Why the Apple iPhone SDK is so important to the visually impaired.

Today marked the release of the Apple iPhone SDK to developers, and the announcing of the iTunes AppStore. What many people do not realize is that this SDK will now make it possible for blind and visually impaired users to go out and buy an iPhone.

Now that developers can develop full applications with a formal SDK, users can run applications that utilize more hardware functions like the accelerometer. If Apple were to build a version of VoiceOver for the iPhone, then users with vision problems can simply tilt the iphone to navigate menus, or use gestures on the screen to type text. While the phone is tilted, the screen reader would announce the next selected item, paragraph, or link. while using symbols on the screen for text, the screen reader would read off the letter or character the person had just drawn.

This is still a very young concept, but if people want to see it formed, then I will start putting the wheels in motion for it to become a reality in June. Please leave comments with your thoughts on this idea.

Mac Automation: listen to a text document

Don't have time to read that Word, Pages, or TextEdit document at your desk? Why not listen to it on your iPod instead? This method is also useful for users who have reading disabilities such as dyslexia, or low vision. It allows a user to make a workflow in Mac OS X to bring text from any text file to audio in iTunes. You can then put these files on your mp3 player of choice, and listen to your document on the go. Click read more below to get the ful details.

read more | digg story

Open-source developers make more money

Want to make more money as an enterprise application developer? You're in luck--if you know open source. According to a recent report from Bluewolf Consulting, enterprises increasingly deploy open-source software, and look to specialized application development. This drastically helps even the end user, because it allows for users to gain access to this software when it is needed, and allows business users to learn a new system quicker. Not only does open source make people more money, it is also good for business and individuals.

read more | digg story

Why the iPhone jailbreak is so important.

There are many people out there who own an iPhone. I am proud to say that I am one of them. I use my iPhone now more than any cell device I have owned. Eventually, I decided that I wanted more features. I started looking online for ways of getting more features on it, and I stumbled upon some information on the iPhone Dev Team, and the Jailbreak method. This was back when the iPhone was at version 1.0.2. Now, the iphone is at version 1.1.4, and I am still on the scene waiting for the jailbreak method to come out after every update. I know that after Apple releases the new developer SDK, jailbreaking will be less needed, but even Apple has to admit that the early jailbreakers and developers were pioneers of the iPhone industry.

If you are an iPhone owner, and have not jailbroken your device at any time, then you should really do some research in to this, because many of these hackers and developers will now be making the applications you can buy in iTunes in the near future. I also think that Apple should also recognize the accomplishments and abilities of Erica from the unofficial apple webblog (TUAW), Nate True, Zibri, and STE for bringing the device farther than the developers at Apple. I also think that Nullriver should be given credit for the installer, and I hope to see it surface in the iTunes store for people to download, so that they can install applications while on the go.

Why does this mean so much? It means as much as it does, because these applications make the iPhone into the most powerful device to be on the market. You could make an application to carry out the functions of a regular computer, but it would be in your pocket, playing music, and allows you to place phone calls. Even Palm and Microsoft have these functions on their mobile devices, but they do not have the memory to support it, and they do not have the power of OS X to support it. The iPhone and the iPod Touch are truly innovative devices, and people should realize this and support the community that is usually overlooked.

Long Live iPhone jailbreaking!

What the iPhone SDK means for you?

Well, we have had our iPhones now for ages, and we all enjoy them. We also do however hope for new features. In the past, we have expected Apple and only Apple to bring us these features, but they did not come. Then the iPhone hacking community got together, and created third party applications. In the beginning, Apple did not like this, and fought to eliminate this "threat." Because of this, iPhone users revolted on Apple saying that they wanted these applications on their devices, and were willing to make sacrifices to do so. At that point, Apple was losing business due to people like nullriver software and modmyiphone who made repositories and installer sources. Finally, Apple said enough. They finally decided to open their minds, and embrace the third party community. They made a way for developers to formally make applications for the iPhone and iPod touch.

So how does this work? Apple will let developers make applications, and will then add them to iTunes for people to buy or download. There will still be free applications of course, but this will add a full market of applications for users to buy.

How does this have anything to do with you, the iphone owner? This allows you to add extra functionality to your iPhone. You can then customize your device to how YOU like it instead of it being the same from owner to owner. You can now use it to be the business device you want, or the multimedia device you have loved. With the implementation of new applications, you can do things on an iPhone that you can do on an iPhone. If you read my tech review blog at reviewoftech.blogspot.com, you will see why I think the iphone is such a good device. I now think that my assessment was further correct by the addition of this SDK and allowing users to fashion their phone to their liking.

How to update an Aple iPhone on prepaid.

I am personally an iPhone owner, and just recently sold my device to a friend. I decided then to go out and buy an 8 GB model and upgrade my number from there. I have read many things on Digg about the iPhone and prepaid being a problem, but I did not think it would be to much of a problem.

I first got the 8 gb model, and the person at AT&T told me to put the new SIM card in the phone, and try to activate it telling iTunes that I was going to replace a number on my line. This method does NOT work with any Sim card you may try. Unless you are starting a new account, the method through iTunes alone will not work to replace a phone.

Next, iPhone Activation support told me to create a new account and then they would re-align the SIM and IMEI numbers. this was not the case either. What happens there is that the service creates a new account, and then gives you a new number, without searching for your own number, so your sim is then useless.

Finally, the method that worked was to change the SIM and IMEI information with AT&T, then act like you are creating a new gophone account. once you do this, you will then be prompted for all of the information when you started your account, but it will then port your number over to the new phone, so it is kind of like porting your number. It will take quite a while for this to work however, so just wait 2 to 4 hours.

Some people will run in to the problem that the AT&T iPhone Activation support team will say that this process can not be done. From what I observed, one half of the staff in that department will say this, and you should just get a contract. The other half will redirect you to the prepaid department, and will get this taken care of. It is important to remember that you deal with the prepaid department, not the activations department, because they will automatically fix the IMEI and SIM enterings that need to be done.

Another unique event dealing with the iPhone

Since the release of the Apple iPhone, many norms in the cellular industry have been changed. New plans have been created at AT&T, the fact that the phone can be used as a contract device, or a GoPhone, and especially the fact that the device is activated and managed through iTunes. Now, At&T pulls another one on us.

On any cell carrier, a contract is renewed when a customer upgrades their phone. Apple has just this Tuesday, released the 16 Gigabyte iPhone. So, you would think that many people are going to extend their contracts just to upgrade to the device with more space. Even a lot of At&t employees are saying that the contract would be renewed. This is not the case. The Apple support team, high ranking employees have stated in the Apple support discussion blog, and on iLounge, that when you buy a new iPhone, you will not extend your contract. It was first believed that you should just take the sim out of your old iPhone, and put it in the new device. This is not the case however. AT&T states that you should use the same sim that comes with the new iPhone, and just tell itunes you are upgrading or replacing a phone. This will continue your original iPhone contract on the day that you purchased your first iPhone and activated it.

No other cell carrier to my knowledge, except maybe Verizon Wireless offers anything close to this type of deal. So when you go out contract hunting and phone hunting, you may want to keep the iPhone in mind as a possible choice.

The fater of Linux speaks out against Leopard's file system.

Today in Australia, the father of Linux stated that OS X's file system in Leopard is designed poorly. This means that the Linux developer does not support the big corporation's unix based file system. Some would say that Linux is trying to compete with OS X, but he does still state that users should stick with Mac OS X instead of Vista, so no much has changed for the every day user. However, due to this, Apple Inc. may better develop Mac OS X to have a more stable and secure file system.

Apple adds more functionality for the blind.

It appears today that Apple Inc. has released an upgrade to its Mac OS X Leopard that allows for even more braille display support. Leopard has always had support for braille displays, but now we get more functionality as the OS grows.

So, what does this mean?
Apple has improved the accessibility of their OS yet again. Since the Macintosh computer already has a very good screen reader, which is named voiceover, and a zooming software installed, Apple has once again showed the computer user community that accessibility does matter. This allows more users to use their computers with the same ability as someone who does not need the adjustments that this update provides. This update can be gained by going to the apple menu, and clicking on software update. For more information on this update, look for the blog on The unofficial Apple web blog..

The Closing of the open Internet.

First off, I would like to welcome everyone to my second major blog post. I hope everyone will enjoy these blogs, because I feel they are very insightful to the common reader.

So, on to the topic at hand. Microsoft has announced a bid to buy out Yahoo. To the common person who uses a computer, this is just corporate dealings. However, this is really not the case. Lets go back in time, back to the time when Microsoft bought the rights to DOS. What then happened? Microsoft created a monopoly on the operating system market. For over ten years, Microsoft has controlled what manufacturers included with their computer systems. Now, if Microsoft buys Yahoo, then Microsoft will be able to control what people do and how they do it online. This is because Yahoo controls a good majority of the internet search market. An example of this would be getting the user to only use Microsoft Yahoo or whatever it will be called to do searches online, but built in to Internet Explorer. This would then discourage users from using other search portals such as google, or any other search site, because why go to a web site to search when it is right in the OS.

Others have also voiced concerns over this buyout. Visit The Official Google Blog. Even Google understands the severity of the situation, and anyone who reads this blog should do the same.

I know the last two weeks have been drilling Microsoft pretty hard, but since major things have happened recently with them, I thought that anyone reading this should know the truth, and be prepared for how it may impact their lives online.

Windows XP's Grim future.

Microsoft has decided to cut off windows xp licenses. This means that you will not be able to purchase a legal copy of windows xp after this June. So, what does this mean for you? If something happens to your license key for windows and you need to buy a new copy of xp, you are out of luck. Microsoft will be pushing for Windows Vista after the cut off. My thought is that if you feel that you may need a backup copy of xp so you do not have to update to Vista, then you may want to go ahead and purchase a license or two before the cut off date. This may be an expense many of you are not ready to make, but if you can not use vista, and you are not a mac or linux user, then this may be the best thing for you to do. I am sure a good majority of people will just continue to download illegal versions of windows XP, but let me say this. You can download the cd as much as you want, but when Microsoft banns all of those cracked licenses, and figures out how to de-crack the genuine advantage program, then you will really be in a bit of trouble, because you can not purchase a license, and you can't use your computer. You can only go online and hopefully find a license that has not yet been blocked. If you do this, good luck. I have observed Microsoft cracking down on these keys, and therefore preventing unlicensed users to use their computers correctly. The main thing to consider is that just like anything in technology, do some research before you make a final decision. Just remember to do it before June 30th.