iPhone 3G

Now that Geohot has released the blackra1n RC3 jailbreaking tool, activating tethering on an iPhone 3G or 3GS is a snap. Many international users already have tethering, meaning they can share their iPhone data connection with a computer. AT&T does not offer this option in the US.

Fortunately it's never been simpler to tether if your iPhone is running the latest firmware (3.1.2). Follow these steps to activate tethering, just keep in mind you are breaking all kinds of agreements with AT&T and Apple in the process.

The latest firmware update released by Apple may have improved security and added features, but some iPhone owners are having problems. Reports from users on the Apple support forums indicate a major problem with updating to iPhone OS 3.1 on the iPhone 3G.

Users are ending up with bricked phones, and iPhones that crash several times, requiring a hard reboot. Holding the sleep and home button doesn't always work, however. Some users are finding it necessary to downgrade to iTunes 8 and firmware 3.0.1 to solve the problems.

AT&T does not currently allow tethering on the iPhone even though Apple's iPhone OS 3.0 includes the feature. The company is still deciding what a tethering data plan for iPhone would cost and how it would be structured.

Tired of waiting? If you have an iPhone 3G or 3GS running OS 3.0 and a computer running iTunes 8.2 on Mac OS X here's how to activate tethering. You will be able to connect your computer to the AT&T data network using USB or Bluetooth via your iPhone.

ZAGG is offering a 30% discount on all invisibleSHIELD products for the iPhone and Palm Pre. The sale runs now through June 30th. Just enter the discount code "iphonepalm" without quotes on the checkout screen.

When the invisibleSHIELD was launched in 2007 we featured an in-depth review of the invisibleSHIELD for the iPhone and found it to be the best product of its kind. As a long term user of the product myself, I can say the invisibleSHIELD continues to deliver on all of its promises.

The Core Cases aluminum slider is a sharp looking hard case for the iPhone 3G. Although the product is a little expensive at $30, it's made of aluminum for strength and low weight. After using the Core Case for seven months, here are some observations.

When the aluminum slider case (brushed black) first came out of the box, I was impressed. Unlike some other hard cases, there's an EVA foam layer on the inside to protect the plastic back of the iPhone 3G from scratches. Installation was easy, just place the phone in the back, and slide the front down until the side tabs click into place.

Vodafone Australia has officially been notified by its distributor of the iPhone 3G that the 16GB model is an EOL (end of life) product. Only a few weeks' supply is left and the model will be discontinued when these are sold.

Further signs point to the impending release of a next generation iPhone, possibly by July 17th. According to sources who have contacted the company, AT&T is drawing down current iPhone model inventories and has no plans to restock.

ZAGG is offering a 50% discount on all invisibleSHIELD products to commemorate Memorial Day. The sale runs now through May 27th. Just enter the discount code "memday09" without quotes on the checkout screen.

When the invisibleSHIELD was launched in 2007 we featured an in-depth review of the invisibleSHIELD for the iPhone and found it to be the best product of its kind. As a long term user of the product myself, I can say the invisibleSHIELD continues to deliver on all of its promises.

Palm's answer to the iPhone, the Palm Pre will be hitting shelves on June 6. The device debuts at $299 with a $100 mail-in rebate, however at Best Buy the cost will be $199 flat.

The device will compete with Apple's iPhone, the Blackberry Storm, and T-Mobile's G1. Sprint is expecting shortages of the device as consumer demand initially will outpace supply.

Anticipating one billion iPhone app downloads, Apple has announced the best selling iPhone applications of all time. Two lists show the top 20 paid and top 20 free apps downloaded since the AppStore opened in July 2008.

According to Apple, over 953 million apps have already been downloaded. The company is holding a Billion App Countdown Promotion, offering the chance to win a $10,000 iTunes Gift Card, an iPod touch, a Time Capsule, and a MacBook Pro to those downloading apps before the total hits one billion.

AT&T has confirmed it will start selling un-subsidized iPhone 3G hardware without a contract, only months before the release of iPhone 3.0. Both the 8GB and 16GB models will be available at full price, $599 and $699 respectively.

Pre-paid service will not be an option, as activation of no-contract phones will require an iPhone data plan, costing $30 monthly. Unfortunately for those interested in using the device with a different carrier, even the full price iPhone 3G hardware will still be locked to AT&T.