Apple Phone Show Episode 13

iPhone Camera Tips and Safari Interrupted

Run Time: 36:34

Host:

Scott Bourne: Podcastgearguy.com, OnlineMediaTips.com and iLifeZone.com

Special Guests:

Chris Breen: MacWorld Magazine and Playlist Magazine

Andy Ihnatko: Colossal Waste of Bandwidth and The Chicago Sun Times

We're in the dog days of summer now, folks, and the iPhone goodness is just as hot as it was on June 29th. Let's jump right in.

Here are some tips to get the most out of your iPhone camera.

1. If you're in a low light situation, your shots may be blurry because of camera shake or because of subject movement. You can do something about camera shake if you use a device called The Plamp. It runs $36.95 and it's a two-headed clamp. It can clamp onto the iPhone and another item (such as a standard tripod). There ya go. Just that easy.

2. Now that you have better pictures, you'll want to sync them. Inside iTunes, you can set up a folder to sync over instead of using iPhoto. For some people who don't want all their photos on their iPhone, you can set up iPhoto to use multiple libraries and only sync over the library you want to have on your phone. Programs make this easier for you, also. You can check out iPhoto Library Manager from FatCat Software for software to make it easier. Or (and here's a Vinny tip for you, folks) you can simply hold down the option key while launching iPhoto. If you do that, you'll be presented with two options. One to create a new library, and another to choose your library. If you create a new library, it will put a new one wherever you specify. When you open iPhoto, it'll always default to your last album unless you hold down the Option key, at which time you'll be presented with the option to switch libraries. Scott prefers the folder option.

3. 2 inches by 3 inches at 160 pixels per inch. If you don't make those size adjustments, iTunes will do it for you and doesn't do as good a job. Scott also says you can control the order of the photos by changing the name alphabetically.

And now, our good friend Andy Ihnatko!

Recently some hackers have come up with a "breach" of the iPhone's security through Safari.

Andy points out there are white hat and black hat hackers, and says there is a way to cause the iPhone to run code through Safari. It requires getting someone to click on a hostile link, so right now it's a proof of concept. Andy points out that Apple is indeed on top of it, though, and they have to be on top of this because they sold the platform as the most secure.

Also, Apple is relying on web apps for application development and a cleverly designed "app" could also contain malicious code. There isn't a practical way to exploit this in the wild yet, but caution is always the order of the day. (Note: As of the recording of this segment, Apple hadn't released Firmware Update 1.0.1, which, from our understanding, fixes these bugs and vulnerabilities). There is no proof that the vulnerability is being exploited and the problem is a Safari issue more than it is an iPhone issue.

To protect yourself:

1. Don't click every link you find on an e-mail or new site.

2. Only connect yourself to known WiFi access points (a good tip even if you don't have an iPhone).

3. Use SSL for your mail server if it's available. G-Mail and Yahoo! both support SSL e-mail (G-Mail actually requires it).

4. On the iPhone, if you keep your finger down on a link, the actual address behind it will be revealed to you.

If you're really worried about your iPhone's security, you probably should set up a VPN, which creates a private tunnel between your device and the internet. Most big companies do have some sort of VPN client available. If you don't have access to a VPN, you can try your luck with a service like HotSpot VPN or V for VPN.

Scott wonders why we haven't heard about hacks of other mobile phone platforms. Andy thinks that it's probably due to the amount of attention it's getting from media outlets and the general public. As a result, any news about iPhone weaknesses become huge news despite the fact that it also affects others.

If you go to Audible.com/applephoneshow, you can get a free audio book! Scott's pick this week is John Stewart Presents America: A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction. Scott thinks he's very funny and entertaining and loves it! We'd love to hear what audio books you're into, so leave us a comment on the blog!

And now the news with Chris Breen. Aloha Chris, and welcome back from Hawaii. I'm not jealous at all. Not one bit. Nope. I'm perfectly happy in picturesque New York City... Yep... Just fine... Anyway... News... Yeah...

Chris used his iPhone in Hawaii and visited the Hawaii Mac Users Group. They were obviously very happy to have him seeing as they posted him on the front page :-) He spent 2 1/2 hours talking about the iPhone, and he says that throughout the island he had pretty good service the entire time.

News Item 1: iPhone Firmware Update 1.0.1 is now available. To install it, just connect to iTunes, and it should tell you there's an update available. Just go for it. The fix addresses some bugs in Safari that create security holes. Grab it and run it. Apple hasn't given a whole lot of info on the improvements made, but MacFixIt has a pretty good list. Our users have been discussing it over on the Apple Phone Show blog, so don't forget to jump on over and check out the discussion. Fixes include earpiece volume improvements, stability improvements, battery charged indicator fixes, VPN passwords now stay, new passcode options, and an option to BCC yourself in Mail. Scott is skeptical of the volume claims, and he believes that's somewhat placebo. Beware of hacks. If you used something like iFunTastic or Jailbreak, this update will wipe your firmware entirely back to the beginning.

News Item 2: In Illinois, a user is suing Apple because he didn't realize that the iPhone's battery was not user replaceable. Apparently he missed the myriad of articles that came out before the iPhone was released stating exactly that. (From Vinny: Why not just return it? No! He has to keep it and sue!). Chris correctly points out that this guy probably lives under some large piece of concrete known as a rock. In New York, the Consumer Protection Board is also playing the role of doorknob, urging Apple to do everything from extend the return policy to make the battery replacement plan cheaper to standing on one leg with a blindfold. Okay, I made that last one up but you get the idea.

News Item 3: A few companies have come out with battery replacement kits. Brando is offering one dirt cheap at $20.00 with tools. Be forewarned. It isn't for the faint of heart. iPhoneJuice.com might be a better option because they do all the work.

News Item 4: More panic on Wall Street with regards to Apple Stock. On Tuesday, Apple's stock dropped on rumors that they dropped production of the iPhone in half. The stock plummeted a bit on the news. Later on, the firm from whence the rumor started sort of went back on the rumor. More deets here. Chris is annoyed at how silly the market is in response to every bit of rumor that comes out about Apple.

That's all for now... If you have any questions, comments, concerns, tips, etc., let us know at applephoneshow@gmail.com.

Thanks to Apple Phone Show producer Vincent Ferrari for the shownotes!

New Apple Phone Show theme performed and arranged by Scott Bourne.