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Unlocking the iPhone 4S

x-simI wanted to unlock the iPhone 4S so that I can be more flexible in carrier selection. My first, and preferred, option was for the carrier to unlock it. AT&T, for example, does that for out-of-contract phones. The IMEI of the phone is actually officially registered with Apple as unlocked essentially making it factory unlocked. Unfortunately, the local carriers do not unlock phones whether it is still in-contract or out of it.

My next option was unlocking using software. This means installing 3rd party tools that Apple does not approve of. Thus jailbreaking is required. Unfortunately, the phone is already on the latest iOS version and as of this writing, there is no jailbreak available. Nor is downgrading to an older iOS version possible unless I have SHSH blobs which I don’t.

My last option is an interposer SIM. It is essentially a pseudo-SIM that interposes itself between the new SIM and the phone. It’s a marvel of miniaturization. They basically fit in the new SIM, an adapter, and a microprocessor within a SIM tray. Once inserted, you simply “program” the interposer SIM to emulate the old SIM. You actually just input the IMSI of the carrier.

The best-known interposer SIM is the Gevey. I actually wasn’t able to get a Gevey, but instead was given an X-SIM. But it works the same way. And yes, it does work!

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iPhone 5s Case

iphone5scasefrontI’ve said that putting the gorgeous iPhone inside a case generally fuglifies it. But there are exceptions such as the Sena UltraSlim Leather Pouch that I used for the iPhone 4/4S. And now there’s the Apple iPhone 5s Case.

Probably one of the things that Apple learned from the antennagate controversy is that bumpers and casings are good business. So along with the recent iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s, they released corresponding casings. The iPhone 5c case looks like Crocs and won’t be mentioned again. Ever.

The iPhone 5s case is a full back and side coverage case made of aniline leather reinforced with plastic. The inner side of the back is lined with a soft velvety material to protect the glass and aluminum back of the phone from scratches. That’s three layers but the overall casing is still very slim. The power and volume buttons are covered but remain easy to use. There are precision-cut(!) cutouts and holes for the Lightning port, silent switch, headphone jack, camera, and speakers. The holes for the speakers are especially neat.

iphone5scaseback

The case comes in several conservative (black, brown, tan) and trendy (blue, red, yellow) colors. Supposedly the aniline dyeing process infuses the color deep into the leather and not just on the surface. This means that minor scuffs might not be very visible. Unfortunately, aniline leather is rather fragile and in this case, no pun intended, rather thin. This case is definitely more stylish than protective. But I believe that’s the intent. A premium case for a premium phone. It is a perfect match for the iPhone 5s.

 

 

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First Aid Kit

After fixing my car emergency kit, I moved on to my first aid kit.

  1. Scissors
  2. Tweezers
  3. 12 strips Band-Aid
  4. 1 roll cloth tape
  5. 4 gauze pads 3×3
  6. 2 gauze pads 4×4
  7. 2 feminine napkins – not just for feminine emergencies but also for staunching wounds
  8. 1 pack cotton buds
  9. 1 pack cotton balls
  10. 1 bottle Betadyne
  11. 1 tube Bactroban (Mupirocin)
  12. 8 tablets Allerta (Cetirizine) – antihistamine/anti-allergy
  13. 8 tablets Diatabs (Loperamide) – anti-diarrhea
  14. 8 tablets Biogesic (Paracetamol) – analgesic/pain reliever
  15. 8 tablets Neozep – decongestant

Maybe I’ll throw in a tourniquet, surgical blades, and a suturing kit someday after some training.  Anything else I should add?

 

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Pacquiao vs Rios

Today, Manny Pacquiao fights Brandon Rios. It will be a national event as usual. But for the first time, I’m hoping that Pacquiao will win. I have a few reasons:

  1. After a triple whammy of terrorism (yes, terrorism) in Zamboanga, earthquake in Bohol, and supertyphoon Haiyan/Yolanda, the country needs inspiration. Of course, the huge outpouring of aid from both inside and outside the country is already one of the most inspiring things I’ve seen (many thanks!).
  2. Some people in the Rios camp are a$$holes and jerks.
  3. Pacquiao needs a win. He hasn’t won his last few fights. But even if he had, if only to end his boxing career at a high note. I think he should hang up those gloves after this and forget about Marquez and Mayweather. But I doubt he will just yet.

UPDATE: Pacquiao won! Hooray!

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Car Emergency Kit

All these recent natural and man-made disasters finally got me moving on something I’ve been neglecting: my car emergency kit. Now before you do anything, you must first assess the risks and then act accordingly or else you’ll end up with too much, or worse, too little. For car emergencies, based on my own experience, the risks are:

  1. Flat tire – punctures or gashes
  2. Dead battery
  3. Overheating
  4. Dead engine – Electronics or mechanical failure
  5. Out of Fuel – I actually haven’t experienced out of fuel. Just low on fuel.

With these in mind, I replenished and reassembled my car emergency kit:

  1. Early Warning Device – Required by LTO. Name says it all.
  2. Spare tire, jack, wrench – Comes with the car. If the flat is due to a gash or a big puncture, this is the only option
  3. Tire pump – Powered via cigarette lighter socket. Smaller punctures let air out slowly so sometimes you can re-inflate and get to the nearest service station or a safer area for a tire change.
  4. Tire inflator can – for expedient patching and rapid tire re-inflation, for use when in a dangerous area and/or at a dangerous time, to get to a safer area
  5. Jumper cable – Get a jumpstart from your wingman or if none, flag down a taxi or even a friendly motorist
  6. Water – For the engine. Or for drinking in a pinch
  7. Tow strap – It is NOT recommended to tow with your wheels on the ground but sometimes, this may be the only option to be able to get to a safer area.

Other items:

  1. Flashlight(s) – with spare batteries
  2. Poncho – preferably high-visibility if you can get one
  3. First Aid Kit
  4. Leatherman Wave Multi-tool
  5. Duct tape – They say duct tape can fix everything
  6. Wire – Has as many uses as duct tape, see here.
  7. Extra oil
  8. Extra brake fluid
  9. Extra power steering fluid/automatic transmission fluid

I’ll probably throw in a fire extinguisher and a fuel can in there someday. Anything else I should add?