TDC's Official All Things Apple Thread

[1t. Dan]

looks epic

[JWood]

[DMBZeppelin]

Lots of recent updates on the new iPhone and the 3.0 software

USB Tethering Seems to be Working in iPhone 3.0 One developer was "hacking around" with some carrier bundle files and iPhone 3.0 and somehow managed to activate the tethering preferences. Not only that, he was also able to actually tether his iPhone 3G to his laptop over USB. Based on the preference panel, it appears that you will be able to tether via USB or Bluetooth. Tethering is a feature that allows you to share your iPhone's internet connection with your laptop, but has not been an allowed feature up until iPhone 3.0. Even with iPhone 3.0, mobile carriers generally charge an extra fee in the U.S. to allow tethering access. Apple admitted that they had built in tethering support into the 3.0 release but had not yet coordinated with mobile carriers.

AT&T To Offer No-Contract iPhones to Existing Customers Starting March 26th? Boy Genius Report claims to have received slides from an internal AT&T training presentation revealing that AT&T will be offering contract-free iPhone 3Gs to existing customers beginning on March 26th. iPhone 3Gs will be priced at $599 for the 8 GB model and $699 for the 16 GB model, and no service agreement or device activation is required. By limiting the "No-Commit" pricing option to existing customers and one per active mobile number, AT&T is apparently aiming to limit the number of phones being purchased for unlocking and use on other networks. AT&T is restricting the No-Commit price to existing customers who wish to add a line, purchase as a gift, or perform and [sic] upgrade and are not eligible for the Qualified or Early upgrade price. While AT&T is planning to limit sales to one per active mobile number, the training materials apparently reveal that AT&T has only limited means of enforcing this restriction. Only sales made at company-owned retail (COR) stores will show up in OPUS, AT&T's point-of-sale system. Otherwise, there is no indicator in the billing system denoting such sales.

'Upload Video' Screen Suggests Video Capabilities in Next iPhone Engadget Mobile discovered an interesting screenshot from the iPhone 3.0 beta operating system that is labeled "Upload Video". The screen reportedly appears when you try to upload photos to MobileMe. While Engadget is labeling it as an interesting "typo", we feel it likely suggests that video recording and upload capabilities will arrive in the next generation iPhone which could be released as early as this summer. There have been intermittent reports about the next iPhone revision, but few solid leads. Still, whispers have suggested that June/July is the timeframe for the next iPhone which is said to be a major upgrade over today's model. Talk of multi-core CPUs and GPUs suggest the next iPhone could be significantly more powerful than the iPhone 3G. This could pave the way for rumored features such as background processes, and even video recording. While Apple has made no references to a new hardware revision, we feel the timing of the iPhone 3.0 operating system due out this summer provides Apple an easy way to introduce a major hardware revision at the same time. As a result, it wouldn't surprise us that this "Video Upload" screen was misplaced rather than mistyped.

[DMBZeppelin]

And a few more...

Next-Generation iPhone to Have "Faster Internet Speeds"? Silicon Alley Insider reports on rumors from a mobile industry source saying that the next-generation iPhone will have "a significantly faster Internet connection." While no further information is given as to whether this is referring to cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity, Silicon Alley Insider lays out some possibilities based on what is known about the state of the technology. - This can't be referring to AT&T's 4G (LTE) network, because that won't be ready for a year or more. - This might be referring to faster wifi, and not faster 3G access? (802.11n vs. its current 802.11g/b.) - AT&T has repeatedly vowed to speed up its 3G network via updates to the network. Is it possible that the current iPhone can't support those increased speeds? - We don't expect Apple to comment, but we've asked. Electronista provides more detail on AT&T's plans for faster 3G running at 7.2 Mbps, up from the 3.6 Mbps speed of the current network. However, the most likely change is the addition of support for speed-doubled 7.2Mbps 3G given both hardware manufacturer and carrier plans. Infineon should have a new 3G chipset starting from mid-year that would support the faster speeds while also improving battery life. At the same time, AT&T has been trialing 7.2Mbps 3G since late 2008 and should roll out the speedier service this year. The provider has stressed that many of its cell towers can be upgraded solely through software rather than new equipment. Current iPhones are limited in hardware to 3.6Mbps 3G and couldn't themselves be upgraded. Electronista also points to the possibility of a new Broadcom 802.11n chipset being used in the next-generation iPhone to bring increased Wi-Fi speeds.

Next Generation iPhone: 7.2Mbit, Video Camera, More? Last week some more details about the next iPhone revision continued leaking out. First, there were spottings of new Apple device IDs found embedded within the iPhone 3.0 firmware. Silicon Alley Insider then claimed that the next iPhone would come with "much faster internet". Finally, AppleInsider said that the new iPhone would indeed have a video camera, supporting evidence of video publishing screenshots also found in iPhone 3.0. It's not surprising that the number of leaks is increasing as Apple does have to keep their carrier partners at least somewhat informed heading into a new release. We've also continued to hear unconfirmed whispers and have specifically heard that the new iPhone with support a 7.2Mbit chipset. Another interesting possibility is that Apple may have settled on the Marvell PXA168 ARM chip as the heart of a future device. Some unconfirmed claims point to Apple buying up supplies of this chip which is reportedly also due in the July timeframe. The Marvell PXA168 CPU was announced in January of this year and aims to provide "entry-level laptop" capabilities to consumer electronic devices.

More Details on Next-Generation iPhone? 3G Netbook Due This Summer? Boy Genius Report details a source "pretty high up in AT&T's food chain" who reportedly shared several tidbits of information about the next-generation iPhone. While short on details beyond the addition of an iPhone application to control AT&T's U-verse suite of Internet-based products and services and more hints that the iPhone may see increased Wi-Fi browsing speeds up to 7.2 Mbps, the source's comments provide additional perspective on what may lie ahead. - New iPhone announcement around mid-June - New iPhone will be faster and have a more seamless experience unmatched by any device - U-Verse iPhone application; will allow control of your home DVR (play, pause, rewind, etc.) - The annual iPhone launch is "becoming a tradition." - Nothing official is being confirmed, but they said that people should prep for an exciting time this summer. - AT&T is said to be working with Apple to create a unified product with an unparalleled experience across all their products and services. - Apple's 3.0 software should tell us where the iPhone platform is going. - They said customers shouldn’t need to choose from AT&T's high-end devices because of features, they should choose based on preferences. The gap in capability should be filled with the new iPhone. - Seems like the higher speed HSDPA (7.2Mbps) is being hinted at too which should confirm the earlier rumors of the new Infineon chipset. The final comment from the source proves to be the most interesting and relates to the possibility of a $99 3G netbook arriving this summer, with the implication being that it may be an Apple product: - The $99 3G netbook will start selling this summer, and the first one won't be a Windows OS.

iPhone OS 3.0 Beta References Four Unknown Products [Updated] Ars Technica reports that a property list file in the iPhone OS 3.0 beta reveals the existence of four unknown products. The file references products known as "iPhone3,1", "iPod3,1", "iFPGA", and "iProd0,1". These products are listed in addition to entries for the existing two iPhone models (known as "iPhone1,1" and "iPhone1,2") and two iPod touch models (known as "iPod1,1" and "iPod2,1"). An entry for another unknown model, "iPhone2,1" was discovered in January in the iPhone OS 2 software and revealed to have been spotted on ad delivery networks as early as October 2008. That model is also listed in the iPhone 3.0 property list file. The file, /System/Library/AppleUSBDevice/USBDeviceConfiguration.plist, lists details about the USB configuration of the various iPhone and iPod touch models, as well as the device ID and product names. The same file in iPhone OS 2.2.1 lists the original iPhone, iPhone 3G, and first- and second-gen iPod touches, referred to as iPhone1,1; iPhone1,2; iPod1,1; and iPod2,1 respectively. It also lists an unknown iPhone model, labelled iPhone2,1, which starting turning up in web server logs as far back as October 2008. In addition to these references, USBDeviceConfiguration.plist in iPhone OS 3.0 beta contains references to iPhone3,1; iPod3,1; iFPGA; and iProd0,1. All of the products are assigned unique productID numbers, though all are assigned a productString of iPhone. These details are reported to Mac OS X when the devices are plugged in via USB, and would show up in System Profiler, for instance. Steven Troughton-Smith, who spotted the entries, is the same developer who activated tethering on the iPhone OS 3.0 beta yesterday. He speculates that "iFPGA" may be a device that utilizes a field-programmable gate array. The numbering designation of "0,1" for the "iProd" device may signify that it is a prototype device of an unknown type. No other details on the products have been discovered, and there is no word on when or if they may be ready for release. Update: Boy Genius Report is also reporting the existence of an "iPod2,2" entry, which we've confirmed.

[DMBZeppelin]

What do you guys think would be possible that's not on an iPhone with the processor being taked about "The Marvell PXA168 CPU was announced in January of this year and aims to provide "entry-level laptop" capabilities to consumer electronic devices."

[1t. Dan]

I want it to be june alreadyyyy

[JWood]

3.0 is going to be great, can't wait to see this new iPhone too

i dropped mine today, it's fine, but if i dropped it around the time the new one comes out, then it would be time to upgrade

[DMBZeppelin]

Some updates regarding the new iPhone that should be coming out this summer.

Apple Ordering 3.2 and 5-Megapixel Camera Sensors for iPhone and Future Product? In a brief report, DigiTimes claims that Apple has placed orders with OmniVision Technologies for both 3.2 and 5-megapixel image sensors. The 3.2-megapixel sensor is reportedly destined for the next-generation iPhone, while the 5-megapixel sensor is claimed to be for a separate product launching later this year. OmniVision has received 3.2-megapixel CMOS image sensor (CIS) orders for Apple's next-generation iPhone, according to market sources. The company is also said to have secured 5-megapixel CIS orders for another Apple product expected to be launched later in the year. Both the original iPhone and the iPhone 3G utilize a 2-megapixel camera, and speculation regarding a higher resolution camera in the next-generation iPhone has been popular for some time now. Evidence of a "Publish Video" screen in the iPhone OS 3.0 beta and supporting claims of a video camera in the next-generation iPhone suggest that Apple is targeting significant improvements to the iPhone's imaging capabilities.

Next Gen iPhone: 802.11n and Video Editing? Since the iPhone 3.0 beta release, developers have been digging through the firmware looking for evidence of future iPhones and capabilities. An early finding revealed that a number of unknown iPhone model numbers already appear in the beta firmware. Over the weekend, a few new findings have added two new features to the next generation iPhone. Driver support for new Broadcom Wi-Fi chips suggest that the next iPhone will add support for 802.11n. The iPhone and iPod touch currently only support the slower 802.11b/g networks. Supporting only 802.11n devices on a wireless network can significantly improve performance. With existing iPhone hardware, this mixed environment was unavoidable. Meanwhile, an inadvertent Publish Video screenshot from the first iPhone 3.0 beta suggests that Apple is incorporating video recording and uploads directly from your iPhone. Some new user interface elements in the 3.0 beta suggest that you will also be able to edit these videos before uploading. If Apple does indeed provide video recording and publishing, it certainly makes sense to offer some limited editing/clipping ability. The iPhone 3.0 firmware will not be released to the public until this Summer, and Apple is rumored to be releasing their next generation iPhone in that timeframe.

Next-Generation iPhone Theoretically Capable of FM Radio Reception and Transmission? Over the weekend, hints of several additional features for the next-generation iPhone were revealed. Among them was the discovery that text strings in the iPhone OS 3.0 software reference a new Broadcom wireless chip, BCM4329, which supports 802.11n wireless connectivity. In digging through the specs for the chip, 9 to 5 Mac has discovered that it also supports both reception and transmission of FM radio signals. But they neglected to mention that it also adds the ability to receive and send (the previous model could only receive) information through FM radio signals which theoretically could be used to broadcast sound into car stereos..without external adapters. It could also be used to pick up FM radio music, news and sports broadcasts on their iPhones and even, in August, on iPods. Currently the FM reciever is only used to pick up communications from the Nike+ peripheral. The finding, however, doesn't mean that Apple will necessarily enable these features in the new iPhone. Apple has certainly been known not to enable all features their hardware is capable of, and FM reception/transmission is one that have shown no interest in supporting in the past.

[1t. Dan]

I can't wait until this comes out.

[DMBZeppelin]

iPhone Video Recording Interface, Digital Compass, Voice Control and Auto-Focus Camera

Since the release of Apple's iPhone 3.0 beta firmware, users have been scouring the configuration files looking for evidence of future iPhone capabilities. The possibility of video recording has seemed increasingly certain with files for video uploading and editing having been discovered.

A new finding, however, should put to rest any doubts about whether or not Apple is planning to include video recording in future iPhones. This screenshot, which was discovered in the latest iPhone 3.0 beta, shows the interface Apple will provide for video recording:



The interface shows the normal iPhone camera interface but with a switch on the bottom right which toggles between still camera photography and video recording. The video recording is not presently functional in iPhone 3.0 beta, and the interface is not accessible by default. Only when configuration files were modified telling the firmware that a Video Camera was present will this interface appear.

Other interesting capabilities found in the configuration files include "auto-focus camera", "magnetometer" (digital compass), and "Voice Control".

Apple is expected to release the final version of iPhone 3.0 this summer, and many believe that Apple will also introduce an updated iPhone around that time as well.

[1t. Dan]

The pieces are falling into place. WWDC should tell us all we need to know.

[BeaufordBuddy]

So the iPhone is finally starting to catch up with what other smart phones have been offering for awhile.

[toomanychoices]

I just got a Mac Mini and I love it. But I want to know is there a program like Foobar 2000 where I can tag the flacs from the show's text file and then convert it to mp3 for my own personal collection? Also if anyone else has some recommendations for programs I should download, please let me know.

Thanks

[1t. Dan]

Snow Leopard is only $30. Fuckin sick.

[1t. Dan]

iPhone 3GS

[1t. Dan]

June 19th. Sick.

[DMBZeppelin]

To expand on what Dan has posted.

The new iPhone 3.0 OS has 100 new features. Obviously anyone with an older iPhone can upgrade to the new OS.

The new pricing for the iPhone is as follows:
iPhone 3G [8GB] - $99
iPhone 3GS [16GB] - $199
iPhone 3GS [32GB] - $299

The 3GS's have a new camera.

Features tap-to-focus. Tap on the part of the photo you want to focus, and it automatically does so. Automatically handles exposure and white balance. Better low-light sensitivity as well. Also, auto-macro -- as close as 10cm away. The camera application has a switch that lets you swap between still photo and video mode. 30FPS, VGA with audio, auto-focus, auto-white balance, auto-exposure. The videos live alongside photos in the same application. You can scrub a video and edit it too. You can share the video right from your iPhone 3GS to YouTube, MobileMe, MMS, and email.

[1t. Dan]

A little more, with pictures




Voice, Compass, and lots more

Here is the guided tour that pretty much tells you everything.

[Only registered users can see links.]

Fucking cannot wait for this. June 17th, DMB, iPhone 3.0. June 19th, iPhone 3GS

[ethaxton]

Need a little help with my mac if anyone has a min.

I just got a MBP, my first Mac, and I want to get networked up with my other PC's for file sharing. I can't seem to figure it out. Went under Network, Advanced, Wins and typed in the Workgroups that my pcs are in (Vista os)...nothing seemed to change...but I really just have no idea what I am doing.

[1t. Dan]

My PC shows up under finder and I'm pretty sure I didn't even have to do anything. Are they all connected via router?