SimCity for the iPhone

I found this great review and video of Simcity done by AppVee (great source for iPhone App News and Reviews - get their review app from the AppStore) for the iPhone/Touch that is now available via the AppStore.

It’s hard to believe that there are people out there who haven’t played SimCity before. This series of games is one of the most legendary simulation games to have ever graced a computer screen. If you’re a fan of the franchise, enjoy sim games, or you’re just looking for something new that you can sink your teeth into and keep coming back for more, definitely check out SimCity for the iPhone and iPod Touch, you won’t be disappointed.

For more info please check out AppVee for this and other great reviews.

[Video and Review via AppVee]

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

Unlocked iPhone 3Gs Sold In Taiwan

The iPhone 3G debuted last week in Taiwan, where Apple is partnered with the country’s largest mobile operator, Chunghwa Telecom. However, despite claims to the contrary by Chunghwa, that relationship may not be entirely exclusive.

A report in Digitimes suggests that the handsets being sold in Taiwan are not actually locked for use with Chunghwa’s network, even though the company says they can only be used on its network. Many users who’ve bought the phones are saying that inserting a SIM card from a different provider works fine, though it does mean that users can’t access Chunghwa’s special web services.

That fact might make Taiwan very attractive as a market for iPhones to be used in other countries where the device isn’t available yet. However, one barrier to that is the fact that the iPhone is relatively expensive in Taiwan, carrying a pricetag of NT$26,600 (~US$800) for an 8GB model with no contract. And, as illicitly unlocked iPhones seem to have long been making their way to Asian markets at lower prices, the price premium may be seen as excessive. One advantage, however, is that a legally-distributed unlocked iPhone would likely carry less risk of being made inoperable by a future Apple software update.

Taiwanese iPhones aren’t the only ones to be sold legitimately unlocked: France and Hong Kong are also among the countries that have offered unlocked iPhones.

Apple vs AT&T?

Apple and AT&T are reportedly butting heads when it comes to various aspects of future distribution of the iPhone. The recent addition of nearly 4,000 distribution centers through big box retailer Walmart has seemingly opened the floodgates internally.

Sources at AT&T explain that the addition of Walmart was more of an AT&T initiative than that of Apple. Additionally, future iPhone rate plans will be tailored to Apple’s liking as the iPhone family grows in diversity.

“We want the iPhone sold everywhere. Every single time another retailer gets mentioned, it just adds fuel to the fire,” a source at AT&T explained. When asked directly about Costco, Sam’s Club, Sears, Radioshack and Target as future iPhone retailers, they answered “The only place that hasn’t been mentioned lately is Radio Shack. Aside from that, most retailers are seen as opportunities.” Does this mean that Costco Sam’s Club and Target will begin selling the iPhone soon? Not likely, but it does confirm that AT&T has most of them on its radar.

As soon as the iPhone was released back in 2007, many people anticipated that Radioshack would begin selling the device and that it could potentially save the company. However, nearly 18 months later Radioshack still isn’t carrying the iPhone even though AT&T is setup through a high number of Rasioshack’s physical outlets. Conflicting interests between carriers, retailers and actual geographic locations of storefronts play into AT&T’s decisions with the iPhone’s distribution. It just hasn’t yet worked out with Radioshack.

The addition of Walmart as a distribution point for Apple’s iPhone is seen as a great move by most analysts. Apple is gaining nearly 4,000 physical locations that will sell the iPhone, and AT&T of course benefits greatly from every iPhone sold. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster estimates that Apple could sell nearly 4.5 million iPhones in 2009 only through Walmart.

As Apple expands its global position with the iPhone 3G, AT&T is not going to lie dormant. Because of subsidization and long-term revenue, AT&T of course wants the iPhone sold at as many possible places nationwide. Adding as many distribution centers as possible is a high priority for the cell carrier. Where it gets sticky is when AT&T and Apple’s intentions conflict.

The prepaid iPhone that AT&T promised consumers this past summer is a prime example of this. The cell carrier promised a $599 8GB iPhone, or a $699 16GB iPhone without the need for a long term contract. A few reasons as to why we haven’t seen this from AT&T make some sense, but some information is not being mentioned. Even though Apple does make money long-term based on every iPhone subscriber that joins AT&T’s network, they also make direct revenue based on actual hardware sales. It’s believed that Apple has been pushing for the prepaid contract-free iPhone, while AT&T has remained firm on delaying the release in order to force people into two year contracts. Expect this to change either early next year, or possibly with a late holiday blitz put on by AT&T in a brute attempt to sway potential customers into iPhone purchases. 
The relationship between Apple and AT&T has evolved into much more of a communicative partnership than Apple is generally known for. The intense legal pressure that both companies have been put under since launching the iPhone 3G has made them work together and share more information. This does not mean that Apple informs AT&T of all of its future plans. But it does mean that any future plans that may affect AT&T’s network, such as distribution, AT&T is more than aware of. Most likely, at this point in the partnership they are involved in those final decisions.

Additionally, we expect AT&T to focus extensively on iPhone packages and data rates in the near future. As Apple expands and diversifies its iPhone line, AT&T will be on board to cater its network as Apple needs. Expect small price drops in monthly rate plans and more flexibility in terms of customers picking their needed usage amounts. AT&T’s exclusivity with the iPhone is expected to last into 2012, however we believe it could be quietly extended even longer than initially expected.

First AT&T does Online Sales and Now Refurbished iPhone 3G’s

AT&T has refurbished 3G iPhones up for sale on their site. The 8GB black sells for only $149 with a new 2 year contract, and both the white and black 16GB versions are $249 with contract.

Apple Get A Mac Holiday Ads 2008

Probably (& understandably) lost in all the 3G Software Unlock news was the fact that Apple has posted two new animated Christmas Get A Mac ads.

The first ad entitled ‘I Can Do Anything’ features PC excited about how since they’re animated they can do anything. They can float in the air, build things quickly, and talk to animals. PC then talks to a little bunny who is going to the Apple Store and proceeds to knock a snowman on top of the bunny.

The second ad entitled ‘Tree Trimming’ features PC and Mac working together to decorate a Christmas Tree. Mac tells PC how nice it is to put aside their differences and work together. When they plug in the Christmas lights, PC has placed them in a way that reads ‘PC Rules’.

I Can Do Anything

Tree Trimming

iPhone 3G Unlock Officially Announced - Code Name: Yellowsn0w - Release Date: News Years Eve

‘Tis the Season to be Jolly!

Now that you guys have got used to the sunburn and blindness caused by the glare of the Dev Taems new blog template, we can get back to normal business. We’ll give you some updates and also tell you our schedule for the festive season.

Over the Christmas break some of the Dev Team members will be talking at the Chaos Computer Club’s 25C3 Congress. This talk will be a juicy technical talk relating to iPhone platform and their previous exploits. You can see more information about the talk “Hacking the iPhone”. There is even a super-cool TeamPwnapple T-Shirt

The Dev Team have been working hard on a few other things. The main one being the 3G unlock codenamed “yellowsn0w”. This is now completed and is currently being packaged into a user-friendly application with the simplicity that you see in QuickPwn or BootNeuter.

* The target release date for the unlock is New Year’s Eve 2008.
* This unlock method is available to iPhone 3Gs that have 2.11.07 baseband or earlier, they did warn you.
* The unlock requires a jailbroken 3G iPhone.

DFU Problems

Lots of users have been experiencing problems with the use of DFU mode after applying yesterday’s 10.5.6 system update.

The Dev’s believe this behavior is due to a kernel bug not a specific countermeasure by Apple. Possible fixes are (try at your own risk!) -

1. Replace the following plugin kexts from within IOUSBFamily.kext with the ones from 10.5.5 and then rebuild kextcache (if you don’t understand this, then you shouldn’t attempt it!)

/System/Library/Extensions/IOUSBFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleUSBHub.kext

/System/Library/Extensions/IOUSBFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/IOUSBCompositeDriver.kext

2. Use a USB hub in-between the DFU device and the Mac and insert/reinsert the iPhone’s USB cable.

3. Use a PwnageTool created .ipsw on Windows! Oh the irony!

iPod touch 2G

Currently the Dev Team are not investigating the iPod touch 2G. Other people outside the Dev-Team are looking into this, but they are not at the moment. Please don’t hassle them with comments and requests about this, they’ll just be deleted and ignored. If they do look at this device it will be sometime in the New Year and they’ll inform you guys if and when they commence this work.

The Dev Team would like to reiterate that this is not because -

1. They are mean
2. They are turning our back on the iPod touch community
3. They have been paid off by JFK, Princess Diana or Elvis

This is because -

1. They have been busy with the 3G unlock.
2. They have been busy with the CCC talk.
3. Only one of them has a iPod touch 2G (but we’ll see what Santa brings)
4. Their employers don’t get as excited as us about hacking expensive pretty devices
5. Unfortunately their partners, parents and pets need occasional attention too.

Great news!!

[via DevTeamBlog]

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts