iPhone supports some basic security mechanisms, including SSL; mail authentication methods and VPN’s, as well as WPA and WPA2 for WiFi access.

iPhone has a passcode lock feature. When enabled, you must enter a four-digit code every time you wake iPhone from standby. It also prevents transferring photos to your PC or Mac; you must disable the passcode lock to transfer photos.

We don’t know how robust the passcode lock is, though, and it is generally not good practice to store very sensitive information on mobile phones, PDA’s or laptops without encryption. We recommend not storing anything sensitive on your iPhone for now, passcode or not.

Another open question is whether iPhone can be reset by iTunes to bypass the passcode lock, yet remain activated for service by AT&T. If so, this would enable anyone to crack an iPhone and use it as a phone and Internet device, though perhaps without retrieving your personal information.

iPhone supports L2TP and PPTP VPN’s (virtual private networks), but we didn’t have a VPN set up for testing, so we don’t know how well this works.

You will find many applications developed by iPhone mobile application development companies, but there are rare video player apps for the iPhone, thanks to the default iPhone player that is loaded with many features, including watching videos via YouTube. With iPhone, you can also watch YouTube videos with a slight tap of your finger. You don’t need to download anything, just search for your favorite videos in the similar way you would have searched it on your desktop and watch without any hassles. Here’s how you watch your YouTube videos on your iPhone: How to Search YouTube Videos?

• The iPhone’s Home screen will have a YouTube icon; just tap on the icon to open it.
• Invoke the search field by tapping on Search located at the bottom of the screen
• To type any search term you need to bring up the virtual keyboard. A slight tap on the search field will open the keyboard. Key in your search term and then hit the search button to view the video library.
• You will see a vast variety of YouTube videos below your search field. You will just have to tap on a video icon to watch it, but make sure to tilt the iPhone horizontally since videos can be viewed better in wide mode.
• When viewing the video you can tweak the video configurations through YouTube’s standard video controls. These controls include pause button, volume button and the share button, which allows you to mail any YouTube video URL to a friend.
• There is also an additional “Bookmarks” button on the controls. By tapping on it, you can save your favorite ones by bookmarking them and view them later on.

You may not find many video apps from an iPhone applications development expert, however there are some that are trying to compete with the default Apple iPhone player. Some have even released their own player versions. We hope the future holds more such iPhone open application development projects.

Whether they are hanging behind your desk, on the floor, or in your gear bag — cable clutter is a terrible thing. That said, there are times when a super-short iPhone (or iPod) charging cable would be a nice thing to have. Enter the iStubz from CableJive — a charging/sync cable that works with the iPhone

or an iPod and is either 7cm (2.75-inches) or 22cm (8.66-inches) long.

If nothing else, these seem like they would be a nice cable to have when you are working in a place where a long cable may cause a tripping hazard such as a coffee shop. I would be able to charge my iPhone and have one less cable hanging off the side of the never large enough table.

Additionally, the iStubz cables are available in either black or white, so you will be able to get one that matches your iPhone, just in case that sort of thing is important to you. The 7cm cable sells for $7.95, and the 22cm cable sells for $8.95.

Enabling Internet tethering on your OS 3.0 running iPhone has just been made even easier. Now instead of downloading and updating your iPhone, you can set your self up by simply visiting a website and making a few clicks.

In order to use this simpler method, just grab your iPhone, launch Mobile Safari and surf on over to http://help.benm.at/help.php.

Once there, it is just a matter of making those few clicks. Basically, just click on Mobileconfigs, then choose your country and carrier and you should be all set.

Again, this comes with a warning that you may get into trouble with your carrier, not to mention it has also been noted as negatively affecting visual voicemail by some users. That said, have fun and enjoy being able to tether you connection.

The Juice

Pack air for the iPhone 3G was expected to be available on April 21 and sure enough its currently on the front page of the mophie website

for order.

The Juice Pack air still offers the extended battery option similar to the Juice Pack 3G, however it does have some additional features that are worth mentioning. To begin with, the major change is the fact that the Juice Pack air is a form-fitting hard-shell case, as opposed to just a slip on external battery. As far as extra power, the Juice Pack air has a 1200mAh battery that will give you “up to” an additional 270 hours on standby, 4.5 hours of 3G talk time, 9 hours of 2G talk time, 4.5 hours of 3G Internet use, 5.4 hours of Wi-Fi Internet use, 20 hours of audio playback and 6 hours of video playback.

Another feature of the Juice Pack air is the introduction on an on/off switch that will let you keep your iPhone in the case and still decide which power source to use. Additionally, the Juice Pack air also has the pass though USB port that will allow you to simultaneously charge your air and your iPhone along with the 4 LED charge status indicator on the back.

The Juice Pack air is available in either black, white or purple and is selling for $79.95. While the juice pack air is available for order, I should point out that it is not expected to begin shipping for one week, of course, it may be good to get your order in early.

Personally, I am not doing the whole wait in line thing this year. Instead I am going to make an attempt at a leisurely entrance sometime in the early morning hours. That said, I am not all that worried if I miss out today, I want the 3G S, but can also wait a few weeks if I had to.

Anyway, for those heading out this morning, you should hopefully already be at the destination of your choice because the doors at both Apple and AT&T were opening up at 7am this morning.

As for AT&T, the 7am opening time is just for those that pre-ordered the iPhone 3G S. For those that did not place a pre-order (like myself) and are hoping to still grab an iPhone today (like myself), then your time is 8am.

As for Apple, you may want to check your individual store on Apple.com, however it looks like most stores (and I am using the word most a little lightly) are set to open at 7am.

Additionally, AT&T has offered up a nice complete guide, which you can find over on ATT.com

Protect your iPhone 3G from Scratches - Get the invisibleSHIELD.

Protect your phone from damage with the virtually indestructible and exceptionally clear Apple iPhone 3G InvisibleSHIELD Full Body Protector. This full body protective film is designed to prevent scratches on your Apple iPhone 3G and keep it as new as the when it first came out of the box. Made to completely cover your Apple iPhone 3G, the Apple iPhone 3G InvisibleSHIELD Full Body Protector features nano-memory technology, which gives it it’s slight “orange peel” surface texture. This revolutionary technology gives the film damage resistance and self-healing properties that will ensure lasting protection no matter how many times your keys rub against it. The optically clear, transparent film is constructed of the same material used to protect helicopters blades from damage by the military.

Keep your Apple iPhone 3G protected at all times with the tough Apple iPhone 3G InvisibleSHIELD Full Body Protector. The film is optically transparent, allowing the beauty of your Apple iPhone 3G to shine through, while it keeps it fully protected from scratches, dents, abrasions, and nicks. Every inch of your phone is protected by the Apple iPhone 3G InvisibleSHIELD Full Body Protector due to its precision-cut design that covers the entire surface of your phone. The thin, yet extremely tough film allows you to use other accessories with your Apple 3G iPhone including a dock or a snap-on case for additional protection.

The skin is designed to remain on your Apple iPhone 3G for as long as you want protection. But, if you need to remove it, it peels off easily without leaving a sticky residue. The Apple iPhone 3G kit comes with 1 complete set of Apple iPhone 3G InvisibleSHIELD Full Body Protector, a professional rubber squeegee, application solution, instructions and *Lifetime Warranty against damage.

Apple iPhone 3G InvisibleSHIELD Full Body Protector Features:

• Made of the same super durable, scratch-resistant polyurethane film as used on helicopter blades
• Designed to cover the entire surface of your Apple 3G iPhone
• Slim, transparent film, measuring 0.2 millimeters in thickness, allows use of other cases or docks and makes it the slimmest protective solution for your Apple iPhone 3G
• Comes with: 1 Apple iPhone 3G InvisibleSHIELD Full Body Protector (including screen protectors), 1 rubber squeegee, 1 application solution, and instructions
• Lifetime Warranty against invisibleSHIELD products that are damage while protecting your device*

Click the play button to watch a demonstration of the invisibleSHIELD

invisible shield

Move & Delete items:

- Go into your favorites/mail messages/other items screen.

- Click the ‘Edit’ button in the left or right corners.

- Delete an item by clicking the red icon beside the name and then confirm the deletion.

- To move a Bookmark/Favorite (only), click the icon to the right of the name, then slide the name to the position you wish.

- An alternate method to deleting, is to slide your finger from left to right over the item, which reveals the delete button.

Mail your Safari URL’s to someone:

Goto the page you want to mail in Safari. Then tap the address bar which will reveal the keyboard. Click the Share button at the top left corner and a new ‘compose email’ shall open with the URL included as the message of the email, as well as the subject line. Add the email address & anything else, then click send.

Automatic Mail Checking:

- Tap the Settings icon on the home screen , then the Mail selection.

- Scroll down, and tap the Auto-Check option.

- Select the how frequent you want your mail updated

Modify Ipod Menu Buttons:

- In the main menu, Select the iPod icon from the bottom right corner.

- Select the ‘More’ icon in the bottom right corner.

- Then click the ‘Edit’ icon.

- Drag the icon you desire down into the menu over the icon you want replaced.

Do a Hard Reset:

- Press and hold the ’sleep/wake’ button on top of the iPhone, and the ‘Home’ button on the bottom front for a several seconds.

- When you see the Apple logo, let go.

- The iPhone will reboot and all will be well.

Quit a Frozen Application:

If an application seems frozen for a long time, you can attempt to close it by pressing and holding the Home button for several seconds until it releases.

Enable Caps-Lock Feature:

- Enable Caps-Lock by touching the ‘Settings’ icon in the home screen, then the ‘General’ button on the following screen.

- Touch the ‘Keyboard’ button.

- In the keyboard settings screen, tap on the switch next to ‘Enable Caps Lock’.

To use the feature, quickly double tap the shift key and it will turn blue. Now you are in caps lock mode. When you’re done, tap the shift key again to exit caps lock mode.

Power Down, Power Up:

- Press and hold the sleep/wake, on/off button on the top of the iPhone for several seconds.

- The screen will change and the top will display a button ‘Slide to power off’. Slide the power off button from left to right,

- To turn your phone back on, press the same on/off button on the top of the phone for a few seconds, and it will start up again.

First things first. iPhones can be unlocked safely, and no, Apple has no way to somehow ‘mysteriously’ get into your iPhone and either lock it again or render it useless. However, as a user you have to keep a few things in mind. At the time of this writing, only iPhones that come preloaded with firmware 1.0.2 can be unlocked. The latest firmware released by Apple is 1.1.1 and at this time unlocking iPhones with firmware 1.1.1 is not possible.

That takes us to the next important point. What is your iPhone’s firmware version? To check your iphone’s firmware version, dial *3001#12345#* on the iPhone. It will show you a screen titled Field Test. At the bottom of the menu items you will see ‘Versions’. Tap on ‘versions’ and another screen will pop up which will list the firmware installed on the phone. If it says 03.14.08_G, then your iPhone is version 1.0.2. In this case, you are fine. Your phone can be unlocked to use with networks other than AT&T.

If after tapping ‘Versions’, it says 03.12.06_G, then your iPhone’s firmware is version 1.0.0. In this case, you can restore your iPhone to the version 1.0.2 first and then perform the unlock procedure. Press and hold ‘Home’ and ‘Power’ buttons simultaneously on the iPhone for 30 seconds until “connect to iTunes message” shows up. Launch iTunes. Once in iTunes, while holding “SHIFT” key, in iTunes click restore button and choose file: “iPhone1,1_1.0.2_1C28_Restore.ipsw”. If you don’t have the file, you can download the file from the website I have mentioned at the end of this article.

Finally, if after tapping ‘versions’ on your iPhone, if it says “04.01.13_G” (version 1.1.1), then your iPhone currenly cannot be unlocked and you need to wait for an unlock procedure to be devised for that version sometime in the future. Many AT&T stores still have iPhone with firmware 1.0.0 or 1.0.2 in stock. You may want to return the 1.1.1 iPhone to Apple, or your nearby store and get an iPhone with 1.0.2 firmware.

Ok, so now you are at an Apple or iPhone store. You just returned your phone that had the newer firmware and want an iPhone that has the old firmware loaded onto it. So how do you find out what firmware the phone has without opening the sealed box? Afterall, the salesperson is not going to let you open the sealed box unless you committ to purchasing the phone.

So, here’s probably the most important trick. Once you have the iPhone box in hand, turn it over and look for a bar code named ‘Serial No.’. A typical serial would look like 7U738L46WH5. Take a close look at the serial. Somewhere in the middle there is the letter ‘L’. Here is the important point. If the phone in your hand has 8 or a lower digit preceding that L, then you are fine. The firmware on your phone is 1.0.2 or less. If however, the digit preceding the L is 9, then you have the newer firmware.

Using the above technique, once you are sure you purchased an iPhone with the older firmware, you can now go ahead and unlock your iPhone using the unlocking software. At the present time, iPhone cannot be unlocked by using a remote unlock code. You would need an unlocking software to unlock your iPhone.

AT&T is offering its remaining stock of 16GB iPhone 3G units for $149 with a two-year agreement, according to the Boy Genius Report, a popular Apple/tech blog.

iPhone 3G

Citing an AT&T insider, the report speculates that since Apple is only offering the 8GB model via its website, 16GB units may be available on a “while supplies last” basis. Apple didn’t mention the 16GB model during today’s
Keynote Address, suggesting that these discounted units are not part of its long-term strategy for the iPhone.

Basically, they’re clearing out stock, a fairly typical corporate strategy given its view that this is “old” technology at this point.

Many expect the existing stock of old model iPhones to be gone within a month or two, with the hype of the new phone and the sell-through prices.