About Me- Member since: Dec-31-89 23:00:00 PST
- Location: United States
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Most Recent Posts Posted Jul-13-08 02:21:26 PDT 
- As you can see from the box, we got the black one.
Rumor has it the white iPhones are out there, but as rare as an albino
whale. This iPhone cost us $979 NZ without a contract (but locked to
Vodafone, of course). Not sure what we’re going to do with a
Vodafone-locked iPhone in California, but we’ll figure something out.
- The packaging looks familiar…
- All right, here’s the specs we know up-front:
- The iPhone 3G is 4.5×2.4×0.48″ (0.02″ thinner than
iPhone), and weighs 4.7 ounces (0.1 ounce less). For reference, this is
approximately the weight of two unladen swallows.
- The display is 3.5″ diagonal, 480×320 resolution for 163ppi. Also known as identical to the iPhone (not that we’re complaining).
- No surprises inside the box:
- USB docking cable
- Standard iPhone headphones
- USB power adapter
- Oh, what’s this? A New Zealand power plug! We’ve never gotten one of these in a box before!
- Removing the SIM card
- Perhaps the least-touted new feature of the iPhone 3G
is the flush headphone jack, allowing non-Apple headphones to be used
without an adapter. Yay!
It’s open!
- For comparison, here’s a link to last-year’s iPhone disassembly.
- Our predictions:
- Apple-labeled Samsung processor - correct
- Either some kind of GPS chip, or none at all. If there isn’t a GPS chip, then it could be built into the processor. - unconfirmed
- Lots of chips with only Apple markings on them.
Sometimes we can tell what they are, but most of the time you have to
take the chip itself apart first. - correct, but this one’s cheating
- Removing the display!
- Rotating the display up.
- A little birdy has told me that TechOnline
will be decapping the chips we can’t identify tomorrow, after the US
release. They soak the chip in an acid bath to eat away the ceramic
coating, then use x-rays and other fancy equipment to examine it.
- The display assembly separated from the unit.
- In a significant departure from the first iPhone,
it appears that the LCD and glass covering are separate components–
just like the iPod Touch. They were glued together before, making
replacement screens very expensive. The glass breaks more than anything
else, so this is great news for repairing the iPhone 3G!
- We had to remove 6 Phillips #00 screws to separate the glass from the LCD.
- The glass (with integrated touch sensors and chips) is underneath, while the LCD is being removed.
- In the previous iPhone, the display was fairly
monolithic. A number of components were connected together via the
display assembly– now the display just connects to the main board.
Hopefully this will make obtaining replacement parts easier– we’ve had
trouble getting quality supplies of iPhone displays to sell.
- Behold, the iPhone! Can you see the 3G bits inside?
- The two boards (logic and communications) are now
one. Rather than stacking them, as in the last model, they laid it out
along the entire length. We’re guessing this allowed them to make the
battery longer.
- We’re not used to taking photos outside our
studio, but these pictures are turning out great because of our awesome
friends in NZ.
- Props to Andrei Smirnov of Mac Solutions
for helping us out. They are a Macintosh sales and support company
established in 1998 and based on the North Shore, Auckland. Do us a
favor and use his services the next time you’re in Auckland!
Do not remove
- Uh oh.
- Let’s try removing that.
- And the iPhone explodes!
- Just kidding. Look, the battery isn’t soldered on!
- Apple actually listens to us! Or something.
- Dock and headphone connector.
- Once we get the phone completely apart, we’ll
start posting chip numbers. We’d love help identifying chips from all
of you, send us any inside information to iphone3g@ifixit.com. We’ll
keep it anonymous.
Logic Board
- This is where we get excited. We’ll be doing our best to identify each of these chips. See our uber-high res shot (1.2MB)
- Intel NOR flash in the middle left of the shot: 3050M0Y0CE 5818A456
- The largest chip in the top left corner is an Infineon 337S3394 WEDGE baseband.
- Skyworks power amplifier SKY77340 (Power Amplifier Module Quad) on the top right: Octopart datasheet
- The chip in the top middle is SMP 3i 6820, Infineon SM-Power3i.
From Infineon: the part is “optimized to support modem and data card
applications based upon X-GOLD208 and X-GOLD 608, with features ranging
from EDGE up to 3G and HSDPA.”
- The three chips along the bottom are TriQuint Tritium PA-duplexers:
TQM616035 TQM676031 TQM666032. Presumably each one works on a different
frequency band: “Each highly-integrated module contains a Tx input
filter, a linear Power Amplifier, Duplexer, and Coupler.”
- Small chip to the right of the NOR: Infineon BGA736 (Tri-Band HSDPA LNA)
- Chips we need to identify: SP836175 G0822 337S3394
(rumored to be an Infineon baseband), Marvell 6475 (rumored to be IF
SAW Filter), 338S03532Z 60814 (rumored to be an Infineon RF transceiver)
- The entire board (the EMI shield is removed from the right side).
- The previous shot is the top right portion of this picture.
- Removing the EMI shielding is tricky, so we’re taking our time.
- If you’d like to comment publicly, use the Gizmodo forums or reply via twitter to ifixitlive, and Summize will pull it up.
- The other half of the board. Note the Apple-branded ARM on the left and the SIM card holder at bottom center.
- Big news: Samsung memory markers on the processor
again. Looks like they win on the processor front again (not that we
were expecting anything different).
- Markers: 339S0036 ARM EMC567DB 819 8900B N182F0A3 0825 7511.101 ZPD8163Y, 5974V CKUFBG HE0819 870628 P12 N3
- Samsung memory on the chip (K4X1G163PC-DGC3) is slightly different from the first iPhone, which was K4X1G153PC
- SST SST25VF040B 4Mbit SPI Serial Flash to the right of the SIM card
- Chips we need to identify: APPLE 338S0512, more (incomplete)
- The rear panel remains. Looks like that leaked shot was reasonably accurate.
- The battery. Put your soldering irons away, they won’t be needed! Apple part #616-0372
- The recycle marker on the battery is blacked out with a sharpie. Suspicious…
- We were all expecting a bigger battery, and I can’t verify this, but this page
references the part number on the battery and lists a capacity of 1150
mAh, not the 1400 mAh in the original. Can anyone dig up more
information?
At last!
- From top left to bottom right: Display glass, LCD, Main board and EMI shield, Antenna and battery, Back panel.
- That’s it! We’ll keep updating the chips above, so
keep checking back. We’ll post more photos as requested, but we’re
going to snag some sleep after waiting in line for two nights.
Posted Jul-13-08 02:17:25 PDT
forbes.com
Confession: It’s been easy to warn folks away from buying an iPhone
this year. A newer, better phone was clearly on the way. And last month
Apple proved the predictions true by introducing a
cheaper model loaded with GPS and a zippier wireless connection that
will go on sale Friday, July 11.
The coolest thing about the next generation iPhone, however, is its
new software. And if you already have the device, you’re going to be
getting the best parts of the new model for free very soon (or for a
small charge to those who own an iPod Touch). Getting stuck with the
old iPhone isn’t looking as bad as we feared.
Apple introduced
the most interesting features of the new phone in March. CEO Steve Jobs
unveiled the software of the new iPhone’s and opened that software up
to outside developers.
Perhaps the most interesting, and least heralded, thing about this
new software is how much better it will mesh with the rest of your
life. The software is chock full of small details that help you do
this, like allowing you to get e-mail and calendar information directly
from Microsoft Exchange servers.
If you’ve got a BlackBerry, this won’t make you switch. But if
you’re using an iPhone now, it means you might actually be able to get
your work e-mail through your phone.
So what will make BlackBerry users sit up and take notice? The
multitude of applications being readied for the phone by outside
developers. The size and scope of Apple’s developer program remains a
bit of a mystery, but Apple has already shown off demos from online
auctioneer eBay mobile social-networking start-up Loopt, blogging service TypePad, the Associated Press and game developer Pangea Software.
The best part of the developer program is that it promises to keep
cranking out new applications for the old iPhone for years to come.
Before, developers were limited to working with the Web browser built
into the phone. Now Apple will distribute software from third parties
to users through its new Apps Store, which will allow users to
wirelessly download software on the iPhone or on their computer via
iTunes. Apple will take a 30% cut of any sales, but developers will be
able to sell their software for whatever they see fit.
Venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers said it
will launch a $100 million fund, dubbed the iFund, to invest in
developers creating applications for the iPhone.
There will still be some things the new iPhone will be able to do
that the old one won’t. The lack of a GPS receiver means it won’t be
able to deliver turn-by-turn directions with the new iPhone’s accuracy.
And the old phone’s relatively poky data connection means applications
that rely on a connection to the Internet will crawl along without
access to a wi-fi hot spot.
Nevertheless, one of the easiest criticisms one can make of
Apple–that it moves to bump off older models with stylish new ones as
often as it can–doesn’t hold up this time. The old phone looks a lot
like the new one. And once you update the software, it will work a lot
like the new one as well. Posted May-25-08 12:57:00 PDT
A somewhat trite but valid observation regarding the iPhone is that the
device is more akin to a handheld computer than a phone. It runs a
full-fledged OS and requires updates that are exponentially larger than
the over-the-air updates used by most other smartphones. The added
complexity means that the iPhone, in some cases, needs to be treated more like a computer than a phone. Like desktop computers, the device can benefit from some routine maintenance.
The easiest and most effective maintenance procedure you can implement
for the iPhone is a regularly executed reboot. To do this:
- Go to the home screen
- Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button (on top of the device) and the
Home button. You will see the “slide to turn off” cue, but keep holding
the buttons. Eventually the screen will go black, then the Apple logo
will appear.
- Release the buttons when you see the Apple logo.
The frequency with which you should reboot the iPhone varies depending
on the troubleshooting issues you experience and the diversity of
applications you use on the device. Some perform the procedure once a
week, others once a day.
If you still experience troubleshooting issues after implementing a
regular reboot schedule, you’ll need to explore specific. See our
troubleshooting section for a wealth of problems and associated fixes.
Posted May-25-08 12:52:29 PDT
Aggressive demand for unlocked units and a dearth of official, in-store
stock ahead of a new models’s expected introduction in the coming weeks
have driven iPhone prices on eBay sky-high. Some 16GB unlocked listings
are currently carrying “Buy-it-now” (non-bidding) prices in excess of
$700 — a $200 premium over brand-new models purchased from Apple or
AT&T and a $350 premium over AT&T’s refurbished-model prices.
Bidding on similar 16GB models runs between $600 and $650.
Some sellers see the massive price discrepancy as a quick profit
turner; the prospect mitigated, however, by the fact that AT&T is
currently limiting refurbished iPhone purchases to one-per-customer.
Apple has withdrawn the current-model iPhone from its online store.
The store currently displays the message “Currently Unavailable” for
both the 8GB and 16GB iPhone models. AT&T’s Web site, meanwhile,
still lists both iPhone models as available.
Posted May-25-08 12:47:20 PDT Updated May-25-08 12:47:54 PDT
How to identify your iMac
The
ever-popular iMac line of computers has been in existence in one form
or another since 1998. The computers look slightly different in
different eras. Look at the pictures below to identify which generation
of iMac you have.
In August 2004, Apple introduced the first
generation of iMac G5 that used a PowerPC G5 processor. In May 2005, an
enhanced, second generation iMac G5 was introduced using the same
design. In September 2005, a third generation of iMac G5 was introduced
with a built-in iSight camera. In January 2006, an iMac with Intel
processor and integrated iSight camera was introduced, and in August
2007 Apple introduced an Intel-based iMac with a glossy, widescreen
display and an anodized aluminum frame.
You can identify these various iMac models in several ways. Just use
one of the methods below to help you determine which model you have.
Check the EMC number on the bottom label
On the bottom of your iMac stand, you'll find a label with the serial number printed on it:
This label also provides other information, including the computer
configuration and an "EMC" number (EMC No.). The EMC number is unique
for different iMac models; just make note of the EMC number on the
bottom of your computer and refer to the table below to identify your
model.
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First
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1989
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17-inch iMac G5
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2008
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20-inch iMac G5
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Second
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2055
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17-inch iMac G5 (Ambient Light Sensor)
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2056
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20-inch iMac G5 (Ambient Light Sensor)
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Third
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2081
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17-inch iMac G5 (iSight)
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2082
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20-inch iMac G5 (iSight)
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Intel Core Duo
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2104
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17-inch iMac (Early 2006)
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2105
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20-inch iMac (Early 2006)
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2110
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17-inch iMac (Mid 2006)
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Intel Core 2 Duo
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2124
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iMac (17-inch Late 2006 CD)
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2114
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iMac (17-inch Late 2006)
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2118
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iMac (20-inch Late 2006)
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2111
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iMac (24-inch)
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2133
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iMac (20-inch Mid 2007)
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2134
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iMac (24-inch Mid 2007)
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Check the marketing model number on the box
You'll find a sticker on the outside of the original iMac packaging
that lists the marketing model number. Just match your number with one
in the table below to find your iMac model. The two characters before
the slash (/) vary by country, but the part number will be the same
worldwide (we're using "xx" to represent these two variable characters
below).
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First
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M9248xx/A
M9363xx/A
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17-inch iMac G5, 1.6 GHz
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M9249xx/A
M9823xx/A
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17-inch iMac G5, 1.8 GHz
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M9250xx/A
M9824xx/A
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20-inch iMac G5, 1.8 GHz
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Second
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M9843xx/A
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17-inch iMac G5 (Ambient Light Sensor), 1.8 GHz
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M9844xx/A
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17-inch iMac G5 (Ambient Light Sensor), 2.0 GHz
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M9845xx/A
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20-inch iMac G5 (Ambient Light Sensor), 2.0 GHz
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Third
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MA063xx/A
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17-inch iMac G5 (iSight), 1.9 GHz
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MA064xx/A
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20-inch iMac G5 (iSight), 2.1 GHz
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Intel Core Duo
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MA199xx/A
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17-inch iMac (Early 2006), 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo
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MA200xx/A
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20-inch iMac (Early 2006), 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo
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MA406xx/A
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17-inch iMac (Mid 2006), 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo
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Intel Core 2 Duo
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MA710xx/A
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iMac (17-inch Late 2006 CD)
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MA590xx/A
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iMac (17-inch Late 2006)
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MA589xx/A
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iMac (20-inch Late 2006)
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MA456xx/A
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iMac (24-inch)
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MA876XX/A
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iMac (20-inch Mid 2007)
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MA877XX/A
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iMac (20-inch Mid 2007)
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MA878XX/A
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iMac (24-inch Mid 2007)
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Look for unique physical characteristics
Each generation adds new features...
Look at the underside of your iMac display. If you see an Ambient
Light Sensor, you have a second generation iMac G5. The picture below
shows a second generation iMac G5.
Look at the top center of your iMac—right above the display. If you
see a built-in iSight camera, you have a third generation iMac G5 or an
Intel-based iMac. The picture below shows a third generation iMac G5
with the built-in iSight camera circled. An iMac with an Intel Core Duo
processor will look the same from this angle.
Tip: If your iMac has an iSight, look at the configuration code
on the underside of the iMac stand. Every model has a label with
configuration information on it. iMac G5 computers will list "iMac G5"
in the configuration. iMac computers that use Intel processors will
list "iMac" in their configuration.
The iMac (Mid 2007) models have a glossy, widescreen display and an anodized aluminum frame.
Compare details in System Profiler
From the Apple menu, choose About This Mac. The Processor
listing will show the speed of the processor followed by the processor
type. It will show PowerPC G5 for the iMac G5, iMac G5 (Ambient Light
Sensor), and iMac G5 (iSight). For iMac (Early 2006) computers, the
listing will show Intel Core Duo. If your About This Mac window lists
PowerPC G5, then click More Info to open System Profiler.
To determine which iMac G5 model you have, compare your computer's
technical specifications to the specifications listed below.
iMac G5
The first generation iMac G5 was introduced in August 2004. Distinguishing features include:
- A 1.6 GHz PowerPC G5 processor with a 17-inch screen, or a 1.8 GHz PowerPC G5 processor with a 17- or 20-inch screen.
- Airport and Bluetooth are optional - if you have Airport and
Bluetooth, you ordered them as a CTO extra when you bought the
computer.
- Comes with an NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra video card.
iMac G5 (Ambient Light Sensor)
The iMac G5 (Ambient Light
Sensor) was introduced in May 2005. This computer has several features
that distinguish it from the original iMac G5:
- A 1.8 GHz PowerPC G5 processor with a 17-inch screen, or a 2.0 GHz PowerPC G5 processor with a 17- or 20-inch screen.
- Airport and Bluetooth are standard.
- Comes with an ATI Radeon 9600 video card.
iMac G5 (iSight)
The iMac G5 (iSight) was introduced in September 2005. This computer
has several features that distinguish it from the other iMac G5s:
- A 1.9 GHz PowerPC G5 processor with a 17-inch screen, or a 2.1 GHz Power PC G5 processor with a 20-inch screen.
- Comes with an ATI Radeon X600 video card.
- Comes with a built-in iSight camera.
iMac (Early 2006)
The iMac (Early 2006) was introduced in January 2006. This computer has several features that distinguish it from the iMac G5:
- A 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor with a 17-inch screen, or a 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo processor with a 20-inch screen.
- Comes with an ATI Radeon X1600 video card using PCI Express.
- Comes with a mini-DVI video out port.
iMac (Mid 2006)
The iMac (Mid 2006) was introduced in July 2006. This computer has
several features that distinguish it from the iMac (Early 2006):
- A 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor with a 17-inch screen AND
- Comes with the Intel GMA950 graphics processor using shared main memory.
- Comes with a Combo drive (reads DVDs and CDs, writes CDs)
- Does NOT come with built-in Bluetooth
iMac (Late 2006)
The iMac (Late 2006) models of computer were introduce in September
2006. This computer has several features that distinguish it from
previous Intel-based iMac computers introduced in 2006:
- Intel Core 2 Duo processors running at up to 2.33 GHz
- LCD display sizes of 17-inch, 20-inch and 24-inch
- Optical digital audio output
iMac (Mid 2007)
The iMac (Mid 2007) models were introduced in August 2007. This
computer has several features that distinguish it from previous
Intel-based iMac computers introduced in 2006:
- Intel Core 2 Duo processors running at up to 2.8 GHz
- Glossy, widescreen display in 20-inch and 24-inch sizes
- Optical digital audio input
- Anodized aluminum frame
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