News

Last week, I mentioned the possibility of Skype coming to your iPhone. Well, it is official! Skype is coming and it sounds like it is going to be a pretty good app.

I’ll be sure to get my hands on it first thing to spend some good quality time with it.

To read about the features coming, and to get a good look at the application, take a look at CNET’s article. Can’t wait…

I was hoping the day would come when Skype arrives to the iPhone. It looks like that day will come very soon.

GigaOM claims to have word from a “very reliable” informant that Skype for iPhone is nearly ready for launch.

In addition, the app may even be released as soon as next week’s CTIA Wireless show.

Skype revealed that Skype for iPhone was in development back in January, so it is about time we finally hear something.

Hopefully, AT&T does not freak out about this app because it isn’t exactly the most beneficial app to AT&T.

People have been trying to think of great ways to connect a keyboard to the iPhone for years. It is quite possible, however, you must jailbreak your iPhone first. Not this time.

A few creative engineers with Perceptive Development have successfully connected an infrared keyboard with an iPhone without jailbreaking the device.

Most people have been trying to connect a keyboard to the iPhone through the usual like the dock connector, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Unfortunately, all of these methods are off limits in Apple’s strict SDK. The audio port, however, is not.

From what I understand, the circuit ($20) accepts the infrared signal from the keyboard or other USB devices and sends the signal in through the audio port using frequency shift keying, or turning keystrokes into sounds.

It is all very interesting, however, if you are like me, then this convoluted setup is not appealing. Fortunately, Apple is opening up the iPhone OS a little more, so perhaps we won’t even need to do this in the near future.

Via: Ars Technica

Really, one should not steal at all, but one should know that it is almost impossible to get away with cell phone theft; Particularly the loyal iPhone.

While reading the NY Post, I stumbled over a rather interesting article. Of course, we’ve all read the success stories that show just how useful technology can be, but this particular story adds a little humor.

A shoe designer by the name of Sayaka Fukuda was on the N train platform in the Fifth Avenue station near 59th street when she was mugged by the two men, who took her purse which contained her precious iPhone.

“It was a scary night,” she told The Post. “It was stupid that I took the train that late.”

When she arrived home, much to her surprise, she had an email waiting for her containing a clear picture of the thief’s face! Apparently, not realizing what he was doing, the criminal snapped several photos of himself and emailed it to his account.

Fukuda saved them and sent them off to the police, who quickly identified him as being Daquan Mathis. Fortunately, she got her iPhone back and the iPhone… more...

In a move that I think is in preperation for a future device, AT&T will be offering contract-free iPhone 3Gs beginning March 26th.

Boy Genius Report is claiming to have been given slides from an internal AT&T training presentation that include information stating that they will be offering contract-free iPhone 3Gs to existing customers starting on March 26th.

Prices are not discounted and will be starting at $599 for the 8GB and $699 for the 16GB model.

Being an early adopter is rather expensive so if you are not an early adopter and thinking about getting yourself an iPhone, there is a great deal in the New York/New Jersey area.

Boy Genius Report got word earlier today that AT&T stores in the New York/New Jersey region are getting a fresh new stock refurbished 16GB iPhone 3Gs. They will be priced at an amazing $149.

There are just a few problems though - that is if you care. First, the iPhones are refurbished. Not to say that refurbished phones are all horrible, but I (and I am sure some people) have had bad experiences. Secondly, the offer is only good to those starting a new line with AT&T.

Konami has recently been working on an iPhone version of Metal Gear Solid which is sure to delight hardcore fans of the game or even those looking for some casual gaming on the go.

While the full version has yet to be released, Konami showed off a gallery of screenshots to satisfy our appetite and promised an early preview of the game containing the first 12 levels. The full game will be released shortly thereafter but will be a free update to users who already purchased the App.

Via: The iPhone Blog

An App designed to aggregate Amber Alerts to your iPhone has been released.

The App, (iTunes link) created by Jonathan Zdziarski, a forensics expert, will allow users to view profiles of children gone missing along side any provided information about them. A picture, last known whereabouts and suspect information are also displayed if the data is available.

Via: Cult Of Mac

There has been a toss up of whether or not Sirius will start streaming its content to the iPhone. Be assured, it is coming.

It is official, Sirius XM will be streaming its satellite radio content sometime this spring according to CNBC.

“There’s a lot of opportunity for (Sirius) with iPhone,” said Miller Tabak analyst David Joyce. “Unlike buying a new car, it’s not an expensive proposition, but it’s a tough time for consumers to be trying new products.”

I agree David Joyce.

Not much else is detailed, but for those who love Sirius XM, be comforted by the fact that it is coming to an iPhone near you.

After U2 ditched Apple to buddy up with RIM, you’d think the crazy sponsorship and marketing promotions would’ve stopped. For us, it just began as Roger McNamee informed us of an apocalyptic scenario for the iPhone following its two year anniversary as everyone would jump ship to hop aboard Palm’s and ride the waves, Pre in hand. Following such lunacy, Palm issued a back track on McNamee’s statements and reassured us that not everyone and their mother would ditch their iPhone just for a Palm Pre come June 29 of this year.

McNamee, an investor for Elevation Partners, a huge backer of Palm and responsible for financing the development of the Pre got overly excited about the Palm Pre on live TV. Like anyone overly enthusiastic about a product, McNamee got carried away and his verbal victim, the iPhone, bore his oddly predicted doomsday scenario. His reasoning behind the massive switch of iPhone users to the Palm Pre? Well, not only is the Pre godly awesome but many first generation iPhone users’ contracts will expire that day which is justification enough to immediately dump AT&T in… more...