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.

4G is cropping up everywhere.  Even NetZero started offering mobile broadband via 4G a couple of weeks ago.  Without going into service quality, how do the different providers fare in terms of bottom line pricing?  Get ready for a bird’s eye view on pricing with the most popular 4G providers.  We’ll be looking at both the cost of equipment (no contract) as well as service.  Read past the jump to find out everything you ever wanted to know about 4G pricing…

Read More …

PhatPad, a popular note-taking and collaboration program for the iPad, recently got updated.  Adding Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish languages to supported language mix, PhatWare also has added optimizations to take full advantage of the high-resolution Retina Display.

PhatPad’s key features include:

· Smooth-flowing digital ink technology, which lets iPad users scribble notes as if they are writing on real paper;

· The ability to combine drawing, handwritten text, images, and digital text on the same document page to create media-rich content;

· A powerful multilingual handwriting recognition engine, which automatically converts handwritten notes into text;

· Voice notes – record, play, and use in presentation mode;

· An advanced Presentation mode, which supports a VGA monitor and allows recording and playing presentations by synchronizing document pages and voice;

· PhatPad Document sharing using Dropbox synchronization, Google Docs and Evernote upload, direct access via WiFi or iTunes, and email;

· Printing to a printer on wireless network via AirPrint.

The beauty of PhatPad as a note-taking, collaboration and brainstorming tool, is that it allows users to draw pictures, jot notes, or put a mixture of pictures, drawings, handwritten and typed text on a virtual scratch pad. The included handwriting recognition engine allows PhatPad users to convert previously recorded handwritten notes into digital text, and edit text using either the handwriting input panel or the keyboard.

PhatPad 2.1 is available in the iTunes App Store at a reduced price of only $4.99. The price includes handwriting recognition in a language of the user’s choice. Support for additional languages can be purchased in-app for just $2.99 per language. The US English Medical dictionary is also available for PhatPad for $4.99. For more information about PhatPad, visit PhatWare’s web site at http://www.phatware.com/phatpad.

The Nexus S 4G will be the first Sprint device to get Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest and greatest new version of Android.  So what will Nexus S 4G users be in for?

According to the press release, Android 4.0 adds numerous enhancements and new features, including:

· A refined, evolved user interface that is simple, beautiful and useful

· Android Beam™: quickly share web pages, apps, contacts and YouTube™ videos with your friends by simply tapping two Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled phones together

· Redesigned camera, which introduces panorama mode, effects like silly faces and background replacement and a powerful photo editor

· Data Usage helps you avoid data overage charges by allowing you to instantly see your data usage for any period of time or any app – and get notified before reaching your limit; you can even restrict background data for individual apps

· Web browser now lets you sync Google Chrome™ bookmarks, request full desktop versions of sites, see your open tabs in a new layout and even store web pages for offline reading

· People: browse friends, family and coworkers, see their photos in high-resolution and check their latest status updates from Google+ and other social networks

· Improved keyboard with incredibly accurate typing, an inline spell checker and improved copy and paste support

· New Calendar app that lets you add events quickly, sync with Google Calendar™ or Microsoft Exchange and even pinch to adjust your calendar display

· Redesigned Gmail™ app that now lets you swipe between conversations to catch up quickly, and search for emails even without a data connection

· Google+ integration that lets you hangout and video chat with up to 10 friends using your front-facing camera

If you have any questions about this update, help can be found on Sprint’s forums.