How-Tos

iPhone voice dialing (sort of) for $5 a month

The iPhone lacks a built-in voice dialing mechanism. However, it does offer easy access to AT&T's $5-per-month VoiceDial ("VoiceConnect") function, which is accessible by tapping "Settings," then "Phone," then "AT&T Services," and finally "Voice Connect," or by simply dialing *08 on the keypad.

The service, unfortunately, requires that you set up a remotely stored address book (it can't dial the numbers stored on your phone). You can, however, import contacts from Yahoo!, Outlook, and other email programs. It stores up to 2000 contacts.

VoiceDial … Read more

Tutorial: Common fixes for USB device issues (unrecognized, etc.)

USB device issues can crop up at anytime, but are most common after a significant system update. Here's a quick rundown of workarounds, in increasing order of complication and potential for side-effects (i.e., try the first-listed ones first) for eliminating problems with lack of device recognition, conflicts between devices and more.

Unplug, then re-plug It might seem almost too rudimentary, but this is an oft-overlooked fix that's successful in a surprising number of cases: Unplug your USB device along with any external power it may use, wait a few seconds, then plug it back in. As an … Read more

Re-hacking the iPhone after update 1.0.2

As previously mentioned, installing the iPhone software/firmware update 1.0.2 will erase any previously established hack and eliminate any third-party binary applications. If you want to re-hack your iPhone after the 1.0.2 software update, there are two options:

Option #1: Use Installer.app single-command choose firmware 1.0.1

Use this previously mentioned method, which utilizes the Installer.app single-command, on an iPhone updated software/firmware version 1.0.2. When you are prompted to select a firmware version, just pick 1.0.1 (even though your iPhone is actually running version 1.0.2). The … Read more

Upload Facebook photos from your iPhone

pxPipe.com is a new photo uploading service for the iPhone with the primary purpose of allowing users to upload photos directly from the device to their Facebook accounts -- a functionality omission in Facbook's otherwise superb iPhone-optimized site, detailed last week.

We gave the service a quick test run, and it work fairly well if a bit awkwardly at first. After signing up at pxPipe.com, you're prompted to login to your Facebook account. After that, a special email adddress (@pxpipe.com) will be created. Any photos emailed to this account will show up in your Facebook … Read more

Install third-party iPhone applications â?? directly from your iPhone

Last week we published a tutorial that explained a method for moving third-party iPhone application binaries from your Mac to your iPhone -- a 5-step process that involves a number of Terminal commands and requires several pieces of software. Thanks to the efforts of some hard working hackers, there is now an iPhone application that will download and install other applications directly from/on the device itself.

We put the application -- appropriately enough, dubbed Installer.app -- on an in-house phone using our previously published method (if your iPhone is already set up using our tutorial, all you need … Read more

Disabling the iPhone's EDGE/GPRS data access

For various reasons, you may want to disable the iPhone's EDGE/GPRS data network access on a temporary basis. For instance, if you have an international data plan and are traveling overseas but only want to use WiFi instead of paying international data charges, or if you are on a prepaid plan and don't want to incur data charges.An iPhone Atlas reader with the username "amztselos" found out exactly how to do this, and here are his steps, slightly modified: Call the International Group at ATT (800) 335-4685: amztselos says "They may tell you … Read more

Dealing with a cracked iPhone screen: Repair, other options

The iPhone's screen is durable, but not invincible. An awkward fall, too much pressure and other unnatural impact can cause cracks in the optical glass that render the device unusable. When you're done cursing your buttery fingers and have traversed the stages of guilt, denial and acceptance, here are some productive means for dealing with a broken touchscreen:

Repair/replacement from Apple: $200-$250 The iPhone is covered under a standard limited one-year Apple warranty for manufacturer's defects, but is not eligible for AT&T's wireless phone insurance, which (for a $5 monthly fee) will … Read more

Video playlists for the iPhone: So close, yet so far away

Unfortunately, the iPhone lacks a good, conspicuous method for creating video playlists for items that have been downloaded from other sources or converted by the user. We've found a method that almost works. It gives you a fully customizable playlist for all stored videos, but the video portion doesn't actually play. You get a static image from the video, and playback of the audio. Nonetheless, we're publishing the steps in the hopes that one of our readers can find a working solution. If you've found a way, please let us know.

Add the desired videos to … Read more

Getting the "Send to Web Gallery" button on the iPhone work

The "Send to Web Gallery" function added to iPhones over the past several days has caused some confusion. The button links with new .Mac iPhone integration functionality that allows photos to be sent directly from the iPhone to the new "Web Gallery" function (which offers an app-like interface to photos stored online). The same Web Gallery can be directly accessed in an iPhone-optimized fashion.

For some, the button didn't appear, despite having a valid .Mac account enabled on their phone per Apple's instruction. For the users who did start to see the button, it … Read more