Yamiya, Just wanna blog

Ever since the launch of iOS 4, a lot of bugs have been reported. Many apps reportedly crash or break as developers rushing to get the fix out, to be compatible with iOS 4 new APIs. The golden rules of "every new OS fill with bugs" is alive and living strong. Pioneers get the arrows, settlers get the land. But it's ok, I'll take a few arrows, and the arrows slowly develop into a syndrome, "iOS 4 apps bugs uncomfortable syndrome"

Syndromes are in escalating order.

Syndrome no.1
Feel anxious, anxiety of the bugs as the infected patient cannot do anything but wait for a new release.

Syndrome no. 2
Keep searching the web, forum, blog for solutions.

Syndrome no. 3
Reports to developer, protest in forums and blog comments.

Syndrome no. 4
Browsing thru App Store in hope to find an temporary alternative. Worst case spent money purchasing few apps and in the end found out they do not meet your requirements or contains more bugs than the original apps. Syndrome repeats itself from no. 1 all over again.

Cure and only cure for now

Turn off all devices, head to the nearest swimming pool and dunk yourself into the water to cool down. It's the only place you can't use the devices, at least for now. (Start thinking of a waterproof case for iPhone and iPad…)

I have been asked to write an iOS 4 reviews since I told my friends I installed it. Ars Technica has the best iOS 4 reviews and I suggest every iOS 4 users read it. It explains all the new notable features and a walk through of many hidden functions. Do you know there's now an antilock button for iPhone? Yes, you finally can use iPhone in space. Read it!

Some iPhone 3GS users reported broken 3G and Edge connection after upgraded to iOS4. I can assure you this is not a jailbreak issue since many users who never jailbreak their iPhone was hit by the same problem. It appears certain iPhone carriers settings are corrupted after iOS 4 upgrade. The method to overcome this issue is to restore iPhone as a new phone, losing all your SMS and Apps settings/data.

While waiting for Apple to release a fix, here's a temporary workaround without the need to go thru the painful restore process.

1. Download iPhone Configuration Utility. Mac OS X. Windows. Install and launch it. For Mac, it's installed under Applications-> Utilities.

2. Go to Library-> Configuration Profiles. Click on File-> New Configuration Profiles. Under General fill in Name and Identifier. They can be anything.

Goto Advanced. For Maxis, APN: unet, Username: maxis, Password: wap. Leave other fields blank, for Maxis customer. For other carrier please refer this link.

3. Connect your iPhone. Devices -> YOUR iPhone -> Configuration Profiles. Install the profiles you just created. Your iPhone will pop up and ask for install verification. Just click install. Once done, check under iPhone Settings -> General. There should be a new Profile selection. You should be able to access 3G/edge network now.

Voicemail and MMS still broken. For Malaysia iPhone we cannot change the APN settings without going thru some hardcore jailbreak + terminal hacking. Since iPhone 3GS new Bootrom jailbreak isn't available yet, and since I never use any of them, I don't bother to go further. 3G network is all I need.

Footnote: For those who are interested to enable voicemail and MMS you can study this article.

A lot of people ask me why don't not wait for iPad 3G. Here's the answer.

1. It's so much more expensive.
2. I waited long enough.
3. I already subscribe to Maxis data plan. I won't pay for another data plan.
4. I have iPhone 3GS.
5. I have a BT GPS receiver.

If you have iPhone 3G/3GS and BT GPS receiver you can save few hundred ringgit and go for iPad WiFi. Again, jailbreak saves the day and my wallet.

To turn WiFi iPad into iPad 3G you need MyWi. Yes they sound similar, but MyWi has nothing to do with ill-fated half breed national car Perodua Myvi. Sorry for Myvi owners, I am a fan of BBC Top Gear. The app is simple. On your iPhone, goto Cydia, search MyWi. Install it, not on iPad, but on iPhone. It gives free 10 days trial. Basically what it does is share your iPhone 3G/3GS 3G connection by creating a WiFi hotspot. In other words, MyWi turn your iPhone into a wireless router. The same way MacBook shares LAN connection thru WiFi. Desktop, laptop and any WiFi devices can connect to iPhone WiFi hotspot, not limited to Mac products. It too supports Bluetooth tethering and cable. Only thing is I don't see any 30-pin to 30-pin connector cable around. The advantage of WiFi tethering is multiple devices can tether at the same time. So far I only tested with three devices tether simultaneously. MyWi runs in background even with screen switch off to save battery. It supports 40 bit and 104 bit WEP Security to prevent others from accessing your WiFi HotSpot. For more information visit Rock Your iPhone.

Some might complain iPhone 3GS battery life is short and they want 10 hours internet surfing on iPad. That's a no brainier request. Imagine how expensive data plan is. With iPad, you probably use up half the monthly bandwidth within hours.

As for GPS, there are two apps in Cydia that connects your iPad to most BT GPS receiver in the market. The first is BTStack GPS (USD5), second is roqyBT (8 euro). Unfortunately Euro crisis is not as bad until Euro drop below USD. Hence I settle with BTStack GPS. I am using Holux M-241. It runs for 24 hours with a single AA battery. Matter of fact, I actually save my iPad battery with this method as we all know iPad/iPhone GPS antenna consumes a lot of power. Driving for half an hour, my iPad battery only reduce by 2%! In addition, iPad speaker is loud. I do not need to connect it to my car stereo. It's a dream to drive with a 9.7" navigation device. So far I tested with TomTom, Google Maps, Motion-X GPS HD, all fully compatible.

Overall I pay USD15 extra and upgraded to iPad 3G