More Info Surfacing on this 2,1 iPhone That's Been Detected.

Somewhere out there, there's several new iPhone's lurking in the San Fran Bay area. Or that's what Pinch Media claims to have proof of.


"the first time an application using Pinch Analytics was run by a ‘iPhone 2,1′ device occurred back in early October 2008;


applications using Pinch Analytics were run by ‘iPhone 2,1′ devices very sporadically until mid-December 2008, when the pace picked up slightly;


to date, a few dozen distinct ‘iPhone 2,1′ devices have run almost two dozen different applications using Pinch Analytics;


when ‘iPhone 2,1′ devices run applications using Pinch Analytics’ optional geolocation tracking, they’re almost exclusively located in the south San Francisco Bay Area;


while most of the sessions have been made from wifi connections, there’s been a few connections over AT&T’s network, so presumably this device handles both;


the applications that have been run by Pinch Analytics don’t share much in common, except for their size — they’re among the larger applications to use our stuff, with hundreds of thousands to millions of unique users. "

Sounds very interesting and if you ask me is very exciting news! Could we see a new iPhone possibly earlier than June (WWDC)? Super Bowl ad this Sunday perhaps?

"Apple uses these models numbers to distinguish between different hardware models. The original iPhone carries the model number of "iPhone 1,1" while the 3G iPhone is labeled "iPhone 1,2". These numbers do not change for simple storage increases and instead represent functionally different devices. Similarly, the iPod Touch was originally introduced as the "iPod 1,1" and the most recent hardware revision was labeled "iPod2,1". The 2,1 iPod Touch added a speaker, volume controls, microphone support and a much faster processor than the 1st generation model. This new model number can be found in the USBDeviceConfiguration.plist in an unencrypted firmware. "

"Rumors of the next generation iPhone point to the support of Multi-Core CPUs and possibly Multi-Core GPUs from Imagination Technologies. Apple has been building a team of chip engineers over the past year to participate in their own ARM processor designs that will presumably be used in future iPhones. Schiller previously outlined Apple's natural product timelines and acknowledged that June is the usual timeframe for major iPhone revisions, although storage increases could happen at any time. "

Hey! I'm fine with June!

Possibly 5 more months of rumors to come and I'm lovin' it!

Stay tuned.

Article Links: http://www.macrumors.com/2009/01/29/a-few-more-details-about-iphone-21/

http://www.pinchmedia.com/iphone-21/

High Quality Games Section Headed to App Store?

"Apple is planning to introduce a premium games section to its App Store where it will sell a range of iPhone games for $19.99, sources tell PocketGamer.biz.However, the initiative will only be open to a restricted number of large publishers, rather than the thousands of smaller developers currently selling their titles on the main App Store."

Sounds good to me! I'm still waiting to see Tiger Woods in action. Guess we may see some higher quality gaming demos at WWDC this year.

I wonder if some will require that you have the new iPhone rumored to be out around that time as well. The 3G will still be able to play most if not all the higher quality titles but some will run a lot smoother on the newer beefed up iPhone. Ahhh, wishful thinking I suppose.

Article Link: http://www.pocketgamer.biz/r/PG.Biz/iPhone+news/news.asp?c=11248

Next Generation iPhone Discovered?!!!

Look, it's really late right now, this could be a 'typo' or it could just be complete BS that will be re-discovered tomorrow as a "found to in fact be poop".

Anyways, here's a couple of links to the story and I am VERY excited for any such morsel of info about a new iPhone as this.

So...hope it's true, hope it comes out very soon or AT LEAST by June (Steve's big comeback) and I hope it has all the features everyone's been hoping for including most of my wish list (see below).

http://www.macrumors.com/2009/01/28/next-generation-iphone-model-revealed-in-firmware/

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/01/28/evidence_shows_apple_testing_next_gen_iphone.html

Congrats to "Macrumors.com" for breaking the story.

G'nite.

Syncing over Wifi and 802.11n in Next iPhone?

I read an interesting article today at lunch and I hope it's true.

http://mygadgetlife.co.uk/start/?p=542#more-542

Does this mean wifi syncing for updates and everything else a possibility in the next version of iPhone? I hope so as that would make it truly a wireless device.

That's always kind of been a sore spot with me about the iPhone as it's on a ball and chain to your computer. Of course, everyone knows you need a computer to 'activate' the thing and get it up and running but shouldn't that be about it? Unless something REALLY bad were to happen for a restore, I don't see any reason you should be tied to a PC, Mac or any sort of laptop even. I mean, you can download music via the mobile version of itunes, you can download podcast, you can download apps and games, youtube for watching short clips and music videos, what else am I forgeting? I can understand maybe not downloading whole movies or seasons of tv shows but atleast have the option to update to the latest firmware over wifi. What if I'm on vacation for a week and day 1 Apple releases a new firmware or I need to snag something off the home computer that I forgot?

All I'm saying is that it would be nice to know that I can update, upgrade, whatever straight out of my pocket and onto a wifi hotspot and BAM! Got it! Cable's Shmable's...Meh!

Hey most every other REAL phone out there can get by without it. Guess that's the price ya pay for having the hottest phone out there! =)

Apple Welcomes New Device Hardware President.

"CUPERTINO, California—January 27, 2009—Apple® today announced that Mark Papermaster will be coming to Apple as senior vice president of Devices Hardware Engineering, reporting to Apple CEO Steve Jobs, on April 24. Papermaster, who comes to Apple from IBM, will lead Apple’s iPod® and iPhone™ hardware engineering teams. The litigation between IBM and Mark Papermaster has been resolved. "

So let's see here. People speculate on a new iPhone this year, most likely summer sometime around June. Palm Pre is announced and everyone looks back at Apple like "Whatcha gonna do?". Apple get's the Multi-Touch patent awarded to them most likely forcing the competition to "think again". Now this Papermaster fella, which will be President of Hardware for the ipod and iphone, is set to come on board late April.

Ummm, well....I.....thought.....uh....eeerm....yea =/

Did you catch that? The last part there? PRESIDENT OF HARDWARE FOR THE.....iPHONE. Does that mean Paper is gonna rush in and give us a new phone in as little as 2-3 months time? Maybe there is already something big in the works and he will just start by coming in and seeing it through to launch before he starts his new campaign.

Sigh

I WAS hoping to see a new iphone come June but the more these little leaks come through the less likely I'm thinking we will.

I wish Mr. Papermaster the best at his new job and hope to see great things come from his work.

Oh and you've got 2 months when you step foot in the door, so kick it into high gear noob!

"Papermaster has 25 years of product and technology experience, and was previously a vice president at IBM. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas, and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Vermont in 1988. Papermaster is active with the University of Texas where he is a member of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Advisory Council. "

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/01/27papermaster.html

New iPhone TV Ad. "Read"

Check out the latest iPhone commercial making it's rounds.

I've always loved the iPhone commercials and usually ask my wife to rewind the commercials when watching our favorite shows if she zooms through them too fast.

It's pretty funny when she let's out a *sigh* and exclaims "You've already seen that one like 3 times!"....well, yea! SO!

....I let her slide every now and then. ;P

Owned! Apple Awarded Multi-Touch Patent. Competition Beware!

Uh-Oh. Apple COO Tim Cook wasn't playin' around when he said "We're watching and will go after anybody that rips off our IP!" http://www.everythingicafe.com/articles/2009/1/21/apples-tim-cook-on-intellectual-property-palm-pre/

Looks as if a patent that Apple filed for back on April 11 of 2008 has finally been awarded to them on the 20th of this month!

Here's a copy of the patent. patent number 7,479,949

Patent goes a little something like this.

Touch screen device, method, and graphical user interface for determining commands by applying heuristics

A computer-implemented method for use in conjunction with a computing device with a touch screen display comprises: detecting one or more finger contacts with the touch screen display, applying one or more heuristics to the one or more finger contacts to determine a command for the device, and processing the command. The one or more heuristics comprise: a heuristic for determining that the one or more finger contacts correspond to a one-dimensional vertical screen scrolling command, a heuristic for determining that the one or more finger contacts correspond to a two-dimensional screen translation command, and a heuristic for determining that the one or more finger contacts correspond to a command to transition from displaying a respective item in a set of items to displaying a next item in the set of items.

I believe the original story broke and is credited here: http://news.worldofapple.com/archives/2009/01/26/apple-awarded-multi-touch-patent/

In any event, competition better be ready for war! *Cough*Pre*Cough*

This is just gonna get down low and dirty in the months ahead isn't it?

I love it!

Scanning the Possibilities. Next-Gen-iPhone

As the rumor mills continue to buzz on the next several months I would like to take this time on this date to post my "wish list" for the next generation of iPhone and I will then continue to pray that it is announced in about five months.

Note that I'm gonna stick to the 'Hardware' side of things mostly for this portion as I want copy&paste and mms and all that goodness as much as the next guy by default.

These are in no particular order.

More RAM and faster CPU

A common complaint I often see on the many iPhone forums I frequent is apps crashing and safari crashing and well, just a LOT of crashing going on. The current iPhone could definately use a boost in RAM to sort of smooth things out a bit. 256?

Processor speeds and power? Check out this article. http://blogs.computerworld.com/palm_pres_processor_beats_apple_iphone
Apple gonna pull out some PA Semi magic this year? Who knows but I say it wouldn't hurt to stay ahead of the game!

Quote from forum user at MacRumors.com tOmatO:
"Faster processor? the previous linked articles on the ARM 11 successor looks good, and Broadcom/Infineon chips look a likely upgrade. Apple's agressive comments in the earnings call look like they want to have a damn fine v3 iPhone. Why would they lose momentum?"

I tend to agree!

Larger Screen Size

Bigger is always better in my opinion as far as "screen only" size. I'm talking maybe another inch or whatever else they could fit into the current size phone. HD anyone?

Longer Lasting Battery

I don't think anyone would argue this one. If you are a heavy user I'm sure you drain your battery on a daily basis or maybe even on a half daily basis for some. I've already started looking at my options for external power be it a 'dongle' or 'charging case' of some sort. There are a lot of options out there for backup battery savers but why should we be so dependant on these? I honestly wouldn't care if the phone was thickened up a bit to accomodate a larger battery if need be. And I've heard mention that the new macbook batteries are pretty small and may even fit in an iphone someday. With all the other upgrades they could make battery consumption management is going to be a trick indeed! Removable?.....next!

Capacity Upgrade

This I would say is the most obvious and likely upgrade this year is a capacity bump to 32gb or maybe even more. This for me, is a sort of sweet spot. I have a 40gb ipod that will be passed down to my wife and I usually keep it right around 20gb full. Now I could (and will) seed through all the crap songs I usually skip through and cut that down about 5gb. Those that argue "why do you NEED all that music with you at ALL times" well, because I can and there's no telling what sort of mood I'll be in and it sure is nice to have anything ready at anytime.


3-5mp Camera with Flash and Video Recording

This one is on a lot of peoples list from what I've been reading and heard. 2 mega-pixel cameras on phones are just....just....OLD ok? It's time to move it up a few notches! I know there are those cameraheads out there that preach on about how megapixels do not matter and all that but I think a bump from 2 to 5 would make a liiiittle bit of difference don't you? Also it needs some sort of flash to help with low lighting situations as the iPhone camera works poorly in. Video Recording? C'mon now. It's obviously POSSIBLE through jailbreaking for those that wish to go that route.

Here's an article from last May about the hiring of Lead Camera Design Engineer for iPhone. http://www.iphonealley.com/news/apple-posts-job-opening-for-lead-camera-design-engineer-for-iphone Maybe it's about that time we see something!a

And another: http://justanotheriphoneblog.com/wordpress/2008/03/05/apple-hiring-to-improve-the-iphone-camera/

Recent news of iPhone camera new chip: http://mygadgetlife.co.uk/start/?p=497

Front Facing Camera

Maybe for recording yourself or for live video conferencing? Live streaming via UstreamTV would be neat. Make it to wear you can switch between front facing and the main camera on back on the fly so if you're in videoconference and want to show them something.

Although these rumors flew off the hook before the 3g was announced last summer, I think Apple and At&t would have to push this pretty hard to make it worth their while. But ya know, they have sold what, 12 million something iphones now. Make the next version kick-ass and sell millions more! The more hands the phone is in the more features such as this could be used.

More Bluetooth Compatibility

I would like to see A2dp so that I could use stereo headsets to stream my music and take calls, like the Motorola MotoRokr S9 HD's. Most people wouldn't find the need or even want to but I still think it would be nice to have the option to use a bluetooth keyboard and maybe even an external monitor. It would be like a mac mini in your pocket!

More Durable Shell Casing

I've read on countless iPhone sites where peoples iPhone 3G plastic cases are cracking. Here's one thread on one forum in particular that I've been following for some time now. http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=525177

This is just unacceptable if you ask me and it's STILL happening from mid-last year to TODAY! I am going to be paranoid of my iPhone when I get it because of fear of cracking!

I say give us Carbon Fiber. Strong, Durable and Looks pretty good as well. Plus I'm sure it wouldn't interfere with the radios inside as they claim the original aluminum backed phones did.

Louder Speakers

I've read several people's wishes for this and I must agree. The option for louder would be a nice addition.

Wireless Syncing

And this could simply be a software upgrade rather a hardware but I think it would be great. I mean, I want to be completely wireless except for the charging when needed. Why can't we sync for firmware updates and the sort over wifi or something? The iPhone is in sync with iTunes right? Well there is iTunes on your iPhone or a wireless version nonetheless, let us sync everything thru that instead of having to be physically connected to our PC's at home or Laptops. What other phone out there HAS to be sync'd through cable to get updates? My brother has a BlackJack2, he doesn't even own a computer but he does just fine with it and it only.

And well, that's about it for now. It's getting late and I'm feeling a bit rant'ish by now so I'd better stop there. =P

If this phone were to make it this June it would Rock my World.

Peggle Launching in March!!!

Notice at the end of the title of this posting I exclaimed with three, count'em THREE exclamation points.

That's because I'm officially a 'Peggle' junkie. Yea it's one of those games that no matter what I'm doing either it be cleaning the house or whatever but every time I pass by the computer I must sit and launch into another short (supposed) gaming session which usually ends up lasting a "short" hour and so on.

It's one of those fun, exciting, cute games with things constantly popping and jumping and exploding all over the screen. Think 'plinko' (price is right) on steroids with odd mythical creatures leading you on your way... ok well maybe phsycadelic 'plinko' would describe it more precisely.

The object of the game is to make all orange pegs dissapear by shooting these little, what look like ball bearings, from the top center of the screen. You start out with 10 balls and have opportunities to gain additional balls as you play through the level. As you progress you will unlock new characters with their own special power-ups to aid you along the way. Some of the power-ups are lame but most are very well thought out and take a bit of strategy to use. Actually each shot can be played strategically so that the ball bounces off of one peg and try to hit another. It's hard to be patient and place your shot precisely as you just want to keep firing one after the other without hesitation.

Anyways, it has been a blast on my pc the last couple of days since I downloaded it from bigfishgames.com and I can't wait to see how it converts to pocket-size.

The only fear I have is it being too laggy since there is constant motion and constant fireworks going off. Hopefully the iphone can handle all it has to offer.

Here's the article I found on it being possibly released in March where supposedly PopCap twittered about it coming soon, then erased the tweet and then came back and said it will be here in early March. http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/rumor-peggle-on-iphone/

Read more about the game here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggle

And at least go download the demo and start practicing!

PC-http://www.popcapgames.com/games/peggle?icid=peggle_HP_TOP10_5_A_07_01_08
Mac-http://www.popcap.com/games/mac/peggle

Documentary "Objectified" to Reveal Inside Look at Apple Labs.

I can't wait to see this documentary film. Sure it's an inside look to things I'll probably never own (BMW) but I love seeing how things are made and particularly want to see what goes on inside the Apple labs.

I just hope that the Apple portion is not a quick glimpse here, a quick glimpse there and a "So, yea, they make computers in there" sort of quickie. Maybe they'll dig in deep, or as deep as Apple will allow them anyhow, which knowing them, won't be much!

Any snippet is good enough for me though. ;)

World Premiere is March 13-21 at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin Texas. Hopefully 'iTunes' shortly thereafter.

My New iPhone Hero, Tim Cook Shatters the 'Nano' Rumor Mill!

Being new to the whole 'Mac' scene, I never really read up much on the backup to Jobs, Tim Cook. Yea, I knew that he took over while Steve went under the knife back in 2004 I believe it was and just recently found out that he's from Alabama, which is where I live, he grew up about 3 hours south of my location and he's an Auburn University engineer graduate. War Eagle!

So I'm not quite a believer yet until I read the front page of MacRumors today.

http://www.macrumors.com/2009/01/21/apple-answers-questions-about-low-end-iphone-and-mac-netbooks/

Now you've got my attention Mr. Cook!

In response (via AlleyInsider) to a question about iPhone pricing, however, Tim Cook revealed that a low-end iPhone seems unlikely:

"We're not going to play in the low-end voice phone business. That's not who we are, that's not why we're here. Goal is not to lead unit sales, but to build the world's best phone."

Cook also continued to downplay Apple's interest in the "netbook" market:

"We're watching that space, but from our [point of view] the products are based on hardware that's much less powerful, software technology that's not good, cramped displays. We don't think that people are going to be pleased with those type of products. It's a category we watch, we have some ideas here, but we think the products there now are inferior and won't provide the kind of experience people want."

YES!

I'm not going to begin to tell you how SICK I am of hearing about a rumored iPhone Nano and the talk of how we NEED a tablet computer. The iPhone is great, yes, no doubt but there is plenty of room for improvement and I'm glad to see that Cook and the Apple team intend to make it the best it can be and let it be known where the focus lies on their mobile platform.

Keep it real Apple.

Is 2009 the Year Apple Must Fight to Stay On Top?!

Ok, so, the 'iPhone' has nearly been out a full two years come this June and has thus clearly made it's point that it is here to dominate the cell phone industry as we once knew it. Forget your 'G1' or your 'Storm' as those are failed attempts of the past, ok ok, so maybe not failed but 'entry level gunners', how about that?

Let's get to the real guts.

CES a few weeks ago revealed the 'Palm Pre', some other gidgets and gadgets, a watch...ya know, all that other junk. This new Palm has garnered a LOT of attention from newbie smartphone users to dedicated iphone junkies. I'm going to go ahead and just say it, "The 'Pre' is the beginning of the war to come this year".

I'd say in the next 5 months we are going to see a lot of REAL competitors to not only battle the 'iPhone' this year but the battle will grow to catch up to the 'Pre' as well! HTC supposedly has a 'Pre' killer in place to possibly be revealed at Mobile World Congress (MWC) the middle of next month and the damned 'Pre' isn't even being sold yet! There are whispers of Dell joining the game this year as well, MWC maybe?

But back to the real heart of this story. Apple.

What will Apple do? Does Apple need to do anything? Is Apple going to do anything?
They must know that the major players have caught a good whiff and are out for blood and by god, they might just pull out the lethal blow!

The much hyped 'Pre' is supposed to be out the first half of 2009. Where will Palm take risk? Apple's World Wide Developer's Conference (WWDC) will, we'll assume, come in June. Will Palm sit and wait it out until then or will they let the 'Pre' out of the gates early? What would be the Pro's and Con's of either decision by Palm? There could be several different scenarios. Release the 'Pre' in March and if it tanks I'd say Apple has nothing to worry about. Release the 'Pre' in June around WWDC and well, that would be rather interesting.

I believe Apple (and maybe this is just what I wish =P), will have to bring it big in June. 'iPhone Pro' anyone? Quad Core's, 32gigs, 5mp camera, more RAM, faster processor...ok well maybe not the Quad Core. This new Palm is supposedly pretty powerful, some are saying more powerful than the current 'iPhone' and I'm not pulling out any spec sheets here but just going off of the half dozen reviews I've read so far. Apple will not need to sit idle.

Fact is, there are contenders coming down that isle and they will be stepping in that ring in the months to come and Apple and Steve Jobs (bless his soul), you had better be ready come summer time! Maybe this could be Tim Cook's shining moment to show Apple is still innovative and has vision without Mr. Jobs around.

All I know is this is going to be a fun next 4 or 5 months and I'm glad to be along for the ride. =)

A few notable cell phone related events coming up:

Mobile World Conference 2/16/09

International CTIA Wireless 4/1/09

World Wide Developers Conference 6/??/09

This is a Test.

Testing testing testing 1...2...3