A Cydia Tweak That Somehow Fixed My iPhone’s Proximity Sensor Issues

Either a persistent iOS bug that hasn’t been fixed on iOS 4.2.1 or a real issue on my device, the proximity sensor isn’t working well on my iPhone 4. I accidentally drop and / or mute calls every once in a while, but not because or low signal or a bad interface scheme I don’t understand: when I bring the iPhone to my ear during a call, the proximity sensor doesn’t dim the screen and prevent skin contact on phone’s buttons as it should. It doesn’t happen all the time but when it does – it’s pretty annoying.

A new tweak available in the Cydia Store at $0.99, CallLock, changes the behavior of the power button during an outgoing / incoming call to make sure that the phone is actually locked, so that the faulty proximity sensor won’t get in the way and no accidental taps will be registered. CallLock locks the iPhone during a call, simple as that.

CallLock comes with two activation methods: manual and auto-lock. The auto mode will lock the iPhone’s screen as soon as a call is connect, manual will override iOS’ default settings to make the power button lock a call, and not end it.

I found CallLock to be a good compromise when it comes to avoiding calls to be dropped and muted, even though you’ll have to unlock your iPhone after each call. If you can accept the trade-off, CallLock is available at $0.99 in the Big Boss’ repository.

Creepy Guy Destroys iPad, Delivers It To Steve Jobs [Video]

I don’t know what’s going on with mysterious website SayHiToSpace.com. Sure, there’s a countdown in there and even links to email and Twitter, but it’s their Youtube channel that creeps me out. Basically, the first video from SayHiToSpace went viral as it featured a creepy guy finding out that the iPad lacked a camera, then destroying it making a hole in the middle of the device with a water jet.

Here’s the first video:

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AutoCAD WS Updated with Retina Graphics, Offline Editing and Email Support

AutoCAD WS for iPhone and iPad was released in late September and it quickly became one of the most popular apps in the App Store – mainly thanks to the huge AutoCAD userbase that was looking forward to being able to edit and share DWG files on mobile devices. The app allows you to preview and annotate drawings using iOS’ multi-touch gestures and save your edits to the AutoCAD WS online workspace.

The 1.1 update, released a few hours ago, brings several new features and optimizations to WS – and it’s going to be an update AutoCAD users will love. First off, offline editing: by activating the option in your online AutoCAD account, you’ll be able to sync an offline copy of a document to the iPhone and iPad, edit it without a 3G or WiFi connection, sync it back to the account once you’re back online. Perfect for iPad WiFi users who carry their tablets around and don’t happen to have an internet connection available all the time.

AutoCAD WS can now also open email attachments: if you receive a DWG or DXF account via email, you can copy it to AutoCAD WS –but you’ll need an internet connection to upload it right after the import process. Among other changes, Retina Display-ready graphics and improved connectivity.

AutoCAD WS is available for free here. Check out the official video detailing offline support in AutoCAD WS below. Read more

Turn Your iDevice into a Monitor with WiFi Baby

I remember when our 2 kids were infants, we monitored them with audio-only monitors, and that wasn’t too long ago. I remember seeing some units that let you install a video monitor but they seemed very expensive at the time. Now Y-Cam has released the WiFi Baby 3G, a Wi-Fi enabled baby monitor that displays HD quality video and audio for daytime and even uses night-vision technology for night-time monitoring.

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Find My iPhone App Helps Police Track Down Thief In Singapore

We have heard stories like this one before, and it looks like Apple’s Find My iPhone service keeps on helping police and iPhone owners track down thieves. The latest story comes from Singapore, where the Straits Times is reporting a 18-year-old Malaysian man was tracked down by the police thanks to Find My iPhone in less than 48 hours.

Early on Sunday morning, the 36-year-old victim was walking along Lim Liak Street when an unknown man approached her from behind and snatched away her iPhone which she was holding.

After the victim lodged a report, the ‘Find My iPhone’ application was used to help the police track down the suspect.

With the release of iOS 4.2 in November, Apple made Find my iPhone free. The service officially supports only last generation devices, but it’s quite easy to set up on older units.

Rise Alarm Wakes You Up In Style - Review & Giveaway

iOS bugs aside, I’ve been using Apple’s default clock app for years to set my alarms, quick reminders and check on world’s time zones. Rise Alarm by Ken Yarmosh, though, is a nicer alternative to the Clock app, which comes with both an iPhone and iPad version and lots of options to choose from.

Rise Alarm sports a great design, a variety of sounds to customize the alarm clock experience and an intuitive user interface based on gestures. Can it replace the default Clock app? Read more

iPad 2 Coming in February 2011?

According to a new report from Digitimes, the iPad 2 may ship as early as February 2011 – in less than 100 days now. Foxconn’s plants in Shenzen have been recently notified that initial shipments, due in February, will reach 400,000 - 600,000 units:

The sources pointed out that the iPad 2 will ship as soon as the end of February in 2011. Apple originally planned to start mass production in January, but because the device’s firmware is currently still in testing, Apple has been postponing the schedule. Since Foxconn’s new plants in Chengdu are still in pilot production, iPad 2 will be mainly supplied by its Shenzhen plants, while the company’s upstream component partners have all been notified of the shipments schedule.

Rumors surfaced in November suggested that Apple would include a FaceTime camera in the next iPad, USB ports, Retina Display and a gyroscope. It is also believed that Largan Precision has been selected to be the camera lens maker of the next generation iPad.

Foxconn, of course, declined to comment on the new rumors.

Andy Rubin, Android Creator: “Everybody Is Embracing The iPhone”→

Andy Rubin, Android Creator: “Everybody Is Embracing The iPhone”

Andy Rubin, speaking at the D: Dive into Mobile event:

Rubin has some relatively nice things to say about the iPhone. “I think everybody is embracing the iPhone. They are pretty open.” Rubin said that most developers actually are having a pretty easy time getting their apps approved by Apple.

Kara: How do you consider Apple as a competitor?

Certainly they make great products, Rubin says–robust, solid, good user experiences. A lot of consistency across applications. More recently I see them getting involved in the other end of the spectrum–services like a bookstore, the app store.

Consistency across applications and devices. Something Google is perhaps underestimating? I’m excited for the changes introduced in today’s Android update, anyway. Gingerbread looks like a solid OS with lots of refinements, and the Nexus S might be the first Android phone I’m going to use on a regular basis. Problem is, I’ll have to find an unlocked one here.

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