Well I’ve finally done the untethered jailbreak of my apple tv 2 and I’m really impressed with the results.

The jailbreak wasn’t too difficult (although I still use pwnage tool to get the apple TV 2 into DFU mode as it seems much easier). Once in DFU mode I plugged in the power cable then  it’s just a case of running greenpois0n RC6 (mac version) and hitting the jailbreak button. Once it says complete, wait around 40 seconds before removing the usb cable and inserting the HDMI cable. You will have an extra tab on your apple tv called greenpois0n. Click this and click install cydia and it will download cydia from the repository using apt.

When the apple TV 2 reboots you will have a nitoTV tab, which allows you to install a few different apps including XBMC. I installed XBMC this way, but the installation failed so I fired up terminal on my mac, logged in via SSH and ran the following command ‘dpkg –configure -a’ as root. This fixed the local apt files and re-installed XBMC.

Following a further reboot of the Apple TV 2 we where rolling. I had lost wifi, but re-installing nitoTV fixed that. I also disabled the apple software update in NitoTV to stop it nagging in the future.

XBMC looks amazing in 720p over HDMI. I installed the PM3:HD skin which is quicker than the default skin, and matches that used on my old xbox. I’ve now retired the xbox and the new apple tv is superb. Plays 1080p .mkv files without issue. My only complaint is that the remote is a little limited, but using the xbmc control app for my iPhone fixes that. Right back to work on Kool Badges before having another play with the Apple TV. Any questions lease ask.

I’ll post up more findings.

Well after all the hype over the iPad, I have to say after playing with one I’m not overly impressed. It’s a quick ass piece of kit, don’t get me wrong, but the price point is way off. After all it’s iPhone OS so we rely on apps, and the lack of file system access & printing mean it will never replace a laptop. Besides, I can’t see CS4/CS5 for iPad arriving anytime soon. I really do think it’s a good piece of kit, and would have one no question if the price wasn’t so high. I’ll get one soon enough but it’s not a game changing device so no rush.

So today we have the iPhone 4 announced, and that is a game changer. The iPhone 3G I have is probably the single most influential piece of technology I have bought in years. It has freed me from the office allowing me to do my work from anywhere. Emailing, blogging, tweeting, calling, texting, browsing, apping. It really is a great device, and the iPhone 4 promises so much more. A 5MP camera, front & rear facing with flash, awesome. Glass front & back which is many times stronger than plastic, and won’t scratch like the plastic backed 3G, awesome. Faster HSDPA superb. 720p video recording, nice. Multitasking, yes. It’s just ticking all the boxes for me. Video calls look fun and I could see myself dealing with my Business Partner in Scotland from down here on the south coast improving no end with Video calling on our iPhones.

I love it already, and will be buying one. The slated release date is 24th June so I’ll be there for the 32GB version. Only choice I need to make is Black or white?!?

That is all. iPhone 4 awesomeness.

iPhone 4 promo

Well 2010 has already been a crazy year. We have finally taken the plunge, packed up and moved to Cornwall. This chapter of our life is for relaxation, contemplation and to get everything in order before I start on my PhD. There are very few distractions down here so I can get a lot more reading done.

It has been a huge culture shock so far. I’m used to living in big cities and having everything within walking distance. We are now quite rural and it is all very different, however what we lose on our doorstep with regards to entertainment, culture & commerce we gain in breathtaking countryside, awesome beaches and a much more relaxed way of living (it’s so quiet here people leave their car doors unlocked & open all day & night to stop them getting hot!

One of my big fears as a techie was the lack of services available on our Rural exchange (PAR Exchange). Whilst the lack of O2 and Be (Not to mention Virgin Cable which I’m used to) is a bit of an issue with regards connectivity speed & download allowances, I managed to get on BT Option 3. Does mean I’m limited to 100GB of downloads in a month, but now we have Sky HD fitted I tend to do much less downloading (and I’d rather watch things like Lost and Pacific in native 1080i HD on the Sky box now). I think I’ll get away with it for now, and the fact that in a rural spot I’m getting 6.5Mb broadband is excellent.

I’m still trying to think of a subject for my PhD research. I would really like to do something a little less technical this time and perhaps more geared towards modern uses of the Internet (My Masters was in Computer Science which is pretty hardcore, whereas my BSc was in Web Development & web computing which was as much a humanities subject as it was a science & engineering subject). I’ve seen an interesting research opportunity at the University of Southampton, but I will probably end up attending back up north at one of the Manchester based unis, be it MET or Manchester University. I’m really looking forward to advancing to Doctor/Professor and feel much happier now I have a plan in place.

Anyway back to the Cornwall move. Vicki & I are settling in quite well to Rural life. Visiting farmers markets, walking on the beach & coastal paths, stopping at Harbours for lunch. Very much looking forward to welcoming our first guests in June.

Finally, last weekend my Brother in Law Gary ran the London Marathon in a time of 4hrs 4mins. Very impressive, Gary did an excellent job and he didn’t even seem that tired afterward (wish I was that fit). We had a great few days in London, stayed at the fabulous Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, with possibly the best view in the whole building (top floor, bridge facing suite). We also went for a great meal with Emma, Andy, Kate & Gary at a Singaporean restaurant in Soho. Loved it.

Anyway, I intend to update the blog more often now I’m settled again. Until the next update here are some pictures for you to enjoy.

iMac 24" Ready to unpack

Well it has been a crazy month of new things. Firstly the month has seen me in and out of the doctors with headaches, which we have concluded is down to stress, and a weak right eye which is being irritated by using a screen all day. So I now have two pairs of posh designer glasses to wear which has already made a big difference, meaning I can see my iPhone & netbook and all other screens alot more clearly.

To go with the new eyewear, I finally invested in a North Face hardcore waterproof with zip out fleece which cost me so much money it makes my eyes water thinking about it, but I’ve wanted the jacket and the fleece for so long, and I got a good deal on the pair so I now have them.

Perhaps the icing on the cake is our new top end 24″ iMac with maxed out Ram, Graphics and processor specs. Cost a hell of a lot of money, and the guys in the Apple Store Manchester where very helpful in sourcing & sorting us out with our new baby, so all our work is now being completed on the iMac.

Mixed thoughts so far, the hardware is amazing, and the screen is immense, however Snow Leopard sucks. Tons of system crashes, enabling Sharing makes everything start to crash,, and running CS3 or CS4 is impossible on Snow Leopard, Illustrator, Photoshop and Dreamweaver just crash whenever you try to open, save or print a document. It will also crash on copy/paste or infact for any reason at all. Also the guttenberg print drivers seem very sketchy, and there is a lot of banding and colour problems on my Trusty Epson CX3200. I finally had enough of the issues and downgraded to Leopard 10.5.8 which is solid as a rock.

So now all our badge orders, and all my Development work is being completed on the Mac, and I’m loving it. Speaking of badges, we are selling loads of Halloween Badges over at Koolbadges so be sure to head on over to check us out.

iMac in it's temporary home, before driving back to our house.