iPhone 3.0 announced

[Pat]

The new iPhone OS 3.0 adds over 100 new features, including—at friggin' last—cut and paste.

• Copy & Paste text. When you double-tap over text, you will get a "cut, copy, and paste" bubble dialog. Double-tap again and a "paste" bubble will appear if there's anything in the clipboard.

This works across applications. You can expand your selection points using your thumb and, if you accidentally paste something you don't wanted to paste, just shake your iPhone to undo it.

• Copy & Paste photos. You can also copy and paste photos. Now you will be able to select multiple photos by tapping the action button, copy, and paste them in an email, ready to send.

• New Spotlight. iPhone OS 3.0 will allow you to search across the entire information contained in your device, no matter where, as soon as the application supports it.

• Search in Mail, Calendar, and iPod. These applications have specific search interfaces. The search in Mail doesn't support the message content yet, but it supports searching in IMAP servers.

• 3G Tethering. This feature will allow you to connect your iPhone 3G to a laptop, using it as a modem to access the Internet from it.

• Landscape keyboard. Apple has added the landscape keyboard mode to other applications, like Mail and Notes.

• Multimedia messaging. Another big one to communicate with people without mail-enabled telephones: The new MMS function will allow you to include everything, from images to sound to vcards (no word on video, however.)

• Support for new calendar types. In iPhone OS 3.0 you will be able to subscribe to calendars in the web

• Improved stocks application. The stocks application now allows you to read the about latest market scandals, major NASDAQ crash, and executives getting bonus packages from government aid while their companies sink.

• Stereo Bluetooth audio. You will be able to pair your iPhone 3.0 with a stereo bluetooth device, such as headphones or speakers.

• Note synching with iTunes.

• Safari will remember login credentials.

• Shake to shuffle music. If you are in your iPod application, you just need to shake it to start the shuffling mode. Hopefully this will be optional for sports people out there.

• Wi-Fi auto-login. In case you have a subscription to a paid hotspot, your iPhone or iPod touch will autolog into it.

• Anti-phising. Mobile Safari now can warn you against malicious sites trying to scam you.

• Extended parental controls. They can now be applied to movies, TV shows, and applications (porn apps, here we come).

NEW APPLICATIONS

• Voice memo application. Obviously allows you to record voice or any other sound.

• Send and receive files. An application that will allow you to exchange files between iPhones or iPods touch.



NEW THIRD PARTY APPLICATIONS FEATURES IN IPHONE OS 3.0

The new iPhone OS 3.0 adds 1,000 new APIs to extend the capabilities of new applications.

• Peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connectivity. A new API will allow for two iPhones to connect directly—peer-to-peer—via Wi-Fi, without needing any Wi-Fi network.

They will be able to discover each other using Bluetooth, and then start a Wi-Fi connection transparently (we saw this technology at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, so you can check the video about how it works here.)

This opens a lot of possibilities. I doubt they will allow you to pass music, but you would probably be able to pass any other information, as well as directly communicating between applications in the two devices. One example: A pets game that allows two dogs to play with each other.

This feature could be combined with push notification, so your iPhone may receive a note from another iPhone, inviting you to play a game one-on-one.



• Use your iPhone/touch to control peripherals. A new API will let you use your iPhone or iPod touch as a control to your accessories. In this example, the iPhone is being used to equalize the sound in a loudspeaker.



However, the applications are endless. Johnson and Johnson is releasing LifeScan, an app that connects to a glucose monitoring device. The application can even alert other people automatically, in case something is wrong.

• Maps inside other applications. New applications will be able to use Maps directly, which is now an API.

• Turn-by-turn directions. Developers will also be able to create turn-by-turn applications using the GPS information from the iPhone and combining it with their own maps, without depending on 3G connectivity or Google.



• Push notification finally coming. Hopefully this time it will be true. Push notification means that your iPhone OS 3.0 applications will finally be able to receive messages from the intarwebs automagically, so you can have an Instant Message application and have your iPhone vibrate or make a sound when a new message comes in, even if the application is not running.



• Voice communication in applications. iPhone 3.0 applications will also be able to access a Voice over IP service. This means that you will be able to chat with other users while playing against them in a game, for example. This won't use the telephone, but the internet over a Wi-Fi connection.

• Rumbling. Games—or any other application—will also be able to rumble, like your console joystick.

• Audio recording. Audio recording will also be possible from third-party applications.

• Access your music from applications. Future applications will also be able to access the iPhone/iPod music library. This means that applications will be able to play your own music while they run.

NEW FEATURES IN THE APP STORE

The new OS will also offer an enhanced App Store, opening new possibilities for developers and consumers.

• Subcriptions to apps.
• Purchase additional content for apps, like new cities for a city guide application.
• Purchase additional levels for games.

Basically, this will allow developers to sell more things on top of their apps, and to consumers to expand their experience with those apps.

• This will work straight from the applications, so you can purchase new things through the software itself, even while it still goes through the App Store internally.

PRICE

iPhone OS 3.0 will be a free upgrade to all iPhone users, including the first generation (not all features will be supported in the first generation, like Stereo Bluetooth support). iPod touch users will be able to but it for $9.95.

If you dare, you can sign up for the beta here.


To recap the big features in 3.0: In-App purchase to enable more app functionality, peer to peer connectivity, accessory connectivity, Google map controls, push notifications, cut and paste, landscape mode, Messages (MMS), voice memos, new Calendar support, enhancements to the Stock App and search (Spotlight). Plus, Bluetooth, if you’re really looking forward to that one.

Other good features: Notes Sync, audio/video tags, live streaming, shake to shuffle, Wi-Fi auto login, Stereo Bluetooth, LDAP, iTunes account creation, YouTube ratings, Anti-Philshing, Call Log, Parental Controls, Media Scrubber, OTA profiles, VPN on demand, Languages, YouTube subscriptions, YouTube accounts and Encrypted profiles. Also, auto-fills. The biggest addition here is probably Stereo Bluetooth A2DP support.

Calling all whiners to crib about lack of Flash (coz thats the only thing they can complain about)

[gxsaurav]

Apple's RDF is in full form. They are making age old features look like new. I will compare it with my Nokia N79

iPhone = 29k while N79 = 19K

1) Copy & paste takes more time to perform on iPhone then my N79
2) Many features r something I am already enjoying since a long time. Sending multiple files in E-Mail, system wide content & information search, Tethering, MMS, subscription to Ovi Calander which is also synced to Google & Windows Live calander which is synced to my Windows Calender, Bluetooth A2DP, note sync with Nokia PC Suite, Webkit, Opera Mobile & Opera mini remembers my login credentials, autologin to Wi-Fi, Phishing protection in Webkit & Opera Mobile, Voice recording.

Send & receive files can work only between iPhones or iPod touch. This is really absurd.

Use your iPhone/touch to control peripherals.

This is a good feature. However, right now I am able to control my Computer & toaster using my Nokia N79 easily already

Push notification finally coming. Hopefully this time it will be true. Push notification means that your iPhone OS 3.0 applications will finally be able to receive messages from the intarwebs automagically, so you can have an Instant Message application and have your iPhone vibrate or make a sound when a new message comes in, even if the application is not running.

I get this right now when I run Slick or Fring in background but not using Push system. Good feature though, but considering that it works right now, fine over Edge I am not missing it.

• Voice communication in applications. iPhone 3.0 applications will also be able to access a Voice over IP service. This means that you will be able to chat with other users while playing against them in a game, for example. This won't use the telephone, but the internet over a Wi-Fi connection.

I can do this right now too. Run fring in the background & talk to someone on skype, while playing online with the same person in N-Gage.

The iPhone still sux. For 29k I only get 128 MB RAM & 2 Megapixel camera, with no video recording or Flash. I get more with my Nokia N79 for 19 k only.

Looks like by the time I decide to upgrade my N79, means in the next 3 years, I will have to make a choice between SE Idou or iPhone because with this speed I guess It will take Apple 3 years to support features compared to my today's N79

[Faun]

Change you can believe in

[nikhilpai]

Originally Posted by Pat

Calling all whiners to crib about lack of Flash (coz thats the only thing they can complain about)

You forgot the lack of video recording & absence of multitasking
And now don't say that it doesn't matter because video recording is possible after jailbreaking

[utsav]

Finally its way better than b4 but way behind my N82 . Ohh wait. Even my N73me pwns it big time in most department

But seriously, iphone looks really cool and its more what worth to buy it now .

[victor_rambo]

Hey, thats a good way of releasing new models frequently.
First release models lacking basic features and price them high.
Then release a new model fulfiling the lacking features.

[Cool G5]

LOL..

Yeh to hona hi tha

[nikhilpai]

The worst part of it is the way Apple locks down the features of a device and then releases a firmware update to enable it as if to show that they have launched a new feature.
And this is restricted to not only the iPhone but also to the iPod touch. (I am referring to enabling bluetooth on iPod Touch through the upcoming update)

[BBThumbHealer]

Nice Firmware Update

[Pat]

Originally Posted by victor_rambo

Hey, thats a good way of releasing new models frequently.
First release models lacking basic features and price them high.
Then release a new model fulfiling the lacking features.

I hope its not too difficult for you to understand that this is a SOFTWARE update application even to the first-gen iPhones!! Pardon me if I shouldnt have done this to you at this time in your life

[freshseasons]

Originally Posted by Pat

I hope its not too difficult for you to understand that this is a SOFTWARE update application even to the first-gen iPhones!! Pardon me if I shouldnt have done this to you at this time in your life

WOW you made my day......
I was just about to upgrade to another phone and was thinking ditching my iphone when you came up with this wonderful new.
Good for people like me who have already got an iphone.

[victor_rambo]

Originally Posted by Pat

I hope its not too difficult for you to understand that this is a SOFTWARE update application even to the first-gen iPhones!! Pardon me if I shouldnt have done this to you at this time in your life

lol....I never knew apple calls their iphone handset as well firmware by the same name "iphone"...gosh...apple terminology is so difficult...

Originally Posted by freshseasons

WOW you made my day......
I was just about to upgrade to another phone and was thinking ditching my iphone when you came up with this wonderful new.
Good for people like me who have already got an iphone.

lol..even people with iphone goofed up

[gxsaurav]

With the speed Apple giving features & with the speed other manufacturers are seriously catching up & beating the iPhone UI, it will take iPhone 2 3 years more to catch up to today's standard.

Right now, HTC Touch Diamond, LG S Class UI & Samsung TouchWiz UI are beating iPhone easily. nVidia is coming with Tegra means a better 3d UI which is also hardware accelerated. The next phone on which I have put my eyes is Sony Ericsson Idou which beats iPhone's current UI hands down as shown by the Videos. If buying today, I would prefer to buy HTC Touch Diamond 2.0 (cos it has 5 MP camera) or a Slider phone with Xenon Flash, Symbian S60 OS & Touch Screen.

[desiibond]

Am I dreaming here?? Idou is a f'ing 12.1mp phone. Damn it looks gorgeous. Hope it won't cost 40k-50k

[freshseasons]

Originally Posted by victor_rambo

lol..even people with iphone goofed up

Hey comeon be fair. Iphone is not that bad expect for the cut and paste part and the mobipocket real version that it lacks for reading ebooks.There are other i know but i miss mobipocket for the iphone.

Still using 02 XDA mini S for reading ebooks.

[gxsaurav]

Considering Idou will come by 2009 end & its price will reduce to 20k level by 2010 end, I got lots of time to save money . This phone has everything I can dream of. F**king high end hardware, Symbian OS means lots & lots of software, SE's beautiful hardware & software UI, LED flash for Video & torch

[utsav]

Originally Posted by gxsaurav

SE's beautiful hardware & software UI, LED flash for Video & torch

You always search for torch feature in every phone

[desiibond]

Originally Posted by freshseasons

Hey comeon be fair. Iphone is not that bad expect for the cut and paste part and the mobipocket real version that it lacks for reading ebooks.There are other i know but i miss mobipocket for the iphone.

Still using 02 XDA mini S for reading ebooks.

I am not saying that iphone is bad. For 30k-35k, it should do much more than just playing music and touch!!!

[max_demon]

afaik G1 is only phone rival to iphone , if anyone has used nokia 5800 and iphone he can easily say which is better .

and iPhone/iTouch is Parents friendly also , my mom or dad feels uncomfortable to use 5800 with stylus whereas in itouch it is more simpler than anything else .

the "flat" menu design also apeels me very much , and with jailbreak the possibilities are endless . we can install linux on iphone . (however it is not completly done ) but i am sure one day i can run anaroid on my phone .
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Originally Posted by desiibond

Am I dreaming here?? Idou is a f'ing 12.1mp phone. Damn it looks gorgeous. Hope it won't cost 40k-50k

[Cool G5]

+1000
Dslr Ftw !!!

[desiibond]

^^why are you comparing it with SLR??? That's totally totally unjustified

And yes, I didn't like 5800XM but I would rather save 12k by opting for 5800XM instead of iphone.

[Cool G5]

^
Not comparing buddy, but it's general tendency of people. For e.g.

A : SE announces 12 MP camera phone
B : WHOA !! 12 MP will surely give your 6 MP DSLR run for it's money.
A : Hmmm ( WTF )

[utsav]

Thr is nothing to drool on megapixel count . imo even if a cam has 2mp then it should be good. For example the k750i.
But packing in 12mp cam in a phone doesnt makes it a imaging behemoth unless it performs well in most conditions.
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Originally Posted by max_demon

we can install linux on iphone . (however it is not completly done ) but i am sure one day i can run

Do u know u can install windows 98 on N82 and N95 xp is expected to b coming soon.

[max_demon]

^^Which is running "Above" Symbian , and cannot use the hardware directly ?

[sam9s]

Originally Posted by utsav

Thr is nothing to drool on megapixel count . imo even if a cam has 2mp then it should be good. For example the k750i.
But packing in 12mp cam in a phone doesnt makes it a imaging behemoth unless it performs well in most conditions.
.

yep most of the people seriously have that MP syndrome even in cameras as well........More MP better image is the logic, well in fact 6 MP camera can produce far better result than 12MP...

BTW :: are the above features an upgrade to iPhone only....what about iPod touch????

[gxsaurav]

Idou does have a Xenon Flash if u want to see. Better compare it with a phone instead of a DSLR

[x3060]

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[/quote]

seriously....thats a damn sexy phone.

[Pat]

Guys, please stay on-topic

[desiibond]

Originally Posted by x3060

seriously....thats a damn sexy phone.

True. very very true. http://www.sonyericsson.com/idou/

check the main page for Idou.

add the the sexy design, smile and face recognition in camera, 16M color display, secondary call camera for video call (will be very useful given that 3G is spreading in India),

[gxsaurav]

Originally Posted by Pat

Guys, please stay on-topic

Oh! So sorry that the unreleased Idou has over shadowed the old iPhone 3.0