Being the foodie that I am, I'm a big fan of Yelp and Urbanspoon. I might have to check out Flight Status. Thanks for the article, Eugene!

Anyone wishing to watch the kick-off event can do so by clicking this link. Enjoy and lets hope for a good iPhone firmware update.

EDIT to add: Meh - not streaming live. Will broadcast later in the day.

I echo M's like of Urbanspoon - nifty little app. Thanks for the article link, Eugene.

This was primarily a Nano event. Pretty colors but not much else of substance for us iPhone users.

Excerpted from engadget..

Alongside the other announcements, Apple announced that the iPhone 2.1 firmware will be released this Friday as a free update. The much anticipated version upgrade will address many of the issues that have been plaguing iPhone users. Changes include:

- Significantly better battery life
- Fewer call drops
- Bug fixes
- Faster backups to iTunes
- No App crashes

*********

Personally I'm happy with bug fixes and hope that they fixed the huge security breach issue. Faster backups will be nice as well. Friday it is, then.

I was waiting to see if they would significantly change the ipod touch, but I think now I'm really leaning towards getting an iphone. I haven't had a new toy for quite awhile!!

The new nano...eh, I actually liked the squat one.

Get the iPhone Lauri...you will wonder how you ever lived without it!!

Andrea is right. It is wonderful.

I think we have 1 or 2 iPod touch users on board - anyone update to the new firmware? Thoughts?

I certainly hope that the new firmware improves sync and application update times. It's ridiculously long right now. :(

One can hope!

Robert, I have the Touch and Olivia too but I think we both just know how to turn it on ;) I'm trying to remember where it is

OMG!! Howling!

To my tech support team:

Thanks for all of your good advice. I went for the refurb 13.3" Macbook & I love it!!
AND!!!! I had no problem loading my iWork '08 to my new computer... BONUS (I had the software from my last iMac purchase) (Thanks for the advice, Robert!)

It arrived in about a week. No shipping charge & Discover Card is giving me 5% back. Sweet.

I loaded all the Canon software, So I will be able to d/l when I need to. & Andi will be able to, also, from her new sd870is.
Can't wait for Roar 2.

Thanks again, all.

Doug

Doug, yay!!! You'll find that you really don't need the Canon software, Iphoto works beautifully.

Pam: You are right. I use iPhoto a lot. But the canon software may make it easier for SWMBO.

Doug

Okay, Doug, that means you are officially in charge of providing lots of pictures from ROAR, as, like Suzie said, I also can barely turn on my iPod Touch and get to what I want! It is awful to be so electronically challenged as I am. My goal tonight is to download a couple of films on my Macbook to watch on our 18.5 hour flight from Atlanta to JNB. The rest of the time, I am counting on eating, drinking, sleeping, and my daughter giving me lessons on my iPod Touch!

Oh, Olivia!
You know that i shall try my best (see Caviar)
I am sure that your daughter can teach you over that gawd-awful long flight how to use your tech toy.
& if not, well, there is always Ken & his trusted band of lens-men (hi, Russ!)
Will we get to see you in this patch-work quilt of vacation movements? I hope so...been too long.

A kiss & a hug, just in case we don't get to see each other.

Doug

I wish we were in the same "groups", Doug, but this time, seems it is not to be! You did a GREAT job on CAVIAR, as I remember! Maybe we will be together at Baia, but don't think so.

Olivia - good luck finding your iPod Touch! ;)

Doug - what color Macbook did you get on your refurb unit? We may have the same computer!

Masaki:

I got the white 13.3" Macbook. The most basic model. I figured that for travel I didn't need all the bells that come with the higher models.

Doug

I recently switched back to mac also after 5 plus years on a PC, which I had to get when we first moved in to our NM house in order to get internet over satellite - bought a refurb imac. I love the 20" screen and it is so much faster than my sluggish PC!

I have finally finished converting everything over (not easy despite the fact that Entourage and Office are both Microsoft programs :ohmy: ) and yesterday had a breakthrough and was able to sync my BlackBerry.

Wish I would have a "breakthrough" synching my palm tungsten. I guess it's time to try again.

I have Microsoft for MAC too. Do you like Entourage, Leslie? I haven't tried it yet. My list of "to do's" on the MAC is very long. One at a time, one at a time. At this rate, my macbook will be a year old before I finally have it working the way I want. I do love it though.

Donna:

PM me if you would like me to link you to a site that may have some answers for you.

Leslie:

Woo Hoo!

and Doug:

Awesome that loading the software worked out and congrats again on the new "addition."

As I am scouring my usual sources looking for cool 2.1 firmware stuff, I came across this...nifty!





One feature of the new 2.1 firmware we haven't mentioned is the option to have the iPhone automatically securely wipe your iPhone or iPod Touch after 10 failed passcode attempts.

A nice feature for those who are worried about losing their iPhone, but perhaps better to not enable it if you have young children.

Apple has said they will be releasing the 2.1 firmware on Friday.

RE PM, thanks Robert. Will do.

Doug - yup, I have a white 13 inch Macbook too though mine has been slightly customized ... :)

Leslie - woohoo! Welcome back to the fold. ;)

Robert - nice feature!

iPhone firmware update v2.1 available for download via iTunes now. Will post additional info later.

EPIC success! Update took 10 minutes per phone. Here's a list of Apple documented fixes, updates, etc.:

******

The iPhone 2.1 software update contains many bug fixes and improvements. To get it, connect your iPhone to your computer using iTunes 8 and click Check for Update.

Update includes:

Decrease in call set-up failures and dropped calls

Significantly better battery life for most users

Dramatically reduced time to backup to iTunes

Improved email reliability, notably fetching email from POP and Exchange accounts

Faster installation of 3rd party applications

Fixed bugs causing hangs and crashes for users with lots of third party applications

Improved performance in text messaging

Faster loading and searching of contacts

Improved accuracy of the 3G signal strength display

Repeat alert up to two additional times for incoming text messages

Option to wipe data after ten failed passcode attempts

Genius playlist creation

************

I'll look around for any undocumented fixes and post other information that might be useful or interesting..

*************

Here's an initial list of undocumented items -

Updated apps keep their position on the iphone screen

You can pause apps while installing by tapping the icon

3G/E icon is no longer encased in a "box"

Triple clicking on the headset mic now brings you to the previous track

Genius playlists: click the artwork to reveal the song's progress and there is a genius icon to build a play list on the fly

You can set the clock to 12 hour with AM/PM in the UK

You can restrict the Camera

In the ipod function, when looking at a list of 'songs' the album title and artist is listed below the song name

Itunes now displays how much space is taken up by "Applications"

Bluetooth headsets now work with visual voicmail (confirmed with plantronics bt headsets)


*********

Am I the only one to update?

Nope, updated as well. Does seem more stable and backups are MUCH shorter, thank goodness!

R

Penny and I are on board with the update as well. Also checked for updates on software for my IMac and operating system had some kind of update as well.

Cheers! Ray
Editing to say that Apple opened a store in my hometown so now I can ride my bike to attend classes. That is unless it is a one-on-one class when I bring my IMac with me. That's asking too much of the bicycle to carry both of us ;>)

Although the image of you balancing your iMac on the handlebars IS a pretty funny one, Ray!!

I did it!! :woh:

I'm now the proud owner of a 16 gb black iphone!!! I guess I need to go back through this thread for all the hints you guys have offered.

One question, any particular case you'd reccommend?

Congrats, Lauri! I think the case question depends on whether you're the kind of person that needs full scale protection from falls/scratches or just needs something to hold the phone and don't want to give up the slimness of the phone. I'm the latter and I chose a holster type case to slide the phone onto on my belt but that's just me.

Congrats Lauri - don't forget to download the Facebook app for iPhone!! I'll send you a note with other good things I've found too.

Congratulations on the purchase, Lauri! I am a non-case kind of guy but dedicate my left trouser pocket exclusively for my phone. I tried a case for a while but didn't like the extra bulk.

I did put one of these anti-glare screen films on which is great and completely eliminates the finger smudge issue.



You can find them at the Apple Store by clicking this link.

I have had a Sena case for my iphone for over a year now and love it. I have dropped my phone numerous times and it just bounces in this case. Bought it on line, just google Sena phone cases. The colors are great....

I think I found a case I like. I've also ordered a cup holder mount for it.

Such a fun toy!