iphone features
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- iPod touch 1.1.3
In all the hubbub over the announcement and release of the iPhone 1.1.3 software update, the existence of the same-numbered update for the iPod touch and the $20 package of application updates for the iPod was somewhat overlooked. As I packed my touch for the week in San Francisco, I’ve been able to put the update through its paces. Here’s what I found:
Installation
My iPod touch poses some unique upgrade changes since it’s “jailbroken”—altered in such a way so that I could install third-party applications on it. Before attempting to upgrade the touch, I wanted to restore it to its pre-jailbroken state with the hope that this would make the update go smoothly. This was easily done by connecting it to my MacBook Pro, selecting it in iTunes’ Source list, and clicking Restore in the Summary tab. In shortish order, the iPod touch was restored to its near-virgin 1.1.2 state.
I then fired up Software Update and downloaded and installed iTunes 7.6 and QuickTime 7.4. QuickTime demanded a restart of the Mac. Once restarted, I again jacked the iPod touch into the Mac. iTunes asked that I agree to its license agreement and I was soon back to a familiar iTunes screen where the program informed me that a new version of the iPod software was available. “Go get it,” I said, and the 165MB iPod 1.1.3 software update downloaded and, eventually installed on the iPod.
The process wasn’t completely seamless. Twice the iPod touch displayed the “Connect to iTunes” icon. After unplugging the iPod a couple of times and then forcing it to restart by holding down the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons for about 10 seconds, iTunes finally installed the update successfully.
iPod touch January Software Update
My jailbroken phone already included copies of the iPhone’s Mail, Maps, Weather, Stocks, and Notes applications, and I was anxious to have them back. Currently the most painless way for that to happen is to purchase Apple’s $20 iPod touch January Software Update. To locate the update, I opened the iTunes Store, and clicked the icon you see to the right.
The resulting information screen told me what to expect—the applications I listed above as well as the ability to add Web Clips on the iPod’s Home screen and lyrics to the iPod.
Like the iPhone running software version 1.1.3, I could also have multiple Home screens. To proceed I clicked Go to Software Upgrade.
Though Apple hasn’t stated so specifically, it’s likely that the next screen gives us a hint of how the iTunes Store will handle third-party applications when the iPhone SDK is released in February. On this screen you see a nice illustration of what the upgrade will do to your iPod touch, the title of the upgrade, who it’s from, its year of release, its price, and finally a Buy Software button. Click the button and it’s very much like clicking any other iTunes Buy button. You confirm your Apple ID and password in a dialog box and the software downloads to your Mac and the update is applied.
Again, not seamless. It appeared that the updated downloaded but the iPod failed to show the new icons. I attempted to download the software again, and iTunes kindly told me that I’d already purchased it but that it had failed to download. As suggested, I clicked OK but nothing happened. I then chose Check For Purchases from the Store menu. Again, no dice. I finally just let iTunes sit for awhile and unplugged the iPod and then plugged it in again. This time the software downloaded and installed.
Like an iPhone
The update made my iPod touch even more like an iPhone. Place the iPhone and updated iPod touch side by side, run each device’s Mail, Maps, Weather, Stocks, and Notes applications and you’ll find them indistinguishable (not surprising considering they are exactly the same applications).
The Settings screens of the two devices are a little different as the iPhone has to accommodate settings for the iPhone telephone functionality (Airplane Mode, Usage, and Sounds—for assigning ringtones). Contacts settings earn their own entry on the iPod touch while they’re contained within the Phone settings on the iPhone. The iPod touch has separate Music and Video settings whereas the iPhone puts these settings within the iPod entry. The General setting on the iPod touch lacks a Bluetooth entry as, obviously, the iPod doesn’t have Bluetooth capabilities.
Move to the Home screen and tap and hold on an icon and all the icons on the screen start shimmying. To move an icon just drag the icon to a new location—to the dock at the bottom of the screen, to a new location in the main collection of icons within the main window, or to the right, off the screen, to move the icon to a separate page. To stop the shimmying effect, just press the Home button.
To move to another page, you can either swipe your finger horizontally across the iPod’s screen or tap the dot just above the Home screen’s Dock row that represents the additional page you want to move to. (Jailbroken phones running the Summerboard application have a similar multi-page flicking system, but tapping Summerboard’s dots don’t move you to another page.)
The applications behave just as they do on the iPhone running 1.1.3 software. All the new capabilities of the Maps application are here too—Location, hybrid map view, the ability to place a pin and bookmark it, and the cool page curl effect that exposes options behind the current map. Mobile Safari’s new-found ability to save bookmarks as Web Clips on the Home screen is there too.
The result
The iPod touch running the 1.1.3 software with the iPod touch January Software Update is essentially an iPhone that can’t make or receive calls and lacks a speaker and camera. And it’s a nice thing to see.
Many people found the lack of some of the iPhone’s features and applications on the touch more than a bit arbitrary. It appears that Apple now believes so too—or, at least, is willing to believe so if you’re willing to pay an additional $20 to add those things to the iPod
via: http://www.macworld.com/
Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:07:00 +0000 - Google beefs up Apple iPhone applications
Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) has become a more powerful force on the "desktop" of the Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone as of this week, changing the way its Gmail web-mail program interfaces with the iPhone's software as well as creating a more computer-like email experience on the now-ubiquitous smartphone.
Gmail now presents itself pretty much like it does on a PC web browser when used on an iPhone (with the most updated software installed, of course). That is, messages are synced across platforms. Read a message on your iPhone, it becomes "read" on your PC's web browser or laptop screen. Sounds like a minor update, but it's really not.
Apple and Google are working to make the iPhone one of Google's premier places for showcasing its content. From email to news readers to maps to documents, expect Google's entire range of online applications to be available on the iPhone soon. Missing from the iPhone is any trace of software from Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT), naturally.
Could Google soon be seen on many new Apple laptop PCs as the "software of choice," even though an internet connection is required to use most of those applications? Seeing as though Google saw more hits to its website on Christmas Day from iPhones compared to other devices, the two companies are making a compelling partnership case-study thus far, much to Microsoft's chagrin.
Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:06:00 +0000 - Macworld 2008 predictions
With only about a week left until Steve’s keynote, here are some predictions, or wishful thinking if you like to call it that way.
Steve comes to the stage, tries to beat Obama’s 11 ‘Thank Yous” but manages only four, before applause stops (bummer!). What follows is Mac, iPod and iPhone sales report, the strongest year, quarter, month, whatever … But he also mentions the Mac market share. It’s been reported to be around 7%, no doubt it will go up to 8 or 9 percent just before Steve opens his mouth.
Now, some real stuff.
Sub-notebook - I’ll go with the flow and predict that Apple will announce a 12″ wide screen notebook. No touch screen, but this thingy will be ultra light, no optical drive (external only), will have an option of flash memory instead of the hard drive and will be very expensive. This will probably come as ‘One more thing’.
Blue-ray support - Apple will announce their support for Blue-ray technology, not sure if they will announce immediate availability of the products, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they have one or two products with a Blue-ray drive option.
OS X - 10.5.2 release, available immediately, including tons of improvements and one or two surprises.
iPhone - 1.1.3 firmware, a few new functions and possible 3G announcement, to be released mid-2008.
iTunes - thinking of renting the movies? Now you can. But the pricing will be somewhat disappointing.
Guest speakers - someone from Microsoft, not excluding Bill Gates. Office 2008 is due out on 15/01/2008 and this is a good opportunity to use it to sell more Macs (“no more excuses not to switch”).
One thing that is very unlikely to happen - announcement of a medium headless Mac desktop, sort of Maxi-MacMini or Mini-MacPro.
One thing that is very likely to happen - is that I will be off the mark with my predictions this time, as most of us usually are.
Things that could happen behind the scenes - Apple upgrades processors on most Macs and replaces TN panel on 20″ iMacs.
Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:08:00 +0000 - First Trojan for iPhone App
News about the first Trojan for the Mac OS X-based iPhone has been doing the rounds since Saturday. However, the Trojan is believed to be mild one.
It targets iPhone users who have modified their phone to install third-party utilities.
The malicious package, called "iPhone firmware 1.1.3 prep" aka "113 prep", disguises itself as an important system upgrade supposedly needed before upgrading to version 1.1.3 of Apple's firmware.
Once users install it on their iPhone, the Trojan appears to do nothing more than display the word "shoes" on the screen.
What the Trojan does is that it overwrites applications such as 'Erica's utilities', a collection of command-line utilities for the mobile device, along with 'OpenSSH', an open-source encryption protocol.
While users attempt to get rid of the Trojan and try uninstalling it, the above mentioned applications also get deleted.
The risk in this Trojan's case is minimal as it does not cause any significant harm to the iPhone. Those affected would simply need to re-install the deleted applications to get back on track.
Apparently, a 11-year-old kid playing with XML files created the Trojan.
Hopefully, this will serve as warning for those who have opened their iPhones using a security hole in the system, and then installed unverified software without a second thought as to what they are doing, say security vendors.
Thu, 10 Jan 2008 08:54:00 +0000 - Beckhams buy iphone
Beckhams buy iphone for eight-year-old son
David and Victoria Beckham have bought their son Brooklyn, who is just eight years old, a hi-tech iphone for 269 pounds.
Brooklyn begged his parents for the phone after it released and was immensely popular, the sun.co.uk reports.
"David and Victoria are aware that Brooklyn is very young to have a mobile. But they thought it would be a good idea so he could call them whenever he needed, especially with David and Victoria globe-trotting so much," said a source.
"Brooklyn is really switched on with computers and gadgets. He set his heart on the iPhone when he saw it on TV in America. He loves computer games and is always on his PSP handheld console," added the source.
Child expert Dreena Hamilton believes the Beckhams are spoiling the boy saying, "An eight-year-old can have no possible use for an iPhone - it's irrelevant to his life."
New line of cases for the iPhone and iPod
Thu, 10 Jan 2008 08:50:00 +0000 - iPhone Audio recognition
First of all, this was not my idea. The inspiration was from GeeZuzz (I hope I got that nick right!) who figured out the big idea but it took several weeks of hacking to get the iPhone details working so I take a little credit too.
Download a copy of the Listen beta. It’s still *very* beta. Install it on your iPhone, get near music and run it. It will sample the music for 5 seconds and then attempt to contact the id server. If it succeeds, great, you’ll see the song, artist and album. If it fails, nothing happens. You just wait 30 seconds and if you haven’t gotten an ID, quit and restart the program.
From http://ericasadun.com/
David Lynch on iPhone
New line of cases for the iPhone and iPod
Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:21:00 +0000 - What is TuneWiki?
TuneWiki is a free and easy to use music player that currently supports the iPhone/iTouch and PC which allows you to listen to your music while scrolling the lyrics of the song real-time. Never again will you wonder what the words to "that song" are! TuneWiki is only possible because of the community effort since YOU, the users of TuneWiki will have control of all of the content available to the community. Users are able to add/edit the lyrics to songs and syncronize them. Please join the TuneWiki community and help put lyrics where they need to be, alongside the music.
More about TuneWiki here
Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:23:00 +0000 - David Lynch on iPhone
David Lynch talks about watching film on a cell phone. Clip from special edition of Inland Empire, with music and graphics by the super awesome xmas.
Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:21:00 +0000 - FlyTunes to Bring Internet Radio to Your iPhone
FlyTunes is a new kind of music service that is designed for today's highly integrated and 3G capable cell phones and media players, such as the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch.
FlyTunes offers you a music experience that's better than satellite radio, with thousands of high quality music channels that you can personalize and enjoy on your iPhone any time, anywhere you go, without limitations, and without fees.
FlyTunes 1.0 for iPhone/Touch will be released on January 21, 2008. If you'd like to be reminded when it's available, click here and we'll not only remind you when it's ready, but we'll enter you in a drawing to win an iPhone on January 25th.
site: www.flytunes.fm
Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:05:00 +0000 - Developing Open Source Mobile Messaging and Sync Apps for iPhone vs. Android
The iPhone and Google Android platform are undisputedly transforming the mobile industry by bringing smartphone capabilities to the masses. They are also making for enticing new mobile platforms for developing and deploying new types of mobile apps and services for mass market users. Yet, developing for them is not that easy.
This is the background to an iPhone Developer Summit session to be given in March in New York City by the co-founder, CTO and principal contributor of Funambol, Stefano Fornari.
Entitled "Developing Open Source Mobile Messaging and Sync Apps for iPhone vs. Android," Fornati's session will focus on our experience of developing open source-based mobile messaging and sync applications for both of these platforms. It will compare and contrast the platforms in terms of the development methods and tools required, and their strengths and weaknesses from a developer's perspective. The presentation will share lessons learned as well as tips and techniques for developing for both platforms
Early Bird "Gold Pass" $295 For Two Days
Limited to First 200 Delegates
Stefano Fornari is co-founder, CTO and principal contributor of Funambol, the leading mobile open source project in the world, whose software has been downloaded more than 1.5 million times by 10,000 developers in 200 countries and is used by leading mobile operators and service providers. His most recent work includes developing for both the iPhone and Google's Android SDK. He holds a master's degree in computer science.
iPhone Developer Summit - March 18-20, 2008 New York City
Could Apple iPhone become a viable portable gaming solution (like PSP or NDS) one day? If the iPhone does as expected and takes a decent chunk of the growing smartphone market then will malware writers start to give OS X some serious attention as the overall penetration of OS X skyrockets? How does a developer decide whether to create a web app or an iPhone native application using the iPhone SDK? How does the iPhone SDK stack up against Windows Mobile 6.0/.NET Compact Framework 3.5?
These are among the dozens of questions to be asked and answered at the iPhone Developer Summit being held in New York City in March - an intensive and content-rich two-day program designed to satisfy the growing hunger among software developers and IT professionals for a broad spectrum of sessions informing developers what kinds of development options and opportunities the iPhone provides.
The Technical Chair of the event is Kevin Hoffman, editor-in-chief of iPhone Developer's Journal.
In the two-day Summit, to be held March 18-20 at The Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan, developers will hear from industry experts about the impact the iPhone is having on delivery of rich content to mobile users. Technical sessions will explore a world of web development opportunities on the iPhone including building applications using the new ASP.NET MVC framework, building social applications, and developing high-quality, iPhone-style web-based GUIs for your applications. Additionally, more than a dozen expert faculty speakers will help delegates learn about issues such as when to use the iPhone SDK and when to develop web applications, and how Google's Android differs from the iPhone SDK and iPhone safari development?
Attending delegates will leave the iPhone Developer Summit with resources, ideas and examples they can apply immediately.
iPhone's Hidden Goodness
Sat, 05 Jan 2008 15:15:00 +0000 - Neew line of cases for the iPhone and iPod
Scosche Industries, the innovator of mobile electronic products and accessories for the aftermarket, announces a newly redesigned line of cases for the iPhone, iPod touch, iPod nano and iPod classic. As a "Made for iPod" vendor, Scosche works closely with Apple to ensure that its accessories are fully compatible with the Apple iPhone and iPod models. "Consumers see Scosche cases as an ideal way to protect their investment," said Kas Alves, vice president, sales and marketing, Scosche Industries. "Our innovative line of cases for the iPhone, iPod classic, iPod touch and iPod nano are designed to provide a high level of protection without adding unnecessary bulk."
Apple iPod MP3 player cases
High impact polycarbonate, flexible silicone, lightweight neoprene, anodized aluminum and military grade camouflage have proven to be the materials of choice for the Scosche industrial designers. All of the Scosche cases feature superior shock protection, all button/input access , screen protection and a perfect fit.
Apple iPhone cases
Scosche's IPC4 clear polycarbonate case for the iPhone and ITC4 clear polycarbonate case for iPod touch have integrated kickstands and feature co-molded rubber corners for shock protection. The kickstand enables easy widescreen viewing and the case also includes rubber traction cleats that protect both the iPhone and case from scratches.
iPhone cases
• IPC4BK -black polycarbonate case with kickstand
• IPC4W -white polycarbonate case with kickstand
• IPCC - clear polycarbonate case
• IPSCC2 - clear polycarbonate case and silicone skin
• IPS - clear silicone skin
• IPS2 - clear and black 2 pack skin
• IPS35 - clear silicone skin and 3.5mm cable
iPod touch cases
• ITSCC - clear polycarbonate case and silicone skin
• ITCC - clear polycarbonate case
• ITS - clear silicone skin
• ITS2 - clear and black 2 pack skins
Apple iPod nano cases
• NCC - clear polycarbonate case
• NSCC - clear polycarbonate case and silicone skin
• INNC - sport case
• INGC - camo case
• NSKIN - clear silicone skin
• NS2 - clear and black 2 pack skins
Apple iPod classic cases
• ICC - clear polycarbonate case for 80Gb/160Gb
• ISCC80 - polycarbonate case and silicone skin for 80Gb
• ISCC160 - Polycarbonate case and silicone skin for 160Gb
• IS2 - clear and black 2 pack silicone skins for 80Gb
• IS2160 - Polycarbonate case and silicone skin for 160Gb
• IVNC - sport cases for 80Gb/160Gb
• IVGC - camo cases for 80Gb/160Gb
• IVSMCBK - Aluminum case and silicone case for 80Gb
• IVMC (silver) and IVMCBK (black)
Apple iPhone & iPod cases - Protection
Scosche continues to innovate the iPod and iPhone accessory market with sleek designs and functional solutions at the highest value. Scosche's "Works with iPhone" and "Made for iPod" products offer function, integration and protection for any iPhone or iPod owner. These products are available at specialty retailers and mass merchants across the United States.
Sat, 05 Jan 2008 14:54:00 +0000 - iPhone's Hidden Goodness
In August, Apple started holding classes in its Apple Music Stores to help people operate the iPhone. As many of you know, the iPhone doesn't come with an instruction booklet. Instead, there is a little pamphlet (see top picture), twelve or so pages, with drawings like something from IKEA (see: finger rubbing on the phone). A National Public Radio program interviewed me about the phenomenon—Apple teaching classes instead of just including instructions like everyone else— but I was never able to attend the classes myself. It may have been for the best, the author of the first book on the iPhone sitting in.
In all honesty, even so-called experts are learning more about the iPhone every day. Apple updates the iTunes and/or iPhone software as often as twice a month, so the capabilities are literally evolving as they are learned. There is plenty little hidden goodness within the iPhone, inluding tips and tricks that are undocumented and often undiscovered.
Some of these you may already know. All of them are simple.
Silence is Golden
Like many cell devices, the iPhone has a silent/buzz function. Unlike other companies, Apple doesn't actually tell you about it. Take your iPhone and look on the left side. There is a small, all black switch above the volume buttons.
Flip the switch and a red dot will appear. The iPhone screen will show a bell with a line through it a la Ghostbusters.
Now all calls will buzz, not ring. Flip the switch again and the screen will flash a regular bell, indicating that rings are normal now.
Battery Power
Another area that has not been discussed is battery power.
Some users err on the paranoid side, wary from all those short battery concerns six months ago, and connect their iPhone to a nearby power outlet as soon as the "20 percent power" warning flashes. (I would be in this category.) The iPhone will warn you twice, at 20 percent and again at 10 percent. It will then shut down. No beep. It will cut off a phone call or any other activity immediately.
The phone will not function at all until it is charges for roughly 15 minutes.
Press any button and a Mac-like set of icons will appear on the screen: the current battery power followed by a powerplug and an arrow pointing to a lightning bolt. Expect to see this screen for about an hour.
Call it poor design, but once the iPhone juice runs out, it requires a long time to power up again. (Connecting it to the computer doesn't help, either.) Consider investing in a car charger if you're planning a long road trip.
Music @Home
There is "Home", the square button located at the bottom of the iPhone's face. Its main purpose is to take you back to the default menu screen, but it can also make controlling your music easier.
Let's say you are listening to one of your favorite songs on the iPhone, for instance, James Brown's classic "Funky Drummer". Press the sleep button at the top of the iPhone to make the screen lock.
It will say "slide to unlock" at the bottom, along with the current time and song. Now double tap the "Home" button. The music controls will appear immediately under the time (see just below).
Press rewind, fast-forward or pause as you would normally do, or use your finger to adjust the volume by sliding the silver ball along the blue line below.
A similar "Home" technique can be used on the main menu screen. Press the "Home" button to get to the main screen. Now tap "Home" again. Music info will pop up, including performer, song and album, as well as the volume ball. Unlike the previous mode, you remove the information—by hitting the onscreen Close icon—or move to the actually iPod menu - by tapping the onscreen iPod button.
iPod Mode
A simple, often neglected music control is actually in the iPod mode. Press the iPod icon on the main menu, find a song and press play. The album art will appear as the music starts. (If it has no art, a grey music note will appear instead.) Now tap the center of the album art. A nice list of options will pop up at the top of the art.
The first icon is a loop. Press the loop once and the current playlist or album will repeat. The icon will turn blue. Tap it again and a small "1" will appear on the bottom-left corner of the loop. Now the current song will repeat.
In the middle is the current song number within the current album or playlist (4 out of 14, for instance). Above the song number is the song time elapsed, song time remaining and a silver-and-blue line identical to the other menus. However, the line here represents the song track. Move the ball with your finger to rewind or fast forward the song.
The last icon is two arrows twisted together. Tap it once to randomize the current album or playlist.
Last But Not least
As a final hidden goody, look in the upper-right hand corner when in iPod mode. You'll see a series of three lines.
Tap it.
The icon will "flip," turning into a miniature version of the current album art, and the large album art will turn into a list of the current album songs. (It will always list the current album, even if you are playing from a playlist.)
Click on another song to hear it.
The list icon is always available in iPod mode.
Fri, 04 Jan 2008 10:19:00 +0000 - iPhone 1.1.3 firmware
One site claims to have acquired a pre-release version of Apple's v1.1.3 firmware for the iPhone, revealing several features. In contrast to reports from earlier this month, the new account does not make any mention of disk modes or voice recording, but rather concentrates on improvements to Google Maps and the home screen. In the latter case users can drag and drop icons by holding their finger on one for a few seconds, which "shakes free" all icons to be moved around as desired. Users can then shuffle around items in not just the primary screen, but also in the dock, or to and from the newly-accessible secondary pages. Tapping the Home button locks icons back in place.
Possibly reflecting Apple's desire to legitimize web-based applications, users of Safari can now add bookmarks to the home screen, which are simultaneously the only icons that can be deleted in the aforementioned drag-and-drop mode.
Google Maps has been expanded in several ways, most crucially with support for location-finding, which relies on triangulation of cellular towers to approximate an iPhone's position. Users can also view maps in the Hybrid satellite overlay mode, and add draggable marker pins at random locations.
Lastly, SMS users can send messages to multiple recipients at once, simply by tapping the Add button to include extra contacts. This causes some extra delay however, as a phone uploads the message once to each contact.
iPhone 1.1.3 firmware rumors
iPhone firmware 1.1.3 move icons
Fri, 04 Jan 2008 09:13:00 +0000 - Simpsons ringtones for iPhone
Download Simpsons ringtone from HERE
Thu, 27 Dec 2007 12:32:00 +0000 - Playstation emulator for the iPhone and iPod Touch
psx4iphone v0.1.0 has been released publicly.
For frequently asked questions, installation support, and tips, join the public forums at:
http://zodttd.com/forum/index.php?board=1.0
If you would like to get upcoming beta's of psx4iphone that are constantly released between public releases, join the Beta Testers Club here:
http://zodttd.com/forum/index.php?action=treasury
Dowmload psx4iphone v0.1.0
Tekken 3 [psx4iphone 0.1.0]
Thu, 27 Dec 2007 12:13:00 +0000
