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News

AT&T Cracking Down on Jailbreak Tethering

What is tethering? Well, tethering with your iPhone is using your iPhone as a modem for other devices to connect to the internet. Tethering allows you to use your iPhone as a means for Internet access, through WiFi, USB, or Bluetooth. There are many people who jailbreak their iPhone and use it for tethering. One of the most popular jailbreaking apps is MyWi. MyWi allows you to bypass AT&T’s DataPro plan check and enable you to tether independently. Running jailbreaking apps such as MyWi gives you the chance to use your iPhone as a hotspot for other devices to connect to the internet. It appears AT&T has noticed that people are jailbreaking their iPhone devices and are tethering without AT&T’s permission. AT&T has been sending this letter to customers who are suspected of tethering without permission:

Dear [Name of Account Holder],

We’ve noticed your service plan may need updating.

Many AT&T customers use their smartphones as a broadband connection for other devices, like laptops, netbooks or other smartphones— a practice commonly known as tethering. Tethering can be an efficient way for our customers to enjoy the benefits of AT&T’s mobile broadband network and use more than one device to stay in touch with important people and information. To take advantage of this feature, we require that in addition to a data plan, you also have a tethering plan.
Our records show that you use this capability, but are not subscribed to our tethering plan.

If you would like to continue tethering, please log into your account online at www.wireless.att.com, or call us at 1-888-860-6789 Monday — Friday, 7 a.m. — 9 p.m. CST or Saturday, 8 a.m. — 7 p.m. CST, by March 27, 2011 to sign up for DataPro 4GB for Smartphone Tethering. Here are details on the plan:

DataPro 4GB for Smartphone Tethering
– $45 per month (this gives you 4GB in total, combining both your smartphone data plan for $25 and the tethering feature, $20)
– $10 per each additional GB thereafter, added automatically as needed
– Mobile Hotspot capabilities are included for compatible Smartphones

If we don’t hear from you, we’ll plan to automatically enroll you into DataPro 4GB after March 27, 2011. The new plan — whether you sign up on your own or we automatically enroll you — will replace your current smartphone data plan, including if you are on an unlimited data plan.

If you discontinue tethering, no changes to your current plan will be required.

It’s easy to track your usage throughout the month so there are no bill surprises. For example, we send you free text messages when you reach 65, 90, and 100 percent of your plan’s threshold. If you would like to monitor your account more closely, go to www.att.com/dataplans to learn about other ways to track your data usage.

As a reminder, our smartphone data plans also include unlimited usage of Wi-Fi at no additional charge. AT&T smartphone customers can use Wi-Fi at home or on-the-go at any one of our more than 23,000 U.S. hotspots already included in your data plan.

Thank you for bringing your account up to date. We appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve your mobile broadband needs.

Sincerely,

AT&T

Please update your data plan by March 27, 2011 if you intend to continue tethering

To learn more and update your plan, visit att.com/dataplans

Reach us for assistance during business hours: Monday — Friday 7 a.m. — 9 p.m. CST Saturday 8 a.m. — 7 p.m. CST at 1-888-860-6789

If you are suspected of tethering without permission, you are most likely going to receive this email letter. If you receive this email, you should contact AT&T immediately. If you decide to discontinue tethering without permission, you will not be penalized. If you decide to continue to tether, you will have to enroll into DataPro 4GB.

AT&T is really cracking down on those who are jailbreaking and tethering without permission. Many people will definitely be disappointed that they can no longer tether without having to pay for the DataPro 4GB.

Feel free to leave questions or comments below.

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News

iPad 2 Lines Still Crowded After Launch!

It has been more than a week since the launch of the iPad 2, and it is still difficult to get one. People have been lining up outside Apple retail stores every morning. Apple retail stores only receive shipments on certain days also, but they will not disclose the days it will receive a shipment. You have to go every morning just to check if they even have a shipment that day. Even if they do have a shipment, they only receive a small quantity. If you decide to buy it online, it now estimates that it will ship in 4-5 weeks, which is a very long time for those who are anxious to get there hands on one. On a positive note, if you buy it online at the Apple Online Store, you get free shipping and free iPad engraving, an Apple Online Store exclusive offer.

Apple Stores are now holding iPad 2 shipments that were received during the day, instead of selling them once they arrive, so they can sell it the next morning so people won’t crowd the store all day hoping a shipment will arrive to sell throughout the day. Some Apple Stores are even opening earlier just to sell the iPad 2 and get rid of the crowd so it will be less crowded for the normal business hours.

In my opinion, your best bet is to still purchase your iPad 2 online at the Apple Online Store. You get free shipping and the free iPad engraving is an awesome offer. You can your very own iPad 2 customized with your very own engraving. On the other side, I would also want to get my iPad 2 right away. It would also be a good idea to go to the Apple Store early in the morning and wait in line. Some people are even camping out, so there is a lot of competition for getting an iPad 2. Just make sure you are prepared for the weather. The iPad 2 is definitely in demand, and I hope they come out with more frequent and larger shipments because we are all waiting for one.

Feel free to leave comments and questions.

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Average Joe's Tips News

How to: Enable iPad Orientation Lock Switch 4.3

 

What if one of the most anticipated features for the iPad 2 was a small switch? The small switch is on the new iOS 4.3 which re-enables the iPad orientation lock switch, which was temporarily turned into a mute switch in a previous iOS update. In the newest iPad update, it now lets you choose whether to have the side switch function as a rotation lock or as a mute button. Here are the steps to switch between the rotation lock and mute.

 

  • Tap on “Settings”
  • Scroll to and tap on “General”
  • Scroll down and look for “Use Side Switch to:” and tap on “Lock Rotation”
  • Exit settings by clicking the home button and you are done

 

In this picture, you can tell that we have switched the rotation lock on instead of the mute button:

 

 

 

If you’re wondering to why anybody would care about this, here’s some background information. Apple changed the rotation lock to be a software feature in the previous iOS. This caused the mute button to turn into the side switch. Many people were actually mad at this because it use to be very convenient to just turn the lock on without any hassle. Apple listened to the people and gave us the choice to turn the side switch into a rotation lock or mute button. How nice of Apple to make this change, if you think this is useful, let us know. Drop a comment and tell us if this affects you or if you think this matters at all.

 

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News

iPad 2 Zooms by the Motorola Xoom

How fast is the iPad 2? How about adding a dual core A5 chip and 9 times the graphic speed. When you’re flipping through your pages on the home screen, you will notice the changes. The faster graphics make games smoother and more realistic. Certain games with video will show a smoother transition and not as sluggish you could say. The A5 dual core will do two times the work at once. While your multitasking to get to your applications faster or watching a movie, your whole iPad will seem like it’s hyped up on steroids. Everything just works faster and better with dual core. The new iPad two went face to face with the Motorola Xoom, and let’s just say it wasn’t a fair battle.

 

The iPad 2 and Xoom both share a dual core chip, but nothing can compete with the A5 chip, especially the Android powered chip. Our friends at AnandTech ran some benchmark speed tests, and it completely tore the Xoom apart. The iPad 2 beat the Xoom by almost 3.7 times faster. It also topped the original iPad by 5.4 times faster by framerate. With the faster speed of the new iPad 2, the developers will be able to create better apps that offer better graphics and faster performance. I think that the Xoom will never be as fast as the iPad because of who it’s built by. Apple’s A5 chip is the new best thing, but this certain chip will always be fast and will tear apart the competition.

 

The new iPad 2 is a different type of tablet and also has new technology then the original iPad has. It comes with the dual core A5 chip and 9 times the graphic speed which I talked about before. It kept the same 10 hour battery life which to me is astonishing considering the fact that the iPad is technically doing twice the work then the original iPad. The new iPad 2 also has the three-axis gyroscope which is really cool. You get to see apps in a different way, and it may also seem like it’s more realistic. The iPad 2 has the new Smart Covers which make the iPad look more colorful. The Smart Covers are a magnetic attraction for the iPad 2. The iPad 2 it self has built in magnets that align perfectly with the Smart Covers. The Smart Cover can fold backwards so that you can turn it into a keyboard stand or a FaceTime/video stand. The Smart Cover comes in two textures, Polyurethane and Leather.

 

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News

Apple Stores Around the World: Mongolia

The following article is a guest article composed by Mad-Mongolia.com.

While most of the “Apple fan boys” in the world jitter with the anticipation of the upcoming and improved line of MacBook Pro’s, Mongolia’s Apple aficionados have other reasons to celebrate.

An official Apple store has, at long last, opened its doors in what is known as the world’s coldest capital: Ulaanbaatar.

While the traditionally enthusiastic, nearly hysteric, throng of people normally present to celebrate the opening of an Apple shop, was strangely absent it can never the less be considered a momentous event in both the Mongolian geek calendar as well as an indication of Apple’s expanding interest in Asian markets.

The opening of an Apple shop in Mongolia is something of a leap of faith within a country of less than 3 million people that still ranks as one of the poorest in the world. However, despite its apparent poverty, Mongolia is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, propelled largely by its enormous mineral reserves and its close proximity to the insatiable Chinese economy.

Mongolia’s consumer environment is developing apace. In 2010 Louis Vuitton opened a store in the overlooking the vast central public space of Ulaanbaatar, Sukhbaatar Square. The chic storefront looks out across at the statue of revolutionary hero Sukhbaatar, this juxtaposition indicative of the changes occurring in the Mongolian capital.

Since then luxury brands of all kinds have begun to vie for space on one of the city’s main avenues; Cartier, Dior, Shangri-La, Hilton, Boss, Mont Blanc, BMW and Benetton have all set up shop with many more international brands reconnoitring the city’s prime retail territory. It is only logical that Apple is keen to be present in the early stages of this incredible development story.

Until now Apple products have only been available in Mongolia in the form of imports brought by individuals from the US or China. Prices were excessive, often double if not triple the official Apple retail prices. The latest models were often entirely unobtainable. Bodi Electronics, an arm of the giant conglomerate Mongolian Bodi Group has obtained the sole and coveted status of authorized Apple retailer for Mongolia.

Other retailers such as Nomin and MCS, who until now profited handsomely from the lack of official Apple representation in Mongolia, will likely be forced to lower their prices considerably if they hope to compete in the same market as the — official — Apple Store.

The Bodi Electronics Apple Retail Store will officially open its doors on the 1st of March 2011, but has been open for business since the 21st of February. M.A.D. Corporate Services was its first customers, purchasing one of the new Mac minis as well as a 27inch Cinema Display. It carries the full range of Apple products but does not currently stock iPads as they prefer to wait for the rumoured update. iPhones are also off the wish-list as there are currently no carrier arrangements in Mongolia.

Getting to Know the 1st Ulaanbaatar Apple Store

The Apple Store is not in the very centre of Ulaanbaatar but still within walking distance of Sukbaatar square (20 minutes). The store is within the Golomt Towers, a set of 5 tall and iconic towers to the West of central Ulaanbaatar. It is on the ground floor, with its entrance door next to the Torgo Fashion Shop.

The shop is open from 9am until 7pm daily with shorter opening times on Sundays (to be confirmed).

All the staff speaks excellent English and will be able to assist you with the basics of operating a mac or other apple products, there is as of yet no “genius bar” in the shop but it is rumoured to be planned for the second shop.

The shop supplies itself by plane from the Singapore Apple shops and is thus expected to have overall similar product lines and timed releases as Singapore.

Bodi Electronics is rumoured to be planning the opening of a second Apple retail store closer to the city centre, in all probability within the Bodi Tower on Sukhbaatar Square or the Central Tower.

[Mad Mongolia]