The Beginning
It all started when I needed a printer for PixelBit, so I hopped in my car and headed down to Best  Buy. After spending some time looking at the different models I picked up an Epson NX420 since most Epson products worked pretty well. When I got back to the office I unpacked, setup and installed the printer drivers. All was going well so far. Everything got setup and configured and was able to start printing, sans-wires! Life was good.

However when I tried to print about 20 minutes later the print queue stayed stuck on “Looking for Printer…” and would not print anymore. I restarted the printer and tried again, it worked, but I was apprehensive as to what could cause this issue. After digging around I found the printer “goes to sleep” and releases its IP Address.. but whats worse is even after I assigned a static IP it still wouldn’t stay connected. So basically you can wirelessly print as long as you turn the printer on/off each time, thats real convenient. Especially considering it takes 2-3 minutes for the printer to come online.

At this point I had enough fun with the NX420 and decided to pack it all back up, drive back to Best Buy and return it. Oh but the fun is just beginning.

Starting Over
I returned the printer and picked up an HP OfficeJet 6500A for a bit more, but figured if it worked i’d be happier in the long run. Again I returned and set everything up. Installed the software from the disk, updated everything and started printing. Life was once again good. However just like the Epson I had “connection” issues and after digging through thread after thread of HP and Apple forums I formulated a list of steps to try. Those included.

- Uninstalling ALL printer drivers, updating via “Software Update”
- Assigning the printer a static IP address
- Assigning the MAC address of the printer to the router list of approved devices
- Reset the router AND printer more times than I can recall
- Manually entered the WIFI info into the printer AND via web (when it would connect)
- Update the printer firmware AND reset to Factory Defaults

Giving up on Wireless
I basically did everything but open the printer and solder a wire to the circuit board. At this point I am at my limit with the “wonders of wireless printing”. I am going to get a 20 ft USB cable, disable the wireless on my laptop and hopefully the printer will start working. If that doesn’t work its going back and i’m getting a laser printer and separate scanner. In this day/age to not have clear cut installation instructions is just lame. Not to mention its clear “plug-n-play” doesn’t work on a Mac either. Oh and the best part is this printer is rated by Apple because of it being one of the 10 that can use Air Print.. yah, of course the damn printer needs to stay online long enough to print.

After really not liking the default layout on the home screen and missing custom ringtones I decided to hack my iPhone.. well sort of, more like forcefully modified my iPhone.

Here is an older shot of the update.. now the carrier logo is “mkeefeDESIGN” because this one was too L33T for me .. and one of the links off of that site offers up a way to change the keypad, but i haven’t done that yet.

I was able to accomplish these visual changes and add my own custom ringtones (no idea why an ipod phone didn’t have this to begin with)
but mine does now. Of course I must caution these mods are not for the inexperienced and failure to follow the steps may result in a sad iPhone.

Here is the app I have been using: iFuntastic

If for some reason the iPhone starts acting weird, just restore it with iTunes and you should be all set.. but
again I am not responsible in any way for the actions caused by modifying your iPhone.

I look forward to how this cool app will evolve over time and when it does I will post about it.

Well after a few months of phone research I finally get to put it to an end tomorrow. I have decided to go with the Blackberry Curve.. it was going to be the pearl but the SureType keyboard bugs me. The size was a factor, but I found the curve is shaped perfect and is only “slightly” wider than the Pearl.

Now normally the post would end here, but thanks to Cingular/ATT it doesn’t. Turns out that because of the iPhone (destined to fail) it is going to cost me $45 a month for the data plan, which after talking to my friend has gone up $15. It is either because of the companies merging or the phone.. I don’t know for sure, but it upset me to say the least.

Soon enough I will be posting my thoughts on the Blackberry and as bonus how it works on the mac. At this time I will open the floor to comments on BB, Cingular/ATT and the iPhone.