IPhone

Upgrading iPhone 2G with iOS 4 ( Trick to resolve iTune cannot restore from last backup because the backup session failed )

by admin on September 28, 2011

I know, I should really be switching to a newer phone but my phone is still usable, except when it comes to installing new apps or updating existing apps.  A lot of the apps requires iOS4 these days and it is getting more and more annoying.

So I decided to try and upgrade my phone to iOS4.

Here’s what I did (of course with the help of Google and I did this on Mac):

1)  BACK UP my phone.  Very important step.

2) Download the firmware from here

3) Press Alt (on Mac) while click the Restore button in iTune.  Choose the firmware just downloaded.

4)  Wait and and wait.

5) Everything up to this point has been quick and easy.  Time to sync old content back to the phone.  This is where I got stuck because I kept having error saying iTune cannot restore my phone from my last backup because the backup session failed.

6) Going back to Google and finally found help.   Find the backup file.  It is located under /Users/<username>/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/.  There will be a list of files if you backup frequently.  Find the most recent one, that should be the one that you just backed up before the upgrade.  In that folder, open the file Info.plist

7)  Find the following lines:

<key>Build Version</key>
<string>7E18</string>
<key>Product Version</key>
<string>3.1.3</string>

These lines contains the OS and build version of the backup.  Change it to the following:

<key>Product Version</key>
<string>4.0</string>
<key>Build Version</key>
<string>8A306</string>

8)  Restart iTune since I already have that opened.  iTune automatically started syncing!

 

Update after the upgrade:

My phone service still works.  I was able to install apps that required iOS4.  BUT a lot of the apps stopped working.  I upgraded a bunch of my existing apps and a lot of them stopped working.

SO, i reverted back to my old 3.1.3.

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Energizer iPhone 4 charger case

by fli on October 9, 2010

Energizer AP1201 case

Energizer AP1201 case

We need to admit that we’re way too dependent on our cell phones these days. We feel vulnerable without them.  Nowadays we do way more than just calling with our phones.  iPhone users all depend on their phones to surf, check email, check their Facebook pages, check-in on FourSqaure, etc., which means the battery can be used up so fast.

Now Energizer to the rescue.  Its new AP1201 case, looking not that bulky and quite stylish, protects and charges the iPhone at the same time.  There are two charging modes:  a fast charge mode that charges the phone first, then the case.  A second mode that does simultaneous pass-through charging.  It is stated that the case can give you twice the battery life and it retails at $69.99.

Here’s no more excuse of “my phone’s out of battery” in only a day.  Plan your Christmas shopping early and this is a great gift for sure.

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My handy iPhone apps – Yelp and Foursquare

by admin on September 23, 2010

I like cooking at home but I also enjoy eating out once in a while. More so for tryng out new restaurants in and out of town. In this social networking era, it’s rarely random restaurant picking anymore. I do my research before heading out or even when I am already out, there are apps to tell me what’s around and the community can let me know their rating. Yelp.com is what I use most of the time. Its iPhone app shows restaurants around me and I can filter specific criteria as I like. I find that very useful when you are not familiar with the area and by reading users’ comments, you know what you should pick from the menu. One thing I found though, is that there are more angry people in the Internet community than happy people. People who have bad experience with a business tend to be louder with their comments. So keep that in mind when you read through them.

Another apps that I also use when I am out is Foursquare. It is a weird concept to me at first what the purpose of the app is but it gets users addicted to checking into places just to get some badges and status. Then I started seeing promotions from stores for people who checkin. What a great promotion idea! It’s definitly beneficial to both sellers and consumers. With the power of the online commnity, you can just find out all businesses around you. You can checkout tips from people for any places. Again, another way to get to know your area more.

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Paying subway and taxi fare with your phone – Visa payWave

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Edit documents on your iPhone and iPod Touch with Quickoffice

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IPod Touch Car Remote Controller

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As more and more iPhone application appear, it seems like one of these days that’s the only device you need to bring with you all the time. Facebook, Twitter, play Tiki Towers, and control your car.

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