iOS Devices

Two more pieces of the iPhone 3 puzzle hit the web today. Some dudes in Hong Kong got their hands on a prototype iPhone 3 and took it for a 3 AM spin. First, the often-rumored digital compass will have its own pretty application. It isn’t going to change the universe, but it is a nice touch.

Next, the camera looks to have a focus that you can control with your finger. As you are ready to take a shot, the little square can be moved to the part of the screen where you want the camera to focus. Pretty sweet.  We’re not aware of any cameras that operate in this manner.

more picts and some new stuff  below… (Btw, $5 to anyone who can read that CPU screenshot)

? ??????3:00?, ???????! ?????????????????, ???????????, ?????????H1N1, ?????????????iPhone ????, ???????, ??????iPhone????, ????????, ??????, ??????, ??????????????, ???! It is now 3:00 am, and I could not sleep! Because just with the United States to Hong Kong after the return home of friends, the friends I brought from the United States, of course, is not a terrible H1N1, but will be is one of the world’s third-generation iPhone that caught the attention of the engineering machine, he is a mysterious person, and even this third-generation iPhone is also very mysterious, he said that the impact can only be vague, non-high-definition video, because it can not open, so when we see The following fuzzy photos, please forgive me!

??, ????????, ????????????, ??????????????, ????????????iPhone ?????! In addition, because this is a project machine, body and appearance can not be disclosed, and some for sale and is there a difference between formal, so photos will not have any form of comparison of old and new iPhone!

??, ????????????????OS 3.0 ????iPhone?! Well, I believe we must be very anxious to see this with OS 3.0 the third generation of iPhone now!

???, ?iPhone?????????????, ???????? Rumors, the new iPhone’s camera lens is the autofocus, true ?????

??: Check it out:

??????iPhone ?????????????????, ?photo?movie . The above shows the lower-right corner of the new iPhone can select shooting or shoot video with film, that is, photo and movie.
??, ????iPhone?, ?????????????, ??????????! At this time, when you mobile iPhone, the screen will appear in a blue box, it is the function of AF!

????????????????, ?????????????????, ??????! If a finger on the screen by clicking on different places, then the focus will move the box under the finger-point the location to re-focus!

??, ???????????iPhone???????2G iPhone????iPhone?????: At this time, I can not help but get a friend came up to me brand new iPhone inside the 2G iPhone to iPhone and third-generation of photographic competition:


????????: (??????????; ??????2G iPhone?????) The following are test results: (the above is the effect of AF; Department the following is my 2G iPhone photographic effects)
???????????????, ??2G ??????:L The fact that AF is so clear, the Department of 2G is more than I do this: L

??, ?iPhone ?????????(compass)??, ????[????], ????????! In addition, the new iPhone more than the built-in compass (compass) software, a glance by the [truck], very useful for hiking trails!

????????????, ??????????, ?????????????! Of course, many also have the recording software, so the meeting minutes of the meeting most convenient to buy a gift when the Secretary of Miss ah!

??????, ????18000?, ??????! When the recent stock market Mong Kok, Hong Kong stocks back on 18,000 points, to be congratulated!
??iPhone ?OS 3.0 ??????????????, ????????! The new iPhone’s OS 3.0 show that in addition to a detailed price information can also be cross-screen display it!

??, ????????????MMS?, ?????2.2.1 ?????MMS???! Finally, of course, to try to send MMS and Internet access, because the current version 2.2.1 is no MMS function!
??????3.5G USB ?????????HSDPA SIM????! I immediately from my 3.5G USB finger only goes out unlimited HSDPA SIM card for testing!
?????????UMPCFEVER.COM ?DIGITAL.XY.HK Of course, very smooth and UMPCFEVER.COM can browse DIGITAL.XY.HK

??????????????, ????????, ????"SAVE IMAGE"????"COPY"??????????. Want to see on the page to download the picture, hold down the light so long as the picture, you can choose "SAVE IMAGE" to save or choose "COPY" to other programs for post-processing.

?SEND MMS ??????????, ?????????, ????! SEND MMS and is also very easy thing, and can also cross-screen typing, which is very convenient!

??, ??, ?????????????????iPhone????, ???settings??????CPU Activity ???, ????????????, ?????????! Finally, Finally, it is worth mentioning that this machine works with the iPhone will be sold a little bit different, that is, in many settings with a feature called the CPU Activity should be addressed to the engineering staff in the tests, as some information of Analysis!

??, ???????………………oh ! ????????…….???????????????……?????????iPhone?????????????! Well, late at night now ……………… oh! Should be the dawn soon with this ……. I have to cheer received a pen …… hope to launch next month a new version of iPhone really crazy and then let the global investment!

It is nice to see that the iPhone will have some solid competition in the smartphone space.  Boy Genius loved just about everything about the Pre except the keyboard.  Strange, because that is one of the main differentiators between the Pre and the iPhone.  You’d think Palm would go out of its way to knock that one out of the park. 

Overall, they were impressed:  "The OS is great. There’s no ifs ands or buts; it’s really refreshing to see something that’s brand new with a UI unlike anything else out there."  Jon Rubinstein & Co should be congratulated for building a platform from scratch.

Honestly, we might not go out and buy one, but we’re itching to get our hands on one just to check out the OS.

Siri is an alternative to search that converses with the user, processing requests, answering questions and learning from each interaction like a cross between semantic search and artificial intelligence. CEO Dag Kittlaus demonstrates the app to Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher at D7.

http://s.wsj.net/media/swf/atd/microPlayer.swf

MacRumors today shows a side-by-side of an iPhone 3G and the new iPhone sheduled to come in the coming months.  Notice this one has the black matte finish we’ve heard so much about.

Gizmodo had a chance to take a look at the Zune.  Surprisingly, they really liked it, though none of its differentiating factors were available.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4889455&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1

Brian Lam said:

The device is tighter and more physically beautiful than the iPod Touch and it’s got a better UI, the main menu’s scrolling so natural through the swipe gestures. There’s a little note on the side, under the volume toggle—"Hello from Seattle." The power button is up top. The home button is nice and prominent, a bar rather than a round button on the Touch. It’s smaller. And the accelerometer is more swift in responding to repositioning; images rotate very fast.

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/fop/embedflv/swf/fop_wrapper.swf?id=13706717&autoStart=0&prepanelEnable=1&infopanelEnable=1&carouselEnable=0

Palm Exec Jon Rubinstein and Elevation Partners’ Roger McName were on hand at the AllThingsD conference today to talk about the Pre, Apple and 4:20.

http://s.wsj.net/media/swf/microPlayer.swf

Maybe he needed to get the keys to the Jet? Or get his mail?  We hear the cafeteria has a solid tea selection as well.

 This news comes on the heels of Woz’s remarks.

btw, of course the picture is old – from 2007…sheesh.

It looks like that US exclusivity contract given to Sprint is about 6 months.  Verizon today announced that they too would be carrying the Pre, maybe in time for the holidays?

Oh, they’ll be selling the Blackberry Storm 2 as well.

Palm shares rise 11 pct, Sprint shares fall 3 pct, Verizon up

A MacRumors forum poster made this mockup of the new iPhone with the black bezel.  We like!

Fortune is saying that the Palm Pre will sync to iTunes just like any other iPhone or iPod would, allowing the transfer and copying of any DRM free media from desktop to Pre.   Both on Windows and on Mac.  While it isn’t stated exactly how the Pre will do this, it is thought that the Pre will emulate an iPod, rather than use of third party desktop software like DoubleTwist.

Plug a Pre into a Mac and it syncs, seamlessly, with Apple’s (AAPL) iTunes. In fact, the iTunes Store treats the Pre just as it would an iPod or an iPhone with one exception: it can’t handle old copy-protected songs. Third party programs that perform the same service for various non-Apple MP3 players — including the Palm Treo and 700p –  have been available for some time. But team Pre has apparently built the necessary code right into the device’s firmware. They certainly have the know-how. The team is chock-a-block with former Apple employees and is led by Palm president Jon Rubinstein, who built the original iPod for Steve Jobs.

It also isn’t certain how or if Apple will respond to this.  COO Tim Cook has been rattling the legal saber in Palm’s general direction saying "Apple would use whatever weapons it has at its disposal to fight companies that rip off its intellectual property".

There are few journalists as well connected as Walt Mossberg.  He’s probably had his hands on the Pre and iPhone 3.0 for weeks.   So when he talks about Steve Jobs returning or Palm Pre’s chances, we like to follow.

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/fop/embedflv/swf/fop_wrapper.swf?id=13694184&autoStart=0&prepanelEnable=1&infopanelEnable=1&carouselEnable=0

Gizmodo has found a few parts being advertised as 3rd Generation 2009 iPhone parts coming out of Hong Kong and delivered "within 5 to 12 working days."  If that is true, you could order up a whole iPhone and piece it together before they are released next month!  Well, at least a black bezel.  iLounge reports that the speaker position is moved up a bit and the bezel is now black, meaning the outside strip around the iPhone will be black…if this is the real deal.

#1 Question: Why is the number one reason why people decide not to get the iPhone … AT&T’s service?  Nice one Walt.

http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/media/swf/atd/microPlayer.swf

The guy may be 20 feet taller than Mossberg but he just got served.

According to Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs sounds like he’s doing well, according to the WSJ.

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak said Steve Jobs sounds “healthy, energetic” a month before the CEO is expected to return to the company. On the sidelines of the All Things D conference, Mr. Wozniak said Mr. Jobs “doesn’t sound like he’s sick,” nor did he seem to be in a health crisis. Mr. Wozniak said, however, he has never directly asked Mr. Jobs how he is.

The statement was made at the AllThingsD conference in New York.  Jobs is expected to resume his role as CEO in a month.

Google Latitude is an application that has been promised for the iPhone for awhile now. It allows you to broadcast your GPS location and at the same time allows you to follow the locations of your friends. Obviously, there is both concern for abuse as well as excitement over this ability.  Google has released versions for the Blackberry, Symbian, Windows Mobile and, of course, Android. 

For whatever reason (App Store regulations?), Google has decided to skip over the iPhone as an native app and release Latitude as a Web App on iPhone 3.0.  With HTML 5 and Apple allowing Safari to access the GPS location in 3.0, apparantly it makes more sense to build a web app.  We aren’t quite sold on that yet but we are willing to try (Anyone got a URL for us?). 

This idea would be even better if Safari could continue accessing the GPS information in the background, for this to work.  More picts below.

Photos via Techcrunch

Google just gave everyone at the Google I/O show at Moscone a free Android phone with Cupcake and unlimited 3G data for a month.  Some observations:

• We are going to the next Google I/O show
• Tmobile service in the Bay area is going to suck for the next month
• Google is probably helping Tmobile unload extra inventory before the next round of Android phones show up
• Hopefully Apple takes a page from this playbook.  Those lame promotions with AT&T aren’t doing it for us.    Anyone got an extra WWDC ticket to spare?

Update, it looks like Google is giving away the G2s…before they even hit the shelves. That is a smooth move Google.

The iPhone’s sole US carrier, AT&T,  today made some pretty significant announcements at the AllThingsD conference. They will continue to roll out 3G to more markets (20), upgrade to 7.2 Mbs equipment and begin deployment of 4G LTE networks in 2011.  AT&T is also doubling its spectrum and adding more towers to cover more areas including the inside of buildings.  AT&T’s 2009 initiatives also include:

• Near-Doubling Radio Frequency Capacity. In 2008 and 2009 to date, high-quality 850 MHz spectrum has been deployed in more than half of AT&T’s 3G network footprint to improve overall coverage and in-building reception, with additional markets planned for later in the year.
• More Bandwidth to Cell Sites. We are adding fiber-optic connectivity and additional capacity to thousands of cell sites across the country this year, expanding the critical connections that deliver traffic from a cell site into the global IP backbone network. These upgrades will support the higher mobile broadband speeds enabled by both HSPA 7.2 and LTE.
• More Cell Sites. Deployment of about 2,100 new cell sites across the country.
• Wi-Fi Integration. Many AT&T smartphones will be able to switch seamlessly between 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity. AT&T customers with qualifying smartphone and 3G LaptopConnect plans have access to the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network – more than 20,000 hotspots, including locations in all 50 states – at no additional charge. AT&T’s global Wi-Fi footprint covers more than 90,000 hotspots, and AT&T also can create permanent or temporary extended Wi-Fi zones in areas with high 3G network use, like a grouping of hotels or a festival.
• MicroCells. Customer trials leading toward general availability of AT&T 3G MicroCell offerings, which utilize femtocells to enhance in-building wireless coverage.

Press Release follows:

AT&T* today announced plans to upgrade the nation’s fastest 3G network to deliver considerably faster mobile broadband speeds. The network upgrades are slated to begin later this year, with completion expected in 2011.

The upgrade to High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology is part of AT&T’s plan for continued investments to deliver the nation’s best mobile broadband experience – the ideal combination of speed, coverage and best device line-up. AT&T today has the nation’s fastest 3G network and has attracted more than twice the number of smartphone users than any other competitor.

With its network built on the 3G UMTS technology that is commonly deployed throughout the world, AT&T can boost the speed of its mobile broadband network and offer a wide variety of devices to take advantage of it well in advance of 2011-2012, when most industry observers expect 4G LTE networks and device availability to scale. AT&T plans to begin LTE trials in 2010, with deployment beginning in 2011.

In addition to the planned speed upgrade, AT&T is enhancing its mobile broadband coverage by nearly doubling the wireless spectrum dedicated to 3G in most metropolitan areas to deliver stronger in-building reception and more overall network capacity. Also, AT&T is adding thousands of new cell site backhaul connections to support the higher mobile broadband speeds enabled by HSPA 7.2 and LTE.

“AT&T’s network infrastructure gives us a tremendous advantage in that we’re able to deliver upgrades in mobile broadband speed and performance with our existing technology platform,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “With the array of smartphones, laptops and emerging devices taking advantage of AT&T’s 3G network today, we know that customers are excited to experience higher mobile broadband speeds, and we are deploying the right technologies at the right times to help them get the most from that experience.”

The upgraded network platform could allow for theoretical peak speeds of 7.2Mbps. Typical real-world downlink and uplink speeds experienced by customers with upgraded 3G will be less than the theoretical peak and will vary based on a number of factors, including location, device, and overall traffic on the local network at a given time.

AT&T’s 3G mobile broadband network is now available in nearly 350 U.S. major metropolitan areas, with about 20 additional metro areas planned for deployment in 2009. The HSPA 7.2 technology will be deployed widely in the network, with the benefits of the network upgrade to be announced on a local basis as the faster speeds are turned up. AT&T will introduce multiple HSPA 7.2-compatible laptop cards and smartphones beginning later this year.

The speed upgrade is one of several ongoing initiatives to expand and enhance AT&T’s mobile broadband service. Other key projects in 2009 include:

• Near-Doubling Radio Frequency Capacity. In 2008 and 2009 to date, high-quality 850 MHz spectrum has been deployed in more than half of AT&T’s 3G network footprint to improve overall coverage and in-building reception, with additional markets planned for later in the year.
• More Bandwidth to Cell Sites. We are adding fiber-optic connectivity and additional capacity to thousands of cell sites across the country this year, expanding the critical connections that deliver traffic from a cell site into the global IP backbone network. These upgrades will support the higher mobile broadband speeds enabled by both HSPA 7.2 and LTE.
• More Cell Sites. Deployment of about 2,100 new cell sites across the country.
• Wi-Fi Integration. Many AT&T smartphones will be able to switch seamlessly between 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity. AT&T customers with qualifying smartphone and 3G LaptopConnect plans have access to the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network – more than 20,000 hotspots, including locations in all 50 states – at no additional charge. AT&T’s global Wi-Fi footprint covers more than 90,000 hotspots, and AT&T also can create permanent or temporary extended Wi-Fi zones in areas with high 3G network use, like a grouping of hotels or a festival.
• MicroCells. Customer trials leading toward general availability of AT&T 3G MicroCell offerings, which utilize femtocells to enhance in-building wireless coverage.

Capital investment for these projects fits within AT&T’s previously outlined expectation of total capital expenditures for 2009, targeted toward the $17 billion to $18 billion range. AT&T matches this network investment with unsurpassed choice in the range of devices, services and applications compatible with its 3G network. AT&T offers a wide variety of devices from more than a dozen manufacturers, including handsets that are compatible with six different operating systems and five different e-mail applications. Our Media Mall 2.0 offers more than 90,000 content options, and customers can download additional applications over the Internet. Additionally, AT&T supports a community of more than 20,000 application developers via its devCentral portal.

HSPA 7.2 is part of the 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of technologies, which include GSM and UMTS. Emerging LTE technology is also part of the 3GPP technology roadmap, enabling AT&T’s network to offer backward compatibility, or the ability for users with qualifying devices to seamlessly switch among 4G LTE, 3G and 2G service areas to maintain the fastest-available connection. This availability will be critical for customers in the early years of LTE deployment across the industry, when access to LTE service will be geographically limited.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc

We sort of knew it was coming but we were kinda hoping against hope Microsoft would just kill it before it got started.  They didn’t and today, as of the AllThingsD conference, it is official.  The specs: 3.3-inch, 480 x 272 OLED capacitive touchscreen display, built-in HD Radio receiver, HD output (utilizing a new dock — not on-board) and it looks like we thought (unfortunately).

Seriously, that thing is something only a Ballmer could love.  Press release follows:

Microsoft Announces the Expansion of the Zune Entertainment Service to New Platform and Markets; Confirms New Zune HD Portable Media Player

Premium Zune digital entertainment service to be available internationally on Xbox LIVE.

REDMOND, Wash. – May 26, 2009 – Microsoft Corp. today announced the evolution of Zune, the company’s end-to-end music and entertainment service, to a new platform and new markets. Zune will extend its video service to Xbox LIVE internationally this fall. This marks an important development in the Zune strategy and brings the Zune brand to more than 17 million international Xbox LIVE subscribers. In addition, Microsoft confirmed the next generation of the Zune portable media player, Zune HD. Available in the U.S. this fall, Zune HD is the first portable media player that combines a built-in HD Radio receiver, high-definition (HD) video output capabilities, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touch screen, Wi-Fi and an Internet browser.

"The Zune music player is an integral part of the overall Zune experience, and we’re proud to be growing and extending our offering beyond the device," said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the Microsoft TV, Video and Music Business Group. "Delivering on Microsoft’s connected entertainment vision, this news marks a turning point for Zune as it brings cross-platform experiences and premium video content to living rooms around the world."

Zune Service Expands to New Platform

Zune will be a premium partner in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, bringing an exciting catalog of TV and film to the platform. Zune will occupy the first slot within the Xbox user interface in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, exposing the Zune brand experience to millions of new consumers for the first time. At the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) next week, attendees will see firsthand how Zune integrates into Xbox LIVE to create a game-changing entertainment experience.

Introducing Zune HD

Zune HD is the next iteration of the Zune device family and brings a new level of listening and viewing experiences to the portable media player category.

• Zune HD comes with a built-in HD Radio receiver so users can listen to higher-quality sound than traditional radio on the go. Users also will have access to the additional song and artist data broadcast by HD Radio stations as well as additional channels from their favorite stations multicasting in HD. If you don’t like the song playing on your station’s HD channel, switch to its HD2 or HD3 channels for additional programming.
• The bright OLED touch screen interface allows users to flip through music, movies and other content with ease, and the 16:9 widescreen format display (480×272 resolution) offers a premium viewing experience on the go.
• The HD-compatible output lets Zune HD customers playback supported HD video files from the device through a premium high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) audiovisual docking station (sold separately) direct to an HD TV in 720p.*
• Zune HD will include a full-screen Internet browser optimized for multitouch functionality.
• Zune HD is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing for instant streaming to the device from the more than 5 million-track Zune music store.

More information on Zune and related images is available at http://www.zune.net/press and http://www.zune.net/ZuneHD.

About Zune

Zune is Microsoft’s music and entertainment brand that provides an integrated digital entertainment experience. The Zune platform includes a line of portable digital media players, elegant software, the Zune Marketplace online store, Zune Pass music subscription service, and the Zune Social online music community, created to help people discover more music. Zune is part of Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division and supports the company’s software-based services vision to help drive innovation in the digital entertainment space. More information can be found online at http://www.zune.net/en-us/press.

About Xbox LIVE

Xbox LIVE connects more than 17 million members across 26 countries to each other and the entertainment they love. Home of more content from one remote than can be found from any device connected to the television, Xbox LIVE is also a unified online social network bringing friends together, no matter where they are – in the living room or across the world. More information and Xbox LIVE membership can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

* Supported 720p HD video files play on the device, downscaled to fit the screen at 480 x 272 – not HD resolution. Zune HD and AV Dock, and an HDTV (all sold separately) are required to view video at HD resolution.

HD Radio™ and the HD Radio logo are proprietary trademarks of iBiquity Digital Corp.

Seeking Alpha is reporting that Sirius XM radio will now be coming to the iPhone…over IP.  While evidence is still a bit thin, they’ve noticed that Reach MD Medical Radio channel 160 has gone to the iTunes App Store and many more should follow.

Rather than create one Sirius app for the iPhone, each individual channel can create their own app for specific listening of iPhone/iPod touch owners.  This App-per-channel approach is somewhat like Scrollmotion’s app-per-book approach to books.  From Seeking Alpha:

An alert Satwaves reader has sent in this link which links to Apple’s iTunes store. The application is described as:

‘Reach MD Medical Radio delivers world class medical content directly from Reach MD, the leader in medical education and information for medical professionals. All of the programming is broadcast on their exclusive Sirius XM channel 160…”

According to Distorted Loop, Apple is seeking a pan-EU deal for licensing and distributing music through the iTunes Music Store.  Rather than deal with each country individually, Apple is seeking to create one iTunes Zone for all of the countries within the EU.

The news is revealed within a series of documents published by the European Union today, following last year’s historic European meeting on pan-European music licensing rights.  European Commissioner for Competition Neelie Kroes has welcomed progress made towards pan-European music licensing following discussions in the Online Commerce Roundtable.

This will obviously simplify the distribution model for media delivery among the nations of the EU and allow the economics of scale to deliver more value to EU consumers while saving Apple distribution costs.  It will also open new markets for distribution of iTunes content.

At the September Roundtable, all participants recognised the potential for Europe-wide music licensing in the online environment, and that this was hindered by rights generally being territorial and usually licensed for certain territories only.

Currently, it’s impossible for consumers in some countries, such as Poland, Bulgaria and Slovenia, to buy digital music from any iTunes store in Europe.

More from Ars.

Photo from 2008 EU Rountable