Jeff Cutler – columns, essays and opinions

Last weekend I was off the grid. It wasn’t my plan to be without Internet or mobile access to all my digital pursuits (crutches) like Twitter and Foursquare and Tumblr. But Apple made it all possible by bricking my iPhone.

To be clear and fair and upfront, it’s not really Apple’s fault. It’s mine. I’ve been running a jailbroken and unlocked iPhone since the marvelous device came out. I have nothing against Apple, but I am loathe to do business with AT&T as they create moving targets in their terms of service, their data and voice plans and their overall presence in the marketplace.

As an example, they recently rescinded their promise that unlimited data plans for the iPad would be the norm. Now, if you buy an iPad you’re locked into a proprietary carrier (even though Apple and AT&T beg to differ and say your device is unlocked) and a horrid data plan.

That’s right. The SIM card in the iPad is only available as of this writing via AT&T in the United States. And the data plans offered now cap at 2GB of data use. How stupid is that? (By the way, T-Mobile might get the next iPhone)

Well, for a company that wants to make money it’s not stupid at all. AT&T probably saw that HD video and other content was coming for the iPad and wanted to capitalize on the added useage. They tried to explain that this pay-for-what-you-use model was better for most users. What they didn’t really tell the general public was that the heavy users of these devices are the ones who are most vocal in new media, most aware of technology limitations and restrictions, and most likely to fight for ALL users’ rights if restrictions were put in place.

I’m one of those users – though I don’t have an iPad yet. I have a USB modem with which I regularly go past the 5GB limit (lucky for me Verizon is true to its word and has grandfathered me into a true ‘unlimited’ plan which is what I pay for).

But I digress. How did I get bumped back into the 1970s? I’m an idiot. I tried to get my 3G iPhone to work a little better and upgraded it using some software at iClarified.com. This has worked a bunch of times in the past and the folks at iClarified are geniuses. They even told people like me that it was better to wait before upgrading because the risk of damaging your iPhone was pretty high until after the release of Apple iPhone OS 4.0.

I didn’t listen.

I flew too close to the sun.

I wanted speed and wanted to use applications that would only run on 3.1.3 as that number was growing and my older OS (3.1.2) was leaving me with more and more apps I couldn’t run.

So I did the upgrade and now my iPhone is a heavy iPod Touch with a camera. No SIM card works in it (except an AT&T one) and I had to buy a Droid over the weekend just to make phone calls.

Well, what’s the purpose of this mini rant? Do I want Apple to reward me for hacking their phone? Do I want AT&T to wake up and reinstitute unlimited plans? Do I just want to share my idiocy with the masses?

A mix of all of that. Right now I feel like a dolt because I’m using a Droid phone that doesn’t work nearly as well as the iPhone and I’m a little bitter.

I’m also acutely aware that I never want to be hostage in a no-grid situation. I will gladly put my Internet away and unplug, but I want it to be on my terms.

What’s the marketing takeaway here? That in order to remain in control of your digital life, you must spend a good amount of time researching your options, be aware that you are going to run into tech regret from time to time, and that speaking loudly about injustices like measured data plans is the only way we’ll ever enjoy true tech freedom.

I wandered around a bit here today. What are your thoughts on measured service, tech hacking, Apple and other Web-related news? Share in the comments.

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Tags: Apple, AT&T, ipad, iPhone, Jeff Cutler, samsung, SIM, t-mobile

Guest Post by Philip Zannini

With just a day left to go before the big Apple event at the Yerba Buena center to announce the new tablet, slate, big iPod, iPony whatever the thing will be called, I felt a pressing need to go on record somewhere I could be heard with my prediction.

Now, you might be having some premonitions if you’ve looked at the title of the post (yes, it is a tip of the hat to Caddy Shack BTW) and you’re probably feeling pretty DARN good about knowing where I’m going. Well, you’re absolutely probably pretty somewhere in the right church, I have no idea if you’re in the right pew – or even if this church has pews or chairs. But iDigress.

Yes, my prediction is that on the 27th of this month Apple is about to launch is first bonafide (say it like Colonel Potter from the old MASH TV series) turd since the G4 Cube (pretty as that was too). And I know you’re saying “But PhillyMac! Dude! You’re an Apple fanboy, an iPhone developer (http://ventipixel.com) – heck you even hosted a popular Mac podcast and everything! How can you say that!?” The answer is: easy.

If all the rumors turn out to be true. If Apple does not surprise us with a completely different device and form factor than we’re getting all indications of, this is going to be a big stinker of a product. It’s going to be the slickest, most high powered heavily marketed chocolate snake since the Edsel. Yes it’s true. And I know I say this at the risk of angering many fans, but my job (as I see it) is to speak the truth.

The tablet market has been one going nowhere and had no one (except for Bill Gates) caring about it for a very long time. OK, OK. Fine, there’s a very small niche that actually does give a crap. But that’s it. This market has no broad or radical opportunities in it like the mobile phone market did, where every device had been crippled by the carriers demands, the tablet has been open forever.

I know. This is Apple! This is Steve Jobs, not Bill Gates! This is Johnny Ives, this is a new and better touch interface! (Well, in theory that’s supposed to be one of the big selling points anyway). And you’re right. It’s all of those! None of them make not a hanging chad worth of difference. This thing is still going to be one of the biggest loads laid at 1 Infinite loop since they had to grab the pooper scooper to pick up the Pippin droppings.

First there’s the price. Heads up here. We’re in a bit of a squeeze right now economically if you hadn’t noticed. This makes a difference when selling a computing device. Oh, sure, Mac sales are still up in a crazy manner. I’ll give you that. But those sales are up on machines that people are using as their daily driver. you know, camera, keyboards, track pads. All the standard inputs that make computers work – especially if you like to do things like say… oh, type an post like this one. Rumors are that this iStinker is going to be between $700-1000 dollars. That would make it a primary machine – not a secondary device like a netbook that you’re going to keep in the living room for your three year old to use as a step stool or a frizbee. Got it? Price on this will be a BIG barrier to entry. #PriceFAIL.

Second, there’s the price. No, I didn’t make a mistake, I just said the same thing. It applies differently. Just as price is an issue that will keep this from being the secondary machine, price is also the issue to keep it from being the new Kindle or whatever book reader thingy you’re going to get. Yes, yes. It has a color screen. Whoopee! So what!? So does my MacBook! But you’re saying that I can watch movies on it too! I know! I can do that on my MacBook already! And you know what, I can read eBooks on my MacBook too! With my external monitor, I can even flip it and use the portrait mode to make it even BIGGER to read Oh, wait. I know, you’re going to tell me it has a great new touch interface. Great. See point one in the paragraph above. #PriceFAIL2.

Third, there’s the market. I know I already mentioned it, but I wanted to make sure you knew it was firmly on my list. Pay attention now or I’m going to box your ears. NO-BODY (except Alex Lindsay, Leo Laporte, Andy Ihnatko and Scott Bourne) want this thing. No one cares! This is one of those things that people at Apple are going to look back at and say “What the bloody hell were we thinking?” This isn’t like the mobile market where we were all desperate for a phone that could really work well and connect us. None of us want to use a tablet. I don’t want writing input, I type about three times faster (at least ) than I can write and when I’m done I can READ what I’ve written. I don’t care if I can use coverflow to find my document if it means that I have to type everything into that document with a virtual keyboard. Sure, I use the one on my iPhone – but that’s my PHONE. #MarketFAIL

Fourth, the size is wrong, Wrong, WRONG. The beauty of my iPhone is that it fits in my pocket. This would fit into my back pack – where it would have to share room with my MacBook because I need a device that has a keyboard and a mouse for all my standard input needs. I don’t care if I can touch the screen to move stuff – I’ve already got enough issues and have to have an expensive chair and weekly chiropractic visits to keep me well enough to function. Having to reach around on the darn input device like I’m drawing on an easel or on a real pad would put me in even more pain. But back to my original point here, it’s the wrong size. This isn’t the device I throw in my pocket with my Blistex and my license. It’s big, I can’t carry it around without thought and it is (as I’ve mentioned already) a secondary device. Let’s see, pick up the baby or spare another hand for the iDoody. Hmmm. #SizeFAIL.

People, please understand. As much as I love Apple. As much as I’d like this new device to revolutionize the world like the iPod and the iPhone – this ain’t it. As much as I love His Steveness, this is going to be another one of his single minded failures – something that gets made just because he’s the big dog at Apple and he says so (like the G4 cube, the hockey puck mouse and the mighty mouse). It makes me sad too.

I’ll admit it. This device is going to come out. It’s going to be pretty and shiny. It’s going to play video. It’s going to he an amazing touch interface that I’m SURE will be a blast to play with in the store (like Minority Report or something) but will be a DOG when you have to use it on a daily basis. I know these guys are the best at User Interface of anyone in the industry, but I can’t think of any conceivable interface based on touch that would mitigate the issues I’ve described above. Yes, I know I’m not Apple – but I am a UI/UX expert with a decade of experience designing interfaces – I can’t see how it will be done.

The device will be beautiful, even powerful. it’ll be very slick. I’m going to want one just because Steve will create a reality distortion field. But, once my head clears and I realize I have no possible use for this – and neither does 90% of the rest of the population – I won’t buy it. I’ll go into an Apple Store and I’ll play with the iDoody. When I’m done, I’ll grab a wipee and the hand sanitizer because really, it’s not hygienic to touch things after doody, whether Apple makes it or not.

BIO:
Phillip is an Award Winning Mobile Device designer, UI/UX Authority, Brilliant Speaker (http://phillymacmedia.com) and the Co-Founder of Venti Pixel (http://ventipixel.com) where they’re busy cranking out iPhone (and other mobile device) applications like their language translation application DoubleSpeak (http://bit.ly/dspeak) and Flame Wars (http://bit.ly/fwtwitter)

Contact:
email: phillymac@gmail.com
phone: 508 65 SHINE (508-657-4463)
iPhone/Mobile Development: http://ventipixel.com
Speaking: http://phillymacmedia.com

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Tags: Apple, fail, guest post, iPhone, phillymac, steve jobs, tablet, technology

Not for nothing, but sometimes I have a good thought. Unlike that time I borked the job interview at Blue Cross/Blue Shield by being too smart, my good thought a few months ago has resulted in some unfettered glee and the possibility of tens of dollars.

Seriously.

I could be a hundredaire soon and you’ll have to just sit around your local coffee shop and say you knew me when.

What’s the big idea? Well, I can only share a little because there are a few hoops left to jump through, but essentially I woke up one morning in June with an idea for an iPhone app. Really.

I got out of bed around 4:37AM and ran to my computer. After searching the iTunes App Store and not finding anything similar, I send out some feelers to find an app developer who might be interested in listening to a sleep-deprived whacko’s idea for a game.

I found a guy – Howard Nager – and we embarked on a partnership that has resulted in the submission of a game to the App store today!

TODAY!

I’m positively giddy with anxiousness and glee. The game is fun to play and it was great to put together with Howard. But if/when it gets approved, I imagine it will feel the same as getting a copy of my first book did in 2000.

The best part is that I’ve had to keep this thing a secret – mostly out of paranoia – for a few months. And if you know me, I’m a sharer and a chatter. So keeping this a secret has been akin to me refusing a deep-fried Twinkie.

Stay tuned here. I hope to have more news in the next two weeks and will be awarding a few lucky readers with codes for a free download of the game.

Yes, you’ll need to have an iPhone or iPod Touch. But believe me when I tell you that Howard did such a good job with this game that it’s worth the purchase price of an Apple smartphone and the two-year AT&T contract.

What have you done that’s made you grin lately? Please share in the comments!

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Tags: app, Apple, game, howard nager, iPhone

For a number of years, I’ve been hanging around with a crowd of new-media folks. These people introduced me to Twitter and and showed me how to use other technological connective-tissue applications to converse with and learn from smarties.

Now I’d like to give back. Here is how you, too, can get unlimited Internet access on your iPhone for $19.99 a month without a contract. And thanks to Steve Garfield for suggesting I create a column detailing my technology win.

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*Any similarities to my experiences are purely coincidental, I am only telling the story in the first person because third-person writing requires a better technique than I’m willing to exercise at 9:38PM on a summer Saturday. Anything quasi-legal that happens/happened in this shared recount is purely anectdotal and you can assume that it never happened. Especially to me. ESPECIALLY the unlocking and jailbreaking of an iPhone – which we all know is against your terms of service.

As I sat in the portable hammock trying to text message a friend on my crummy Verizon LG phone, I got a call from a fellow podcaster. He sounded gleeful, so I tried to quickly get him off the phone so I could continue pouting and fighting with my phone. But he wouldn’t be deterred.

This friend, let’s call him Jason Calacanis, pressed on and urged me to ask him what he was doing right now. I blithely said that he was talking with me and he snickered.

“No, what am I doing right now?” he insisted.

I said he was probably being chauffeured in his Tesla Roadster. He laughed again and said that he was playing with an iPhone and it was a better gadget than anything he had ever seen as CEO of Netscape.

I said, “I doubt that,” mostly because this was an imaginary conversation and Mr. Calacanis has never been to Jeff Cutler dot com. And I doubt that a link to his blog will get a reciprocal action, but who really knows. But I digress. On with the technical aspects and details to getting your own iPhone running on a data plan that will only cost you $19.99 a month.

This friend said that he was cruising the Internet with ease and could check his email anywhere…even in the bathroom at the Rowe’s Wharf Boston Harbor Hotel.

I asked how and he said that he only had to pay $200, sign a two-year contract and pay about $80 a month for a mere 400 cellphone minutes and all-he-could-eat Internet access.

I feigned excitement and said, “Really? Could I get bent over for a grand total of $2000+ just to check my email, send IM’s, read Web pages and Twitter from anywhere?”

He said that I was just jealous, and inside I agreed. I was struggling with Verizon’s crappy Wireless Web on a miniature cellphone screen. I had no access to my own POP email and I wasn’t able to access AIM or Twitter. I wasn’t sad until this friend pointed out my woefully unconnected situation. Then I was miserable.

So I set out to find a way to make myself happy.

First, I scoured Craigslist. I looked for a first-generation iPhone. I wanted to find one in perfect working order. No damage. No crazy stories from the seller. I wanted the ‘grandma’s creampuff’ of iPhones. I found it.

In Jamaica Plain, there was a gentleman who had just upgraded to the newest iPhone and was trying to sell his original 4GB model. He had spoken with a handful of people about the phone and they had all fallen through. Then I came along.

We traded emails and the man said he was waiting on one last buyer who seemed a little flaky. If that fell through, the phone was mine. I held my breath and checked my email regularly. Then the message came…the phone was mine if I still wanted it.

I pounced.

I met him at his house and gleefully handed over $220. The phone was pristine, in perfect working order, included the box and the original cleaning cloth. He even said I could call him with questions about working the phone. Best of all, when he got the phone he purchased AppleCare – a transferable insurance policy on the iPhone that covers it against pretty much everything except malicious damage.

For just over $200 I got a perfect iPhone with a warranty that won’t expire until July 2009.

I got it home and played with it for three days. I was Wijacking all over the neighborhood and throughout Boston. It wasn’t too difficult to find an unsecured Internet access point and checking my mail and getting online was easy. Then I went to a Tweetup (a face-to-face gathering of technology folks) at John Harvard’s Brew House in Cambridge, MA.

There was no free Wifi. There was no unsecured access. I was bumped off the ‘Net. While people like Steve Garfield and Peter Kim were able to hop online with their gadgets, the only happiness I could find was an excellent caramel bread pudding and a mediocre draft beer.

I decided that the next day I would solve my access issues.

A search online brought me to…

iClarified – a site that shows you how to unlock your first gen iPhone and how to jailbreak any iPhone

iPhone Freak – a site that had a rumor about a MediaNet plan that AT&T was reluctant to offer

Wireless and Wifi Forums – where some people have asked if AT&T would chase them down if they got data plans only

and AT&T’s own Forums – where they simply answer YES to the question about putting MediaNet and unlimited Internet on a Pay as You Go plan

Here’s the skinny on what I did and how easy it was.

1 – Unlock the phone. Your phone must either be out of contract or unlocked via the iClarified method on their site. Otherwise the phone and iTunes will want you to activate the phone on a contract.

2 – Go to an AT&T store that sells prepaid SIM cards (keep your iPhone in your pocket). Not all AT&T stores sell these so make a few phone calls to find a store that does.

3 – Buy a SIM card. Any denomination. I bought a $100 card and popped it in. Choose the $1 a day and $.10 a minute plan. Don’t worry, you’re not using the phone as a phone – if you are, you might be better off with a phone plan from T-Mobile or AT&T as it will get expensive to make calls on the phone.

4 – Activate the phone with the code the salesperson gives you.

5 – Once the phone is active, call 611 (the customer service line at AT&T – a free call) and add the MediaNet unlimited feature for $19.99 per month. The larger MediaNet plan is $39.99 a month and includes unlimited text messages. You can add text messages pretty cheaply if you’re not texting more than 200 times a month.

6 – After adding the MediaNet plan, you can access the Internet via AT&T’s EDGE service for free, unlimited. Your account has been debited $19.99 and you’re good to go.

In my case I won’t be making calls on the iPhone because I’m locked into a contract (remember how bad contracts are) with Verizon for the next year. When that contract is up I will look at what phone plans are available with data via T-Mobile and AT&T.

Any questions? Put them in the comment section here. I’ll answer them as best I can.

See you on the ‘Net.

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Tags: cambridge, iPhone, Jeff Cutler, MediaNet, unlimited Internet, wifi, wijacking

I just realized that I’ve got a lot on my plate.

Have to get my Macbook repaired, create the auction booklet for the Grampys Tournament (there’s a post ONLY on that coming later today), clean out the office so I can put a new desk in there and maybe work without spreading out everything I own on the kitchen table, get stupid Verizon to fix my phone line – still out after 48 hours, contemplate buying an iPhone and telling Verizon to bite me, wrap up some product reviews, register and reserve flights for a writer’s conference in Atlanta in September, fix the schedule mess that is my Pawtucket Red Sox season ticket situation, change the oil on the scooter (1500 miles now!), check scooter tire air, buy a larger mattress to fit my larger bed, and flesh out the outlines of all of my books.

Further, I need to work on the Grampy’s Website – www.grampys.org, rotate my tires, fix the belt in the car, pay some bills and plot a path toward success.

Does that sound like I can do it all today?

I didn’t think so either, but my pattern is to get all this stuff on my plate and start nibbling at it until it’s either a disgusting mess of unfinished portions or until I’ve successfully completed a few and started to gather no moss on my way to the clean-plate club.

That’s the path I choose. But for now the one thing that stands out as a necessity is writing. So I’m grabbing the typing machine and heading to the beach or a coffee shop or somewhere where I can bang out some pages.

See you back here after I’ve done that. You’ll be happy because you’ll have another blog post to read. I’ll be happy because I’ll probably stop for ice cream, get my creative juices flowing and get to ride my scooter around a bit more today.

Hooray.

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Tags: car, desk, golf, grampys, iPhone, life, macbook, office, overwhelmed, pawsox, RI, scooter, to-do list, verizon