Chad's News

Myst is my all-time favorite computer game. It’s now available as an application for the iPhone and iPod Touch—with enhanced graphics to boot!

Link: http://osxreality.com/…
(via digg)

…because it seemed like a good idea. This is what happens when you let engineers define requirements. On a side note, this limit is the reason why Twitter messages max out at 140 characters.

Link: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/…
(via digg)

If you intend to travel outside of the United States, be very careful about using the Internet via a wireless carrier or cell phone. Planning ahead can save thousands of dollars. The linked article is not the first time I’ve read of something like this happening. Also, don’t believe the customer service representative when he/she claims your existing plan will be sufficient.

Link: http://arstechnica.com/…

The phone numbers 555-0100 through 555-0199 are reserved for fictional use in movies and such. But 555-2368 is still popular, even though it’s outside the allowed range. The linked article explains why.

Link: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/…

The creator of the World Wide Web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, predicts mobile devices are the future of the web, especially in developing countries. Here at the Chad’s News network command center, we’re way ahead of the curve on this. Browse Chad’s News with a phone, and you’ll automatically be transferred to our mobile site.

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/…

Cell phone companies are testing a new system whereby the user connects to the phone network via his/her internet connection. It costs less and gives better reception in the home. This seems like it could backfire, however, because the cost is really being transferred to the company providing the internet service.

Link: http://arstechnica.com/…

Apple’s iPhone App Store recently served up its 500 millionth download, nearly double the amount from just one month previously. Looks like Apple has another winner on its hands.

On a related note, here’s an article on how the iPhone’s touch screen works. Turns out it isn’t like the others.

Thanks to Josh for this topic.

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/…

Chad’s News has previously discussed the iPhone’s inability to display web pages that use Adobe Flash. Even though Apple’s products are overpriced, I usually recommend them because of superior user interfaces and stability—but this is one decision with which I disagree. Especially since one-third of all web pages use Flash. And Apple’s competitors are taking up the slack. According to the first linked article, Microsoft’s Windows Mobile and Google’s Android will both support Flash. The second linked article is an opinion piece on why Apple will never allow Flash on the iPhone. Of note is this: “Allowing Flash … would just be too dangerous for Apple, a company that enjoys exerting total dominance over its hardware and the software that runs on it.”

Link #1: http://www.mobilecrunch.com/…
(via Lifehacker)

Link #2: http://blog.wired.com/…
(via digg)

Back when I was in college and first learned about blue boxes, the phone company was in the process of changing out their switching systems—and the new equipment wasn’t vulnerable to the 2600 Hz tone. But I managed to get my share of free calls via other means, especially in the chaotic years immediately following the breakup of AT&T. The linked article is about the man who started it all, John Draper (also known as Captain Crunch).

Link: http://www.mentalfloss.com/…

The linked article is about a phone booth in the Mojave desert that became famous for its remoteness. People around the world would call, just to see if anyone would answer, and others would hang out by the phone, waiting to answer incoming calls.

Link: http://www.neatorama.com/…

President Bush has signed into law some improvements to the federal “do not call” list, the most important of which is that list entries are permanent and will no longer expire after 5 years.

Link: http://consumerist.com/…

AT&T has announced its intention to leave the pay phone business by the end of 2008, blaming wireless technology. With 82% of Americans having access to cell phones, and a whopping 3.3 billion mobile phone accounts worldwide, it’s no wonder that the pay phone is going the way of the slide rule.

Link: http://www.att.com/…
(via Consumerist)