Surfing on the go using iPod Touch is pretty much a norm nowadays with mobile wifi devices like the mifi or handphones installed with software like JoikuSpot or PDANet.

Do you know you can surf Internet through bluetooth? Apparently not a lot of people know of Bluetooth DUN (Dialup Networking). Most modern handphones with bluetooth supports DUN. Basically, the idea is to utilize bluetooth DUN to allow your iPod Touch (generation 2 and newer) surf Internet through it. Why only iPod Touch generation 2 and newer? It’s because iPod Touch generation 1 lacks the bluetooth feature.

What are the plus points? It goes easy on the batteries. Wifi drains batteries faster than bluetooth. So if you are like me using JoikuSpot, you will notice that your handphone’s juices runs out pretty quickly. Same goes for the iPod Touch.

Waiting for iBluever to be announced! Oops, forgot to mention what it is about. It is an application that allows your iPod Touch to recognize Bluetooth DUN. Bluetooth stack on the iPod Touch is limited to multimedia devices like headphones (officially). So these apps actually allow more bluetooth devices to be recognized. My iPod Touch now recognizes handphones/computers so I can bluetooth files around. It also recognize my bluetooth GPS receiver so I can navigate my way round unknown territories.

Oh before I forgot, iBluever is likely to be a Cydia app.

My iPod Touch and iPhone used to be on 2.0 firmware and it works great with my third party video out cable which I got for 10 bucks online. The video cable ceased to work after I upgraded to 3.0 and subsequently 3.1.2 as it keeps prompting “This accessory is not made to work with iPhone” whenever I try to play a video file.

Good news if your iPod Touch or iPhone is jailbroken – a patched iapd file solves the problem. Backup-ed the original iapd file in /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/IAP.framework/Support. Put in the patched iapd, set its permission to 755 and reboot. Viola! Cheap 3rd party cable is working again!

Finally I can bluetooth files between iPhone/iPod Touch and my handphone! The bluetooth on iPhone/iPod is designed in such a way to disallow these types of file transfers. Previously in the firmware 2.0, iBluetooth allowed users to bluetooth files freely but firmware 3.0 rendered the application useless.

iBluenova to the rescue! Seems like the author rewrote the bluetooth stack and it is working on my iPhone and iPod Touch on firmware 3.1.2. Some users reported that it is working on 3.1.3 as well. Finally I can bluetooth files between handphones! Weee!

Navigation system working perfectly on the iPod Touch (2nd Generation)

Managed to get the GPS (Global Positioning System) working on my iPod Touch 2nd Generation. Took the above picture while traveling back home from Serene’s place. Yeah, I know it is kind of dumb to take a screen shot when I am on PIE but hey, at least it is working as it should – detecting the vehicle speed, distance to destination, estimated arrival time. Too bad the application isn’t smart enough to check the traffic status and include it in it routing algorithm.

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The volume buttons on the ipod touch got a little bit cranky after 9 months of usage. The volume simply refuses to go down despite me pressing very hard on it.Being a diligent customer, I checked my warranty status – valid. Next, I surfed around Apple’s website, hoping to find the contact numbers / addresses of service centers in Singapore – none.I was like stunned for a moment, how come there aren’t Apple Service Centers listed on its website?

Decided to check on Google. It appears that there aren’t Apple Service Centers in Singapore. There are only Apple Authorized Service Centers in Singapore. Apparently Apple outsourced  the servicing.

There are several Apple Authorized Service Centers but I decided to go to eServ @ Wheelock Place after reading several rave reviews and strong recommendations of eServ. Dropped my ipod touch on the 15th and got it back on 19th. Not exactly fast as they got to request for the replacement from Apple.

The service personnel are very friendly. At least they smile. Not like other service centers personnel who shows you a grumpy face (e.g. N*k*a). In fact I was surprised when the staff automatically approached me and ask if I was there for collection! He took over the collection slip and processed it even though he has knocked off (it seems). Cos after processing my collection, he went off.

Some pictures of my new (refurbished) iPod Touch 2nd Generation 16GB.

Plastic wrapper covering the entire iPod Touch

Yeah. Even the chrome back is covered

Time to upgrade my iPod Touch to 3.1.2 and restore all those applications!

The GadgetShieldz full body protector for my iPod Touch 2G arrived this morning. The delivery guy can’t find the doorbells and was glad that he called my cellphone.

I used to use Zagg Invisible Shield but I can’t get the retailers to do 1-to-1 exchange. Poof, there goes the USD$25. Just a piece of warning, don’t trust those Zagg Invisible Shield sellers unless they give you a black and white stating that they will process the warranty on your behalf.

The package from GadgetShieldz is simple. It doesn’t come in a box like the Zagg. GadgetShieldz doesn’t come with the squeegee, shield spray and lint cloth.

The package from GadgetShieldz

Inside the letter is your order details and the product. Since it is meant for my iPod Touch 2G, there are 2 pieces of shieldz – one for the front and one for the back.

2 piece of shieldz for the iPod Touch 2G

After snapping these pictures, it is time to start work! Hopefully the sticking process won’t take too long this time round. Prepared the soapy water mixture, unpacked Christmas present from Kwee Boon for the lint cloth and screen cleaner.

1 hour later, it’s completed!

It comes with a small protector for the Home button too

Like the way it wrap around corners. It is similar to BodyGuardz. Zagg Invisible Shield sucks at corners

Guess I will just leave the iPod Touch at home today if I am going out. According to instructions, it is best to let it sit for 24 hours so that it adhere better to the device.

Hope it won’t turn yellowish / brownish like the Zagg Invisible Shield.