December 2007 Archives
Various rumor websites around the 'net have been reporting that iPhone update 1.1.3 is just around the corner. The origin of these stories seem to come from a site called GearLive which is not usually known for news such as this but the iPhone sites have nonetheless jumped on the bandwagon.
A lot of features that users have been requesting are now a part of the new update. For example, there are screenshots of the following new features:
- The ability to Edit Home Screen
- Dragging icons around with your finger
- Activation of "Locate Me" (pseudo-GPS) with Google Maps
- More screenshots of Locate Me
- Sending SMS to multiple people
- And finally, adding Safari Bookmarks to your Home Screen (example)
Right now, GearLive is taking a hammering (server wise), but the here's some links to the story and the gallery if you are able to get into the site.
Pretty exciting stuff if you ask me, This would be a great new year's present. I don't think I can wait for MacWorld.
Enjoy!
Update: Johnappleseed posted a gallery on his flickr site, it is way less congested than the GearLive site.
A lot of features that users have been requesting are now a part of the new update. For example, there are screenshots of the following new features:
- The ability to Edit Home Screen
- Dragging icons around with your finger
- Activation of "Locate Me" (pseudo-GPS) with Google Maps
- More screenshots of Locate Me
- Sending SMS to multiple people
- And finally, adding Safari Bookmarks to your Home Screen (example)
Right now, GearLive is taking a hammering (server wise), but the here's some links to the story and the gallery if you are able to get into the site.
Pretty exciting stuff if you ask me, This would be a great new year's present. I don't think I can wait for MacWorld.
Enjoy!
Update: Johnappleseed posted a gallery on his flickr site, it is way less congested than the GearLive site.
In iPhone news around the web, it seems some business analysts are predicting that sales for the iPhone will hit 5 million units by MacWorld in January 2008. Personally, I think that those numbers are a bit on the high side, but hey, I don't have the kind of forecasting skills nor tools that these guys have.
Also, there have been several reports that Apple has filed some patents recently to allow users to pay for purchases via the internet. Imagine sitting down at Starbucks, ordering a coffee from your iPhone or Mac laptop and then just picking up your drink from the counter...I can already see how this would work as all of your credit card info. is stored in iTunes as it is...
Anyway, 2008 is gonna be big, especially for the iPhone. Mark our words. Till then, have a safe and happy new years!
Also, there have been several reports that Apple has filed some patents recently to allow users to pay for purchases via the internet. Imagine sitting down at Starbucks, ordering a coffee from your iPhone or Mac laptop and then just picking up your drink from the counter...I can already see how this would work as all of your credit card info. is stored in iTunes as it is...
Anyway, 2008 is gonna be big, especially for the iPhone. Mark our words. Till then, have a safe and happy new years!
Those crazy hackers at ZodTTD have been able to get the iPhone to successfully emulate a PSOne. So far the program is only in its beta release and of course, only available for jail broken iPhones.
Apparently the authors say that the download will be available via Installer.app later, but currently it is only available via manual download. For more information, be sure to read the ZodTTD forums and FAQs.
Enjoy and Merry Xmas!
Apparently the authors say that the download will be available via Installer.app later, but currently it is only available via manual download. For more information, be sure to read the ZodTTD forums and FAQs.
Enjoy and Merry Xmas!
News and gossip this morning claims that Steve Jobs will unveil new slimmer Mac Portables and an upgraded iPhone.
According to a Bloomberg report it seems that the possibility of a slimmed down, ultra portable Mac will show up at MacWorld 2008 is pretty good. The report quotes a bunch of analyst for different firms with their takes on what will appear at MacWorld this coming year.
Analyst citing sources in Asia that supply Apple's assembly plants have said the sub-compact notebook will feature an 11-13" display.
Also on the list for an appearance: an "upgraded" iPhone with 16 gigabytes of memory is a high possibility. We think this is true. All you need to do is look at Apple's history when it comes to doing announcements and feature upgrades. It's quite rare that the upgrade doesn't come before the updated or new model. This will most likely hold true for the iPhone as well.
No one knows what else Steve might pull out of his Mac, but chances are, there'll be at least one more thing we're not expecting or aware of. New Apple TV? Music an Movie subscription service? Content deals? Who knows!
From all of us at iPhoneNewsBlog.com, Have a safe and Merry Christmas!
According to a Bloomberg report it seems that the possibility of a slimmed down, ultra portable Mac will show up at MacWorld 2008 is pretty good. The report quotes a bunch of analyst for different firms with their takes on what will appear at MacWorld this coming year.
Analyst citing sources in Asia that supply Apple's assembly plants have said the sub-compact notebook will feature an 11-13" display.
Also on the list for an appearance: an "upgraded" iPhone with 16 gigabytes of memory is a high possibility. We think this is true. All you need to do is look at Apple's history when it comes to doing announcements and feature upgrades. It's quite rare that the upgrade doesn't come before the updated or new model. This will most likely hold true for the iPhone as well.
No one knows what else Steve might pull out of his Mac, but chances are, there'll be at least one more thing we're not expecting or aware of. New Apple TV? Music an Movie subscription service? Content deals? Who knows!
From all of us at iPhoneNewsBlog.com, Have a safe and Merry Christmas!
As someone who is constantly surrounded by technology, I feel that I have a pretty good knowledge of the type of technology that would be considered consumable for "alpha geeks." In general, this technology is not ready for prime time and is often the precursor to the actual product that is released to the general public.
To give you a better idea of what i mean, I've actually had the honor or rather dishonor of being a product tester for a cellphone made by IBM called the "Simon." The Simon was what I would consider the very first "smartphone." The Simon had wonderful capabilities for its time, it was a cellphone, a fax machine, a pda and had hand writing recognition (very rudimentary). It was a good idea, the only drawback was that it was HUGE. I mean literally, this thing would not fit in your pocket, i don't know how i carried it around.
In any case, since then, i've had a number of phones, many of them just plain old cell phones, but most recently I had a HTC Windows Mobile 5 so called "smart-phone." It was a slider phone with a touch screen interface (pen input) and you could customize it to your needs. It worked ok i guess, but after a while, it got clunky and I lost the stylus and since then it didn't work so well because some of the dialog boxes and user interface elements were so darn small.
Now fast forward to my iPhone. I just can't believe how much a game changer being always connected is. I am constantly receiving email, checking stocks and even seeing how the weather will be for the rest of the week. I really enjoy looking up restaurants in the Google maps application and the phone numbers next to the listing is a PLUS.
Then, one day, I actually had a chance to go back to my WM5 device, just to turn it on to see if I had transferred all my contacts over to the iPhone. I flipped thru some menus and programs and i just remember saying to myself...I used to use this??? I can't believe how anyone can put up with this kind of interface.
There are a lot of naysayers and a lot of people who believe the iPhone won't do well in Japan because that market is at such a sophisticated level. The Japanese expect a lot of their phones and guess what? I feel that the iPhone will be able to teach that market a thing or two. Did you know that shares of DoCoMo actually went up upon rumors of talk between the two companies? That my friends is simply amazing...
A lot of people I feel are missing the point about the iPhone. Yes, it doesn't have the camera with the most megapixels and no it doesn't have 3G (but wouldn't u want a webpage looking like its supposed to instead of just junk?), but it does raise the bar and definitely gives the industry a much needed kick in the pants...
Now if apple could only kick start the TV industry and shake them up too...we'll see, maybe 2008 will be AppleTVs year...who know...
Happy Holidays All
To give you a better idea of what i mean, I've actually had the honor or rather dishonor of being a product tester for a cellphone made by IBM called the "Simon." The Simon was what I would consider the very first "smartphone." The Simon had wonderful capabilities for its time, it was a cellphone, a fax machine, a pda and had hand writing recognition (very rudimentary). It was a good idea, the only drawback was that it was HUGE. I mean literally, this thing would not fit in your pocket, i don't know how i carried it around.
In any case, since then, i've had a number of phones, many of them just plain old cell phones, but most recently I had a HTC Windows Mobile 5 so called "smart-phone." It was a slider phone with a touch screen interface (pen input) and you could customize it to your needs. It worked ok i guess, but after a while, it got clunky and I lost the stylus and since then it didn't work so well because some of the dialog boxes and user interface elements were so darn small.
Now fast forward to my iPhone. I just can't believe how much a game changer being always connected is. I am constantly receiving email, checking stocks and even seeing how the weather will be for the rest of the week. I really enjoy looking up restaurants in the Google maps application and the phone numbers next to the listing is a PLUS.
Then, one day, I actually had a chance to go back to my WM5 device, just to turn it on to see if I had transferred all my contacts over to the iPhone. I flipped thru some menus and programs and i just remember saying to myself...I used to use this??? I can't believe how anyone can put up with this kind of interface.
There are a lot of naysayers and a lot of people who believe the iPhone won't do well in Japan because that market is at such a sophisticated level. The Japanese expect a lot of their phones and guess what? I feel that the iPhone will be able to teach that market a thing or two. Did you know that shares of DoCoMo actually went up upon rumors of talk between the two companies? That my friends is simply amazing...
A lot of people I feel are missing the point about the iPhone. Yes, it doesn't have the camera with the most megapixels and no it doesn't have 3G (but wouldn't u want a webpage looking like its supposed to instead of just junk?), but it does raise the bar and definitely gives the industry a much needed kick in the pants...
Now if apple could only kick start the TV industry and shake them up too...we'll see, maybe 2008 will be AppleTVs year...who know...
Happy Holidays All
We were at the local Costco and spotted the latest Consumer Reports issue for January 2008 was on the stand. Inside they did a comparison of smart phones. They put the Blackberry Curve up against the iPhone and the iPhone scored a 64 while the Blackberry Curve scored a 61.
How did the iPhone win in this comparison? The magazine gave kudos to Apple's longer 8.25 hours of call time in testing versus the Blackberry Curve's 6.25 hours. They also liked the fact that the iPhone was easier to synchronize with your computer.
But what about the Blackberry's killer function... push email? Consumer Reports said that the iPhone has a stronger email client, which I tend to agree. I love being able to just get email from any or all of my accounts whether IMAP or POP on the iPhone.
Of course this is all preaching to the chior to us.
How did the iPhone win in this comparison? The magazine gave kudos to Apple's longer 8.25 hours of call time in testing versus the Blackberry Curve's 6.25 hours. They also liked the fact that the iPhone was easier to synchronize with your computer.
But what about the Blackberry's killer function... push email? Consumer Reports said that the iPhone has a stronger email client, which I tend to agree. I love being able to just get email from any or all of my accounts whether IMAP or POP on the iPhone.
Of course this is all preaching to the chior to us.
We were at the local Costco and spotted the latest Consumer Reports issue for January 2008 was on the stand. Inside they did a comparison of smart phones. They put the Blackberry Curve up against the iPhone and the iPhone scored a 64 while the Blackberry Curve scored a 61.
How did the iPhone win in this comparison? The magazine gave kudos to Apple's longer 8.25 hours of call time in testing versus the Blackberry Curve's 6.25 hours. They also liked the fact that the iPhone was easier to synchronize with your computer.
But what about the Blackberry's killer function... push email? Consumer Reports said that the iPhone has a stronger email client, which I tend to agree. I love being able to just get email from any or all of my accounts whether IMAP or POP on the iPhone.
Of course this is all preaching to the chior to us.
How did the iPhone win in this comparison? The magazine gave kudos to Apple's longer 8.25 hours of call time in testing versus the Blackberry Curve's 6.25 hours. They also liked the fact that the iPhone was easier to synchronize with your computer.
But what about the Blackberry's killer function... push email? Consumer Reports said that the iPhone has a stronger email client, which I tend to agree. I love being able to just get email from any or all of my accounts whether IMAP or POP on the iPhone.
Of course this is all preaching to the chior to us.
In less than 1 year since its introduction, a report from Canalys says that the iPhone has overtaken Windows Mobile phones. So far, the study goes on to say that iPhones claim about 27% of the market which is slightly ahead of the Windows Mobile, but still far behind RIM and their Blackberry platform...
Not standing still, Microsoft has vowed to add iPhone-like features to its next update to Windows Mobile 7. When will this blatant copying end???
Not standing still, Microsoft has vowed to add iPhone-like features to its next update to Windows Mobile 7. When will this blatant copying end???
A Apple Support Document released today shows you how to create custom ringtones for your iPhone using GarageBand 4.1.1!
From the document: To create a custom ringtone:
From the document: To create a custom ringtone:
- Set up a cycle region that covers the area you wish to use in the GarageBand song. Note: This area must be 40 seconds or less in length.
- Once the cycle area has been set, choose Share > Send Ringtone to iTunes.
Our friends over at Monster and Friends have found a way to record video on the iPhone. Right now, the program is still in VERY early development and is only able to record for 10 second bursts. The programmers feel that they will be able to record at 45 fps and should be able to record for longer sessions once they optimize the code.
To install this application, your phone must be jail broken. February can't come any sooner!
Watch below for a quick demonstration of how the program works and you'll notice that it doesn't really have any interface and just loops in record and playback mode.
To install this application, your phone must be jail broken. February can't come any sooner!
Watch below for a quick demonstration of how the program works and you'll notice that it doesn't really have any interface and just loops in record and playback mode.
How many of us are guilty of using our iPhones while we're driving? I'll be first to admit that I've done it at times even though I am fully aware that any cell phone usage while operating a car can be dangerous.
In any case, recently I was lucky enough to be able to review two products that make using your iPhone in the car a lot safer. The first product is actually a generic "PDA holder" that as the manufacturer puts it, "holds most handheld PC's." The second is the miCRADLE iPhone holder by Pro.Fit International.
The generic PDA holder takes a pretty good approach to holding your PDA or iPhone. Interestingly enough, it is able to accommodate a wide range of devices by using a spring-loaded latch that is able to expand an inch or so vertically. In fact, the generic PDA holder was even able to hold my iPhone in place with its contour showcase shell on...Definitely a plus in my book.
On the other hand, the miCRADLE is specifically designed for the iPhone and has been custom tailored to fit around the phone without a case. The product designers at Pro.Fit International have done a VERY good job of creating a superior fit and finish. All of the parts are very high quality and nice touches such as felt bumpers on the inside of the cradle have been included.
The only major downside to both of these holders was that installing them was a pain. In a nutshell, the first step was to remove part of the car's console. The next step was to drill holes into the frame behind the console and screw the holder's arm directly into the console. Lastly, the arm needed to be attached to the holder. The upside to screwing these holders into your car is that in the event of a crash or sudden stop, your iPhone would not go flying.
In the end, both of these products provide a good solution to the problem of freeing up your hands while you drive and talk on the phone at the same time. Detailed product shots are available in our gallery.
Generic PDA Holder Pros:
Able to expand vertically to fit a variety of devices
Can accommodate an iPhone with a case
Relatively Cheap
Generic PDA Holder Cons:
Constructed of cheap plastic
Need to drill holes into console for installation
Not so visually attractive
Not able to pivot horizontally
miCRADLE Pros:
Custom Designed for the iPhone
High quality construction
Will not scratch or mark iPhone
miCRADLE Cons:
Need to drill holes into console for installation
Not able to pivot horizontally
Cannot use holder if your iPhone is in a case/holster
In any case, recently I was lucky enough to be able to review two products that make using your iPhone in the car a lot safer. The first product is actually a generic "PDA holder" that as the manufacturer puts it, "holds most handheld PC's." The second is the miCRADLE iPhone holder by Pro.Fit International.
The generic PDA holder takes a pretty good approach to holding your PDA or iPhone. Interestingly enough, it is able to accommodate a wide range of devices by using a spring-loaded latch that is able to expand an inch or so vertically. In fact, the generic PDA holder was even able to hold my iPhone in place with its contour showcase shell on...Definitely a plus in my book.
On the other hand, the miCRADLE is specifically designed for the iPhone and has been custom tailored to fit around the phone without a case. The product designers at Pro.Fit International have done a VERY good job of creating a superior fit and finish. All of the parts are very high quality and nice touches such as felt bumpers on the inside of the cradle have been included.
The only major downside to both of these holders was that installing them was a pain. In a nutshell, the first step was to remove part of the car's console. The next step was to drill holes into the frame behind the console and screw the holder's arm directly into the console. Lastly, the arm needed to be attached to the holder. The upside to screwing these holders into your car is that in the event of a crash or sudden stop, your iPhone would not go flying.
In the end, both of these products provide a good solution to the problem of freeing up your hands while you drive and talk on the phone at the same time. Detailed product shots are available in our gallery.
Generic PDA Holder Pros:
Able to expand vertically to fit a variety of devices
Can accommodate an iPhone with a case
Relatively Cheap
Generic PDA Holder Cons:
Constructed of cheap plastic
Need to drill holes into console for installation
Not so visually attractive
Not able to pivot horizontally
miCRADLE Pros:
Custom Designed for the iPhone
High quality construction
Will not scratch or mark iPhone
miCRADLE Cons:
Need to drill holes into console for installation
Not able to pivot horizontally
Cannot use holder if your iPhone is in a case/holster
Researchers over at Goldman Sachs have been mighty busy this holiday season. According to the researchers, Apple is in the final stages of producing the next generation iPhone which should debut mid-year as well as "a smaller upgrade with more flash memory" version earlier in the year.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Apple was already hard at work on iPhone version 2.0 as soon as the iPhone was released. Looking at Apple's past release history it shouldn't be surprising to see the next gen announced sometime during the summer of 2008. I expect to see a "refresh" or upgrade to the iPhone in March or April. This is probably the iPhone you'll want to look at but not purchase since 3 months from that time iPhone v. 2.0 will probably be released.
iPhone 2.0 will of course have 3G but will probably retain most of it's design with a few modifications. Apple will gain momentum when they release the SDK for iPhone in February, which is why I suspect a "refresh" iPhone with more memory in March to coincide with the need for more space.
Read more about Goldman Sachs findings here.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Apple was already hard at work on iPhone version 2.0 as soon as the iPhone was released. Looking at Apple's past release history it shouldn't be surprising to see the next gen announced sometime during the summer of 2008. I expect to see a "refresh" or upgrade to the iPhone in March or April. This is probably the iPhone you'll want to look at but not purchase since 3 months from that time iPhone v. 2.0 will probably be released.
iPhone 2.0 will of course have 3G but will probably retain most of it's design with a few modifications. Apple will gain momentum when they release the SDK for iPhone in February, which is why I suspect a "refresh" iPhone with more memory in March to coincide with the need for more space.
Read more about Goldman Sachs findings here.
In this particular video, the iPhone goes head to head with a Treo on Sprint's EVDO 3g network. To even it up, he clears the cache of both phone web browsers. For those of you who can't wait to find out what the results are... the iPhone is just as fast as the Palm Treo on Sprint on EVDO.
Here's a great example of the iPhone on the EDGE network kicking the pants off of a Nokia E61i on the 3G network. Besides the fact that Nokia is slow regardless of 3G or not, the Nokia doesn't have great browser rendering the way mobile Safari on the iPhone does. Simply amazing. Enjoy!
JahJah recently released JahJah v2.0. For those of you who don't know what JahJah is, the service basically let's you place international calls from your iPhone for a low rate. The good news is that there is no need to install any software or jailbreak your iPhone.
For more information, visit http://www.jajah.com or on your iPhone at http://iphone.jajah.com.
For more information, visit http://www.jajah.com or on your iPhone at http://iphone.jajah.com.
Need even more evidence that the 3G iPhone is coming in 2008? Taken directly from AT&T's Frequently Asked Questions about the iPhone, read below:
Q. What type of coverage is necessary for using data on iPhone?
A. In order to use data such as email, Google Maps, YouTube videos and web browsing, AT&T recommends using iPhone in a 3G or EDGE Network coverage area, or from a local Wi-Fi connection.
If you really want to see for your self, click on the url below:
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/iphone-faqs.jsp
Way to go AT&T for keeping us updated!
Q. What type of coverage is necessary for using data on iPhone?
A. In order to use data such as email, Google Maps, YouTube videos and web browsing, AT&T recommends using iPhone in a 3G or EDGE Network coverage area, or from a local Wi-Fi connection.
If you really want to see for your self, click on the url below:
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/iphone-faqs.jsp
Way to go AT&T for keeping us updated!
Google (GOOG) has released a unified web application that combines search, mail, calendar and rss reader for the iPhone. No jailbreak required for this app! Simply navigate Mobile Safari on your iPhone to http://google.com/ to access all the Google apps in one place.
This comes on the heels of their updated RSS news reader, email and calendar apps for the iPhone. It only makes sense that they'd integrate them all via a clean interface made for the iPhone.
Any user can switch out of iPhone mode to "Classic" mode by choosing the link at the bottom of the page for each application.
This comes on the heels of their updated RSS news reader, email and calendar apps for the iPhone. It only makes sense that they'd integrate them all via a clean interface made for the iPhone.
Any user can switch out of iPhone mode to "Classic" mode by choosing the link at the bottom of the page for each application.
Ever since the iPhone was released with its proprietary headset jack, people have been looking for ways to use their existing headsets with their iPhones.A majority of complaints stemmed from the fact that people may have invested a lot of money in higher end headsets and no longer could use them anymore. One of the first companies to provide a solution was Belkin, but the Belkin adapter just allowed you to use your existing headset with your iPhone. The product I am reviewing today basically lets you use your existing headset and provides microphone functionality.
Enter the Monster iSoniTalk. Luckily, I got this as a gift, but I think that if I needed to buy an adapter/microphone combination, I would buy this device in an instant for a number of reasons.
First off, as a Monster product you can be sure that the product is a first-class product. As always, monster uses high quality materials such as gold contacts and Duraflex to strengthen the microphone cable.
Secondly, it seems as if Monster actually took the effort to engineer the product with the consumer in mind. I found that the "cable management" system (clips to hold your headset cord that were placed strategically along the microphone cord) really helped and the clip on the back of the microphone also came in handy.
In any case, if you are looking to replace Apple's standard OEM iPhone headset with your aftermarket headphones, then have a look at the Monster iSoniTalk. You will essentially be getting two products in one, a headset adapter and a hands-free microphone.
Pros:
* Allows you to use your existing headset
* Able to answer incoming calls without taking off your headset
* Backed by a 1-year limited replacement warranty and the "Monster" name
Cons:
* At times, wires may seem clumsy and get in the way
* May make you wish you had a bluetooth headset
* Price may be an issue as Monster products are usually expensive.
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