Mac and Mobile

AGViewer for Nokia 5800, N97, 5530, i8910

2009-12-04T01:36:00.000-08:00

I have developed my own AGViewer for Symbian 5th Edition devices (Nokia 5800, 5530, N97, i8910, etc) and the best news it is FREE.

Previously I used Resco Viewer on Nokia but I missed it on Symbian 5th Edition devices, so I decided to built my own. I have built it on new development environment called QT. QT is cross platform so this AGViewer will work on all devices where QT is supported. I have checked it only on devices listed in title.

As Nokia Browser gathers all images from different directories and then display all of them. I wanted to display images only in the directories I choose, so that I can group them according to my choices.

I also wanted to display them in full screen and then sort them on name. AGViewer has all of these features plus you can preview full screen like iPhone finger swapping.

AGViewer also support two bookmarks. You can also open any directory of your choice to view images.

You need to install QT libraries. I have uploaded them on rapidshare:

For Nokia (5800, N97, 5530)

For Samsung Omnia HD i8910

After installing the above QT libraries download and install the AGViewer

AGViewer Download

Post your suggest in comments or email me.

See viewer About box for email address.

Happy Viewing

AsimAG

Push Any Notification from your Mac/Windows to Iphone using GROWL

2009-07-13T22:18:00.000-07:00

Yes you can now push any notification which Growl shows on your system to iphone.

If you are not familiar with GROWL, it is an application which run on Mac and Windows and display messages on your system in a beautiful window. For example when Email arrives or FTP transfers completed or your new song begins to play etc.

The catch is that you need a system which will remain ON (live on internet) and your system will push notifications to your iPhone and iPhone will receive notification through PROWL Application on your iphone.

You need to register at PROWL server which is FREE.

How this works:

Your system sends any notification through GROWL to PROWL Server. PROWL server push notification to your iPhone through Apple PUSH Service.

For detail instruction how to setup this on Windows:

http://cybernetnews.com/push-gmail-iphone/

and for MAC

http://lifehacker.com/5309573/set-up-push-gmail-on-your-iphone

Learn iPhone Application Development for Free

2009-07-11T09:09:00.000-07:00

Are you interested in developing Applications for iPhone? You can take a course for Free? Well now you can. You can take a free course available online by Stanford University. All videos and slides are available on itunes. You can search on itunes and download course by typing:

Standford iphone Application Programming CS193P

Enjoy learning

Whole course is about 10GB including all videos and slides and it will be taken offline I suppose after summer. So be quick to grab all lessons.

MPlayer OSX Extended Rev 10 & VLC 1.0

2009-07-08T20:39:00.000-07:00

Two new FREE video players are on the top of my list if you want to watch Videos on Mac, For example if you want to watch HD movies (.ts, .mkv) files then MPlayer is excellent choice. You can also turn on Anti Aliasing (you may need to experiment with different settings). I found MPlayer quite good. Infact VLC was unable to play some movies (like .ts file) but MPlayer played them quite well.

Make sure you download the latest version of MPlayer rev10 as most sites has old version.

VLC has also released its 1.0 version which is major upgrade. It now plays videos quite smooth but it still has some glitches to be sorted out when playing various (.ts) files.

Quicktime X looks so beautiful on Mac Snow Leopard, I wish all these players should follow its video window.

Enjoy your videos.......

Virtual Boxes(Sun Virtualbox 3.0, Parallels Desktop 4, Vmware Fusion 2.0.5) for Mac Brief Comparison

2009-07-08T04:55:00.001-07:00

Sun Virtual Box 3.0

I have installed and tested it on my Snow Leopard. It is FREE solution and a very good one. But it lacks behind speed as compared to Paralles and Vmware. I also found some glitches in Share Folders Access.

Parallels Desktop 4.0

Parallels Desktop has improved a lot, Before release 381 it was quite buggy, but now it works as smooth, I found its seamless integration "Cohesion" very good better than other two products

Vmware 2.0.5

Vmware is fastest of all and it is very good Virtual Solution. Previously I has problems with Share Folders, they were too slow. Now they are blazing fast.

I also recommend to install portable versions of the Application in virtual box to have optimized performance. Presently I am using VMware Fusion 2.0.5.

iPhone 3g, OS 3.0 and Pakistan Carriers (Warid, ufone, Zong..)

2009-07-07T21:30:00.001-07:00

If you have recently upgraded your iphone 3G to OS 3.0 and you live in Pakistan then here are the steps to follow to get most our of your iPhone:

1. Jailbreak your phone by using RedSn0w and then unlock your iphone using Ultrasn0w Software from DevTeam. Apple has not launched iphone in Pakistan so we don't have any other option...Sorry Apple!

2. Turn on your MMS & tethering. To turn on Tethering visit here and select custom carrier, I use waridTel, so APN is warid. Yours differ. Check your mail from iphone and download the file which is send by the site and click install. You will then see Tethering option available in Settings->General->Network

3. To enable MMS simple put the MMS settings (as shown in the pic.) in Settings->General->Network->Cellular Data Network.

4. Caller ID Fix, You will notice that some of SMS does not have names, To fix this go into the Cydia and download CallerID and Format (iSpazio) Fix for OS 3.0.

5. More Later.......

Quick Shortcuts Keyboard Tips Nokia E71

2009-06-07T22:06:00.000-07:00

1. To turn bluetooth ON / OFF from keyboard Long Press *

2. To switch Profile from General to Silent and vice versa Long Press #

3. While doing a contact search in standby mode number keys don't display corresponding letter, to have them display correct letters tap the function key once before typing anything.

4. To change writing language or turn OFF/ON predictive text input press function key + spacebar

5. Long press of 0 activates web browser, second press leads to browser bookmarks

6. To mark/select multiple item press SHIFT and press DOWN on Navi button

7. To mark/select single item press SHIFT and CENTER button inside Navi button

8. To turn ON/OFF numeric keypad press FUNCTION twice.

9. Pressing RETURN(ENTER) on standby application icon shortcut will open them.

10. When in lock mode hit CENTER Navi button to display large time

11. to copy marked/selected text press FUNCTION+CTRL+C to paste press FUNC+CTRL+V

12. To move a page up or down press FUNC+CTRL+Navi UP/DOWN. Remember pressing FUNC 2 times makes it as a sticky

13. Pressing Shift + Backspace = delete letters after cursor

14. Hold down left soft key to read out new text messages.

15. Shift+Chr jumps directly to language selection.

My Top Daily Useful Apps for iPhone

2009-04-22T21:41:00.000-07:00

My iPhone is getting better and better everyday, thanks to developers who are delivering such a nice Apps, Here is most used Apps on my iPhone:

QuickGold:

If you ever used Mac, then you will be quite familiar with QuickSilver. Just type few letters and this App instantly find Application, Browser Bookmarks, SMS, Emails and Contacts. You don't need to shuffle screen on iphone and look for your Application. It has very small footprint and it does not run in background that is it does not consume Battery.

SBSettings:

One of my favourite App, Just swipe your finger on Top status bar and your Toggles Pops up on your screen, where you can turn ON/OFF ssh, 3g, bluetooth, WiFi etc. You can also adjust brightness. I have also downloaded AutoLock and Process Plugin for Sbsettings, which allows you kill background processes if running.

ICY:

A Fast and new replacement for Cydia. Although some bugs but it updates quite frequently.

iPhone Files (AppStore) and iFile (Cydia) Complete File Browser and Viewer

2009-04-21T21:45:00.000-07:00

I have tested various viewers for iphone including Air Sharing, Mobile Studio, Riddle Documents, Picture Safe etc.

I found the best Viewer and File Browser is "Files" which is available at App Store. You can Swap pictures as in built in Photos Application for iphone, create your own folders to arrange your documents and picture and can easily transfer file from your PC or Mac. You can even set password.

The Cydia app iFile is replacement for Finder or Windows Explorer on your iPhone. You can copy/move files to anywhere. You can set owner permission. iFile also allow you to transfer files through its Web Server also. With iFile you can create new Folders or Symbolic link. I have created a Symbolic link in Documents folder to my Files Documents, so that now I can easily copy files to Files Application or vice versa using iFile.

Best part is iFiles also allow you to send multiple email attachments using built in iPhone mail client and it is FREEEEEE.

iFile is exceptional Browser will all abilites which Files is best viewer, although iFile also allows you to view documents or play videos but Files Picture swap feature is hard to beat.

iFile also allows to create Zip archive. I now use iFile instead of MobileFinder. iFile also allow you to copy marked files or folders.

Google Maps now have detail Pakistan Maps

2009-04-09T21:48:00.000-07:00

Google Maps application on Mobile (Symbian and iPhone) now have detailed Pakistan Maps. They show all major buildings, Petrol Pumps, Hospitals etc. I was surprised to see that Maps are in quite detail. I can not find any of these maps in Pakistan. How Google has managed to do this?

Sadly they are not available in PC version of Google Maps nor they are in detail in Google Earth. All major cities are covered.

You can download google maps application for Symbian phone free of cost from google site. iPhone comes with built in maps application.

Naveed Posted in Comments:They launched a program called Mapmaker (http://www.google.com/mapmaker), kudos to desi geeks who put their efforts to pinpoint buildings, roads, restaurants and pan walas on the map.
The active contributors were then chosen to be moderators who would approve every location.

Google Maps on Mobile now have Pakistan Maps

2009-04-08T21:15:00.001-07:00

Sadly they are not available in PC version of Google Maps nor they are in detail in Google Earth. All major cities are covered.

You can download google maps application for Symbian phone free of cost from google site. iPhone comes with built in maps application.

iPhone 3g March 2009 New Must Have Apps

2009-03-12T21:54:00.000-07:00

Ok, You have got new iphone and jailbreak it. Now what to do?

Worry not I will give you a piece of advice:

Install the following App through Cydia:

iRealSMS

For Very demanding SMS needs, Has everything built into, I can write a page about its functions.

SwirlyMMS

For Multimedia Messaging

MewSeek Pro

For downloading music from the internet and then importing it into iphone music library with out the need of computer or itunes

BossPrefs

For controlling iphone Services

iBluetooth

Transfer music, pictures or any file using iphone Bluetooth to any other Mobile or Computer

AdBlock

To Block Ads in Safari. This will save your bandwidth and web pages will load faster. You can turn it on /off

Clippy

For copy and paste functionality for iphone. New version also allows you to copy text from web pages or static controls

PWNPlayer

A player which provides all the functionality of ipod

WinterBoard

Winterboard is excellent replacement of Springboard and it will allow to change anything on iphone GUI for examples Themes, Scroll Bars etc.

PDANet

Excellent Wifi Router, provides you Internet access on your computer

iPhone Message Forward App: iRealSMS, BiteSMS, QuickSMS

2009-03-11T21:55:00.000-07:00

iRealSMS is good application for texting and it also support landscape, You can also forward message using this app.

Another application for forwarding message is BiteSMS. You need to select carrier in its settings. Install it using Cydia Installer on jailbroken phone.

Symbian OS 9 newFirmware Hack - Installing Unsigned Applications

2009-03-03T21:57:00.000-08:00

Nokia phones (Symbian) can now be jailbreak/Hacked again. Recently all new firmware updates released by Nokia can not be cracked that is you can not install unsigned Application nor you can access its sys folder.

With the release of HelloOX the Hacking app you can now easily install unsigned applications even on new firmwares.

How to Play AVCHD files on Mac OS X

2009-01-31T22:04:00.000-08:00

To play your AVCHD movie files (.mts, .m2ts) you can use one of the following options:

VLC Player (FREE)

Download VLC Player from www.videolan.com and start playing your AVCHD movies. You may required iLife 08 or 09 for playback.

Toast 9 or 10

Toast Player which is included with Toast 9 or 10 can play AVCHD files beautifully. Another advantage of Toast is fast conversion of .mts and .m2ts files to any other format you like.

Updated: 31 Jan 2009

iLife 09: AVCHD to Toast to iMovie 09 Workflow

2009-01-31T21:58:00.000-08:00

iLife 09 is here and you will be ofcourse curious to compose your first movie in it. The problem is you have got a camera which produces AVCHD format.

One simple Solution is to attach your camera with notebook, start iMovie and import movie. But I have copied all my AVCHD to folders on my notebook as I don't have time to empty my Memory card by capturing it through iMovie.

Toast to Rescue: IMP: In Toast 10 Preference (Audio & Video) set Chapter Markers to None, otherwise your converted movies will not be visible in iMovie 09.

Fireup your Toast (Toast 9 or 10) and select convert choose the AVCHD (.mts) file or just drag and drop that file into Toast. Start the conversion, choose following setting: In Device Choose H.264 Player In Quality Choose Custom

and change the setting according to screen above. Now Start Converting. The Advantage of using Toast is two folds. First the conversion is very fast and Second the file sizes are quite small.

iMovie 09:

Import your converted movie into IMovie 09 using Import Movie Command and then start composing your movie.

Export your Movie using Share command in iMovie 09 using Large Format. (It will be automatically set for you).

How to Configure Gmail Account on your N95/N73/...

2009-01-30T05:14:00.000-08:00

Here is the short tutorial which allows your to configure Gmail Account on N95: (IMP: You must enable POP3 access of Gmail Account. Hint:Look inside Setting and POP forwarding Options on gmail web site)

Open Messaging Application
Goto Mail box. It asks you No mailbox defined. Define now? Choose Yes
Mailbox setup wizard will start. Press start to continue
Mailbox Type choose POP3, Press Next
On next screen type your email address xxx@gmail.com (IMP: press the Pencil Key and highlight your email address then press Copy. This will save you typing)
Press Next
Enter pop.gmail.com as Incoming mail server, Press Next
Enter smtp.gmail.com as Outgoing mail server, Press Next
Access Point, choose Always ask or your preferred one. press next
In Mailbox name keep gmail press next
Click Finish
Click Option and then Settings
Choose E-mail
Press on Mailboxes and then on Gmail
Press on Connection settings
Press on Incoming e-mail
Enter Username as xxx@gmail.com (You may Press Pencil and then paste)
In Password type your password
Scroll down to security port and choose SSL/TLS
Press Back Button
Select Outgoing e-mail, Enter your username and password as described above
Scroll down to security port and choose SSL/TLS
Hit Back Button twice
Press on User settings
Enter your Name as you want to display and then go back
Goto Retrieval Settings
Click on E-mail to retrieve and change it to size limit and then enter 100KB or whatever you like in next screen. Press OK
Click on Back
If you have unlimited GPRS connection then goto Automatic retrieval and change it otherwise leave as it is.
Click back button multiple times so that you are back to main screen.
Now when you start Messaging Application you will see Gmail Account goto it and retrieve your email.
You can also send email attach images with it etc. Have fun ;)

Any Question? Post them in Comments

AVCHD Player (.mts, .m2ts) and Converter for Mac OS X

2009-01-30T05:04:00.001-08:00

You can now natively play AVCHD Files(.mts, .m2ts) on your mac by using one of the following Applications:

VLC Player version 9.xx (FREE)
Toast 9 or 10 (It uses Toast Player to play AVCHD Files)

You can also convert your AVCHD Files to any format using Toast. It is very fast.

Enjoy your Movies!!!

ILife 09: AVCHD to Toast to iMovie 09 (Workflow)

2009-01-30T04:18:00.001-08:00

Toast to Rescue:

IMP: In Toast 10 Preference (Audio & Video) set Chapter Markers to None, otherwise your converted movies will not be visible in iMovie 09.

Fireup your Toast (Toast 9 or 10) and select convert choose the AVCHD (.mts) file or just drag and drop that file into Toast. Start the conversion, choose following setting:

In Device Choose H.264 Player

In Quality Choose Custom

and change the setting according to screen given below in picture. Now Start Converting.

The Advantage of using Toast is two folds. First the conversion is very fast and Second the file sizes are quite small.
iMovie 09:
Import your converted movie into IMovie 09 using Import Movie Command and then start composing your movie.
Export your Movie using Share command in iMovie 09 using Large Format. (It will be automatically set for you).

My New blog

2009-01-30T04:07:00.000-08:00

Previously my Blog Mac and Mobile was on Wordpress (asimag.wordpress.com). But recently Wordpress has gotten so slow, I have launch this blog. I will upload all postings from previous Blog to this one.

Regards,

Asim

AVCHD Player for Mac (.mts, .m2ts) OS X Leopard

2008-07-08T22:03:00.000-07:00

The latest version of VLC .92 can play mts files natively on you mac. Visit my other post on How to Play / Convert AVCHD files on your mac using Toast.

IMP: You need to have iLife'08 installed in order to play .mts files using VLC.

AVCHDly yours, Enjoy Great HD Videos from your SONY or PANASONIC AVCHD Recorders!!!!!!

How to Resolve sense key = MEDIUM ERROR on MacBook Pro

2008-04-08T04:07:00.000-07:00

After 9 months of purchasing my MacBook Pro I was faced with Error while burning my CDs. Toast reported sense key = MEDIUM ERROR and eject CD. I google the error and was surprised to see so many users are having this error. Some were blaming to cheap CDs while others recommended to repair permissions or re-install OS.

I continue to face error on some cds while some burn fine. I concluded that it may be defective cds but when I used same cd on my external writer they burn fine. On 12 months my burner finally gave up and now it was not burning any type of CD/DVD.

I went to shop purchased Philips CD Cleaner which had two brushed on it. Inserted it into my dvd drive. Instructions played to choose track no. 14 for cleaning. I did as instructed and WOW my dvd burner was functional. I have burnt quite a few CD with no problem at all.

Connect your Nokia with MAC to browse Internet through GPRS

2008-02-12T04:21:00.000-08:00

Updated on: 12 Feb 2008

If you are on the road you can connect your Macbook/Pro to Internet with your Nokia Phone.

If you are using Leopard. Then things are quite simple. Just follow Steps:

Leopard: (Tiger users see below)

Make sure GPRS is activated by your carrier.

Step 1:

From the bluetooth menu at the top right hand corner choose Setup Bluetooth Device. Click Continue on Bluetooth Setup Assistant Window. Choose Mobile Phone and Click Continue.

Step 2:

Choose your desired Mobile Phone from the next Window and click Continue.

Step 3:

Pair the phone by entering the exact code displayed on the screen.

Step 4:

Select Both Servcies that is iSync and Internet Access. Click continue.

Step 5:

Just type in your APN (Access Point). You can get this from Phone or call your Operator help line. Don't change any thing other than APN. Also check/select: 'Bluetooth status in menu bar' and 'Show Modem status in the menu bar'. Click Continue.

Step 6:

Open the Network Settings From System Preference and Select Bluetooth from Left Column

Type *99# in the Telephone Number and Click Connect.

If you using Using Tiger then follow the steps below:

Step 1:

Make sure GPRS is activated by your carrier.

Step 2:

On your phone (Symbian OS), go to

"Tools>Settings>Connection>Packet Data" in Access point enter your APN.

APN differs for every carrier. For

Warid Telecom: waird
Mobilink postpaid: connect.mobilinkworld.com
Mobilink prepaid: jazzconnect.mobilinkworld.com
Ufone: ufone.internet
For example if you are on Ufone then just type ufone.internet in Access Point
Step 3

On your Mac download this "Nokia E61 (Nokme)" script. Unzip it and copy script into "Machintosh HD/Library/Modem Scripts"

On your Mac. Click on Bluetooth Icon at top and choose "Setup Bluetooth Device". On dialog box click the first two check box (Setup iSync..... & Access the Internet....) and click the second radio button (Use a direct....). Click Continue.

On the next dialog box Enter your username and password. For Warid Connection leave both of them blank.

In GPRS CID... Input box enter *99#

In modem script choose Nokia E61 (Nokme)

Click last two check boxes (Show Bluetooth status.... Show Modem Status....)

To connect with Internet: click on the Telephone icon at the Top and click connect. Thats it.

Reference: Nokme Site