Elliott C. Back: Internet & Technology

If you recently unlocked your iPhone 3G and found after going through the whole WinPWN / Cydia process that T-Mobile Edge settings only work for Mail, but not for Google Maps, or other important services, you’re not alone. It’s also quite easy to fix, and continues to work with location services and other apps from the AppStore.

1) Install SSH

Assuming you have Cydia, you should install the OpenSSH package onto your iPhone. Just scroll down to OpenSSH, and hit install:

2) Download WinSCP, connect to iPhone

You can download the latest version of WinSCP and install it. Then it will prompt you to connect to your iPhone, which you should have running on your local Wifi. Note that the default username and password for the 3G iPhone will be root/alpine. If you don’t know the IP address you can either guess in the 192.168.0/1.* range, or just logon to your router and see.

3) Verify / Update Proxy.pac

Use the file browser to verify that a file called ./private/var/preferences/proxy.pac exists, and contains the following:

function FindProxyForURL(url, host)
{
if (isInNet(myIpAddress(), “10.0.0.0″, “255.0.0.0″))
return “PROXY 216.155.165.50:8080″;
else
return “DIRECT”;
}

You could just run these commands:

Kiwiii:/ root# find -name proxy.pac
./private/var/preferences/proxy.pac
Kiwiii:/ root# md5sum ./private/var/preferences/proxy.pac
8c9a4f4b1692cd3519ce7bcf180c66a4 ./private/var/preferences/proxy.pac
Kiwiii:/ root#

4) Verify preferences.plist

Next you need to hunt for /private/var/preferences/systemconfiguration/preferences.plist, and make sure it contains this section:

<key>Proxies</key>
<dict>
<key>ProxyAutoConfigEnable</key>
<integer>1</integer>
<key>ProxyAutoConfigURLString</key>
<string>file:///private/var/preferences/proxy.pac</string>
</dict>

You should put it on the same level and after the Interface key/dict pair for the network interface which contains your WAP settings, which for T-Mobile’s $5.99 T-Zones are just the WAP APN wap.voicestream.com with no username or password. Save the file, restart your iPhone, and you’re set!

Yep, it found me! Yay! Google maps is working!

This lovely error screen, a window randomly drawn multiple times across the screen, cloned to hell, is a reason why I dislike the Microsoft Windows XP operating system:

As abstract art, though, I think it might get decent reviews!

I don’t have a savings account, let alone a high-yield checking account, or an account linked to a money market fund. That’s right, my current annual percentage yield (APY) is a fat 0%. Say that you have a balance of $10,000, and the average rate runs around 3.5%, then you’d be losing $1,877 over the next five years. If you could put in $2,500 a year for the next five years, you’d lose $2783 in essentially free interest.

The Best of National Banks

3.75% APY from WAMU savings

WAMU’s free savings will get you a 3.75% APY, but it comes at the cost of having to setup a linked checking account:

The advertised APY applies to Online Savings only when opened online with WaMu Free Checking or linked to other WaMu checking account. If your checking account is closed for any reason (by you or us), or transferred to another kind of account, standard APYs/rates apply. Online banking and online delivery of statements also required. APY does not apply to WaMu Free Checking Account.

3.50% APY is offered from HSBC savings

Open a savings account with HSBC and you can get a 3.50% APY. There don’t appear to be any other requirements or minimums. Note the offer expires 09/15/08.

3.30% from E*Trade

I like the “>E*Trade High Interest Savings; not only is the yield nice, their online integration top notch, but their terms are quite reasonable:

Annual Percentage Yield is effective 8/3/2008 and is subject to change. A $1 minimum deposit is required to open a new account. Withdrawal limits apply. Online statements required.

3.09% from the Discover Money Market account

Signing up for a Discover Bank Money Market Account will win a nice 3.09% APY, but require a minimum deposit of $2,500. Their FAQ has some pointers:

An initial deposit of $2,500 is required to open a Discover Bank Money Market Account. A minimum average daily balance of $2,500 must be maintained in order to avoid fees.

Local Banks to Check Out

5.01% APY comes if you use them as your primary checking

Northern Federal Credit Union offers a 5.01% APY on their checking account, although you need to sign up for a plethora of additional banking services:

* Receive a direct deposit or conduct an ACH debit
* Receive monthly e-statements instead of paper statements
* Make 10 or more purchases using your debit card (excludes ATM withdrawals)
* Login to Virtual Branch online banking at least one time per month.

Data Table

Other Great Resources

Here are a few links that might help you find the best deals on savings and checkings accounts with great interest rates:

• The Best Online High Yield Savings Accounts
• Which Online High-Yield Savings Account is Best?
• Best Nationally Available High APY Liquid Accounts