Hands on with iPhone 3.0’s Spotlight

The new iPhone software adds enhanced search tools. Dan Frakes shows you how iPhone 3.0 makes it easier to find information and content on your mobile device.

iPhone 3G S review roundup

iPhone 3G S reviews are all over the net, and so for you, dear readers, here's a round-up of the set.

US Senate and FCC to take a closer look at exclusive cell phone deals

A group of U.S. senators this week asked the Federal Communications Commission to step in and examine whether exclusive relationships between wireless carriers and handset makers are in the best interest of customers. Four members of the Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet fired off a letter to FCC chairman Michael Copps on Monday, [...]

AT&T revises 3G S iPhone upgrade policy

Filed under: iPhone

It's no secret that I didn't mind AT&T's pricing of their 3G S upgrades. However, 3G owners were upset that they were not offered the same discounts as new customers or those who had not fulfilled their two-year contracts.

Well, good news for those 3G owners who are wanting to upgrade to the 3G S. AT&T listened to your complaints and published an open letter and YouTube video explaining that current 3G customers may be given much better upgrade pricing when the 3G S launches. From the open letter:

"Beginning June 19, iPhone 3G customers [who are] eligible for an upgrade in July, August, or September will get our best upgrade price of $199 (16 GB) and $299 (32 GB)." This is definitely great news for some 3G owners, as it bumps up the date when they can upgrade for less -- however, if your discount date is past September 30, you will still have to wait to get the best pricing. Your upgrade-eligible date is based on both your contract age and your service plan; the more money you spend with AT&T every month, the sooner they will replace your phone.

There is also good news for those of you who have already pre-ordered the new iPhone: if the new eligibility window affects you, AT&T will issue you a credit for the difference.

Although I don't think that AT&T had to make this change in their policy, it's encouraging to know they're listening to their customers and making changes. Now that you're listening, AT&T, how about getting on the ball with MMS and tethering?

AT&T revises 3G S iPhone upgrade policy originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

AT&T revises 3G S iPhone upgrade policy originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T extends lowest iPhone 3G S upgrade pricing to more customers

AT&T announced on Wednesday that it would extend its lowest iPhone 3G S pricing to customers who would have been eligible for the discount in July, August, or September 2009.

Summary of Early iPhone 3G S Reviews

Image from Gizmodo
The early reviews for the iPhone 3G S are in and the conclusions seem pretty common across the board. As advertised, the new iPhone 3G S offers a faster experience, better camera, and impressive video recording. Al...

AT&T to Allow Early iPhone 3G to iPhone 3G S Upgrades?

A toss-away line in Walt Mossberg’s iPhone 3G S review (yep, it’s up already!) made us do a double take. Then a spit take. Then… (what other kinds of takes are there again?)

AT&T, stung by criticism in recent days, has just decided to offer the lower, new-customer prices at launch to iPhone 3G owners eligible for upgrades at any time up to Sept. 30 of this year, even if they were originally told they’d have to pay the $200 premium.

No, we don’t believe it either. But we’d love to believe it. AT&T, some confirmation?

If it’s true, it’s a catastrophically generous gesture from AT&T to it’s beaten (by network issues) and battered (by lack of MMS and tethering) customer base. In essence, it’s like handing every iPhone 3G upgrader $200 in cool hard cash. (That’s why we’re having such a hard time believing it!)

If it’s true, however, (and not to look a gift carrier in the mouth) what’s going to happen for those who already pre-ordered at the $499/$599 price?

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

AT&T to Allow Early iPhone 3G to iPhone 3G S Upgrades?

Security improvements punctuate iPhone 3.0

Extensive security changes have been made to iPhone OS 3.0. Here is a synopsis of some of the major changes.

AT&T Extends iPhone 3G S Upgrade Pricing to Many Customers

While today's big news has been the release of iPhone OS 3.0, AT&T today also announced that it is expanding the eligibility window for determining which customers are eligible for upgrade pricing on the iPhone 3G S. Customers who previously would n...

iPhone OS 3.0 now available

Right on schedule, iPhone OS 3.0 is now available. Mash the update button in iTunes -- you need 8.2 -- and then check out our extensive iPhone 3G S review and iPhone OS 3.0 hub for all the nitty-gritty while you wait.

Filed under: Cellphones

iPhone OS 3.0 now available originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T relents a little, lets iPhone 3G customers with upcoming upgrade dates buy 3G S at full subsidy

The original plan was to offer mildly subsidized prices of $399 and $499 for the 16GB and 32GB versions of the iPhone 3G S to AT&T customers who weren't currently "upgrade eligible," but the carrier's having a change of heart, ostensibly in response to... you know, people wanting to pay less. The new plan is to let anyone with an upgrade date in the months of June, July, August, or September get in on the fully discounted $199 / $299 price points, which should cover a good number of existing 3G owners. Unfortunately, the way the upgrade date is calculated is black magic involving your monthly bill, your credit rating, your contract, and your astrological sign, so you'll need to log in to AT&T's site or call up a rep to figure out the full deal; we're told customers should start to see those new discounts reflected on their accounts as of tomorrow. And don't worry -- anyone who's already preordered will be receiving a full refund for the difference.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

AT&T relents a little, lets iPhone 3G customers with upcoming upgrade dates buy 3G S at full subsidy originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Open thread: iPhone 3.0 upgrade experiences

Filed under: iPhone, Liveblog

Something's coming... Since having 100,000 people download a software update is just about as exciting as can be, we're opening up a liveblog in the 2nd half of this post to let you ask questions, share observations and generally get your 3.0 on.

The TUAW bloggers will be passing through the chat during the afternoon as everyone has a chance to download and install the new software. Looking forward to hearing how it goes for everyone!

Continue reading Open thread: iPhone 3.0 upgrade experiences

Open thread: iPhone 3.0 upgrade experiences originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Open thread: iPhone 3.0 upgrade experiences originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone OS 3.0 Released: 100 New Features Including Copy & Paste, MMS, Spotlight, Bluetooth, Push Notification & More

iPhone 3.0 Now Live! Go Get It!

As of approximately 1:30 EDT/10:30 PDT, iPhone 3.0 — weighing in at 230.1MB –went live and is now available via iTunes.

We’re downloading now, and we assume you are too, so sound off in the comments and let us know how it’s working for you, and how you like it!

NOTE: For those on the iPhone 3.0 GM seed, make sure you hit Restore as Update will think you already have 3.0!

And if you need help finding all the features, check out our massive iPhone 3.0 Walkthrough for all the details!

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

iPhone 3.0 Now Live! Go Get It!

Timezone confusion baffles eager 3.0 downloaders

Filed under: iPhone

We're not innocent of error, and on occasion we create our own dramatic bits of fail, but in this case we can help clarify things: If you are visiting an "official Apple site" that shows a release date of June 18 for the iPhone 3.0 software update, take a closer look at that URL before you start jumping up and down in panic.



Yes, that 'sg' does indeed signify that you are looking at the Singapore version of Apple's site, even if PC World mistakenly says that the US site has been updated with the "delayed" release date -- they are also linking to the incorrect URL. ComputerWorld has the correct info. Of course, Singapore is not on Pacific Time, but you can see here how the 10 am PT slot shows up around the globe. We're also getting links from folks mistakenly pointing to the Australia version of the site and saying "It's out now!!" Please, do yourself a solid and check in iTunes or in Terminal before engaging full freakout mode.

How did this spin out of control? A tweet sometime last night, from whom we do not yet know, with the Singapore link that got picked up and amplified over and over again. We did our best to squelch it, but it keeps coming back. The good news is, with any luck we'll all be on track with our watches very soon.

In the meantime, you can visit us on Twitter at our new Q&A address -- @ask_tuaw -- or, for some tunes to keep your mind off your anticipation, click through to the second half of this post for a custom TUAW's "Music To Wait For Upgrades By" playlist.

Continue reading Timezone confusion baffles eager 3.0 downloaders

Timezone confusion baffles eager 3.0 downloaders originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Timezone confusion baffles eager 3.0 downloaders originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: iPhone 3.0 software update

Apple's latest update to its iPhone OS devices brings solid new features like cut, copy, and paste as well as welcome refinements to existing features.

Apple Releases iPhone OS 3.0 for iPhone and iPod Touch

Apple today released the long-awaited iPhone OS 3.0 (Build 7A341) for both iPhone and iPod touch via iTunes. Users should sync their devices with iTunes and check for updates in order to access the new version. iPod Touch owners will need to purcha...

Apple releases iPhone 3.0 software update

First unveiled in March, the iPhone 3.0 software is now available for download, delivering 100 new features and enhancements to iPhone and iPod touch users.

MLB At Bat app embraces iPhone 3.0, adds live video

Major League Baseball's iPhone app has used the new features of iPhone OS 3.0 to support live video of two games per day.

Palm calls Apple’s bluff on media syncing

On Tuesday, Apple warned of unsupported third-party media players syncing with iTunes. On Wednesday, Palm called Apple's bluff. And the poker game continues.