QuickPwn for Macintosh Released

Yesterday the iPhone Dev Team released QuickPwn (the Torrent link) for Macintosh. This is the Macintosh OS X version of the same tool they released for Windows users several weeks ago.

The different between this tool and the Pwnage Tool the iPhone Dev Team has also released for the Macintosh is that the QuickPwn will not require a restore using iTunes, therefore a bit friendlier to layman iPhone users (junior hackers) who need to unlock and jailbreak their iPhone (1st generation) or jailbreak their iPhone 3G. iPhone Dev Team says the Pwnage Tool will still be enhanced and supported as it will be the tool for iPhone users who like to customize their .IPSW package for the iPhone.

I personally have not yet use this tool as my iPhone has already been upgraded to iPhone firmware 2.0.2 using the Pwnage Tool for Macintosh.

Please feel free to share your experiences; either good or bad, here via comments.

Movie Review: Made of Honor

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My Rating: 3Stars

This evening I saw the movie “Made of Honor” at AMC Theater, Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong.

I had not plan to see this movie hence, I did not include it into my Must See Movies list. I was happy to say that I was presently surprised.

Patrick Dempsey played a perfect playboy, Thomas ‘Tom’ Bailey who did not have a care in the world because he invented the coffee cup collar and now lives off its royalties. Michelle Monaghan from The Bourne Supremacy, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Mission: Impossible III and the soon to release Eagle Eye was a perfect match to Dempsey’s character.

Like movies that came before it, Julia RobertsRunaway Bride and My Best Friend’s Wedding it had the hero not realizing the best thing he has is right in front of him. So the plot of the movie tells the story of how the hero tries to win the heron over.

If there was more to the plot I would have given this movie more penguins. In either case, it is an enjoyable women’s movie.

Rating Legend:
5Stars Not to be missed
4Stars Wait for the DVD
3Stars Buy from iTunes Store
2Stars Rent it on iTunes
1Stars Waste your time elsewhere

Upgrading My iPhone (1st gen) to 2.0.2

After Apple released the iPhone firmware 2.0.2 over a week ago and the rumored fixes it contains, which suppose to resolve many of the issues introduced by the iPhone firmware 2.0. I was eager to be able to upgrade my iPhone (1st generation). Unfortunately, my iPhone was jailbroken and unlocked, so I had to wait for the hacking community; mainly iPhone Dev Team, to release a tool that will allow me to upgrade my pwned iPhone.

The iPhone Dev Team did introduce such a tool (Pwnage Tool 2.0.3) several days ago, but quickly pulled it off its server after several hours. Dispointed but happy that iPhone Dev Team reacted quickly on a bug that they found to be serious.

Yesterday, they finally released a new version of the Pwnage Tool 2.0.3.1 that resolved all know issues. I quickly downloaded it and after giving it 24 hours began to upgrade my iPhone.

I was happy to report that my iPhone upgraded successfully and all the issues I’ve had in the past with my iPhone running pre-2.0.2 firmware had all disappeared. Particularly the slowness when typing a message.

Comment on: Swedish Engineers Test iPhone 3G’s Antenna

Today I ready the following report from iPhone Hacks…

Some analysts have reported that the problem is with the Infineon chip that Apple has used in iPhone 3G, while there are others who believe that the issue is with the carriers such as AT&T who has a relatively young 3G network…

… They concluded that the results were completely normal…

… A difference of 4 to 6 dB could have indicated that there is a something wrong.

Read the full story.

I think the critics need to be a little bit less harsh on Apple on this whole iPhone 3G reception thing.

Yes, the reported iPhone 3G reception issue is not restricted to the USA, iPhone 3G users in Australia also have similar issues.

The thing is that both these countries do not have mature 3G cellular network cities, let alone national coverage.

Here in Hong Kong, all 5 cellular carriers: CSL, PCCW, Three, Smartone-Vodafone, People, have 3G network coverage for over 5 years.

You should see the number of cellular antennas here in the city, much smaller than most Australian and American cities.

It is expected to receive perfect cellular coverage within office buildings, malls and subway trains.

I personally have not use the iPhone 3G, because I am very happy with my “2G” iPhone (unlocked and jailbroken). I also had not heard of anyone I know who owns an iPhone 3G in Hong Kong complains about receptions either.

It is good that Apple tries to take responsibilities on the ultimate user experience of iPhone 3G owners, but the carriers (especially the less mature 3G operators) need too also.

PS: carriers in India is selling the iPhone 3G at very high prices even when compared to the rest of Asia, and they don’t even have a functional 3G network.

Joke: Life Lesson 7

Story

A middle aged woman had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. While on the operating table she had a near death experience. Seeing God She asked “Is my time up?” God said, “No, you have another 43 years, 2 months and 8 days to live.”

Upon recovery, the woman decided to stay in the hospital and have a facelift, liposuction, and a tummy tuck. She even had someone come in and change her hair color. Since she had so much more time to live, she figured she might as well make the most of it.

After her last operation, she was released from the hospital. While crossing the street on her way home, she was killed by an ambulance.

Arriving in front of God, she demanded, “I thought you said I had another 40 years? Why didn’t you pull me from out of the path of the ambulance?”

God replied, “I didn’t recognize you!”

Continue reading “Joke: Life Lesson 7”

Joke: Life Lesson 6

Story

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.

While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out!

He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.

A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate.

Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Continue reading “Joke: Life Lesson 6”

Joke: Life Lesson 5

Story

A turkey was chatting with a bull.

“I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree” sighed the turkey, “but I haven’t got the energy.”

“Well, why don’t you nibble on some of my droppings?” replied the bull. They’re packed with nutrients.”

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.

The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.

Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.

He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Continue reading “Joke: Life Lesson 5”

Movie Review: Get Smart

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My Rating: 4Stars

This evening I saw the movie “Get Smart” at AMC Theater, Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong.

It was not one of the movies very high up on my Must See Movies list, but since there was a typhoon in Hong Kong and there was nothing else to watch other than the 2008 Olympic games
on TV.

I was presently surprised by the movie, particularly Steve Carell of the Almighty franchise: Evan Almighty and Bruce Almighty fame. He played the character Maxwell Smart very well, giving it the same style that Don Adams made famous, Mel Brooks created in the TV Show of the same name from the late 60s. I believe Carell’s performance would have made Adams proud if he was alive.

Of course talking about Maxwell Smart, aka Agent 86, one cannot forget his partner, Agent 99, in this movie played by Anne Hathaway. Who did a great job in bring the character that Barbara Feldon had made famous from the 60s TV show.

All in all, for the Get Smart fans, I believe this is a good tribute to the 60s character. The writers, Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember had set up the movie to have the potential to become yet another franchise if the box offices show good results.

Rating Legend:
5Stars Not to be missed
4Stars Wait for the DVD
3Stars Buy from iTunes Store
2Stars Rent it on iTunes
1Stars Waste your time elsewhere