Overseas Chinese Web Guide

Tag: apple

  • iPhone 2.0: Unknown Error Occurred (-9838)

    The mad rush is on. I’ve been clicking on the Check for Update button in iTunes since yesterday in anticipation of the official release of the iPhone 2.0 software. This morning, shortly before 8:00 a.m. PST, iTunes finally changed it tune and stopped telling me that I had the latest version installed. Of course, I immediately told it to begin the installation process…much to my later regret.

    Even though I don’t have an unlocked or jailbroken iPhone, the installation process was NOT smooth. Towards the end of the installation, iTunes attempted to access the iTunes Store, presumably for authentication purposes. However, I’m guessing that too many people are trying to do this at the same time. So, despite months of preparation, Apple cannot “complete [my] iTunes Store request.” And, instead of an upgraded iPhone, I now have a iPhone that can only be used to make emergency calls.

    An unknown error occurred (-9836).
    There was an error in the iTunes Store. Please try again later.

    So, if you are eager to get the latest iPhone 2.0 upgrade, I would suggest waiting for a few hours until Apple has resolved this issue. Else, you’ll be toting around a brick that can only be used for emergency calls–which isn’t a bad thing if you’re trying to avoid phone calls on a Friday.

    Update: Now, I’m seeing this error message:

    We could not complete your iTunes Store request.
    An unknown error occurred (-4).

    There was an error in the iTunes Store. Please try again later.

    10:13 AM: There’s no magic trick or solution. You have to keep trying. I headed off to work and plugged in the iPhone and it authenticated. So, I no longer have an iBrick. While the iTunes autosync’d all my contacts, photos and videos, I have not been able to move over the new Apps that I downloaded yesterday. I’m still seeing that -4 error.

    strong>10:28 AM: In iTunes, I right-clicked on the iPhone and selected Sync and it brought my apps over. If you are using a one button mouse, that’s control-click.

  • The Best Thing About an Apple iPhone is Google

    Apple iPhoneHonestly, I had my doubts about the Apple iPhone: slow data network speeds, no integrated GPS, and high cost. I tried to hold off until Apple released iPhone 2.0, presumably with a 3G chipset and other goodies, but I surrendered to frustration. And, I blame Google for it all.

    Without a doubt, Google revolutionized the Internet. Suddenly, I could find anything on the Internet. Not just standard information like who is the First President of the United States, but really relatively obscure facts like who is the Second Emperor of the Northern Wei Dynasty. And, the more useful I found Google, the more I used Google until I couldn’t part from Google. I needed to take Google along with me. And, that’s why I had to buy an iPhone. I just experienced too many instances where I encountered a problem while away from my computer where I realized that I could solve my problem in seconds with access to Google or the Internet.

    • Dull EDGE. All the iPhone reviews noted that AT&T’s EDGE data network was slow. Unfortunately, the reviewers understated the problem. I could not use EDGE for regular web browsing; e.g., reading the New York Times or visiting other websites. I don’t like waiting in line. I don’t like waiting for pages to load. I don’t like waiting. Period. Safari is fine with Wi-Fi access, but seriously underwhelming on EDGE. Would love to see Lynx on an iPhone.
    • Maps. I would certainly welcome faster network speeds, but EDGE is passable for Mail and Maps. Maps has already saved me on one occasion when I was lost in an area for which I did not have a paper map. If you commute at all and forget to check the traffic before you leave your house or place of work, Google Maps shines there as well.
    • Google. While every other website features congested layouts and graphics, Google focuses on speed. Google is one web site that I can use even with EDGE. To quickly search another company’s website, I use the site:domain.com modifier on Google. I find that I can get instant results even on EDGE instead of waiting for someone else’s graphic-intensive website to load.
    • Notes. Notes is good if you’re not taking a lot of notes. On my MacBook Pro, I take notes using Yojimbo and would welcome an iPhone version. Despite its counterintuitive name, Yojimbo is a fast and easy application that lets me store information and documents with password and tagging options. For example, I have one note where I keep the store hours for all the shops I visit frequently; i.e., Target, Costco, Home Depot, Farmers Market, etc. I look at that page most weekends. Why memorize store hours when all the data is just a few clicks away.
    • Killer App. The true killer app on the iPhone for me is Google + Safari. When I’m out at some of the shops mentioned above, I can easily price shop. Oh, Target is selling this for $15? I wonder how much Costco, Crate and Barrel or some other retailer is charging? Now, I have the answer. 😉