Archive for June 2007
iPhone Gets Put Through The Wringer
2 Comments
by Peter Ha on June 30, 2007

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Many of you, myself included, probably thought the iPhone wasn’t up to the challenge of daily use and abuse. The glass screen just screams scratches galore, right? PC World put their iPhone to a scratch and drop test. I think the results will astonish you because I sure didn’t expect the results they received.
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Daily Crunch: iPhone Thump Edition
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by Bryce Durbin on June 30, 2007

Get a Free iPhone Condom if You Have an iPhone
iPhone Accessories Aren’t Nearly as Exciting as the iPhone-Proper
iPhone Madness Hits San Francisco: Clowns!
Steven Levy Is Asked “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth”
The AudioFile: Jacking Off the iPhone

EXCLUSIVE: Transformers Footage from Last Night’s Screening
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by Peter Ha on June 30, 2007

An anonymous tipster has given CrunchGear exclusive leaked footage of Transformers. We’re not sure where he/she/it got the footage, but it’s plain as day. This is the real deal. The lengthy video was taken at the end of the major battle scene and includes Bumble Bee, Megatron and Optimus Prime. The short snippet is the very end of the movie with Optimus Prime. The audio track is a little hard to hear, but just crank it up and you can hear some ‘transformer’ sound effects. He/She/It also told us that Apple dropped some coin for product placement in the movie that included MacBook Pros and a boat load of Cinema Displays. Nokia also made an appearance with their very own “Japanese Decepticon,” Dialtone. Umm, Nokia is Finnish, so wtf?! We didn’t understand the “Japanese Decepticon” part, either. And there was something about ‘Mojo’ and painkillers. When we asked the tipster what device was used he/she/it told us it was taken with a Helio Ocean.

Thanks, Tipster!

We’re having technical problems with the audio track and it should be up shortly.
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They Have iPhones In Seattle, Too?
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by Matt Hickey on June 29, 2007


There’s no raining on iDay! No raining!

A high-end product launch just isn’t a high-end product launch without getting the point of view of the man-on-the-street. So I’m doing just that. Watch this spot throughout the evening as we upload YouTube video live from the scene in Seattle, where NW nerds are lined up to be the first in line to get The Thing.

And if you’re in the Seattle area, come join the fun and meet Yours Truly and some other nerds getting our dork on. We’re at the Capitol Hill AT&T store. Love it.

It’s ON!!! One at a time, please, one at a time.

Click on for more video coverage of the Seattle launch of the Apple iPhone.
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Your Very Own iPhone For Only A Penny
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by Peter Ha on June 29, 2007

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There you have it. You too can have your very own 8GB iPhone for only one single penny. Gah! This isn’t over. Not by a long shot.

Apple iPhone AT&T Brand New In Hand 8gb 8 gb i Phone NR [eBay]

iPhone Already on Craigslist: $1,500 for the 8GB Version
2 Comments
by Nicholas Deleon on June 29, 2007

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It’s barely even been an hour since the iPhone officially launched but Apple’s wunderphone is already on Craigslist. Some dude in New Hyde Park wants $1,500 for an 8GB version while someone else in Manhattan wants $1,110 for 8GB as well. Hey, if you’re desperate enough, I guess…

iPhone on Craiglist [Craigslist]

Yep, The iPhone Sure Is Purtty…And, Oh, That’s What That Slot Is For!
by Ilya Kochanov on June 29, 2007

Not that you people haven’t found a number of other hands-on videos of the iPhone by now, but here’s one more to add to your collection.

iTunes 7.3 with iPhone Support Out Now
4 Comments
by Matt Hickey on June 29, 2007

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Hit that software update button, pal, and get a fresh, clean iPhone-ready version of iTunes. yay!

And a surprise after the jump.

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An iDay Retrospective With Snarky Captions
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by Peter Ha on June 29, 2007

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Mr. Spike Lee came out to support the Keep A Child Alive foundation. We know he’s just trying to get one himself.

Nicholas and I looked to escape the chaos that is the 5th Avenue Apple store in fair Gotham to the more tranquil and pleasant SoHo location. It was everything you could ever dream and want in an iDay. Tons of tourists who have no idea what’s going on, but want to participate in whatever the crazy Americans are doing to the snobby hipster-chic folk who snicker and sneer at those wasting their time waiting in line or taking pictures. They secretly want one, but know they can’t admit it, so they weep and run home to Williamsburg. What we found was astonishing and down right STUPID. Won’t you take a journey through my eyes on this here iDay?
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CrunchGear’s iPhone Coverage Starts Today (Duh)
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by Matt Hickey on June 29, 2007

bought.jpgGentle reader, I know you’ve been patient. You can’t wait to see our take on the iPhone (you’ve heard of it, right?), and you’ll get it. In short order, Yours Truly will be live blogging from my favorite local AT&T store with pics and video. In addition, we’ll be reviewing our little friend some tonight, with a glut of information tomorrow. While today is launch day, we’re more about celebrating the insanity. Tomorrow, you get the goods.

I know, I know, reading a blog on a Saturday. Well, we don’t get ours till then, nothing we can do about that. But look for coverage the likes of which you won’t get at those other two blogs, because at CrunchGear, you’ve got me, and I’m awesome. Just so’s you know.

iPhone Launch at Apple Store in SoHo
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by Nicholas Deleon on June 29, 2007

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It’s here! Heaven’s gates—the Apple Store in SoHo—opened at 6 p.m. EDT, whereupon a half dozen people at a clip were allowed entry. Peter and I were there and we got to see Spike Lee and heard people say, “Is that Spike Lee?” As the doors opened, hecklers shouted, “You did it! You’re American heroes!”

And Peter almost got into a fight with a “tough guy,” but got into a karate stance and scared him away.

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iPhone Apple Store is Down
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by Matt Hickey on June 29, 2007

iphone-backsoon.jpgThe Apple store is down, and that’s no big surprise. This means we’re in the official launch phase, and I’m going to need a martini. When the store’s back up, you can get an iPhone. Huzzah!

Thanks to Dylan the Tipster, as well.

Apple Store

NYU Supports the Use of Old Ass Computers
16 Comments
by Nicholas Deleon on June 29, 2007

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It’s not all touch screens, accelerometers and Google Maps today, my friends. I’m based at NYU’s Bobst library in order to be within shooting distance of the various Apple stores and AT&T stores for today’s festivities. Plus it’s air conditioned. But in my roaming around the library I found these old school computers. Not only have I never seen anything like these before, but they have nothing to do with the iPhone. I’m trying to maintain our collective sanity here, people.

NYU

Philly Mayor Left iPhone Line After Being Asked About City’s Crime Rate
3 Comments
by Nicholas Deleon on June 29, 2007

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The mayor of Philiadelphia was waiting in line for an iPhone when an unnamed man asked him, “How can you sit here with 200 murders in the city already?” Ouch. (And how very John Kerry of him.) The mayor then left the line, tail between his legs and all.

The moral of the story? If you’re the mayor of a major American city, maybe, *maybe* you would do well to send an intern to fetch your toys instead of going yourself. Just a hunch of mine.

Philly mayor waits for iPhone, then leaves line [AP/MSNBC]

Verizon Goes Crazy and Upgrades Everything to EV-DO Rev. A
3 Comments
by Peter Ha on June 29, 2007

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Is iDay over yet? Soon enough we can all go back to our daily lives without having to hear about the biggest flop of all time ever again. If you’re on Verizon, then I feel sorry for you. But you’ll be happy to know that the “nation’s most reliable network” just got faster. Everyone in the country now has EV-DO Rev. A coverage, meaning you can now download Justin.tv lightning fast. Who needs the iPhone and EDGE service when you can have a CDMA wonder phone? I really want to know.

Press Release

T-Mobile Getting Wi-Fi Curve In September
5 Comments
by Peter Ha on June 29, 2007

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I’ve been lusting over the new Blackberrys and the 8320 (aka “Curve 2″) might be the one for me. After my brief stint with a Sony Mylo I’ve become enamored with anything that has Wi-Fi capability. I like to surf the net from my phone because it allows me to alienate myself from everyone else and EDGE bites it, so Wi-Fi is a must for me. Come September, T-Mobile will be getting their very own Curve and it’s Wi-Fitastic. A few more specs after the jump.
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Solar Panel Tips
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by John Biggs on June 29, 2007

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Now that we’re all burning up coal trying to watch pictures of people standing in line for iPhones, it’s important to remember that there are better ways of generating electricy but not all of them are created equal.

Bay Area orgo-aniacs will enjoy this article by Bruce Karney who tells us all you’ll need to know about installing solar panels on your split-level out in Atherton.

Interesting:

Solar panels last about 30 years, losing approximate 0.5% of their efficiency each year. The only required maintenance is to hose them off a couple of times each summer. Do this from the ground, with a nozzle on your hose. The inverter, which converts direct current from the panels to alternating current used in your home, will need to be replaced after about 15 years. Expect to pay $2000 for the part and $400 for the labor sometime around 2022.

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Live From Apple Store NYC
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by Ilya Kochanov on June 29, 2007

Our intrepid intern Ilya is down at the Apple Store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan shooting live video of people waiting in line. Watch as he watches the folks watching for the iPhone. We might have to change systems in a minute, but until then, here we go.

iPorn fer Yer iPhone
by John Biggs on June 29, 2007

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Playboy, always at the forefront of high technology and commerce, has created some special wallpapers for your iPhone. Not much skin in these — they want you to “buy” their “magazine” to see boobs — but it’s important that people understand that even in the dusty halls of Playboy, behind a vaseline-stained skrim and rolls of gauzy curtain material, there is a TV playing CNN non stop and someone — probably a jaded pornagrapher — is paying attention to what the kids are into today.

PR0N page via Machinist

Canadians Get BlackBerry 8830, TeleNav
3 Comments
by Josh Goldman on June 29, 2007

gps-nav-main-menu-screen-8830.jpgCanadians get all the fun stuff: Socialized healthcare, clean air, provinces and territories instead of states. And now, along with getting the BlackBerry 8830 smartphone, they’ll be getting GPS Nav from Bell, powered by TeleNav GPS.
We just so happen to be giving away free service right now if you’d like to test out the wonders of TeleNav’s GPS service on your Blackberry. TeleNav is donating a Bluetooth GPS receiver and 3 months of TeleNav service for two lucky readers.

Here’s how to win: Tell us your most creative idea for using the new “share my location” features (hit the jump to read more about the feature). Maybe a nice game of tag? Perhaps using it to organize a revolution of some sort? Whatever you think of, e-mail it to us at: contest at crunchgear dot com. Use the subject line SHARE YOUR LOCATION. The top two entries win the prize. We’re extending the contest to MONDAY, JULY 2, to give everyone some more time to enter.

The service is available for select handsets and devices from all the major carriers. Check here to see if yours is supported. Hit the jump to read the full details on the new features.

Many thanks to TeleNav!
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