This took a little time, but we’ve figured out how to tether the iPhone using the instructions written by Erica Sadun. It takes about 20 minutes to get it done. You might need some basic knowledge of editing configuration files.

First you need to check if you have anything in the folder ~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Carrier Support (ls ~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Carrier Support). If you don’t have this folder (like me) you have to download the file. To do that, open Terminal and paste the following command:

curl -s -L http://phobos.apple.com/version | grep -i carrier

Now search for your carrier in the list. Copy the URL and open it in your browser. The file will download to your computer.

Now you have to edit the file. If you downloaded it, you right click on it and select Show Package Contents.

There you will find three configuration files: carrier, info and version.plist. Open each of them and change the stuff mentioned in the tutorial:

Step 6: In Info.plist, change the CFBundleVersion to 5.0. Save.
Step 7: In the version.plist, change the CFBundleVersion to 5.0. Save.
Step 8: In carrier.plist do the following and then save:
(a) Add a new dictionary to the apns array:
      apn = internet
      password = password
      username = iphone
(b) In the wap dictionary (mine is wap.cingular, sts’s was wap.dol.ie), add a new pair. Do not edit the password or username:
      type-mask = (NUMBER) -2
(c) Add a new pair at the top level dictionary of the carrier.plist file. (We’re not sure this is strictly speaking necessary but go ahead and do it.):
AllowEDGEEditing = (BOOLEAN) YES

I didn’t find the wap dictionary so I entered the type-mask= (number) -2 to multiple places.

Now when you edited all three files and saved them, you need to pack them up. That’s easy. Just right click on the downloaded .bundle file and compress it. Right click on the zip file you just made and select get info. Change the file extension and name to [Your_carrier].ipcc. In most cases it should be ATT_US.ipcc.

Connect your phone, option+click on the update button, select the ipcc file, eject, reboot and turn on the tethering option in settings/general/network. Then pair your phone with your computer and click on the little bluetooth icon. To pair, go to the bluetooth settings screen on the iPhone. You will see your phone in the list select it and continue. Soon you’ll see a number that you have to type in to your phone.

After you have paired the iPhone with your computer,  select connect to network. The phone will automatically go to tethering mode after a while. When that happens you’re done.

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A Hong Kong OEM, Shenzhen Ltd. has just launched an “Apple” netbook with 10-inch display, VIA Nano processor, and Windows or Linux built-in. Best of all we have an excellent write-up by tech.163.com:

Although Apple did not launch this product line, but that does not preclude other manufacturers have introduced the apple style??, some on as you can also “access the apple,” which for those hard apple and so on the Internet users is undoubtedly also a comfort.

So nice!

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Although I don’t really enjoy the design of this thing, I think I can appreciate its value. I am an extremely absent-minded person, the kind of guy who will forget where his car is parked and then walk a mile around the neighborhood checking every possible spot, or buy cream cheese and then not eat any until it expires. A little doodad like this might be handy for someone as irresponsible as myself.

My friends and family tell me to write notes and to-do lists, but I would forget to write notes, or forget to bring the list with me. I need something that tells me what I need to remember, without me having to prompt it. This Echo Bot could be the answer. It could detect me opening the fridge and say “remember to eat the leftover pad thai!”

$15 is possibly a bit much to pay for it, but it’s really not that much money. Maybe someone will get it for me. God knows I need it.

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Two terabytes should be plenty for your ever-growing collection of files that you absolutely, positively just can’t delete for any reason whatsoever. Today only you can get the 2TB Western Digital My Book Studio Edition II external hard drive, which comes formatted for Macs and works with Apple’s Time Machine software (it can be formatted for PC use, too).

This is apparently a one-day deal at PC Connection, so get ‘em while they’re hot.

2TB My Book Studio Edition II External Hard Drive [PC Connection via dealnews]

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Short Version: Simple to operate and offering the ability to pop out the rechargeable AAA batteries for use in other devices, the Pocket Booster pulls double duty as life support for your phone and battery charger for items like remote controls and Bluetooth mice.

Product Features (from the manufacturer):

• Provides up to 3 hours of extended talk time on your mobile/smart phone, and can be used while you talk*
• Use the included mini-USB charging cable to charge your RIM Blackberry
• Plug the USB connector into any USB power port, like the one on your notebook, to recharge the AAA batteries
• Remove the rechargeable AAA batteries inside and use them to power your wireless mouse or other device
• Slim, lightweight design that fits in your pocket
• Use with any USB cable to recharge mobile devices like your cell phone, MP3 player and more
• *Extended talk time is dependent on the age and condition of the rechargeable batteries in the unit and the age, condition, and size of the battery in the mobile device. Amount of extended talk time will vary depending on these factors.
• MSRP of $24.99

Review:

The Pocket Booster is an interesting device. While there are plenty of on-the-go battery extenders available for mobile phones, Kensington turns the idea on its head somewhat by offering a solution that uses standard and rechargeable AAA batteries.

While you may not get the same amount of juice from two AAAs that you would from an extender with a built-in lithium ion battery, you get far more convenience. You can use the included rechargeable NiMH batteries, you can buy regular AAA batteries, or you can pop the batteries out of the charger and use them in other devices.

So it’s a good solution for people with a lot of different gadgets, at least some of which take AAA batteries. Let’s say you’re in an airport and your cell phone’s dying but you can’t find an outlet anywhere – just buy some AAA batteries from the nearest gift shop and you’re set.

You can charge just about any small device that’s capable of being charged via USB. I tested the Pocket Booster on my T-Mobile G1, my iPod Touch, my Sansa Clip, and a few other USB-powered gadgets I have lying around my office, and everything worked just fine.

The included NiMH rechargeables are pretty weak. Although they each say 800mAh on them, the most I was able to coax out of them was about a half-charge on my iPod Touch, which supposedly has a battery around 1000mAh. So two 800mAh batteries were only ever able to charge it up about halfway (I tried two different sets – four batteries total). You’re best off using a good pair of rechargeable batteries right away.

When I used regular Duracell AAA batteries and a set of Energizer 900mAh rechargeables, everything improved somewhat, although I still didn’t get anywhere near the actual capacities of whichever batteries I used. My T-Mobile G1, for instance, has a special 1400mAh extended battery and using the two Energizer 900mAh batteries that have only been drained and charged a few times, my phone’s battery only increased by 20 percent. It charged quickly, though, only taking about 15-20 minutes.

What’s not as quick is the amount of time it takes to recharge the batteries when connecting the Pocket Booster to your computer’s USB port – it takes at least a few hours. I’d generally plug it in overnight and then grab it in the morning. That’s what makes being able to use off-the-shelf batteries in a pinch so nice.

Also, you’ll need to bring at least one mini-USB cable along with you and any proprietary cables (like the iPod cable) to charge your other devices, so it’s not really a pocketable solution. It definitely works in a travel bag or even a purse, though.

Conclusion:

All in all, I’d say the Pocket Booster is a good solution for people with regular cell phones and other small electronic devices but perhaps not quite as good for people with smartphones. The ability to use standard batteries and to be able to pop the rechargeable ones out for use in battery-operated devices is the real draw, while the relatively low power bump that the Pocket Booster provides tends to hold it back a bit.

Rechargeable Pocket Booster for Mobile Phones [Kensington.com]

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