Archive for: mms
Have your own case of the “Berry Thumb” and happen to also fall under Uncle Sam’s umbrella of employment? Some bad news is headed your way — The Air Force is take large steps to increase cybersecurity starting with BlackBerry phones. Up until now, using the devices has been pretty much the same as civilian users. That’s all changing however under a new policy which will see Bluetooth disabled for all but special card readers for employees’ Common Access Cards and text/mms messages blocked indefinitely. It may not seem like those two things in themselves are that important. But to a BlackBerry/power user on the go, a crippled Bluetooth stack and no ability to send quick messages is a real sore point.
The bigger picture in this scheme isn’t merely “just because”. No, in this instance there is some actual common sense reasoning going into the move, with the goal of mobile devices being transitioned into ” Public Key Infrastructure” devices. These devices will then be secure enough to send and receive secret, encrypted information that before was too risky to send to a device with so many options to send it back out to unauthorized sources.
Generally the lock down of any gadget is a bad thing. But this is one of those few times I can see it being a necessity. God knows we don’t want some deep country secrets being leaked because some Berry toting government employee was a little loose with his text messages after bar crawling one night.
If it’s all really that much of a bother, government officials can always go and pay for their own phone. Novel concept.
Warranted?
Wired
- October 14, 2009 10:46 am
Uh oh. Seems like all of those Nokia fans who bashed the iPhone for the last 2-1/2 years for not being able to send a simple MMS message are about to get a rude awakening if they had any hopes of upgrading to the N900. It seems Nokia is pulling an Apple and leaving the ancient technology out of their brand spankin’ new device. Ya ya, I get it. MMS is old. Tons of people now have IM or email support on their phones. Awesome! Many more don’t and rely on MMS for sending pictures. I can understand dropping support for old outdated technology, but when so many people use it, problems arise.
Of course, looking at the other side of the coin, you have start somewhere don’t you? That was Apple’s hope — to drive enough people away from MMS into more modern IM and email methods. Maybe Nokia will have better luck since they have such a large presence no? Besides, I’m all for reducing the amount we overpay to wireless carriers each month. But remember, this is so far only on their N900, a niche device that will sell in low numbers. Is it doomed without MMS? Or will they simple backtrack like Apple and provide it after the fact?
In the end, while no MMS will be no less than a pain in the ass every time you want to send a quick pic to someone on the fly that doesn’t a phone as smart as yours, the N900 is still a sexy device both hardware and software considered. I wouldn’t mind borrowing one. You?
IntoMobile
- September 28, 2009 7:03 am
While the iPhone and AT&T are the laughing stock of the world by just allowing a 7-year old technology to finally function on a “cutting edge device”, many are still wrapped up in all of the MMS, picture sending goodness. However, it is good to know that we as consumers have options. You don’t have to rely on delayed MMS messages and the limits of the technology. A new, promising service called 12seconds looks to revolutionize the way you send picture and audio files. The service essentially allows users to send 12 second video clips of themselves. Sol Lipman, the Co-founder of 12seconds said that 10 seconds was too short and 15 seconds too long, hence the name “12seconds”. Some of the talking points surrounding 12seconds are the fact that it’s free (unlike MMS). 12seconds integrates with Facebook and Twitter. 12mail works on 3G and 1st Gen iPhones by sending a picture with a 12second audio overlay. Again, all of these are features MMS does not support as it is an older, aging technology. Also, the use of services such as 12seconds negate the need for an SMS/MMS package as again, users with data plans can completely ignore those older technologies. Those same users with unlimited data plans already already had options before AT&T activated iPhone MMS functionality such as IM apps and various social networking apps.
While not a new concept, the addition of yet another choice only strengthens the mobile app market place as well as the way we communicate with each other.
Venture Beat
- September 25, 2009 12:28 pm
Self explanatory. Welcome to 2002 my friends. You know the drill. Tether on up with your computer and get ready for old is new again goodness.
- September 24, 2009 5:09 am
While many of you who truly wanted and already activated MMS on your iPhones can disregard this message, for the vast numbers who haven’t, AT&T has gone ahead and shed light on the exact time at which you can download the carrier update file through iTunes to enable said feature. It looks like the party-like-it’s-2002 halapalooza is going down “late morning” for you west coasters meaning east coasters will be well into their “early afternoon” time frame. iPhone 3G/3GS users will soon be able to send audio, picture, and video files ’til their hearts content. Unfortunately, in order to “imply” or “force” you to spend money on a new iPhone, Apple has declined to give original 3G-less iPhones MMS abilities, meaning, jailbreaking and using some other app will be necessary. But I’m sure you already knew that.
I guess I can say I’m somewhat excited as even though I’ve had it activated on my phone for weeks, performance has been spotty. Oh Friday, how we welcome thee…
Apple Insider
Image Source
- September 14, 2009 7:26 am
I’ve been seeing posts all weekend of people from across the country claiming that MMS has started working on their AT&T iPhone’s. I myself have restored several times hoping it would happen. But it didn’t. No worries. Since I upgraded to 3.1, I lost all of my jailbroken goods. There is a saving grace however if you just can’t wait (like me) for MMS to start working on your iPhone. It’s quite simple actually. Apple iPhone School has an easy to follow and quick tutorial allowing anyone to add a tweaked carrier file that will allow MMS options to at least be available. The final stretch is up to AT&T and how far they’ve gotten on removing those MMS opt-out codes. Luckily for me, they already made the switch on my account so I’m enjoying MMS (god isn’t 2002 technology great) on my unjailbroken iPhone 3G running 3.1. Hit up the link above or below and start sendin’ away!
- September 3, 2009 1:44 pm
I’m more than sick of iPhone related posts today, but, this particular one needs to be seen. According to Engadget, MMS will officially be available on AT&T U.S. iPhones on September 25th. Way to stay on track and deliver on time guys.
Now, for the 5 iPhone users out there who haven’t already jailbroken or downloaded some modded carrier file…time to bust out the champagne and party long into the night over a feature that was launched way back in 2002. Congrats Apple…AT&T. And the rioting begins in 3..2..
/ATT/Apple/iPhone related posts for the day
Engadget
Image Source
- September 3, 2009 8:22 am
So much for late summer eh AT&T? I’m so beyond fed up with the entire company as a whole. Their god awful network is no surprise to many, nor is there any chance in hell they are going to garner any hope or praise from me…let alone a contract extension. Staring at dropping temperatures and shorter days, I figured it would be fitting to highlight that as we enter the fall season, iPhone owners nation wide here in the US are still without the most requested features: MMS and Tethering. The lack of MMS is so far beyond stupid words escape me. Everything from their archaic network to manually having to re-enable MMS on every iPhone account has been thrown out there. The delay on tethering on the other hand has no legitimate reason. AT&T’s network is already buckling under normal iPhone usage, throwing in even heavy data loads via tethering is sure to enhance the overall experience (no /sarcasm tag needed). The latest rumors even suggest that the September 9th iPod event could be the time to shine for AT&T to announce the activation of said lacking features. Though, the two companies doing so at the iPod even seems rather strange. Of course, if iPhone OS 3.1 is announced/released, it may be a bit more fitting. The least Big Blue could do is drop us a one liner…something…to indicate that they are still actually working on the issue and what the hold up is.
Still, as we get our Halloween costumes prepared and look further into the turkey season, one has to ask, just how much longer do we all have to suffer?
**Update:Engadget is reporting that AT&T has officially announced MMS coming on September 25th…still…well…into…fall. Good job on the epic failure guys. Tethering if you haven’t already jailbroken and enabled it or download a modded carrier file is still claimed to be coming “sometime in the future”. Boy am I sure glad AT&T stays on top of their promises…
Image Source
Well stomp on frogs and shove a crowbar up my nose. If this has any grains of truth, color me unimpressed, disappointed, and frustrated. For the few users who haven’t already jailbroken their iPhone to allow MMS and tethering, the more legit route appears to be getting longer and longer. Again, this is a rumor by Appmodo that claims AT&T has been in contact with them directly to set the record straight on Appmodo’s July release time frame for the much requested features. So what’s the scoop?
