Highlights of Apple's iPhone OS 3.0 Preview: Copy and Paste, A2DP, MMS, Much More

[MacRumors]

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http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/03/17/142357-newfeatures_500.jpg

Apple today hosted a preview event for its upcoming iPhone OS 3.0, highlighting a few of over 1,000 new APIs for developers and over 100 new features for users. Full details are available in our live updates (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/03/17/live-coverage-of-iphone-3-0-media-event/), but here are some of the highlights:

- In-App Purchasing: Allows developers to sell additional content from within applications. Highlighted uses include magazine subscriptions, eBooks, additional levels and items for games.
- Peer-to-Peer Connectivity: Find other devices running the app via Bonjour over Wi-Fi of Bluetooth. Good for gaming, but also other applications for sharing data.
- Third-Party Accessory Apps: Allowing accessory manufacturers to create applications to interface with their hardware accessories.
- Push Notification: Rather than using background processes that hamper battery life, utilize third-party server to push badge, text, and audio alerts from applications.
- Turn by Turn: Apple will allow developers to use CoreLocation for turn-by-turn GPS directions.
- Cut, Copy and Paste: Available across all apps. Shake to undo or redo.
- Landscape keyboard: Available in all key applications, including Mail.
- MMS: Picture messaging now available.
- Voice Memos: Record notes, lectures, interviews, etc.
- Spotlight Search: Available across all applications. Systemwide search available from main home screen by flicking to the left.
- A2DP Bluetooth: Support for stereo bluetooth headsets.

Tethering, another much-requested feature, was addressed in the Q&A section of the event. Apple is building the client side of tethering into OS 3.0, but cooperation from carriers is also required in order for it to be offered.

The new iPhone OS 3.0 is available to all registered iPhone developers today as a free beta. Full release to customers will be this summer. OS 3.0 will be free for all iPhone users and a $9.95 upgrade for all iPod touch users. Most features will be available for the first-generation iPhone, although hardware limitations will prevent some features, such as MMS and stereo Bluetooth, from being added to those devices. Meanwhile, Apple also revealed that Bluetooth support can be activated in the 2nd generation iPod Touches.

Apple has posted an iPhone OS 3.0 Preview page (http://www.apple.com/iphone/preview-iphone-os/) listing a few of the highlights. A video of today's media event will also be posted to the page later today.

Article Link: Highlights of Apple's iPhone OS 3.0 Preview: Copy and Paste, A2DP, MMS, Much More (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/03/17/highlights-of-apples-iphone-os-3-0-preview-copy-and-paste-a2dp-mms-much-more/)

[kristjan9]

Can anyone please tell which are the 15 new countries to the App Store?

[Mykbibby]

Apple had a lame event, but let's wait until WWDC before we make a judgement. This is an advance preview, so I have a feeling a lot more is coming. They're only showing what developers need to see... not everything that will come. This way competitors wont have all this extra time to copy. Be patient... if this is the final release, I will join people in their rage.

[lostfan916]

No mention of when? This is so exciting. Most of these features should've been there since day one but oh well, they're finally here.

[Doodledoo]

Best. Apple press event. Ever.

[aidricksdad]

BUT WERE IS MY COPY AND P...........nevermind

[amac4me]

Looking forward to the release. A slew of great features and apps!

[dolphin842]

Guess they've been busy...

Also, a (somewhat) bold move to keep background processes at bay even in 3.0. This begs the question, what type of hardware revision will we actually see this year?

[odyssey924]

What happened to voice dialing???

Besides that, I can't wait till the developer site comes back online! :D

[Soundburst]

Yes. . . it's coming "in summer" . . which if last years push notification is any indication, actually means summer 2010.

[ntrigue]

Imagine that! A complete and functional iPhone two years from it's conception!

[xUKHCx]

although hardware limitations will prevent some features, such as MMS and stereo Bluetooth, from being added to those devices.

The MMS hardware limitation is a software one as they are more than capable of sending and receiving MMS. This is false differentiation by apple and an attempt to force you to upgrade.

[Locoboof]

GREATEST UPDATE NEWS EVER!!!!!!! I love my iPhone 3G

[edcrosay]

I was really impressed with the event, but I am kinda bummed about no MMS on the original iPhone. There really can't be any hardware reason for it.. a crappy 8-year-old free phone can handle MMS just fine.

[mrrydogg]

Apple had a lame event, but let's wait until WWDC before we make a judgement. This is an advance preview, so I have a feeling a lot more is coming. They're only showing what developers need to see... not everything that will come. This way competitors wont have all this extra time to copy. Be patient... if this is the final release, I will join you in your rage.

WTF are you talking about??

"If this is the final release I will join you in your rage"

makes absolutely no sense

[BRLawyer]

What was already a market leader becomes almost perfect...GO APPLE!

[TheOrioles33]

BUT WERE IS MY COPY AND P...........nevermind

LOL! THANK GOD we wont be hearing that anymore! And crying about lack of landscape email and SMS. Yessssssssssssssssssssss! I'm actually impressed with this update.

[ppnkg]

This can't be, not from apple. I bet 3.0 will somehow be too heavy for old iphones and will require an upgrade to the next version of 3G :eek:

[Wild-Bill]

I'm glad someone actually bucked up an asked them about a netbook, even though they gave no answer.

I tell you one thing that will benefit greatly from this bluetooth connectivity - home theater remote apps. :D

[slickmacke]

I'm a little upset about the MMS issue with the 1st gens, but I'll definitely be unjailbreaking for this update.

[redgaz26]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5H11 Safari/525.20)

Apple had a lame event, but let's wait until WWDC before we make a judgement. This is an advance preview, so I have a feeling a lot more is coming. They're only showing what developers need to see... not everything that will come. This way competitors wont have all this extra time to copy. Be patient... if this is the final release, I will join you in your rage.

What are you on????
If this update doesn't please people then nothing will. Great new features, a free update. What else do you want????????

[ffkly]

no video recording?

[ColinEC]

The media event was fantastic, I'm so glad I'll finally get push notifications (as well as copy + paste).

I'm also very happy that it'll still run on my iPod touch, glad they're not looking to drop support for "outdated" hardware anytime soon.

[Animeonmymind]

Unfortunate for the first gen owners of the iPhone... No MSS for us :(

[Marvy]

What a great event! Been quite some time since I've felt like this after an Apple event. Apple has certainly been busy. For me the biggest news (apart from copy&paste) is CalDAV support. I do wonder if the subscriptions go both ways though, so that I can finally add events to my calendar, which will be propagated back to my GMail account.

[AdeFowler]

All good news unless you developed a voice recording app ;)

[wwooden]

They hit all the points I was looking for (I wouldn't be using tethering at all)......and then some!!

My favorite announcements:

-MMS
-Search in Apple Apps (especially mail)
-widescreen keyboard (a must for email and SMS)
-notes sync
-Stereo Bluetooth.

I think they did a great job today.

[savar]

The real question is: when will the iphone's podcast player finally be able to show the description for each podcast??

This has been my BIGGEST gripe about the phone since the day I purchased it...

[Maclver]

Does Anyone Know If We Will Have Themes Or At Least The Ability To Change The Home Screen Background?

[spiffyguy]

So now that AD2P Bluetooth Stereo profile is supported, does that mean when I get a call my ringtone will play through the bluetooth headset and NOT on my iphone? Currently, the ringtone plays on my iphone and my bluetooth make a ringing sound that I suspect is built in to the headset.

I would LOVE that if it works!!

- Matt

[JuicyGoo]

$9.95 upgrade for all iPod touch users :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Zincous]

Why wasn't the question asked about wireless syncing with iTunes in the Q&A's??

Wouldn't this be possible now?!

[aidricksdad]

Imagine that! A complete and functional iPhone two years from it's conception!

yeah cuz everything comes with everything the first time....i got my apple computing device in 1985 and it has never been updated and is better than whatever you have....in fact let lay off on all kinds of improvments on EVERYTHING...... change is for the weak

[nagromme]

The changes sound great to me--although I hope by summer we'll ALSO see new organization options within the home screen. Spotlight search helps, but real categories/orgnization of some kind is still needed when you have tons of apps. (Not to mention, I need room for MORE apps. At least raise the 9-page limit.) I suspect 3.0 will address these needs, but it would have been more fun to know the details today.

I'm VERY glad Apple didn't change the plan and kept working on the system-wide push service. "True" multitasking/background app support sounds good on paper. Not so good when your apps start running out of RAM and crashing (and draining away battery). I was actually disappointed at rumors of old-style multitasking replacing the push service concept.

I wouldn't mind seeing background apps as an option (not overused, please!) for situations where nothing else could meet the need. But I can't think of many cases, and given the choice I'd pick the app that uses push and doesn't HAVE to stay running.

(As for the other reason to have background apps--faster app switching--I'm don't care much about that. Apps already launch pretty fast, and already can remember where you were. In essence, they can be "paused" while not running--the way games usually work--and so they may as well BE running as far as the user is concerned. But they aren't hogging CPU or RAM or network. Besides, most of my app-switching is to some app/game that I won't use again for some time--and quite I'm happy not to have to think about wether to let an app quit or go to background, every time I hit the home button!)

I can think of SOME cases where push isn't good enough though. Maybe some kind of system-wide "timer service" could also be implemented. For example, I use the app Chain Timer for run-walk series--it plays sounds when I finish a segment. A system-wide timer service could keep that app "going" and play the alerts even when I was messing around with my iPod changing songs, or looking at my GPS track in some other app.

[canyonblue737]

Apple had a lame event, but let's wait until WWDC before we make a judgement. This is an advance preview, so I have a feeling a lot more is coming. They're only showing what developers need to see... not everything that will come. This way competitors wont have all this extra time to copy. Be patient... if this is the final release, I will join you in your rage.

join you in your "rage"? where you watching the same press conference... apple delivered almost everything you could want...

1. huge amount of bluetooth functionality
2. peer to peer
3. push
4. mms
5. landscape keyboard
6. spotlight
7. multi-picture email
8. voice memos
9. copy and paste
10. in-app subscriptions
11. stereo bluetooth
12. client side support of tethering
13. new video and audio codecs
14. turn by turn application support
15. TONS MORE FEATURES TOO...

what was missing? video sure... but that is likely a hardware problem that can't be solved. you'll see it in the new iphone this summer i bet. flash is still an open question. BUT THAT'S IT, the rest of the checklist has been checked.

OUTSTANDING CONFERENCE BY APPLE.

[koobcamuk]

This is excellent. Once again, proud to have an iPhone.

[MasterNile]

So bluetooth in iPod Touch 2nd gen eh? does this mean with Google Voice and a bluetooth headset we can use the 2nd gen Touch as a free phone over wifi?

[canyonblue737]

$9.95 upgrade for all iPod touch users :mad: :mad: :mad:

required by LAW.

[mrrydogg]

I mean big features....

Voice Dialing??
Background Apps (Hardware revision best suited)??
iLife/iWork Mobile??
Video Recording??


Theres not a whole lot to complain about now. I like the push notifications actually better than background apps. Might be good in a future release if they give you the option to turn it on though. Kinda doesn't make sense for the most common apps (IM, etc.) especially if there is a lot of down time, wasting battery life for no reason.

[Sehnsucht]

HOLY ****! A2DP?! :cool:

Now, the 2G iPod touch also has a Bluetooth chip...will this be "activated"? Please please please please please???? :D

Oh yes, and....for those who are griping that it's $9.95...I would pay $20! :D

EDIT: The TOUCH IS GETTING BLUETOOTH!!! YAYYYY!!! (Wow, I can't read, can I?) :D

[peter2]

From the Q&A:

Q: Where do you stand on tethering?
A: There’s two pieces needed to support that: client side and working with carriers. We’re absolutely supporting tethering in the client side in iPhone 3.0, but we’re working with carriers around the world to see when they can add tethering support on their networks. But we are building that support into iPhone 3.0.

Are they seriously telling these lies publicly? Carriers (at least in Europe) support tethering for at least 5 years!!! What exactly is Apple working with the carriers on? What a ********.

[FSMBP]

As others mentioned, the lack of MMS for the iPhone (1st Gen) is crap.

It's obvious that Apple knows those people are probably reaching the end of their cycle and are "encouraging" then to upgrade this summer with the new iPhone (as I'm guessing there will be a new one).

Otherwise, the features are promising.

[tbealmear]

Any idea why MMS isn't available on 1st gen iPhones? I understand the stereo bluetooth, but cant think of anything that would make the 1st gen unable to send picture messages. The one thing that came to mind was the speed of sending pictures through EDGE, but if I can send pictures in emails and everything else (not to mention I have done it for years on other phones without 3G) then I am back at square one in not understanding this at all.

[PK56]

Apple had a lame event, but let's wait until WWDC before we make a judgement. This is an advance preview, so I have a feeling a lot more is coming. They're only showing what developers need to see... not everything that will come. This way competitors wont have all this extra time to copy. Be patient... if this is the final release, I will join you in your rage.

This is a troll and/or competitor. Most impressive release of iPhone software yet. Hold that iPhone in your hand; imagine it with all those features, and think what a stunning achievement it is overall. Then stop whining about how it took longer than you thought it should.

[bacaramac]

I'm glad someone actually bucked up an asked them about a netbook, even though they gave no answer.

I tell you one thing that will benefit greatly from this bluetooth connectivity - home theater remote apps. :D

PS3 comes to mind.

[pdc123]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5H11 Safari/525.20)

What are you on????
If this update doesn't please people then nothing will. Great new features, a free update. What else do you want????????

I thought this update was fantastic, but since you asked and seemed genuinely perplexed:

Custom message/mail/calendar/etc sounds
Configurable sounds by message sender, mail source, calendar source, etc
Video recording
Flash
Playlist editing (not just on-the-go)
Voice dialing

[Luap]

Looks like more of a 2.5 update to me. In much the same way as the V2 update wasn't exactly amazing either. it was essentially just adding the app store. Still, this is good stuff :) And will hopefully shut up the copy/paste moaners until they find something new to complain about.

[mrrydogg]

Unfortunate for the first gen owners of the iPhone... No MSS for us :(

Oh Coool!

I want MSS, what is it????
:)

[kironin]

It was suggested that you would need to upgrade to new hardware to get 3.0 in the rumors before the event.

I haven't had time to watch.

Is that true ? if so, this is a non-event.

[tbealmear]

PS3 comes to mind.

Oh you are a genius! That would be flippin awesome!

[ipoppy]

no video recording?

I think because they obviously couldn't say anything about iChat and video recording because that would be indication for hardware changes so in other words new iPhone out soon. I hope I am sooooo right on this one.

[jjohnny]

Is this where we congratulate Apple for adding features their competitors have had for years? That background app excuse was as lame as their blu ray excuse.

[koobcamuk]

Why wasn't the question asked about wireless syncing with iTunes in the Q&A's??

Wouldn't this be possible now?!

That's a huge burden on data, surely. 16GB of iTunes syncing over the air?? Maybe over local networks... but then... use USB man!

[okrelayer]

i am on a family plan (4 people) through ATT. Seeing as MMS will cost money. How much roughly will mms cost?

[aidricksdad]

Any idea why MMS isn't available on 1st gen iPhones? I understand the stereo bluetooth, but cant think of anything that would make the 1st gen unable to send picture messages. The one thing that came to mind was the speed of sending pictures through EDGE, but if I can send pictures in emails and everything else (not to mention I have done it for years on other phones without 3G) then I am back at square one in not understanding this at all.

the apple dude said the radio in the first gen wont support it

[ACbc]

what about fixing the activesync battery drain issue? :(

[Mykbibby]

join you in your "rage"? where you watching the same press conference... apple delivered almost everything you could want...

1. huge amount of bluetooth functionality
2. peer to peer
3. push
4. mms
5. landscape keyboard
6. spotlight
7. multi-picture email
8. voice memos
9. copy and paste
10. in-app subscriptions
11. stereo bluetooth
12. client side support of tethering
13. new video and audio codecs
14. turn by turn application support
15. TONS MORE FEATURES TOO...

what was missing? video sure... but that is likely a hardware problem that can't be solved. you'll see it in the new iphone this summer i bet. flash is still an open question. BUT THAT'S IT, the rest of the checklist has been checked.

OUTSTANDING CONFERENCE BY APPLE.

Here's the thing though, this all should've been in the iPhone for 2.0. I just feel that it came too late, and that they need more than this to maintain their lead as the best phone.

[Rivix]

required by LAW.

Perhaps, but there isn't really anything that appeals to iPod Touch owners to pay $10.

[MasterNile]

From the Q&A:

Q: Where do you stand on tethering?
A: There’s two pieces needed to support that: client side and working with carriers. We’re absolutely supporting tethering in the client side in iPhone 3.0, but we’re working with carriers around the world to see when they can add tethering support on their networks. But we are building that support into iPhone 3.0.

Are they seriously telling these lies publicly? Carriers (at least in Europe) support tethering for at least 5 years!!! What exactly is Apple working with the carriers on? What a ********.

Uh...if they already support tethering then I would assume that you will be able to tether using the 3.0 software as soon as it's released, but if they don't or charge for tethering (like AT&T) then Apple is trying to work things out with the carrier.

[BrentT]

I was hoping for some changes to the interface that would add more control of the home pages. The Palm provides user controlled categories. That would be very helpful for my 8 pages of apps.

[rxse7en]

All great news, I'm one of those waiting for Adobe to announce Flash for iPhone. I just really enjoy the iPhone as a handheld media center and want it for Hulu, (I guess we need Silverlight for Netflix) and most importantly for me--the ability to play Scrabble on Facebook. Overall, another great step forward on the iPhone though.

[igoldfish]

And thats my faith in apple restored. After macworld, I though... oh ****... we're going down the pan, but well done apple...

Best. Keynote. Ever.

Now who can say apple doesn't listen to it's customers?

[alexbates]

OS 3.0 will be free for all iPhone users and a $9.95 upgrade for all iPod touch users.

I am not happy with this at all. So I have to pay to upgrade while iPhone users don't.... that just doesn't make any sense at all to me.

[canyonblue737]

It was suggested that you would need to upgrade to new hardware to get 3.0 in the rumors before the event.

I haven't had time to watch.

Is that true ? if so, this is a non-event.

any iphone ever made gets it free. the 1st gen iphones will not support the new MMS and stereo bluetooth but everything else will work. 3G's get everything.

[koobcamuk]

I'm glad someone actually bucked up an asked them about a netbook, even though they gave no answer.

I tell you one thing that will benefit greatly from this bluetooth connectivity - home theater remote apps. :D

And a sweet PS3 application

[ThunderSkunk]

THEY FIXED IT!!!!!!!!!

Now I only have to jailbreak for AFP, Cycorder, & Themes!

[BigD58]

PS3 comes to mind.

Won't happen. Sony will not allow compatability, unless its a sony device.

[canyonblue737]

Perhaps, but there isn't really anything that appeals to iPod Touch owners to pay $10.

then don't buy it.

[Knoxville3G]

I applaud Apple for working so hard on all of these "most wished for" updates. I can't believe some people are still bitching about what's still missing. My advice for those people....sell your iPhone, pick up a BlackBerry, and go write the code/design the phone for another company. Apple is STILL making great strides with the iPhone, and I am a proud owner. Way to go Apple. Thanks for listening to us and our requests.

[MasterNile]

All great news, I'm one of those waiting for Adobe to announce Flash for iPhone. I just really enjoy the iPhone as a handheld media center and want it for Hulu, (I guess we need Silverlight for Netflix) and most importantly for me--the ability to play Scrabble on Facebook. Overall, another great step forward on the iPhone though.

Just get Truveo until flash comes out, it has most of the new shows added to hulu.

[peter2]

I thought this update was fantastic, but since you asked and seemed genuinely perplexed:

Custom message/mail/calendar/etc sounds
Configurable sounds by message sender, mail source, calendar source, etc
Video recording
Flash
Playlist editing (not just on-the-go)
Voice dialing

+ secure notes and KeyChain.app synchronization
+ all BlueTooth profiles supported by most mobile phones
+ tethering (not speaking about it... a working one)

[koobcamuk]

iPhone users subscribe, unlike iPod Touch users.

Won't happen. Sony will not allow compatability, unless its a sony device.

That's crap. There are so many devices that I have connected to my PS3 with bluetooth; mice, keyboards, headsets, phones...

[4mat]

Now this makes the iPhone tempting. If only there was a phone company here that wasn't a total rip-off

[Slurpy2k8]

I've been wailing on Apple lately (justified wailing) but they've definitely impressed me with this update. They're addresses almost ALL of the major complaints (apart from a couple) while adding a ton of useful new functionality, features, and tweaks. Definitely EXCEEDED expectations for me (although I did set them pretty low)

Job well done here. 3.0 looks like a very substantial and worthy upgrade.

[ThunderSkunk]

I am not happy with this at all. So I have to pay to upgrade while iPhone users don't.... that just doesn't make any sense at all to me.

Well, $20 of the 80 we iPhone users pay each month goes to Apple, & funds this software. What do you pay each month?

[mrrydogg]

From the Q&A:

Q: Where do you stand on tethering?
A: There’s two pieces needed to support that: client side and working with carriers. We’re absolutely supporting tethering in the client side in iPhone 3.0, but we’re working with carriers around the world to see when they can add tethering support on their networks. But we are building that support into iPhone 3.0.

Are they seriously telling these lies publicly? Carriers (at least in Europe) support tethering for at least 5 years!!! What exactly is Apple working with the carriers on? What a ********.

I think your missing the point, I think they are saying the support is there, its up to carriers to announce plans and basically turn it on.

AT&T announced plans but have yet to offer it officially, so I imagine its just a matter of them turning it on (very un-technical argument).

[FoxHoundADAM]

Still no video?!?! I know it wouldn't be great quality or anything but come on, every other device in the past year has it.

Oh well beggers can't be choosers.

Only Apple can get away with a full press conference covering features most of their competition alreadys has in their smart phones.

[diamond.g]

i am on a family plan (4 people) through ATT. Seeing as MMS will cost money. How much roughly will mms cost?

It should be included in the SMS Pricing. Who knows if AT&T will be changing that.

[hayduke]

Too bad there aren't any really great stereo bluetooth headsets out there. They all look awful.

[Mahoney]

A2DP and tethering. Fantastic, I can finally get an iPhone. Roll on this summer - should make a good birthday present.

[Chupa Chupa]

I am not happy with this at all. So I have to pay to upgrade while iPhone users don't.... that just doesn't make any sense at all to me.

Every Touch upgrade has been a paid upgrade. The difference is in how Apple does its accounting thanks to the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation. The iPhone is accounted for via monthly subscription so Apple can give the upgrade away for free. The Touch is a onetime purchase accounted for only at purchase. That is the difference.

Also FWIW the upgrade isn't free for iPhone 2G owners since many of them will come off contract at the end of June.

[AdeFowler]

Perhaps, but there isn't really anything that appeals to iPod Touch owners to pay $10.

Don't buy it then ;)

[kainjow]

Apple sure knows how to keep itself ahead of the competition with their handheld devices. This is a great update, and looking forward to trying the beta. Their developer site is down currently though.

[aidricksdad]

Here's the thing though, this all should've been in the iPhone for 2.0. I just feel that it came too late, and that they need more than this to maintain their lead as the best phone.

tell me a phone that all that stuff...and ill buy it....let alone one that does what my 3g already does so well....like music..no other phone even comes remotley close
and dont mention the pre cuz it aint even out yet

[madmaxmedia]

I like all the new stuff, seems worth paying $10 for for my Touch.

One thing that I really thought would come though is an updated Springboard with better app management.

[koobcamuk]

Is this where we congratulate Apple for adding features their competitors have had for years?

Apple are implementing everything far, far better than the competitors.

That's why the competitors are trying to copy Apple constantly.

[steamed.hams]

Hmmm I'm tempted to un-jailbreak for this update!

It's too bad that nobody knows when 3.0 will hit the streets...:confused:

[Mintin8]

Cool update but these things should have been added a long time ago. :eek: I have big expectations for future events! Lets hope it's a good one!!:D

[ryant601]

can someone please explain the difference between push notification and backgrounds processes/apps?

[Sehnsucht]

And thats my faith in apple restored. After macworld, I though... oh ****... we're going down the pan, but well done apple...

Best. Keynote. Ever.

Now who can say apple doesn't listen to it's customers?

What we can say is that Apple definitely reads the MacRumors complaint forums. :D :D

[diamond.g]

Well, $20 of the 80 we iPhone users pay each month goes to Apple, & funds this software. What do you pay each month?

Only us OG iPhone owners have apart of our bill going to Apple. That went away (for the iPhone 3Gs) when the 3G got its subsidy.

[Chupa Chupa]

It should be included in the SMS Pricing. Who knows if AT&T will be changing that.


C'mon. I just saw the CEO of ATT walk into AutoZone to buy a jack. He's going to place it under our iPhone bill in June/July. SMS prices will go up. Bank on it.

[emotion]

I am not happy with this at all. So I have to pay to upgrade while iPhone users don't.... that just doesn't make any sense at all to me.

We pay through the nose for our contracts. Apple see some of that. We all pay, this is Apple after all.

They pretty much did everything we could reasonably expect today tbh. I've felt a little let down by Apple recently so this restores the faith a little...

First gen owner though so that new iPhone hardware in the summer better be good as I'll probs want to update.

[Sehnsucht]

Too bad there aren't any really great stereo bluetooth headsets out there. They all look awful.

Apple will make their own pair, and it will be really comfortable and sleek-looking and sell for just $179. :D

[Eyedn]

no video recording?

Surely that would require a hardware update?

[koobcamuk]

In the UK, I am wondering how much MMS will cost.

Normal tariffs say MMS is equal to 4 texts - I love that theory :)

[randyhudson]

-1

Apple has crippled this release on the 1st-gen iPhones.

[Scott6666]

Still no video?!?! I know it wouldn't be great quality or anything but come on, every other device in the past year has it.

Oh well beggers can't be choosers.


I think that video must require some hardware modifications. I bet when the introduce the new hardware for June that video is a feature for that model (and not previous models).

[dlastmango]

required by LAW.

9.95 isnt required by law... It could be $1.00

[Doju]

Apple had a lame event, but let's wait until WWDC before we make a judgement. This is an advance preview, so I have a feeling a lot more is coming. They're only showing what developers need to see... not everything that will come. This way competitors wont have all this extra time to copy. Be patient... if this is the final release, I will join people in their rage.
Darn well better be. This was one weak update for us consumers.

Is it too much to ask for Apple to flat out copy the Pre feature-wise? I mean Palm copied Apple with multi-touch and the like.

They did say no to background processes though, didn't they? Please change that, it's the most attractive part of the Pre. GIVE UA MULTI-TASKING! :(

[Chupa Chupa]

Hmmm I'm tempted to un-jailbreak for this update!

It's too bad that nobody knows when 3.0 will hit the streets...:confused:


Somebody at One Infinity Loop knows. They just aren't talking. But it's sometime in June/July I'm sure.

[Eyedn]

Hmmm I'm tempted to un-jailbreak for this update!

It's too bad that nobody knows when 3.0 will hit the streets...:confused:

He said Summer/June.

[Goona]

Guess they've been busy...

Also, a (somewhat) bold move to keep background processes at bay even in 3.0. This begs the question, what type of hardware revision will we actually see this year?

I think background processes will be for the new iphone but not older ones, also add video.

[darkpaw]

Any idea why MMS isn't available on 1st gen iPhones?

I think there's a size limit with MMS on 2G phones (1st-gen iPhones). Perhaps Apple are going with current standards (3G) rather than deploying two versions of the code to do this?

I'm sure there's some way around it. Perhaps Apple will do that later, but by then, they'll have even less need to do it as they'll be hoping everyone will have moved onto at least 3G.

[koobcamuk]

-1

Apple has crippled this release on the 1st-gen iPhones.

No it hasn't. If you don't like it, pay for a new iPhone. When you bought it, you bought it as it was, not as it *might be*.

My 3G will eventually be old and then I'll either live with what I have, or pay to get with the times.

[Gluben]

Even though perhaps some of these things should've been in the iPhone 3G back in 2008, I think this a great step forward and am very pleased at the announcements today.

The two major things missing, for me at least, are video recording and voice dialling. Presumably, both of these would also require hardware updates, and so they are (hopefully) being saved for demos at WWDC in June, when the new iPhone will (again, hopefully) be announced. I can see someone using the voice dialling for Phil Schiller or Tim Cook or someone similar in the audience, as a nice little surprise. And the video recording would be done in the same manner as the photo slideshow was done last time.

[kainjow]

can someone please explain the difference between push notification and backgrounds processes/apps?

With the iPhone push notifications mean they are sent from a server to the iPhone. Background processes/apps are programs that are running but don't show anything on the screen. Every modern OS has a ton of these, and I'm sure the iPhone probably does too (you aren't visually aware of it though).

So what developers want, for example with AIM, is to run their apps in the background so they can check for incoming messages and such. Apple doesn't want them to because these types of apps suck up lots of CPU and memory. So instead they created push notifications which allows apps to register for these and have them sent from their servers (which route through Apple's servers) and get sent directly to the device.

It's a cool workaround, but I imagine once the hardware gets better background processes will come back for developers.

[Diaresi]

the apple dude said the radio in the first gen wont support it

That's a load of ****, have a read of good ol' Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimedia_Messaging_Service)

Equally, tethering requires NOTHING carrier side. If your phone has a data connection all tethering is, is sharing that data connection over bluetooth. What Apple actually mean is that they're providing the functionality for the carriers to limit/charge on top for. Other than that tethering is purely a phone > computer thing.

[jamoin]

Any mention of a week view in calender?

Would be rather useful!

J.

[peter2]

I think your missing the point, I think they are saying the support is there, its up to carriers to announce plans and basically turn it on.

AT&T announced plans but have yet to offer it officially, so I imagine its just a matter of them turning it on (very un-technical argument).

You are missing the point. Tethering is free to use in (most of) Europe. There is no special plan, nothing to turn on. You pay for a data service (aka GPRS, EDGE, or 3G) and that's it. The carrier does not care what data and from what device you are transmitting. Why should they?

[alexbates]

I think background processes will be for the new iphone but not older ones, also add video.

Yeah, they might even need to wait until the third generation iPhone comes out before that can happen. The current iPhone needs a little more RAM and a better battery.

[Zoboomafoo]

Looks like more of a 2.5 update to me. In much the same way as the V2 update wasn't exactly amazing either. it was essentially just adding the app store. Still, this is good stuff :) And will hopefully shut up the copy/paste moaners until they find something new to complain about.

With Apple adding 1,000 APIs for developers to use, I would have to say they might have been able to skip to 4.0. :)

This will change a lot for 3rd party apps.

[TimothyB]

Oh you are a genius! That would be flippin awesome!

I got to imagine bluetooth would be a nice solution for mouse and keyboard control apps compared to the troublesome wifi methods right now for PC and Macs.

[Goona]

From the Q&A:

Q: Where do you stand on tethering?
A: There’s two pieces needed to support that: client side and working with carriers. We’re absolutely supporting tethering in the client side in iPhone 3.0, but we’re working with carriers around the world to see when they can add tethering support on their networks. But we are building that support into iPhone 3.0.

Are they seriously telling these lies publicly? Carriers (at least in Europe) support tethering for at least 5 years!!! What exactly is Apple working with the carriers on? What a ********.It is a big deal, Apple works with different carriers, so they want all of them on board at once which is why it's taking so long.

[Scott6666]

-1

Apple has crippled this release on the 1st-gen iPhones.

I knew that sooner or later the 1st gen phones would be feature limited by some hardware issue. I have no complaints with my-first-day-of-issue-1st-gen iphone. I'm happy I did not upgrade to a 3G phone; my 2G has been fine this past year with the software updates. By June though I will be ready for the next version of hardware and I'll get all the features then.

The 1st gen has done well by me for all this time. No complaints if I can retire it this summer for some real hardware advances.

[ggt]

all really nice, but I want unobtrusive notifications. Just think of all the annoying notifications popping up with push.

[petvas]

I believe that the new 3.0 update is a step in the right direction. Many features that already existed on every single phone will be delivered with the new OS. Apart from that I expected more and I hope Apple will eventually change its mind about not allowing background applications...

[Goona]

Looks like more of a 2.5 update to me. In much the same way as the V2 update wasn't exactly amazing either. it was essentially just adding the app store. Still, this is good stuff :) And will hopefully shut up the copy/paste moaners until they find something new to complain about.
Dude this is big, there are over 100 new features.

[Buschmaster]

Dude this is big, there are over 100 new features.

And now it will be easier to differentiate between 2.0 apps and 3.0 apps.

[ethana]

-1

Apple has crippled this release on the 1st-gen iPhones.

Crippled? LOL.

What a warped sense of reality some of you people have. And cheapness.

[marksman]

The MMS hardware limitation is a software one as they are more than capable of sending and receiving MMS. This is false differentiation by apple and an attempt to force you to upgrade.

I am going to bet you have no idea what you are talking about and thus are wrong.

[Syrus28]

Dude this is big, there are over 100 new features.
Just like there were "300+" new features in Leopard?

[Evangelion]

The MMS hardware limitation is a software one as they are more than capable of sending and receiving MMS. This is false differentiation by apple and an attempt to force you to upgrade.

IIRC, MMS is part of 3G, and since the first-gen iPhone does not support 3G....

As far as the update goes.... It seems that they have addressed just about every complaint people had. The stereo-bluetooth is interesting, I wonder whether iPod touch gets support for that....

[leandroc76]

I was really impressed with the event, but I am kinda bummed about no MMS on the original iPhone. There really can't be any hardware reason for it.. a crappy 8-year-old free phone can handle MMS just fine.

Sure... but it would have to reduce the size of the image to a ridiculously small image, which in turn severely reduces the quality, which Apple probably will not negotiate.

[Goona]

I applaud Apple for working so hard on all of these "most wished for" updates. I can't believe some people are still bitching about what's still missing. My advice for those people....sell your iPhone, pick up a BlackBerry, and go write the code/design the phone for another company. Apple is STILL making great strides with the iPhone, and I am a proud owner. Way to go Apple. Thanks for listening to us and our requests.

People forget Apple is still a relatively new player, they are learning and by this update seems they are listening.

[Mitch1984]

required by LAW.

You should write that every few pages, in case people still miss the point.

[xUKHCx]

I am going to bet you have no idea what you are talking about and thus are wrong.

I'll bet that I can send and recieve MMS right now with my current iPhone using SwirlyMMS.

[sam10685]

Landscape typing everywhere... that's all I wanted! I'll be getting one in June or July assuming they figure out how to jailbreak 3.0 so I can use it with t-mobile.

[nilk]

That's a huge burden on data, surely. 16GB of iTunes syncing over the air?? Maybe over local networks... but then... use USB man!

I personally am interested in syncing music over wifi, preferably automatically on a schedule. What I want to do is have an iPod touch that permanently stays in my car, and have it automatically sync with iTunes shortly before I leave for work every day. I bet something like that might be possible with a jailbroken iPod touch.

I wish Apple would make a car stereo :)

[coolfactor]

$9.95 upgrade for all iPod touch users :mad: :mad: :mad:

You're kidding, right? Honestly? Less than $10 for what is a very significant feature and functionality update. Get a grip.

[kiddax]

Some really great features, I can't think of anything other than flash that I was expecting to eventually come to the iPhone.

With the peer to peer connection does that mean that would allow for (If someone created it) printing from the iPhone to a home network printer? If so SWEET~! If not...awwww....

[Goona]

tell me a phone that all that stuff...and ill buy it....let alone one that does what my 3g already does so well....like music..no other phone even comes remotley close
and dont mention the pre cuz it aint even out yet

I also want to know what device has every single feature available to mankind, it sure ain't the Pre. :p

[peter2]

It is a big deal, Apple works with different carriers, so they want all of them on board at once which is why it's taking so long.

Most probably not! More likely: AT&T's 3G network can't handle too much traffic, therefore tethering has been forbidden in the US. Apple did not care about other markets (which have much more advanced mobile networks) so there is no tethering support until now. Now they are terribly late with tethering support so why not blame the carriers ;).

[MasterNile]

Landscape typing everywhere... that's all I wanted! I'll be getting one in June or July assuming they figure out how to jailbreak 3.0 so I can use it with t-mobile.

You mean unlock, not jailbreak and AFAIK they still haven't found how to unlock the iPhone 3G unless they have and are holding off on releasing it until the new iPhone comes out like they were planning to do with the iPod Touch 2nd Gen untethered jailbreak.

[NT1440]

That's a load of ****, have a read of good ol' Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimedia_Messaging_Service)

Equally, tethering requires NOTHING carrier side. If your phone has a data connection all tethering is, is sharing that data connection over bluetooth. What Apple actually mean is that they're providing the functionality for the carriers to limit/charge on top for. Other than that tethering is purely a phone > computer thing.
Really? So if you were to have a few million more people tethered at once on the network your saying that the carrier would have to do nothing because their infastructure will handle it fine?

The 3G was already reported to force carriers to update simply because of the loads from people browsing, what do you think will happen when even more come flooding in?

If the carrier isn't ready, they aren't ready. Id much rather wait then have crappy service.

[Syrus28]

IIRC, MMS is part of 3G, and since the first-gen iPhone does not support 3G....

As far as the update goes.... It seems that they have addressed just about every complaint people had. The stereo-bluetooth is interesting, I wonder whether iPod touch gets support for that....

The iPhone was one of the few phones that didn't support MMS. 3G is not required at all. Basic flip phones can even send a picture message.

[Dagless]

I've been p**sed off by DLC for a few years now, especially in console games where these big publishers sell you an unfinished £50 game and then expect another £5 to unlock the rest of it. Thats pretty weak and I'm never going to pay for that.

But if a game cost £5 already and they're going to sell DLC for a couple of extra quid then, that doesn't sound so bad. So long as they don't go ridiculous and stop releasing full games because they could always charge for the rest later (poor, poor practice).

Big thumbs up to everything else though. I don't see any point in MMS now we have rich email on the go, but copy/paste, turn by turn GPS, spotlight is a huge plus. I hope that works with the photo library too.

So Push Notifications work how? You run the app on your phone but when you close it the app carries on running on a server somewhere, and when something "new" occurs in the app it sends a notification to your phone? That sounds kind of cumbersome so it can't be right.

[macbookfan]

The MMS hardware limitation is a software one as they are more than capable of sending and receiving MMS. This is false differentiation by apple and an attempt to force you to upgrade.

They are referring to the ipod touch w/ the hardware comment.

[meagain]

Really interested in the Bluetooth and accessories AND STEREO bluetooth.
This opens up a whole new world for the iPhone in the car IMO.

I hate the in-app spam though. I hope we can turn it off, or I'll be buying apps from those that don't have that. It will annoy me. Yet, I have faith that Apple won't let anyone annoy me. I'll withhold judgement.

[fastred]

Darn well better be. This was one weak update for us consumers.

Is it too much to ask for Apple to flat out copy the Pre feature-wise? I mean Palm copied Apple with multi-touch and the like.

They did say no to background processes though, didn't they? Please change that, it's the most attractive part of the Pre. GIVE UA MULTI-TASKING! :(

Lets compare the Pre and the iPhone side by side... oh wait.. the Pre isn't out yet....

Go away troll...

[Oh-es-Ten]

Having a PS3 Controller in the App Store...

Oh you are a genius! That would be flippin awesome!

Oh that would be brilliant indeed! Come in Sony, release an app for it... (AS IF!!)... Sigh...

[newtonty]

Wake me up when flash becomes available

[Syrus28]

Really? So if you were to have a few million more people tethered at once on the network your saying that the carrier would have to do nothing because their infastructure will handle it fine?

The 3G was already reported to force carriers to update simply because of the loads from people browsing, what do you think will happen when even more come flooding in?

If the carrier isn't ready, they aren't ready. Id much rather wait then have crappy service.

Data is data is data. There's no difference from 2GB of data usage on your iPhone from 2GB of data usage from tethering. Why should AT&T care how we use that data? Because they want to charge us for it, simple as that.

[Goona]

Just like there were "300+" new features in Leopard?

Yes just like there was 300 new features in Leopard, what is your bloody point?

[Syrus28]

Lets compare the Pre and the iPhone side by side... oh wait.. the Pre isn't out yet....

Go away troll...

Neither is iPhone 3.0, which happens to be the basis of his comparison.

[ruinfx]

more like OS 2.5

[canyonblue737]

Darn well better be. This was one weak update for us consumers.

Is it too much to ask for Apple to flat out copy the Pre feature-wise? I mean Palm copied Apple with multi-touch and the like.

They did say no to background processes though, didn't they? Please change that, it's the most attractive part of the Pre. GIVE UA MULTI-TASKING! :(

1st: Let's see how well background multitasking works on a real Pre, in real life, with 3rd party apps FIRST.

2nd: The Pre has a MUCH, MUCH faster processor and more RAM. You can bet iPhone 3.0 (the hardware) will also and perhaps that will be a feature (true multitasking for 3rd party apps) in future hardware revisions but it appears it is IMPOSSIBLE for 1st/2nd gen hardware without too many sacrifices.

[iTzChasE]

Still, why cant the iPhone 1st gen have stereo bluetooth? It can be done. Going into voicemail with music playing, then select the bluetooth headset. The music would play through it. (In older versions)

Soooo....

[mrrydogg]

You are missing the point. Tethering is free to use in (most of) Europe. There is no special plan, nothing to turn on. You pay for a data service (aka GPRS, EDGE, or 3G) and that's it. The carrier does not care what data and from what device you are transmitting. Why should they?

No.

Tethering will never be "officially" free in the US. You can guarantee that. I don't care what Europe does. For any foreseeable future, tethering will incur a cost.

Soooooo, the iPhone is capable, when will AT&T officially allow it?

[coolfactor]

So Push Notifications work how? You run the app on your phone but when you close it the app carries on running on a server somewhere, and when something "new" occurs in the app it sends a notification to your phone? That sounds kind of cumbersome so it can't be right.

1. Apple runs a central Notification server that services push messages to, which in turn are pushed to your phone.
2. A Notification service, as part of the iPhone's OS, always running, receives the notification, which includes the name of the app and the type of notification.
3. The notification is displayed as a badge on the app's icon, text messages, or played as a sound.

The individual apps on your phone don't have to be running for this to happen. Not cumbersome at all.

[diamond.g]

IIRC, MMS is part of 3G, and since the first-gen iPhone does not support 3G....
3G has nothing to do with it. MMS = SMS + WAP access.

Crippled? LOL.

What a warped sense of reality some of you people have. And cheapness.

Ironically the original iPhone owners are paying Apple more money than the 3G owners(overtime), yet we get called cheap because we are getting (potentially) locked out of a feature that should work just fine.

[Socorso]

What are the odds that some of this functionality will come to the iPod Touch?

[GekkePrutser]

IIRC, MMS is part of 3G, and since the first-gen iPhone does not support 3G....

You don't recall it correctly. MMS has been around ever since the GPRS age.

[Goona]

1st: Let's see how well background multitasking works on a real Pre, in real life, with 3rd party apps FIRST.

2nd: The Pre has a MUCH, MUCH faster processor and more RAM. You can bet iPhone 3.0 (the hardware) will also and perhaps that will be a feature (true multitasking for 3rd party apps) in future hardware revisions but it appears it is IMPOSSIBLE for 1st/2nd gen hardware without too many sacrifices.Well said, let's wait and see what the Pre delivers in real life, the new iphone coming in the summer will be faster, let's compare then.

[NT1440]

You're kidding, right? Honestly? Less than $10 for what is a very significant feature and functionality update. Get a grip.

Last time it was $20.

[coolfactor]

No.

Tethering will never be "officially" free in the US. You can guarantee that. I don't care what Europe does. For any foreseeable future, tethering will incur a cost.

Soooooo, the iPhone is capable, when will AT&T officially allow it?

Europe is technologically ahead of North America overall. France is easily 3 years ahead, especially with respect to commerce technology.

[joemama]

Great update, but did they discuss things items:

1.) Video recording
2.) Voice Dialing

Sure, MMS and copy/paste are good to have, but voice dialing is IMPERATIVE, especially when trying to attract businesses.

On the positive side, the biggest new feature is the ability to control other hardware. I've always thought how great it would be for TV and stereo manufacturers to built this into their electronics. Then branch into home appliances, thermostats, etc.

[MasterNile]

What are the odds that some of this functionality will come to the iPod Touch?

um...most of it will, but it will be a $10 update (which I personally have no problem with)

[rstansby]

The MMS hardware limitation is a software one as they are more than capable of sending and receiving MMS. This is false differentiation by apple and an attempt to force you to upgrade.

Says who? I thought it was weird that there would be a hardware limitation that would prevent MMS, but who is going to upgrade just for MMS. If they wanted to force people to upgrade they could just say that all of iPhone 3.0 was unavailable on the 1st gen iPhone.

[peter2]

No.

Tethering will never be "officially" free in the US. You can guarantee that. I don't care what Europe does. For any foreseeable future, tethering will incur a cost.

Soooooo, the iPhone is capable, when will AT&T officially allow it?

For my side, I don't care what AT&T (US) does ;). Apple should have a phone at least with features of a phone I can get from my carrier for $1. Till now, it does not have such a phone... (tethering, mms, bluetooth profiles)...

[ThunderSkunk]

I wonder how long take for someone to hack the new mms feature onto the original model phone.

For anyone complaining that this should have come out two years ago, I agree, but consider how much time it took Apple to go from nothing to a working functional device. It's simply taken from then til june to do this thing. Would you rather they simply waited from then til now to release anything at all?

Clearly, they decided let's get it to a point, bare-bones or otherwise, where we can put them out there. If people like em, they'll buy em. If it's a success, we'll be in that much better position further down the road. Because they did. And we did. And they are.

[aidricksdad]

That's a load of ****, have a read of good ol' Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimedia_Messaging_Service)

Equally, tethering requires NOTHING carrier side. If your phone has a data connection all tethering is, is sharing that data connection over bluetooth. What Apple actually mean is that they're providing the functionality for the carriers to limit/charge on top for. Other than that tethering is purely a phone > computer thing.

maybe you are right but this is what gizmodo asked and they aswered

Jason Chen:
Q: Is there a physical hardware problem on the first-gen iPhone that prevents it from doing MMS.
A: It’s a different radio, so it is a physical issue.

[o0samotech0o]

I'm very unhappy about having to pay for more items in the sims 3... 59p for some extra stuff? You can buy another app for that :l not a decent one, mind.

i thought you made money in the sims, and brought stuff that way anyway :S

-Sam

[WannaGoMac]

Lets compare the Pre and the iPhone side by side... oh wait.. the Pre isn't out yet....

Go away troll...

You're response is silly. Fact is Pre feature set is more impressive than the iPhone. Whether or not it is out yet is not a good response. Congrats on the copy and paste though! Woo hoo, 2004 for the win Apple!

How about you go away, you spoiled rotten brat? This is one serious update and is the launching ground for some amazing new functionality coming to iPhones everywhere through 3rd-party developers. The OS is just one layer of the user feature set.

Why is this person a spoiled brat for being displeased with the update? All the functionality they are adding has been available elsewhere for years. You should ask yourself why you need to defend apple? The iPhone OS is great because of the interface, it's the functions for the iPhone that are sorely behind the rest of the industry.

[MasterNile]

I wonder how long take for someone to hack the new mms feature onto the original model phone.

For anyone complaining that this should have come out two years ago, I agree, but consider how much time it took Apple to go from nothing to a working functional device. It's simply taken from then til june to do this thing. Would you rather they simply waited from then til now to release anything at all?

Clearly, they decided let's get it to a point, bare-bones or otherwise, where we can put them out there. If people like em, they'll buy em. If it's a success, we'll be in that much better position further down the road. Because they did. And we did. And they are.

Can't you already jailbreak and get a MMS app?

[rstansby]

voice dialing is IMPERATIVE, especially when trying to attract businesses.


Imperative? I think not. Cute feature sure, but who is going to refuse an iPhone because it doesn't have voice dialing?

[dongmin]

I bet my money on Apple adding some new hardware-specific features by the time the new handset ships. So stay tuned (or hold on for another 3 months).

But I'm pretty siked about all the new APIs added to the OS. Apps that talk directly to accessories will open A LOT innovation. Just off the top of my head, I can think of things like multi-touch DJ-ing, video conferencing, high-rez camera add-ons, etc. The new APIs will blow the Pre OS out of the water. For now.

Apple also added a lot of new features that make this a more business-friendly phone, like search in email, landscape keyboard, syncing of notes, better calender-ing, push notifications, etc.

And adding new business models to the App store should make developers happy, especially those who've been complaining about how 99-cent apps dominate the app store.

[mrrydogg]

Europe is technologically ahead of North America overall. France is easily 3 years ahead, especially with respect to commerce technology.

No debate there.

[marksman]

That's a load of ****, have a read of good ol' Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimedia_Messaging_Service)

Equally, tethering requires NOTHING carrier side. If your phone has a data connection all tethering is, is sharing that data connection over bluetooth. What Apple actually mean is that they're providing the functionality for the carriers to limit/charge on top for. Other than that tethering is purely a phone > computer thing.


You can't be that dense. On both topics.

[MasterNile]

Imperative? I think not. Cute feature sure, but who is going to refuse an iPhone because it doesn't have voice dialing?

Companies who use cellphones plus drive at the same time.

[rxse7en]

Just get Truveo until flash comes out, it has most of the new shows added to hulu.

I installed it, but it doesn't look like it has any full episodes, just podcasts and snippets of programs. Am I missing something? The only workaround I've found is http://imobilecinema.com/ for jailbroken phones only. Looks promising though.

Thanks!

B

[diamond.g]

maybe you are right but this is what gizmodo asked and they aswered

Jason Chen:
Q: Is there a physical hardware problem on the first-gen iPhone that prevents it from doing MMS.
A: It’s a different radio, so it is a physical issue.

You honestly expect them to say, "oh yeah it is due to us wanting them to upgrade to the new iPhone". do you?

[xUKHCx]

They are referring to the ipod touch w/ the hardware comment.

Nope:

Q: Is there a physical hardware problem on the first-gen iPhone that prevents it from doing MMS.
A: It’s a different radio, so it is a physical issue.

IIRC, MMS is part of 3G, and since the first-gen iPhone does not support 3G....


Nope. MMS is not a part of 3G.

Says who?

Says me

[thejadedmonkey]

i am on a family plan (4 people) through ATT. Seeing as MMS will cost money. How much roughly will mms cost?

I pay $20 a month for unlimited texting for one phone on my family plan. I think there's a $30/month unlimited texting for all phones plan as well.

**I've been doing this for some years, but I don't have an iPhone. I liked having MMS years ago :p

[MasterNile]

I installed it, but it doesn't look like it has any full episodes, just podcasts and snippets of programs. Am I missing something? The only workaround I've found is http://imobilecinema.com/ for jailbroken phones only. Looks promising though.

Thanks!

B

It has full episodes they're just split into parts

[Syrus28]

Yes just like there was 300 new features in Leopard, what is your bloody point?
My bloody point is that these numbers are often inflated with such minuscule things people wouldn't consider features. That doesn't mean the update won't be worthwhile, I just wouldn't exactly be spouting "iPhone will have 100 new features" knowing what Apple classifies as a "feature. But, whatever.

[Kevlar]

Imperative? I think not. Cute feature sure, but who is going to refuse an iPhone because it doesn't have voice dialing?

There are a few apps that already do this I am pretty sure too....

[Goona]

Apple has sold like 13 million ipod touch since being introduced.

[aidricksdad]

Wake me up when flash becomes available

what do you want flash for anyway?

[ianrobgill]

Oh well that settles it when my contract with T-Mob is up no more Samsung U900:D

Hello iPhone:cool:

[steeler560]

Great update, but did they discuss things items:

1.) Video recording
2.) Voice Dialing

Sure, MMS and copy/paste are good to have, but voice dialing is IMPERATIVE, especially when trying to attract businesses.

On the positive side, the biggest new feature is the ability to control other hardware. I've always thought how great it would be for TV and stereo manufacturers to built this into their electronics. Then branch into home appliances, thermostats, etc.

I agree that Apple is doing a great job of listening to its customers, however, for a guy that uses his cell phone while driving all day I desperately need VOICE DIAL to avoid ramming into the car in front of me. I hope/pray that they add Voice Dial in the final release. I would have to think if Microsoft can offer VoiceCommand dialing WITHOUT the need of voice tags or training that Apple can do it, only better. I unfortunately am holding out (in order to avoid getting in an auto accident) until Apple delivers Voice Dial. Will have to live with my HTC Touch Pro a while longer...

[Cravendale]

I might of missed it, but will the iPhone 3G be eventually upgraded to 3.0 or is this for the next gen iPhone? Or dont we know?

I was pretty impressed with the updates, its seemed like theyve actually listened. I think if they hadn't implemented the basic features that have been missing, c+p, mms etc, it would have caused even the fanboys to kick off.

Going back to my first question as well... If the iPhone 3G will be upgraded to 3.0, what will be the selling point for the next gen iPhone? ...larger memory?

[messedkid]

No news of custom home screen wallpapers? :(

[Goona]

what do you want flash for anyway?Could flash to the new iphone coming it, they might make it only for that phone to get people to upgrade.

[diamond.g]

I might of missed it, but will the iPhone 3G be eventually upgraded to 3.0 or is this for the next gen iPhone? Or dont we know?

I was pretty impressed with the updates, its seemed like theyve actually listened. I think if they hadn't implemented the basic features that have been missing, c+p, mms etc, it would have caused even the fanboys to kick off.

Going back to my first question as well... If the iPhone 3G will be upgraded to 3.0, what will be the selling point for the next gen iPhone? ...larger memory?It is an upgrade for all iPhones.

[o0samotech0o]

Who else is annoyed about paying for extra items in games?

even if it is 59p, a game is a game. everything should be included unless it is a sequel..

-Sam

[severe]

Apple hit it out of the park today, in my opinion.

Let's hope they honor their word this time.

Don't call it a comeback. ;)

Any mention of a categories like feature, BTW? I don't remember reading anything.

[cwwilson]

I can see myself un-jailbreaking for this update or better yet I might just wait until the dev team gets their hands on 3.0 and hacks it so I can still use themes. After having so many nice themes I just can't quite go back to the boring stock look. :P

[fimac]

This event was about the SDK and current hardware. In other words the focus was developers, not consumers.

However, Apple did reveal a few things about the UI, which pretty much match the loudest complaints in these forums :p

You can be sure that the UI will be refreshed in time for official release, but was not shown today since that would give competitors a 3 or 4 month window of opportunity...

As a developer, I feel invigorated, *so* many things are now possible! :D

As a consumer, I feel re-assured: Apple is listening to our feedback!

This was a good result :apple:

[ipoppy]

Great update, but did they discuss things items:

1.) Video recording
2.) Voice Dialing

Sure, MMS and copy/paste are good to have, but voice dialing is IMPERATIVE, especially when trying to attract businesses.

On the positive side, the biggest new feature is the ability to control other hardware. I've always thought how great it would be for TV and stereo manufacturers to built this into their electronics. Then branch into home appliances, thermostats, etc.


As I mention earlier I think video recording announcement would be strictly linked to hardware improvement. If video recording then probably===> iChat AV enabled===>video conference==>front camera, which would mean new iPhone on horizon. So they couldn't say anything.

[diamond.g]

Who else is annoyed about paying for extra items in games?

even if it is 59p, a game is a game. everything should be included unless it is a sequel..

-Sam

You must not have ever played a modern game with DLC....

[Digital Skunk]

My bloody point is that these numbers are often inflated with such minuscule things people wouldn't consider features. That doesn't mean the update won't be worthwhile, I just wouldn't exactly be spouting "iPhone will have 100 new features" knowing what Apple classifies as a "feature. But, whatever.

This is true, I recall many of the Leopard features being completely under the hood, and I can see the 3.0 update doing the same thing.

What I would like to know, and my look up in the near future, is if the iPhone can finally view, edit, save, and send/store MS Office or iWork documents.

[Romanesq]

Well if Apple doesn't come up with an alternative to Flash, we will be getting more complaints about it here. Endlessly.

Boring.

[butterfly0fdoom]

From the Q&A:

Q: Where do you stand on tethering?
A: There’s two pieces needed to support that: client side and working with carriers. We’re absolutely supporting tethering in the client side in iPhone 3.0, but we’re working with carriers around the world to see when they can add tethering support on their networks. But we are building that support into iPhone 3.0.

Are they seriously telling these lies publicly? Carriers (at least in Europe) support tethering for at least 5 years!!! What exactly is Apple working with the carriers on? What a ********.

You know all those lawsuits when the iPhone and the iPhone 3G were released in the US about AT&T's networks being overloaded since, with the iPhone's introduction, the network became extremely congested and therefore couldn't match advertised speeds and whatnot since prior to the iPhone the masses used crippled, lower-bandwidth internet surfing methods? Just imagine what unleashing tethering upon the masses would do? You'd have people suing over outages, slow speeds, and the 5GB reasonable limit. At least in the US. Just because carriers can in theory support tethering doesn't mean they want to.

[ipoppy]

...hmm...turn-by-turn. Is that meant TomTom finally can sell their app without restrictions on iPhone? Please correct me if I am wrong.

[smeagol]

It is quite suspect that MMS is not available on the 1st gen iPhone due to hardware limitations when the most basic cellphone can run it. This reminds me of not being able to edit the calendar on the 1st gen iPod Touch until they magically updated this functionality (probably due to mobs of angry users albeit).

[o0samotech0o]

You must not have ever played a modern game with DLC....

put it this way, i dont mind it, but i hope they release a version w/o PDLC..

-Sam

[Syrus28]

You must not have evey played a modern game with DLC....

Most Modern games don't charge you for a "rocket launcher" or buying a new shirt for your puppy, like what was demo'd here today. They charge you for extra content that lies without the initial boundaries of the game (unless, your Capcom of course. :D)

[aidricksdad]

You honestly expect them to say, "oh yeah it is due to us wanting them to upgrade to the new iPhone". do you?

no but why just make up something

[Twitcho]

So much awesome stuff! Can't wait, although i wish i could get my hands on the beta!

[carferse]

As far as I know the 1st gen iphone was an USA release only. The MMS infraestructure maybe is not in place in AT&T's EDGE/GPRS network... so no MMS for iPhone 1st gen.

Why no A2DP? so far as i know they only need a bluetooth stack ad the apropiate OBEX

[smiddlehurst]

From the Q&A:

Q: Where do you stand on tethering?
A: There’s two pieces needed to support that: client side and working with carriers. We’re absolutely supporting tethering in the client side in iPhone 3.0, but we’re working with carriers around the world to see when they can add tethering support on their networks. But we are building that support into iPhone 3.0.

Are they seriously telling these lies publicly? Carriers (at least in Europe) support tethering for at least 5 years!!! What exactly is Apple working with the carriers on? What a ********.

Lies my arse.

How many carriers supply their phones with a package that includes unlimited data as standard? In the UK at least O2 does special tarrifs for the iPhone that do just that, even on pay as you go. It's hardly a big surprise that they'd be more than a wee bit reluctant to open that unlimited bandwidth up for use as a 3G modem considering it's already one of the (if not THE) best combination of minutes, texts, 3G data, wireless hotspot access and handset available.

Let me put it this way, if they do allow tethering then you can buy an iPhone for around £345 for the 8Gb model and get unlimited wi-fi hotspot and 3G access for 12 months. Considering the basic iPod Touch 8Gb will set you back £165 you're paying £180 for the additional phone capability, wi-fi access and unlimited 3G data over the course of the year. That's £15 a month. Now allow someone to use that data connection on a laptop / desktop computer... do you REALLY think O2 are going to make any money on that deal?

(Disclaimer - I'm not sure if there's a minimum top up on the PAYG iPhone but even if there is it's only £10 and that would basically buy you calls as well as the data so the example, while slightly shaky, does stand up)

[dscuber9000]

Wow, a couple days ago I was searching for an ESPN app. Cool to see that it is happening, and that it looks really, really cool.

It seems that this entire 3.0 update is aimed at developers, which is fine because we are definitely going to be seeing much better and more useful apps now. Copy & Paste, MMS, search, and the calendar updates are nice as well. :)

Too bad iPod touch owners still have to pay.

[darkfiber]

Yes just like there was 300 new features in Leopard, what is your bloody point?

The point I think he was trying to make was that when Apple was touting 300+ new features in Leopard many of those "features" were considered bogus by some.

[vincebio]

no video recording?


cmon man, after todays anouncement..?
get a bloody video camera....who wants to record video on a crappy camera anyways....whats the point

[RipTide1024]

<sarcasm>hey, I have an idea... let's all hit the developer site at the same time to download the 3.0 beta!</sarcasm> :D

[aidricksdad]

Could flash to the new iphone coming it, they might make it only for that phone to get people to upgrade.

english please

[Cravendale]

It is an upgrade for all iPhones.

Thanks. All iPhones excluding unlocked jailbroken 2Gs I assume? Haha...

Leads on to my second question then, with all these new features implemented, what are they going to focus on to sell the next gen iPhone?

Is there a release date for 3.0?

[Syrus28]

You know all those lawsuits when the iPhone and the iPhone 3G were released in the US about AT&T's networks being overloaded since, with the iPhone's introduction, the network became extremely congested and therefore couldn't match advertised speeds and whatnot since prior to the iPhone the masses used crippled, lower-bandwidth internet surfing methods? Just imagine what unleashing tethering upon the masses would do? You'd have people suing over outages, slow speeds, and the 5GB reasonable limit. At least in the US. Just because carriers can in theory support tethering doesn't mean they want to.
Once again, data is data is data. What does 2GB of data usage on an tethering plan matter to AT&T vs. 2GB on an iPhone? As long as they continue to enforce the ironic 5GB cap on our "unlimited plan", what's the problem? More likely than not, it's for $$$.

[Goona]

The point I think he was trying to make was that when Apple was touting 300+ new features in Leopard many of those "features" were considered bogus by some.


And?

[dscuber9000]

Most Modern games don't charge you for a "rocket launcher" or buying a new shirt for your puppy, like what was demo'd here today. They charge you for extra content that lies without the initial boundaries of the game (unless, your Capcom of course. :D)

Really? Because on Xbox Live you can pay for different hats in Viva Pinata, and horse armor in Elder Scrolls Oblivion.

Developers realize that they can put just about anything out on DLC and someone is bound to buy it. However, some developers will really take advantage of DLC on the iPhone and come up with something that is both awesome for us, and profitable for them. Like Lost and Damned in Grand Theft Auto IV.

[nilk]

Looks like most of my requests are answered, plus more. I do have to say that Apple exceeded my expectations with this announcement, but that could be because their track record so far set the bar pretty low.

One of the things I was kind of hoping is support for an external keyboard (preferably Bluetooth). I am wondering if this will be possible with the new hardware support. If not for the entire iPhone (which would be ideal), it would be nice at least if I could use an external keyboard with individual applications (would love to use a full keyboard with an SSH app).

Of course this doesn't come with complaints. No MMS on the first gen phone due to hardware limitations? Maybe I just don't understand how MMS is transmitted and the hardware differences between the 3G and 1st gen, but that sounds entirely bogus and just comes off as attempting to cause people to upgrade (which I guess is just part of Apple's playbook, for example four-finger multitouch gestures). Lets hope they hear enough complaints to make it work before summer. If not, well, lets hope that the jailbreakers help us out here.

Summer is a long ways off, and I know people are dying for a lot of these features (I could really use landscape SMS/Email right now!). Being in the developer program, I just may have to start using betas on my phone (rather than just trying it out on my iPod touch) as I can't wait for these features!

[Hawkeye411]

I'm sure glad that all the iPod Touch owners are financing the free upgrade for us iPhone owners!!

THANKS!!!! :D:D

[Rychiar]

They sure as hell better release a new improved iPhone to go with this. I didn't stick with my original iphone only to get shafted into buyin an iPhone 3G a year later to get mms. bah!. I was sooo excited about all these updates until i read that. sooo lame. Apple always has to do something to piss ya off at these things. :mad:

[diamond.g]

put it this way, i dont mind it, but i hope they release a version w/o PDLC..

-Sam
Me too. ;)
Most Modern games don't charge you for a "rocket launcher" or buying a new shirt for your puppy, like what was demo'd here today. They charge you for extra content that lies without the initial boundaries of the game (unless, your Capcom of course. :D)True, but if they could they would (horse armor that didn't do squat in Oblivion comes to mind).

no but why just make up something
Because in the end most people don't question Apple. It sounds reasonable, look at all the people that think MMS all of a sudden needs 3G to work.

[Goona]

english please

Damn my bad, I meant flash might come to the new iphone so that Apple will make that a selling point, who knows. :p

[terryzx]

an STILL: NO VIDEO :mad:

What the hell is the matter with them???:confused:

[joemama]

Imperative? I think not. Cute feature sure, but who is going to refuse an iPhone because it doesn't have voice dialing?

Um, aside from many companies, me for one. I've held off on the first 2 iPhone revisions to see if VD was announced, and it looks like I'm still goign to keep Verizon.

VD is a BASIC phone feature. Do you know how many people drive and talk, even non-business users?

[sonnyjames]

As a Deaf person, I need several vibration options to identify which programs or which person is contacting me when my iPhone is in my pocket.

Only 0.01% of the videos on iPhone are captioned or subtitled. I want to see more captioning/subtitling. I'm not quite sure if this is a developer issue or an Apple issue.

I would like to see the screen flash in place of sounds and so on.

[crezo]

'developers can now run their own software for their hardware accessories'.... if this doesn't bring a plug in decent camera I'm off to Dragon's Den to raise some funds and do it myself!!!

And turn by turn gps allowed. looks like the iphones just about to get a whole lot cooler!!

[mac*jedi*g]

...wonderful day!!!" :):):):) Wow, A 100 new features! Now that's giving us something to play with!

[Syrus28]

As far as I know the 1st gen iphone was an USA release only. The MMS infraestructure maybe is not in place in AT&T's EDGE/GPRS network... so no MMS for iPhone 1st gen.
The vast majority of AT&Ts phones run on EDGE/GRPS, which certainly support MMS. It's a cop-out for Apple, simple as that. People are acting like MMS never appeared before the iPhone!

[kwikdeth]

so what "hardware differences" prevent us 1st gen owners from having MMS capability? you honestly cant expect me to believe they're going to pawn it off as a "3g required" spec or some crap like that. Oh well, i'll just keep sending MMS messages perfectly well with SwirlyMMS. cuz it works just fine on 1st Gen hardware. I can understand no A2DP, that's fine with me, but come on... there's no significant hardware difference between 1st and 2nd gen besides the 3G chip. I call *************.

other than that, im extremely happy with today's announcements.

[Rojo]

There were so many good things in this announcement, I wanted to cry.

I'm actually most excited about:
* Individual text deletion & forwarding (sad, I know -- since it should have been there ffrom the beginning).
* Access to iPod library (which means I'll finally be able to scrobble live to my Last.fm account - hurrah!!).
* 3rd-party accessory support. There is soooooo much potential here, I seriously hope it's taken advantage of by other companies.

Copy & paste is cool, though I don't see myself using it that much. I'm also a 1st gen user, and therefore won't have MMS, but seriously won't miss it at ALL (I think I received one only once since the 14 months of owning my iPhone).

Biggest thing missing is still video, and any camera improvements. But like others have said, I think there's still possibility that stuff could be tied to a new iPhone announcement. Here's hoping...

[diamond.g]

Thanks. All iPhones excluding unlocked jailbroken 2Gs I assume? Haha...

Leads on to my second question then, with all these new features implemented, what are they going to focus on to sell the next gen iPhone?

Is there a release date for 3.0?

next gen iPhone will have better hardware. OS 3.0 wont be out till summer.

[Bob Fraggle]

For all the Pre fanboys, please can it. Just because you saw it on Giz or Engadget or whomever's coverage of a trade show doesn't mean it's going to be just so in the real world. Blackberry Storm? Yeah that is really living up to it's hype isn't it? G1? Has a lot of promise but I don't think it's quite fully baked judging from the few times I've played with the one a friend of mine bought. She's less than impressed to be sure. Palm Pre? Tell me how that works when it's been in the hands of the every day users for a few months. It may be every thing it's cracked up to be and give me a new gadget to lust for but I'm not holding my breath on Palm really really delivering the goods.

You don't like the iPhone or are disappointed by today's revelations? Get over it. Sell your iPhone or don't upgrade when the time comes. Buy a Pre and cross your fingers that enough other folks do the same. Palm ain't the healthiest of companies so their future is hinging on the success of the Pre to a certain extent.

Sure some of this stuff should have been ready to roll when the 3G came out, at the absolutely latest. Still it didn't stop me from buying my 4GB with no subsidy. I knew the potential was there and that Apple would probably knock my socks off when they had things the way they wanted them. Mission accomplished today and then some.

BF

[chrisblore]

I'm sure glad that all the iPod Touch owners are financing the free upgrade for us iPhone owners!!

THANKS!!!! :D:D

Errrm I think we're all funding it by the huge percentage of our monthly contract fee that Apple claim from the carriers :rolleyes:

[thoroughbred1]

Perhaps, but there isn't really anything that appeals to iPod Touch owners to pay $10.

ipod touch users complaining about the price? you don't have to update. and last time i checked its always been that way. you paid 229-400 for an ipod and here comes n update thats well worth the reason to update and still complain lol. I'm sure you have blown 10 dollars on less useful things and not even thought twice about it.

[rxse7en]

It has full episodes they're just split into partsGotcha! Thanks again.

B

[DavidLeblond]

VD is a BASIC phone feature. Do you know how many people drive and talk, even non-business users?

Yeah. Their car accidents cause me an extra 15 minutes to get to work every freaking morning.

People who insist on talking on the phone while driving piss me off.

[ckd]

I'd still like to see tethering on the iPod touch, as a client usable with Bluetooth phones. That way I could have Internet anywhere even if it's over EDGE on T-Mobile, and if my iPod battery runs down from watching WALL-E too many times I can still make phone calls.

I'm not counting on this, though hearing that the iPod touch 2Gs will get Bluetooth enabled in 3.0 is at least a positive development.

[Jowl]

Overall, I'm very satisfied.

Ticks most of the things I would like. Only really Tasks sync with iPhone that I wanted.

One of the realy big things to me seems like the new SDK and the extra creative freedom that it implies for developers. I really hope it's true - I can see some very useful apps coming our way.

[rxse7en]

I didn't see any mention of being able to delete "all" emails in the mail app as opposed to having individually select every email you want to trash. Anyone see anything? Thanks.

B

[MasterNile]

Thanks. All iPhones excluding unlocked jailbroken 2Gs I assume? Haha...

Leads on to my second question then, with all these new features implemented, what are they going to focus on to sell the next gen iPhone?

Is there a release date for 3.0?

This was an event for the iPhone 3.0 SDK which can be installed on all iPhones/iPod Touches, it was so developers know what they can develop for all the hand helds, I'm sure they're holding back some features that will be hardware specific for the next gen iPhone and iPod Touch. There is no release date for 3.0 yet, but probably June at WWDC when the next iPhone will be released.

[aduzik]

...hmm...turn-by-turn. Is that meant TomTom finally can sell their app without restrictions on iPhone? Please correct me if I am wrong.

It sure sounds that way. They did say, though, that for licensing reasons any app would have to include its own maps. There goes that $300 I spent on a GPS flying out the window... who will need two devices when you could buy an app for probably $50 or so that does the same thing?

[severe]

Any mention of a categories like feature? Something to organize applications in the Springboard? I don't remember reading anything.

[Digital Skunk]

For all the Pre fanboys, please can it. Just because you saw it on Giz or Engadget or whomever's coverage of a trade show doesn't mean it's going to be just so in the real world. Blackberry Storm? Yeah that is really living up to it's hype isn't it? G1? Has a lot of promise but I don't think it's quite fully baked judging from the few times I've played with the one a friend of mine bought. She's less than impressed to be sure. Palm Pre? Tell me how that works when it's been in the hands of the every day users for a few months. It may be every thing it's cracked up to be and give me a new gadget to lust for but I'm not holding my breath on Palm really really delivering the goods.

You don't like the iPhone or are disappointed by today's revelations? Get over it. Sell your iPhone or don't upgrade when the time comes. Buy a Pre and cross your fingers that enough other folks do the same. Palm ain't the healthiest of companies so their future is hinging on the success of the Pre to a certain extent.

Sure some of this stuff should have been ready to roll when the 3G came out, at the absolutely latest. Still it didn't stop me from buying my 4GB with no subsidy. I knew the potential was there and that Apple would probably knock my socks off when they had things the way they wanted them. Mission accomplished today and then some.

BF

A) Same thing goes for the 3.0 software update. In fact, it's common practice with iPhone junkies and fanboys/girls to assume something unleashed by Apple is going to be flawless.... ala the SDK and 2.0 and Leopard.

B) You're commenting about Pre fanboys/girls why???? I don't think that tiny group of people will withstand the hundreds of posts screaming about the 3.0 update.

[Saladinos]

As far as I know the 1st gen iphone was an USA release only.

ROFL

[megfilmworks]

Love all the new features!

[peter2]

Lies my arse.

How many carriers supply their phones with a package that includes unlimited data as standard? In the UK at least O2 does special tarrifs for the iPhone that do just that, even on pay as you go. It's hardly a big surprise that they'd be more than a wee bit reluctant to open that unlimited bandwidth up for use as a 3G modem considering it's already one of the (if not THE) best combination of minutes, texts, 3G data, wireless hotspot access and handset available.

Let me put it this way, if they do allow tethering then you can buy an iPhone for around £345 for the 8Gb model and get unlimited wi-fi hotspot and 3G access for 12 months. Considering the basic iPod Touch 8Gb will set you back £165 you're paying £180 for the additional phone capability, wi-fi access and unlimited 3G data over the course of the year. That's £15 a month. Now allow someone to use that data connection on a laptop / desktop computer... do you REALLY think O2 are going to make any money on that deal?

(Disclaimer - I'm not sure if there's a minimum top up on the PAYG iPhone but even if there is it's only £10 and that would basically buy you calls as well as the data so the example, while slightly shaky, does stand up)

Well, I don't know as in the UK, but in Central Europe (e.g. the Slovak Republic) you can even buy a 3G modem for your PC (or Mac). The tariff is something like EUR 15/month and you have 2 GB of data prepaid. I do not need unlimited data if there is a reasonable price for reasonable data amounts. Why not use the iPhone instead of the extra modem?

[illitrate23]

From the Q&A:

Q: Where do you stand on tethering?
A: There’s two pieces needed to support that: client side and working with carriers. We’re absolutely supporting tethering in the client side in iPhone 3.0, but we’re working with carriers around the world to see when they can add tethering support on their networks. But we are building that support into iPhone 3.0.

Are they seriously telling these lies publicly? Carriers (at least in Europe) support tethering for at least 5 years!!! What exactly is Apple working with the carriers on? What a ********.

well certainly the majority of the UK carriers forbid you from tethering in your contract - they probably wish to push an expensive data plan on you before your allowed to do it. some of them certainly monitor for "excessive" data usage as an indicator of tethering.
so i suspect Apple are trying to sort out the cost implications with the carriers

[Oxtail]

Once again, data is data is data. What does 2GB of data usage on an tethering plan matter to AT&T vs. 2GB on an iPhone? As long as they continue to enforce the ironic 5GB cap on our "unlimited plan", what's the problem? More likely than not, it's for $$$.


Of course it's for $$$. It took you that long to figure it out?

How many people can hit 5GB on heavy iPhone usage? How long would it take you to hit 5GB with tethering? You can't be that dense as to not understand how much more bandwidth tethering would take up...can you?

[ThunderSkunk]

however, for a guy that uses his cell phone while driving all day I desperately need VOICE DIAL to avoid ramming into the car in front of me.

No, you desperately need to pull over if you're going to be talking on your phone. I don't care if it's an inconvenience either. As someone who walks and rides bicycles legally, safely, as a part of traffic, I have to watch what every driver on the road is doing while they're driving, and the ones blabbing away on phones are by far the most inattentive, dangerous people on the road. ...as a pedestrian & cyclist who does so with a sidearm, I would say for your own sake, you had damn well better drive attentively enough to avoid slamming into a car directly in front of your face, or you'd better hit me to kill me, cause if you start the job, one of us is going down, guaranteed. Your impatience does not outweigh anyone elses right to live.

[QCassidy352]

Ok, let me preface this by saying I'm *thrilled* about the event. But after some reflection, I did think of one thing I wanted that they didn't do (or maybe I should say may not have done, since there are more features they didn't talk about).

How about the ability to have different signatures for different email addresses? If/when my job allows me to ditch my bb and use an iphone for work this will be very important because otherwise all of my personal emails will go out with a really long and stupid signature. It just seems like such a very simple and obvious thing that could be a big deal to business users.

(Of course, worst case scenario is that I use the cut feature on my personal emails. :))

[tbealmear]

all really nice, but I want unobtrusive notifications. Just think of all the annoying notifications popping up with push.

It would be nice if you had the option to have the notifications OR a little red circle with a number just like Mail, SMS, and the App Store. A sound too maybe. At least give us the options!

[k.mc]

First off all I would just like to say hello to you all... I've been checking out these forums for ages now and have only just set up an account. I'm sure I be posting regularly from now on (especially since my dissertation is due in soon!).

Today's announcements seem really great. One question RE bluetooth support and third party accessories - any idea if the iPhone will be able to support bluetooth keyboards in apps, 3rd party or otherwise? This could be incredibly useful for firing out longer-than-normal emails, or for editing text documents on the move...

[QCassidy352]

...as a pedestrian & cyclist who does so with a sidearm, I would say for your own sake, you had damn well better drive attentively enough to avoid slamming into a car directly in front of your face, or you'd better hit me to kill me, cause if you start the job, one of us is going down, guaranteed. Your impatience does not outweigh anyone elses right to live.

Wow, most angry and unnecessary post EVER.

[NT1440]

No, you desperately need to pull over if you're going to be talking on your phone. I don't care if it's an inconvenience either. As someone who walks and rides bicycles legally, safely, as a part of traffic, I have to watch what every driver on the road is doing while they're driving, and the ones blabbing away on phones are by far the most inattentive, dangerous people on the road. ...as a pedestrian & cyclist who does so with a sidearm, I would say for your own sake, you had damn well better drive attentively enough to avoid slamming into a car directly in front of your face, or you'd better hit me to kill me, cause if you start the job, one of us is going down, guaranteed. Your impatience does not outweigh anyone elses right to live.

+1

I love that my state (CT) has banned cellphone useage while driving, i wish they did a better job of enforcing it. Far too many people are losing their lives because stupid teenagers and businessmen cannot wait 5 minutes to respond.

[PsyD4Me]

So does this mean that it will be paired with a new Iphone for a summer launch?

[Bakey]

This event was about the SDK and current hardware. In other words the focus was developers, not consumers.

However, Apple did reveal a few things about the UI, which pretty much match the loudest complaints in these forums :p

You can be sure that the UI will be refreshed in time for official release, but was not shown today since that would give competitors a 3 or 4 month window of opportunity...

As a developer, I feel invigorated, *so* many things are now possible! :D

As a consumer, I feel re-assured: Apple is listening to our feedback!

This was a good result :apple:

Wise words sir - it's a shame many of the posters clearly have forgotten that this was indeed a developers event.

It's a sign of goodness on the way for the summer months - from a consumers perspective I'm so, so glad that Apple have finally seen sense and allowed (amongst other things) turn-by-turn.

Awesome... :D