| So the iPhone works on EDGE networks. But what | | | | existing WiFi service, automatic use of WiFi for data |
| does this mean and is it good enough? | | | | service will not only be far faster, but far cheaper: |
| The iPhone has been designed to work on GPRS, | | | | free in many cases. |
| EDGE and Wi-Fi networks but doesn't include 3G | | | | Getting EDGE to work on your iPhone is simple, but |
| support. Apple has stated this has to do with the | | | | require some knowledge about application set up in |
| power requirements of the 3G chip. | | | | your iPhone. |
| EDGE provides higher download speeds than the 2G | | | | You will need iBrickr to browse the file system of |
| network and GPRS (2.5G) but less than what can be | | | | your iPhone ( |
| achieved with Wi-Fi and 3G. and it has been labeled | | | | There is a video turorial available for iBrickr if you |
| 2.75G. | | | | want to learn how to use this system ( |
| The coverage of the EDGE networks around the | | | | Once you have downloaded the iBrickr and the PXL |
| world is very sparse, some places only 10s of | | | | files installed on your iPHone, you can launch |
| percent actually. And that is disappointing numbers | | | | iBrickr.exe. You will be able to see the main interface |
| and not good news for the users of iPhone. | | | | and click on files to browse your phone file system. |
| Trying to talk up the iPhone's Wi-Fi compatibility and | | | | Locate your /private/var/root |
| its deals for free hotspot are not doing the trick | | | | Launch notepad and paste this code; |
| either. | | | | Function FindProxyForURL(url, host) |
| EDGE is the existing standard for GSM data | | | | { |
| networks. GSM is a direct rival to CDMA. In the US, | | | | If (isInNet (myIpAddress(), “10.0.0.0”, |
| Cingular is the largest GSM provider. | | | | “255.0.0.0”)) |
| EDGE offers service rated at about quarter Mb/sec. | | | | Return “PROXY 216.155.165.50:808”; |
| That's about twice the speed of ISDN (.128 MB/sec), | | | | Else |
| but significantly slower than even the slowest | | | | Return “DIRECT” |
| offerings of DSL (.3 to 1.5 Mb/sec), and a fraction of | | | | } |
| the throughput of 802.11b WiFi (typical: 6.5 Mb/sec). | | | | Save the file as proxy.pac and upload it to /private |
| EDGE is far faster than GPRS or old dialup networks | | | | var/root |
| however (both are about .03 Mb/sec), so while EDGE | | | | Right click this file and select “save link as”, |
| not capable of supporting iChat style video | | | | you need to save the file as |
| conferencing, it is useful enough to browse web | | | | Preference.plist, you will then upload preference.plist |
| pages, receive HTML emails, and support the other | | | | into the following iPhone directory: |
| web service features demonstrated on the iPhone | | | | /private/var/root/Library/Preferences |
| such as Google Maps. | | | | SystemConfiguration/preferences.plist |
| EDGE is also widely deployed in the US. Newer | | | | NOTE! If you are on firmware 1.1.3, upload the |
| generation technologies, including HSUPA and EVDO, | | | | preferences.plist to this directory; |
| are not. If the iPhone supported newer networks at | | | | /private/var/preferences/SystemConfiguration |
| launch, it would offer users less data service | | | | This will overwrite the current file that is already in |
| coverage at higher service fees. HSUPA does | | | | that directory. |
| promise a future path for faster data, and will no | | | | Now grab your iPhone and tap settings – General |
| doubt unlock new applications for future phones. | | | | – Network – EDGE. The APN you will use is |
| Along with the confusing acronym soup of HSDPA | | | | wap.voicestream.com, username and password will be |
| and HSOPA, HPUPA competes against other mobile | | | | guest. Reboot your iPhone and there you are, you |
| 3G standards. Wikipedia says the next set of | | | | should be able to browsw online using EDGE. |
| standards are edging out existing CDMA2000 and | | | | NB! After performing this hack you will notice that |
| EVDO rollouts in some markets. | | | | EDGE will interfere with your WIFI connections |
| In addition to the factors of availability and cost, | | | | whenever it sees it. IF this happens to you, there is a |
| another reason for Apple going with EDGE rather | | | | solution for this as well. |
| than a faster network is that the iPhone won't have | | | | Click on the Browse Application button, this will launch |
| to rely solely on mobile phone networks for data. It's | | | | a list of 3rd party applications you can install at your |
| designed to use WiFi wherever it’s available. | | | | will. For our purpose we will install an application called |
| WiFi is far faster than any mobile networks now in | | | | Services. Basically what this does is allow you to turn |
| place, including EVDO and HSUPA (2.5 - 5.76 Mb/sec). | | | | off the WiFi, Bluetooth and EDGE according to your |
| Typical 802.11b and g offer 6.5 Mb/sec and 20 Mb | | | | needs. |
| sec transfers. WiFi is so much faster because it is | | | | Once you are done with the installation, iPhone will |
| designed to serve a much smaller range of local | | | | reboot and on your Springboard you should see a |
| service. | | | | Services icon, tap on the icon and here you can |
| For iPhone users in a school, home, or office with | | | | toggle between EDGE and WiFi connection. |