WebApp: Background Checks & People Search Spontaneous Insight

It seems like just 20 minutes ago that I featured the Free Phone Number Trace application for the iPhone, as this week's WebApp of the week, well thats probably because I did just write that article 20 minutes ago. Now, while scanning Apple's Web-Application page [link] I have come across Free Phone Number Trace's counterpart, Background Checks & People Search Spontaneous Insight.

This web application is no more complicated than Free Phone Number Trace, but it provides much more detailed reports of the people you are "investigating" (for a price). Much like Free Phone Number Trace, Background Checks & People Search Spontaneous Insight (what a hassle to type!) for the iPhone, provides background results including criminal records, and background checks (US only).

Unlike Free Phone Number Trace, this Web Application allows you to not only search forwards (using name), but it also allows you to perform a reverse search, this means that you can find someone via their address or phone number (essentially what Free Phone Number Trace does).

Two aspects of this WebApp that are incredibly convenient, are the fact that background check results are automatically emailed to you (at no extra charge), and the fact that this application provides free summary results (the in-depth results cost money.)

As I said before, if Web Applications have come this far in such a short time, there are so many possibilities for iPhone applications developed with Apple's recently released Software Development Kit.

Begin performing background checks via your iPhone/iPod Touch here.

WebApp of the Week: Phone Number Trace

This web application is a diamond in the rough. Unlike many of the other applications (not necessarily for the iPhone) out there that offer to trace phone numbers for free, "Free Phone Number Trace" actually gets the job done, efficiently and for free.

More specifically, what this handy little web application does, is allow the user to enter the phone number to any listed landline within the United States, and receive information about that landline's owners. Amongst the information provided in the results of this application are: name, name history, city, state, and relatives (when applicable).

Free Phone Number Trace is one of the more serious applications I have featured in my "WebApp of the Week" series, and I believe it is one of the more practical applications. The applications of this application (haha) are endless.

If WebApps for the iPhone have reached this point in terms of sophistication, I can only imagine how far actual applications for the iPhone, developed with the SDK can go, the possibilities are innumerable!

Click here to begin using Free Phone Number Trace! (iPhone/iPod Touch)

Image courtesy of www.pocketinfo.nl

Updated "2.0" Firmware Beta Seeded by Apple

As of late, Apple has been distributing it's "2.0" iPhone firmware to select developers and testers. It appears as if few changes have actually been implemented from the previous release of the 2.0 beta (or 1.2 as it was called).

What is new though, is the fact that this is officially the 2.0 beta, as opposed to the 1.2 beta (which was essentially the same thing, with a different name.)

From what we can see, visible changes include small tweaks to the Cisco VPN settings and the root-level mail/ActiveSync settings have been played with a bit.

Overall, few changes have been implemented in the official 2.0 build (from the 1.2 build), but be sure to check back to iPhoneFreak for the latest news on this story!

[via Engadget]

$132,468 (US) worth of iPhones Stolen

Two Apple employees (now ex-employees) working at the Apple Store located in Salem, New Hampshire, were caught by their supervisors after stealing $132,468 (US) worth of iPhones (332 iPhones) according to The Eagle Tribune.

Joshua Garrand (28) and Christopher Nashed (22) were both arrested without incident by New Hampshire police earlier at their residences earlier this week.

Apparently the pair were stealing iPhones from the Apple Store ($399) and then proceeding to sell them on the internet for higher prices.

"These (phones) are in very high demand," said Deputy police Chief William Ganley.

Both men are currently being held by police in their respective towns, Nashed is awaiting arraignment with bail posted at $250,000, and Garrand is being held on a fugitive from justice charge, and is expected to face that charge.

iPhone: Handwriting Recognition in the Works?

A MacRumors reader recently spotted a "job opportunity" for a handwriting recognition engineer on Apple's website.

Whether or not this means handwriting recognition is in the works for either the iPhone/iPod Touch or even OS X is unknown at this point.

We can only hope that Apple will make this audacious move, and delve into the world of handwriting recognition on both portable, and not so portable devices.

What could handwriting recognition on the iPhone mean, you ask? Well, depending on how much time and effort Apple decides to put into utilizing handwriting recognition software on their devices, it could either make composing emails, text messages, and surfing the web (on the iPhone) a much easier task, or it could do just the opposite and make it more cumbersome (than the current keyboard? yeah right...)

I am very interested in seeing how this pans out, and whether or not Apple will seriously pursue this technology for both the iPhone and OS X (tablet Mac?)

Whether or not Apple is actually planning on utilizing any handwriting recognition software is purely speculation, but as I said before, this idea has potential, and I would love to see what Apple does with this.

[via MacRumors]

SlingPlayer Being Considered for iPhone

Could Sling Media's SlingPlayer software be around the corner for the iPhone? The popular place-shift company has been telling several tech blogs of late it is indeed looking at the iPhone SDK with the idea of seeing if they could develop a native iPhone application which would let SlingPlayer owners view their DVR and home television content through their Apple phones.

Of particular interest is comments Sling Media’s Brian Jaquet, Director of Public Relations made to SvenOnTech earlier this month. He told the tech blog "We think the iPhone platform has a lot to offer and is ideally suited for mobile TV via its WiFi capabilities and to a lesser extent (today) its EDGE cellular capabilities." That pretty much sums it up there - so Sling, when can we expect it?

Microsoft Cozies Up to iPhone

Now this is interesting...Microsoft might be turning to the iPhone to make a few bucks. A blog over at Fortune reports the software giant is playing around with the recently unveiled iPhone SDK to see what, if anything, it could develop as a native iPhone application.

The Microsoft Mac Business Unit, part of the company's Specialized Devices and Applications Group, looks to be the group leading the charge. Tom Gibbons, the head of the larger division, had this to tell Fortune over this iPhone/Microsoft idea:

"“It’s really important for us to understand what we can bring to the iPhone. To the extent that Mac Office customers have functionality that they need in that environment, we’re actually in the process of trying to understand that now.”

Another Microsoft unit, the voice recognition crew of TellMe, is also looking into ways to integrate into the iPhone system. It all looks entertaining from here when you consider Microsoft, the much hated rival of Apple, doesn't mind doing the capitalism thing to get some extra cash into Bill's pocket.

[via iPhone Matters]

iPhone In The Enterprise... Could We All Just Get Along?

After hearing, for many years, so many IT or computer "experts" scuffing at Apple products, and their focus on accommodating everyday users with silly things like simple Graphical User Interfaces... the mix of attention for the iPhone, and especially now with Exchange support and the SDK, is particularly interesting and, I bet, satisfying for Apple.

Searching for "iPhone" anything on the web returns a bunch of articles in publications like "Linux World",  "PC World", "ITwire", SYS-CON",  and many others. Not that they are all advocating the iPhone, but many are. And even among the ones who aren't in favor of it, some are preparing for it.

The Blackberry phase has seen it's time, I suppose. But I still believe that RIM is most likely to release a somewhat honorable competitor for the iPhone, really, in the next year... and that will make the iPhone's move towards redefining the mobile enterprise... even more fun to watch.

To me, the idea of the strength of today's managed corporate network and infrastructure, with the iPhone in the field... the device... the ultimate remote control... goes well beyond push email or shared information. The iPhone will be pushing "content" to everyone, including professional people of all types.

Gartner analyst group has already given their initial blessing to Apple's new iPhone features for the enterprise... Microsoft ActiveSync, Cisco IPSEC and wifi WPA2 security. These features will let the iPhone access corporate Microsoft Exchange email servers and create secure Virtual Private Network links into the office - two features which most businesses would consider essential for road warriors.

Sneak Peak: iPhone AppStore

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) has managed to get their hands on numerous screenshots depicting what the iPhone's new Application Store should look like. I know that I have been saying this a lot as of late, but the validity of these screenshots have yet to be confirmed by any official sources (e.g. Apple Inc).

From these photos we can see that the Application Store will allow iPhone users to search, browse via genres/featured, view the top 50 most popular applications, and even download application updates from one central location (as opposed to downloading each update separately.)

Click here to see the entire photo gallery of the new iPhone AppStore.

[via TUAW]

Video Chatting for the iPhone 3G?

Acclaimed technology blogger/founder of Digg & Diggnation, Kevin Rose, recently disclosed that he had heard  rumors that the 3G iPhone (iPhone Pro as he called it) will boast video chatting abilities amongst other new features. Kevin predicted that the new iPhone will feature both a camera on the front (for video chatting), and a camera on the back for photos, etc (as is now).

Please note that this is just a rumor and is purely speculation, and has not been confirmed by Apple Inc. Stay tuned to iPhoneFreak.com for the latest news on this story!

[via AppleInsider]

"PC" Using an iPhone! Upside Down...

Recently (March 19, 2008) John Hodgman aka "PC" from the Apple "Mac vs. PC" commercials, was recently seen by millions on Comedy Central's Daily Show hosted by Jon Stewart using his iPhone! What's ironic (besides the fact that Hodgman aka PC is an avid Apple lover), is the fact that he pulled out his iPhone and answered the call upside down! Also be sure to see Charlie Sheen, and an unknown actor from NBC's Bionic Woman both using their iPhones upside-down!

[via TopiPhoneNews]

Images Courtesy of Engadget & Engadget Mobile

Regionally Customize Your iPhone's ".com" Key

Mac OS X hints has discovered a great little "tweak" that internationalizes your ".com" key. This means you can change the ".com" to international domains such as ".fr", ".de", ".co.uk", and ".co.nz". This tweak (so to speak) is actually quite easy to perform, easier than one might imagine.

Go to your iPhone's settings menu, choose General > Keyboards and enable whichever international keyboards suit your needs.

After activiating those regional keyboard settings, open up Safari, and enter a URL. Next, tap the globe icon to switch the active keyboard from US (or whatever is default in your region) to another nationality of your choice. Lastly, hold down the .com button, and after a second, the regional version (France's regional setting is shown in the picture) will appear to the left of the default .com button.

[via TUAW]

Photo Courtesy of The Unofficial Apple Weblog

iPhones for Singapore?

According to CNN Money, Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. is planning to launch the iPhone in September. Unfortunately Singapore Tel. has refused to comment on whether or not the deal was actually made with Apple Inc.

If Apple Inc. were to broaden it's iPhone sales to Asian countries such as Singapore, China, and Japan, the company could greatly increase not only its revenue, but also its worldwide recognition (which would in turn benefit other products such as the iPod, MacBook, and iMac).

While the Asian market is on Apple's radar as a top priority, no definitive news has been released as to whether or not Apple will begin to market its products there. News of an iPhone release in Singapore is purely speculation (as per CNN, and Channel News Asia) and has not been confirmed by  Apple or Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

Getting Busy with the Pogo iPhone Stylus

One could argue you don't need a stylus for your iPhone. For those with fat fingers, like me, or who are anal about keeping their screens clean a stylus might just be the thing however. We've covered this product category before and now are taking notice of the Pogo iPhone Stylus.

This iPhone stylus, priced at around $25, reportedly "tricks the iPhone into thinking it's really a finger." With this, you can select what you want on the touchscreen and not leave behind greasy smudges. It includes a soft tip so you don't damage the screen as you drag while performing on-screen actions.

Flash on the iPhone: Plausible? Not Really...

Earlier today (March 19, 2008) Adobe released comments outlining their plan to release Adobe Flash player to the iPhone via the application store. The folks at Adobe recently got their hands on the iPhones Software Development Kit, and are beginning development of an iPhone based flash player (to be distributed directly to the iPhone via the application store). 

"Adobe Systems Inc. has begun work to create a media player destined for Apple Inc.'s iPhone, Chief Executive Shantanu Narayen said Tuesday, thus adding a new wrinkle to a standoff between the two long-term partners" (Narayen, Adobe CEO).

Although Steve Jobs, the CEO of Apple Inc. stated that it would be very improbable for flash to be compatible with the iPhone (due to the feature restrictions on flash lite), news of an SDK based flash player comes in light of the recent release of the Software Development Kit (somewhat nullifying Job's previous statement). As of right now the details as to the magnitude and specifics of the project are sketchy, but be sure to check back for frequent updates on this progressing story!

UPDATE: Adobe issued a statement to clarify what Narayen, Adobe CEO, said earlier this week: "Adobe has evaluated the iPhone SDK and can now start to develop a way to bring Flash Player to the iPhone. However, to bring the full capabilities of Flash to the iPhone Web-browsing experience we do need to work with Apple beyond and above what is available through the SDK and the current license around it."

Too bad, it looks like unless God himself Steve Jobs says that iPhone will support Flash, it won't...

[via Macrumors] and [CNet]

WebApp of the Week: iReview

Unlike last week's application, iEatClub, with which you could only review restaurants, eateries, and bars, iReview allows the user to review anything he or she can take a picture of with his or her iPhone. One can review include restaurants, hotels, clubs, food products, the sky is the limit with iReview!

What I really like about iReview is the fact that you are not lmited to a particular medium of reviewable-material. In using this application, one can quickly and easily write a review of nearly ANYTHING he or she can think of, and then publish it almost instantaneously. Most iPhone web applications are limited to doing specific tasks, or are restricted to a particular subject matter, not iReview.

To begin reviewing, click here!

More Information on iPhone 2.0 Firmware Released

Today (March 18, 2008), Engadget has managed to get their hands on the yet to be released iPhone 2.0 firmware, and has posted an assortment of photos detailing the iPhone's new 2.0 firmware (set to release in late June). Amongst the features noted by the folks over at Engadget were:

-Support for Microsoft Exchange
-Application Store (not yet online though)
-Wifi networks can now be "prioritized"
-Calculator supports sideways orientation (in addition to scientific)
-Parental controls now work (Youtube can be blocked, etc)
-Multi-select emails (delete/move as a group)
-Contact search is still not available

Be sure to read my other post titled "iPhone 2.0 Firmware: Sneak Peek" for additional information about the 2.0 firmware, and to watch a video of the iPhone's new firmware in action. Currently, Apple is seeding a beta (1.2) to enterprise beta testers, and chosen iPhone developers. As stated previously, the iPhone 2.0 firmware is scheduled for a late June (08) release.

[via Macrumors & Engadget]

One Pricey iPhone to Rule Them All

Jewel encrusted iPhones certainly aren't a new topic we've covered. Remember the $52,000 Amosu iPhone back in November? Now another high end iPhone has taken the lead for most pricey model - the
roughly $176,000 iPhone Princess Plus.

This particular iPhone designer item, envisioned by Austrian jeweler Peter Aloisson, is made of 18-carat white gold and rounded with between 318 and 320 diamonds, for a maximum carat weight of 17.75. Included in the design are 138 princess cut and 180 brilliant cut diamonds.

We sort of have to wonder: what's the point?

[via Crave]

Is a Flip iPhone in the Works?

Is a flip iPhone in the works from Apple? That was one of the questions buzzing around the tech blog world today over a recent Apple patent described by Unwired View as being called "Dual sided trackpad."

The essence of this patent, explained Unwired View, is a device which separates a touch sensor array and phone display and then puts "the touch sensor array on a translucent (transparent) panel, makes this panel touch sensitive on both sides - top and bottom and connects them with a hinge."

There's obviously a lot more detail to this and we suggest you read the full Unwired View post and perhaps even take the patent for a spin if you want (46 PDF pages of snooze). While one certainly can't assume this patent heralds the eventual arrival of a flip iPhone, we can certainly dream.

iPhone in Canada: Getting Closer?

We’re not there yet, but it looks like we’re getting closer than we’ve never been from an iPhone release in Canada.

I just got off the phone with a sales representative from Micro Boutique, a Montreal based authorized Apple reseller, and I was told that Apple and Rogers have "ongoing discussions" about the iPhone right now. The representative also said that “ongoing discussions between the two companies were a lot better now”…

Even though Micro Boutique employees were told that no deal has been finalized yet, the company just launched an iPhone giveaway for their Canadian customers. When asked about network compatibility, Micro-boutique said that "the winner will have to use his iphone on Rogers.

Take this for what it's worth, but let’s hope for a late spring iPhone launch in Canada.

eReading on iPhone with TextOnPhone

Odds are good that if you have an iPhone, and you're reading this, then you're no stranger to technological gadgetry. You've likely researched the few decent E-book readers that exist out there, only to discover that they are all extremely expensive, and they are, let's face it, kind of painful on the eye in comparison to Apple's established aesthetics.

You spent a lot of money on your iPhone, right? You should make it all it can be. Did you know it can be an E-reader, too? Yep, it can. Join me, book lovers. Enter the web-app world of TextOnPhone.

There are about 20,000 open license books on their site, some of which you will be surprised to see, for free, the second you open it up in Safari and start browsing. Want to read some Murakami? How about Phillip K. Dick? Kafka? They're all there. The best way to find what you need is the search bar on the top, though if you're open to suggestions, there are recommendations and daily reads among the easy-to-use interface on the bottom.

Had your heart set on something specific, but can't find it there? No problem. In what is, in my opinion, the best feature of TextOnPhone, you can upload your own text to your Readlist, which you establish by creating a free account to login with. That collection of .rtf Updike books you have collecting dust on your hard drive at home? Upload 'em. Read them on the go.

Better yet, read them in the air. TextOnPhone has caching capabilities that will download extra pages so you can read while you're in Airplane mode. And let's say you nod off somewhere over the Atlantic while trying to read "The Odyssey",  TextOnPhone will remember your last page and bookmark it for you.

Are you concerned that the screen is too small? Turn it sideways. It gives you a more book-like feel. Then just tap the screen in the middle of the page to turn the page. Change your settings to adjust backgrounds and fonts to your own personal preference. It really couldn't be simpler.

Come, Readers. Join me and 50,000 other regular users that TextOnPhone has amassed since its launch last Summer. It plays nicely with iPhone and iPod Touch, and a Facebook app is being developed as well. Check it out!

iPhone 2.0 Firmware: Sneak Peek

A few days ago, Hackintosh posted several images of the iPhone's new 2.0 firmware, a Youtube video (see belowwas also posted. Visible changes in the 2.0 firmware upgrade include:

- Exchange Support
- Appstore
- Parental Controls
- SDK Support
- Calculator is more advanced
- CISCO VPN support
- Mail mass deletion

The 2.0 iPhone firmware is set to be released to the iPhone community in June, 2008. In addition to the features listed above, included in the 2.0 firmware will be the iTunes Application Store, and Exchange support. Currently, the 2.0 iPhone firmware beta has been made available to chosen developers, and enterprise customers.

Youtube Video of 2.0 Firmware

Web Application: iEatClub

iEatClub is a very simple, yet intuitive web application that allows users to review and share photos of restaurants/eateries that they have dined at. Amongst the features included in iEatClub are photo sharing, tagging of reviews/photos, and bookmarking reviews. The principle behind this web application is great,  and it doesn't stop there, the interface is very easy to use, and allows you to begin sharing your reviews within minutes.

I hate it when I visit a terrible restaurant, and can't easily tell people not to dine there, and visa versa, when I find a great restaurant and am not able to share my recommendations with other people. Now, with iEatClub, I can do just that!

Download iEatClub here

iPhone Now Available in Austria and Ireland

As of today (March 14, 2008) Apple & T-Mobile officially announced that they would being selling the iPhone in Austria and Ireland.

The prices of these Austrian iPhones are as follows:

-8gb: 399.00 Euro
-16gb: 499.00 Euro

According to MacRumors The following plans are available for iPhone owners in Austria:

- 39 euro/mo "Classic" -  3GB data / 1000 Minutes / free T-Mobile Wifi
- 55 euro/mo "Supreme" - 3GB data / 4000 Minutes* / 1000 SMS / free T-Mobile Wifi

* 4000 Minutes split across different types of calls (in network, out of network etc...)

See Stephane Dion's original report on the Irish iPhone release date announcement for more info on the Irish iPhone. The following is an excerpt from Stephane's original post.

"And just like the UK, the iPhone will be available through O2 retail stores and Carphone Warehouse retail stores. The 8GB and 16GB iPhones will be released with prices of €399 and €499 respectively. O2-Ireland will introduce three voice & data plans, starting at €45. Plans will include voice, texts and 1GB data bundle."

There are also several rumors circulating of various European, Asian, and Australian iPhone releases on the horizon.

[via MacRumors]

Image courtesy of cookcomputing.

Germany/United States: iPhone 16gb Shortages?

According to iLounge, Apple may be experiencing a shortage in their supply of 16gb iPhones.  This information is based off of "inventory checks" at numerous Apple retail stores performed by iLounge. The good folks at iLounge contacted roughly ten Apple Stores, and of those ten stores, only one of them had the 16 gigabyte iPhone model in stock. Even though  Apple currently lists the 16gb iPhone model as being available on the online Apple store, according to iFun [Translated Link], T-Mobile in Germany is not offering the 16gb iPhone at this point in time. Unlike their iPhone counterparts, the 32gb iPod Touch was found to be in stock in all of the companies queried by iLounge.

[via iLounge]

The death & life of my iPhone

Last Saturday evening it was raining up a storm in NYC and I was rushing back from dance class. As I hit the sidewalk a taxi miraculously stopped right in front me. It was a sign from heaven.

So I took it, thinking I could just dash home and save time. Ah! But the rain caused tunnel traffic above Canal Street to back up endlessly. And I needed to get downtown, waay downtown and over the glorious Bklyn Bridge to my endlessly chic & historic nabe. So by the time I emerged from the cab, I was late, frazzled, and oh -- the taxi being one of those new mini-van things, the door was stuck.

I basically fell out of it, dropping purse, dance bag, large umbrella, and most sadly, iPhone into the street. "No!" I screamed. But it was too late. My beloved virgin 4GB iPhone had been hit by the taxi.

In a testament to the sturdiness of my pink leather incase, the iPhone touchscreen didn't crack. Or even scratch. The case didn't break, but it was crushed nearly wafer-thin on the top side. Amazing. The headphones had been pruned of the left earbud. After standing in the street weeping hot tears into the cold rain, I stumbled home where my dear husband consoled me.

After all, the data was completely backed-up on my Macbook Pro 17". And I had used my rebate to buy AppleCare. If it wasn't fixable, of course, it was the perfect excuse to upgrade. . . So sweet, right? Anyway, I made an appointment for the SoHo Genius Bar on Monday.

This means I spent more than 24 hours without my bejeweled glowing heroi-- um, excuse me, passionate internet connection. Really I had no idea how the iPhone had become an extension of my body until it was gone. I found myself staring bleakly into an empty palm.

Somehow I dragged myself through Sunday and the Monday work thing. Then I rushed off see (Saint) John (the Divine) at the Genius Bar. John was wonderful, comforting and patient. He gave me an excellent shoulder to cry on, gazed in admiration at the unbroken touchscreen, and then did the most touching thing.

He reached below the counter and handed me a new 4GB iPhone. "Here," he said in melting tones, "here's a replacement iPhone." Yuppers, dear readers, exhibiting the full understanding of how a chick feels about her iPhone, he offered me a replacement iPhone for a nominal sum as opposed to making me pay full price for a new 16GB upgrade.

Since I don't carry more than 2 gigs of music with me most days, and remain a devotee of Inbox Zero, I really -- sigh -- can't justify upgrading to the 16GB. Ok, maybe it was pure withdrawal, just to have an iPhone back in my hands.

I signed the paper, John did some dexterous Apple magic to make the new phone be my old number, and I was done. Done? No -- alive! Except for the case.

Now, I nearly bought a new incase, based on the stellar performance of my previous one. But! I thought carefully about how the accident happened. Instead of clipping the case to my velvet jacket, I had put it in my pocket, as I was in a rush to get the money out to pay the taxi.

Clearly the problem was that the iPhone wasn't actually attached to my body strongly enough. This thought caused to opt for a case with a wrist strap. And being the hepster webgirl that I be, I naturally chose Paul Frank's Julius wrist folio in fashionable black. Even having it just a few days, I've come to love this case because it feels like a fun retro clutch bag.

Of course it doesn't offer the same instant access to the iPhone controls that the inCase did. It's a little harder to take the spontaneous iPhone pix of all the crazy & glorious things I encounter walking about NYC. But it does offer better protection to the iPhone's delicate round shoulders and touchscreen.

Although that's not really an issue since I've always used crystal screen films. So me all happy, as Buffy used to say. I was walking out the door on a cloud when John stopped me.

"Hey," he said, "one more thing!" I turned around. "I ordered a replacement set of headphones for you," John said. "They should be in tomorrow." Omigod. And people wonder why I love the Apple store. Thank you, John! And AppleCare!

I took my iPhone home, sync'd it  with iTunes, got all my data & music back in a  flash, and then reloaded my fave gelaskin wallpaper. Life is golden.   

WebApp of the Week: PinPoint

Have you ever gotten lost in the city, your car is running out of gas, you’re hungry, and you need a place to stay? Well, if you have your iPhone with you, consider yourself saved! This week’s web application, Pinpoint, allows you to easily lookup places of interest within the United States.

More specifically, when you type your location into Pinpoint, it will quickly tell you where the nearest hotels, restaurants, bars, gas stations movie theaters, and even wireless hot-spots are.

The (filterable) results that show up provide you with addresses, clickable phone numbers, and a map (via Google maps) that allows you to literally “pinpoint” these locations. If you’re planning on going on a road trip, or just want to better know your own city, Pinpoint is just the web application you need!

Pinpoint can be downloaded here (iPhone).

iPhone Austrian Release this Friday?

According to an Austrian Newspaper, the iPhone would be released this next Friday in Austria. The Der Standard wrote that anonymous industry sources revealed that T-Mobile Austria will sell, starting March 14th, the 8GB and 16Gb iPhones at 399 and 499 Euros respectively.

This has not been confirmed by T-Mobile Austria or Apple, but it would coincide with the iPhone Irish release schedule for this Friday as well.

via [AppleInsider]

iPhone Dev Team: Unlock/Jailbreak for 2.0 Firmware

Earlier today (March 12, 2008), the iPhone Dev Team announced that they have completed a hack that both jailbreaks and unlocks iPhones running on 2.0 firmware. Apparently this new version patches itself directly to the iPhone's firmware (2.0), as opposed to previous versions where the only way such a "hack" could be installed was via an exploit in the programming.

This "hack" for lack of a better word, is set to release sometime in June along with the official release of the 2.0 iPhone firmware. For all of you who are not familiar with the concept of jailbreaking or unlocking the iPhone, feel free to refer to either this guide or this one! Be careful though, jailbreaking & unlocking of your iPhone/iPod Touch is not supported by Apple!

[via iLounge]

 

iCopy: A Copy and Paste Solutionfor iPhone

It's almost difficult to believe that Apple designers have decided not to implement a simple and basic "copy and paste" feature, but they did. "Copy and paste" is part of our everyday life. Right?

But the agony is over! The guys from Biocow have released a patch that will let you "Copy and paste" text and urls. It's far from perfect, but for a simple copy and paste, it does the job pretty well. You don't even need to jailbreak your iPhone!

So, how does it work?

First, you need to Install iCopy as a bookmark.Browse the web as you normally would. When you are on a page that has something you want to copy click your bookmarks icon and choose Copy/Paste. From the list choose "Copy Text" or "Copy URL". If copying text, select the text you want to copy. If emailing text or a URL an email will open with the text or URL in the body. If you copied text, when you come to the page you want to paste to you once again click the bookmarks icon and click Copy/Paste. This time choose Paste. You'll be redirected to our site for a second then returned to where you came from. Once again, click bookmarks and click Copy/Paste. This time an alert will tell you that you're ready to paste. Click any text box on the page and your text is placed there.

Since you have to click the bookmark twice to paste, it's really more of a copy/paste/paste application.

Check the videos after the jump.

SDK Downloads Cross 100K in Four Days

Apple is pretty happy with the success of its iPhone Software Development Kit to date, noting today more than 100,000 iPhone developers have downloaded the SDK beta since March 6.

It is a pretty amazing number when you consider how short of a period of time the SDK has been available. The built-up anticipation to be able to develop iPhone native applications has certainly been strong and its reflected in the quick download rate.

“Developer reaction to the iPhone SDK has been incredible with more than 100,000 downloads in the first four days,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “Also, over one million people have watched the launch video on Apple.com, further demonstrating the incredible interest developers have in creating applications for the iPhone.”

iPhone/locoGPS Update: Summer Time Release?

We first brought you word of a quasi-GPS solution for the iPhone called locoGPS back in December. We've now come across an update on this iPhone add-on via Pocket-Lint.

It is being reported locoGPS will now be available come summer. It will reportedly work with Nav N Go's iGO My Way 8 software solution, according to Pocket-Lint.

As we mentioned before, locoGPS will only work with jail broken iPhones. Gomite, the developer of this GPS device, comments on the potential of the SDK for the iPhone as not really being an alternative viable solution at the moment: "The latest iTouch and iPhone Software Developers Kit (SDK) will not provide the required connectivity to support this product. Of course this may change, but it also may never happen. We will continue to work with Apple in an effort to make this product available."

Java Coming to iPhone Despite Apple

Sun looks to be moving forward with plans for make Java work on the iPhone despite Apple not really seeming interested. This is according to an article published in InfoWorld.

A vice president of Sun, Eric Klein, told the publication the company would be "developing a Java Virtual Machine for Apple's iPhone" and that it "plans to release the JVM some time after June." The company apparently took about a day to look over the iPhone SDK before deciding to take the plunge.

Apple, for its part, didn't have any comments for InfoWorld about Sun's plans.

AT&T Planning to Increase SMS Prices

Unfortunately news that AT&T is planning to increase its price for texting has reached my ears. As of March 30, 2008, AT&T plans to up their current texting price from $.05 to $.20 per message (SMS), additionally, AT&T will also be raising their multi-media messaging (MMS) cost from $.05 to $.30 per message (the iPhone does not support MMS). This price-change will affect iPhone users on one of the standard AT&T plans who are allotted the 200 text messages per month, the 200 first  messages will be free (as per the plan), but then AT&T will begin charging $0.20 per message. To "compensate" so to speak for this drastic SMS price boost, AT&T (in collaboration with Apple) has released a new "unlimited" plan. This plan gives the user unlimited minutes, unlimited texting on nights/weekends, but unfortunately still limits them to 200 SMS messages during the daytime, and can be purchased for $119.99 per month.

Image courtesy of handcellphone.com

BBC: iPlayer Launched for UK Based iPhone/iPod Touch

Today, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) released it's iPlayer, this allows United Kingdom iPhone/iPod Touch users to browse and watch TV programs (utilizing either Wi-Fi or EDGE) that have aired during the previous week (via streaming or download).

As opposed to the PC version of the iPlayer, the iPlayer formatted for the iPhone utilizes the H.264 codec which allows the iPlayer to run much more smoothly on the iPhone/iPod Touch.  You can begin to watch videos on BBC's iPlayer right here with a UK based iPhone or iPod Touch, enjoy!

iLounge on the release of The BBC's iPlayer.

Image courtesy of techdigest.tv

Six Apart Embraces SDK for iPhone TypePad App.

The good folks at Six Apart, who first debuted an iPhone friendly TypePad interface several months ago, took the moment of the iPhone SDK spotlight yesterday to announce some new related functions.

The first of these is the introduction of a statistics display which lets you view information like visit tracking and referrer data. That's nice, but what really looks cool to me is Six Apart's plans to develop a native TypePad mobile application for the iPhone which will meet the SDK guidelines.

If you want to keep up on Six Apart's plans for this native TypePad application, you can sign up for updates at its Web site.

[via TUAW]

Free SDK vs. $99.00 SDK: What's the Difference?

Well, as many of you know, today (March 6,2008) Apple. Inc released the software development kit (SDK) for the iPhone.  For those of you who do not know what the SDK is, it is a utility developed (and released) by Apple that allows the user to create applications for the iPhone, and either distribute them privately (independently of Apple), or to have Apple distribute the application via the iTunes Store and take 30% of the profit.

Here's the difference: when downloading the free Software Development Kit from Apple, what you are downloading is the bare minimum application-set (distribution via Apple Inc. not included). Basically this means that applications such as Xcode IDE, instruments, iPhone simulator, frameworks and samples, compilers, and the shark analysis tool are all included in the free package. Unfortunately, being the free version, you can only run your developed application(s) in a simulator (to test functionality), but you cannot actually run it straight from the iPhone.

In buying the $99.00 standard program (or the $299.00 enterprise program), in addition to receiving the application-set (as included in the free SDK), you are also receiving iTunes Store “shelf space”. By “shelf space” I mean that Apple will publicly host your iPhone application on the iTunes Store, and allow consumers to buy it directly from Apple (as opposed to downloading it from a privately owned website).

There is one downside to having Apple host your application, Apple is entitled to 30% of your total profits (in some cases this may not even be a downside because popularity of being on the iTunes Store + profit may outweigh the 30%  taken by Apple). Unlike the free version, the standard program has many added benefits, in addition to having the ability to actually run your application straight from your iPhone (not only in simulator), you can also distribute it privately, gain access to pre-release software, get technical support, and various other features not included in the free version.

As of right now, one must apply to the iPhone developer program (if I understand correctly it is in "beta"), I am also under the impression that you will need to apply for the developer program until June, at which point anybody will be able to pay the fees ($99.00 or $299.00) and gain access to the developer program.

Didn't Get a Chance to Watch Apple's Release of the SDK?

The wait is over! You can now watch Steve Jobs unveiling Apple's magnum opus of 3rd party iPhone application development (Software Development Kit) right here. (Quicktime Required)

Steve Jobs Chats Up the iPhone and a Lot More

Steve Jobs is easily a man who commands attention in a crowd. It is no wonder then how often he ends up as the focus of a major magazine piece. This time around he appears in Fortune, offering comments on a range of Apple related topics.

We are, of course, most interested in what he has to say about the iPhone. Jobs says, in summary, Apple saw a challenge in developing a mobile product which was reliable. The basic idea ended up being to shove a great operating system like OS X into a phone. The end result? They did.

[via iLounge]

iPhone Roadmap Builds Optimism in iPhone Platform

Today's press event at Apple's HQ was more thorough than expected on on the ins and outs of the forthcoming Software Development Kit (SDK) for the iPhone.  Apple announced a bevy of tools and methods for quickly developing and testing applications to run native to iPhone, including an application distribution method both through iTunes (as expected) and natively on the device (to me, unexpected). If you've jailbroken your iPhone and had experience with Installer.app, this approach will sound familiar to you.

The extent to which Exchange integration was discussed is encouraging as this platform seems the most targeted for Enterprise adoption over Apple's other products, including the Mac, which have largely been geared towards consumer and education markets. 

What made the Mac so great was how easy and open it was for developers to build inspired and useful tools. I'm pleased to see that Apple has taken a page from its own, original playbook appears to be extending that to the iPhone.  I can't help but believe this will further adoption of the iPhone and continue to make it the "Mac in my pocket" I hoped it would be. 

iPhone Trademark Dispute: Cisco's now Officially an iPhone Partner

When the iPhone was first announced  in January 2007, the fight between Cisco and Apple over the iPhone trademark was at its peak.  A few months later, the two giant companies reached an agreement where Apple could use the iPhone trademark owned by Cisco, but Apple agreed to developed iPhone opportunities for Cisco.

Here's the statement release in April 2007:

"Cisco and Apple® today announced that they have resolved their dispute involving the "iPhone" trademark. Under the agreement, both companies are free to use the "iPhone" trademark on their products throughout the world. Both companies acknowledge the tra