iSMS Text Messaging Replacement for iPhone ("ASPA Mobile", "iPhone Repair"

Newly available via Installer/AppTapp is iSMS, a native text messaging client replacement for the iPhone. iSMS - also called weiSMS, is partially based on WeSMS, a Chinese SMS application, and provides a list of features/enhancemens not found in the standard iPhone SMS application. These lacking features have been high on iPhone owners' lists of gripes with the iPhone.

Though very much a beta, officially only a "preview release", iSMS provides many functions not available when sending text messages on the iPhone through the included interface. The two most prominent of these added features are the ability to send a text message to multiple recipients (or bulk SMS) and the ability to forward received text messages.

The list of major SMS features not normally available on the iPhone which iSMS adds includes the following:

send SMS to multiple recipients

forward received SMS messages

ability to send contact info via SMS

delete messages one at a time

i18n support

smilies/emoticons support

stock message/message template support

iSMS also supports 10 languages, allows for easy call back functionality to text message senders, and

will even show an envelope icon in the status bar when unread text messages are waiting.

The only quickly discernable drawback of using iSMS for your iPhone text messaging is the loss of threaded message viewing. Text messages are instead shown as single messages which reside in separate Inbox and Sent folders. Even if you're bound to the threaded message view found in the standard iPhone SMS application, there's no harm in keeping iSMS installed for those times when you want to send a bulk SMS on your iPhone or forward a text message you received.

iSMS can, as mentioned above, be easily installed via the Installer application on jailbroken iPhones, or can be downloaded via the weiSMS page on Google Code and installed manually via the provided instructions.

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iPhone Users Report 3.1.3 Update Problems (unlock, 5.12.01, Green, Poison, Pois0n, blackra1n)

Well it didn't take long to hear from iPhone owners who tried the 3.1.3 firmware update to fix their existing battery problems. Some people are reporting the same problems, if not worse after updating to 3.1.3 from 3.1.2 or earlier iPhone OS versions.

Previously, many users updated to 3.1 software so they could take advantage of MMS functionality on AT&T and found that an unwelcome side effect was shortened battery life on the iPhone 3GS. (Learn how to turn on MMS without updating your 3.0 firmware here. Some have speculated this has something to do with the iPhone losing and acquiring the 3G signal repeatedly which drains the battery.

Others thought it had something to do with the processor running when it shouldn't be, also sucking the last drops of life out of the battery prematurely. Apple even had people run special software on their iPhones to determine what was causing the problem.

3.1.3 was the first update to directly address battery issues, stating that the fix "improves accuracy of reported battery level on iPhone 3GS." Unfortunately, it appears as though many users are still afflicted with the same battery problems, and others have it even worse.

Users on Apple forums are reporting that their battery meter makes wild jumps from 7% to 25% and back again, and that battery life is even shorter, with only 3 or 4 hours of time before needing to charge. iPod Touch users are also reporting in another thread that smart playlist syncing is not working properly with the 3.1.3 update.

Apple has yet to make a public announcement regarding the battery issues. We're sure they are working on a solution. In the meantime, we'll await the next update from Apple and report as soon as more information is available. To maximize your battery life see this list of battery tips.

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3G-Enabled SlingPlayer Hits iPhone AppStore (ASPA Mobile Phone Repair, Auckland)

Wireless carrier AT&T's new policy of allowing some bandwidth-heavy iPhone applications to run over its expanded 3G network is now being put to the test. SlingPlayer Mobile allows users to stream video content from their Slingbox to iPhones anywhere 3G or Wi-Fi is available.

The previous version of SlingPlayer Mobile, first released last year, restricted streaming video to Wi-Fi only at the request of AT&T. Video quality is still better over a Wi-Fi connection, as the stream has to be optimized for 3G speeds.

Slingbox makes it possible to watch anything visible on your home television directly on the iPhone or iPod Touch. Besides changing channels, the SlingPlayer Mobile app can be used to view and control your cable or satellite box, DVR, Apple TV, Tivo, and/or security cameras.

Macworld has just reviewed SlingPlayer Mobile 1.2 and found the 3G functionality and other improvements to be a worthwhile upgrade (rated 3.5 out of 5 mice).

SlingPlayer Mobile 1.2 was released on the AppStore last week for a price of US$29.99. A Slingbox SOLO, PRO-HD, or PRO is required in addition to at least 256Kb upstream speed on your home Internet connection. Slingbox SOLO currently retails for US$179.99 and the Slingbox PRO-HD runs US$299.99.