New iPhone specs leaked — 600MHz CPU, 32GB, 3.2MP cam?

Take this for what it is -- a totally unverified rumor from a Chinese forum -- but a set of specs for a next-gen iPhone have leaked out along with this screenshot, and they're not entirely far-fetched. According to the alleged leak, iPhone model MB717LL 9 ("iPhone2,1" perhaps?) will have a 600MHz processor (up from the current 400MHz unit), 256MB of RAM (from the current 128MB), 32GB of storage, a 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus, as well as a digital compass and FM radio, all while retaining the same battery, basic shape, and screen size. Do we believe it? Well, if we were to conservatively guess at specs for a next-gen Apple phone that's pretty much what we'd come up with -- with the exception of FM -- so we're not shaking our heads too hard. Plus we've definitely seen evidence that a compass will figure into the equation, and there's endless whispers that the camera will see an upgrade. Still, only Steve and the gang know for sure, and we're (probably) not finding out till they're ready -- WWDC, are you here yet?

[Via The iPhone Blog]

Filed under: Cellphones

New iPhone specs leaked -- 600MHz CPU, 32GB, 3.2MP cam? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 May 2009 00:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Next Gen iPhone Leaks Begin: Chinese Forum “We Got Specs!” Edition!

MacRumors has been keeping tabs on Chinese forum Weiphone, and says — in addition to the screen shot above — the following specs have been leaked about the next generation iPhone, widely believed to be announced in just under a month at Apple’s annual World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC):

• Model number MB717LL
• 600MHz CPU Speed (up from 400MHz)
• 256MB RAM (up from 128MB)
• Digital Compass and FM
• 3.2 megapixel camera with auto focus
• 32GB size
• No major changes in battery, screen and external casing.

Do we believe it? Some parts seem in line with other rumors we’ve been hearing, but who knows? (Other than Steve Jobs and his closest minions, of course). No doubt, we’ll be seeing more and more of these as WWDC approaches. So, for our purposes, we’ll just ask if this resembles the next gen iPhone you want?

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

Next Gen iPhone Leaks Begin: Chinese Forum “We Got Specs!” Edition!

Microsoft Says iTunes Costs $30K to Fill an iPod? Ars Says ZunePass Costs $45K!

Okay, if you buy an empty iPod Classic, have never owned a CD or bought an piece of music in your life, and are determine to immediately fill that 120GBs to the brim, then $30K iTunes will cost you.

However, if you’ve already got a sizable CD collection, or music collection of any kind — even you own compositions — or want to carry around class lectures or other forms of audio or — hey — video maybe, well, it can cost much, much less. Maybe even less than the $15 a month Microsoft would rather you cough up to them for a ZunePass subscription.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not against the subscription model. I don’t think it can hold a candle to the iPhone and iPod touches coup de grace — online streaming music for (pretty much) free — but for some users subscription is the way to go. (Especially now in the DRM-free world where Microsoft shutting down PlaysForSure didn’t threaten to destroy large and dearly-paid for music collections, right Microsoft?). What I am against is bland, ultimately not compelling advertising. Ars Technica lays it out:

As of November 2008, the Zune Pass allows its users to keep any 10 songs per month. In other words, if you wanted 30,000 songs for keeps, just like the iTunes Store, you would have to wait 250 years. The cost would be a whopping $45,000, however. In other words, it’s only really worth it if you’re OK with the fact that you have to keep paying the monthly fee to keep access to the songs that you don’t yet own. Otherwise, iTunes (or any other à la carte model) is the way to go.

And again, the iPhone and iPod touch (for which Microsoft has no competitive offering since they keep denying the ZunePhone and Zune HD is still vaporware) can do better, cheaper with free internet radio apps.

Unless you want an extra $15+ bill tacked onto your monthly services overhead?

(Thanks Matt for the tip!)

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

Microsoft Says iTunes Costs $30K to Fill an iPod? Ars Says ZunePass Costs $45K!

Chinese Forum Poster Describes Next Generation iPhone Details

We've been keeping an eye on some reports coming out of Chinese forum Weiphone over the past couple of weeks, and it appears the reports are starting to spread. In early May, a forum poster from the Chinese site posted specs and a screensho...

Things 1.1/Things Touch 1.3.5: Area Sync

Filed under: Software, Productivity, iPhone

Things Touch 1.3.5 has been released along with Things 1.1 and, among a heap of bug fixes and UI improvements, you'll find a new feature for syncing Areas of Responsibility from your Mac to your iPhone (it's not yet possible to create Areas in Things Touch). The feature requires Things 1.1 on the Mac side, which was officially released today, but has actually been available (sans release notes) for about a week (assumedly waiting for Things Touch to make it through App Store approval).

Another new addition (which is more exciting, to me) is full AppleScript support in Things on the Mac. I haven't had a chance to dive into it yet, but it's a topic I discussed with Cultured Code at the last Macworld Expo and I'm excited to see it come to fruition. People using Things in any kind of group setting will appreciate the reconsidered approach to task delegation, as well.

For those who aren't familiar with Things in general, I'll take a quick step back. Things for the Mac has been a staunch competitor in the Mac task-management colosseum. Battling it out with OmniFocus and newer gladiators like The Hit List, it's been recognized by many for its simplicity and elegance. Things is powerful and flexible, while remaining reliable and simple. Things Touch is its iPhone companion, usable on its own or synced with Things Mac.

You may be asking, what's an "Area of Responsibility?" This is one of the features of Things which was hardest for me to grasp. It's not quite a GTD context, and it's not a folder for projects. Basically, Areas provide a flexible means of handling tasks which aren't part of a "project" and aren't necessarily sequential in nature. In the words of Cultured Code:

With an Area of Responsibility (or simply "Area"), you don't ask yourself about the desired outcome, but what standards you would like to maintain. An Area corresponds to an ongoing activity. These could be, for example, job responsibilities, roles you have taken on in your family, or personal responsibilities like health.

Things is available for download as a free trial, and can be purchased for $49.95US. Things Touch, the iPhone version, is available in the App Store for $9.99US.

Things 1.1/Things Touch 1.3.5: Area Sync originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 11 May 2009 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Things 1.1/Things Touch 1.3.5: Area Sync originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 11 May 2009 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dev Team Confirm Jailbreak Process Still Valid for iPhone OS 3.0

Apple Rejects Drivetrain - BitTorrent Controller iPhone App as it could be used to Infringe Third Party Rights

Review: Crayon Ball for iPhone

This colorful game, in which you must get like-colored balls to touch, is fun. But it's also repetitive and doesn't offer up new challenges as you play.

TiPb Birthday Bash Give Away: Satchel Backpack Client for iPhone

Keeping this Birthday Bash organized has been a lesson in futility for us these past few days! Too much to give away, not enough time to give it! Not wanting our readers to suffer the same fate, Stand Alone is kindly offering up four (4) copies of Satchel, the Backpack Client for iPhone ($9.99 - iTunes Link)

Satchel is a native client for Backpack, 37signals’ web-based service that makes organizing your information incredibly easy. After creating your account on Backpackit.com, you can edit your pages, lists, and notes right on your iPhone, whether you’re online or not.

So what do you have to do to get one? Well, TiPb has already spent the last year taken on the iPhone. Now… (insert megalomaniacal laughter) we want to take on the world! Drop us a comment below and help us figure out the top three tasks we need to do… to bring order to the galaxy… er… planet!

1. ?
2. ?
3. ?
4. Rule earth

Of course:

• US iTunes Store account required to redeem promo codes
• Backpackit.com account (basic level is free!)
• Contest starts now and ends May 12, 11:59pm

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

TiPb Birthday Bash Give Away: Satchel Backpack Client for iPhone

Snow Leopard API’s Finalized, A Step Closer to Release?

One tidbit that we failed to mention during our coverage of the newest Snow Leopard Mac OS X 10.6 developer release last Friday is the fact that it appears that Apple has stated that no further application programming interface (API) changes are plan...

iPhone 3G can’t take the heat

What initially looked like a fake screenshot has turned out to be an actual temperature warning screen on the iPhone 3G.

Wacky App Store rejections du jour

Filed under: Bad Apple, iPhone, App Store

If it's Monday, there must be a few more stories of iPhone apps rejected for curious and spurious reasons. Today's contenders are up to the line... and away they go!

First, it's Maza's Drivetrain app, a remote control for the Transmission client for Bittorrent running on the user's computer. Rejected! In this case, the reason is that Bittorrent is sometimes used for the trading of third-party copyrighted material. Yeah, but... um... the iPhone app isn't a torrent client at all, it's just a UI for a client running elsewhere. How does that make any kind of sense? iLounge quotes the developer as saying the rejection is "ridiculous," and it's hard to disagree.

Second, if you've ever wanted to replace the face of Jesus with your own, well, you can't do it with an iPhone app. SAI reports that the developer of the previously-approved Animalyzer (which let you replace animal faces with your photos) has gotten a rejection notice for the Me So Holy app that extends the face-replacement to religious figures. Apple's justification for the rejection is the catch-all "objectionable content" clause 3.3.12 of the developer agreement, which states

"Applications must not contain any obscene, pornographic, offensive or defamatory content or materials of any kind (text, graphics, images, photographs, etc.), or other content or materials that in Apple's reasonable judgement may be found objectionable by iPhone or iPod touch users."

Could one reasonably judge that some iPhone or iPod touch users might object to an app that lets users replace a divine visage with a mugshot or LOLcat? Sure, they might... but when an app that lets you aim virtual urine at a toilet sails through to the store without a hiccup, 'reasonable judgement' doesn't seem to be a valid operating standard any longer. There are hundreds (if not thousands) of 'offensive' apps in the store already -- but offending religious sensibilities is clearly different than grading feces.

[via Engadget & Techmeme]

Wacky App Store rejections du jour originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 11 May 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Wacky App Store rejections du jour originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 11 May 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Should AT&T Abandon Unlimited Data for the iPhone?

The Wall Street Journal has an article up today saying the iPhone uses more data than your average smartphone and suggesting:

In the short term, carriers should abandon unlimited data pricing plans. Both AT&T and Verizon Wireless already charge extra for heavy users with wirelessly connected laptops. They will have to contemplate similar strategies for smartphone users.

Short gloss — yes, the iPhone will strain AT&T’s network and the profit on the iPhone plan is probably a bit less on a per-user basis than it is on, say, a WinMo phone. However, ARPU is “average revenue per user”, and the iPhone makes AT&T’s ARPU look high and that’s still what people pay attention to. (And even with reduced profit, AT&T still makes WAY more ARPU and profit per-user with the iPhone than they do off a feature phone.)

As for abandoning unlimited data: like the cable companies, every provider wants to but nobody has figured out a way to do it that doesn’t make end users livid. So, we doubt that AT&T will pull that particular trigger.

Finally, network upgrades aren’t just about giving users speed and better experiences with fewer dropped calls and the like — they’re also about the network lowering their per user cost, and that’s certainly in AT&T’s best interests as well.

So you’re right, WSJ, that the iPhone cuts into some of AT&T’s profit levels, but not so much that it’s going to be a problem. There’s a reason they’re so desperate to re-up their contract with Apple.

[Via Gizmodo]

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

Should AT&T Abandon Unlimited Data for the iPhone?

TiPb Birthday Bash Give Away: Covertbot + Weightbot Give Aways!

Entering this contest counts as an entry in TiPb’s Birthday Bash grand-prize draw for an Unlocked ColorWare iPhone 3G!

Tapbots makes some of the most innovative and attractive iPhone apps on the market:

• Weightbot [$1.99 - iTunes link] is a weight-tracking robot. Whether you are trying to lose (or gain) weight, tracking your progress has never been more fun. Set your goal, record your weight, view your BMI, and see your progress on a beautiful graph. Weightbot was designed for everyone to use.

• Convertbot [$1.99 - iTunes link] is a unit conversion robot. Convert currency, length, mass, time and much more in an exciting new way! Converting numbers will never again be a mundane task. In addition to its innovative interface, our robot is smart enough to convert to and from mixed units. Are you 5 foot 9 inches tall? Other converters require you to convert that to 5.75 ft in your head before being able to enter it. Convertbot allows mixed units like Foot + Inches, Pounds + Ounces, and more!

And better yet, they’ve given us five (5) promo code packs — each containing both Tapbots apps — to give on to you.

How can you get yours? Turns out the iPhone needs to drop some dead weight and convert one of its features. Head on over to our Convertbot + Weightbot Give Away thread on the forums and tell us:

• What feature would you drop from the iPhone, and what would you bring over from the BlackBerry, Palm Pre, Google Android, Windows Mobile, or Nokia/Symbian to replace it?

Buh bye accelerometer, hello BlackBerry Messenger? So long Multi-touch, greetings WinMo slider keyboard? What will it be?!

You have one chance to swap out one feature for another. But you have five (5) chances to get Weightbot and Convertbot for FREE, so get on over to the forums and get to it!

• US iTunes Store account required to redeem promo codes.
• One entry per person.
• Contest starts now and ends Tuesday, May 12 at 11:59pm

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

TiPb Birthday Bash Give Away: Covertbot + Weightbot Give Aways!

First Look: File Magic 2.0

Filed under: Software, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch, First Look, App Review

If there's a genre of iPhone app that's even more prevalent than fart apps, it's file transfer and viewing apps.

File Magic 2.0 (click opens iTunes) is the newest entry into this market from SplashData, an app development firm with years of history in the mobile space. As with the other apps of this type, File Magic provides a way to send files from a Mac or PC to an iPhone or iPod touch, then view those files on the handheld.

For those of you who are using Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac, you'll be happy to know that File Magic supports the XML-based .xlsx, .docx, and .pptx file formats for viewing, as well as a number of other document, sound, image, and video file formats. Like Quickoffice, File Magic does not support any of the iWork file formats.

Continue reading First Look: File Magic 2.0

First Look: File Magic 2.0 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 11 May 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

First Look: File Magic 2.0 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 11 May 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

iPhone Optimized Kindle Store Now Live

Back in March, Apple’s App Store was blessed with the free Amazon Kindle iPhone application. One of the biggest gripes that we had with it was the inability to purchase new books right from the app itself. While we still did not get that ability, Amazon has done the next best thing: last night they flipped the switch on an iPhone optimized Kindle store.

This freshly optimized store is nice to have but what, if anything, will change when iPhone OS 3.0 is released? If you remember, 3.0 has the ability to make in-app purchases. Will Amazon finally allow in-app purchases and give Apple a 30% cut off the top, or will Amazon stick with the current arrangement to avoid paying Apple for every book that is sold?

So what do you, our readers, think about this one? Either way, it should be interesting!

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

iPhone Optimized Kindle Store Now Live

Apple rejects Bittorrent control app from App Store because it might be used to infringe copyrights

digg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/Apple_Rejects_BitTorrent_Control_App'; Sigh. Just as we thought Apple's ridiculous App Store approval process was about to get better with the advent of parental controls in iPhone OS 3.0, it goes and pulls another boneheaded move that makes us wonder if the entire system isn't hopelessly broken forever. This time the company's rejected Maza's Drivetrain, an app that allows users to remotely control the Transmission Bittorrent app, because "this category of applications is often used for the purpose of infringing third party rights." Right, "this category of applications," apparently meaning any app that has anything to do with Bittorrent at all -- Drivetrain doesn't actually upload or download anything, it's just used to manage Transmission running on your desktop. That's an awfully paranoid and restrictive stance towards one of the most popular file-transfer protocols around, especially since there are millions of legit torrents available, but somehow we're just not surprised -- this type of foolish, petty, and capricious behavior from Apple has sadly become par for the course with the App Store.

[Via iLounge]

Filed under: Cellphones

Apple rejects Bittorrent control app from App Store because it might be used to infringe copyrights originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 May 2009 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Review: Rasta Monkey for iPhone

This game has some nifty physics, plenty of color and sound, but it also has some glaring flaws.

Amazon Launches iPhone-Optimized Kindle Store

Amazon today announced the launch of an iPhone-optimized Kindle Store accessible via the iPhone's Safari browser. The store is accessible through the "Get Books" button on the free Kindle for iPhone application made available in early March.<p class...

Myst now available on iPhone

Myst [iTunes link], the legendary graphical adventure game, just hit the App Store for $5.99. Careful though -- it is a whopping 727MB download "but promises to bring all of the realism of the 1994 classic Macintosh game," as 9to5Mac wrote. According to 1Up.com: Everything you've come to expect from Myst can still ...