push Notification appears to be working well according to our testing sources.
Tell us what you think about Push Notification versus true multitasking in the comments.
Last fall, we told you about Apple's iPhone Signal Strength Placebo, an iPhone code that helps diagnose problems connecting to AT&T's 3G network. Dialing *3001#123456#* and pressing "Call" starts a field test on your iPhone with results that can be used, for example, to gauge signal strength. (It also offers a slew of other information probably beyond your comprehension unless you happen to be a cellular engineer.)
Field Test
(Credit: David Martin)While the above code above is the iPhone's most useful, there are a number of other interesting codes, many posted at methodshop.com. According to the site:
Most cellphones use special "diagnostic codes"--numbers that can be dialed to display various technical information about the unit, the user's account, the cellular network it's "registered" on, or the local network that's currently available. You might have dialed a few of these already while on the phone with tech support. ... Some of these may work your non-iPhone phone. Some are AT&T- or North-America-specific. The only way to know if they work on your phone is to try.
We tried each of the below codes and included sample screenshots of the results:
Dial *#06# if you need to know your iPhone's IMEI, the unique identifier (i.e. serial number) for your cell phone hardware. The IMEI, along with your SIM, identifies your iPhone to your service provider.
IMEI
(Credit: David Martin)Dial *777# and press Call checks your prepaid account balance.
Dial *225# and press Call checks your bill balance for a postpaid iPhone.
SMS Bill Balance Message
(Credit: David Martin)Dial *646# and press call checks your minutes for a postpaid iPhone.
SMS Minutes Remaining message
(Credit: David Martin)Dial *#21# and press Call shows the status of call forwarding for voice, data, fax, sms, sync, async, packet access, and pad access call forwarding enabled or disabled.
Dial *#30# and press Call shows whether you have enabled or disabled the presentation of the calling line, presumably the number of the party placing the call.
Dial *#76# and tap Call shows whether the connected line presentation is enabled or disabled.
Dial *#43# and tap Call and show the call waiting status for voice, data, fax, sms, sync data, async data, packet access and pad access. Each item is either enabled or disabled.
Call Waiting Status
(Credit: David Martin)Dial *#61# and tap Call to show the number for voice call forwarding when a call is unanswered. Also show the options for data, fax, sms, sync, async, packet access and pad access.
Dial *#62# and tap Call is the same as above except for no-service rather than no-answer scenario.
Dial *#67# and tap Call checks the number for call forwarding when the iPhone is busy.
Dial *#33# and tap Call checks for call control bars by checking all the usual suspects (voice, data, fax, sms, etc) to see whether barring is enabled or disabled for outgoing.
Did you find these codes to be useful? Do you know of any other codes not listed here? Let us know in the comments below.
(Credit:
CNET)
The big news in the world of iPhone was Apple's sneak preview for the iPhone 3.0 software on Tuesday. Available this summer, iPhone 3.0 will bring many features people have asked for and some that will make things easier for developers of iPhone apps. The two major ones on my list were finally added: MMS (sending photos and other media) and the ability to cut, copy, and paste text. There are a ton of changes coming, so check out our coverage if you want to know all of the changes in iPhone 3.0.
This week's apps include a quick and easy way to measure bandwidth and a simple game that somehow manages to keep you coming back for more.
Watch as Speed Test measures your current broadband speed
(Credit: CNET)Speed Test (free) from Speedtest.net quickly tests your bandwidth speed wherever you are. A sleek blue speedometer comes to life when you hit the "Start Test" button, first measuring your download speed (the time it takes for data from the server to get to your iPhone), then upload speed (the time it takes for data from your iPhone to get to the server). You can then save the results, making it easy to track available bandwidth in different locations. By moving to different locations, you can even find out which parts of your house get a better Wi-Fi connection--useful if you want to download or update a big app.
Watch for and hit the lit-up cups to get the highest score.
(Credit: CNET)10 Balls 7 Cups (99 cents) is a surprisingly fun and challenging Skeeball game for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Using crisp 3D graphics and a realistic physics engine, this game manages to capture what it's like to play Skeeball in an arcade. Each game you get 10 balls you can roll down the alley in an attempt to make them land in one of the seven cups of varying score values. Tilt your iPhone to add spin as your ball rolls down the alley. While playing, random cups will light up, and if you manage to land a ball in the cup, you get a score multiplier that lasts until the end of the game. Hit another lit-up cup to increase your multiplier. At the end, you receive tickets depending on your score that you can use to purchase silly items in the store.
When I first saw this game, I thought about how much I liked playing Skeeball as a kid, but didn't think it would translate well for the iPhone (or I would get bored quickly). But soon I was playing game after game, trying to get bonus multipliers, and getting higher scores. The only problem I have with this casual game is that there are no graphics for the silly items (Finger trap! Glittery T-shirt! Submarine (rare)!) in the store. But overall, this simple game is a great time-waster. If you're still not convinced, watch the trailer (I couldn't resist).
What's your favorite iPhone app? Got a better speed test or other useful utility I should check out? What's your best casual iPhone game? Let me know in the comments!
The iPhone and iPod touch offer plenty of distractions for students just killing time between classes or on a commute. But there are infinitely more games to lure you than there are study materials to help you pass that test.
Cram ($10) is one application that may be worth the investment for students looking to create endless study guides for themselves and friends.
See how it works in the First Look video above. If you like it (or even if you don't), tell us why in the comments. Even better, rate the app here.
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
Add "study guide" to the long list of tricks you can do with your iPhone. Cram ($9.99) is a solid application that lets you create and import tests on any topic. You'll be able to take scored multiple choice quizzes or go into study mode, in which Cram provides you with a series of digital flash cards. Cram will flash the question and you decide with a click when the answer appears.
Cram is fairly simple to use, but there is a correct order for getting started. For instance, you had best register for Cram online before you attempt to use it; you can't currently register from the iPhone.
If you're planning to create your own test material in preparation of an exam, you should consider crafting that online as well. While you can technically--and fairly easily--compose questions and answers within Cram, typing a series of multiple choice entries is faster work with a standard keyboard. If you intend to reuse multiple choice answers to trip up yourself or others, your computer's magical cutting and pasting abilities are indispensable.
You'll be able to import tests contributed by others or build your own.
(Credit: CNET Networks)When it's time to import a test, you log into Cram from the iPhone and select the test you'd like. They transfer in seconds. You'll also be able to import public tests that others have created. What Cram's application doesn't tell you is that your personal log-in is useless for getting these. Instead, enter 'cram' as the log-in and the password to access shared files. At the time of writing, 116 tests were public, and some are quite useful.
The principle problem with relying on others' tests is that they're often under 20 questions in length. The shorter they are, the faster you'll ace them and move on.
There are also a few more features the Cram team should think about bestowing. The first is a search bar within the public test gallery to help you identify them by topic or name. The second is a button that lets you learn more about the public test--for example, what differentiates African Capitals numbered 1 through 5?
Even without these additions, Cram makes a good quizzing tool for students who respond well to flash cards, as well as teachers and study groups. You'll also get ecological bonus points for ditching your paper flash cards and going digital. The very recent price reduction from about $16 to $10 makes Cram that much more attractive.
Related download: Cram for BlackBerry
It's rough getting accustomed to a touch screen phone like the iPhone, especially with the virtual keyboard. That's why someone has come up with an iPhone typing test that you use with your iPhone to get the hang of your new way of communicating. You'll soon learn to "trust the keyboard."
iPhone link:
http://www.iphonetypingtest.com/
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