Hack lets iPhone users add 'speed-dial' icons
updated 11:00 am EST, Thu January 24, 2008
iPhone 'speed-dial' hack
Some iPhone owners have discovered a means of installing "speed-dial" icons on the the device's Home page, without first having to jailbreak it. The hack relies on the WebClip feature of the v1.1.3 firmware, and involves going to a URL listed as "http://x.tel.qlnk.net", with the X replaced by a particular person's phone number. People must then cancel the "Call" window that pops up, and add the URL to the Home screen as they would any other webpage.
More advanced users can append "?picurl=http://y" to URLs, where Y is the address of a photo users want as a speed-dial icon. There are also instructions available on how to perform speed-dialing through an independent server, which may be important for those concerned with security. The main drawback to any version of the hack is that users must tap twice, first to select an entry and a second time to dial.
speedy?
01/24, 11:39am reply
doesn't seem very speedy
climacs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
Just curious...
01/24, 11:50am reply
How is this a 'hack' if it uses supplied functionality?
By this reasoning, using WebClips in Dashboard to check on your stocks is a 'hack'.
It's clever, but really, all it's doing is going to a bookmark, right?
Kickaha
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2001
A cool hack.
01/24, 01:33pm reply
Yeah, a 'hack' since that was not the intended function.
I've been trying to hold out for A2DP, but iPhone is starting to look very sweet.
GORDYmac
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: Dec 1999
But why?
01/24, 01:36pm reply
I guess I don't get it: You would need to access the screen with your "speed-dial" icon(s), tap one, then tap again to confirm the action to dial the number. And all this traffic goes through the qlnk.net servers - with the inherent ad revenue & potential security concerns associated with that data flow.
As an alternative using built-in functionality, you just add your favorite numbers to the aptly-named "Favorites" list. Then, just double-click the home button to access this Favorites list, and tap the entry to dial. This seems easier, just as quick to command, and much more secure.
BDLatimer
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2005
RE: a cool hack
01/24, 03:25pm reply
their site just redirects the URL to a tel:// link - it's not a hack at all. Putting a bookmark on the desktop is an intended function. A web browser being able to access a tel: link is an intended function.
This is not a hack.
hayesk
Professional Poster
Joined: Sep 1999
Photo Dialer
09/16, 11:00pm reply
I've put together a SEXIER version of this that allows you to call the person again without hitting refresh. No jailbreaking needed either!http://madebysquad.com/iphone-photo-dial/You're right... it's not a hack it's just clever. I feel it's much easier to recognize a photo than someone's name at a quick glance.
jordandobson
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2008