The BlackBerry novelty has definitely worn off…I could not stand using the thing anymore…so I’m back to my iPhone as my main mobile phone for the time being and have the BB as my phone of choice if I anticipate to use tethering.

I started to use the iPhone without any protective case (i.e., the way Jonathan Ive wants the iPhone to be used)…I forgot how thin this thing is.

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With just over a week with the BlackBerry, I think I am *this* close to going back to the iPhone. BB’s individual features/functions are either brilliant or just plain abysmal; there is no middle ground.

Here is a list of of BB annoyances that I can’t stand

- automatic spellcheck is retarded.
- there is no synergy among applications, even the RIM-created ones; each application acts as if they are the only running app in the BB. Ironically, the only app that works nicely with RIM apps is Beejive.
- browsing experience is not bad–it’s horrible. BB needs its new Webkit browser NOW!
- BB standard fonts are UGLY.
- Why can’t I force-quit applications?
- Where is my Mint.com app?

If you’re using a phone to check email and very minimal browsing, BB is OK. Otherwise, getting a BB is just a way to punish yourself.

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I’m beginning to like this new BlackBerry. I’m still amazed by its loooooong battery life, and Bluetooth tethering that just works great with the Mac. Now, if RIM just release that Webkit-based browser, I’m all set.

(I wrote this post on the BB Wordpress app)

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I received a BlackBerry Bold 9700 as my new electronic dog leash company mobile phone.  My Apple fanboy in me lamented for a few days on why my company hasn’t made the iPhone its standard mobile phone.

However, as I put the thing through its paces…I just learned that it’s not so bad.  Sure, it’s FUGLY and the lack of touchscreen makes it antiquated in comparison with the newer smartphones…but it gets the job done.  I installed GMail, Google Sync (for Contacts) and a few apps that I use a lot on my iPhone.

Now I have become that gadget freak that I never want to be: a gadget freak with TWO mobile phones.  Why is this so?  Two things: BlackBerry’s amazing battery life…and the ability to tether without having to root (a.k.a. “jailbreak”) the phone!

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I added a Firewire card to my hackint0sh and just when I thought everything would just work, It didn’t.  OS X (10.6.2) cannot detect the Firewire ports.  But bless those folks at InsanelyMac, it turns out that I just need to delete AppleHPET.kext from /System/Library/Extensions, and voila!  Firewire works.  Apparently, this driver conflicts with the Firewire PCI driver…or something to that effect…I don’t care…as long as my Firewire works!

Up next: Add a new HDD.  I also replaced my 250GB storage disk with a 1TB.

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Aperture 3 is finally out!  YAY.

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If you followed this guide on creating your Hackint0sh, you are probably greeted with a Kernel Panic once you update to 10.6.2.

This is because the SleepEnabler.kext–the driver that makes the Hackint0sh sleep upon inactivity–is not 10.6.2 compatible. You will need to delete the driver in order to boot properly:

• Boot using the Leopard DVD or the Leopard Hackint0sh USB if you still have it.
• Select the DVD/USB on boot prompt
• Instead of continuing with the installation (duh), open a Terminal from the Utilities menu.
• cd to /Volumes/{YourHackint0shVolume}/Extras/Extensions then delete the SleepEnabler.kext by issuing a “rm -r SleepEnabler.kext/”
• Reboot

There is an updated SleepEnabler but I haven’t tried it yet.  I will update this post once I have. Update: the 10.6.2-friendly SleepEnabler works!

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I’m currently evaluating Google Chrome to replace Safari as my default browser.  Yes, I know it’s not even in beta yet…but Safari is just a real memory hog on my Mac.  I’m not sure if my Mac is an isolated case because I can’t find any similar issues on the web.

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SUCCESS!!

Well, for the most part.

I am now writing this blog entry using my new Hackint0sh (I have network)!  I am not yet totally done.  I still have to make the SL drive bootable by itself (I’m still booting from the thumbdrive) and I still need to muck around with the drivers to enable audio.  AND make sure that Software Update works.

Once I have everything in order, I will be writing an article about the experience to hopefully help somebody out there who would want to have an OS X box, but not exactly have a lot of money to blow.

Update 1: That was easy! I have managed to make the HDD bootable by itself now. I’ll mess with the drivers later. It’s hard to think while gloating.

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I just received the computer parts from NewEgg and now in the process of creating the Snow Leopard custom installer as outlined here and here (mix and matching the instructions as necessary).

I will probably gut out the old parts and put in the new sometime tomorrow.

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I am currently watching a movie through PS3 Media Center, which is arguably one of the ugliest-looking best application for the Mac. Before this application, the only available decent alternative (Nullriver’s Medialink) is not free.

Now, of course there is no such thing as a free lunch: the current official version has problems with Snow Leopard and/or OS 3.0 of PS3. Skip the official version and go to the latest bleeding-edge version and everything will work as advertised.

Whew! And I almost broke down to buy MediaLink

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