3G iPhone coming soon?
The rumors started almost as soon as the iPhone was released last year, that a newer improved version would be following soon. Many had speculated that it was coming for the holidays last year as Apple slashed prices on the hot selling iPhone by 30% and very early in its initial release. Of course, no 3G iPhone was released.
All year I have been hearing talk of a 3G iPhone coming by summer to be launched inline with many other countries that have yet to release an iPhone. Now the rumors are swirling and are becoming louder with each passing day. Over at Engadget, it is being speculated that we should see the new iPhone by June or July (that’s the most reliable part). Other reports are speculation on size, shape and other features. Let’s not forget about the dual video camera that Kevin Rose talked about on diggnation. The biggest news as of late is that AT&T may actually discount the handset with the signing of a contract. A practice that has been in place for many years in wooing subscribers.
I’ve had my iPhone for a while now. Actually the longest I have ever gone without switching to another phone for even a short period of time. With the exception that I have more bars than any other carrier but the worst service, I have been very happy with the phone. Yes, it is lacking in a many features that it should have had from the outset but they are niceties and not critical for my use. I do at times miss my Blackberry, alas my email addiction has been replaced with Twitter so all is not lost. I’m not so sure I’ll be jumping on the initial release this time around (still stewing form the last time) so how about you. Will you be jumping on the first boat or will you wait it out this go around?
Free WiFi for iPhone
It looks like AT&T is starting to roll out the rumored free WiFi access for iPhone (AT&T subscribers only) users at there numerous hotspot locations such as Barnes and Noble bookstores and Starbuck locations. According to a post on MacRumors, iPhone users will be presented with a special web page upon accessing the hotspot that asks for a mobile number. Upon confirming subscription, the users will be granted access to the hotspot, free of charge.
This is really exciting news and I can’t wait to check this out first hand tomorrow. Has anyone else been able to confirm this?
Flickr Video and more
So I started to see several Tweets yesterday about being able o upload video to Flickr. Of course it all sounded like there was still testing going on but the process was really smooth. I for one have been waiting for video upload capability, it was one feature that Flickr lacked compared to Picassa and my .Mac account.
Here’s the good news. Flickr has now made the video upload feature official. Anyone with a Pro account can upload 90 seconds of video amongst their photos. Why only 90 seconds? The powers that be at Flickr came up with "…the idea of “long photos,” of capturing slices of life to share". Now we all remember our time in front of the class giving a report and 60 seconds is a long time let alone 90 of those nerve wrecking tick tocks. Need inspiration? Just google one minute film and you’ll find plenty of help. 
The second part of this good news is that there is a bonus for everyone. To help with the potentially large video file, Flickr is doubling the size of photo uploads to 20MB per photo for pro members and 10MB for free accounts.
Go on now, start uploading those videos and don’t forget to let me know what you think of the service in the comments section here.
Good People Day 2008 tomorrow Spread the Word
Tomorrow is being hailed as "Good People Day". Gary Vaynerchuk over at Wine Library TV is continuing his change the world mantra with ‘Good People Day 2008′. The word is spreading quickly over the nets so start thinking about how you would like to contribute to this event. Make sure you tag your posts, tweets pwnces or anything else as GPD08 if possible. I imagine that a simple Google search should turn up all the posts and other bits that deal with it going forward. Pretty awesome stuff in moving this social community to something good.
iPhone Pro June Release | will you get one
So the rumours have been flying since the iPhone was first released. 3G, GPS and some form of iChat as wells as a slew of other features missing from the beta version aka iPhone 1.0. Kevin Rose over at Digg has heard from some ‘very reliable sources’ that version 2.0 will be out by June. The timing makes sense as the new frimware is set to be released then as well. The latest rumor seems to fulfill that wish list of missing features. It is being reported that the new iPhone will have 3G, GPS and some amp’d up chat application that will support 2 way video. That’s right 2-way video! Supposedly, there will be an additional camera under the glass on the front side much like seen on mobile phones in Japan and one of the possibilities made real through 3G.
I guess that leaves us with a few questions then.
- Will the new firmware give us all (owners of the 1.0) the ability to record video finally?
- I think it is safe to say that we will all get a chat application and support for an external GPS dongle to work with maps but how about A2DP support for bluetooth headphones :).
- Of course, the big question is ‘How much?’ If you’re like me, you are already thinking about getting the latest and greatest once released. The problem really isn’t how much it will be but when will there be a 50% price cut. After all, the majority of early adopters got burned last year and even those that waited a bit got slighted by the rapid rollout of newer higher capacity models.
What do you plan to do? It’s a little too early for me to say what I will do but based on the info available now, I will have to wait and see how it performs and if there will be anything newer released closer to x’mas.
[update] I would like to poin out that Kevin does call the new version an ‘iPhone pro’. This undoubtedly will make the universe safe for both versions of the iPhone and allow for a premium on a ‘Pro’ version.
Facebook Chat
This video was just posted over at Techcrunch of Facebooks newest app, CHAT. That’s right, now you’ll be able to chat it up with all your Facebook pals. The app looks pretty clean and actually hides out of the way until you want to use it. via TechCrunch
SDK released | iPhone users still must wait
It had been said for months that with the release of the SDK for the iPhone/Touch, apps and additional features would not be available for at least 3 months afterwards. I was a bit more optimistic in hoping that we would see something on the day of launch. After all some developers were already working with the SDK and c’mon Apple, you know you have too. So why the big wait? Apparently, we will all have to wait for the new firmware to be released (2.0) in June. Wow, does that possibly coincide with a 3G iPhone launch right before the holidays? Seems like the right timing for Apple but as always we will all have to sit back and enjoy SMS optimized EDGE speed. So what does the SDK mean for us?
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Apple Conference today!
So much excitement today. @ 1pm Apple will be holding a conference for the iPhone SDK. Already, there are reports of applications that will be released for iPhone and Touch alike. Today may just be the day we get the features we have all been waiting for while beta testing the iPhone ;). Surely, Apple will have some apps ready to go following the conference. 4 hours and counting and I’ll have some answers, I hope. If you want a play by play of the conference, head on over to Engadget or Macrumors for live coverage.
Tags: iphonesdk
This week in IPhone
This week in iPhone saw the release of firmware version 1.1.4. As of now, there hasn’t been any reports as to what was in the update other than what Apple stated as just bug fixes. Of course, the firmware was fairly large so speculation says it has everything to do with the upcoming release of the SDK. Maybe there will be some great new features that we have all been waiting (longing) for locked in side just waiting to be released from the electronic ether of the iPhone. For now we’ll just have to wait and see. Possibly someone will delve into the secret firmware and see what is going on to clue the rest of us in.
Did I mention the SDK? As no surprise it looks like the SDK will not be out by then end of this month. Apple has scheduled a conference on March 6th so Your guess is welcome on what they are gathering the ears and eyes of the media for. Wouldn’t it be interesting to find that the SDK has been out and that on March 6th Apple launches the new iTunes to support the applications we have been waiting for at a small price of $5.99 to $19.99 per application?
How about the statement from Apple’s COO, Tim Cook? Apparently, he states that Apple is not married to the exclsuive carrier model. Hmmm, I thought their prenuptial agreement with ATT meant they were. Maybe he’s referring to the European and possible Asian models due out. Or maybe their is a loophole in the pre-nupt that allows for the 3g model to be sold unlocked. Who really knows, what are your thoughts on this weeks events?
Tags: iPhone, apple news, iPhone news
8th Annual Fine WInes, Strong Bones
Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, also known as OI, has a fund and awareness event going on right now that anyone and everyone can participate in. There are two parts, one being the online auction and the other is a Gala being held at The Galleria at Lafayette Center on March 8th from 7 - 10pm.
…literally means “bone that is imperfectly made from the beginning of life.” OI is a genetic disorder of type 1 collagen– the protein “scaffolding” of bone and other connective tissues. People with OI have a faulty gene that instructs their bodies to make either too little type 1 collagen or a poor quality type 1 collagen. The result is that bones break easily.
OI affects 20,000 to 50,000 people in the United Sates. Through the OI Foundation and volunteers, the quality of life for these people affected by this rare genetic disorder have been greatly improved. Like most volunteer and non-profit organizations, they are dependent on the volunteers and the financial contributions from people that care such as yourself. Funds raised from this event go to the mission goals of the OI Foundation: Research, Education, Awareness and Improve Quality of Life. You can start helping by visiting the OI Foundation and the online auction.
You can now participate from the comfort of your computer. We invite you to bid on the wonderful items here between February 15 and March 4. These items then move to our Fine Wines, Strong Bones event on March 8 for further bidding. However, if you place a reserve bid, we will continue bidding for you at the event, up to your maximum bid.
So, be sure to tell your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors about the good they can do through this online auction.
The second part of this annual event is the Gala, held at The Galleria at Lafayette Centre located at 1155 21st St NW Washington DC. If you’re going to be in the area, then purchase your ticket here and take the opportunity to:
- Meet some great people
- Taste a variety of wines form around the world
- Sample food from the areas finest restaurants
- Explore some of the exciting items featured in the online auction
- and of course no grand event like this would be complete without some live music and a little dancing
If you would like to volunteer or learn more about OI and the Foundation go to www.oif.org
Tags: oi, oif, oi foundation, auction, strong bones