iPhone News Blog

Voice-Controlled Apps Being for iPhone by AT&T

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:50:07 -1000

Word out on the street is that AT&T is busy developing software that will allow "smartphones" such as the iPhone to recognize voice commands without needing any voice-recognition software.

According to AppleInsider, this project, based on AT&T's Watson speech recognition engine works by capturing voice commands, sending them to a remote server and then interpreting that command.

Even more exciting is the fact that AT&T demonstrates this technology in a video and the fact that this technology will breed a whole new slew of applications.

Additional details can be found on AppleInsider's website.

Demand for the iPhone 3G Outpaces Supply

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 06:40:17 -1000

Reports from various news organizations around the web are reporting that demand for the iPhone 3G is so strong that in many instances, they are out of stock. As reported by Freep.com, at AT&T for example, the average wait time is 3 weeks.

What's even more unusal is that Sprint is "trying" to capitalize on the iPhone shortage by pointing it out...I guess they're saying don't wait to buy an iPhone, buy an instinct instead. Their spin on is that only three Apple stores in the U.S. have the phones in stock...my take: they'd better do all they can to stop the iPhone pain because sooner or later, consumers will see that the instinct is only a pale imitator to the real deal.

Finally, HardMac is reporting that the shortages will extend through August, while another site, Focus.de claims that the shortage will continue till mid-October. In any event, this is bound to be good news by any type of measure. Apple is sure to be lapping up hardware and software sales!

How to get Longer iPhone 3G Battery Life

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:10:00 -1000

So you've finally got that spiffy new iPhone 3G. You've waited for a long time for 3G speed, location services, and those really cool iPhone third-party applications and now you're happy. What? You're upset with the battery life?

This is the most common complaint I've heard from the lucky folks who have the 3G iPhone: with some usage, by the end of the day, their battery is almost dead or dead. And, there's no way to swap the battery with a fresh one to fix this problem.

AT&T Announces Free Wi-Fi

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:37:35 -1000

After flip-flopping and introducing this and then subsequently, pulling it back, it looks like AT&T is finally officially ready to announce their free Wi-Fi access! This is really good news for iPhone users everywhere.

At any rate, here are some quick details about the access, it will include:

More than 17,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot locations nationwide

12 Airports
31 Hotels
23 Universities
18 Convention Centers
5 Sports Centers
8,000 + Restaurants
700 + Bookstores
50 + Supermarkets

Also mentioned in AT&Ts press release is free wi-fi at US based Starbucks locations, to locate a store, use the Starbucks store locator: http://www.starbucks.com/retail/locator/default.aspx

For more information, read AT&T's press release

Impressed by iPhone Software 2.0 Location Services

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:28:53 -1000

LIke many other iPhone/iTouch users out there, with the release of iPhone version 2.0 software on Friday, I'm still finding these nifty new features throughout the OS. In any case, the feature that I wanted to point out today is the "simulated" GPS.

On my first generation iPhone, the software update has really improved it's "location" services. By this, I mean that when I use the Maps feature, my iPhone is much much more accurate of locating my position. Still I feel that although this can never be as accurate as a true GPS chipset (iPhone 3G), it is nonetheless pretty good...Today, I'll be trying to do some "live" driving and usage of the Maps feature and I'll let you know what I find. I'll basically be trying to see if the "simulated" GPS is good enough to track a moving car...

Anyway, wish me luck and see you all tomorrow...

Cut & Paste Functions, GPS Driving Directions & an Office Suite?

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:03:48 -1000

Yesterday, ExtremeTech got a chance to speak to Apple product head Greg Joswiak and get some answers to the questions we are all wondering about. First of all, where is the cut and paste functionality. Apparently, Joswiak says that it is not out of the question and that Apple prioritized other functions before adding this in, so I guess it is coming down the line...

Also, other reports/reviews of the iPhone 3G state that the assisted GPS of the iPhone 3G is unable to provide turn by turn directions like a dedicated GPS device...contrary to reports Joswiak once again says that these claims are not true and that the iPhone 3G is able to replicate this functionality...

Lastly, as far of the office suite goes, he did have a little more reservations on that answer, stating that the iPhone does not have any cross application file structure...

Read the full story for more details.

iPhone Software 2.0 Update, 10 M AppStore Downloads

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:48:30 -1000

The iPhone 3G has only been generally available for sale for only four days and updates are coming fast and furious. Reports coming from the field say that iPhone software version 2.01 is in testing and will soon be released. This update addresses issues of performance, security and contains a few bug fixes. Look for the update to appear in iTunes in the near future.

One other thing we forgot to report yesterday is that the AppStore has seen over 10 million applications downloaded over the weekend since iPhone 3G launch. It is important to remember that these numbers do NOT indicate iPhone 3G sales as the previous generation iPhone and the iTouch are also able to download applications from the AppStore. The AppStore looks to be a big success and we'll be tracking it's progress as it gets bigger and bigger.

Speaking of the AppStore, here at the iPhoneNewsBlog, we want to try to start something called AppStore Pick of the Month. Each month, we'll try to pick out an application that we like and we will do a mini review on it. At the end of July, we hope to choose and review an application that we feel is heads and shoulders above the rest. Stay tuned for July results. WIth so many applications in the AppStore already, I can only imagine what the end of the month is going to look like...

1M iPhone 3Gs Sold & Initial Impressions

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 06:30:46 -1000

Well, unfortunately, yours truly cannot say that he is part of those amazing sales numbers over the weekend...however, the iPhoneNewsBlogs other editor and his wife were able to get their hands on two 16 GB white units...congratulations! I will get my hands on a unit, it will just be a matter of time. In any case, we just wanted to report that Apple today announced that it has sold 1 Million iPhone 3G units in the first three days of its launch. Apple CEO had this to say about the overwhelming sales figures, "iPhone 3G had a stunning opening weekend. "It took 74 days to sell the first one million original iPhones, so the new iPhone 3G is clearly off to a great start around the world." To read the entire press release, click here. What is even more amazing is the fact that ZDnet is reporting that about 39 percent of those who bought iPhones were PC owners. Halo effect anyone?

Other than that, news is slowly flowing in and we hope to provide you with a quick initial impression. Even though as I stated did NOT get one over the weekend, I did get to play with them while I was in line. I stood in line at the Apple Store in Kahala and even stood in line at the AT&T store at Kam Shopping Center...In any case, here's my initial thoughts:

The iPhone 3G seems to be a bit lighter than the first generation units
The 3G network is fast fast fast or at least the caching is... *LOL*
I've briefly tried the location services (GPS-assisted) and it seems quite neat..I never really moved anywhere so my blue dot just stayed in one place.
iPhone Software 2.0 drains battery life like there's no tomorrow. I have experienced this myself even on the EDGE network...I think that there are just so many more services running that they just zap your battery fast. OR the software could just be more fun

I think that's about it for now, we'll be able to give you a more detailed review later as we explore the new devices more and use them on a day to day basis...stay tuned and we'll bring you all the news that matters

Mysterious iPhone Firmware? 5A345 vs. 5A347

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:50:24 -1000

Not sure what to make of this but there seems to be two different versions of the iPhone v2.0 software floating around out there.

My wife and I stood in line on Friday and both got white 16GB iPhone 3G's. This evening I decided to restore my iPhone from my backup via iTunes. I thought this might remedy the crashing I had been having when using some third-party apps I downloaded from the App Store.

[Reviews] JAVOedge iPhone Bottom Covers

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:00:10 -1000

JAVOEdge Rubberized Bottom Cover

JAVOEdge Leather Wrapped Bottom Cover

JAVOEdge Embossed Leather Bottom Cover

When all iPhones look pretty much alike on the outside, one does what they can to customize theirs to their liking. (Or at least I do.) With a huge variety of styles and types to choose from, I found my preferences ran towards the cases that felt that they either protect my phone from potential drops or easy to attach and are seamless.

iPhone 3G Unboxing Photos

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:27:56 -1000

So I got up at 5:30 am and got down to the AT&T Store down the street at 6 am. There was a small line of 17 people there. My wife and I were numbers 18 & 19. Before I could blink there was a line going around the parking lot of at least 100 or so people. Luckily we got there early enough to wait in the shade.

We got into the store at 8:20 am and were out by 8:35 am. I dropped my wife off and headed to work. I took these photos of the iPhone being unboxed while at work.

iPhone 3G Debuts & Update 2.0 applied!

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:31:00 -1000

Ok well, today is the day we've all been waiting for! The iPhone 3G is just about to go on sale here in Hawaii...These past few days we've been getting reports from all over the world about the iPhone 3G and how it has made an already very good phone even better, today is the day some of us here at the iPhoneNewsBlog get our hands on it. We'll be able to give you a first hand account of what the phone is like and how the new 2.0 software update is different.

Anyway, for those who are not immediately upgrading to the iPhone 3G, we will continue to cover all things iPhone 1st Generation. In fact, today I wanted to go over the 2.0 upgrade process. In all, I think that the upgrade took longer than i expected...i am applying the update now and so far, it's taken about 40 minutes from start to restoring my iPhone's music and videos. I think that this is about the norm because the download process took about 7 minutes and the backing up, installing and restoring process can't go any faster.

So today my iPhone is live with the 2.0 software update and I'll either try to make an update later this weekend about how living with the update goes OR i'll definitely post my thoughts on Monday.

Take care and if you're in line for an iPhone 3G, best of luck! Have a GREAT weekend!

How to get iPhone Software v2.0 early

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:51:34 -1000

A sneaky someone found a link to the iPhone software v2.0 before it's been released here in the US! You can download iPhone software v2.0 here

Software build 5A347

NOTE: If you are using Safari to download this, it will uncompress and dump the original file into the trash. The original file is named iPhone1,2_2.0_5A347_Restore.ipsw.zip You need to retrieve the file from the trash and rename it. Simply remove the zip portion of the file name.

Before you update, please read Apple's support document: Updating and restoring iPhone and iPod touch software.

To install the update, simply connect your iPhone to iTunes then go to the summary screen. Hold down the option (alt) and click "Check for Update". Then select the file iPhone1,2_2.0_5A347_Restore.ipsw.

Be sure to make a backup of your phone! The update takes about 10 minutes.

iPhone 3G Launch Tomorrow & AppStore Already Showing Up

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:01:22 -1000

Folks, get ready for the coming of the iPhone 3G tomorrow worldwide at 8 a.m. Some reviews have already been flowing in. We'll try to post ours here as soon as we get our hands on a new unit...

In other news...

Reports from various rumor sites are reporting that the AppStore for the iPhone 3G is already showing up on iTunes 7.7. I have already upgraded to iPhone 7.7 however i do not see the AppStore...More investigation needed...

In any case, our friends over at MacRumors have posted a link to the iPhone 2.0 Firmware: download link

In an interview done by USAtoday Steve Jobs said, "With 500 programs launching internationally today, "This is the biggest launch of my career."

The complete story from USAToday can be found here.

Apple Expects iPhone 3G Activation Process to Take 15 Minutes

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:55:38 -1000

In an interview held yesterday, Apple retail chief Ron Johnson shed some light on how iPhone 3G sales and activations are going to be handled this coming Friday.

Johnson said that the activation process will take only 15 minutes, with the activation taking less than a minute and the credit check and plan selection taking the majority of the time.

Other interesting tidbits from the interview include:

Apple retail stores expect to be able to handle approximately 100 customers an hour.
Only 30 customers will be allowed in the store at a time.
You will need your credit card and social security number at the time of purchase.
A Valid ID is also needed.

A side note: Apple has posted a webpage that provides information to customers who are interested in iPhone 3Gs. Information can be found at the following link.