I recently ran into an interesting problem.  Running an iOS game caused it to just crash back into the home screen.  What was the problem?  It turned out that I was running too many applications at once.  Beginning with iOS 4 with multitasking, apps don’t automatically close.  You can force an app to close according to Apple’s website by:

Follow these steps to force an app to close:

1. From the Home screen, click the Home button twice.
2. Tap and hold on the app.
3. When it starts to jiggle, tap the to close it.

Repeat this process until you have closed out of all other apps.  (You also have the choice of restarting your iDevice).  Now go ahead and try opening up that that troublesome app.  Chances are it will now be happy to run and not crash on you.  YAY!

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.

Do you ever need to unplug your USB cable from your charger to connect your iDevice to your computer?  Wouldn’t it be easier just to have another cord?  Now you can for a mere dollar…shipped to your door…mind you it does take 3-4 weeks to get your item…but hey…you’ve put it off long enough already right?

Get your cable here: http://www.shop4tech.com/item8984.html?r=500

It’s $1.16 but the price drops to $0.99 when you use the coupon code FM15.  Not sure how long this will last…so pull the trigger if you think you need one. =D

To celebrate the release of Faces for iPhone, Ambrosia software is giving away Mondo Solitaire for tweeting. 

Faces, is an exciting new program that allows you to decorate photos and make funny faces with a mere touch of a button.  Good for laughs, this app is available at an introductory price of only $0.99.

Join the festivities today and get your free copy of Mondo Solitaire for Mac!

http://makefac.es/