2009 July | Loo-Lee.com

July 2009
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31Jul

ARTICLE: iPhone 3.0.1 is ready for the downloading

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iPhone 3.0.1 is available now, and it's probably a good idea to grab yours right away. The update fixes a pretty scary vulnerability that lets hackers control the smartphones via SMS.

The gist of the security hole follows: Basically, it has to do with the devices receiving and then running binary code delivered by text message. The operation can happen without any user interaction, with the phone automatically processing the unsigned code. Since SMS messages are limited in size, multiple short texts can be sent to complete a longer command.

No other details have been reported, since — understandably — Apple doesn't want specific instructions on how to do this floating around. For now anyway, it looks like the problem has been patched, so head on to iTunes to get your handset locked and loaded. But be patient: The update's a bit of a beastie, at 280 MB.

Now, on to the next iPhone issue. So how long do you think it'll be before they address that 3G S/yellow screen tint problem?

[via CrunchGear, Engadget Mobile]

Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile

31Jul

VIDEO: iPhone 3GS vs HTC Hero - Dogfight, Pt 2

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The mighty iPhone faces some stiff competition from the best Android phone yet, the HTC Hero. Is HTC's new "Sense UI" enough to take iPhone down? Dogfight! with Noah from PhoneDog.com.

Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile

31Jul

ARTICLE: The ultimate 21st century nerd gift: My cell phone number

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Contrary to what family and friends may tell you, I am a nice guy. And more importantly, when it comes to birthday or anniversary gifts, I think outside of the box. I'm that person who, probably to the chagrin of those close to me, will typically purchase a boring gift or, in extreme cases, will give the oh-so-impersonal gift card (and believe me, I have heard the "why didn't you just give me money?" argument more times than I can count). Fortunately, I have a friend who, unlike most, shares a similar passion for the wireless industry as I do. So when her birthday came around this week, I sought to give her something unique, and more importantly, something she would appreciate.

Throughout the years, over all of my wireless accounts, I have sought to ensure that I have a "good" number. Chalk it up to my "wireless passion" (my new phrase for "geek"), but I'm the guy that calls in to customer service hundreds of times until I get a number I like. Years ago, the vanity number option used to be an easy process, but with the advent of Local Number Portability, it has become increasingly harder. The users with the vanity numbers are keeping them, and as for the unused numbers, the carriers aren't assigning them at request. Unless you know how to get around the system (which varies from carrier to carrier) or bug customer service on a regular basis until you find a representative willing to read you the available numbers, you're out of luck.

Since she has been plagued with poor wireless numbers as of late, I decided to give her my wireless number (ending in 7000) for her birthday. And, after working with AT&T's system, I was able to get a relatively good replacement number. Certainly not to the caliber of the 7000 line, but decent nonetheless.

She was happy, and I was pleased with my selection. Perhaps outside of the box is where I should stay when it comes to gifts.

Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile

31Jul

VIDEO: Mobile Streaming: NBA star livecasts during car accident

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Those of you who follow me on twitter know that when I'm not talking mobile tech I'm usually talking music or sports - basketball in particular. If you're a hoops fan you're probably well aware of the increasingly odd - nay, alarming - behavior of former Knicks and Celtics point guard Stephon Marbury. Starbury has always been a little out there, but lately he's taken it to a new level by livecasting around the clock via Ustream.tv.

Steph seems to have the hang of mobile livecasting, though it's unclear if he's rocking Ustream mobile via smartphone or a 3G-connected laptop. Either way, this clip from yesterday's cast - which I found on Inside Hoops - shows Steph broadcasting from the backseat of his car as the car gets into an accident of some sort. What was hit and what exactly happened here isn't clear, but for my money this is as sure a sign as any that Starbury needs to log off, put down the mobile device, and stop with the mobile broadcasting for a spell. If nothing else, this clip plays to me like evidence of leaving the scene of an accident (I'm not saying they should arrest the dude, I'm just sayin' you should think twice before incriminating yourself and your driver via mobile video).

Those of you who are really interested should check out the very bizarre, emotionally torturous livecast Steph posted earlier in the week. I've never been much of a fan of Steph, honestly, but I'm worried about the guy. Whatever demons are plaguing you, Stephon, I hope you get some help with them soon. And everyone else out there, just remember that there is such a thing as oversharing. Put down the cameraphone and step away from the live stream of yourself before it's too late, m'kay?

Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile

31Jul

10 Health Problems People Say Are Caused by Mobile Phones

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We recently took a look at the role of mobile phones in medicine. Mobile phones are playing a key part in improving medical services in third world countries and even advancing medical options in first world nations. However, not all is good when it comes to mobile phones and health – or at least that’s what some people would have you believe. There are a lot of people who think that mobile phones cause a great number of diverse health problems. Whether this is true or not is mostly undetermined but fears about health problems caused by cell phones still have some people worried.

Here is a look at the top ten health problems that some people are worried may be caused by mobile phones:

Cancer - possibly caused by phone use

1. Cancer

Despite numerous studies that indicate that there is no conclusive link between cancer and the use of mobile phones, there are a lot of people who continue to express fears that they’ll contract some form of cancer if they use their mobile phones too much. Basically people are concerned that the radiation emitted by phones is causing cancer and various types of tumors. This has been an issue that’s caused a lot of controversy so there are a lot of scientists and medical experts who have looked into it. The World Health Organization has even taken up the cause and concluded that neither cell phones nor their base stations are cancer-causing. Nevertheless, there are things that you can do to reduce your exposure to radiation (like keeping your phone away from the body and using special hands-free devices to talk) that can reduce your risk if this is something that concerns you.

2. Infertility

Another issue of major concern that has made a lot of headlines over the years is the concern that mobile phones may be linked to infertility or reduced fertility. One study last year showed that males who kept their cell phones turned on while the phones were in their front pockets were likely to (more…)

Post from Dial-a-Phone, UK's no. 1 for Mobile Phones.

Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile

31Jul

Mobile Phone Extortion

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In these tough economic times companies are forced to take tougher cash-grabbing measures. Unfortunately some of them thought “Hey, those mafia guys are pretty tough!”

1. Pay the phone bill or the old guy gets it!

A sixty-two year old man went missing, last seen in an unstable condition, heading for the woods and carrying several bottles of pills. If you’re an actual human being you organise a search and rescue. If you’re Verizon you think “Cha-ching!”

When local sheriff Ron Clapper tried to call the man’s phone, Verizon refused to turn it on until an overdue bill was paid. Ron explained that the man’s life was in danger. Verizon offered to turn it on for $20. That’s right: with a life on the line, Verizon’s response is to haggle.

Because at least one of the parties in the phone call didn’t value a twenty more than a human being, sheriff Clapper was actually paying the bill when the man was (more…)

Post from Dial-a-Phone, UK's no. 1 for Mobile Phones.

Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile

31Jul

ARTICLE: Orange Hero: all the flash, half the apps?

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It seems Orange Hero owners in the UK got a little something they weren't counting on when the purchased the device: app censorship. Such a customer contacted PhoneDog to make us aware of the situation:

EMAIL

I cannot independently verify the absence of any particular app or the reasoning behind censorship. But I can say that I've run a few different versions of Android on my G1, and have had varying levels of success in the Android Market. Apps purchased with one version will be missing from the Market in another version, while in others, the app will show as never having been purchased! So while I'm pretty sure Rich is onto something regarding Orange's position, I have to say that the Android Market has more than a few quirks in this regard.

WAITING ON APPROVAL TO PUBLISH EMAIL

Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile

31Jul

ARTICLE: Pics of rumored Nokia N97 “Mini” spotted

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Nokia fans who believed in the mythological Mini N97 may have gotten their due: Images of the rumored phone have popped up in a side-by-side with the original.

Take the full-fledged N97, put it in the dryer and shrink it a size or two, and that's pretty much what this Mini looks like at first glance. A closer look at the slightly smaller, thinner handset reveals that the camera has gone au natural (without a cover) and lost the d-pad (at the left side of the original). Instead, the little guy has a four buttons grouped at the right for navigation.

No other specs or details are known at this time.

If this is real, I hope it's a really, really early prototype. There just doesn't seem to be enough difference between this and the original — neither in size nor style — to make it worthwhile.

[via BoyGenius Report, Engadget Mobile]

Tags: blog, cell phone news, discussion, mobile

31Jul

ARTICLE: A bit of Sense for your Android

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So you're in love with Sense, but can't afford (wait for/settle for the US 2G of) HTC's Hero. Well, LevelUp Studio has what you need in the form of five Hero-inspired beautiful widgets called...Beautiful Widgets. They cost €0.99, which is about $1.40.

I purchased mine the day they were released, which I would guess was about two weeks ago. Since then, there has been one widget added, and at least one fix for the clock/weather widget, which now allows Americans to enter a city name and save on the GPS tapping. You can set your own update intervals as well. Toggles for GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Plane Mode round out the selection.

Attentive to detail, requests, and functionality, I think LevelUp deserves your change for this lovely work. Which reminds me, I need to update my comment in the Market - seen below. I give this pack five stars now.