Finding My iPhone for free
When I commented on the possibility that some MobileMe services could go free, I didn’t think it would be Find My iPhone.
But you can now find, message and remote wipe any device running iOS 4.2 or above – for free. You can only set this free service up with an iPhone 4, iPad or 4th gen iPod touch, but after this you can enable it for older iOS devices as well, as Lifehacker points out.
It’s a “nice to have for free” feature, although I’m not sure it will draw in more paid users to MobileMe, if that is Apple’s intention.
But how long will Apple keep the remaining MobileMe services as paid, when other smartphone users get email and sync services thrown in gratis?
Yes, I know you can use Google for free email and sync, but I’m thinking Apple can add to the ease of use: buy device, create iTunes account, have email, sync and app/music/tv purchasing all set up. That it what Apple are good at, isn’t it?
Are some MobileMe services to go free?
MacRumors is reporting that some MobileMe services may be made free, based on text found in the iOS 4.2.1 beta firmware.
The evidence comes in the form of a new private framework known as AppleAccounts.framework that includes a series of device-specific error messages referring to free MobileMe accounts.
This would be a great move by Apple. Offering some or all of these for free will be a welcome service for iOS and Mac owners, and tie those users further in to the Apple ecosystem.
I currently use Google for email, and syncing calendar and address book data. While Gmail is flawless, I often encounter errors syncing calendars from iCal, and Address Book fields do not always map correctly to Google Contacts.
So I wonder what Apple will offer for free? Even if it’s just syncing Contact and Calendars, I’ll be happy. The other services you get with MobileMe are syncing Safari bookmarks and Notes, Photo Galleries, Find My iPhone and iDisk. And don’t forget email.
A final thought: what if *all* those services go free, and the paid MobileMe allows you to wirelessly sync music and video?
Need a BBC Radio iPhone app? Get TuneIn Radio.
You can currently stream BBC Radio shows on your iPhone for free using FStream and BBC Streams. But I’ve been hanging on for BBC Streams’ promised free iPhone app, for a cleaner app experience tailored to BBC Radio. I even donated some money to make it happen, but it’s turned out to be absolute vapourware. I don’t think the app will ever materialise.
So I started looking around for alternatives, and came up with TuneIn Radio. And you know what? You get what you pay for. This is a superb app.
There are plenty of reviews around for this app, but I’m going to concentrate on using it with BBC content.
The cheapest iPad mobile data options, including Mifi tariffs
Last updated: Nov. 4th, 2010
If you’re planning on getting an iPad 3G, then the networks have revealed their pricing on Apple’s UK website. I’ve collated these with all the options and notes and added Three and Vodafone’s MiFi mobile broadband into the mix. I’ve also worked out the Total Costs of Ownership for all that tasty mobile data, which I’ve put into one searchable, sortable table.
My new iPad case – the Viva Vercaso
I was sent a couple of Viva Vercaso iPad cases recently. It is a leather folio-style case.
And it’s pretty nice; so nice that I’ve switched from using the Proporta recycled leather case.
App Review: Refills
We all need a calendar in one form or another. Some prefer the comprehensive, do everything option such as Pocket Informant (a favourite of mine). Others prefer something less complex and ambitious such as the app I recently reviewed called [twitch] Agendus [twitch, twitch]. The less said about ‘the A word’, the better.
Now, though, there’s Refills to play with and it turns out to have a twist that I think has a lot of potential.
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Tethering your iPad on the sly with TetherMe and iTether
Every couple of weeks, I’m out and about with my iPad and iPhone. Anyone here like mobile data? Thought so.
I have a wifi-only iPad, and I’m too cheap to pay for a MiFi*. Besides which, I’m already paying Vodafone for 1GB of Internet usage through my iPhone contract. But with both a jailbroken iPhone and a jailbroken iPad, I can keep the cost down by using two handy apps: TetherMe and iTether.
I’ve written up a little setup guide, plus my thoughts on how it works in practice.
And the CoPilot Live app giveaway winner is…
Thanks to everyone who entered the competition to win their choice from the CoPilot Live app range.
The lucky commenter picked out by my amazing randomising spreadsheet ™ is:
(drum roll)
Congratulations Craig. I’ll be in touch shortly to sort out your copy.
For everyone else, thanks again for entering. And don’t forget, there are two more copies to be won. I’ll be opening another giveaway this afternoon over on Twitter.
Cheers!
App Giveaway: CoPilot Live satnav
At the start of the year I reviewed CoPilot Live for UK and Ireland from ALK Technologies.
When I first started using the app I found it a little complex, but since then I’ve figured it all out and have come to rely on it for my navigation needs whilst driving. Plus the US version of the app – which I’ve just noticed is only £2.99 right now (bargain!) – seriously helped me get around while on holiday this summer 
So I am very pleased to let you know that i have three copies of CoPilot Live available to give away!
Think different apps
Clearly, apps are one of the key factors in the success of the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The ability to download apps and customise your device to your tastes means you can to make it be what you want it to be.
That’s all except for system apps – the ones that come bundled with iOS. These are slightly different on each iOS device, but what they have in common in that you can’t uninstall them, and in some cases it’s difficult to use a replacement.
What could Apple change to give users more choice in the apps they use?