“Hardware” collection
Explore the physical components and high-performance peripherals that power the modern digital environment. This category features rigorous testing of computing hardware, advanced power solutions, and durable equipment built for demanding tech enthusiasts.
HTD Tech Briefs
View all →September 27, 2007
iPhone: Experience installing Firmware 1.1.1 on Jailbroken iPhone with 3rd Party applications
iPhone Firmware 1.1.1 was released today (as expected) to the general public. It came with a warning from Apple: “If you have modified your iPhone’s software, applying this software update may result in your iPhone becoming permanently inoperable. Making unauthorized modifications to the software on your iPhone violates the iPhone software license agreement, and the inability to use your iPhone…
Read more →September 24, 2007
iPhone Question: “Unlocking” and “Jailbreaking” the same thing?
Apple today released a statement that said the following: CUPERTINO, Calif., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Apple has discovered that many of the unauthorized iPhone unlocking programs available on the Internet cause irreparable damage to the iPhone's software, which will likely result in the modified iPhone becoming permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed. Apple plans to…
Read more →September 19, 2007
Tech: I need a DOOVDE Player!
More humor based on an actual phone call:
Read more →September 12, 2007
iPhone: Brief Reviews of ApolloIM, MobileChat, Summerboard, MobileTwitterific, Mines, iBlackjack, and MobileToDoList
It's nice that, for now, Apple seems to be "okay" with allowing third-party applications to be installed on the iPhone (although now there seems to be some backtracking by Apple with a new statement that "software updates will most likely break" native apps). Despite this, the movement is growing, especially with the combined forces of Nullriver Software and PXL Package…
Read more →September 5, 2007
How to Upgrade your Discontinued 4gig iPhone to an 8gig
As many other 4gig iPhone owners are feeling right now, I'm a bit upset at "paying the price" of being an early adopter. I know, I know, I wanted the latest and greatest and wanted it right away. Well, now Apple no longer sells the 4 gig version AND has reduced the price of the 8 gig to $399...geez! So,…
Read more →August 30, 2007
Netvibes & iPhone Compatible at last!
WOAH! I just reloaded my default home page and there is now a yellow message saying "Netvibes goes mobile! Now, you can check your Netvibes page on your mobile phone or your iPhone at the following address: http://m.netvibes.com" and of course I had to see how they implemented it. Well, the quick answer is, AMAZINGLY WELL! [Updated: they now have…
Read more →August 29, 2007
iPhone app: Built-in RSS reader provided by .MAC
Gee, you learn something new every day. I was playing around with an installed RSS reader from the TappInstaller app and I figured I would see how Safari on the iPhone would react to an RSS feed. Boy was I pleasantly surprised! I had read that an RSS reader was being developed, but now I guess it is live. I…
Read more →August 29, 2007
iPhone App: ApolloIM update on its way
I have reinstalled the Apptapp Installer mentioned in my previous post and it seems to be more stable now (of course I am not monkeying around in the bowels of my directory structure this time). It was updated to version 2.4 as of this writing. There are plenty of new applications now available for install including the first Instant Messaging…
Read more →August 27, 2007
Mac Hardware: New “smaller” form factor power cord for MacBookPro’s now available
Apple seems to have quietly released a new MagSafe Power Adapter for the MacBookPro product line. After having no stock in the Apple stores (I know this for a fact since I was looking for one), they now seem to be in stock. It is more in line with the older power adapters and doesn't have as big of a…
Read more →August 24, 2007
iPhone: Jailbreaking, Application Installing, Playing, Corrupting, Panicking, Resetting and Restoring
The subject of this post pretty much sums it up in a nutshell. So here are the details. First a little background. I come from a very varied cell-phone history. I was a big Sidekick users but got a bit tired of it because of the closed architecture and the fact that I couldn't make things "the way I wanted…
Read more →July 31, 2007
iPhone Firmware 1.0.1 released
With little fanfare, lots of anticipation and a bit of a letdown, the first firmware update from Apple for the iPhone was officially released. It looks like it was primarily a security update with no truly outwardly visible modifications. Details on what was included in the release are below...but first a couple of thoughts. It makes sense to me that…
Read more →June 7, 2007
What HighTechDad wants for Father’s Day
I'm taking a side-step here away from my usual software and hardware posts to talk about something dear to my heart...selfishly enough, Father's Day! I already have the best 3 gifts I could ever want, three wonderful daughters! Who could ask for more than that? Not me! So why this post then? Well, the other things that Dads want are…
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