This “if you unlocked your iPhone you’ll be bricked” announcement is appalling and in my opinion exceeds all of the [many] recent stumbles. Apple is admitting that there is code out there that can ruin their $400 hardware. Way to let everyone with a vendetta against Apple know the best attack vector for an iPhone virus. iTunes could easily be written to verify the firmware before applying any updates (that’s what hash functions are handy for, such as what they did in the iPod database format).

Despite whatever Apple says this is just a way to make sure they continue to get their vig from the wireless carriers they sold their soul to. Shame on you Apple. Shame on you.

I got a visit from FedEx this morning and finally got to play with this. It runs like a champ. There are only a couple case changes from the 1st gen MBP, namely FireWire 800 and a hidden status light for the built-in iSight (you can only see the light when it’s on, in the off state you just see the silver bezel). Windows Vista RC1 installed like a champ with Parallels Desktop, it can even run full screen while I use OS X on my desktop screen. So far so good, but I’m still busy copying stuff over and making it my own.

Just pulled the trigger on my new favorite possession, a Core 2 Duo equipped MacBook Pro. Should be here next week. My PowerBook has put in over 3 years of service and hasn’t had any significant problems. It will be around 2010 when I upgrade the next time if I keep the MBP as long.

I also snapped up a V640 EV-DO card today for when it comes, as my old PC5740 won’t fit.

Here are the specs:

MacBook Pro, 15-inch, 2.33GHz
3GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 1×2GB, 1×1GB
MacBook Pro 15-inch Widescreen Display
200GB Serial ATA Drive @ 4200 rpm
2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
SuperDrive 6x (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

I took the plunge and ordred a Mac mini to power the living room. It’s not the perfect media center PC, but at least the best on the market. Especially now that I’ll be able to dual-boot into Windows for the rare case that I need use it. The deciding factor was definitely seeing Front Row in action at a friend’s–almost the perfect way to go through music. It also picks up the music of whoever has their computer nearby, so that will be fun at parties (bring your laptop!).

I bought a build-to-order mini last night (1GB ram, 120GB HD) and Apple said it would ship in 2-3 days. It shipped about six hours later and I’ll have it in a few days. Impressive considering I went the free shipping option.

I finally bit the bullet and got an EV-DO card from Verizon Wireless. I use the term EV-DO exclusively thanks to covering this stuff every day for years, but the sales staff call it BroadbandAccess because that’s what VZW’s marketing team came up with. The flacks at the store looked at me a bit cockeyed when I asked for an EV-DO card, and even more so when I said that I use a Mac. But long story short, I now have broadband (130K/s) internet access anywhere I’m at.

I got the Audiovox PC5740 which doesn’t expressly have Mac support, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work. The PC5740 that I got has a much better antenna than the Kyocera KPC650 which has native support with OS X. I know people with both cards and it’s definitely worth the trouble to get the PC5740 working. Both cards install easily on Windows. I followed the directions here and they worked fairly well. The only snag was that the card needs to be activated in a Windows laptop which might be a deal killer if you have no friends.

I had to search around quite a bit to be able to find the directions for free, several shops seem to sell a Mac “BroadbandAccess” support package. It’s completely unnecessary. You don’t need any extra software to connect. I just open Internet connect and hit one key. Now the question is what will I do when I upgrade to a MacBook Pro?

In case the site that I got my directions from goes away, I have an abridged set of the instructions below. Remember you need to activate your card before this will work. (more…)

After reading Rick’s review at MacMerc, I ordered Marware’s PowerBook Protection Pack. The hand rest is awesome. I had some damage on that area in my PB from prior use (thanks oily hands!) so I really wish this came right in the Apple box. Excellent product guys!

I wrote up a more extended review of the iPod nano over at MacMerc. Summary: my iPod mini is dead to me–long live the nano. It’s a really great device. Everyone I have shown it to has been blown away, computer and non-computer folk alike.

Apple has another winner!

I bought a PC with Windows on it today… Yes, you read that right. It’s to test out websites and such, so I haven’t converted. I was able to configure Synergy well enough that I can use my white Apple keyboard and regular Logitech mouse which makes things pretty easy.

Both my laptop and (new) desktop connect into my flat panel since it has both DVI and VGA. With the flick of a wrist to switch Synergy and a touch of a button on the screen I can switch platforms. Very cool and no need to buy a KVM.

As for the machine itself, it’s nothing special. Good deal for the money though.

Plus, now I’ll be able to try out that Google IM client :P.

As noted by Rick, today is the birthday of iCal. When closed the application shows July 17 in its icon. When opened it shows the current date. Neat!

Is iChat down? I haven’t been able to log-in for over an hour. Odd.