Experience the stock market crash on the iPhone

"AirCoaster is a high-speed roller coaster simulator for the iPhone/iPod touch.

With AirCoaster, you can ride a random roller coaster track, create one from scratch, or even download tracks created by others, including this one, which is based on the Dow Jones Industrial Average from Oct 07 to Mar 09.

Also be sure to download the equally exciting track for the Apple stock price!

AirCoaster is available at $0.99 on the iPhone app store."

Apple unveils unlocked, no-commit $599 and $699 iPhones

From TG Daily -

Apple stores are now carrying unlocked, no-commit 8GB and 16GB iPhone 3Gs for $599 and $699 respectively, while several online U.K. retailers are also now carrying SIM-free iPhones for use with any network. The move indicates Apple is clearing the backlog of iPhones in anticipation of new models early June.

The iPhone 3G will also debut in China -- where the China Unicom mobile operator confirmed it will start selling the handset to China's 1.3+ billion market beginning May 17.

Skype for iPhone to Be Released as Early as Next Week

Per GigaOM, Skype is almost ready to launch that iPhone version, perhaps as soon as next week. CTIA Wireless kicks off in Las Vegas next Wednesday, so perhaps the announcement will be made there.

The biggest clue about Skype’s pending iPhone launch came when iSkoot decided to move on from its Skype-centric strategy. The company had been offering a client that allowed cell phone users to use Skype services. Skype already offers a Windows Mobile version of its client.

Apple sued for promoting iPhone as eBook reader

From Apple Insider -

Switzerland-based MONEC Holding Ltd has filed a complaint with a Virginia district court against Apple of patent infringement, unfair trade practices, monopolization, and tortious interference for allegedly treading on its January 2002 patent No. 6,335,678 titled "Electronic device, preferably an electronic book."

The firm alleges Apple's move to distribute digital book reading apps through the App Store directly violates its patent, which describes a "light-weight" electronic device with a "touch-screen" LCD-display having the "dimensions such that [...] approximately one page of a book can be illustrated at normal size, this display being integrated in a flat, frame-like housing."

AT&T: New iPhone will be hot,

According to The Boy Genius Report, the following have been confirmed:

* New iPhone (to be announced in June) will be faster and have a more seamless experience unmatched by any device.

* U-Verse iPhone application; will allow control of your home DVR (play, pause, rewind, etc.)

* AT&T is said to be working with Apple to create a unified product with an unparalleled experience across all their products and services.

* Seems like the higher speed HSDPA (7.2Mbps) is being hinted at too which should confirm the earlier rumors of the new Infineon chipset.

* The $99 3G netbook will start selling this summer, and the first one won’t be a Windows OS.

iPhone 3.0 beta firmware FAQ

Engadget has posted a very informative FAQ on the iPhone 3.0. Some sample questions (and answers):

How do I get this thing?
Well, unfortunately you need to be part of the developer program (which costs $99).

Whatevs, I just got it off of BitTorrent!
Okay, but it may not work. Your iPhone's unique ID must be authorized for the 3.0 upgrade, and Apple checks that. So until someone cracks the 3.0 beta firmware image, you have to be a registered developer, or know somebody who can hook you up, pretty much.

Is it stable enough for real use?
So far, yes.

Does the iPod app do anything significantly different?
Yes! For audiobooks and podcasts there's a playback speed option now (1/2, 1, and 2x), a 30 second replay (á la TiVo), and some mail function which isn't yet implemented. There's also variable-rate scrubbing for that content.

Does copy/paste extend to the URL bar in Safari? From jomolungma
Yes! Copy and paste has been working in a lot more places than I might have expected, even (especially in 3rd party apps).

Does 3.0 allow you to record video?
Apple announced over 1,000 new APIs in iPhone OS 3.0, but video wasn't mentioned. Video recording isn't present in the default app set as of right now, but I wouldn't entirely rule it out.

Is there a unified inbox? You know, some place where all my many mobile inboxes can funnel into on spot?
Oh man, I wish. But no, sorry, that's not on the features list this time around.

Does 3.0 support the in-line volume control the newer Apple headphones? From anthonyfriday
It doesn't enable in-line volume control on the iPhone 3G, unfortunately. (Play/pause, etc. still work). The iPod touch 2nd-gen should still have that function, though.

You can read the complete list here.

AT&T to sell iPhone without contract

From The Associated Press -

AT&T will start selling iPhones next Thursday without requiring a two-year contract, but they will cost $400 more. The 8GB will go for $599 while the 16GB model will go for $699. The two models respectively cost $199 and $299 under contract.

The new phones will still be "locked" to AT&T and won't work with any other cellular carrier unless they're modified. AT&T will only activate them on the regular iPhone plans, which include a $30 monthly charge for data access. Prepaid service will not be available.

Apple is widely expected to release a new version of the phone this summer.

NEW Apple OLED iPhone Confirmed By LG

From Smarthouse -

Per sources in Korea, Apple is set to launch a new OLED iPhone later this year, together with new OLED notebooks and flat panel monitors. The OLED screen will be made by LG, which also manufactures display screens for Apple.

Apple is also rumored to already have a working prototype of a new netbook which will be manufactured in Taiwan with the OLED touch screen again supplied by LG.

iPhone 3.0 OS Reveals New iPhones, iPods and the Mysterious "iProd"

From Gizmodo -

The iPhone 3.0 OS has references to brand new iPhone models, namely, - iPhone3,1; iPod3,1; iFPGA; and iProd0,1. Since the original iPhone is known as iPhone1,1 and the iPhone 3G is iPhone1,2, the new models' number references,particularly iPhone3,1 and iPod3,1, imply major revisions.

On the other hand the iFPGA model—as in field-programmable gate arrays—is likely something never to be released. As for the iProd, the string 0,1 indicates it's a prototype or codename, since products are released at 1,1. It could be anything - a touchscreen tablet or a netbook, perhaps.

LCARS for iPhone 2

"Just a little update, with added SBSettings and calculator I made...
Still not finished, as one could mod just about everything! I cant figure out how to make the font orange in the Notes.app and packaging it all up to put on Cydia is beyond me, because of the required icon order and use of Categories and font swap.
Thanks to all those who did some of the initial work, inspiring me to take it further!"