iPhone SDK 8, Firmware 2.0 Beta 8, and iTunes 7.7 seeded to Developers

Apple yesterday seeded new releases of iPhone software to developers, including SDK 8, OS 2.0 Beta 8, and iTunes 7.7. 

An anonymous tipster sent us in the info that came with it:

Quote:

iTunes 7.7 pre-release seed is being provided solely for the purpose of installing iPhone OS beta 8 on your Apple devices. The use of this pre-release software is governed by the same non-disclosure agreement covered in your Registered iPhone Developer Terms and Conditions with Apple. iTunes 7.7 pre-release software is for development and testing purposes only and therefore should not be used with any existing iTunes libraries on your system.   Request new iPhone Development Certificate  To prepare for the release of iPhone OS 2.0, certificates issued prior to June 9, 2008 have been  revoked. Request new iPhone Development Certificates in the Program Portal and have a Team  Admin re-generate any provisioning profiles containing the revoked certificates.

Looks like AppStore won’t work without the latest version of iTunes installed. Developers are now encouraged to submit their apps for review - the last we heard they were able to submit the metadat, but uploads were not yet working for the actual apps. 

The OS 2.0 Beta 8 firmware is NOT the Golden Master that some sites had rumored was released, but that firmware version will still be released by early July, as Steve let us know in the last keynote. 

Also of interest - the usual RAM disk decryption is no longer possible in beta 8. The dev team and hacking community will have to figure this one out in the next couple weeks before launch.

This is unverified, but the tipster also sent us this blurb from the Whats New in iTunes 7.7:

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What’s new in iTunes 7.7 Use iTunes 7.7 to sync music, video, and more with iPhone 3G, and download applications from the iTunes Store exclusively designed for iPhone and iPod touch with software version 2.0 or later. Also use the new Remote application for iPhone or iPod touch to control iTunes playback from anywhere in your home — a free download from the App Store.

This could be confirmation of the rumor that’s been going around on the Remote application which lets you control iTunes with the iPhone.

Further iTunes 7.7 info:

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I may be too late, but you may want to add this that I forgot to include in the tip:   When I launched iTunes 7.7 I found that it introduces MobileMe settings under the Info Tab and a new Application syncing tab. The MobileMe settings redirects you to the browser to a http page at Apple, but it is currently unavailable. iTunes Store behaves as usual. No App Store or link so far. On a side note: I now have an iPhone with 2.0 Beta 5A345, but surprisingly my other iPhone with 2.0 Beta 5A240d that is Pwned, is now recognized as a regular iPhone and not with the generic iPod icon. Nevertheless, music downloaded from iTunes still won’t sync because it reports that the software is too old.  So far the usual tricks I used to downgrade from 5A331 (Beta 7) to 1.1.4 are apparently not working. Thus for the moment I am stuck with Beta 8 on one of my devices.

Apple Introduce iPhone 3G Video Conferencing

Those of you complaining about the lack of front camera and videoconferencing in the new iPhone, stop saying words. This July 11 you will be able to buy the Apple Videoconferencing Kit for iPhone 3G at just $29. Press release and an exclusive leaked photo of the user manual—showing how it exactly works—right after the jump.

Apple introduces the iPhone 3G Videoconferencing Kit, ZOMG!

WWDC SAN FRANCISCO—June 11, 2008—Apple® today unveiled the Apple Videoconferencing Kit®, the world’s first videoconference accessory for the world’s best phone, the iPhone 3G. Using a unique silicon-based mirror material and natural bamboo wood for its handle and base, the Apple Videoconferencing Kit measures an unprecedented 0.5 inches at its thinnest point. Its low weight and unique shape—developed following strict Human Interface tests and anatomical studies—will allow the user to easily hold it in front of the iPhone 3G camera, allowing face-to-face video communication with users all around the world.

“We’ve built the world’s best cellphone—again,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO and famed fried tofu fan. “But it didn’t feel… complete. So I said to Phil, hey! Phil, yo! Where’s the damn front camera? Can we do iChat AV with this shit? He said we couldn’t, but then… then he pulled out his hand mirror and said: ‘what about this?’”

Phil Schiller, senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing and Apple’s Cool Guy at Large, explained how it all went after that: “Steve thought it was ok, but he didn’t like the pink plastic and shiny beads, so we asked Jon to come up with an evolution of the design.” The team lead by Jonathan Ive was left with the challenge of making the Apple Videoconferencing Kit a reality: “We wanted the design to feel complete, as a whole holistic experience for the user, something that would talk from the inside, and be pure function. It just feels that way now.”

The Apple Videoconferencing Kit ultra-shiny surface allows for an extremely clear image, the best in its class, and can be easily customized using any kind of materials, from stickers to Crayola. It will be available in July 11 for $29.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

For those of you who don’t get it, this is a criticism of the lack of front camera and video conferencing in the iPhone 3G. Looking at the new model, I think it is clear that Apple has decided to milk the current iPhone for another year instead of actually pushing the envelope big time. After all, why rush it when you are still entering the market and you can increase your margins?

While I’m sure that iChat AV-compatible videoconferencing will come to the iPhone, the fact is that Apple has decided we don’t need it, expanding the lifetime of the previous generation by adding 3G and new software, in order to get more return out of their original investment. I can’t blame them. And it even makes sense from a development point of view, making sure that every step works before taking another. However, as a consumer and gadget addict who wants it all, that doesn’t make me happy.

[Via Gizmodo]

WWDC Survey Shows 70% of Apps Will Be Free

Interesting news has come out of a survey of developers that are attending the WWDC event in San Francisco. According to the survey, up to 70% of the developers surveyed said that their application would not cost you a penny. Whats more, the average price out of all the developers that did charge for their applications, was a mere $2.29.

Considering most applications cost quite a bit more than $3, in fact an average price you see is about $10. With prices this low, along with the large amount of iPhone owners, the platform will be a major developer target. The touch screen control, and beefy hardware specs, with the addition of 3G, makes the iPhone ripe for the picking.

[Via Apple Insider]

 

The AppStore Opens Monday, June 9th

According to a recent report on cnet Apple will be launching the AppStore on Monday providing iPhone and iPod Touch users everywhere with the ability to buy 3rd party apps.

If this turns out to be the case then we can also expect the release of iPhone firmware version 2.0 on monday. It’ll be an exciting Monday with the 3g iPhone, AppStore, and 2.0 all being announced / released.

[cnet via iphonealley]

iPhone Patent Lays Out Possible New Features

Aidan Malley at AppleInsider dug up and dug through a recent Apple iPhone patent that describes many possible future features for the iPhone. Including many that we are already expecting in the 3g iPhone expected to be announced by Mr. Jobs on June 9th.

If you want to know what else is in store for the future of the iPhone take a flip through the 371 page patent here. You will recognize every feature of the iPhone you currently know and love, but with enough digging you’ll stumble upon some interesting ones.  Lucky for us Aidan already did! Of course Apple has no obligation to include all these neat new features, but if they want to nothing is going to stop them. We hope to see many of these in 3g iPhone release. Possible features that would probably implemented on the original iPhone via a firmware update (if implemented at all of course): Instant Messaging Flash and Quicktime in Safari A blogging client Java software downloads MMS messaging Voice activated commands Voice Recording Hardware changes expected for the 3g iPhone: GPS module with geo-tagging Optical sensor for videoconferencing

VLC for iPhone

ZodTTD, creator of GBA, SNES, PSX, and OpenTTD emulators, has successfully ported VLC to the iPhone. VLC is a cross-platform media player which supports many formats - far more than the iPhone’s built in media player does.  

He’s still working on some of the formats, but the beta is up and available to his donating beta testers. Expect a public release sometime in the next week. 

Quote:

What is vlc4iphone capable of? At the moment it may be limited by only a small handfull of decoders, but soon that list will grow! It currently allows you to drag and drop the following popular media formats onto your iPhone/iPod Touch for playback: MPEG / MPG,AVI,MP3. It also supports some lesser known media formats.  Soon it will play: FLAC,OGG I am also researching playback of: VCD,DivX,WMA,WMV

VLC is a great step forward in media playback on the iPhone, be sure and toss a few bucks ZodTTD’s way for all the work he’s done.

Palm OS Plus iPhone / iTouch Equals Old School Style Thousands of Apps

Anyone here remember Palm OS? We’ll if you don’t I’ll just tell you, Palm OS was dominate in the early days of the PDA. After years of dominance it was finally overcome by today’s popular handheld systems like Microsoft Windows Mobile, RIM on the Blackberry, Symbian on many manufactures like Nokia, and of course OS X on the iPhone.

Here’s the news, Palm OS and the over 20,000 apps and games available for the platform are coming to the iPod Touch and iPhone. StyleTap, a company dedicated to bringing Palm OS apps to all the major mobile operating systems has announced that they are bringing a Palm OS emulator to the iPhone and iTouch.

This is an awesome development for the iPhone and iTouch showing that other platforms can be run and hopefully run well. While there is some doubt about the usability this opens the door to further advancement, and if done well will only increase the usability and available options for you beloved Apple device. Expect StyleTap to announce their prices and more info sometime in July.

[StyleTap via iphonity] thanks FreakinBock

AT&T Rolls out their prorated ETF

Its a step in the right direction. AT&T has finally givin somewhat a break to new and existing customers looking to get out of their contracts.

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enables new and renewing subscribers to have their $175 ETF drop by $5 each month they stick with the carrier and pay their bill.

Is not the greatest discount but its better than nothing and is a step in the right direction

and there is also this disclaimer:

Quote:

One disclaimer to keep in mind, however, is that this offer is extended only to those who renew or activate contracts as of today; customers who began or upgraded prior to May 25, 2008 will not qualify for this offer.

So anyone who has AT&T and is already in a contract this does not apply to you, its starts as of today for new customers and than on.

AT&T’s prorated ETF is live for new / renewing customers - Engadget

AT&T Now Offering Prorated ETFs » Unwired View

iPhone pwns PSP - iControlPad

ZodTTD, creator of popular console emulators such as gpsPhone, psx4all, NES, SNES, and Genesis has stated that a team of hackers has been busy building prototypes for what’s called the iControlPad. 

Pictured above, the new gamepad will give iPhone and iPod Touch users the ability to play games the way they were intended to be played, on a gamepad. On May 17th, the first prototype had been completed. The team gave the controller a psp look. It looks very sleek, and doubles as a protective case. Things are progressing fast and no modifications have to be made to use it. You simply slide in your iPhone and it locks into the controller via the dock connector. There will be full source code and SDK support in the near future! iPod Touch users will be able to buy a seperate controller specifically designed for the iPod Touch providing a snugger fit. The team does plan on manufacturing the controllers, and prices are said to be well worth what it will give to the iPhone.
A few prototype photos have been posted on icontrolpad.com, but for more news, updates, and ordering info, check out ZodTTD: Home Of Homebrew or iControlPad - Add real gaming controls to your iPhone!

3G iPhone - June 9th

We’ve had rumors, rumors, and more rumors, but now “someone very, very close to the 3G iPhone launch” has confirmed the 3G iPhone will be released June 9th at the WWDC Keynote. 

International users will have the phone within a few weeks of the US launch - not the previously rumored end of ‘08. Also notable, the iPhone will (at least in some countries) NOT be selling at a fixed price anymore, which means end users can get discounts based on signing contracts, adding data plans, etc. This is a good thing for those of you signing up with the Apple-sponsored carrier, but not so good news for us rebels (gotta have my T-Mo  ). No word on how the Apple stores will be handling the fixed price vs subsidization pricing, but perhaps they’ll have a set price, and AT&T will offer some sort of rebate with proof of activation. That is IF Apple carries the non-standard pricing to the States. 

Those of wanting to jailbreak/unlock the 3G iPhone need not worry - it looks like the launch of it will coincide with the 2.0 firmware, which hints it will be running said firmware. And 2.0 is already jailbroken/unlocked.  A 3G modem may necessitate a fix on the unlock to work, but shouldn’t be a major hurdle. Mod on, good people. 

via Gizmodo