3G iPhone launch confirmed for June 9th?

According to one source claiming to have been tipped by sources close to the 3G iPhone, the device will in fact be announced on June 9th at WWDC. Then, immediately after, the device is expected to be unleashed to the waiting masses. The launch will be a worldwide launch, as opposed to the original launch, where it started in the U.S. and made its way to other countries later.

According to the article it will not take long, as the device will be available in Spain as early as June 18th. The launch schedule is very interesting, starting with a single Apple Store, and a single Telefonica store. Then within 24 hours the device will make country wide launch. According to the article, this is the same launch scheme that will be used all across Europe.

According to this articles “reliable sources” the device will not be sold at fixed price points in Europe. This means basically carriers are free to sell the device at whatever price they feel. This means that if we are lucky, then the new iPhone will indeed carry a subsidy. This is especially necessary in Europe, where the carriers are ultra competitive with one another.

[Via Gizmodo]

Apple looking at over the air downloads for 3G iPhone

Many 3G devices on many carriers can download music and such over the air, but for EDGE devices like the iPhone this is a little less practical. Now there are over the air downloads via the iTunes Store for the iPhone, but you must be in a WiFi hot spot to take advantage of the service. With the addition of 3G to the new iPhone though, over the air downloads will be much more feasible.

That’s because the addition of 3G will make the device exponentially faster when transferring data. Also, 3G will increase call quality. An article in the New York Time suggests that Apple is in talks with major record labels about the service. It seems all is not well in the negotiations though, as the labels are all wanting more than 70 cents per song.

According to the article Apple is planning a big launch in June. Apple also is looking to add more songs to its listing of ring tones. Apple is also looking to bring call tones to the iPhone, which may be worth even more than a traditional ring tone according to the report. It is assumed if a deal is struck it will be introduced at Apple’s WWDC event on June 9th.

[Via AppleInsider]

Brigtonnet BI-IPEN works as a stylus for iPhone

If you have ever looked down at that sleek iPhone or iPod Touch in your pocket and thought “wow, this thing needs a stylus”, then Brightonnet’s new BI-IPEN might just be for you. As capacitive touch devices, the iPhone and iPod Touch can not use a stylus. They need to feel the small electric charge from your fingertip, which plastic or metal can not traditionally provide.

The BI-IPEN is solving that using a special type of conductive resin on the bottom of the pen. The device will allow you to touch and drag, but unless you are going to set the device down and use two of these bad boys, then no multi touch. It is available in both black and silver, but I could not find a price for the device, or if it is even shipping yet.

[Via Akihabara News]

XSKN is case for 3G iPhone?

Well we may have just found the first 3G iPhone case. According to the manufacturer, this case if for the 3G iPhone, and there is also one for the normal iPhone. The case seems to be called ELECTRAonBLACK, which no doubt refers to the wild colors of the case. It could be a manufacturer looking for attention, but then again, it could be legitimate.

As you can see, the case clearly fits the rumored specifications.  The design of the case fits the curved back rumor, it also fits the description of the bottom of the device. The device in the case is very clearly a stock photo of the current iPhone. That would be expected considering the device is not even out to the public yet.

It is not clear when the case will be made available. Logic would suggest as soon as the 3G iPhone comes out, but you never know. Since the device in the photo is the original iPhone, we do not get to know anything new about the 3G iPhone.

Google to provide applications from day one of firmware 2.0 launch

Google has always been a major player when it comes to the iPhone. The iPhone came loaded with YouTube, Google Maps, and a extremely simple method to sync up your Gmail account with your iPhone. Upon launch, many of Google’s web applications were ported over for use with the iPhone’s mobile Safari browser.

According to the Vice President of Google’s Engineering department, Google will be providing applications for the iPhone from day one of the release of iPhone firmware 2.0, and will make them available in the App Store. Most already assumed this would be the case. Google says that the iPhone has changed the way people will look at mobile web browsing.

That’s because according to Google, all mobile browsers are different. There are so many platforms, and so few use the same mobile browser. Google thinks that with how successful WebKit based browsers like mobile Safari, and the browser found on some Nokia devices, most manufacturers will adopt a WebKit based solution in the future as well. Google made it known that despite bringing native applications to the iPhone, they will still maintain and develop web based applications, as they do know.

[Via MacWorld]

Vista Perfection theme looks strikingly real

We have seen some Windows Vista themes before, but they have traditionally been limited to Vista style icons and backgrounds. Vista Perfection is changing all that, with what is no doubt one of the most thorough themes that are available for the iPhone to date. Everything is Vista themed, and when I say everything, don’t kid yourself I mean everything.

The dock has been replaced with a windows style task bar. Since the iPhone does not support background processes, I have to assume those are dock icons to launch applications. There is even a Windows Vista sidebar on the screen, which appears to be part of the background image. The theme has over 90 icons available, and should theme most of the applications you have installed.

It does not stop there. The unlock screen, has been themed as the Windows Vista login screen. The WiFi icon, EDGE icon, and even the slide to unlock arrow have all been themed as well. The booting and shutdown screens are even themed. The theme will be available on Installer shortly, but for now you can get it here. Here is a shot of the iPhone booting with this theme installed.

[Via Just Another iPhone Blog]

Orange bringing iPhone Europe, Africa, and the Middle East

Orange has just pumped out a press release today detailing its plans to carry the iPhone. They will be providing the iPhone in such countries as the Dominican Republic, Austria, and Switzerland. They are also bringing the device to several African markets. The press release is brief, and lists only the countries that Orange will provide the iPhone in.

Orange today announced a new agreement with Apple to bring the iPhone to Orange customers in Austria, Belgium, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Jordan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Switzerland and Orange’s African markets later this year. -From Press Release

It seems to be the common consensus across the internet that they are talking about the 3G iPhone. Many of these markets already have iPhones being sold in them, so it is very likely that yes that is what they are talking about. The press release does not say explicitly 3G iPhone, new iPhone, or any other alias we know it by.

[Via SlashPhone]

Intel retracts Atom powered device comments

It seems Intel would like to shy away from comments made by their German manager yesterday. We saw yesterday a rumor originating from a German language source, that said that Intel had confirmed that a higher resolution iPhone like device would be powered by their new Atom processor. According to Intel however, these were general remarks, about what their new processor “might” power.

Intel says that the whole mess stemmed from a poor German to English translation of the article, posted in a German language version of ZDNet. It is interesting though, that the original article we saw posted yesterday from the source, is different than the one that has been posted now.

“Intel knows nothing over future products of other manufacturers and can therefore over it also nothing say,” -Mike Cato, Intel Spokesman

Hopefully the quote sounded a lot better in German than the translated version shown here. It is an interesting story, as other sources attending the same event, that heard the German Intel manager speak, did not say he said anything about the iPhone. Others, say they did though. It is a messy rumor, and the only way we are going to know for sure is when WWDC rolls around.

[Via Apple2.0 Fortune Blog]

O2 gives gives hint at 3G iPhone launch date

O2 has dropped a small bit if information which hints at the launch date for the 3G iPhone. It is not very exact, just like all the other rumors regarding dates, it does say that they expect it “in the coming weeks”. Well, that is about as vague as it can get. O2 has states that they will be making a joint announcement with Apple in that time to announce the new device.

This is of course falling in line with the rumored date we know now, which is June 9th. This is of course referring to Apple’s WWDC event that is being held that day. O2 was still shy about the exact date that the new iPhone would come out, saying instead “that is more of a question for Apple”. Well we know Apple is not going to tell until they have to, so looks like we still have to wait if we want something more solid.

According to O2, they will have the exclusive rights to sell the new iPhone in the U.K. and Ireland. O2 is already Apple’s partner for selling the device in those areas, so it is not a surprise O2 gets this one too. O2 is currently sold out of iPhone’s, which has prompted many rumors the newer iPhone could be dropping on their network shorty.

[Via Guardian UK]

WWDC is now fully booked

If there was ever any doubt that Apple would fill every last seat at their WWDC event, it can finally be put to rest. Though Apple had to extend early registration last month, the event is now fully booked, and no more developers, press members, anyone can register. It does not mean you can not get in on the action, just you can not attend the event.

Developers and others hoping to get in are not fully out of luck, they will just have to wait till after the event to get all the news and video clips they crave. It will not be too painful though, as they are supposed to have details and videos on the Developer site “immediately” after the event concludes. Some clips will be free, and others will require a paid for developer account.

WWDC is to be held June 9th through June 13th, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Apple is expected to unveil the long awaited 3G iPhone there, and if we are lucky, there are rumors of a mystery device showing up. Remember to keep it locked on iPhone Buzz June 9th for all the latest from WWDC, and our live coverage of the event.

[Via MacNN]

Intel confirms larger iPhone like device?

According to an article published on a German website, the manager of Intel in Germany has confirmed that Apple will be shipping a device that will sport their new Atom processor. We had seen the rumor for a tablet like device, that could supposedly be launched at WWDC. If this leak does turn out to be true, it definitely adds some credibility to the rumor.

As part of an Intel event for the 40th birthday of the semiconductor company at Munich’s BMW World, Germany managing director Hannes Schwaderer confirmed today what has long been a rumor on the Internet: namely, that there is an iPhone with Intel’s new Atom chip. The device is slightly larger than the current version, Schwaderer said. That is not, however, because of the Intel chip, but because of the larger display used in the new iPhone. - Hannes Schwaderer, Germany Manager, Intel

There you have it, a slightly larger device that will accommodate a larger screen. It is rumored that the device will have a 720×480 multi touch display. This matches the description in the rumor about Steve Jobs announcing such a device at WWDC this year, which kicks off on June 9th. We also expect to see the 3G iPhone during the conference as well.

[Via Mac Rumors]

3G iPhone to come in three color choices?

In a report published earlier suggests that the 3G iPhone could come in more than one color. These colors include white, black, and silver. The report also claims that Apple partner Swisscom has already set their usage prices for 3G and and SMS usage for the new device. The report clearly states it is speculation, so it should be taken as such.

According to the report one of the first carriers to get the new iPhone will be Swisscom, which would explain the early preparation. The rumor continues to speculate that there will be a 32GB version of the iPhone, whats more they even have some rumored price points. The 16GB 3G iPhone will sell for $627, and the 32GB 3G iPhone for $760. Again, this is not confirmed.

According to the report, the 16GB model will only be available in silver. The 32GB color will come in white, black, and silver. This is perhaps an incentive for subscriber to purchase the more expensive model. The new iPhone will be on sale in 118 Swisscom shops, and in Apple stores, including Geneva and Zurich. According to the report, the device will ship in June.

[Via 9 to 5 Mac]

3G iPhone will feature GPS, Video Conferencing and Mobile TV?

If any of the recent rumors of the 3G iPhone are even fractionally true, then the iPhone 2.0 is going to be an even hotter potato then existing model. In addition to GPS and Video Conferencing via a second camera on the front of the iPhone, LeMatin.ch report the addition of Mobile TV.

It makes perfect sense - how else is the 3G iPhone going to keep up with the Jones ala LG Vu if Mobile TV was left out? The large display of the iPhone combined with AT&T’s fast 3G network makes it a perfect device for watching TV on the go.

Apple issued a press release earlier today stating that Jobs will kick off WWDC 2008 as expected. The slogan “A landmark event. In more ways than one.” Lets see, Apple already announced and showed off iPhone OS X along with Mac OS X leopard. So it is unlikely he’ll say or do much there. That leaves me to wonder if Jobs will briefly introduce the 3G iPhone and then quickly jump to introducing a new iTablet running OSX Leopard. Make sure to join iPhone Buzz if you want to know the second Jobs make the announcements on Monday June 8!

Steve Jobs confirmed for WWDC 2008: still no comment on 3G iPhone

Apple have released its plans for WWDC 2008, due to kick off on Monday June 9th. The event will open with a keynote from Steve Jobs, expected to be resplendant in a new, exciting outfit, before focussing on OS X Leopard and OS X for iPhone. There’s no mention, of course, of a new 3G iPhone, although speculation continues.

The conference, which runs for five days in total, will feature in-depth sessions and hands-on labs for developers working with the OS X iPhone 2.0 software. It will also cover the technicalities of the iPhone SDK and the App Store. Apple’s own engineers will be on hand to jeer at the less capable show coders where they’ve gone wrong.

Meanwhile OS X Leopard developers will have their own coding sessions and technology labs. In fact they’re welcome to bring in their own code for advice, including interface design and implementation, application frameworks, security, localization and networking. Registration is open now.

Radura Case Available for iPhone

Los Angeles, CA - May 13th, 2008- Today, mStation/mophie announces the availability of the new Radura case for iPhone, iPod Touch, Nano(3G), and Classic. The Radura’s clear polycarbonate design covers all scratchable surfaces on the iPod/iPhone, while conveniently freeing up all connectors, click wheel, and touch screen. The end result is maximum protection without having to conceal the beautiful design of the iPhone/iPod. The Radura is also compatible with the mophie Ratchet belt clip swivel and the mophie Run armband, allowing users to enjoy their media on-the-go. The Radura for iPod Nano and Classic comes packaged with 3 silicone inserts(black, pink, and green) which act as shock absorbers and also glow in the dark for added visibility.

“With Radura, we’ve achieved a really great balance of, simple, clear design and strong protection” says Ross Howe, Sales and Product Development Director for mStation/mophie. “Now, owners of all types of iPods and iPhones have a strong, sensible case that offers maximum protection, without sacrificing the unique aesthetics of Apple’s products”

The mophie Relo Radura is available now online and in stores at an MSRP of $20. For more information on mStation or mophie, please visit www.mstation.com or www.mophie.com

[Thanks Matt!]

New version of Google Reader available for iPhone

Google Reader is a hot ticket for iPhone and iPod Touch users lately. We saw a native attempt at Google Reader, which worked quite well actually. There is just nothing like the real thing though right? So here it is, Google has finally brought full support of its RSS reader, Google Reader, to the mobile Safari browser. The service says it is still in beta, but it seems to be working very well.

“This new version is designed to offer many of the same features as the desktop, while making it quick and easy to act on items. If you’ve used list view, then it should be familiar to you. Scan the titles for an item that interests you, tap and it expands in place. Starring, sharing, and keeping unread are done in place, so you never have to leave the list view or refresh the page. We think it’s a very fast way to power through your reading list.” - Google Reader Blog

The application looks to bring a more desktop like Google Reader experience to the mobile Safari browser. To access the new Google Reader, just visit http://www.google.com/reader/i/ on your iPhone or iPod Touch. The service is still in beta and you will not be redirected to that page just by visiting Reader, so bookmark it for future use.

[Via Google Reader Blog]

AT&T clarifies the black iPhone rumor

If you’re about to run to your local Apple or AT&T store to snag up a new black iPhone, let me save you a trip. I just received and email from AT&T representative with the following quote:

“The reference to “iPhone Black” was simply a temporary placeholder used over the weekend for a scheduled catalog update. It was meant to temporarily distinguish the various iPhone models-4GB, 8GB and 16GB-but was never reassigned. It should be corrected on the site by now.”  Brad Mays, PR for AT&T.

This is actually kind of silly from my perspective. I apologize if our previous articles here and here got your hopes up. At lease now you know for sure.

‘iPhone Black’ shows up on AT&T website

What a mismatched pair you are Apple and AT&T. Apple can hold a secret until the last minute, and AT&T somehow manages to leak things weeks if not months before they go down. True to form, AT&T has shown on their site, the option to select the ‘iPhone Black’ as your device. I could not verify if the option is still up, but here is the screen shot proof.

The discovery further helps to substantiate the rumors that the 3G iPhone will come in a gloss black case. While we would not put it past Apple to be releasing a limited edition of the current iPhone, it does not seem likely. This could be the 3G iPhone, showing up in the shadows of AT&T’s website, and taunting us with it’s potentially sooner-than-we-think release date.

With the 3G iPhone being rumored to potentially drop before WWDC, this could be AT&T and Apple getting ready to drop this on us. It is rumored that Apple and AT&T will not make a big deal about the launch, and if the 3G iPhone sneaks its way onto AT&T’s site, that falls in line with the rumor. With the attention this story is getting, AT&T will surely remove the ‘iPhone Black’ option from their site soon, if they don’t, then we may have ourselves a launch party soon.

[Via AppleInsider]

Muxtape now available on iPhone

Everyone’s favorite way to share mixtapes online has just become iPhone friendly. Muxtape, is now fully compatible with the the iPhone’s browser. To use the service on the iPhone, just navigate along, and when you select a track to play, Safari will play it just as if it was a normal MP3 file.

Muxtape provides a simple way to share mixtapes with other people across the web. Users can subscribe to another users RSS feed of mixtapes in iTunes. When new music drops you then have the option to listen to it. You of course can upload your own mixtapes, and if you are lucky other people will subscribe and listen to your music too.

You can use the new Safari friendly Muxtape now, just head over to their website at muxtape.com. Now Muxtape has an even broader audience. Porting web applications to Safari seems like it is starting to become a trend, just me?

[Via Gear Diary]

3G iPhone coming early? mystery device at WWDC?

Recently, a rumor was circulating that we would see the iPhone pre-WWDC, and that in it’s place at WWDC, we would be seeing a new, mystery device. The common consensus, is, and has been for quite some time now, that we would be seeing the 3G iPhone at WWDC. Furthermore, the common consensus is there is no mystery device.

It begs the question, what is this mystery device? Well, it is speculated that it could be the long awaited tablet Mac that has been making its way around the rumor mill for quite some time now. Not much is known about this device, but there are a few bits of rumored specifications floating around. These include a 720×480 multi touch screen, and will be about 50% larger than the iPhone.

It seems, that it is entirely possible that Apple will not make a bug deal out of the 3G iPhone launch. To us, it is a big deal, but to most it is just a product update. It happens all the time, phones get upgraded, that is just how it works. So is Apple going to just be chill about the 3G iPhone, and give us an exciting new device? We will know soon enough. iTablet, anyone?

[Via MacRumors]

Online Apple store runs out of iPhones

iPhone fans in the U.K. are not the only ones that are experiencing a severe lack of iPhone stock. It is starting to affect people all over now, with stores in New York, and the online Apple store, also reporting being out of stock. This image is the status over at the Apple Store online. It is not known when, or if, the iPhone is going to be back in stock.

As you are no doubt aware, the rumor for Apple allowing the shelves to clear of the current iPhone, could be to allow the upcoming 3G iteration to have all the room it needs. This makes sense, as then carriers and the Apple store will have the newest iPhone to sell, and that one only. The rumored announcement date for the 3G iPhone is at WWDC, with the actual launch rumored to be sometime near the end of June.

WWDC is still about a month away though, so this seems like it is pretty early. Perhaps Apple did not intend for the stock to run out this quickly? Apple has given no word on what is going on with these shortages, and most likely only they know. Apple could also be attempting to keep the peace with customers. If they buy an iPhone now, and the new one comes out, they are not going to be happy. Apple has already made them mad once, with the price cuts. iPhone early adopters were angered to the point that Apple had to provide a $100 gift card to all of them. It seems Apple would not care for a repeat performance.

[Via Gizmodo]

Preferences for 3G found in firmware beta 5?

Ok, lets all just wait a minute before we get too into this one. There are a few sources saying this is all, and it almost completely unconfirmed. This image is what the preference would look like on the screen. It is claimed, that this information was located in the Network.plist file, that controls and saves preferences for the network settings on the iPhone.

Though it seems wild, the information could just turn out to be true. This dump of Network.plist clearly shows references to 3G. It is said that the preference will not show up on EDGE iPhones, but will in the 3G enabled iPhone. It says if by mistake this preference shows up on a EDGE only iPhone, the device will crash.

Note that this is not fake, it is in the beta 5 .ipsw, but will normally not show up on an EDGE iPhone. Turning 3G on will just crash the phone if you use an EDGE phone. If you do not believe me, then decrypt the beta5 rootfs dmg, and see for yourself in /Applications/Preferences.app/Network.plist

[Via iPhone Alley]

AT&T call WiFi saga ‘human error’ in patchy explanation

AT&T have finally spoken up on the puzzle of their on-again, off-again inclusive WiFi offer.  According to spokesperson Fletcher Cook, the posting of the offer on AT&T’s site was “a human error.”  However, it apparently echoes the carrier’s long-time intention to offer free WiFi to iPhone and other WiFi-equipped devices.

“Our Wi-Fi network is a great way of differentiating the AT&T network and giving customers another reason to choose us over a competitor” Fletcher Cook, AT&T

However Cook would not confirm when the offer would be officially unveiled, and interviewer Saul Hansell of the NYT didn’t push him on why, if the first time was a mistake, it was then added again before being rapidly pulled.  The consensus at the time was that AT&T were having problems limiting access solely to the iPhone.  Many users discovered that they could, by changing their browser’s UserAgent string and entering an authentic iPhone number, get free WiFi without being iPhone owners.