If you didn’t know already, Apple released iOS 4.2.1 earlier today which is the first time where all iDevices get the same update, yes including iPad. I realized the firmware alone was almost double the size of 4.1 and having such a crappy internet connection, i downloaded the firmware manually using a download accelerator.

These are the links for each of the iDevices:

• iPhone 4
• iPhone 3GS
• iPhone 3G
• iPad
• iPod touch 2G
• iPod touch 3G
• iPod touch 4G

Of course before anything else is done, please do backup your device and also update iTunes to 10.1. New features in 4.2 are Find iPhone, AirPrint, AirPlay and little tweaks here and there. I am more interested in Find iPhone.

Once updated, the first thing that is visible is a new app called Find iPhone. Previously this was a paid service but now it’s free for all current devices (iPhone 4, iPod touch 4th gen, iPad).

First up, go to Settings and under Mail, Contacts & Calendar, choose Add Account and tap on Mobile Me. Put in your Apple ID username and password to activate.

You will be shown this page after that and turn on Find My iPhone. So what does this feature do actually?

- Your iDevice (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad) gets stolen and through this feature you are able to locate the whereabout of the device and even remote wipe the data. Of course this requires the device to be connected to the internet via 3G or even WIFI.

- Another usage i can think about is tracking your loved ones. Simply put in their Apple ID and password and waaalaaaa it shows where they are.

- Misplacing your phone; you can send a beeping sound to your phone which might just help you in finding it around your house

Once you are done with the above mentioned step, fire up the Find iPhone app and log in.

Immediately it shows where my phone is. So when you have misplaced your phone, all your need is another iDevice with this app and you can track it down. But what happens you can’t find anyone with an iPhone or iPod touch?

Fear not. Simply log into me.com

Put in your apple ID and password.

So now you can do the same functions but from any internet connected device.

Like i mentioned earlier this was one function i like but then again, no one loves the idea of having their phone stolen. One feature Apple should learn from one developer who released something similar via Cydia was the ability not to turn off the phone. That feature was super wicked ! So the phone is constantly on until the battery eventually drains off.

For other devices which aren’t supported like iPhone 3Gs/3G, older generation iPod touch, all you have to do is find someone with an iPhone 4, register your details like how i mentioned from the Mobile Me step under settings. Just follow the steps above. Once you have done that, do the same on your own devices (iPhone 3Gs/3G), that should do the trick. I mean it works as of now.

Besides having the ability to track down your boyfriend and girlfriend, another feature that is worth looking into is AirPrint. Once your device is connected to the same network as your shared printer, you can print documents, pictures without the need of your computer.

I haven’t had the chance to try any printing yet so if any of you have, do tell me about it

Other minor updates for iPhone users are new sms tones (doesn’t make a difference to me), better rating systems in YouTube probably to help you choose which video to be played via AirPlay. Speaking of AirPlay, this feature doesn’t appear until you have an Apple TV connected to the same wireless network.

Let’s recap what 4.2 does:

- the ability to track your partner without the need of calling or sms-ing him/her

- to Display a Message right in the middle of their screens and give out a beeping sound; works well with girls who can’t remember that they have a phone in their handbag.

- remote Wipe their phones if they still haven’t replied you assuming their phone has been stolen.

- print documents from my sofa; thus eliminating the need to walk to my iMac.

- assign different SMS tones so that i would know if the SMS is important or if i could continue sleeping.

The biggest gain from iOS 4.2 is definitely the iPad users who have been deprived off Multitasking, Folders, etc. Not forgetting iPhone 3G users where performance wise has been substantially improved.

Since iPad will be launching this week soon in Malaysia, i wonder will the hype by anything like iPhone 4 especially with the prices being cheaper than Singapore.

Two weeks ago i was back in Penang, Angeline and i decided to have lunch in Queensbay when we came across some sales going on in the middle of QB’s atrium. Different shops were participating and most items were heavily discounted.

As usual, most Penangites or at least i, wait for moments like this to get items that are usually not within my spending power.

Immediately when i saw the swoosh logo with a 50%-70% off sign, i joined in digging for whatever i could get. Every Manchester United and Arsenal came together at one place digging for their sizes, lol.

I later on moved over the shoe section, glancing around to see if any shoes that looks catchy.

There was this section that had a few Nike Plus shoes and i was showing Angeline what is this Nike Plus symbol mean.

As far as i can remember, those shoes with Nike Plus symbol means there’s a compartment at the sole for you to insert a device that tracks your running distance, etc. This device communicates with any Nike Plus enabled iPods (iPod Nano, iPod Touch and iPhone) and if you don’t have neither, a standalone wrist device by Nike will do the trick.

So i opened the sole padding to expose the compartment for the device for Angeline to see …

… and there was nothing.

I was dumbfounded for a moment. I was thinking if Nike did come up with a new line for Nike plus or if something was wrong with this pair particularly *i checked both sides, left and right*. Unfortunately after checking a different pair, the Nike Plus shoes over here didn’t have that compartment.

When i asked the nearby salesperson, he said he doesn’t know anything and walked off.

Trying to kill the curiosity immediately, i walked to the stall beside that was also having Nike shoes on sale.

I picked up the shoe to confirm it had the swoosh with the plus sign and then i checked for the sole compartment.

…. and there it was. Sitting in the middle of the sole.

At this point, i never concluded anything yet cause i simply wanted to get a pair of sneakers. But after seeing what the other stall had, i opted to buy from this stall.

That very same day, i was in Gurney for dinner and since i had time to spare, i walked into the Nike shop just to clarify. I asked how does the Nike plus shoes differ from the normal Nike shoes. The staff replied, Nike Plus shoes have the compartment for the device, normal ones don’t. I asked back what happens if the shoe doesn’t have but has the Nike Plus sign. She just stared blankly and said i am not sure but it should usually have.

From there Angeline and i concluded that the stall in Queensbay ‘could’ be selling fake Nike shoes. Hmmmm, kinda dangerous especially after looking at the price tag they had on that pair.

I might be wrong here, that’s if Nike did come up with a new line for Nike plus. Or probably it’s some reject shoes, etc.

Until then, beware people. I think you can use this as the yardstick for any Nike shops, hehehe.

The theme for this week is music. I think as each week goes, it seems to get tougher for me So the first thing that pops in my head are my two beloved Nanos. Most of my music is stored in there and it definitely keeps me entertained on the go. Unfortunately, a few months back my brother took one of it and so did my dad. Now i left with my notebook -_-”

I just can’t get my hands on the brand new iPod Touch. Or maybe the iPod classic with 80Gb/160Gb, it will definitely accommodate all my songs.

Have a great weekend everybody ! and Alvin, thanks for reminding me