Hidden Widgets References in iPhone?

[MacRumors]

A story comes out of Gizmodo/iPhoneology that suggests that Apple may have had plans for other widgets built into the iPhone.

References to 4 unused Widget names in the iPhone's "LocalizedApplicationNames.strings" file raise some possibilities. These names are listed:

key: com.apple.widget.translation
string: Translator

key: com.apple.unitconverter
string: Converter

key: com.apple.widget.phonebook
string: Business

key: com.apple.mobile.radio
string: Radio

The "string" name refers to the name that would appear on the iPhone home screen. So the phonebook widget would presumably be a "Business" directory. Coincidentally, there had been unconfirmed rumors that AT&T's Yellowpages.com would find its way onto the iPhone as a new application.

These strings have been known for some time, and may simply represent some left-over widgets from Mac OS X itself. Apple's Mac OS X Dashboard features Phone Book, Translator, and Unit Converter on the standard installation of Mac OS X. This, however, would not easily explain the mobile radio widget reference.

One area of potential confusion for readers is that Gizmodo and iPhoneology published a graphic of corresponding widget icons. These icons are not actually found on the iPhone itself, but are just a compilation posted for illustrative purposes.

Apple has long suggested that new iPhone applications would be coming in the future, with hints that new Google applications would also be arriving for the iPhone.

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[Dr. Dastardly]

I always thought that the iPhone would be great if they implemented the program Dodge Ball that I believe Google purchased a while back. Basically it gave you the location of a buddy on your phone. Paired with google maps that would be a killer app on the iPhone.

Oh and GPS.

[Eduardo1971]

Having the iPhone as a mobile radio would be very cool indeed!

[Sandfleaz]

Translator, Converter, Phonebook seem like no brainers and a perfect fit.

Mobile radio could be the most interesting.

[jdechko]

4 apps > 4 icons > 1 free row / 4 free app spaces on iPhone display

Might be on to something.

(or not)

[George Bailey]

Originally Posted by jdechko

4 apps > 4 icons > 1 free row / 4 free app spaces on iPhone display

But if they ever have more than 16 it would be a problem. They'd have to invent some way of reaching the apps that are off the screen. Some kind of weird "scrolling" thing, probably with and up-arrow and a down-arrow you'd have to press to shift the display.

[cliffjumper68]

Originally Posted by Sandfleaz

Translator, Converter, Phonebook seem like no brainers and a perfect fit.

Mobile radio could be the most interesting.

I wonder if this is a new itunes add maybe in the waiting for the Leopard or new ipod launches.

[lazyrighteye]

"Where... where... are you tonight?"

It's funny how impatient we/I are/am with reguards to that 1st iPhone Software Update. I wonder if Apple wants a certain number of devices out before releaing an update or if it's a time thing: meaning is Apple technically ready?

Regardless, looking forward to it/them.

[rubberduck007]

Originally Posted by Dr. Dastardly

I always thought that the iPhone would be great if they implemented the program Dodge Ball that I believe Google purchased a while back. Basically it gave you the location of a buddy on your phone. Paired with google maps that would be a killer app on the iPhone.

Oh and GPS.

Like a Tom Tom buddy I guess?

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Dang. Those all sound like good apps but I was hoping the last row would be filled with something a little cooler. Maybe once they are over flowing with widgets on the home screen we will be able to pick and choose what goes where.

[koobcamuk]

Once the iPhone gets Japanese support, I am getting one. A translator would be good for Europeans.

[kin]

Radio? Will Apple finally put this feature in it's iPod and iPhone?

[zombitronic]

I'm guessing Radio would be web radio, since there's no AM/FM radio tuner built in, right? But web radio couldn't stream very well over EDGE. This would definitely be a great app for car audio, if it worked.

[donlphi]

It would be great if it supported XM or Sirius radio (via internet connection). I just downloaded the Sirius radio for OS X and thought it would make an amazing app for the iPhone.

The other listed "UNSUPPORTED APPS" can go away along with the Notes and Clock APP. Absolutely worthless.

[donlphi]

Maybe it is a built in FM transmitting program? Is that even possible considering the guts of the iPHONE?

Listen to your music in your car without hooking it up to some wire.

[nagromme]

I see the 6 people who automatically click Negative on MR are awake

Radio ('net streaming?) seems like an odd thing to have separate from the iPod section. You'd think it would be under iPod.

In any case:

Don't get your hopes up: a left-over canceled feature would look much the same as an unfinished planned one.

Don't fret over only having 4 slots on the home screen. It could scroll.

[fastbite]

Mobile radio is overrated. I was one of the ones asking for radio on the ipod -- then the radio adapter came out, I got it and use it twice. Pointless. Maybe on the iphone would be different, but I doubt it.

[RodThePlod]

Originally Posted by donlphi

Maybe it is a built in FM transmitting program? Is that even possible considering the guts of the iPHONE?

Listen to your music in your car without hooking it up to some wire.

Yeah I like this idea!

Have no idea if it's possible with the hardware currently installed inside an iPhone, though.

Rod

[zombitronic]

Originally Posted by donlphi

Maybe it is a built in FM transmitting program? Is that even possible considering the guts of the iPHONE?

Listen to your music in your car without hooking it up to some wire.

They sell those adapters that do this. It would seem like a technological step-back, though, when WiFi and Bluetooth exist. Now we just need Apple to make a car stereo, (and a super battery.)

[paulyras]

As for the Radio, it would be great to be able to listen to mp3 streams. NPR on the iphone would be really nice. You can almost do the same sort of thing on the iphone with seeqpod (www.seeqpod.com/iphone). It's really cool, but some of the song labels are a disaster.

Be forewarned though, it will suck your battery dry in no time, combining high amounts of wifi, with audio.

P

[zombitronic]

Originally Posted by donlphi

The other listed "UNSUPPORTED APPS" can go away along with the Notes and Clock APP. Absolutely worthless.

No way, man. I use Notes as a shopping list all the time.

[xelphy]

Originally Posted by zombitronic

No way, man. I use Notes as a shopping list all the time.

Yes, and Clock is good for cooking, and as an alarm clock -- EXCEPT that it should be able to wake me up with my itunes music!

[tangerineyum]

Originally Posted by donlphi

The other listed "UNSUPPORTED APPS" can go away along with the Notes and Clock APP. Absolutely worthless.

Hardly worthless, I use Notes for my grocery list. And the Clock app is my alarm, plus I have family in the Philippines and in Hawaii. If I want to make a call, it's good to know when they are awake.

[blybug]

Originally Posted by tangerineyum

Hardly worthless, I use Notes for my grocery list. And the Clock app is my alarm, plus I have family in the Philippines and in Hawaii. If I want to make a call, it's good to know when they are awake.

You should check this out...

One Trip Shopping List

I played with it for a run to the supermarket and it works nicely. Apparently can even work when you're offline, but I happened to have a WiFi connection in Kroger so I'm not sure if that works or not.

[chr1s60]

Originally Posted by donlphi

The other listed "UNSUPPORTED APPS" can go away along with the Notes and Clock APP. Absolutely worthless.

I think a large percentage of people use the Clock app. I use it daily for my alarm clock and for a stopwatch when I work out. As far as notes go, I could do without it. I think I have only used it once or twice in the month that I have had the phone. I guess it might come in handy if I need to write down a number or something I need but don't want to store on my phone.