Step 1: Open the FedEx Package containing my new Nest thermostat. Looks like the guys at Nest did a good job of making sure these little guys didn’t get damaged in transit. Can’t ever have too much brown paper!

Step 2: Open the Nest thermostat box and packaging. Opening the Nest box was like opening a Russian Doll. I kept finding more and more surprises inside. On top was the Nest thermostat itself, followed by the installation instructions/manuals, followed by the base, wall anchors and screws, as well as a Nest screwdriver, which contained four interchangeable driver heads, and finally a series of optional mounting plates

Step 3: Out with the old thermostat! As always, safety comes first, so we shut off the power to the heating and cooling system. Next, we unscrewed each wire from the old thermostat’s base one by one and used the labels/stickers provided in the Nest installation instructions to mark each wire. Then we unscrewed the old base and removed it, saving it (along with the old thermostat) for safe keeping if I ever needed to go back to it (not that I would, of course)!

Step 4: In with the new Nest thermostat! First, we tried to install the new anchors. However, we unfortunately didn’t realize that there was a crossbeam behind where we were installing, so we ended up with one anchor that went in just fine and the other that wouldn’t stay in (and ended up pulling apart the drywall and having the anchor spin freely and eventually just fall out of its hole). Darn. Oh well, instead we installed the Nest thermostat’s base by screwing it directly into the drywall without using the anchors (Note: Later I ended up purchasing some drywall filler/spackle and anchors, filled the hole that was created in the drywall and mounted the Nest properly using anchors).

Once that was done, I connected the wires back into their respective places on the Nest base using my labels from earlier as a guide.

Step 5: Now that the base is installed, all we have to do is connect the Nest thermostat to its base, turn the power back on, and we’re done! Well, not exactly. Nest ran through a series of updates and reboots for about 30 minutes before we were finally able to play with it.

Once it was set up and done, I configured it to connect to my wireless network and then added the thermostat to my nest.com account via my iPhone. Now all that’s left is to teach Nest a schedule so that it starts intelligently controlling my heating/cooling, making sure that my house is nice and comfortable when I am home, yet saving me money when I’m not home by reducing the amount of heating/cooling that is done for an empty house!

Ok, well not exactly done. As you can see there’s a good amount of bare drywall where the old thermostat used to be. So, we ended up painting it to match the rest of the wall. I’ll post pictures of the final product soon!

Not too bad. Overall the install was pretty quick and painless, minus a few bumps in the road. So far the Nest thermostat has been working just fine, and I can’t wait to see what it does for my electric bill!

Thanks, Nest!

For more information on the Nest Learning Thermostat, visit Nest’s website: http://www.nest.com

Now, when you enter a totally wrong/incorrect password, you get “Please re-enter your password” “The password you entered is not correct” (again, click the image below to see the full-size version):

Does anyone else see an issue with this? I know I do. Knowing human nature, people reuse passwords. So, now, from one single page, you have my email account AND knowledge of a password I’ve previously used. While the password may not work for Facebook, it probably would work somewhere else. The first place I would think to test it? Your email account. And what happens if I get access to your email account? Well, how do people usually get password resets? Ah, email! Bingo! So now I’ve got access to other accounts… and on and on and on.

It wouldn’t be too hard to automate testing Facebook passwords using a tool like Burp Intruder (http://portswigger.net/burp/intruder.html). Judging on the response sizes, you could determine whether A) You found a totally incorrect password B) You’ve found an old password, or C) You’ve successfully logged in/gained access to the FB account.

Now, this does not take into account any other protection mechanisms that Facebook might have in place, such as locking out an account after a series of invalid logon attempts, login approvals, etc.

Oh Facebook, you fail again…

• http://blogs.starbucks.com/blogs/customer/archive/2010/09/02/starbucks-card-mobile-now-available-for-blackberry.aspx
• http://www.starbucks.com/coffeehouse/mobile-apps/starbucks-card-mobile-bb

Original Post is below:

I recently purchased a BlackBerry Torch and have been trying to find similar applications for it that I had previously on my iPhone 3G. So, I was happy to find out that Starbucks had released a BlackBerry app for their Starbucks cards.

So, as the instructions on the Starbucks website state, I sent a text message with the word “GO” to 70845

I received a message back with the following response: “To download Starbucks Card Mobile go to http://mobilecard.starbucks.com/wap/home“

So, I go to the site, click the “Download Starbucks Card Mobile App” and get the following error: “We’re sorry, your mobile device is not supported at this time.

For the list of supported devices and more information on Starbucks Card Mobile, please go to http://www.starbucks.com/coffeehouse/mobile-apps on your computer.”

No Starbucks Card Mobile app for the Torch? WHAT?!?! This can’t be. Starbucks, you create an app and don’t make it work with RIM’s latest and greatest BlackBerry? This can’t be!

So, enter google. A quick search and I come across this link for the .jad file. http://testcardmobile.starbucks.com/downloads/bb/5.0/release/MobileCard.jad

So, I click the link, download it to my phone, and run it. Guess what, IT WORKS!

Hope this helps anyone that’s looking for the Starbucks Card Mobile App for the Blackberry Torch!

As I was digging through a few news articles online, I found a few that mentioned AT&T had changed it’s pricing model for data plans. Wait WHAT?! For the past few years AT&T and Apple had touted the fact that you could pay $30 a month and have unlimited data on your iPhone (and subsequently iPad as well).

Today I found an article that pretty well sums up my feelings on the matter. Per Gizmodo: AT&T Just Killed Unlimited Wireless Data and Screwed Everybody in the Process

To recap AT&T’s new data plan structure: The $30 unlimited iPhone/iPad data plan is killed/gone (but existing subscribers will still be able to keep their existing unlimited plan/be grandfathered in). In its place, DataPlus w/200mb for $15/month, DataPro w/2gb for $25/month. This chart from Gizmodo’s article may make it easier to understand:

Oh and good news! You can now tether your iPhone to your computer in order to get internet access (instead of having to pay for wifi in airports, coffee shops, etc). But wait, that’ll cost you $20 a month with NO EXTRA DATA TRANSFER/ALLOTMENT. Oh, and if you want to enable tethering, you have no choice but to move to DataPlus or DataPro, thus losing your grandfathered in iPhone/iPad Unlimited data plan. So basically if you want to tether your iPhone you have to fork over your old unlimited data plan as well as $20 PER MONTH so that AT&T will flip one little switch on your account and/or send you one simple carrier update that will enable tethering on your iPhone.

All of these plans go into effect starting on June 7th. Coincidence? I think not. That’s the same day as Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference where it has been pretty much determined that the new iPhone 4G will be released.

I was really looking forward to seeing/getting the new iPhone 4G. With all of the shadiness surrounding the data plan cuts as well as the fact that HTC decided to get with the times and build phones that encompass newer technologies (than Apple has been able to build into the iPhone), I am highly considering switching both phone hardware and carriers…

I’m thinking that an HTC Evo with Sprint’s $99/month Simply Everything plan is sounding really good right about now (especially with a corporate/hospital discount that makes it only $76.99/month)… Hmm…

UPDATE (6/6/2010): After doing a bit more research, the corporate/hospital discount does not apply to the Sprint Simply Everything plan, so it would be the $99/month. However, a plan similar to the one I currently have with AT&T (including 450 minutes/month with free nights and weekends, unlimited texts/MMS, and unlimited data) is only a few cents difference in cost per month to what my AT&T monthly charges are.

Also, in doing further research into Sprint’s plans, they require any person who purchases an HTC Evo phone to purchase their HTC Evo Premium Data Package at an added cost of $10 per month. Like the new iPhone tethering plan, this DOES NOT include any additional data allotment. It’s just a way for Sprint to make more money (and since the Evo is a data-hungry machine, a way for Sprint to make an extra $120 per year off of those who place the heaviest load on Sprint’s data network)

For more info, see Gizmodo’s post here: http://gizmodo.com/5520164/this-is-apples-next-iphone

Per Gizmodo, here’s whats new:

• Front-facing video chat camera
• Improved regular back-camera (the lens is quite noticeably larger than the iPhone 3GS)
• Camera flash
• Micro-SIM instead of standard SIM (like the iPad)
• Improved display. It’s unclear if it’s the 960×460 display thrown around before—it certainly looks like it, with the “Connect to iTunes” screen displaying much higher resolution than on a 3GS.
• What looks to be a secondary mic for noise cancellation, at the top, next to the headphone jack
• Split buttons for volume
• Power, mute, and volume buttons are all metallic
What’s changed
• The back is entirely flat, made of either glass (more likely) or ceramic or shiny plastic in order for the cell signal to poke through. Tapping on the back makes a more hollow and higher pitched sound compared to tapping on the glass on the front/screen, but that could just be the orientation of components inside making for a different sound
• An aluminum border going completely around the outside
• Slightly smaller screen than the 3GS (but seemingly higher resolution)
• Everything is more squared off
• 3 grams heavier
• 16% Larger battery
• Internals components are shrunken, miniaturized and reduced to make room for the larger battery
• Front-facing video chat camera
• Improved regular back-camera (the lens is quite noticeably larger than the iPhone 3GS)
• Camera flash
• Micro-SIM instead of standard SIM (like the iPad)
• Improved display. It’s unclear if it’s the 960×460 display thrown around before—it certainly looks like it, with the “Connect to iTunes” screen displaying much higher resolution than on a 3GS.
• What looks to be a secondary mic for noise cancellation, at the top, next to the headphone jack
• Split buttons for volume
• Power, mute, and volume buttons are all metallic

As I stated on Facebook: “Oh… My… God… Watch this video and let it blow your mind. 4 chords are all you need to play every single pop song ever made…”

Axis Of Awesome – 4 Four Chord Song (with song titles)

Details here: http://www.powerbookmedic.com/wordpress/2010/03/29/enter-the-ipad-giveaway

The Genius I worked with hooked my iPhone up to one of their MacBooks and asked me to accept an agreement that “would send a bunch of 1s and 0s to Apple about my iPhone.” I was assured that no personal information would be transmitted. Yeah, OK (I don’t fully buy that)…

But that’s beside the point. The first thing the Genius said is that he saw a lot of unresponsive apps on my phone. The second thing he indicated was that an update to the new 3.1.3 version of the iPhone OS would possibly cure my battery life issues. I’ve heard that song and dance over and over again and wouldn’t believe it for a minute. They’ve said that about every single iPhone OS update but none have delivered any significant battery life improvement, IMHO.

Then came the surprise. As the Genius scrolled down in his “Behavior Scan” report of my iPhone, up came a section entitled “Third-Party Apps.” What did this show? An entry labeled “Cydia_”… Oh, crap. The next thing I know the Apple Genius turns to me and says “There’s your battery problem. You’re using third-party apps.” I replied by telling him that I had jailbroken my iPhone once a while back and that I indeed did see a slight decrease in battery life which then prompted me to go back to a stock version of the iPhone OS. He replied “Well when we see that, we typically won’t do anything for the customer. Jailbreaking voids the warranty and after that, Apple won’t honor it.” First thing that went through my mind was “Oh, crap…” especially since I had purchased AppleCare for my iPhone (as it has been beneficial on my other laptops, except for my latest one. I’ll tell that support nightmare some other time).

So here I sat thinking that I was screwed, that I had voided my warranty and any chance of receiving help from Apple regarding my iPhone for all of eternity, even with AppleCare. However, the next few words out of the Genius’ mouth were like music to my ears. “Well, we’re going to replace your iPhone for you due to the crack/hardware issue you’re having near the headphone port. Keep in mind this has nothing to do with the battery life issue, especially since you had used third-party apps. If it wasn’t for your hardware issue, you definitely wouldn’t be getting a replacement…”

Then came the unfortunate part. That particular Apple Store was out of iPhone 3G replacements. The Genius asked if I was from around the area, which I technically am but am attending school in Indiana and am only home due to Spring Break. He stated that a replacement would take two to three days to arrive. Damn, I’ll be back in Indiana by that point. He then suggested I call the Apple Store in Indianapolis and set up an appointment/replacement with them. He also added notes to my account (that from what he explained were tied to the serial number of my iPhone) which would indicate that I should receive a replacement. So, I’ll be off to do so in a few days.

So what did I learn from this visit (and what should you take away from my story)?

1. Apple can detect if you’ve jailbroken/used third-party apps
2. If you are going to take a jailbroken iPhone in to the Apple Store, MAKE SURE YOU RESTORE IT USING DFU MODE… And that no matter what you do, Apple is going to suggest you upgrade to the latest and greatest OS revision. So if you’re going to go in with the intent of getting an exchange (and you’re certain you’re going to get one), just go ahead and restore (NOT UPGRADE) to the latest iPhone OS revision. HOWEVER/DISCLAIMER: Apple can also see your last restore date. So if you restore right before you go, they will probably tell you there isn’t enough data available for them to determine if you’re having a problem or not…
3. Apple can tie a note to your iPhone’s serial number… meaning that if they determine you used third-party apps/jailbroke at any time, they can add a note that pops up whenever you take that specific phone in for service/repair. Now here comes my question… what if you get a new/replacement iPhone? Does the note carry over to it? (I’d venture to guess that Apple has a way of making a permanent/global note on you, your account, etc.)
4. Apple still (somewhat) cares about their customers, even if they’re jailbreakers… Just make sure you’re bringing it in for an issue that’s NOT software related :-p
5. I probably forgot something else I learned. If I did, I’ll add it to this list…

Also, in my time at the Apple Store/viewing their Behavior Scan software, I was able to observe that the report indicated the following data:

• iPhone OS Version
• Last restore date
• Last sync and/or backup date
• Dropped call statistics (including by day of the week)
• Battery statistics including charge cycles/number of charges, original capacity, current capacity, etc
• Usage time since last charge
• Third-Party Apps

This is by no means an exhaustive list. It’s just what I can recall off of the top of my head. So again, let me just reiterate — Jailbreaking voids your warranty and Apple can tell if you’ve jailbroken with their Behavior Scan tool, so be careful!

PixelPipe

Eye-Fi

So after finding the two, I downloaded them and installed both of them to my iPhone. Up first — Eye-Fi. I went to open it and it asked me for my username and password. Not having one, I returned to the Eye-Fi Website assuming I could register for one. Once there I found that in order to get an account, one must own one of Eye-Fi’s Secure Digital card products. So, in essence, this “free” application actually costs $49.99 (which is the cost of Eye-Fi’s lowest cost product).

With that said, I decided that Eye-Fi was no longer a viable option and that PixelPipe had won out over Eye-Fi.

Next up, PixelPipe. As PixelPipe states on their website:

Pixelpipe is a content distribution gateway that allows users to publish text, photo, video and audio files once through Pixelpipe and have the content distributed across over 115 social networks, photo/video sites and blogs, and online storage around the globe. We provide a number of mobile & desktop applications for users, liberating their content and sharing their life.

So, with that said, I signed up for an account at http://www.pixelpipe.com. Once in, I created two “Pipes” — one for my Facebook account and another for Gallery2 on this site. I configured PixelPipe to use both as default destinations and set them to utilize custom folders instead of uploading to PixelPipe’s default (which is an album aptly named PixelPipe).

Now anytime I upload a picture from my iPhone using the PixelPipe app, it gets automatically uploaded to my “Mobile Uploads” folders on Facebook and Gallery2. How neat!

Note: I did have a little trouble in getting PixelPipe to upload to my Facebook Mobile Uploads folder. Even though I had defined it to do so on the “My Pipes” page on the PixelPipe website, a “PixelPipe Photos” album kept getting created and the photos were being uploaded to it. Facebook then wanted me to approve each and every photo that got uploaded to that folder before it would be posted to my Facebook account. This made no sense.

Anyway, the reason for this is that I had created my PixelPipe account some time ago and there was an older version of the “link” between Facebook and PixelPipe. I went into Settings > Application Settings on Facebook and deleted the old “link.” I then went into PixelPipe and deleted the Facebook pipe and recreated it. Once this was done I tried uploading via PixelPipe to Gallery2 and Facebook and guess what? It worked! My photo appeared in the “Mobile Uploads” folder on both sites.