9to5 Staff

More news on China Unicom

Apple seems set to achieve near ten million iPhone sales in its first financial quarter running until late December, indications from inside Taiwan-based component suppliers suggest.

Smartphone component suppliers there are looking at a boom quarter with market value of sales climbing 32 percent sequentially, a Digitimes report states, observing,

Amazon has at last introduced its Kindle for iPhone app into the App Store on an international basis, including the UK.

Once Mr. Jobs let those undocumented binaries get through the App Store, you started to see video broadcasting apps use not just the iPhone 3GS, but also earlier models of iPhone to stream video.  If older iPhones can stream video, why can’t they just record video locally like iPhone 3GS’s can?  We’ve known since 2007 that old iPhones can record video because of the incredibly good Cycorder jailbroken app has allowed people to do so.  Apple has probably kept that functionality off of older phones to sell more 3GS models.

Now, those with older phones who don’t want to jailbreak can record video of their own with iVideoCamera, a $.99 app that essentially copies the basic functionality of the video recording on the iPhone 3GS, though at a much lower resolution and framerate (they say they are working on that).  Cycorder still blows this away (and doesn’t cost $.99)  From the developer:

The iVideoCamera lets your record a short video on any phone. Now you don’t need a 3GS to record and share videos with your friends and family. Works with any 2G or 3G phone with 3.1 OS installed and includes:

Ability to save to your camera roll or “Photos” and share via:
– FaceBook
– YouTube
– Vimeo
– Twitter and more coming soon

Now you dont need to be jealous of your 3GS friends – you can now shoot and share video and dont need to spend all that money (in these economic times)

NOTE: Requires OS 3.1 so if you dont have it upgrade now.

** LIMITATIONS **
– The iPhone can only capture about 3 frames per second
– Videos are limited to about 1 minute in length
– Resolution is low: 160×213

** IF YOU HAVE A 3GS YOU DON’T NEED THIS APP **
You already have a video recorder!

Follow us on twitter @laanlabs and keep and eye out for the update with even more features

iPhone sales in South Korea appear to be off the charts, with local carrier KT claiming

Today, Apple updated the App Store layouts.  Application pages now have a different look with bigger screenshots and icons.  There are also wishlists and other changes.  As an example take a look at the new TomTom US app which is incedentally $49 (half price) without Canadian maps.  Left is the old page, Right is the new one (click to enlarge).

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHRSDWZC_m4&w=600&h=400]

Nowhere Else Via Gizmodo..

iPhone users are suffering from delusion akin to Stockholm Syndrome, says Strand Consulting in a weird little slice of research released this morning by this particular team of generally anti-iPhone analysts.

The note, titled,

Dell has begun producing its own smartphones, now fresh reports claim the company

Elvis Presley fans can look forward to a free Elvis-dedicated iPhone application early next year, marking the legendary star

Apple pleased US users with the release of a 20-track free Christmas compilation yesterday, this morning the company

The “Wall”, as Michael Scott likes to call it, has a followup to yesterday’s piece on Apple buying Lala.  Today’s adds some more intrigue and background into the affair.  Some points they make:

• Google was in serious discussions to acquire online-music company La La Media Inc. before Apple won the deal this month for $85 million
• Apple tried to buy AdMob as a defensive measure to keep Google from learning details about its App Store.  Google ended up buying Admob
• Google is buying music services to compete with one of Apple’s main businesses.  iTunes.  The Lala purchase could also be seen as a defensive purchase
• As the recession appears to be letting up, the authors anticipate much more buying in the valley

What’s interesting here is that Apple is making purchases as defensive move.  They wanted to buy Admob and now bought Lala so that Google wouldn’t pick them up. 

Apple products introduced during the September 2001-December 2006 time-frame may have been impacted by an LCD vendor

Breaking news: Following announcement of the closure of its flagship store on London

An all-new version of the Google Mobile App for the iPhone is now available at the App Store.

Announcing the news on the official Google Mobile blog, software engineer, Alastair Tse states:

Tesco – the giant UK supermarket chain – has announced its tariffs for the iPhone, launching a price war in the process.

The retailer is offering the device via its Tesco Mobile arm, an MVNO it operates in partnership with original UK iPhone carrier, O2.

Tesco is offering UK consumers the chance to sign-up for a 12-month contract on the device – the first such contract to be offered in the UK, though a 24-month plan is also available.

The price war element comes is that shoppers can get hold of an iPhone on contracts beginning at

The next-generation iPhone has been developed and a manufacturing order put in place with Apple

It

Gene Munster gave his 2010 iPhone predictions today.  His points are well thought out but we’ve got some additional thoughts that might be of interest.

1. He’s giving Verizon a 70% shot at getting the iPhone in 2010.  The chances are probably much lower than that, even though we’ve heard Apple and Verizon had been talking since 2007.  These agreements, when signed, are thought out waaay in advance and you only have to look at the commercials currently on TV to see Verizon and Apple aren’t building for an alliance.  All I see is bridges burning.  You think they can patch things up, sign agreements and build new EVDO hardware for Apple’s summertime launch?  I don’t.

Plus, Verizon’s CEO plainly told the WSJ “no iPhone until LTE is deployed“.

A better bet is Tmobile, which already carries many unlocked iPhones in the US. These only run at EDGE speeds since the iPhone’s 3G radio is at a different frequency than Tmobile’s 3G network.   As it stands, many iPhone users are lucky to see EDGE speeds on AT&T (you’ve seen Verizon’s Maps commercials?) so EDGE only wouldn’t be a huge loss.  Tmobile also already has a relationship with Apple because it has the iPhone in Europe and in other markets.

If there is a surprise in 2010, I think it will be that Apple builds a 3G data-only iPhone with its own VoIP app  that can ride on any network.  Google is rumored to be doing this with their “real” Android phone as well.  Apple would then let the networks fight over what network consumers put it on.   iPhone owners could go month to month on the best network.  If another network comes along with a better plan, they skate.  You move to an area with no AT&T?  Hello Verizon!

Some people might even forgo the 3G access costs and go pure Wifi for access only at home and at work.  Or maybe they have a WiMAX Mifi and just use that.  This type of device would change everything and instantly turn the mobile networks into dumb pipes.

2. Battery that lasts longer.  Sure, why not?  The new iPhone will hopefully have a better screen (it has to improve at some point doesn’t it?) so it will need a longer lasting battery.

On the screen, I know that apps are formatted for 480×320, but Apple needs to address the Droid/HTC HD2 (AMAZING HARDWARE) screen discrepancy.  Watch those comparison videos and tell me Apple can continue with the screen that debuted in January 2007 with a third of the pixels of the newer screens like Android and HD2’s.   (ignore that it runs Windows 6.5 which makes it a non-starter)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEEvRlM0C-4&w=560&h=340]

I think at some point next year, Apple will unleash the FM radio and 802.11N networking that already lives inside your iPhone 3GS as well.  At the latest, it will debut with the iPhone 4.0 software in the summer.

3. Turn the iPhone into a digital wallet with RFID.  We’ve already wrote bout Apple’s plans with RFID.  Just like the iPhone itself, Apple knows that this technology is going to be huge and they can’t miss it.  Look for Apple to start simple, maybe at its own stores and build a partnership with a blue chip bank or two to deal with the back-end transactions and security.  Wells Fargo (California), HSBC (Global) and other banks should be considered good partners.

Munster also mentions that Apple has kept Flash off the platform to make applications build for the iPhone less portable.  Would it be wrong to say I don’t care about Flash? It would be better to have it as an option but there isn’t anything I’d miss terribly without it.  As competition heats up however, it might be one of those tick boxes that Apple wants to fill.

I expect all of these things to happen in the summer, when Apple typically makes changes to the iPhone platform.   Any changes before then should be small.

There is always that tablet to consider, however.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple is planning on moving iTunes to the Web.

Apple Inc., the company that restructured the music industry around its iTunes service, is exploring an overhaul of the way it sells and stores music that is aimed at extending its influence to the Web, according to people briefed on the strategy.The key vehicle for the move is Apple’s newly acquired music-streaming service La La Media Inc. for which Apple paid $85 [Wow! TechCrunch was WAY off] million, according to people familiar with the matter. Where Apple’s iTunes requires users to download music onto a specific computer, Lala.com lets users buy and listen to music through a Web browser, meaning its customers can access purchases from anywhere, as long as they are connected to the Internet.

Apple could start instituting the changes as early as next year, according to their sources.   Also, as part of the move, Apple uncharacteristically gave Lala execs key positions at Apple that will help to shape their music strategy. 

Lala already had an iPhone app ready (video below) but it isn’t clear if Apple intends to use it or forge ahead with their own.

The WSJ further notes:

Even before the acquisition closed Friday, Lala Chairman Bill Nguyen and Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president for Internet services, began making joint calls to various business partners, including the major record-label groups, discussing possibilities for the music service’s future.

Interestingly, the new service will redefine what it means to “own” a song and will bring with it issues relating to instances when ownership of songs change hands.  Amazon dealt with such an issue by deleting George Orwell books off its customers’ machines, a move that wasn’t well received.  Apple will also have to consider users’ current libraries, and if they can or can’t prove that they own their MP3s when providing their songs on the Web.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7ZSx6oDf3Q&w=600&h=385]

BTW, full Journal article here by using this trick.

Colleges are always looking for way to attract top athletic talent.  How about some top educational equipment?  The University of South Florida is giving each one of its student athletes a MacBook Pro according to an announcement today.  Missouri’s journalism school can’t be pleased!

“The goal is to create an anywhere, anytime learning environment for each of our student-athletes,” said USF Director of Athletics Doug Woolard. “Apple’s MacBook Pro will assist in providing comprehensive academic support services while accommodating the demanding practice and travel schedules of our student-athletes. Our traveling teams will now be connected to classes, academic advisers and tutors anywhere in America, or for that matter the entire world.”

“We’re thrilled to be working with Apple and leveraging its more than 30 years in education,” said University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft. “Our use of innovative technology will directly improve the educational opportunities for the more than 460 student-athletes enrolled in over 2,400 different courses each semester.” 

PED at CNN notes:

As part of the program, USF will be adding new lectures to iTunes U, the section of Apple’s music- and video-download service where educational material is posted.

The university declined to put a price tag on the program, but a spokesman said that the cost of providing the MacBooks for the spring semester was in the “six figures,” even after a special Apple  discount.

According to NCAA rules, the computers will remain the property of USF and will be checked out from and returned to the athletics department at the start and conclusion of each semester. The rules also prohibit students from endorsing or recommending Apple products or services.

And if some students would rather use their Windows or Ubuntu machines than a MacBook Pro?

“All student-athletes will receive one if they chose to accept,” says Chris Freet, USF assistant director of athletics. “Right now, we won’t force them to move away from their existing computer if they are reluctant to use the MacBook.”

All athletes pictured with their laptops below: