Exciting news!  Beginning last Sunday, AT&T lets iPhones that are no longer part of a contract to be unlocked (this means that you can use another carrier that uses a SIM card).  This is a welcome change.

According to MacRumors:

Beginning Sunday, April 8, we will offer qualifying customers the ability to unlock their AT&T iPhones. The only requirements are that a customer’s account must be in good standing, their device cannot be associated with a current and active term commitment on an AT&T customer account, and they need to have fulfilled their contract term, upgraded under one of our upgrade policies or paid an early termination fee.

So what do you need to do to get your phone unlocked?  The worst way according to ZDNet is by phone.  It’s better to go either in-store or to chat online.  All AT&T needs to get the handset unlocked is the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of the iPhone.  You can find that by going to Settings > General > About and then scrolling down until you get to the 15 digit number.

I’m sure we’ll be seeing fresh life to many older iPhones.  Cheers!

With the release of FileMaker 12 a new version of the mobile app for iPhone and iPad was also released.  FileMaker Go 12 is a free app unlike FileMaker Go 11 which was sold separately for $40.  What’s the catch?  The new FileMaker Go can only interface with databases created with the new FileMaker 12 and will not work with previous versions.  By adding the mobile portion as standard fare, it gives existing users of FileMaker a very strong case to upgrade to the latest version as well as attracts new users to the premium database creator.  A user can upgrade to the new version for a mere $179.00 as long as they own version 9 or later.  Upgrade eligibility for version 9 is only for a limited time until September 27, 2012.

According to the press release:

Some of the new features of FileMaker Go 12 include:

•     Multitasking support — Pick up right where you left off
when you return to FileMaker Go from other apps.
•     Improved media integration — Add media files and
play them back directly from FileMaker Go.
•     Export data in multiple formats — Export your data
from FileMaker Go in formats such as Excel, CSV, TAB, or
HTML files.
•     Enhanced container fields — Instantly stream movies
and music from your device without any data storage limit
concerns.

What beta users are saying about FileMaker Pro 12 and FileMaker Go 12 for iPad and iPhone

“FileMaker Pro 12 is a great update,” says Dean T. Bingham, president, db Digital Design.  “I have converted all of my previous information to FileMaker Pro 12 and everything works flawlessly. I have used the slick new Starter Solutions to extend the functionality of my databases – and the ease of building forms from scratch, with the compatibility of desktop, iPad and iPhone formats, is a huge boon.”

According to IT and facility manager James Pierson, Rampart Hydro Services, “The use of FileMaker Go 12 enables us to get timely and consistent data from the field eliminating the hodgepodge of spreadsheets, hard-copy forms, and the odd flap torn off an old cardboard box. I love the idea of FileMaker Go specific script steps, making it easier to take advantage of the growing capabilities of iOS.”

“Thanks to FileMaker Pro 12 and its ease of extension to iOS devices, creating a full-on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for small business will take a lot less time and effort than I ever imagined,” says George Page, president, Sea Breeze Farm.

For more details, check out the datasheet for the latest FileMaker Go 12 which is available here.   The new FileMaker Go 12 is available in the Apple App Store.

GoodReader, the app we just reviewed got updated with Support for the  AFP Protocol.  Support for AFP, the standard protocol which all Mac computers use to share folders on a local network, makes it easier to connect from GoodReader to a Mac for sharing files between the desktop and mobile device.  GoodReader users have already been able to exchange files between their iOS devices and their Macs using other protocols, such as WebDAV, FTP and SFTP, but supporting AFP makes the process easier than ever because it is the native protocol for Mac OS and requires practically zero set-up. Users simply turn on file-sharing and they are ready to share files between their Macs and mobile devices for viewing in GoodReader.  Not only is AFP the Mac OS standard protocol for sharing folders on a local network, it is also used by Apple Time Capsule, a 1, 2 or 3 TB standalone hard drive with WiFi access that Mac users often use to wirelessly backup their Macs, as well as by a number of other 3rd-party network-attached storage drives. GoodReader’s support for AFP now makes it easier for users to exhange files with such drives directly from GoodReader, without using a computer.

The new version of GoodReader also makes it easier to find servers on a local WiFi network for wirelessly sharing files. GoodReader’s “Local Servers (via WiFi)” section now uses Bonjour to find local AFP, SFTP, FTP, WebDAV and HTTP servers automatically. The update also includes a host of other user interface improvements, including the ability to publish several iCloud files at once, and the new “Back to reading” button, which instantly takes the reader to the last read file, saving from the hassle of finding the file in the folder hierarchy.

Tired of metered usage by carriers like AT&T and Verizon?  Can’t watch your videos or stream music from Google Music because of the lousy cap?  Look no further as Sprint brings us – UNLIMITED DATA PLANS!!!  For $110 a month you’ll have unlimited everything – voice, data, text, and even GPS navigation.  That sure beats AT&T where you pay $70 for your talk and $15 (200MB) -$45 (4GB) for data bringing costs to $85 and $115 respectively (prices rounded to nearest USD). 

The iPhone4S will cost $199.99 for the 16GB, $299.99 for the 32GB, and $399.99 for the 64GB with a 2 year contract.  Also, the iPhone 4 is available beginning today and will cost only $99.99 with a 2 year contract.

Here’s what Sprint offers for their individual plans:

Individual Plans

Personally as I don’t use many minutes, I am thinking that the $80 plan may be best for me as I rely heavily upon emails, texting, and VoIP applications which would give me additional voice capabilities.  iPhone coming to Sprint is a great thing for the consumer as it provides some healthy competition, in my opinion.

You though it would be a straight jump to iPhone 5, eh?  Well think again!  Following the tradition of going from 3G to 3GS, the iPhone 4G will be followed by the 4S.  Let’s of improvements again – dual core processor, a better 8MP camera that can also shoot 1080p video, iOS 5, iCloud, and the most interesting new feature – Siri, the intelligent assistant.

Siri, supposedly will be able to send messages, set reminders, and search for information using voice recognition technology.  I like the idea, but how accurate will it be?  It would be rather embarrassing if a text message were transcribed incorrectly….I have already seen some pretty messed up transcriptions using Google voice. 

With all of this coming, you can now get an 8GB iPhone 3GS for free from AT&T with a 2 year contract.  For iPhone 4’s the prices will remain at $99 with a 2 year agreement.

So the question is:   Will you get an iPhone 4S?  Or will you perhaps opt for an older iPhone now that everything has become even more affordable to get on the iOS band wagon?