Apple uses a jailbroken iPhone in patent application

Uh oh Apple -- it looks like even your attorneys are dirty, thieving jailbreakers. Tipster a|e§ was poring through that iPhone biometric security patent application we posted earlier and noticed that the images show a jailbroken phone, complete with Installer.app, SMBPrefs, and the iWood Realize theme from the iSpazio repository. We're guessing the fine folks at Kramer, Levin Naftalis & Frankel are going to have some 'splainin to do on Monday morning -- but at least they get to run apps in the background.

[Thanks, a|e§]

Filed under: Cellphones

Apple uses a jailbroken iPhone in patent application originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CoreCase Aluminum Slider for iPhone 3G 1-Month Long-term Review

I have a confession to make, I'm always searching for a better case for my iPhone 3G. At times, I find myself being obsessive...not wanting a case to be too thick, too thin, rubbery or not too rubbery...and to top it off, I like change.I've tried sliders, shell-like back protectors, ...

Apple hit with yet another lawsuit

What felt like five minutes ago, Apple was hit with a lawsuit about an exploding iPod. This time it is the offering of eBooks that is getting the company in trouble, again. Swiss communications firm, Monec Holding, has reportedly filed suit in a Virginia district court. Monec accuses the iPhone maker ...

Cha-Ching for iPhone now available

Cha-Ching Touch, an Phone version of the popular money management software for Mac, is now available for $2.99 (introductory price) via the App Store. This app enables you to track your purchases and budget on the go. Just like the Mac version, Cha-Ching mobile allows you to create multiple account and ...

iPhone coming to China finally?

Amid the long running negotiations between Apple and China Mobile, the country's largest carrier, a regional China Unicom Web site posted pictures and specs of the iPhone 3G. Fortune wrote: The move follows reports last week of a breakthrough in the long running negotiations that have pitted China Unicom against its rival, ...

iPhone app lets you become a hero, too

iPhone and iPod Touch users can now download a flight simulator called "Sully's Flight" for 99 cents. This app, which lets you recreate this past January's "Miracle on the Hudson", features the actual audio communication between ground control and US Airways Flight 1549's crew led by pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger ...

Recent Apple patent filing speaks of stealth biometric security on iPhone, other insane insanity

Continue reading Recent Apple patent filing speaks of stealth biometric security on iPhone, other insane insanity

Filed under: Cellphones

Recent Apple patent filing speaks of stealth biometric security on iPhone, other insane insanity originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 22:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Katana App Review

Relive those old Japanese Samurai movies with Appliya's Katana  application. Hear the realistic sounds of a katana slicing through the air as you swing your iphone through imaginary opponents.With a flick of your finger, unsheathe the cold, steel blade of your virtual katana. After you've sliced your opponents, sheathe your sword and ...

Mystery still surrounds unlocked iPhones from UK’s Play.com

Although an online retailer is selling unlocked iPhones to UK customers, Apple's official mobile partner in the UK says it still has exclusivity to sell the iPhone in that country.

Review: Air Sharing for iPhone

Air Sharing offers a convenient way to transfer files from your Mac to your iPhone, and then access them quickly. For anyone looking to carry important documents with them on the go, the app is a solid choice.

Wolfenstein 3D comes to iPhone; developer releases source

Wolfenstein 3D -- a recreation of the classic first person shooter -- is now available for the iPhone, and its source code is also available to iPhone developers.

A different kind of Alarm Clock

Filed under: iPhone, App Store, iPod touch

We've reviewed some iPhone alarms before. There are free alarms and alarms you pay for. Some were pretty good, and there is always the built-in alarm. In an attempt to improve upon the standard alarms, some Russian developers have created Easy Wakeup [App Store link] which has been available for jailbroken phones, but now is available at U.S. $9.99 for both the iPhone and iPod touch.

Why would anyone buy an alarm app for 10 bucks? Well, this is a very different kind of alarm app. Using the motion sensors on your iPhone, you strap your iPhone to your wrist with one of the readily available products that do that, and go to sleep. You tell the software at what time you absolutely must be awakened, and by analyzing your movements through the night, the software will pick what it believes is the most opportune time to get you up. The alarm can wake you to music, vibration, and even a message you record with the iPhone microphone.

There are some drawbacks. Your iPhone can't be locked. You have to put it in airplane mode, which means you won't be getting any calls through the evening. That might be a good thing, depending on how you like to live your life. The developers say you'll drain about 20% of your battery overnight, which might be bad if you have a big day planned and no time to recharge. When you select your alarm, you can't select music from your own playlist. You can select Apple built-in ring-tones, but not any you imported or created yourself.

The alarm supports snooze, and when you get up you can look at some graphs to see how restless you were during your sleep.

There are similar products that work on the same principles. The Axbo Sleep Phase Clock costs between U.S. $150-250. It is a bedside alarm clock with a wrist band and data cables.

I can't vouch for the science behind these products, and I decided I didn't love my iPhone enough to sleep with it to test this out, but for those familiar with the technique of computer aided alarms it might be worth a try. Just be careful when you roll over.

A different kind of Alarm Clock originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A different kind of Alarm Clock originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tethering and the iPhone: The beginning of a beautiful friendship?

Both Apple and AT&T have spoken about plans for tethering, the ability to share your iPhone's cell data connection with your computer. Aayush Arya looks into what this could mean.

New Microsoft Ad Campaign Targets Mac Prices

Microsoft has begun a new ad campaign focused on pricing differences between Macs and PCs. The most prominent piece of the campaign deployed so far has been a TV commercial in which "Lauren" is given a $1000 budget with which to find a 17" notebook ...

Apple Stores Selling iPhone 3G Without a Contract at Unsubsidized Price

iPhone OS 3.0 brings the speed for JavaScript

Filed under: Internet, Apple, iPhone, iPod touch

Ars is reporting the 3.0 speed improvements to Mobile Safari's JavaScript engine range from 3x to 16x -- a blessed boon to web developers everywhere. No one seems to know if Mobile Safari will be sporting Nitro or SquirrelFish or what, but whatever it is, it'll be faster. If you check out the benchmarks originally posted on Wayne Pan's blog, iPhone OS 3.0 blazes past 2.2 in every category except divisions (the benchmarking tools are available at Craig Hockenberry's blog here).

It's nice to see progress, but I don't think anyone expected Apple to let the JS engine in Mobile Safari lay fallow for long. Every day browsers like Opera Mini and Android's WebKit-based browser are getting better. Heck, even WinMo's version of IE is supposed to support H.264, Flash and Silverlight. Will the upgraded js engine and technology like CSS3 and Canvas draw more developers to iPhone web apps? I doubt it, but the speed improvements will make many browser-based services feel more responsive. That's certainly a win for consumers.

iPhone OS 3.0 brings the speed for JavaScript originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

iPhone OS 3.0 brings the speed for JavaScript originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top 5 Must Have Jailbreak Apps: Part 3

Wow, so I’m guessing you are all probably really sick of hearing about the 3.0 software. Ok, I really don’t believe that but you never know. So how about some jailbreak conversation? You say you’re still on the fence on whether or not to jailbreak your iPhone even after ourTop 5 Must Have Jailbreak Apps Part 1 and Part 2? After reading this you should have hopefully made your decision one way or another. So buckle up and I will take you for a ride… on the wild jailbreak side.

***All of the following apps can be downloaded via Cydia on your Jailbroken iPhone.

More after the break!

1. xGPS

For all of you who are looking for that Turn-by-Turn GPS solution, this first jailbreak app, xGPS has your answer. This is the first app available to bring turn-by-turn directions to your iPhone. It has recently been updated to version 1.2 and — until Apple allows them into the App Store — is the best application available for the iPhone for Turn-by-Turn. This version also includes voice instructions support.

2. Snapture

This application is for those who think that Apple didn’t give enough features — or I should say any features — to the iPhones camera. With Snapture you can take multiple shots at once, take black and white photos, and it even allows you to zoom. Snapture has a sleek user interface, and allows you to take photos by touching anywhere on the screen, or even by using the volume button which happens to be a very welcomed add on. Again, a third party jailbreak developer is picking up Apple’s slack.

3. iBluetooth

This next one was covered by TiPb a while back, iBluetooth. Yes, we know that iPhone 3.0 should eliminate the need for this application but until you can get your hands on 3.0, this should hold you over. Also, with iBluetooth you can enjoy a little Apple-unsupported OBEX Bluetooth file transfer, which simply means, for example, you can share images from iPhone to iPhone or iPhone to another mobile phone or computer, etc…

4. QuickReply

Apple should really pay close attention to the following application from iReal. QuickReply is a plugin that allows you to reply to a new SMS right from the onscreen popup screen, so there is no need to have to exit your current application to reply to a SMS message. Pretty nifty indeed. This application also gives you the option to call the contact instead of replying via SMS which is also a nice feature to have at your fingertips. (Maybe Apple should also look at this as part of a notification system overhaul, hint, hint).

5. QuickSMS

This 5th and final app we have for you today is also from iReal. QuickSMS is simply a plugin that allows you to compose a new SMS message to anyone from any application on your iPhone. You can launch QuickSMS anytime by hitting the Volume Up button. This will pop up window and from here you can create a new SMS or call a contact. So gone will be the days when you had to enter your Phone or SMS apps!

Sadly, none of us know what the future of jailbreaking will be with iPhone 3.0 and all of the great new features it brings to the table. This very well may be one of the final Top 5 Must Have Jailbreak Apps articles that get written on TiPb. Until 3.0 is officially released this summer, however, hopefully reading this finally gave you that push off the fence onto jailbreaking the 2.2.1 firmware!

For all of your jailbreaking needs be sure check out our dedicated forum: iPhone Jailbreak Central.

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Top 5 Must Have Jailbreak Apps: Part 3

iPhone OS 3.0: Ars Benchmarks Mobile Safari — 3x - 16x Faster than 2.2

We mentioned yesterday that iPhone OS 3.0’s Mobile Safari Browser was being reported as faster than the current iPhone OS 2.2.1 version. Now Ars Technica has run the numbers and the results are pretty impressive. Check out their full report for all the details, but this sums it up nicely:

According to our sources, the 3.0 beta still has some stability and speed issues, so that makes these results that much more impressive. While the overall average gives the iPhone 3.0 beta a 300 percent speed advantage, some of the individual tests show 6x, 8x, or even 11x improvements—the bitwise “AND” function even runs 16x faster than in the current version of Mobile Safari.

Should make the release version of the new, Nitro-powered Mobile Safari 3.0 fairly impressive, come summer! Bring on them multi-app Facebook pages, the iPhone will be ready! (Joking… a bit.)

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

iPhone OS 3.0: Ars Benchmarks Mobile Safari — 3x - 16x Faster than 2.2

Apple Stores selling contract-free iPhones

Filed under: Hardware, Retail, iPhone

Last week came the sneak peek at internal AT&T memos meant to coach employees on the sale of unsubsidized iPhones. Today, there's news that Apple has begun selling no-contract iPhones at their retail stores. You can grab an 8GB iPhone 3G for $599 or a 16GB model for $699, take it home and do what you will. Unlike restrictions set up by AT&T, Apple Store customers may purchase as many unsubsidized phones as they please.

With WWDC and the release of iPhone OS 3.0 both scheduled for June, it looks like Apple might be clearing house for something new. Perhaps the current model will drop in price and become the entry-level iPhone to make room for the rumored 2009 model.

In any case, go and pick up a contract-free iPhone directly from Apple, if that's your thing.

Apple Stores selling contract-free iPhones originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple Stores selling contract-free iPhones originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Skype for iPhone nearly ready

Filed under: Rumors, Software, iPhone

VOIP for iPhone is the dream of many a user, and Om Malik suggests that it might be days away. Citing a "...very reliable source," Om says that Skype is ready to launch their iPhone app, perhaps at next week's CTIA Wireless event.

That's whole lot of "suggests" and "might" and "perhaps," is it not? Frankly, I don't see why Apple or AT&T would be keen on Skype for the iPhone or iPod touch. Of course, here are other VOIP options available, like fring and iCall (among others), so what do I know? It's an interesting rumor, but for now, that's all.

Rumor: Skype for iPhone nearly ready originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rumor: Skype for iPhone nearly ready originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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