Yada and And Now You Know are teaming up for a fun contest just in time for the holidays:

Tell us your distracted driver horror story – the one where you were cut off, had to slam on your brakes or veer at the last minute because someone else just couldn’t keep their eyes and ears off their cell while driving – in the comments below! The best story wins a Bluetooth hands-free device valued at $150 from Yada. But you have to hurry: On December 20th 2009 we’re closing the comments and picking a winner.

This contest is only open to British Columbians, but if you’re from out of province and have a story to tell, don’t hesitate to drop it in the comments as well.

He’ll be talking about the new 3G iPhone and related products.  Here is a sample list of the products:- iPhone 3G details, $199 8GB, $299 16GB (with 3 year plan)  www.apple.ca

** Creative Vado mini-camcorder, $99  www.creative.com

** MacBook Air, $1999 to $3,200  www.apple.ca

** Griffin ClearBoost, $39  www.griffintechnology.com

** Griffin iTrip AutoPilot for iPhone, $99  www.griffintechnology.com

** Parallels For Mac 3.0, $99  www.parallels.com

** Pinnacle Video Transfer $99  www.pinnaclesys.com

** HTC Diamond Mobile Phone www.htc.com

** LG Vu Mobile Phone www.ca.lge.com

[Image from PopSci.com]

Popsci.com has published an interesting article on the whole China cloning issue. It has become the focus of great attention with the launch of the iPhone clone Meizu miniOne. What are the ramifications when a nation supports businesses who build their capital on ripping off other companies’ hard won research? 

In light of the recent anti-China uproar in US media I think this is worth a read. Full article here.

I’ve found a way to activate a brand new unactivated iPhone without giving any of your money or personal information to AT&T NSA. The iPhone does not have phone capability, but the iPod and WiFi work. Stay tuned!

So this hack basically turns the iPhone into an expensive iPod but knowing Jon it’s not too far fetched to expect a complete hack in the near future.

Jon became famous after hacking the copy protection on DVDs and subsequently being sued by the film industry, a lawsuit they lost.

Jon’s blog So Sue Me 

As the national wireless sponsor of Phones for Food, Rogers is giving Canadians an easy way to recycle their wireless device and make a difference to the environment and their community.

Postage-paid recycling envelopes are included with all new Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson devices, and participating Rogers Retail stores also accept devices for recycling. Not only are we helping to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, but the proceeds from recycled materials benefit a great cause: our local food banks. One wireless device, depending on its age and condition, can be worth $2-$5 when donated – that’s a jar of peanut butter or one carton of milk for someone in need.

So instead of dumping that toxic brick in the trash take it to your nearest Rogers retailer and do some good both for the environment and families in need. Can’t get much better than that.

Less than 24 hours after the launch of Apple’s new toy the iPhone we know a lot more both about the product itself and it’s customers. Here’s a short roundup:

People are stupid 1

As with the launch of the PS3 evil people are exploiting the stupidity of others through eBay. Sellers are offering up fresh iPhones for preposterous prices (we found this one for $5000) and hoping for a huge return on their investment. But unlike the PS3 there is no real problem with supply so we sincerely hope no one is stupid enough to take this “deal”.

The iPhone does have a SIM card

The guys over at ThinkSecret wasted no time on this one and cracked open an iPhone mere hours after it went on sale. The images tell us many things about the new product, maybe most importantly that it does in fact have a SIM card (contrary to what WSJ’s Walt Mossberg reported earlier this week). This opens up for the possibility of unlocking the phone and using it on a non-AT&T network. Photos of the destruction can be found here.

Some people can buy the iPhone without a 2 year contract

(From Yahoo! News) The iPhone comes with a mandatory 2 year contract with AT&T. Or at least so we thought. Now it turns out the phone is being made available to customers without a 2 year contract under certain conditions – namely that they have bad credit. These customers can buy the phone at a non-subsidized rate (no one is saying how much) and get a special code they enter during the iTunes registration that lets them use the phone on a month-to-month basis.

Unlocking Rumours

(From Gizmodo) PureMobile are offering up unlocked iPhones for sale. It’s unclear how real this claim is but considering it is a GSM phone and you can buy it without a 2 year contract (provided you have bad credit) it’s not too far fetched.

WARNING: iPhone will not work on other networks!

Here are some things to consider if you are panning on going the unlocked and/or non-AT&T route or take the iPhone out of the country:

• The iPhone is a GSM phone which means it will only work on a GSM network. In Canada that means only Fido or Rogers
• Certain features of the iPhone like the scrolling visual voicemail are hosted by the carrier so unless you are on AT&T you won’t be able to use the feature.
• Unlocking the iPhone will undoubtedly void any warranty you have

People are stupid part 2 (self explanatory)

PS: This list will be expanded as the reviews start pouring in

Walt Mossberg (Wall Street Journal): Testing out the iPhone

David Pogue (New York Times): The iPhone Matches Most of it’s Hype

Edward C. Baig (USA Today): Apple’s iPhone isn’t perfect, but it’s worthy of the hype

Steven Levy (MSNBC): First Look: The iPhone 

Phil Baker: Apple’s iPhone: Revolutionary design with a few misses

CNET TV: iPhone Line Starts Here 

CRAVE: What Can You Get For (the price of) an iPhone?

CNET: iPhone Central

CNET TV: Eye on the iPhone: It’s iPhone Day

PC Magazine: Any Phone can be an iPhone 

Other interesting stuff:

New York Magazine: iGod: Steve Jobs in a Box

For Mac Haters: The iMac Hate Blog and the Macintosh Free Blog

APC: Top 10 Things to Hate About the Apple iPhone

ZDNET: Do We Really Hate Apple and the iPhone? 

While the tech world falls over itself in anticipation of the iPhone the small Norwegian browser company Opera puts out a new version of their fantastic Opera Mini browser for cell phones. The new version – Opera Mini 4 – presents the web as it looks on a computer (just like the iPhone) and is completely free (not like the iPhone) for any phone on any carrier (not like the iPhone) and available right now (not like the iPhone). So if you’re not willing to shell out $499 and tie yourself to a 200 year plan to get your hands on what could potentially be the biggest flop in tech history go to OperaMini.com, download the browser and surf the “real” internet as they say it in the iPhone ads right now for free (data rates apply).

After decades (if not centuries) of consumerism people have finally started to open their eyes to the idea that our wasteful way of life might be damaging both the planet and ourselves. On the heels of the new Green Wave a whole range of new products are arriving to help ease the burden on our planet. One such product is the Universal Solar Charger from USB.BRANDO.COM.HK. This gadget is a battery that can be charged either by solar power or an AC adapter and that will charge most cell phones or USB powered devices. Convenient for when you are out and about and run out of battery. And if you are consistent in using the solar charging feature it will reduce your carbon footprint a tiny little bit.

Full stats, another picture and pricing inside.

Features:

The Universal Solar Charger retails for $69 US and is available online.

A whole lot less geeky looking than other models, this new, lightweight (less than an ounce) headset is a perfect pair to your K1 KRZR, especially if you have the RED version. I say less geeky ‘coz the image of one running around and shaking/bopping your head with a wireless piece of plastic stuck on your head is still close to goofyness.

But I like it. I like it a lot. It works really well, with controls for the your phone’s music player built-in the right ear piece. If one of your geeky or non-geeky friends call you, the music will pause and you can use the S9 as a Bluetooth phone earpiece. A mic is hidden in the earpiece. Answer and hang-up the phone with the buttons on the left side and control volume with the same set of buttons.

You can use the unit with all compatible Bluetooth-enabled phones and stream music from a compatible Bluetooth-enabled stereo music phone or from a compatible Bluetooth-enabled MP3 player. There will be an iPod adapter available soon, sold in a set for about CAD$190 (CAD$150 for the headset alone).

Pairing is a very simple process. Turn it on and and if doesn’t find a previously paired phone, it will set itself into “find me” mode automatically. Charging is done with the included mini-USB adapter, the same one used to charge newer model Moto phones.

And oh yeah, I did get a great workout. The unit is water and sweat resistant and cleans easily. I rocked slowly lifted the weights with everything from AC/DC and Led Zep to Black Eye Peas and Nelly.