News

One thing I have been anxiously awaiting is Push notification. Unfortunately, not many of the apps I was expecting to have it, came released with the update, however, I may now why.

According to the developer of Notify Me via AppAdvice, Apple sent him a message apologizing for for the delay of his new update ready to be released for 3.0 goodness.

“Apparently Apple just hasn’t worked out all of the push notification bugs quite yet.  Balogh stated that according to their records, Apple hasn’t even started using NotifyMe yet, which would indicate that the problems have nothing to do with any of the apps in review.  Balogh also stated that in their testing conditions, all push messages with NotifyMe were working “extremely well and right on time,” which creates a bit of confusion as to what the real problem is.  The un-reviewed push-capable apps must be piling up as we speak.”

After several years, you would think the bugs would be worked out. I can also understand that the true bugs don’t come out until actually released, so hopefully they get those worked out soon so we won’t have to wait any longer on Push Notification.… more...

Mimicking the activation woes that plagued some original iPhone and even 3G customers, the iPhone 3GS seems to be giving some users activation problems.

It appears Apple may have an inadequate amount of servers to deal with new and existing customers looking to activate their iPhone 3GS. While trying to initiate the activation process, iTunes spits out a somewhat vague error indicating users that it will take up to 48 hours for their device to be fully functional. In the mean time, Apple advises users who are facing activation issues to use features of the device that do not require an active cellular connection until AT&T is able to connect users to its network.

Via: iPhones Talk

Geek legend and all around Apple enthusiast was one of the first people to purchase an iPhone 3GS at the Valley Fair Apple Store.

An eye witness reports:

I just got my iPhone this morning at the Apple Store in Valley Fair (San Jose, CA) and Steve Wozniak was there.

I arrived at 3:50am and Mr. Woz was chopping it up with the manager at Apple. Then around 4:30am he politely asked everyone in line if he could be the 1st to get his iPhone at the store and everyone said yes.

Any famous (or semi-famous) celebrities cut you in line for the iPhone 3GS?

Via: Gizmodo

Apple launched the iPhone 3GS today and we’ve heard reports of fast moving lines as well as some slower ones. Whether you got crushed in the melee of Apple Geeks frantically piling over another to be the first in line or you just got cut by Woz, leave your launch day experience in the comments.

Hot on the heels Firmware 3.0 being made available to the masses, Apple has already switched on a key feature in the new upgrade: parental controls.

Before Firmware 3.0 was released, many developers and users cried foul that Apple was denying Apps from appearing on the App Store based on shaky claims of inappropriate content. Apple’s response was for developers to optimize their Apps for Firmware 3.0 as fast as they could and rate their work for which age group they were targeting. Now, users will begin seeing age restriction notices and will be prevented from downloading certain Apps if parental controls are enabled.

Via: CNET

Something that slipped under the radar last week was an update of eCamm’s excellent iPhone desktop application, PhoneView.

If you’re not familiar with PhoneView and you have an iPhone, why not?! PhoneView gives you direct access to your iPhone’s data including sms and call records. Its feature include:
- Use your iPhone as a Disk
- Create, Edit and Save Notes
- Play and Export Music
- View and Export Call History
- View and Export SMS
- Export Synced Photos
- Download Camera Photos
- Export Contacts

Version 2.2 Adds Web mode for viewing bookmarks and browsing history.

It’s the sort of app that you may not need often, but when you do, it’s brilliant and well worth the US$20. If you need to access your call records or archive your SMSes, it’s a must have.

Check it out at eCamm PhoneView

During Apple’s annual World Wide Developers Conference, Phil Schiller took the stage to introduce an update to the iPhone called iPhone 3GS bringing faster processing capabilities, faster data connection and a video camera.

Many of the Blog-o-sphere’s previously circulated rumors held up today as the new iPhone came sporting a magenetometer (digital compass), video recording capabilities, increasead storage, voice recoginition, longer lasting battery, Nike+ support, faster data speeds (7.2Mbps HSDPA) and a much faster processor. While Apple touts the iPhone 3GS being twice as fast as its predecessor, we’ll have to wait for a tear down on what kind of Hardware Apple chose to build the iPhone with. As for availability, June 19th marks the iPhone 3GS’ official launch date in 6 countries (including the US) and expanding beyond that the week after. For newcomers, the current iPhone 3G will be marked down to $99 and the 16/32GB iPhone 3GS (white and black) will be $199 and $299 respectively. Those not eligible to upgrade will have to pay $100 extra.

As we near WWDC, the supposed specs of the next generation iPhone are slowly leaking out to the Blog-o-sphere and the newest round of updates have us in heavy anticipation.

According to a leaked Fido roadmap, the 4GB iPhone will be making a comeback at the price point everyone has been waiting eagerly; $99. In addition to an expansion of the iPhone family in to the sub $100 price range, a 32GB model will be sold alongside its 8 and 16GB counterparts. However, the most notable bit of information is the addition of video conferencing capabilities. According to a source close to Engadget, the PCS Type Review Certification Board has approved Apple’s lineup of new iPhones which pack video chat capabilities.

Via: Macrumors

Australian iPhone users have been left out in the cold when compared to their foreign counterparts but Vodafone is working to patch things up.

Since the iPhone’s arrival down under, Visual Voicemail has been nonexistant but the feature is rolling out to customers. A statement from the carrier’s website:

All Vodafone iPhone 3G customers will have access to the Visual Voicemail application by close of business Friday 29 May 2009. Over the next few days, Vodafone will proactively notify customers via a TXT message, alerting them to this new service.

Via: Top iPhone News

iPhone 3.0 is quite near and one of there biggest challenges has been push notification. In an effort to not cause any more delays, Apple is perfecting the system by getting a hands on reaction from developers.

Apple has been asking developers running the iPhone OS 3.0 Beta build to download an unreleased version of the Associated Press iPhone app that has been modified to include push notifications.

The trial will last for seven days, after which time the redemption code for the app and the functionality of the app will end.

Are you a developer. We’d like to here just how push notification is working for you!