"must have" apps for the iphone?

[Jacoby Ellsbury]

Im getting a 32gb touch this week at some point, its coming in the mail. Whats some of the first things I should do. I dont have much ipod experience. I already have protective cases for the back and bestskinsever for the front coming. I have an upgraded set of ear plugs

Should I jailbreak right away?

Ive been checking a few websites to get caught up like ipodtouchfan.com and ilounge and a few app related blogs.

Im working on my car connection. I may just replace my car radio rather than deal with an FM transmitter although I am in the boonies (sort of) and not near major cities so picking up a signal wouldnt be as difficult as some people seem to have. But a decent kenwood radio is like $110(maybe $200 installed with the bells and whistles) with an auxilary input so Im leaning that way.

[flagstone]

One thing I've discovered in going from an iPod classic to a new iPod touch is that the charging mechanism changed at some point. So many of my accessories, including the adapter box that allowed me to connect my iPod in through the CD changer port on my car radio, don't recharge the iPod touch, although the audio output still works. I'm not sure how many other existing car radio adapters have this problem, but if you go that route, you'll need to check for compatibility with the newer iPods if you want to get power in as well as music out.

[jonw9]

Originally Posted by flagstone

One thing I've discovered in going from an iPod classic to a new iPod touch is that the charging mechanism changed at some point. So many of my accessories, including the adapter box that allowed me to connect my iPod in through the CD changer port on my car radio, don't recharge the iPod touch, although the audio output still works. I'm not sure how many other existing car radio adapters have this problem, but if you go that route, you'll need to check for compatibility with the newer iPods if you want to get power in as well as music out.

I ran into this with my wife's Scion as well, with built in ipod controls. Somewhere along the line Apple decided to swap pins, something to do with the elimination of Firewire or something.

There is this, kinda pricey, depending on how much the problem bothers you: http://www.scosche.com/products/sfID...productID/1667

[Jay G.]

Originally Posted by jonw9

Somewhere along the line Apple decided to swap pins, something to do with the elimination of Firewire or something.

Apple first manufactured iPods to connect and charge using Firewire, which all Macs had. Firewire provides 12v power through it. Apple then added USB connectivity, but still required Firewire to charge, as the iPods could only handle 12v power input, and USB only provides 5v of power. Then Apple added USB charging to the iPods, so they could now accept either 5v or 12v power input, provided on different pins of the dock connector.

Seeing as a car's electrical system uses 12v, most car accessories used the "Firewire" 12v power pin for charging, since it doesn't require any conversion. However, the iPhone and newer iPods now only accept the USB 5v power for charging, so none of the old accessories that provided 12v power work.

You don't need an expensive adapter though, since any USB outlet will provide the correct voltage. This $3 car adapter to USB should work:
http://www.meritline.com/square-usb-...--p-28879.aspx

[jonw9]

Hmm, thanks for the background, I wasn't aware of the specifics.

The adapter I posted allows the ipod to be charged, and connect to the (my) car's built-in ipod interface.

It would be easy enough for apple to add a voltage regulator to the ipods and allow all of the old accessories to work, but then nobody would be buying new ones.

[Jay G.]

Originally Posted by jonw9

It would be easy enough for apple to add a voltage regulator to the ipods and allow all of the old accessories to work, but then nobody would be buying new ones.

Apple doesn't make many docking accessories themselves, so it's not really in their interest to break compatibility with older accessories.

Likely, they removed the 12v voltage regulator in order to save space, and some money. From Wikipedia:
Apple discontinued using FireWire for data transfer (while still allowing for use of FireWire to charge the device) in an attempt to reduce cost and form factor. As of the second-generation iPod Touch and the fourth-generation iPod Nano, FireWire charging ability has been removed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod#Connectivity

[Trevor]

Pretty interesting app called Silent Alarm went free today (only?).

When run, it sends an email to whatever you configure, sending the current GPS coordinates. The trick would be in making the title something a thief would run, and keeping it on your home screen would help of course.

[Michael Corvin]

Originally Posted by Trevor

Pretty interesting app called Silent Alarm went free today (only?).

When run, it sends an email to whatever you configure, sending the current GPS coordinates. The trick would be in making the title something a thief would run, and keeping it on your home screen would help of course.

"Free Porn" comes to mind but not really practical if you ever let anyone else use your phone.

[noonan4224]

Now that Catan is out, it is at the top of my must-have list. It's a great port. I can almost see my work productivity taking a dive.

[whotony]

Silent alarm

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/M...306046078&mt=8

catan

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/M...335029050&mt=8

[Trevor]

Ever since the last update, the app store asks for password as soon as I launch it. Used to only ask if I was trying to buy or update an app. Anyone else notice this?

[BigDaddy]

Originally Posted by Trevor

Ever since the last update, the app store asks for password as soon as I launch it. Used to only ask if I was trying to buy or update an app. Anyone else notice this?

I have not had that issue. Only comes up like you said before when I try to buy something.

[BigDaddy]

Originally Posted by Jay G.

Apple first manufactured iPods to connect and charge using Firewire, which all Macs had. Firewire provides 12v power through it. Apple then added USB connectivity, but still required Firewire to charge, as the iPods could only handle 12v power input, and USB only provides 5v of power. Then Apple added USB charging to the iPods, so they could now accept either 5v or 12v power input, provided on different pins of the dock connector.

Seeing as a car's electrical system uses 12v, most car accessories used the "Firewire" 12v power pin for charging, since it doesn't require any conversion. However, the iPhone and newer iPods now only accept the USB 5v power for charging, so none of the old accessories that provided 12v power work.

You don't need an expensive adapter though, since any USB outlet will provide the correct voltage. This $3 car adapter to USB should work:
http://www.meritline.com/square-usb-...--p-28879.aspx

Just wanted to say you are an asset to the forums. You also have good info and back it up.

[al_bundy]

there is now a WalMart app

[Jay G.]

Originally Posted by BigDaddy

Just wanted to say you are an asset to the forums. You also have good info and back it up.

Thanks. I try and always double-check my posts before I make them so I know I'm not talking completely out of my ass.

[al_bundy]

the Girls Gone Wild app was released 6 days ago

[Nefarious]

Originally Posted by Trevor

Ever since the last update, the app store asks for password as soon as I launch it. Used to only ask if I was trying to buy or update an app. Anyone else notice this?

This happened on my wife's after she'd initiated a bunch of updates and then lost data signal before they could complete. Enough time passed that the next time she was trying to go into the app store it was prompting her for the password so it could complete updates. Once it did she didn't have the issue anymore.