iPhone technology
Developer creates copy-paste tech for iphone
One of the common complaints about Apple's iphone--and one that did not get solved with the launch of the iphone 3G--is the lack of a copy-paste function. An independent developer, Zac White, recently unveiled his open-source solution: OpenClip, a standard for other iphone application developers.He's not the first one to have that idea: another developer, Preston Monroe, has created a hack called iCopy that lets iphone owners copy and paste between the e-mail and Web browser applications.OpenClip is not a standalone app but rather a technology that developers can incorporate into their iphone applications, should they choose to participate. No applications yet support OpenClip, but it's coming soon for the American Heritage Dictionary and Roget's Thesaurus applications, Twitter client Twittelator, notepad application MagicPad, finance lexicon Wall Street Worlds, and a number of others.iphone users will be able to copy and paste from one OpenClip application to the next, but not to developer applications that aren't participating or to Apple's own iphone apps, such as its e-mail client or the Safari browser.Apple has acknowledged that copy-paste functionality will be officially coming to the iphone, eventually, and OpenClip's creator has recognized Apple's plan."Instead of just waiting on the sidelines, we wanted to help iphone users and Apple by being proactive and trying to help with a solution," the site's FAQ reads. "While just an interim fix until Apple adopts a systemwide version, OpenClip hopes to add to the iphone user experience and provide a working case study for Apple, hopefully allowing (company engineers) to roll out their version more quickly."Via By Caroline McCarthy,Cnet News,
iphone Gets Competition from the Wallet Phone
Although it’s been around for the past four years, the ‘wallet phone’ has only been available in Japan. However, thanks to new technology that now makes the cell phone compatible with global standards, the Japanese will actually start to share their stroke of genius with us; let’s hope that this puts the US 99 years behind Japan in technology rather than 100 years.The ‘wallet phone’ is exactly what it sounds like, except it’s not really a wallet where you can store stray coins and your driver’s license. When you see 'wallet', think money; the phone has a tiny computer chip called FeliCa that allows the owner to buy products and services with just a wave near a reader-device at a store register or vending machine. Similar innovations do exist in the US, such as the Visa payWave that doesn’t require any swiping of a credit card. But Japan’s product is a wallet and a phone; and the fact that it’s a phone makes it ten times cooler.What would be even cooler? A 'wallet phone' with campus cash; or an iphone 'wallet phone' with campus cash. If we could only live to see the day.
3G failure report on BBC UK News site iphone
At the 3G issues are now appearing in the mainstream media, now on BBC UK Site. The story is a of a mixture of rumour and speculation and states nothing new but at least its getting the message out to the general public that the phone has a major 3G failure. 2.0.2 did nothing for me and now thinking of returning and going back to the Nokia which at least works as a phone...:(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7569393.stm Windows Vista
Apple Hit By iphone Complaints
Users from around the world have deluged Apple's website with complaints that their new iphone 3G drops calls and is slow to download web pages.The much-vaunted iphone 3G has been hit by problems, users sayThe new version of the iphone was released with 3G technology with the promise that it would improve the slow internet download speeds that had plagued the previous model.Its much-trumpeted UK launch last month was hit by a software glitch that forced customers who queued up outside stores to wait until long after they opened before they could buy a device.Now, many who bought the device are complaining of poor reception, saying it makes downloading web pages and making calls slow, unreliable and frustrating.One user, who logged on to Apple's website as ONW, said: "I have a 16GB black model which I lined up for hours to purchase. I live in central London UK in a full coverage area."I get one bar of 3G (signal) at best. The rest of the time it defaults to edge, and even then that disappears."I didn't buy the 1st generation iphone as i was waiting for this model. Now that I have it I don't know why I bothered waiting as clearly it just isn't any good."Another frustrated user, GSUSX, said: "I love the iphone... it's just a real thing of beauty. I just hope that they can fix this, because at the moment it's like having a very, very good-looking other half who hasn't really got much conversation."Apple refused to comment on the problems when contacted by Sky News, while network operator O2 said it was aware of "no particular issues" with the phone."(The phone) was (subject to) extensive testing before it was launched on the O2 network, and it meets all O2's rigorous network criteria," a spokesman told Sky News."If for some reason a customer purchases any handset on the O2 network and finds it does not work, we ask them to call customer services to let us know so we can investigate."Stuart Miles, editor of gadget and new technology website Pocket Lint, said the industry was well aware of the problems, but he did not think it would damage Apple's long-term business."I think the problem that Apple has is that they've only had a mobile phone arm for less than two years," he told Sky News."If you've bought one there's nothing much you can do about it, but if you haven't it might put you off."Interest in the company is so strong, and this is just one of their product lines. If there was a problem with their laptops it would hit them harder because it's one of their core businesses."
Apple will fix iphone 3G problems with software update
BusinessWeek is reporting that Apple will fix problems being reported with the iphone 3G handset with a software update, rather than a more expensive approach such as a recall. Floods of complaints about problems using 3G networks, dropped calls and other issues spread across the Internet, cuing the blogosphere to debate and speculate on what might be causing the problems.According to the BusinessWeek report, which cites two "reliable sources", the root of the problem is a communications chip made by Munich-based Infineon Technologies (IFX), already predicted in an analysis by Richard Windsor of Nomura Securities. The software on the chip apparently leads to problems when the iphone needs to switch from high-speed networks to lower speed networks. While there has been considerable Internet buzz around the problem, the sources say that only 2% to 3% of iphone traffic is being affected. "This is a problem, but it's not a catastrophe," one of the sources said. Infineon spokesman Guenther Gaugler did not comment on the chip's performance in the iphone but pointed out that comparable problems have not arisen because of the chips presence in other phones made for manufacturers such as Samsung.AT&T, Apple's exclusive partner in the U.S., has not commented on the problems, but insists that, "Overall, the new iphone is performing just great on our 3G network."
iphone App Store Downloads Top 10 Million
CUPERTINO, California—July 14, 2008—Apple® today announced that iphone™ and iPod® touch users have already downloaded more than 10 million applications from its groundbreaking new App Store since its launch late last week. Developers have created a wide array of innovative mobile applications ranging from games to location-based social networking to medical applications to enterprise productivity tools. Users can wirelessly download applications directly onto their iphone or iPod touch* and start using them immediately. More than 800 native applications are now available on the App Store, with more than 200 offered for free and more than 90 percent priced at less than $10.“The App Store is a grand slam, with a staggering 10 million applications downloaded in just three days,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Developers have created some extraordinary applications, and the App Store can wirelessly deliver them to every iphone and iPod touch user instantly.”Many of these amazing new applications take advantage of iphone’s large display, Multi-Touch™ user interface, fast hardware-accelerated 3D graphics, built-in accelerometer and location-based technology to bring far more powerful applications to the mobile arena than ever before.The App Store on iphone works over cellular networks and Wi-Fi, which means it is accessible from just about anywhere, so users can purchase and download applications wirelessly and start using them instantly. Applications are free or charged to the user’s iTunes® account and the App Store notifies the user when updates are available for their apps. The App Store is also available in iTunes (www.itunes.com) running on a Mac® or PC, which syncs applications to the iphone or iPod touch using a USB cable.*Requires downloading software update sold separately for $9.95.Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod por music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iphone.Press Contacts: Jennifer BowcockApplejennifer.b@apple.com(408) 974-9758 Simon PopeApplesimonp@apple.com(408) 974-0457 Vist http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/07/14appstore.html
Returning iphone after 7 days 3G
I live in the UK and have been waiting for the iphone 3g since the first iphone was released. I waited well over a year, hoping that Apple would get the ‘Basics’ right… Unfortunately, I am sorry to say they have not. This is not a comment to ‘Bash’ the iphone, it is merely my experience and I offer it as some way of guidance for anyone who is thinking of buying one. I write this coming from a Mac background. I have used Macintosh since the very start and always supported their products regardless of what other platform users have said or thought. That is why I am really disappointed with Apple’s 2nd attempt at the iphone. Remember, this has always been sold as and promoted as a phone and it just does not do that job very well.The BAD;You cannot set user profiles and timed profiles like most phones have been able to do since the mid 90’s. At night I like to set my phone to a pleasant low ring which returns to my normal ringtone at 6am.Battery life is very poor considering my type of usage… Occasional emails, minimal web browsing, 4-5 sms messages mainly phone calls. I have location services off, screen brightness very low, I always remember to put the phone into stand-by and barely get a day’s use. I have been to the Genius Bar but they could not improve the performance.Random freezes which require a full restart, these are very annoying and becoming more common.The ring volume is not loud enough in today’s noisy city environments.The hands free speaker is not loud enough to conduct a conversation, unless you are in a room on your own.Email should mirror the SMS notification system and display a message on the blank stand-by screen when new mail arrives just like when a new SMS is received. At the moment I have to keep waking the phone, unlocking the device, and checking the email icon on the dock. This is very annoying when you are in a meeting, for me and other people around me. I know you are all going to say it vibrates but even that is not very strong and can easily be missed. Even when the phone is not in Silent mode the ‘New Mail’ is not obvious enough, why can’t I choose the sound that suits me?Also, if you have more than One email account you cannot view them all as ‘One’ inbox as you can within Mail on OS X. You have to keep going into each inbox and then returning to the main email menu and doing it all over again. A real pain in the backside if you have Six email accounts you have to check!There is no way to attach attachments in Mail? You can only send photos from Photos and then you can only do it One at a time! Come on, how time consuming is that when you have a lot of pictures to share.I cannot find a way to set the time before diverting calls to answerphone. At the moment it only rings for about 20 seconds and then diverts. I live in a 3 storey house, by the time I have run downstairs I have missed the call! (don’t tell me I should have the phone on me)The ability to hang on to a signal is a basic premises of any phone and my iphone fails terribly. On a test this morning heading into London on the train I pitted the iphone against a colleagues Blackberry. The Blackberry won hands down. For almost all of the journey the iphone could not connect to the network and Safari kept telling me there was no signal… The Blackberry was on the same O2 network as my iphone and did not miss a single opportunity to access email or the web.Have you tried to customize the home screen? If you hold down the screen for more than 2 secs all the icons start to wobble and you can drag them to your desired position which is cool… Except you can’t, because every time you move one all the others all reposition themselves in what I can only describe as ‘Random’ I am sure there is a knack to this but I cannot figure it out.You cannot change the bottom Four keys. Why should Apple decide what I want there. How hard could it be to allow users the choice.The camera is rubbish… My old Nokia has a better quality camera and it’s Two years old.There is more but I don’t want to sound negative and I am tired.The GOOD;SMS is great - I love the threaded conversations.Movies look great but really zap the power.iPod is nicely laid out but mine always seems to start up at maximum volume which does annoy me… a lot.iPlayer works well, when you can get a strong 3g signal or on Wi-Fi.Set-up is really easy and great if you are a technophobe.CONCLUSION;If you want a device that does it all in one, then I guess the iphone is for you but you must be prepared for the shortcomings I have listed above. Don’t get me wrong, it is a marvel of modern technology, but so was the the first Motorola’s which came with their own built in car battery! It was great at the time but we have all moved on so why has the iphone in today’s modern and demanding World not addressed all the basic’s? I think that Apple will address some of these issues through Firmware Updates, but most should have been corrected with the launch of the iphone 3g. I loved the UI and the feel of the phone and I really wanted it to work for me but is just falls way to short. Having said that I will be buying an iPod Touch so that I can have the vast majority of what I loved about the iphone without the stuff I hated. In my opinion, buy the iPod Touch and get a Blackberry or other device to check your email and hunker down for the iphone War which is about to kick off. Google are very close to launching ‘Android’ and all the major phone companies are preparing to square up to Apple with their devices. Remember, the mobile phone market is enormous and the ‘Big Boy’s’ are not going to role over and play dead for Apple. If you do buy the iphone and you are happy… Great! If like me you are not stick with you old phone and sit back… There is always something round the corner! iMac G5 / iBook G4 / iMac G4 / MacBook Pro 2.4 Penryn Mac OS X (10.5.2) Commodore 64... It rocks
Pogue and Mossberg post iphone 3G reviews
Pogues review (requires NY Times login)Mossbergs reviewAnd USA Today Touchscreen laptop and industrial handhelds Other OS
iphone 3G and pricing
Enough already. Ive been reading nearly every posts since the new iphone was announced and frankly, Im about sick of seeing those of you crying about the packaging price(s). All I hear is, AT&T is getting over on us. $240.00 more over the two year restricted term. BOO HOO!!!! If you just happen to be one those lucky early adapters, youll recall paying either $499.99 (4GB) or $599.99(8GB). At the time, your only option was EDGE. No where close to 3G technology. As bad as the connections can be, the iphone is what we wanted. The plans included: $20(Unlimited data+200 text messages), $30(Unlimited data+1500 text messages), or $40(Unlimited data and texting). Now, lets take a journey. 4GB: $500+ $20*24=$980, $500+$30*24=$1220, $500+$40*24=$1460. 8GB: $600+20*24=$1080, $600+30*24=$1320, $600+40*24=$1560. That being said, Ive never once heard anyone complain about the cost. Why? Not an issue for the big ballas who adapted the newest technology. Albeit, a lot of complaints about the suck feature limitations. I dont recall many who returned theirs though. What was the big fad? <Edited by Moderator> If you take the most expensive data+text plan, it still adds up to a $60 savings over 6/29/07 8GB. 16GB: $300+$50*24=$1500. Buy it or move around. Stop SNITCHING!!!!!!!!!! Get over it already. Dell M140 Windows XP Pro Media Center OS iphone & AT&T 8125
Exclusive iphone 3G provider in Netherlands. No flexibility no fun
As with all most of the single provider agreements to distribute the iphone 3G users in the Netherlands are not being given the opportunity to purchase their handsets outright, or at least have them unlocked (even for a premium).My personal opinion is that Apple, given their existing customers brand loyalty and the buzz surrounding iphone 3G, should have negotiated a certain amount of freedom to their end users into distribution contracts.The situation in which I find myself is that I am living in the Netherlands for less than a year, and the exclusive distributor (T-Mobile) is only offering the iphone 3G bundled with two year contacts. Basically, I am unable to purchase a handset for use in the country that I am living, even if I am willing to pay full price for it.There are many dedicated users of Apple products who are similarly unable to access what is one of the keystone technology products of the decade. For all of the thrilled iphone users out there, consider that there are also many potential iphone devotees are simply left out in the cold. MacBook2,1 Mac OS X (10.5.3)
Apple lacks bluetooth connectivity. iphone 3G
I sometimes wonder why Apple lacks the transference of music and other data using the Bluetooth technology among the phones and other bluetooth devices? Is it too difficult for Apple to make its phones or iPods able to transfer files using Bluetooth technology or Apple likes to make its users humble before iTunes all the time to transfer music and photos etc?Any comments? Pentium3 Windows XP Pro
MMS and Video Camera possibility via App Store iphone 3G
Hey guys,As you know, with the new 2.0 update comes a whole new slew of apps through the Apps Store. Now with this vast new third-party support, will we see solutions to those software related features that have been neglected by Apple, such as MMS and the capability to record video. Now, I am not too familiar with the technology, so I must ask, is it solely within the software that determines whether a camera phone can record video? The same question goes with the MMS capability. Can software alone through the App Store finally allow us to send picture and video messages? I think the potential within this idea of constant third-party support is incredible and will really make the iphone worthwhile but can it fix these issues (oh and dont forget about copy and paste!)
2.0 software update for current-model iphone 3G
I just bought my iphone in May. Although I was extremely disappointed to see the introduction of the new version coming in July, I noticed the software update for current iphone users. Does anybody know the details of the new software? Will it make my older version function like the 3G? I am most concerned with having the 3G technology and the new GPS features. Help please! HP Windows XP
MLB readies $5 At Bat iphone app
One of the new mobile apps that was demoed at last week¡¯s WWDC keynote and will be available upon the launch of Apple¡¯s new App Store is MLB At Bat, from Major League Baseball Advanced Media. The software, which is making its debut appearance on the iphone platform, allows baseball fans to get live scores, including a line score and current game status information, and watch video highlights just a few minutes after the events occur, while the game¡¯s going on.¡°Our goal is to be on any device a baseball fan carries,¡± MLB Advanced Media VP of Corporate Communications Matthew Gould told me in an interview Wednesday.According to Gould, the MLB At Bat application will be available as soon as the App Store launches and will cost $4.99 ¡°for the rest of this season.¡± It¡¯s too early to tell whether the price will change next year, or if users will need to buy a new version of the program for each new season. (Other MLB online services, such as MLB.tv and Gameday Audio, are sold as annual or monthly subscriptions.)But for the balance of this season right through the World Series, Gould said, $4.99 will get you wireless score access and in-game highlights for every game on the MLB schedule. (A similar highlight feature has been available since the start of the season as a part of MLB¡¯s Team Alerts product, which costs $3.99 per month.)Although MLB.tv, the company¡¯s live-video product, uses Microsoft¡¯s Silverlight technology, Gould said that MLB Advanced Media is flexible enough to provide video in whatever format is necessary to reach fans on their wireless devices. In the case of the iphone, that means a ¡°reference movie¡± containing pointers to different iphone-compatible video files with different data rates, so that Wi-Fi users can see very high quality highlights while those on EDGE networks will get a lower-quality video that still plays back smoothly.The application was developed by the wireless group within MLB Advanced Media. Among the members of that team are Jeremy Schoenherr and Rob Spychala, the two MLB employees who demonstrated MLB At Bat on stage during the June 9 keynote. MLB At Bat displays live scores and in-game video highlights. Developing an iphone app was a natural for MLB Advanced Media, which has an offices full of Macs that employees use to edit video highlights for the Web and mobile devices.Gould said that MLB Advanced Media can tell that baseball fans definitely take advantage of mobile devices to follow the game. He said that on one day during a recent weekend, MLB served 12 million WAP pages to wireless devices. During the week, fans tend to access MLB web services via the Web from work computers.MLB Advanced Media hasn¡¯t made any statements about the possibility of bringing MLB.com Gameday, which provides more detailed in-game information including statistics, to the iphone. The company currently offers a Gameday product for other phones for $6-7 per month, or $5-9 per month with live game audio.¡°We absolutely would look into¡± bringing Gameday to more wireless devices including the iphone, Gould said. So perhaps at some point in the future iphone-toting baseball fans will even have more reasons to cheer.Visa macworld.com
What you need to know about iphone 3G
Now that the dust has settled from Apple¡¯s Worldwide Developers Conference, we¡¯ve had time to answer some of the most pressing questions relating to the iphone 3G. Steve Jobs unveiled the next version of the popular handset to kick off WWDC, with the new iphone arriving in Stores on July 11.Although there are still some things we don¡¯t know about the iphone 3G¡ªand probably won¡¯t until we¡¯ve had some extended face time with the updated phone¡ªhere¡¯s what we¡¯ve figured out after talking to AT&T, scouring the Web, and racking our brains.What does the ¡°3G¡± in the name mean?If you¡¯re familiar with iPod naming conventions, the term 3G might make you believe that Apple is releasing its third generation of iphone. No, you didn¡¯t sleep through an iphone product introduction¡ª3G in this case stands for third-generation mobile technology. It¡¯s a wide-area wireless technology that allows for much faster data transmission than the EDGE network used by AT&T with the iphone right now.How much faster is it than the current iphone?AT&T says that the iphone 3G will have typical download speeds as high as 1.4Mbps versus average data speeds between 75Kbps and 135Kbps on its EDGE network. During Steve Jobs¡¯s keynote, it took 21 seconds to load a graphics-heavy Web page using 3G versus 59 seconds on EDGE. Similarly, an e-mail attachment took 5 seconds over 3G and 18 seconds on EDGE.Of course, Macworld contributor Glenn Fleishman pointed out in his 3G guide last week that comparing 2G and 3G browser and e-mail attachment loading times isn¡¯t the most revealing exercise. The most important thing to know about 3G is that data transfer speeds will likely be faster than what iphone veterans are used to¡ªand more important, that there¡¯s room for 3G to grow.Is 3G available everywhere? What happens when I don¡¯t have 3G coverage in my area?AT&T 3G coverage map shows the areas where you¡¯ll find fast data speeds.AT&T¡¯s 3G network only covers most major metropolitan areas. The company says 3G service is currently available in 280 U.S. metropolitan areas, and the company plans to offer 3G service in nearly 350 metro areas by the end of 2008. If you¡¯re in an area without 3G coverage, your iphone will instead get its data over the slower EDGE network (which has much wider availability). Are there any physical changes between the iphone 3G and the current model?A few. As described in our hands-on look at the iphone 3G, the back is now plastic (black on the 8GB model, black or white on the 16GB model) and the volume buttons on the side are now silvery metal.The headphone port is now flush with the iphone¡¯s body, not recessed like the jack on the current model. That means you if you have a favorite pair of headphones, you¡¯ll no longer need a headphone adapter to make them work with the iphone.One other iphone 3G design note: The handset¡¯s edges are thinner and more curved than in the previous version. That helps hide the fact that in the middle, this model is a little thicker than the original. Of course, the new phone also weighs a little less than the current model, though we¡¯re talking a tenth of an ounce. If you notice that difference, a career in weights and measures awaits you.I was able to activate my old iphone via iTunes. I¡¯ll still be able to do that, right?An AT&T spokesperson told us that the activation process for the iphone 3G will be different from the original iphone. Users will need to activate the phone in an Apple or AT&T store, a process which should take about 15 minutes on average. Activation via iTunes will not be possible with the iphone 3G. Because of that, you will not be able to buy an iphone through the Web sites of either AT&T or Apple.Will the iphone 3G¡¯s data plan from AT&T remain the same as the current iphone¡¯s plan?No. The new 3G data plan will cost an extra $10 per month for consumers¡ª$30 per month. Couple this with the cheapest iphone voice plan at $40, and your monthly iphone cost is $70. Over the two-year contract period, you¡¯ll actually pay $40 more for the ¡°cheaper¡± 8GB iphone 3G than you would have for a first-generation iphone. In fairness, the $30 3G data plan rate is the same as what AT&T charges for 3G on its other phones, so it¡¯s not as if iphone 3G owners will be paying an unexpected premium.What if I don't live in an area with 3G coverage?Sorry to say, you'll probably pay the increased fee for monthy data because you're activating it on a 3G-capable phone. There's no indication from Apple or AT&T that you can choose to relegate your iphone to EDGE connectivity for a reduced cost. Are SMS messages still included in the iphone plans?AT&T would not confirm to us whether SMS messages will come included in the iphone plan, but AT&T Mobility CEO and president Ralph de la Vega previously said in an interview with GigOM that SMS messages are no longer bundled with iphone voice plans. You could end up paying around $5 a month for the same 200 text messages per month included for free as part of the previous iphone plan.That¡¯s what AT&T is offering. What about in other markets?If you live outside the U.S., where AT&T remains the exclusive service provider for the iphone, you might want to check with the carrier in your market. Unlike last year, where the iphone debuted in the U.S. first and then gradually rolled out to a handful of other countries, Apple is planning a global splash for the iphone 3G. On July 11, the iphone 3G goes on sale in 22 countries on four continents. (Later this year, that number will swell to more than 70 countries.) It¡¯s safe to say that iphone plans in, say, Australia will be quite different from what¡¯s available in Finland or Japan or Mexico.Now that the iphone is so inexpensive, why would I pay more for an iPod touch?It¡¯s true that iPod touch models offering the same storage capacities as the iphone 3G offerings cost $100 more. (Not to mention that a video-capable 8GB iPod nano costs the same as an 8GB iphone). But there are plenty of reasons why someone might want to opt for a touch over a new iphone.For starters, maybe you¡¯re still under contract with another cellular carrier and don¡¯t want to pay the early termination fee. You may not have any use for the phone capabilities, either because your employer already provides you with a mobile phone or because you just don¡¯t use one. At any rate, an iphone will cost you $70 a month minimum in service charges from AT&T. Over the life of a two-year contract, that adds up to much more than the touch¡¯s higher price tag. So don¡¯t expect the market for the iPod touch to dry up in the face of lower iphone prices.Can I upgrade my current iphone to use 3G?No. Using the 3G network requires new internal hardware that the current iphone just doesn't have. If you want 3G, you'll need to buy a new phone. The same goes for GPS.How can I pass along my old iphone? I want to keep the number I have.AT&T confirmed to us that you can pass along your old iphone to someone else, who can then activate it via iTunes as before. And we would assume you¡¯ll be able to move your number to a new iphone during activation, though that detail awaits confirmation. And considering that AT&T waited until just before the original iphone¡¯s launch to detail pricing options for its service plans, we suspect a lot of details like this one won¡¯t emerge until we get closer to the July 11 ship date.Is the built-in camera the same? Does it have the same specs as the original? Can it now shoot video?For anyone who¡¯s taken a grainy, low-quality photo with an iphone, the bad news is you can expect more of the same. The iphone 3G has the same two-megapixel camera as the original phone, which is not bad in brightly lit environments. Since there¡¯s no built-in flash, the camera doesn¡¯t perform well without adequate light.As for video, Apple has made no mention of such a feature. That doesn¡¯t necessarily mean we¡¯re not in for a surprise on July 11¡ªunannounced features are discovered all the time in Apple products. But video capabilities with the built-in camera seem like something the company might have mentioned, either in Jobs¡¯ WWDC keynote or in subsequent briefings. We¡¯re skeptical about its chances to appear.The iphone¡¯s GPS receiver will allow for one added bonus, however¡ªsince the phone knows exactly where you are, it will be able to geotag photos, embedding the location where you took them in images¡¯ metadata.Steve Jobs claimed that the iphone 3G has better audio. What does that mean?We don¡¯t know¡ªApple doesn¡¯t seem to have any information available about the audio that would indicate any improvements. But the moment Apple tells us more¡ªor we have a phone in hand to see for ourselves¡ªwe¡¯ll pass the information along to you.Since the iphone 3G has built-in GPS, will I be able to use it for driving directions like I do with my por GPS now?It¡¯s true that the iphone has a GPS chip that lets it precisely figure out your location. But unlike por GPS units, the iphone has no map data loaded on it, so it requires a constant data connection to provide Google Maps coverage. Also, there are no voice directions to help you get around, so you¡¯ll need a co-pilot to read off the turns to figure out if you¡¯re on the right route.Obviously, this is an area that Apple is leaving open to third-party developers. To that end, GPS vendor TomTom has announced it has an iphone-compatible version of its software nearly ready, so someone is stepping up to fill one of the most obvious needs.Is battery life better on the iphone 3G?It's unclear if the iphone 3G's battery is different from the one in the original iphone. Apple says the iphone 3G should get up to 5 hours talk time on 3G and up to 10 hours on 2G; up to 300 hours of standby time; up to 5 hours of Internet usage on 3G and up to 6 hours on Wi-Fi; up to 7 hours of video playback; and up to 24 hours of audio playback. You¡¯ll be able to switch between 3G and 2G to save battery life.The original iphone was rated for up to 8 hours of talk time; up to 250 hours of standby; up to 6 hours of Internet use; and the same audio and video playback times as the iphone 3G. However, Daring Fireball's John Gruber reports that the battery life of original iPhones will be improved by the iphone 2.0 software update.Do I need to buy an iphone 3G to install third-party apps on my iphone?No, the iphone 2.0 update, which will allow third-party software, will be free for current iphone users in early July; the update comes pre-installed on the iphone 3G. (If you¡¯ve got an iPod touch, you can upgrade to the 2.0 software as well, but it will cost you $9.95¡ªApple charges a fee for the touch because of the way it accounts for the device.)The updated iphone software may be free, but that doesn¡¯t mean you won¡¯t have to pay for individual programs. Some developers are offering apps for free; others charge a fee, with $9.99 seemingly a common price for premium applications based on what we saw at WWDC.Do I need anything special to use the iphone¡¯s Exchange/ActiveSync functionality?Yes, AT&T told us that those corporate e-mail features are intended for business users, which we took to mean you¡¯ll need to pay the extra $15 a month for the corporate data plan over the regular data plan. Consumers have the option of getting similar functionality using Apple¡¯s MobileMe.Copyright :iphone 3G: What you need to know by Macworld Staff, Macworld.com
Rogers to roll out new data plans ahead of iphone
Changes in Rogers Communications Inc.'s cellphone plans are coming within the next two weeks as the company gears up to release a slew of new data-heavy mobile devices.Rogers president and chief operating officer Nadir Mohamed made the remarks during his keynote address at the Canadian Telecom Summit yesterday morning in Toronto and highlighted the emergence of widespread usage of broadband Internet access in the wireless world."There's a recognition on the part of Rogers that the world has changed," Mr. Mohamed said. "We'll be changing our prices to reflect that."Although Mr. Mohamed did not provide any specifics as to what the new pricing rates will be, he indicated the path it will take will mirror how rates in voice-specific plans have fallen."We're looking at pricing changes that will be more flexible, easy to understand and most importantly, drive the adoption of mobile broadband."It is widely believed that Rogers will introduce new rates to coincide with the launch of two highly anticipated "3G" smartphone devices -- Apple Inc.'s iphone and Research In Motion Ltd.'s Black-Berry Bold. Mr. Mohamed hinted at changes to the company's wireless pricing structure at Rogers' annual general meeting this past April.Rogers currently earns about $63 in average revenue per user (ARPU), a figure that has risen rapidly over the past few years with the increasing usage of data-heavy services such as text messaging and over-the-air music downloads.With the introduction of the 3G iphone and its application store on July 11,Mr. Mohamed estimated the device will bring about $90 in blended ARPU to the company, a reflection of how important wireless broadband adoption will be to the bottom lines of telecom providers.Mr. Mohamed outlined three main areas that are helping to drive wireless broadband adoption to Rogers customers. Aside from new devices and applications, the company is investing billions into its next-generation infrastructure in select markets which will provide speeds up to 7.2 megabits per second, double its current capacity."We're on a technology path that is delivering more and more to the customer," he remarked.Mr. Mohamed declined to comment on the current Industry Canada wireless spectrum auction, which has set aside about 40% of the national airwaves for new entrants to encourage greater competition.Visa canada.com
Apple upgraded on bullish iphone predictions
Wall Street continued to make bullish predictions about Apple after reports suggested that sales of the company's Mac computers grew far more than expected in the year to May.Sales of Macs increased by 50 per cent in the year to May, new figures from the market research company NPD suggest - well ahead of the 37 per cent growth that had been expected by analysts at Lehman Brothers.Shipments of iPods also grew by 11.6 per cent, which was below the 14.6 per cent growth in the 12 months to April but better than the 2 per cent decline which Lehman had been predicting. The figures suggested that Apple's new 3G iphone - which is also a music player - was not 'cannibalising' iPod sales as quickly as had been expected, Lehman said.“While not exactly strong, iPod demand seems to be holding up and benefiting from the lack of iphone availability," Lehman analyst Tim Luke said, referring to the fact that the 3G iphone - which was unveiled by Apple last week - will not go on sale until next month.Separately, Morgan Stanley said it was raising its target price for Apple shares from $185 to $210, and predicted that sales of iPhones would double in 2009 after the device went on sale at the new, lower price of $199.In a note, the investment bank said it expected Apple to sell 27 million iPhones in the calendar year 2009, with an average revenue of $550 per unit. It said the lower price of the new, 3G iphone would dramatically increase volumes, and also help drive revenue from sales of updates and other software in the long term."We believe the market generally expects a doubling of iphone units with the lower price point, and we believe this is realistic, if not conservative," Morgan Stanley said.The upgraded share price target followed a string of similar predictions and upgrades from other Wall Street analysts last week after Apple's chief executive, Steve Jobs, unveiled the new device last week.Richard Gardner, a Citigroup analyst, increased its price target from $248 to $287, saying it expected the iphone to ship 12 million units in the second half of this year and 23 million in 2009. He said Apple's decision to shift from a model where it shared in mobile operators' revenue and instead sold the device outright was "a significant positive" because the company would receive iphone-related revenue sooner.Toni Sacconaghi, of Bernstein Research, said he thought the 10 million new iPhones would ship in 2009, but warned that the device could cannibalise iPod sales if it was sold as a pre-pay phone for $199.Worldwide, Apple is estimated to have sold 5 million units of the 2G iphone, which initially cost £269 when it was released in the UK in November. The new version of the device, which goes on sale on July 11, will be 'free' on O2 contracts of £45 a month or more.Apple shares closed up 2.6 per cent at $181. 43 last night.Visa Times Online By Jonathan Richards
The Real iphone is Here Apple Running out of Big Cats
Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) has come and gone, and in it's departure has left us with a quite a few new goodies for us to analyze.The biggest news coming from WWDC is the iphone 3G. As was expected, the new iphone has been upgraded to work on AT&T's 3G network. Which is currently the fastest cell-phone wireless data technology out there. The former iphone was on the much slower EDGE Network. In-fact the 3G network boasts near-broadband speeds, and is 3x faster than the EDGE network. The new iphone is what I consider "The Real iphone", as should be expected with any brand new product from any company, the first generation will always sport some new bugs, or missing features that those suckers who couldn't wait for the 2nd Gen. model will complain about.This new iphone has pretty much everything that was rumored, and that I posted in my blog last week (yeah that's right, I know what I'm talking about). The iphone 3G is about 22% thinner, 3G capable, better battery life, GPS built-in, flush headphone jack (which allows support for all standard 3.5mm jacks), simultaneous data and voice connections, Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync (which is great news for all you business users). The "Real" iphone is also substantially cheaper, with an AT&T subsidy the iphone 3G is $199 for the 8GB model, and $299 for the 16GB model. Furthermore, the 16GB iPod comes in black or white, for those of you who care about that. The iphone 3G will be available July 11, 2008 in 22 countries (Apple will eventually offer the iphone 3G in over 70 countries worldwide), which is perfect timing for me. My T-Mobile contract ends in August, looks like it's about time I get an iphone!While we're talking about the iphone 3G, let me debunk a bit of a misperception that has been going around in the media lately. Some news outlets have done a poor job of fact-checking and have stated that while the face value of the iphone 3G is cheaper, the way they "get" you is by charging you more for the service itself. Not true. The reason the iphone plan is more expensive (by about 10 bucks) is because AT&T charges more to all of their 3G subscribers, not just the iphone customers. If you're on the EDGE network, you pay less for the slower speeds. Simple as that.Now for those of you who may have gotten the first iphone ... sucker ... you're not completely out of luck. Apple also previewed the new iphone/iPod Touch Firmware 2.0 along with highlighting new features of the iphone SDK (Standard Developer Kit). The new Firmware 2.0 provides contact searching, complete iWork document support (allowing you to work on iWork, Apple's productivity suite, documents directly from your iphone or iPod Touch), complete Microsoft Office document support (including PowerPoint), bulk delete and move for Mail, save images you receive, scientific calculator in landscape mode, parental controls, multiple language support for over 18 languages (also support for over 20 different international keyboard layouts).In addition the iphone SDK allows developers to create a multitude of applications for the iphone, which means not only will you be able to use the standard apps that are bundled with the iphone, but you can also hop onto the iphone App Store and purchase applications from independent developers all over the world. I'm not going to get too deep into the iphone SDK, as it's more technical information, and I'm sure none of you are really that interested in that much info.Apple also introduced MobileMe, formerly known as .Mac. MobileMe is an internet service that allows you to sync your calendars, mail, and phonebook computer (Mac or PC) with your iphone or iPod Touch. On top of that MobileMe has a web interface that allows you to access all of these items online without have to be at your computer, iphone or iPod. You can create quick and easy photo gallery pages, utilize online storage space for large file, even access and control your home computer remotely (Mac only). MobileMe is a pretty cool service. I had .Mac, when it was still called that, and I always enjoyed it. It made it very easy to make photo webpages after a vacation or whatever I had going on, even being a designer, I used .Mac for some of those menial tasks because it allowed me focus on real work. The new features are very cool and something that make me consider getting MobileMe when it's available.visa fairfaxtimes.com
Wondershare DVD to iphone Converter for Mac
Wondershare DVD to iPod Converter for Mac is a Mac application that can convert movie DVD to iphone, DVD to iPod MP4 video and M4A audio with excellent quality, fully compatible with 5.5G iPod and the other generations iPod Video, iPod Nano and iPod shuffle. With its advanced technology, It can rip the DVD to iphone at 300% speed faster than the playback speed. Besides being a DVD ripper, it can also help you trim the movie so that you can get the desired segment of the DVD to iphone.DVD to iphone Converter for MacConvert DVD to iphone video MP4 and audio M4A for Mac OS. Support iphone with 320 by 480 resolution. Various video and audio settings to convert DVD to iphone with customized output quality.Wondershare DVD to iphone Converter Mac OSKey Features: 1.A professional DVD to iphone converter for Macintosh OS. 2.Convert DVD to MP4 iphone,iPod video. 3.Extract and rip DVD audio to iphone,iPod with the original sound quality. 4.Allow you to select DVD titles and chapters to convert. 5.Trim a DVD title or chapter to capture a clip from your DVD movie iphone. 6.Select the DVD subtitle you prefer to convert your DVD movie. 7.Provide you with various video and audio settings such as video resolution, video frame rate, video bit rate, audio bit rate, audio sample rate and so on. 8.Let you merge the selected chapters and titles into a single file after conversion. 9.A progress bar to show you the elapsed time and remaining time of the conversion process.Why choose Wondershare DVD to iphone Converter for Mac1. Wondershare DVD to iphone Converter for Mac is an excellent DVD to iphone movie converter for Mac OS users. 2. Wondershare DVD to iphone Converter for Mac is comeplete with powerful options to optimize and edit your movies to iphone. 3. Wondershare DVD to iphone Converter for Mac is a three-in-one Mac DVD converter that can convert DVD to iphone, iPod and Apple TV.Buy Wondershare DVD to iphone Converter for Mac
Apple settles Visual Voicemail lawsuit
Apple settled a lawsuit launched by Klausner technology for its use of Visual Voicemail on the iphone. Company founder Judah Klausner told Reuters that Apple, AT&T and eBay have agreed to license its patents.Klausner’s patent for Visual Voicemail describes a “Telephone Answering Device Linking Displayed Data with Recorded Audio Message.” The patent was first issued to Klausner in 1994 and reinstated on March 18, 2008.Klausner had been asking for $360 million in damages in his lawsuit, but details of the settlement were not available.Visual Voicemail, a feature of the iphone, enables users to selectively identify and listen to messages in their voicemail by using the iphone’s interface. The phone identifies callers and when they left their message — users can then listen to each message individually, rather than having to use key commands to fast-forward, rewind, stop and start messages as they do with many other phones.Apple, AT&T and eBay join Vonage and Sprint Nextel as licensees of the technology.
iphone 3G at work permission needed from network oparator
At this moment I can sync my PDA by using ActiveSync, a dock station and an USB cable at work.I would like to know whether I can sync an iphone 3G doing the same way.I know there is the push technology available.But do I need extra permission from the network oparator for using this or can is sync with an usb cable and a dock station via Active Sync like I do now? All this because I expect getting no extra permissions due to security reasons.
No Spoken Directions iphone 3G
Is it true that the iphone 3G does NOT have Spoken Directions for the GPS mapping? Apple has had text to voice technology for years, and with handheld GPS devices providing spoken directions, not including this feature seems like a serious oversight. Even more so given the hands-free laws going into effect regarding driving.Hopefully this will be an early software update.
T-Mobile to sell €1 iphone 3G
T-Mobile will sell the iphone 3G for as little as €1, the company has announced. When the device launches in Germany on July 11th, shoppers will have the option of pairing an 8GB model with a high-end €69 per month contract, resulting in the sharp discount to the phone itself. People wanting cheaper tariffs will have to pay greater initial costs, with the 8GB capacity costing as much as €170, Reuters notes.Costs for the 16GB iphone will start at €20 with an €89 per month contract, rising to as high as €250 with a €29 per month agreement. The new fees are believed to be a response to low European sales of the original iphone, which was often priced between €200 and €400 while still requiring high monthly rates. Many Europeans are able to receives phones for free with new agreements. The lack of 3G broadband is also said to have been a deterrent, as the technology has been widespread in Europe for several years.Visa MACNN
Get rid of your old iphone
When the first-generation iphone was out in the market, many rushed into the stores even if the price is quite expensive. And now that a new iphone was launched last June 9, many current iphone users are now thinking if what should they do with their iPhones? Would they get a new one or would they use their existing iphone?Along with the 3G iphone is the iphone 2.0 software which would allow the users to install numerous 3rd party applications with the help of the App Store. For those who already have an iphone, they can have a free upgrade to the iphone 2.0 software. On the hand, those who are using an iPod Touch have to pay $9.99 to have an updated software.One reason why most current iphone users would like to dump their old one and get the latest 3G iphone is because of the price. The 8-GB 3G iphone would only cost $199 to be outIf you are worrying if your existing iphone will be left out with all the new applications available for the 3G iphone, then stop worrying. Because the existing iphone can have an update to the latest iphone 2.0 software, you may also install the new applications to the old iphone making it function just like the 3G iphone.However, if you want to access corporate emails faster you might need the 3G iphone. The latest iphone offers support for the 3G technology and HSDPA. This allows the user to browse at the mobile quicker and more efficient. Aside from that, you can also get the exact location of an establishment or even a person through the help of the GPS.Also, the battery life of the latest iphone would last longer compare to the existing iphone. This means that there will be more time to talk, to send SMS, to play games, and browse the internet.
iphone 2.0 will ical address book allow notes search cut paste 3G
For a few months now Ive had the iphone. Had previously used Palm desktop and a Palm III (ancient, I know) but it all worked! I could do a GLOBAL search of the Palm database for any address, any phone #, any calendar item or note category, and quickly FIND IT on either the desktop or the Palm III. This is must havestuff for a service business in the field.On the iphone, so far it isnt possible to cut and past, search, or integrate the address book search with a search in ical or the other databases. The point of having the iphone is that it syncs to my mac so I dont have to haul the laptop around. All the enterprise features and push technology is overkill for me. It seems that if the OSX environment were integrated on the iphone as on the desktop, with the addition of notes and to dos, it would serve well for any smallbusiness.My service business is SMALL. I have about 1,000 contacts and 8 years of calendar.Wondering if the upgrade will include better integration? Oh, and while were at it, why not voice recognition and a movie app. Standard feature for a cell phone, no? Thanks for any input on this,Al MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.5.3)
A2DP Advanced Audio Distribution Profile iphone 3G
Does anyone know or have heard if the next firmware upgrade will support A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)? I purchased the MOTOROKR T505 Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone which also is suppose to be able to stream your iphone music to your car stereo. Well no go without support for the above technology.Just wondering... Dell Windows XP
2.0 MMS Question iphone
Im confused why Apple would release an application to have built into the iphone like the scientific calculator, rather than focus on something that is a real drawback of the iphone. I could care less if my phone had a scientific calculator on it, but it does bother me that I cant send/receive MMS messages, a technology that has been widely available for years now. I mean, seriously, my old RAZR could receive pictures. Anyone else in this same boat? Powerbook G4 17" 1.67 GHz Mac OS X (10.5.3)
No MMS No Video Recording No Copy Paste iphone
I currently am already with AT&T and I have Windows Mobile 6 and I have been eagerly waiting to get the iphone. I love the concept, and just wondering why there is no:1. MMS2. Video Recording3. Copy/PasteIt makes no sense for a smart phone of this high level of technology to not have the most basic of STANDARD phone features. I have a tower G5, a MacBook Pro and got rid of all my PCs and waiting to get rid of my Treo 750, but just cant see upgrading yet downgrading. Any thoughts on if MMS will be a function? Macbook Pro Mac OS X (10.5.2)
GPS Tracking and Actual GPS iphone
What is the difference between GPS Tracking on the new iphone and actual GPS?Is GPS tracking full GPS as I would find on a number of other cell phones, or other such devices such as one of many Garmin or other similar type units?Is it full GPS or does it still rely on triangulation technology? HP Laptop Windows XP Pro
Pre WWDC rumor round up and 3G iphone wish list
We are but four days away from Apple’s land mark WWDC event in San Francisco. Being so close, it is only natural that the rumors are running wild over the event. Everything from the 3G iphone, to a new type of tablet like Mac portable. Sit tight if you would like to hear what we are hearing, and for our take on the rumors that have been flying around.First, one of the most telling rumors going around is that the AT&T store employees are beginning to be trained on the 3G iphone. This is no doubt in preparation for WWDC, which will most likely be of historic proportions as far as news coverage.Not only is the Apple store out of iPhones, but so is AT&T. There is now a shortage of iPhones an all levels, from all channels. The common consensus is Apple is drying the pipes, so that people do not buy one now, and then complain when the new iphone comes out. This is a smart move, Apple has learned from the price drop fiasco.Another interesting piece of news that has been floating around that the price of the new iphone could be much more affordable than the one we know now. Not at direct retail, but thanks to carrier subsidies. This is a very common practice by many carriers on many devices, so that they can get more subscribers to buy higher end devices. They more than make up for the loss over the course of the contract.In light of the rumors, and since everyone else is making predictions, I have a short wish list if you will of features that I would like to see in the next iphone. Some may be a little unreasonable I admit, but in today’s world, with so many choices, why would you ever settle?iphone GPS: Though it has been almost synonymous with the words “3G iphone” it still makes the wish list, as until we see the device, it is all but a wish. The current system in the iphone uses cell site triangulation, which it a pretty good method. Nothing compares to the accuracy of a good old GPS though, and it is something Apple should definitely pack in the new iphone.FM Radio With RDS: FM radio is very easy to pack into a device. It requires a small chip, and very little CPU power. It has made its way into many devices, especially Nokia devices. While FM radio may be a little less high tech than the iPod function, it is still useful, and change is good. While we are at it, why not throw RDS in? RDS is a method used to send song and radio information to radio displays. Many car radios have the function.iphone SDK: Don’t get me wrong, I think the SDK is a tremendous step to the overall open factor of the iphone. However, iphone SDK will not allow access to the iphone’s dock, nor the users music or video library. There are tons of sweet applications and peripherals that could be used with these abilities enabled, and Apple really should take a second look.3.2 Mega Pixel Camera: To me, at the very minimum, the new iphone should have this. If it hopes to be competitive in Europe and Asia, it must have a better camera. 3.2 mega pixel with auto focus is the absolute minimum. Preferably, a 5 mega pixel camera, auto focus, shake control, image stabilization, face detection, xenon flash, and at least ISO 1000 sensitivity. Mega pixels mean nothing without a good lens, I would recommend that Apple at least pack a decent lens in it, even if they keep it at 2 mega pixels. I will admit, that is a little excessive, after all it is a phone, not a camera.Dimensions: While I prefer a smaller phone, the iphone has a limit on how small it can get, after all it has to host that enormous touch screen. A thinner iphone would be nice, but there is quite a few new features to be packed in. With all these features, the iphone could get a little thicker. Hopefully though, Apple keeps the iphone the same size, at the very least.Jailbreak: Some users will want the SDK, some will want to go Wild Wild West. Though there will be a ton of good applications on the SDK, there will always be a ton that are not going to be on the official Apple ok list. As mentioned the relatively closed nature of the SDK is restrictive and does not allow access to all aspects of the iphone. Jailbreaking does, there is nothing off limits on the iphone when it is jailbroken, nothing.Multi Tasking: The iphone is a smart phone. All smart phones have true multi tasking. The iphone has 128MB of RAM, it is thoroughly capable of it. There is no reason that Apple should not give the iphone its ability. What’s more, if they were smart they would let the SDK have access to the feature.Battery Life: The iphone already gets pretty good battery life, that is in part thanks to not using last years GPS and 3G chips. In 2008 though, the technology has improved quite a bit not surprisingly. This means that the new iphone should get comparable battery life. I think they can do better though. Some sort of system that can determine when 3G and GPS are needed, and keep them off when they are not.Web Browser Enhancements: While the iphone already has an excellent web browser, there are still some things that would be nice to have. Namely, flash support. Work with Adobe Apple, everyone else has seemed to snap to the realization that full browsers need full features. A better JavaScript interpreter would be great, as I find it to sometimes lag down on a web page. Copy and paste in the Safari browser would be a nice improvement, it is a common feature on a ton of devices, so adding it will definitely be welcomed.
