Big PC Geek Tech Blog

In case you have not heard, today Apple released the SDK for the iPhone and iPod Touch and there will be a 2.0 update for iPhones in June. SDK stands for software developer kit and it will allow mobile software developers create everything from games to useful applications for iPhones and iPod Touches without having to use the browser.

Here are some of the highlights you have to look forward to in the iPhone:

-iPhone gets Enterprise support. This is the single most important thing to me. The iPhone will now have Microsoft Exchange and Active Sync support. This means my exchange server can now auto sync my contacts and give me push email through my iPhone. This won’t happen until the next software update but I am so happy for this.

-There will be an App store for the iPhone and and iPod Touch via iTunes for purchasing and installing software. This will be the only way to get software for your iPhone if it is not hacked.

- The game Spore will be available for the iPhone. Cool, and even though I can’t wait to play this game, I think I will want to play it on my computer.

-AIM, which was reported to be the most requested App will be available.

-Testing starts today with the beta release of the SDK but everything goes official in late June. What is odd to me, in the presentation, it said shipping in June. What is shipping? Are we going to see a new iPhone with 3G speeds? That is what the rumor is. I really hope it is true.

-Sim Unlock software will not be allowed in the iPhone App store. This means if you want software that is available for a hacked iPhone that is not available in the App store, you will still have to hack your iPhone. After June, and other than wanting to you use your phone on another carrier, I don’t see the reason to hack your iPhone anymore.

I have on just about every gadget I can get one for, a silicon protective case. Seriously, using them on my iPhone, Nano, iPod, Digital Camera, and more I am a firm believer of a silicon protective cases. A silicon case is a great and cheap way to protect your electronics. Silicon cases contour to your device, protect it from scratches, helps when you drop your gadget, and it still keeps the profile of your device without making it too much bigger. My most favorite thing about silicon cases is you can use your gadget with the case on. You don’t have to waste time taking your device in and out of a case. I don’t spend the money it costs in retail stores but I do pick them up online. For example, an iPhone silicon case costs around $20 or $30 from Apple but the same exact thing can be purchased on ebay for $8 and it comes with a screen protector.

Anyone who has not heard, the iPhone is now available in 16 GB and the iPod Touch is available in 32 GB. Go to Apple.com

Today, is a day that will live in infamy! Well, a few days ago… After hearing that big wig suit talk on stage with Steve Jobs at MacWorld about how Fox would be selling the latest Family Guy DVD with a copy that you can put on your ipod, I had to go out and see.

Yes it is true, the DVD comes with another DVD that has a copy that you can put on your ipod! Someone in the movie industry is finally thinking! Finally, there is a company allowing us to legally do what us Geeks have been doing as long as our ipods could play video!

I urge anyone and everyone to go out and buy Family Guy Blue Harvest to support this initiative. I cant vouch for the shows quality but I really want to support this. I’m sure this is only a test to see where it goes so we need to show the movie industry what we want.

I am from the school of thought that if you go into a store and buy a DVD you should be able to watch it on anything you own, including your ipod! Technically, if you have figured out how to break DVD copy protection to put a DVD on your ipod, you are breaking the law. Finally, the day has come. Please buy this DVD.

I have been asked repeatedly how to put music that was purchased in iTunes into another music device other than an ipod such as a Zen, Zune, Sansa etc. The process is pretty Simple.

First, burn the music in iTunes onto an audio CD. Make a playlist if necessary, then click the burn CD button at the bottom of iTunes.

Second, open up the software that you wish to use to sync with your non-ipod device like Windows Media player.

Third, rip the music you just burned into the new players software.

You will now notice that you can sync the music on that was on the CD freely with the device you want. The type of file, mp3, ogg, etc. is up to you.

Some people ask me what type of MP3 player to get for themselves or for their kids. Usually, the question is, "should I get an iPod Nano or the iPod?" Most people are tempted to go with the full iPod because you just get more storage for the price.

My answer is: Depends on what you are going to do and how you are going to treat it. If you are getting the MP3 player for you kid or are going to use it while you are active, ie. the gym or jogging, you want to go with the Nano; but, if you are going to hoop it up to your car or use it while on a plane or home, go with the full blown iPod.

I have mentioned this sometime before but it is because the Nano uses flash memory and the full size iPods use a hard drive. MP3 players with flash memory have no moving parts and tend to take a beating much better than a music player with a hard drive. The full size iPod has a mechanical magnetic arm inside that can easily break when dropped hard enough or numerous times. Yes, when you think of price per GB or Gigabyte, the Nano is going to be much more money than the full size iPod but chances are it will last much longer when used by an active person or a child.