Install Siri on any jailbroken iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with Spire

Posted by John Ball Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Mods / Hacks, Software

The first legal Siri port has been developed and released for jailbroken iPhone 4, iPhone 3G and 3GS, iPod touch 3rd and 4th generations, and both iPads, and it's called Spire. The way the tweak works is by using an external proxy server to mimic Apple’s own Siri servers, which are used exclusively for the iPhone 4S. Spire has a quick install and a simple setup that takes no time at all to get up and running. There are some minor issues with the method however, namely that for every iDevice connected to a proxy server, Apple is losing money. The problems don’t stop there though. This also leaves the "official" iPhone 4S Siri possibly open to vulnerability for use with these proxy servers, which can potentially lead to unreliability within the phone itself and possible personal information being leaked from all the connected devices.

Moving away from the negatives to the positive, looking at the Spire, it functions exactly like its older sibling for the iPhone 4S as you are not running it on the iPod Touch 3rd generation (the tweak takes full advantage of the external microphone.) Have you got Siri up and running on your jailbroken iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch?

Click to continue reading Install Siri on any jailbroken iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with Spire

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Top 10 most read Gear Live stories of 2011

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Cell Phones, Wearables, Features, Internet, Mods / Hacks, Software

Sure, we've given you a list of our top 10 most popular stories of 2011, but we figured we'd go a bit more broad than that. We also thought it would be interesting to give you a look at the top ten most read stories on this site this year, period, regardless of what year they were posted. We must say, we're just as surprised as you are at what did (and didn't) make the list! For example, you guys seem to really like Monster's Beats by Dr. Dre audio line. Here we go:

1. ColorWare now offering custom-painted Beats by Dr. Dre Studio headphones


2. Limited Edition white Beats by Dr. Dre headphones hands-on: You can't deny that Monster has a hit on their hands with the Beats by Dr. Dre line of headphones.


3. SLEEPTRACKER Watch review: This one focuses on a watch that tracks your sleep data and aims to wake you up when you are in your lightest phase of sleep. The result is that you wake up feeling more rested, and more refreshed.


4. Exclusive: Pink Beats by Dr. Dre Charles Hamilton customs


5. iOS 5 review


6. Yes, Steve Jobs is back at Apple Campus


7. iPhone 3G vs iPod touch 2G in pictures: Odd that an image gallery featuring the iPhone and iPod touch from two years ago made our top ten list, but there it is!


8. Modify your Xbox without a mod chip: This one comes as no surprise--there are a lot of modders out there.


9. White iPhone 4 vs. black iPhone 4 comparison


10. Exclusive: Red Beats by Dr. Dre LeBron James customs

Any surprises? We've also compiled a list of the stories that have dropped out of the top ten between 2010 and 2011, which you can check out after the jump, and don't miss the ten most popular Gear Live videos of 2011 either!

Click to continue reading Top 10 most read Gear Live stories of 2011

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iRetrofone: A classic phone dock for iPhone

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Accessories, Apple, Cell Phones

Who says that we have to sacrifice tradition with technology? All versions of the iPhone will dock to the iRetrofone base, turning your smartphone into a traditional corded phone like the one in your grandma’s kitchen. In addition to being a functioning phone in its own right, the iRetrofone also syncs and charges your iPhone in retro style. The iRetrofone comes in a variety of different styles and colors, such as pink, red, green, purple, and clear.

Read More | Etsy

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iOS 4.1 update brings HDR photos, HD video uploads, and plenty of bug fixes

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Cell Phones, Handhelds, Software

Apple just announced this morning at their fall music event that they’re shipping iOS 4.1, which aims to fix a lot of bugs in the iOS 4 platform, while also bringing new features. Here’s a rundown:

• Bug fixes: Proximity sensor, Bluetooth, iPhone 3G performance
• High Dynamic Range (HDR) photos
• High definition video upload over Wi-Fi
• TV Show rentals
• Game Center

iOS 4.1 ships next week for iPhone and , and it will be free for both.

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iPhone 4 unlock now available with ultrasn0w!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Cell Phones, Handhelds, Mods / Hacks, Software

We knew that once the iPhone 4 jailbreak dropped, it would be just a matter of time before the unlock method would be made available. Well, two days later, it’s here. Ultrasn0w, the software unlock we’ve come to know and love over the years, has been updated to version 1.0-1. With that update comes support for the iPhone 4 baseband 01.59 and iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS basebands 04.26.08, 05.12.01, and 05.13.04. If those numbers confuse you, no worries, this basically just means that any iPhone 3G/3GS/4 device that you have in your hand as of today is unlockable. Just download ultrasn0w through Cydia, and you’re all set!

Read More | Dev-Team

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Apple iOS 4 now available!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Cell Phones, Handhelds, Portable Audio / Video, Software

Apple has just unleashed the magic that is iOS 4 to the masses. If you are running an iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, or the latest iPod touch—get to downloading so you can enjoy all the new features. Of course, it’s also available for download for the iPhone 4, but, that’s still three days away.

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$99 iPhone 3G discontinued

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Cell Phones, Handhelds, Rumors

Each year before a new iPhone is introduced to the masses, the older models become a bit more scarce, and all signs are pointing to a price and inventory shakeup within the iPhone world. As you can see in the image above, the iPhone 3G model is not able to be selected for purchase from the Apple Store online. The change happened sometime in the last day. In addition, AT&T stores are no longer able to order more iPhone 3G stock. At this point, it looks like the current entry-level iPhone model is going to be phased away. It’s interesting, because we would have been willing to put money (not a lot, mind you) on the notion that Apple might keep the 3G going, and drop it down to being free with two-year contract.

Update: Looks like Wal-Mart has dropped the iPhone 3GS to $97, so apparently the 3GS will take the place of the 3G as the entry-level iPhone device!

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iPhone OS 4.0 already jailbroken

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Cell Phones, Handhelds, Mods / Hacks, Software

Looks like the jailbreak app developer community can get to work on porting their apps to iPhone OS 4.0, as the current beta has already been jailbroken. However, if you aren’t a developer, don’t go trying to mess around with the redsn0w 0.9.5 beta, as this is purely a dev release. It currently only works on Mac OS X and with an iPhone 3G running iPhone 4.0 beta 1, but that’s good enough to get the devs started on getting everything up to snuff for the official release this summer.

Read More | iphwn

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Apple over-the-air 3G download cap increased to 20MB

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Cell Phones, Rumors, Wireless / WiFi

Just a quick update as it pertains to downloading iTunes and App Store content on your iPhone. If you are connected via cell connection (meaning, you aren’t connected to Wi-Fi,) you can now download content that’s up to 20MB in size over the air. Previously, the downloads were capped to apps that were 10MB or less, and iTunes content 12MB or less. With the iPad looming on the horizon, it looks like Apple is pre-emptively preparing for apps that are larger in file size that users would want to download to their tablets while connected to 3G. The changes have taken effect so far in in the US, Germany, and Canada.

Read More | 9to5 Mac

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iPhone OS 3.1.3 now available

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Cell Phones, Handhelds, Software

Apple has just released an iPhone firmware update in iPhone OS 3.1.3. It’s basically a big fix release, focusing on:

• Improving accuracy of reported battery level on iPhone 3GS
• Resolves issues where third-party apps would not launch
• Fixes bug that may cause an app to crash when using Japanese Kana keyboard

Doesn’t seem like a huge deal, but for those of you who like your iPhone to be fresh, there you have it.

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