How-Tos

iPhone does not require data plan -- or does it?

UPDATE: New information from Apple's question and answer page contradicts the below statement from Apple's PR department, indicating that a data plan is required for iPhone usage.

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Earlier today we reported on Apple and AT&T's announcement of rate plans specifically for the iPhone, all of which include unlimited data transfer. One interesting point in the rate plan press release missed by most, however, is the following:

"iPhone customers can choose from any of AT&T's standard service plans.

So apparently, the iPhone can be used without one of the provided data … Read more

Important facts about iPhone plans and activation revealed: Installed software takes up 750 MB, more minutes available; much more

Apple has posted a video guide to activating and synchronizing the iPhone. Some salient points that were revealed:

Activation works "exactly" the same way on Macs and PCs The latest version of iTunes is required iTunes launches automatically and begins the activation process once the iPhone is connected If you are already an AT&T customer, you can either replace your current cell phone line with the iPhone, or add the iPhone as a new line New customers can choose to activate as a single line, or multiple iPhones as part of a FamilyTalk plan There is … Read more

mac.column.ted: The First Coming of iPhone

[Published Friday, June 22nd]

Ted Landau June 2007

[For full coverage of the iPhone, see our sister site iPhone Atlas]

With the expected arrival of iPhone next week, the media frenzy surrounding the device has escalated to such heights that I got vertigo just reading about it. I can't recall the last time (if ever) that there has been such intense speculation about the likely success or failure of a product that isn't even out yet. Adding further to the hyperbole are the warnings about how much Apple has riding on the outcome. Based on the tone of … Read more

New iPhone usage revelations from Apple: Swipe deletion, typing tips, Wi-Fi on/off, much more

As reported earlier today, Apple has posted a new 20-minute iPhone "guided tour" video (click here to view). The demonstration offers some interesting revelations about the device's usage, including:

The host talks about "16" applications -- presumably the 12 periphery apps (including Google Maps, Calendar, SMS, etc.) and the 4 core apps: Phone, Mail, Safari and iPod. The Home button always takes you back to the home screen, no matter what function is being performed. Once you've gone to the home screen, a blinking status indicator will generally allow you to quickly switch back … Read more

iPhone Web pages ("apps") should be 480 pixels wide, 10 MB maximum

Tony Chang from the University of Washington's Emerging Technology department has posted notes from the Developing Web Sites for iPhone session at WWDC where Apple told developers they could "learn iPhone best practices for ensuring optimal web development of your existing website, or hosted web application."

A few salient points:

480 pixel page width Apple recommends that developers use a 480 pixel-width stylesheet for iPhone-deliverable Web pages/apps. The reason, apparently: the iPhone's screen is 320x480 in portrait mode, 480x320 in landscape mode. Pages should scale down to 320 pixel-width when in portrait mode, rather than … Read more

Development standards for the iPhone

The iPhoneWebDev group has posted an interesting page that begins to lay out some basic standards for developing iPhone applications. Though these specifications will likely change rapidly after the device actually ships, there are some excellent guidelines applicable to current touchscreen interfaces that should also hold true for the iPhone, as well as some keen observations based on current, publicly available information.

For instance, the page points out that the interface for some already-developed Web-based, iPhone-targeted applications (like this shopping list organizer) use buttons that are too small to be readily touchable: "Touchscreen buttons should be minimum 1/2 … Read more

Tips for getting an iPhone at launch

Unless Apple announces a pre-order plan prior to launch, the iPhone will apparently follow in the footsteps of the Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and other must-have gadgets that spawned long lines (hopefully with no rioting) as hopefuls amass at AT&T stores and Apple retail outlets to snag initial inventory. Here are a few tips for getting your best chance at a first-day buy:

Prepare to wait in line Some stores are taking waiting lists (see below), but most are sticking to the official policy of first come, first serve. Several AT&T/Cingular locations we spoke with … Read more

Tutorial: Mac OS X Location Finder: Part 1

[Published Thursday, June 7th]

Ted Landau June 2007

One of the most common questions people ask when working with their Mac is: "Where is it?" Not where is the Mac itself (hopefully that is not a mystery!), but where is some apparently hidden file on the Mac. As in: "I want to make a backup of my Safari bookmarks file. Where is the file?" Or: "I am looking at the list of 'Preferred networks' in the AirPort section of the Network System Preferences pane. Where exactly is this list stored?"

To help answer these … Read more

More tips for getting out of your cell phone contract to buy an iPhone with Cingular

We previously published a series of tips for getting out your current cell phone contract -- without paying exorbitant termination fees -- and migrating to the (apparently) required 2-year contract with AT&T/Cingular required for iPhone purchase These pointers included roaming outside your network's coverage (more on this below), negotiating (good luck), and schlepping the contract off on a friend or family member (ugh).

Of these tactics, the most commonly successful is the first one mentioned: use loads of minutes while your phone is in "roaming mode" (utilizing another provider's network, which your provider … Read more