Apple Announces Event, Verizon iPhone Rumors Follow

Apple announces their Jan. 27 “Come see our latest creation” event, and like a big, rumor-filled moth to an increasingly rabid internet flame, rumors of a Verizon iPhone being part of it follow:

“We believe there is a good chance,” writes Canaccord Adams’ Peter Misek in a note to clients Wednesday, “that the ‘One more thing…’ part of next week’s presentation may include two iPhone-related announcements: namely, the release of iPhone OS 4.0 and the unveiling of iPhone 4G coming to Verizon in June.”

To be clear, TiPb still believes that, technologically, Apple will be able to produce a Verizon (i.e. CDMA) compatible iPhone by this June/July, but whether or not their exclusivity with AT&T will be over by then, and whether or not they can come to financial (subsidy) terms with Verizon is anyone’s guess.

Also, Misek no doubt means G4, as in 4th gen iPhone, not 4G as in 4G wireless, LTE networking, since he later states he only thinks we’ll see an LTE iPhone in 2011. And if iPhone 4.0 is “released” it will likely be a beta for developers, with the consumer “release” to follow a few months later as it has in years past.

So, anyone placing odds on a big, red iPhone next week?

[CNN/Fortune thanks Michael for the tip!]

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

Apple Announces Event, Verizon iPhone Rumors Follow

Review: TextTwist 2 for iPhone

TextTwist 2, a $1 game from RealArcade, is a welcome change of pace from its awful predecessor. At its core, TextTwist 2 is a jumble game: You’re presented with a batch of letters, and need to find all the words that those letters can form.

Motorola H17 Bluetooth Headset for iPhone

When Dieter swoon-ishly told me the Motorola H17 Bluetooth Headset [$89.95 - TiPb Store link] was his new daily driver, I knew I had to try it out — the man is the definition of super-user. And the H17 didn’t disappoint. It’s my new daily driver as well. What makes it a go-to headset? A combination of form-factor and feature sets, and we’ll look at both after the break…

Packed

First, a word on packaging. Motorola has been paying attention to the Apple-inspired renaissance in packaging and it shows. The H17, like the rest of their current line up, isn’t so much boxed as it is displayed in a rounded metallic box with glass windowed display, the headset purchased atop an translucent stand.

You have to turn the plastic cap at the top with a coin and remove it, then pop off the front panel and carefully pull out the headset, but it works as an experience. Hidden away inside is a box with the extras — AC charger and manual.

Oh, the slogan on the box? “Flipping brilliant”. And it is.

Form Factored

I’ve always like the Motorola flip form factor but I’ve not always been wild about the rest of the headset design. Sometimes they’re big and unwieldy or just make you look like you’re wearing a weird, glowing space saucer on your ear.

The H17 gets it right. It looks professional. Small and darkly understated, it fits well and does its job. You extend the flip — like a mini mic boom — to turn it on or take a call, and you fold it back closed to end the call and/or put it on standby.

If you’ve read my previous reviews, you know my ears have been mashed by years of grappling, so I have a lot of trouble finding headsets that will stay where I put them. The ear loop on the H17 accomplishes that fine. I wear glasses as well, so after a while I do notice the extra loop is there, but even after a few hours it’s not uncomfortable enough to make me take it off (the headset, not the ear!). And did I mention it stays in place, where I put it?

There’s a simple, exposed micro-USB port for charging, which I prefer over the sometimes finicky flap covers on other headsets, a big call button on the back, and slim, chromed volume buttons along the top trim.

That’s it. No muss, no fuss. If Moto were to adopt this design line-wide, they’d get no complaints from me.

Feature Fun

One of the great things about the H17 — and something we’re seeing on more and more headsets lately — is the ability to pair with multiple phones. I could pair with both my iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G with no problem. If you have an iPhone and BlackBerry/Android/Palm/etc. you can carry both in your pockets and not need a headset on each ear. Or you and your significant other could share one headset between both your iPhones. You get the idea. For gadget lovers in particular, this is a great addition.

It also works well with the iPhone 3GS’ Voice Control. Just tap the big button on the back, Voice Control pops up and, via the H17, gives you the tone to signal it’s ready. Just say who you want to call and what number — Rene Ritchie, Mobile — and the call is placed.

Specs quote 5 hours talk time, 7 days standby. I think I’m getting slightly more than that, but I primarily use it while commuting so I talk less and standby more than others might.

When I did talk, call quality was good for BT and the people on the other end could hear me even with the window down and a good bit of traffic and wind.

Conclusion

Motorola positions the H17 in the mid-range, lower than the Endeavor HX1 yet slightly higher than something like the H720 (and its predecessors). While I like the bone-conduction in the HX1 (and am in the midst of reviewing it now), the total package (i.e. design) of the H17 is hard to beat.

You can get the Motorola H17 Bluetooth Headset for iPhone now for $89.95 (10% off) at the TiPb iPhone Accessory store.

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

Motorola H17 Bluetooth Headset for iPhone

Earthquake survivor says iPhone helped save his life

Filed under: Odds and ends, iPhone

Here's a remarkable story coming out of the horrendous tragedy in Haiti. Colorado Springs resident Dan Woolley was at a Port-au-Prince hotel when that tremendous earthquake struck, trapping him with a compound fracture in his leg and a laceration on his head. Fortunately for Dan, he had his iPhone and a medical app with him (plus a lot of luck), which he used to successfully diagnose and treat his injuries.

Using the light from his iPhone's screen, Dan examined his wounds and identified the extent of the damage using the unnamed app. From there, he looked up the appropriate first aid techniques and applied them with pieces of his own clothing. Later, as he waited to be rescued, he diagnosed shock, again using that medical app.

First aid apps are well represented on the App Store, and might prove crucial in an emergency. The US Army First Aid Manual [$1.99, iTunes link] and Survival Guide [$1.99, iTunes link] may be suitable for you; if you want more clinical information and CPR help, the free WebMD Mobile [iTunes link] or CPR Hero [iTunes link] may deserve a spot on your phone. There's also a podcast to help you learn the techniques of CPR for child and adult rescue.

It's an amazing story of survival, and we wish Dan and everyone affected the best. If you're looking for a way to support the relief efforts, you can do your part -- and get some great software to boot -- today at Indie Relief or Mac Bundle Box.

[Via MacDailyNews]

Earthquake survivor says iPhone helped save his life originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Earthquake survivor says iPhone helped save his life originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Analysts Weigh In Ahead of Apple Media Event

With Apple's media event only a week away, research analysts are lining to offer up their predictions of what the company will introduce at the event and over the next few months. 9 to 5 Mac offers a summary of several of the reports hitting the new...

Chinese counterfeit iPhone workshop raided

Filed under: Hardware, iPhone

It's well known that China has a significant black market problem, especially when it comes to electronics, including the iPhone. Earlier this week, Chinese officials reported raiding a factory in Huaqiangbei, Shenzhen in Southern China, where they seized 1,000 counterfeit iPhones and arrested 28 workers, according to Shenzhen Daily.* The factory was allegedly operated under the name Chuanglida Communication Tech Co.

The cost of a counterfeit iPhone isn't clear, but estimates put them at 500 yuan (approximately US$74 as of this writing). Legit iPhones sell for 5,000 yuan. The report notes that Apple is sending staff to Shenzhen to learn more about the case.

Last month, Apple gained control of the "i-phone" trademark in China after a long dispute with manufacturer Hanwang Technology who held the trademark for a device they briefly sold in 2003. Official iPhone sales in China have been disappointing, with China Unicom (the country's 2nd largest provider) announcing 100,000 units sold between the October, 2009 launch and December, 2009. China Unicom represents some 144 million users.

[Via iPhone Savior]

*Note: The Shenzhen Daily site is down as of this writing. The link included above is the Google Cache version whereas the source link below links to the original site.

Chinese counterfeit iPhone workshop raided originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Chinese counterfeit iPhone workshop raided originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Critics: AT&T, Verizon price cuts set stage for higher data rates

The recent decision by AT&T and Verizon to cut the prices of their unlimited nationwide voice calling plans, could set the stage for eventual hikes in...

Amazon Tweaks Kindle Store Royalty Program Ahead of Apple Tablet Launch

Amazon today announced a revised royalty program for its e-book Kindle Store, significantly increasing the potential return to authors and publishers in exchange for commitments to meet certain feature requirements. The move, which takes effect on J...

WhiteHouse.gov App Hits iPhone, Will Provide State of the Union Streaming

WhiteHouse.gov, internet home of the US Executive branch of government, has announced their new iPhone and iPod touch app, available now from the iTunes App Store [Free - iTunes link]

The White House App delivers dynamic content from WhiteHouse.gov to the palm of your hand. One feature that stands out is live video streaming. Now anyone with this app can watch the President’s public events at the White House, frequent web chats with Administration officials, and other events like key speeches and press briefings in real time. In fact, the President’s State of the Union speech next week is a great example.

TechCrunch adds this important tip (and the screenshots above):

One thing: check the name of the app to make sure you download the official one when you search from your phone. Hint: it’s the one you don’t have to pay for.

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

WhiteHouse.gov App Hits iPhone, Will Provide State of the Union Streaming

Apple and Microsoft in Discussions to Oust Google, Make Bing Default iPhone Search Engine

Business Insider is reporting that, given Google’s new rise to smartphone rival, Apple is now in talks with previous-generation frenemy Microsoft to replace the iPhone’s default search engine with Bing.

“Apple and Google know the other is their primary enemy,” says one of the people, who’s familiar with Apple’s thinking. “Microsoft is now a pawn in that battle.” Apple is also working on ways to manage ad placement on its mobile devices, a move that would encroach on Google’s ad-serving business, the person says.

The iPhone is a monster on the mobile internet, and default search engine status is worth monstrous amounts of cash to those who get to serve ads along with the results. But let’s slow down a moment here…

First, they’re basing this on the usual anonymous sources which could be right, wrong, or trying to manipulate the Apple/Google/Microsoft situation by “leaking” this. Hey, we’ve seen that happen when Apple negotiates with carriers. Second, Business Week further states the deal could still fly apart, or could take a long time to be reached. Third, right now Google is the default search engine on the iPhone but users can still switch to Yahoo!, so if Bing gets added to that list, even if it becomes the default, presumably users could still switch to Google (or Yahoo!… or is that already Bing?). And then there’s the nu-cu-lar option:

The person familiar with Apple’s thinking says Apple has a “skunk works” looking at a search offering of its own, and believes that “if Apple does do a search deal with Microsoft, it’s about buying itself time.” Given the importance of search and its tie to mobile advertising—and the iPhone maker’s desire to slow Google—”Apple isn’t going to outsource the future.”

Likely why they wanted to buy AdMob and ended up buying Quattro Wireless, and why Steve Jobs wants to get involved with mobile advertising.

What would happen to other Google-powered service apps like Maps isn’t discussed (though Apple has bought PlaceBase for map data layering). However, this just further shows what TiPb has been saying for a while now — Apple believes the UI is the application for the user, and controlling the UI means they can swap out the pipes in the background (swap out Google Search, swap in Bing Search) without much problem (as long as the new pipe produces good, visually non-jarring results). When a huge competitor like Google tries to control the interface, like with a Google Voice app, then Apple has a problem because they can’t swap Google out with Microsoft Voice (or whatever), but a user can ditch the iPhone hardware for an Android device and be perfectly familiar with that UI front end.

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

Apple and Microsoft in Discussions to Oust Google, Make Bing Default iPhone Search Engine

Review: Projects for iPhone

What this mobile project management app does well, it does very, very well. Unfortunately, project management aficionados may be more frustrated by the features Projects lacks than the ones it actually has.

Could the iTablet/iSlate be Called the iPad?

MacRumors, who originally dug up Apple’s involvement with the iSlate and iGuide names, has come across a trademark filing that suggests iPad may now be in the lead:

A search in the Canadian trademark database reveals that Apple’s dummy corporation Slate Computing, LLC also applied for a trademark for “iPad” under the categories of handheld mobile digital electronic devices with a broad range of applications. This application was filed in July 2009 — much more recently than the original iSlate trademarks which date back to 2006-2007. Slate Computing, LLC did not apply for a similar trademark in the U.S. due to the fact that Fujitsu appears to control the U.S. trademark as it relates to handheld computing. Of course, this didn’t stop Apple from using the iPhone name despite it being owned by Cisco in the U.S. at the time of the iPhone’s launch.

International filings also exist, though under the name IP Application Development, which thus far can’t be linked back to Apple.

So, iTablet, iSlate, iPad, does it matter to you what Apple calls their new mega-iPhone, as long as they don’t call it delayed for the Jan. 27 “Come see our latest creation” event? Right? Right? Sigh.

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

Could the iTablet/iSlate be Called the iPad?

Rumor: Bing to be default search engine in iPhone OS 4.0?

Filed under: Rumors, iPhone

One of the most surprising things about the next iPhone OS could be the default search engine. BusinessWeek is reporting that Apple is in talks with Microsoft to have Bing replace Google as the default search engine.

It's becoming increasingly clear that Apple's main rival is not Microsoft, but Google. The Nexus One competes directly with the iPhone; Apple is allowing Google to use Lala, for now; and with Apple's purchase of Quattro Wireless and Google's acquisition of AdMob it seems each company is gearing to directly compete with the other in the mobile ad market. "Apple and Google know the other is their primary enemy. Microsoft is now a pawn in that battle," says one of BusinessWeek's sources who is familiar with the matter.

But this isn't just about Apple and Google. As the BusinessWeek article points out, clinching the coveted default spot on the iPhone would also help Bing gain market share in the quickly growing area of mobile search. 86% of mobile searches belonged to Google in November, according to the Nielsen Co. Only 11% belonged to Bing.

For myself, I really like Bing. It took me a while to get used to it, but I think it has many advantages over Google, particularly the was it displays image search results. Microsoft also has a great Bing iPhone app [iTunes] that I find myself using more and more.

While the Bing discussions have been going on for weeks, the source notes that the search switch may never materialize. Interestingly, the article also states that Microsoft may also be lobbying to make Bing an alternative on Apple's Safari browser for Mac users. Despite this, even if the Bing deal goes through, it may not last long. BusinessWeek's source says Apple has a "skunk works" looking at a search offering of its own, and believes that "if Apple does do a search deal with Microsoft, it's about buying itself time." In other words, Apple sees search in its future.

Rumor: Bing to be default search engine in iPhone OS 4.0? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rumor: Bing to be default search engine in iPhone OS 4.0? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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