One of the things I’m hoping Apple will add to the App Store is the ability to obtain demo copies of programs before you purchase them. As more applications are released, I find myself unwilling to commit even a relatively small amount of money to a program that may not permanently stay on my iPhone. In the majority of instances I cannot determined whether a program will be useful just by reading an iTunes description. Instead what I’d really like is a way to test the program before having to buy it through the App Store. Turns out that web site iSmashPhone has come up with a rather clever way to do this. It requires knowing someone who already owns the program you want to test. And since this all happens via iTunes without any hacking on your part - it seems to be a legitimate (if time consuming way) to test programs before buying them.

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Holy cow - these fakes are getting pretty good. Look quickly and it’s tough to see that this is really labeled as an “NPhone”. It’s an overseas knock-off of the first generation iPhone. What I can’t figure out is that for the $200 they charge you could buy a genuine (and fully warranteed) 3G 8GB iPhone with software upgrade, ability to load App Store programs and best of all - guaranteed to work! I have no idea whether this will even sync to iTunes or hold a charge or cellular signal - but it might be fun to take into Apple’s Genius Bar and try to get them to service it.

NPhone N88 Triband GSM Bluetooth Cell Phone

Ever heard the saying “Those that can - DO, those that can’t - CONSULT?” (apologies to Consultants everywhere). Today I propose a better phrase. Those that can - ship - those that can’t - RENDER. We’re presented with yet another set of rendered (aka photoshopped aka artist renditions of a non-shipping product made to introduce hope that the shipping product will work as well as the photos look) images of what is said to be the upcoming Verizon Blackberry Thunder. While these photos tell us absolutely nothing about stability, features, OS version, memory included or download speed - they sure do look purrrty don’t they?

Blackberry Thunder Touch Screen Images

This caught my eye this morning. It’s a pin-hole spy camera and 1 GB USB drive disguised as a pen. I’m not really in the market for a spy camera - but for $49 this was too quirky not to write about. The site advocates this as “perfect for recording at dissatisfactory customer service counters”. The camera lens is located slightly above the pen clip - and there is a light that glows to warn whoever is being filmed that the camera is active. One of the users of this has provided some additional details on the pen.

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There’s a software update now available for the Sprint Palm Centro. Included in the release are enhancements to Bluetooth performance, improved Gmail IMAP compatibility, better integration with Google Maps, enhanced integration of email sent to Versamail accounts via Microsoft Direct Push and Exchange ActiveSync. The upgrade is only valid on Centro for Sprint phones. If you are using software version 1.07-SPNT or lower you should install this update. Be sure to backup your data before you proceed. The entire upgrade should take about 30 minutes.

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Still without an iPhone 3G? Have you been relentlessly checking the Apple iPhone 3G page that is only available after 9 p.m. each night only to see that the stores near you are sold out? Here’s a neat trick that can let you see real time Apple Store iPhone availability without waiting until after 9 pm. Simply set your computer time manually to be any time after 9pm - then re-visit the Apple iPhone 3G availability page. Instant real time inventory status that you can use during the daytime.

Apple - Check iPhone 3G availability

DealExtreme is advertising this SIM Card Unlock Attachment for the Apple iPhone 3G. These type of SIM unlock cards piggyback your normal SIM and fool the phone into thinking that it is in a special test mode and (according the to the manufacturer) bypassing the check for a specific carrier. We haven’t tested this unlock card - so your mileage may vary. If all goes as advertised, you should have an iPhone 3G for use with any SIM card. Because this is a hardware solution, there is no separate warranty-breaking unlocking required. If the thought of damaging your iPhone is less worrisome than breaking free from the grips of your current carrier - this may be for you.

DealExtreme

All of my email accounts are with Google. At work I use Google Apps for Domains full time for corporate email (Note: Unfortunately this trick doesn’t seem to work yet for domains). Gmail is a great solution for me due to the large amount of free storage space as well as the ability to search all past emails from any web connected computer. However anyone who uses Gmail full time has probably encountered a roadblock where the IT department blocks free email providers like Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc. If you try to log in from a corporate computer you may have been greeted with a DENIED message. Lifehacker has a set of instructions on how to use the iGoogle web page and the GMAIL gadget to setup and read your Gmail - even in places where it might normally be blocked.

lifehacker

Well - this is only a one cent solution for those of you working near a computer (or something with a USB powered port). USBFEVER has the iPod/iPhone compatible cable on sale for .01. Quanities are limited to one per order. If you are only ordering a cable, the next shipment date is August 1. Both black and white colored cables are available. I’ve already purchased one of these and plan on carrying it with me to client offices (where computer with USB ports are plentiful) for the times when my iPhone 3G needs a re-charge mid-day. Plug the cable into any USB port and you’ve got a handy iPhone/iPod charger — without the need to carry a fat wall charger.

USBFever - iPod/iPhone USB - Doc Sync and Charging Cable

Were you able to get your bid in on the prototype McFly Nike shoes (as seen in the movie Back To The Future) that just sold on eBay? These were not the actual shoes worn in the movie though. They were a prototype around which seven different pair of production shoes were designed. The seller claims to have worked in the Nike design department and has the prototype shoe in his possession “because nobody else wanted it at the time”.

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