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Friday, May 30, 2008

Confirmed: Carrie Bradshaw Is Too Stupid To Work an iPhone




From Gizmodo -

The new Sex and the City movie confirms what most people knew all along: Carrie Bradshaw is an idiot. In a scene in which the iPhone has a walk-on, Carrie needs a phone and as an iPhone is handed to her, she hands it back saying "I can't work this!"

TurboGrafx-16 emu now on the iPhone

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Apple concept would warn iPhone users ahead of dropped calls




From AppleInsider -

A pair of Apple patent filings show the company is exploring ways to alert users when they are about to lose a WiFi or cellular signal, and also help them find tiny accessories that may have been misplaced.

One of the filings describes methods of providing iPhone users with an "out of range" warning that includes an estimate of the amount of time remaining until the devices are out of range of a WiFi network, thus presenting the users with an opportunity to take corrective measures if they so desire. Warnings can take many forms, such as a vibratory warning, audible warning, or visual warning.

iPhone SDK contains a 3G iPhone icon?




From Engadget -

Members of the MacRumors forums went poking around the iPhone SDK files and unearthed what might be an icon representation of the 3G iPhone. There's only one tiny image (scaled up on the left), but it's clearly different from the other iPhone icons in the bundle.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Fun Facts About iPhone





From GigaOM comes a pie chart that provides statistics on smartphone usage by AdMob users. While not an absolute reflection of iPhone usage, it seems indicative of broader iPhone trends. You can read the full report at the GigaOm site.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Latest iPhone 2.0 beta adds geo-tagging to Camera photos




From Apple Insider -

A new beta of Apple's iPhone Software v2.0 Update released privately to a select group this week adds a few new preferences and the beginnings of geo-tagging support for the Camera app. Location-aware services such as "Maps" and "Camera" now ask the user's permission before transmitting data used to identify their current geographical location. The addition is interesting in that it suggests Apple is actively working on adding support for geo-tagging photographs.

Essentially, geo-tagging is the process of adding geographical identification metadata to media files such as latitude and longitude coordinates -- or even names of places -- so that those files can later be referenced, searched, and grouped based on their origin.

Source article here.

Job ad points to GPS on Apple road map

The Inquirer discovered an Apple job ad that includes a job description of "a cross-functional design team" which will "help to create the next generation of the world's finest handheld devices" and candidates should have experience in "the Integration of wireless antenna (GSM, GPS, Wifi) into mechanical enclosures."

The wording seems to confirm that satellite navigation is definitely on the cards for future releases.

Source article here.

iPhone vs. BlackBerry Bold: The Side-by-Side Photos and Video

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Vista Theme on iPhone




Saw this theme from Just Another iPhone blog. Personally I have mixed feelings about it but if you like it you can check it out here.

Refurbished iPhones are an excellent source of previous users' data




Engadget has discovered restoring a used iPhone does not actually erase the contents of the flash, meaning your data is available to anyone with the proper tools until it's overwritten. What is worse, it appears that Apple doesn't do a low-level format when refurbishing iPhones either.

Case in point - an Oregon State Police detective was able to use forensic software to pull files, emails, and screenshots off an out-of-the-box refurbished iPhone. Since Apple doesn't provide users direct access to the iPhone's filesystem, it's basically impossible to clear your personal data short of restoring and filling your iPhone with junk data.

Source article here.

Friday, May 16, 2008

IntelliScreen Brings Useful Widgets to iPhone




From Gizmodo -

IntelliScreen lets you show either your upcoming calendar items, recent emails, recent text messages, the weather, or even an RSS feed up on the standby screen, letting you see what you need to see without even unlocking your phone.

Note: It is still in beta, and may crash or even wipe some of your data if it conflicts with some of your other apps.

Source article here.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

AT&T now limiting iPhone sales to one, requiring plastic




From the Apple Insider -

In an internal memo to its retail department AT&T implemented new policies regarding the increasingly hard-to-find iPhone, primarily that customers will be limited to only one unit until further notice.

"Effective May 14, 2008, customers can only purchase one iPhone at AT&T stores..." The prior limit of three iPhones is no longer in effect. In addition, "...Customers may only use credit or debit cards to purchase their iPhone."

Source article here.

50% Off iPod Classic Accessories




Meritline has a 50% off sale on iPod classic accessories including GelaSkins. Coupled with free shipping you can score a GelaSkin for $9, car charger for $5, USB car charger for $6, alarm clock for $25, or shower adapter for $23. Just make sure to enter the code "mp3ac50poff" at checkout. Better hurry, coupon is valid till May 16 only.

Gizmodo Source article here.

You can view the Meritline site here.

Intel Germany CEO Spills on Atom-Based Mini-Tablet iPhone

From Gizmodo -

According to ZDNet.de Intel Germany CEO Hannes Schwaderer has confirmed an upcoming, larger Atom-based iPhone with a 720x480 display. This adds to past rumors of a mystery Apple device making use of Atom, though Schwaderer's supposed semantic choice calling it a "version of the iPhone" seems odd, given that Atom is designed more for UMPCs than traditional mobile devices.

Source article here.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Brand new Google Reader for iPhone




From the Google Reader blog -

Google has released a new beta version of Reader designed for the iPhone and other mobile phones with advanced browsers. You can use it by visiting http://www.google.com/reader/i/ on your phone.

This new version is designed to offer many of the same features as the desktop, while making it quick and easy to act on items. If you've used list view, then it should be familiar to you.

Can HTC's touchscreen Diamond outshine the iPhone?




From Yahoo! Tech -

HTC has unveiled its Win Mobile-based Touch Diamond in a lavish event in London. The Diamond measures 4 by 2 by 0.45 inches, making it a little shorter, narrower, and a hair thinner than the iPhone. And at 3.9 ounces, it's almost a full ounce lighter. It also has a 2.8" full VGA screen, easily beating the iPhone's 480 by 320-pixel resolution. Additional spec include: HSDPA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, 4GB RAM, a 3.2MP camera, and an accelerometer that turns the display to landscape mode when you turn the Diamond on its side.

The Diamond's TouchFlo interface is also a sleek, easy-to-use touch UI that boasts of a row of icons at the bottom of the screen. Tap an icon, and the display spins and twirls to the appropriate application.

So, can the Diamond take on the iPhone? On paper, it certainly does. But final judgment has to be reserved until actual hands-on reviews are made. The Diamond is set to arrive next month in Europe and Asia, but it won't land here in the U.S. until the second half of the year.

Source Article here.

Monday, May 12, 2008

SingTel, Associates to Bring iPhone to Asia This Year

From The New York Times -

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd and its mobile associates will bring the popular iPhone to Singapore, India, Australia and the Philippines later this year, Southeast Asia's largest phone company said on Monday.

SingTel said that it, Bharti Airtel Ltd, Globe Telecom Inc, and Australian unit Optus had signed the agreement with Apple.

3G iPhone in May, Another Device at WWDC?

From MacRumors -

In April, SwitchToaMac.com published a rumor that Apple would be launching the 3G iPhone earlier than expected... in May. This was dismissed immediately by many. But Apple's dwindling stock of iPhones in both the U.S. and U.K. has revived this rumor.

The reason for a pre-WWDC announcement? Reportedly, Apple would instead announce a brand new portable device at WWDC. No other details of what this device might be, but there have been rumors that Apple was developing a mini-tablet multi-touch device.

Read source here.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

iPhone "Currently Unavailable" Online: Brilliant Pre 3G iPhone Strategy?




From Gizmodo -

The iPhone is "currently unavailable" at the AppleStore US, following the dry-out in the UK. Does this mean they are waiting for the shipment of the next version? If so, this is a brilliant and rare move for Apple. We won't know for sure until next month, but knowing Apple's tight command of their stock levels, it looks like this may be the reason.

You can read the full article here.

Friday, May 9, 2008

America Movil to sell iPhone across Latin America

From Reuters -

Mexico-based America Movil said on Wednesday it would sell the iPhone across Latin America this year, a deal that could extend its lead in the region over Telefonica. America Movil, operates in 16 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean as well as the United States, did not say if its deal was an exclusive accord.

The telco, controlled by billionaire Carlos Slim, had more than 159 million cell phone subscribers at the end of March. It also had almost 4 million fixed-line clients. It competes with Spain's Telefonica in the region and has held the upper hand in customer numbers for a couple of years.

Phone operators around the world have been competing to secure the rights to sell the iPhone.

Complete article here.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

The Zombies Are After Our iPhones

From GigaOM - According to Radware, the iPhone Safari browser version 1.1.4. is vulnerable to a denial-of-service attack after a user clicks through spam email or spam texts that could crash the browser or the phone itself.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

iPhone SDK Beta 5 Now Up: Bug Fixes, Updated OS Support

From Gizmodo -

Beta 5 of the iPhone SDK is no available. Aside from support for the latest iPhone OS version, it actually doesn't have anything new big features except for bug fixes and small tweaks. But it does include a complete set of tools, compilers, frameworks, and documentation for creating iPhone OS applications. These tools include the Xcode IDE, and the Instruments analysis tool, among many others.

You can download the SDK here.

T-Mobile admits that 3G iPhone will be tested in Austria

From Engadget -

Austrian publication derStandard has reported T-Mobile will be testing the 3G iPhone there. During a press conference in Vienna, T-Mobile reportedly affirmed that a UMTS version of the iPhone would soon be available, and that Austria would be the testing ground for the new model.

The Other New iPhone?




From iLounge -
Apple OEM Hon Hai/Foxconn is reportedly making a mini-iPhone with a 2.8” screen, which would present major interface challenges given the way the current iPhone works. Additionally, companies overseas have allegedly already started work on another model, which is basically the same size as the current one, but has slightly different curves, coloration, and materials. Basically the details regarding a glossy black pastic iPhone appears accurate. The enclosure now is tapered like a MacBook Air, thicker at the center than at the sides. From the sides, the curves and proportions look more Blackberry than iPhone. The screen size stays the same. Glossy black or white backs are also apparently locks, with a red version possible, too.

Source article here.

iPhone 2.0 Firmware Will Have Handwriting Recognition


From Gizmodo -

A Wretch.cc blog has screens from the Chinese version of iPhone's 2.0 firmware, detailing the new handwriting recognition. If it's real it will let people write characters with their fingers, then pick the closest approximation among choices that pop up. For the Chinese version, you've got the choice of either handwriting or using Pinyin.

Food for thought: Would Apple add all this Chinese and Japanese support if the iPhone wasn't coming to China and Japan officially? No, probably not.

Vodafone to Offer Apple’s iPhone in Ten Markets

From Vodafone -

Vodafone today announced it has signed an agreement with Apple to sell the iPhone in ten of its markets around the globe. Later this year, Vodafone customers in Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey will be able to purchase the iPhone for use on the Vodafone network.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

All AT&T Employee Vacations Cancelled June 15 to July 12?

From CellPassion -

According to an internal memo being circulated at AT&T, no employee can go on leave from June 15 to July 12, and all leaves have been cancelled during that period. The likely reason? A major handset launch!

Synchronoss: Unlocked iPhones Are Killing Us

From Silicon Alley Insider -

Synchronoss, which handles gadget activations for companies like AT&T and Time Warner Cable, has significantly lowered projections for 2008 due in large part to reduced revenues associated with the iPhone. One of the main reasons cited was that more iPhones are being sold to be "unlocked" -- and never officially activated -- than Synchronoss expected.

Full article here.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

AT&T's 3G iPhone Is $199 This Summer - Not True?

Gizmodo has earlier reported that AT&T's going to subsidize the 3G iPhone down as much as $200, making the final retail price a scant $199 with two-year-contract. The rumor is that the $200 bonus will only be available in AT&T stores, not in Apple stores, so people buying and exporting or using it with T-Mobile will be paying the higher price. If you're buying straight from Apple, it seems like their prices will still be $399 and $499 for the 8 and 16GB models.

But now in an update, Gizmodo has clarified that the rumor was made by Scott Moritz, whose track record in predictions is not exactly reliable. He comes from thestreet.com, who, via Jim Cramer, made the prediction that the iPhone would get 1.5 years of free service. The rumor sounds less credible now.

Full article here.