Hardware

The iPhone 3GS was created with speed in mind with its 600 MHz ARM based processor and double the amount of memory but an undocumented feature may just prove how fast the 3GS is when compared to its predecessor.

A forum post on WeiPhone by a Chinese iPhone users has revealed that the iPhone 3GS is capable of HD video processing. However, resolutions of 640 x 480 at 30 FPS and 2.5 Mbps is the maximum supported by the iPhone’s video player but a simple third party App called FileAid was used to play back the clip. A small H.264 clip with a resolution of 1920 x 1080P at 30 Mbps was played back on the iPhone successfully which means Apple could’ve simply disabled HD playback on the iPhone 3GS to simply conserve battery life and storage space. While the iPhone’s limited file space would limit the amount of HD content the device can hold, it still has adequate space to hold short HD clips.

However, a small Software update to the iPhone could enable HD output and playback but would most likely be added in conjunction with… more...

Reuters reports that Apple is investigating media reports that one or more iPhones have exploded in Europe, a European Commission spokeswoman said on Tuesday. A french teenager claims he got a splinter in his eye after his girlfriend’s iPhone started hissing and then exploded cracking the glass in a most impressive pattern.

The spokeswoman for the EU executive, which oversees the safety of consumer products sold in all 27 countries, said Apple had described the reported incidents as isolated. Apple said it was aware of the media reports, but did not comment on any contacts with the commission. “[Apple doesn’t] consider that there’s a general problem,” Commission spokeswoman Helen Kearns told a news briefing.

Apple did not comment on the commission spokeswoman’s remarks. But a spokesman for Apple Europe Ltd said, “We are aware of these (media) reports and we are waiting to receive the iPhones from the customers. Until we have the full details, we don’t have anything further to add.”

There have been reports of exploding iPhones in the past, but mostly from hacking jobs gone bad or extreme mistreatment of the gadget, but iphones… more...

Apple has been busy pushing out updates for the Beta version of its upcoming iPhone and iPod Touch Firmware, but a recent addition to a configuration file has revealed that the iPhone family may be expanding.

Speculations and rumors have been running rampant about Apple releasing a portable tablet version of the Mac which might run the iPhone OS. However, the reference to “iProd 0,1” was first spotted in March indicated that Apple already had this device in testing earlier this year but it is unknown whether or not the same mentions of “iProd 0,1” in both Firmware builds are the same. It is likely that Apple upgraded the device to “iProd 1,1” (which is also mention in the newest Firmware build) and that the second “iProd 0,1” is simply another prototype from the same family. There is no word on when these products will be released or whether they will come to fruition but it’s highly probable that is the tablet we’ve been waiting years for. A rumored September release has been passed around which would coincide with Apple’s usual refresh of the iPod line. What is just as… more...

Apple has yet to come to an agreement with any Chinese carrier to bring the iPhone to the biggest cellular marketplace there is but rumors are already springing up that a WiFi absent version will hit soon.

Foxconn, manufacturer of the iPhone, reports that a model lacking WiFi capabilities is currently in production.

Two production lines in the Foxconn Shenzhen plant are producing 90-coded mobile phones, device that looks like iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS, said one source. The mysterious products might be the very model designed for Chinese users, according to another source, noting that the massively-produced device has no Wi-Fi functions, just like the A1324 model, the Chinese version of 3G iPhone being sent to the China Telecommunication Technology Labs (CTTL) for a test.

It’s curious just why Apple would sell an iPhone without WiFi but other iPhones in different countries have had some part of their radios disabled such as GPS through Software locks. Hacks exist to remove these locks but completely removing the Hardware invalidates these Software hacks and makes it impossible for iPhone users to enable WiFi.

Via: iPhone Freak

Apple’s introduction of the iPhone 3GS led to a $100 price cut of the last generation iPhone 3G but now, you can pick one up even cheaper.

AT&T is offering a $20 $70 discount for the 8GB and 16GB iPhone 3G respectively. The only caveat being they’re refurbished models which tend to carry some sort of scuffs or scratches. Another downside to purchasing a refurbished iPhone 3G is the 90 day warranty instead of Apple’s standard 1 year coverage. However, if you’re fine with buying a slightly used model and looking for a good deal on the iPhone then go to your closest AT&T store or shop online.

Via: iPhone Freak

Apple has given its in-ear buds for the iPod and iPhone a small facelift.

The small update replaces the rubber tip surrounding the audio plug with a hard plastic exterior. Typically, the rubber tip breaks off after extending uses. While the quality of Apple’s buds are questionable and thought to be poor by some customers, iPhone 3GS will be able to use the full functionality of the in ear buds including volume control.

Via: The iPhone Blog

Reports have been coming in of some white iPhone 3GS becoming discolored after overheating. Apple has acknowledged the problem as partially true but only when 3rd party cases are involved.

Many had speculated that due to the iPhone 3GS’ faster CPU, that overheating would occur when using processor intensive app which is partially true. The main culprit is the combination of the backing becoming warm when the CPU is taxed and the use of a third party case. The heat causes the case to become warped and in some instances, fuse bits of it to the iPhone’s plastic exterior causing the discoloration. The obvious solution would be to stop using a 3rd party case with your iPhone.

“After numerous calls to Apple technical service and maintenance of contact with a level 3 (engineer) the problem seems to come not from a hot 3GS but contact with some covers! This was evident by ourselves on a device with a small sticker (a warning not to listen to music too loud) remained stuck, part of the hull below remained white. A simple solution to the problem is to clean the back of the iPhone… more...