iOS Devices

Flickr User caandgiantsfan4life says he’s running a 3G test iPhone.  Looks like he might have one with an intresting "3G" font.  Are you calling BS?

UK act Coldplay seems set to smash US iTunes album sales records this week. Hits Magazine suggests the band’s new album, Viva La Vida, sold over 275,000 copies in the US in the most recent week, overtaking the previous record held by Jack Johnson. The album also sold in excess of 700,000 copies in US retailers.

Apple has been engaged in a Coldplay-focused iTunes campaign, which has helped raise the profile of the Chris Martin-fronted act. That Coldplay occupy the number one album slot on both sides of the Atlantic also illustrates the growing ability of Apple as a power to help create success for bands.

Coldplay’s success isn’t unexpected. As reported earlier this month, the new Coldplay album also became the best-selling album pre-sale ever released in the history of iTunes.

this also means the band’s beaten out releases from Paul McCartney, U2 and Gnarls Barkley to take that prize. Largely produced by Brian Eno, the album’s scheduled to ship on 12 June in the UK and 17 June in North America. The album leaked online earlier this month, though the band made one album track Violet HIll available for download from its website for one week only in April.

 Chris Foster, a Harmonix developer from the company behind the original Guitar Hero and the more recently-introduced Rock Band, had some interesting insights on games development for the iPod today.

Speaking at the Paris Games Developers Conference, he talked about iPod users as gamers, characterising them as extremely casual gamers. He chatted about the game he worked on, called Phase, to outline the kind of lessons he learned in his work.

"The audience for iPod is different to that of the PSP and DS," he said. "The iPod user is not necessarily a gamer. Complexity is not welcome on the iPod."

As reported by Develop.Mag, he also warned: "Embrace your platform’s limitations and audience. Don’t try to cram in ideas that are not suitable."

Foster also described iPod users as the kind of gamers who will play a game for five or ten minutes, rather than for several hours, calling them "listeners first and players second".

Wondering how Apple has bought down the price of the iPhone? Anyone remember the first-generation iPod, which shipped with its own power adaptor?

Announced on October 23, 2001. Jobs announced the first-generation iPod put "1,000 songs in your pocket," Apple charged $399 for the device. Over time, Apple whittled away the cost by sourcing lower-cost components and by removing things like the dock and power adaptor from the retail product, making these available as optional extras.

Now the company is doing the same thing again as it makes its iPhone more widely accessible at $199, subsidised by carriers. In order to reduce costs while still delivering a cutting edge device, the company has moved to a plastic back (a widely reported feature) and once again taken something out of the box: unlike the first-gen device, the iPhone 3G ships without a dock. You’ll have to buy that separately at a cost of $49, though you don’t require the dock in order to sync your phone.

Apple’s move to introduce subsidised iPhones has dashed the hopes of competing companies to deliver a true ‘iPhone-killer’, analysts believe.

Why? Well, competing firms will be required to not only blend advanced software technologies, but to deploy sophisticated hardware components – but Apple’s new low price strategy means competitors will be force to sell their devices at prices that match – or undercut – those of Apple; and that limits their options.

First effect of the new wave was felt today at Synaptics, where the analysts at Oppenheimer have slashed estimates on the company’s stock, driving it to fall $2.72, with the brokerage anticipating shares will fall to under $30 each. Synaptics shares have climbed in hope the company would be able to sell its technologies to Apple competitors.

Oppenheimer’s Yair Reiner also notes that the iPod nano is due for a Q4 refresh, and that Synaptics  may no longer be a supplier on the device. The iPod nano accounted for $15-$20 million of Synaptic’s Q4 2007 revenue, just under one-fifth of the company’s total sales.

Returning to the iPhone, Oppenheimer says AT&T is paying Apple $325 per handset, reflecting a level of subsidy that’s 50 per cent higher than available with most other smartphones. Once again, this means Apple competitors face a much tougher challenge than they originally anticipated.

Reflecting Apple’s moves to stake a strong space in the smartphone market, DigiTimes reports that ten million iPhones "should ship in the third quarter alone", citing the Commercial Times. That tallies well with morgan Stanley’s estimate this week that Apple may ship as many as 27 million iPhones in 2009, also reflected by Needham & Co.’s claim of 30 million iPhone sales next year.

Craig Berger, a semiconductor analyst with Friedman Billings Ramsey, estimated in a recent report that Apple will build 3 million iPhones in calendar Q2, and another 8 million combined in Q3 and Q4 as sales climb.

 The following video shows a prototype interface for an iRobot Packbot running natively on an Apple iPhone. This is NOT a web app and was developed by Rodrigo Gutirrez and Jeff Craighead at the University of South Florida.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkM92ateTwo&hl=en]

You may recall last year’s comments by Dr. Goodman, VP and CEO of the University of South Florida, who said: "The iPhone is nothing short of a revolution. Without question, Apple has made a revolutionary breakthrough and delivered the first truly convergent device."

The doctor continued to say: "It’s the first device to show the power of convergence in technology. In a world where we’re multi-tasking, the iPhone will lead to different skill levels and usher in a new way for people to work and learn. Having instant access to information means you can focus on applying knowledge instead of gathering it. "

Goodman believes the iPhone will revolutionize classroom teaching. 

"This device will rock your world," he recently told a group of local school administrators. “Because your students will be armed with iPhones, they’ll have information at their fingertips. That means less need for lectures, and more focus on applied knowledge.” 

Before he purchased his iPhone in June, Goodman used a BlackBerry. 

“Now I can’t even pick it up,” he says. “It’s like to talking into a rock. That’s the leap in convergence iPhone has made. BlackBerry was a leap. Now iPhone takes it ten times further. The multiple dimensions offer richness in terms of experience. It’s like juggling. The iPhone lets you keep more balls moving in the air.” 

Goodman believes the power of convergence is just being recognized. 

“We’re at the bleeding edge,” he says. “The focus is on applying technology, using the power of the device to make decisions. The iPhone is just one product that represents convergence. That is the revolution.” 

Remember the hoop-la concerning Microsoft’s super customer-focused decision to end support for music purchased through the now-defunct MSN Music service?

Well, with the egg still spilling down its face following its seeming failed attempt to acquire Yahoo, Ballmer’s boys have made yet another U-turn in their decision-making; they’ve decided to continue supporting MSN Music after all.

In April, Microsoft said MSN Music purchases could not be transferred to additional computers and devices as of August 31, 2008, as the company had elected to switch of the authorisation servers, to save cash, or something.

So, everyone complained, we all thought it shameful, and the move did nothing to boost consumer trust in Microsoft DRM. What else could Redmond do but change its mind? They have, telling customers: "After careful consideration, Microsoft has decided to continue to support the authorization of new computers and devices through at least the end of 2011." Jolly good then, but we’re sure most digital media customers could do without that kind of hassle.

When it comes to choosing a network, it looks like Australian iPhone users will be given the world’s best choice (Czech that!) – the device will be offered by three carriers in the country.

We knew Optus and Vodafone planned to offer the gadget, but news from down under now reports Telstra too is getting in on the iAction. 

Telstra chief Sol Trujillo may make an announcement to this effect next week, according to local reports. That’s significant, because Telstra is Australia’s largest mobile network. But while the two smaller operators will begin selling the device on July 11, Telstra is allegedly looking to commence sales on 22 July.

Vodafone’s pre-registration website for the iPhone has attracted about 40,000 visitors daily since opening the site early last week, while Optus has stopped accepting advance deposits, as it can’t keep up with demand.

Only Hutchison at present is left in the cold, as the only carrier in Australia without an iPhone.

 PR Newswire has aped Associated Press with the introduction of an iPhone client for reading its press releases.

The PR solution uses technology developed by Two Peas Consulting. It means PR Newswire press releases are now available and fully keyword-searchable on the iPhone. Take a test ride just here.

Every single word found within a release can be linked to more contextual information using an unlimited number of online information sources. So a user can click on a word in a press release to do an instant search on the term on Google.

We just thought this was a little interesting. 

United Airlines has become the first US air carrier to offer iPod and iPhone connectivity within its in-flight entertainment systems, the airline announced today.

The company’s solution allows passengers to watch and listen to their media on the 15.4-inch screen available at their seat. Technology for the connectivity was developed by Panasonic Avionics Corporation. The first so-equipped flight leaves Washington today at 5:40pm in transit to Zurich. Deployment of the solutions begins on these trans-Atlantic routes, with United’s entire fleet of international aircraft to be upgraded with the Apple media-friendly solutions in the next two years (first and business class..)

"The iPod and iPhone have become essential for millions of travelers around the world," said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPod and iPhone Product Marketing. "We think United customers are going to love being able to listen or watch personal music and video content on their iPod or iPhone via the in-flight entertainment system, and we can’t wait for United to roll this out to their fleet."

Singapore Airlines took the distinction of becoming the first airline to offer passengers the ability to connect their iPods to an in-flight entertainment system earlier this year, offering iPod/iPhone-compatible in-flight entertainment systems on select business class flights on its Airbus A340-500 aircraft.

iPod and iPhone integration began with Singapore Airlines’ A345 non-stop flights from Newark-Singapore on 15 May, and begins on the LA-Singapore route this August.

We don’t believe it so it may be true, but the latest edition of a German car magazine shows a mysterious new high-tech car on the cover, accompanied by the slogan “So einfach wie ein iPod,” (As simple as an iPod) – and commentators are queueing up to say it might be, but probably isn’t, the so-called ‘iCar’.

What’s an iCar? See, as long ago as last year there were rumours of meetings between Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn and Apple’s Steve Jobs. The two men were alleged to be discussing proposals to jointly develop a compact car that integrated Apple solutions.

These talks reportedly fell apart last December, but the iCar legend lives on. Perhaps Apple simply allowed Jonathan Ive and his design team to offer Volkswagen some advice on the creation of simplified user interfaces? Or perhaps the two firms just wanted a little chat about in-car iPod and iPhone integration?

This iCar, if built, would take on the likes of the Mercedes-Swatch collaborated Smartcar for great gas milage/city maneuverability.  Smart cars have proven extremely popular in European cities and are currently entering US markets.   If Mercedes and watch/design company Swatch could collaborate on a car, why can’t Apple and Volkswagon?

The car described on the cover of the German petrol-head’s magazine is extremely futuristic, with round doors and shaped like an unusual white bubble. Is it likely to be the first fruit of any vaunted collaboration?

Not according to iSuppli analyst Richard Robinson, who last year said the huge differences in corporate culture between Apple and the car manufacturer would make any joint project difficult, predicting that even if cooperation was taking place, the first vehicles wouldn’t appear until “at least 2010”.

"Apple is a highly innovative and dynamic consumer electronics company that generates significant profits from living off its wits and supplying niche markets with the next big thing in music players, mobile phones and personal computers. VW, on the other hand, is from an entirely different tradition: the more conservative world of automotive, with its solid four-to five-year development cycles, tight margins and production-standard compliance requirements that would bring even the most enthusiastic designer from Cupertino to his knees," the analyst said.

Apple’s German iPhone network operator, T-Mobile, is fielding one of the most aggressive discounts yet announced on the iPhone 3G – offering it for just one Euro on its more expensive tariffs.

This massive discount is bound to generate significant sales of the next-generation iPhone when it goes on sale on July 11, in a defiant response to claims iPhone sales there didn’t meet expectations.

Deutsche Telekom CEO Rene Obermann last month confirmed that 100,000 iPhones have been sold in Germany since its launch last November, saying it has become the most popular multimedia device the company sells.

Now, customers agreeing to a new two-year contract with their 8GB iPhone 3G will be entitled to the discount cost, on a monthly contract of €69. This model will cost €169.95 on the entry-level €29 tariff. A discount also on the 16GB version, whcih will cost from €19.95 euros with an all-inclusive data plan costing €89 euros per month, rising to €249.95 for customers choosing the lowest-priced, €29/month tariff.

T-Mobile parent company, Deutsche Telekom, says the move is designed to boost take-up and use of its 3G services, offering data transmission speeds of 3.2mbps. iPhone users consume 30 times as much data as users of other Internet-enabled phones.

Apple isn’t ignoring Russia – it just hasn’t had time to clinch an iPhone distribution deal for the country yet, said Apple boss Steve Jobs speaking to CNBC last week.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs told CNBC: "We just didn’t have a chance to close a deal with Russia. And I think you’ll see agreements happen later this year."

Now, reports out of Moscow this morning suggest local networks may be in talks with Apple to introduce the device in Russia, a country where jailbroken first-generation iPhones command as much as $1,000 each, with around 20,000 units smuggled into Russia every month, according to local analysts

Local networks s, Mobile TeleSystems and MegaFone have both been described as being in talks with Apple, but both may be trounced by second-largest network, VimpelCom, as that network moves to switch on its 3G network in Russia this year.

Apple’s so far failure to enter Russia has seen explosive grey market sales of the device, but many anticipate the company will put more technical hurdles to unlocking inside iPhone 3G, not least the demand customers sign a contract with the network they buy the phone from at the point and time of purchase. "It’s looking pretty bleak for unlockers," said John McLaughlin, founder of Uniquephones.com, a company which sells unlock codes for mobiles.

According to AT&T’s new iPhone website, the maximum download speed you can expect to achieve with the device is 1.4mbps.  That is much different than typical 3G phones like the Motorola Q for instance which comes in at a hefty 3.6mbps.  HSDPA data cards can get as high as 7.2 mbps.  What gives?! 

It is unlikely to be a webpage error because the 1.4mbps speed is also quoted in the official press release.  While this may still be twice as fast as the previous iPhone, if true, it won’t impress anyone who has used full 3G enabled devices.

Motorola Q?  3.6 Mbps!!!

Update: For more information, check out Gizmodo’s writeup.  According to them AT&T caps all 3G smartphones.  If that is true, why do they list the Q at 3.6mbps?  From Gizmodo:

But the iPhone 3G is rated for 1.4Mbps, a nice clip but not the 3.6Mbps downstream that AT&T’s HSDPA is capable of. (The carrier loves to brag that it’ll have 7.2Mbps by the end of the year.) So why not crank up the iPhone to those better data rates? Turns out, according to AT&T people we talked to, 1.4Mbps is the capped bandwidth for all mobile smartphones on the network for a few reasons.

(UPDATE: AT&T is saying they’re not capping the phone at 1.4mbps, but that’s what its capable of doing now, due to factors below. There’s no difference except intent, and AT&T is careful around words like "Cap" these days.)

A major one is battery life—the faster you burn, the faster your battery dies, so going full steam at 3.6Mbps would cut you well short of that nice round five hours. A second one is cell site congestion and backhaul (carrier-speak for size of the wired dataline that connects cell sites to the actual telecom infrastructure). While everyone at AT&T, from the top down, is adamant that AT&T is "comfortable" with their ability to meet the huge data draw once 3G iPhones hit the streets, it’s not like the pipe is unlimited.

AT&T wasn’t able to give a breakdown as to how many of their towers have fiberoptic pipes as opposed to slower copper T-1 lines. Nor could they say how quickly they could add capacity to a site that is pummeling their demand expectations, since it varies from site to site. Ones in dense urban areas are loaded up with more backhaul and can handle more users than one closer to the edge of their 3G footprint. Still, generally speaking, more users on a site means more congestion, so if you’re slurping from a site that’s really slammed, it will be slower. As with all radio technologies, proximity also matters. (Hint: For the absolute fastest speeds, wait until 3am and then go sit right next to your favorite cell site.)

digg_url = ‘http://9to5mac.com/3g-iPhone’;

Gizmodo points us to an interesting little video shot of Phil Schiller’s iPhone during the WWDC keynote. It looks like there is a camera in the upper left hand corner, right?  Obviously lots of journalists have got their hands on real 3G iPhones so it may just be a finger smudge.  However, it is hard to argue with the video – it does look like there is something there.   Maybe Steve’s "one more thing" will come in a few weeks?

http://www.viddler.com//simple_on_site/52c6339b

We can only hope…

Engadget got a call into AT&T  rto answer a few user questions about the 3G iPhone.  Here’s what they got:

Can these devices be purchased and given as gifts?

No. You will need to walk out of the AT&T or Apple store with the device activated.

Greekjgg asks: What if I want to buy one for work which already uses AT&T for company account? I can’t activate in store, obviously, so will it be possible to to buy without a contract?

We don’t have details yet but iPhones for business use will likely be provisioned through your company’s IT department.

Tons of people ask: If I purchase an original iPhone from a friend will I be able to get the old data plan pricing? Or will I need to sign up at the new, more expensive rate?

Yes. You can get the old data plan price if someone gives you a device and you establish service for yourself.

Chris and SeditioN VII ask: What’s the no-commitment price?

We have not yet announced the unsubsidized price.

We follow up: So you WILL be able to buy it without the two year commitment?

We haven’t announced whether or not that will be offered.

Vic asks: Will long-time customers who are otherwise eligible for a free or reduced-price handset upgrades be able to lower the price when buying the iPhone 3G?

No one will pay less than $199 for the 8GB or $299 for the 16GB models. As you know, those are subsidized prices.

Matt asks: Say I just recently signed up with AT&T, standard contract. Now I want to get an iPhone 3G — will I have to pay more than $199 for the phone because it’s subsidized? For example, if I were to upgrade to a Blackberry now, I can’t get the advertised $99 price (because I am a new, existing subscriber); my price is $374.

It depends on whether or not you are eligible for an upgrade.

We ask: What is the penalty for not activating the phone in 30 days? How will that be enforced?
More
 

The new Copyright Act in Canada will allow Canadians to copy legally acquired music to their iPods and computers but ban them from circumventing DRM on other media.

The act also exempts ISPs from liability for copyright violations by their subscribers, but does demand they send letters from rights-holders to file-sharers warning them against their actions.

Canadians will also be permitted to record TV and radio shows for later viewing – but forbids them keeping a personal library of such shows.

The bill also reduces Canadians’ individual liability to C$500 from a maximum of C$20,000 for making illegal copies of music or movies for private use. 

However, a huge C$20,000 fine can be made against users who hack their ay past DRM or other digital locks, and against those making music or other media available through file-sharing services.

Measures are also included which make it illegal to “provide, market or import tools used to circumvent digital locks,” causing Red Hat founder Bob Young to warn the act could stymie open source development, criminalizing acts undertaken on a regular basis, such as developing extensions, reverse engineering code and researching security measures.