iPhone News Updated

Whether you’re an Apple iPhone (or Paris Hilton) hater (or lover), the mention of a half naked Paris Hilton enjoying her iPhone on hot sand will probably make you want to see the photo

As such, below, courtesy of AppleWeblog (Spain) you can see a pretty cool looking photo of both celebrities together.

Paris clearly seems like she’s enjoying her shiny new iPhone instead of that famously-hacked for numbers SideKick (that was in its turn designed by ex-Apple chief Steve Wozniak).

It seems that Paris has something for Steves’ products, even if they hack her (pardon our pun)?

Researchers from Israeli Technion Institute came up with a rather unbelievable, at least at first, invention that could eventually allow you to communicate with your Facebook friends — without internet access.

According to the official press release, thanks to a new Facebook application, you’d still be able to use your laptop computer - without Internet access - to detect Facebook friends (and friends of those friends) who have also installed the application, making it possible to network, chat, share files and directories, play collaborative games, or actually meet face-to-face.

The scientists from Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, say there are two components to the application, dubbed “Peersonalizer”: a Facebook application and a module inside the free, downloadable WiPeer software developed by lead researcher Professor Roy Friedman’s team last year. (WiPeer makes direct wireless (WiFi) communication between computers possible - without intermediary devices (such as Internet routers) - at distances of up to 900 ft.).

Peersonalizer - for which the Technion has already applied for a patent - uses technology that can also be applied to other social networking sites such as MySpace, Friendster and LinkedIn. Friedman also says the technology could eventually be used with WiFi-enabled mobile phones, such as the iPhone.

“This application takes social networking to another level,” says Friedman. “Peersonalizer demonstrates that Internet based social networks can serve as complementary mechanisms - rather than replacements - to social and business life.”

The application was developed by two Technion Faculty of Computer Science students, Lior Biran and Tomer Einav, as a project under the supervision of WiPeer creators Friedman and Ph.D. students Vadim Drabkin and Gabi Kliot.

If that is not incredible, we don’t know what is. And while there are no immediate plans to develop an iPhone version of the software, we wouldn’t be surprised to see one eventually. And the implications of such could be great — just imagine playing an MMOG game like Parallel Kingdoms with those around you, just using a combined WiFi iPhone network…

After unleashing the iPhonoid LG LH2300 touchscreen handset in South Korea last month, LG threatens to release more iPhone clones, or at least, more of the same.

After releasing the said device, the company stated that new handsets “with unique UIs, touch screens and internet accessibility are expected to lead to a growth in shipments of 20 per cent and a double-digit operating margin,” according to vnunet.

Whether this means that LG will start shipping the LG LH23000 to other markets as well, or whether there are new similar products forthcoming, it’s a bit interesting to see LG keep perfecting its products as the LG Prada and the LG KS20 didn’t catch on as much as the iPhone in terms of net sales.

You can read more about LG LH2300 over at our sister site Mobiles World.

GreenPC posted information on our forum about their rather well self described product “iHolder”, which could be a very nifty accessory primarily for car owners, but could have uses in other environments as well.

According to the company, iHolder is ““custom” fitted for the iPhone. Not a generic bulky unit with adjustable sides. Very sleek and solid. Can adjust angles vertical, horizontal, tilt, and even turn your iPhone sideways.

Includes a round plate that has heavy duty tape so you can mount this on irregular surfaces, which you would then attach suction onto this plate for secure mounting. If mounting onto glass surface do not need to use plate.”

iHolder is available for $24.99 CDN (or $24.80 USD) on GreenPC’s website (there’s a 100% money back guarantee as well).

In preparations for the Worldwide Developers Conference 2008, due to take place in June, Apple updated its website with a more complete list of iPhone developer sessions and labs, and added two new iPhone developer awards.

Complete WWDC ‘08 iPhone sessions and labs list includes such topics as 3D Graphics for iPhone using OpenGL ES, Core Animation Techniques for iPhone and Mac, Integrating iPhone with IT, and much more.

The two iPhone developer awards are for iPhone Developer Showcase which “highlights innovative and compelling new iPhone applications built using the Beta iPhone SDK. Entries in this category must be pre-release, feature complete versions which run within the iPhone simulator or on an iPhone or iPod touch. Apple reserves the right to award more than one winning entry in this category,” and for Best iPhone Web Application, which “highlights web applications designed specifically for Safari on iPhone, which offers iPhone users innovative, compelling, valuable, and highly desirable capabilities.”

Winners in the iPhone category will receive two 15-inch MacBook Pro laptops, two 30-inch Apple Cinema Displays, one 16GB iPod touch, one 8GB iPhone, an ADC Premier Membership, reimbursement for one WWDC 2008 E-ticket including airfare and accommodations, and one 2009 ADC Macworld Expo Exclusive Marketing Package, while entries will be accepted beginning Tuesday, April 15 and ending at 5PM (PDT) Monday, May 12, 2008.

To participate one will need to complete the online Contest Entry Form and upload your iPhone application via FTP to Apple’s server. See here for official rules.

Thanks: iLounge

Another day, yet another iPhone rumour for the rumour bin…

Although April Fool’s Day is over, InformationWeek reports on a new iPhone rumor originating from a MacEnstein reader. The rumor sounds a bit similar to one we covered last year, stating that two new models of iPhone are being considered by Apple, but goes more in-depth.

image credit: informationarchitects.jp

According to this completely unconfirmed information…

- Existing model of iPhone will stay on Edge.
- An iPhone “Pro” or “Max” model will be shipped with 3G capabilities and triple the battery life.
- An “iPhone Shuffle” version is planned for 4GB space and no video playback.

You can read more at MacEnstein.

Following the UK 8GB iPhone price slash we’ve been wondering whether the iPhone’s price might be lowered in Ireland as well — seeing that mobile carrier O2 services both countries.

It appears that won’t be happening, at least for now. O2 Ireland spokesperson said that while “the price of the devices is under constant review,” there’s no immediate plans for price cuts.

He also stated that sales “had been excellent,” citing a good customer reaction to the product.

Thanks: RTE News

Here is an interesting Steve Jobs spoof about a new product from Apple called “i”. A powerful sphere loaded with shiny stuff. iPhone can’t even stand against it.

You can check it here:

Rediff news, reports that Vodafone will launch iPhone in India in the first weeks of September. It will be offered by Vodafone. Expected price is going to be between Rs 27,200 and Rs 28,000.

This confirms the recent tip from Apple sources in Singapore, that iPhone will be released there in 2008.

The carrier deal for India is being worked out with Vodafone,” said an Apple source, adding: “Vodafone could also become the carrier for the Australian market once iPhone is launched there, though more than one carrier is likely for Australia.”

Interestingly, Vodafone spokesman denied any happenings, but company sources confirmed iPhone carrier deal with Apple.

The Apple retail sources also did not rule out Apple extending universal access for iPhone users to all major telecom carriers in India.

“Post launch in India, the iPhone can be ‘unlocked’ (or configured to use SIM cards from all telecom carriers), though the company is not fully open to such a possibility,” the source said.

This is a very profitable market to Apple, since it is expected that mobile subscribers will double to 500 million by 2010.

Radware, a provider of integrated application delivery solutions for business-smart networking, announced that they have discovered denial of service vulnerability in the Safari Browser for the iPhones with 1.1.4 firmware.

It works by user accessing an HTML page with the embedded JavaScript code, which produces the (un)desired effect. It can crash the browser of the iPhone itself, until you restart it.

“While vendors are struggling to push new products and applications, it is evident that security still remains a secondary concern,” says Itzik Kotler, Security Operation Center Manager.

It seems very similar to the DoS vulnerability we have reported earlier. It is unknown how similar they are though.

A team of researchers from ETH Zurich/Swiss Federal Institute of Technology have discovered a flaw in the iPhone positioning system.

WPS, the system developed by Skyhook Wireless, is designed to show your location on a map. The WPS database contains information on access points throughout the world. Skyhook itself provides most of the data in the database, with users contributing via direct entries to the database, and requests for localization.

The team of researchers have found a way to falsify positions displayed by the Map app.

The way it works is, when you request to show your position, iPhone finds neighbouring access points, and send this information to skyhook servers. There the information is interpreted and it sends you the location.

To falsify the information researchers tried accessing those points from remote locations, as well as jam received information from them. This created illusion that you are at a different place that it is shown.

Professor Capkun explained that the goal of such research was to show the limitations of such system.

He said “Given the relative simplicity of the performed attacks, it is clear that the use of WLAN-based public localization systems, such as Skyhook’s WPS, should be restricted in security and safety-critical applications.”

In other iPhone accessories news, iHome, a manufacturer of iPod accessories, is set to launch the new iP99 iPhone clock radio at Brookstone specialty retail stores on June 1. Brookstone is one of only two retailers that will carry the iP99 iPhone speaker system throughout the summer.

Retailing at a rather hefty $149.95, the iP99 claims to the first speaker system that docks, charges and plays music from the iPhone without sacrificing any of its functionality — meaning iPhone users now can listen to their music via speakers and still receive calls. Apparently the iP99 does this by eliminating the interference, called shielding, that plagues other audio systems that try to play iPhone. The iHome iP99 also docks, charges and plays all docking iPod models, while the company states that it’s apparently the only speaker system that is compatible with both iPhone and iPod.

Housed in a sleek design, the iHome iP99 lets users wake up to their favorite iPhone or iPod music from iHome’s proprietary Reson8 speakers, which produce 10 watts of power and are designed to deliver outstanding clarity and depth. The iP99 also features an AM/FM radio, alarm buzzer and a remote that controls both iPhone and iPod functions and menus.

Beginning today through June 1, customers can pre-order the iHome iP99 iPhone clock radio and receive free shipping, by visiting any one of Brookstone’s 314 stores in the USA or at www.brookstone.com.

Mobile operators with exclusive contracts to sell Apple's iPhone are bracing themselves for significant losses on unsold stock as they clear the shelves to make way for a new, faster version expected this summer.

O2, which sells the phone in the UK, and T-Mobile, the German distributor, are said to have significantly overestimated the number of first version iPhones that would sell in Europe.

Kathryn Huberty, an analyst at Morgan Stanley specialising in Apple, said the losses on early model iPhones would be "significant" even though they may recoup some of this in monthly revenue from customers who bought the cheaper devices.

Ms Huberty said European mobile executives seemed to have become over-excited by the hype surrounding the iPhone at the time of its US release on the AT&T network last June.

They had since had to take steps to shift stock on which they would now make a loss in order to clear the shelves for the new 3G iPhone, which is expected to be in greater demand in Europe than in the US because of the more advanced phone networks.

On Tuesday O2 announced it was cutting the price of the iPhone by more than a third — from £269 to £169 — and two weeks ago T-Mobile made an even more drastic cut, from €399 (£319) to €99.

An O2 spokeswoman said the price cut was "not a reactive move but part of a well thought out strategy of maximising the success of the iPhone in the UK."

T-Mobile was not immediately available for comment.

With Orange, which won the contract in France, the three sold 330,000 units to the end of December, but industry sources say that European sales of the iPhone were forecast to be between 500,000 and 600,000.

Orange has yet to cut the price.

O2 said in December that its sales of 160,000 iPhones were "broadly" hitting the target of selling "a couple of hundred thousand" by mid-January.

According to a report by another mobile analyst, CCS Insight, last week, sales of iPhones had "slowed significantly" in all the European markets where it is available" ahead of the release of the 3G version, and retailers faced "challenges" in clearing stock from existing channels.

Apple is expected to launch its new phone in June.

Times Online understands that Apple has placed an order with its Asian suppliers to produce 200,000 of the new 3G iPhones by the end of May, rising to 2 million - 500,000 per week - in June.

With a four week lead time between production and placement, that would leave Mr Jobs free to launch the device during an annual developers conference at which he usually speaks.

Industry sources told Times Online that the device will have a "radically different" appearance to the current device, which has a 4.5 inch screen and slick, aluminium backing. Among the possibilities are flip version, which would enable the screen to be larger, and a sliding model with a regular qwerty keyboard - as opposed to a touchscreen one.

"I think ultimately you going to see multiple versions," one Asia-based analyst, said. "One for customers who want it principally as a music and video device, which will be similar to the existing model, one for people who want to communicate - with the keyboard, and one for people who want it as a substitute for their laptop - that will let them browse the internet on a larger screen."

The new phone may also usher in a change in the way Apple strikes distrtibution deals.

Ms Huberty suggested that Apple will eventually break with its policy of favouring one network to be the exclusive distributor of the iPhone in a given territory — possibly as early as next year.

She said that many had suggested that Apple's exclusive contracts with the carriers would last for five years, whereas it was more likely they were for two years. That meant that from June next year in the US — October next year in the UK — Apple would be selling the iPhone to other carriers.

This fitted with the company's strategy of moving its reliance on payments from carriers to include charging for downloads of software applications and taking a cut of internet advertising.

Ms Huberty said: "Steve Jobs's (Apple's chief executive) end game is not to limit distribution and maximise carrier payments. It's to bring the best mobile platform to the market and then sell as many units as possible. There's lots of ways Apple can drive revenue from the iPhone that aren't part of the current model."

[Thanks: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/]

In a paper (PDF) presented at the Usability, Psyschology, and Security Conference 2008 in San Francisco, researchers from the University of California at Davis warned that browsers within popular electronic gadgets often eliminate important security features available on desktop browsers.

Researchers Yuan Niu, Francis Hsu, and Hao Chen looked at the Mobile Safari browser in Apple iPhone, as well as the Opera browser included in the Nintendo Wii and DS gaming systems. In general, they cited the reliance on screen typing as a deterrent to typing in known URLs. They said users are more likely to click on URLs presented in an e-mail.

They also said reduced screen sizes tend to force the address bar off the screen. On the Nintendo DS, only the first 22 characters display. They gave an example of a page called www.bankofamerica.com.phishydomain.com, which would be truncated to simply www.bankofamerica.com.

On the iPhone, the researchers said a simple ScrollTo() JavaScript could knock the address bar off the Safari screen. In the paper, they gave an example in which JavaScript directs the page to load somewhere in the middle, forcing the address bar off the top of the page.

Even when the address bar is visible, the researchers were able to use JavaScript to overwrite the bogus address with a more legitimate address. The overwrite trick could also lead the user into thinking a site was Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)-protected when it was not.

On the Nintendo Wii, the researchers found that the URL bar disappears when the page is loaded.

The researchers state that porting the traditional browser to a mobile device requires some foresight, and they suggest that even built-in features within browsers are ignored by users. They suggest instead that vendors use a proxy to filter out phishing before routing the pages to the devices.

[Thanks: http://www.news.com]

I am beginning to despair that Nokia (NYSE: NOK) will ever understand the U.S. market. As its recently revealed quarterly earnings tell us, its share of the market here dropped yet again. Despite the fact that Nokia is building a touch-enabled device that looks eerily similar to you-know-what, Nokia CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo called the iPhone a "niche" product.

Talk abut mixed messages. If the iPhone is a niche product, then why is Nokia building such a similar device? It just doesn't add up. Kallasvuo's statement boiled MacDailyNews' blood a bit. It wrote:

Kallasvuo is either incapable of applying the lessons of [the] iPod to iPhone and understanding what's coming his way or, much more likely, he understands perfectly and, since he has no answer, is saying just what many now-defunct (if they aren't making iPod accessories) MP3-makers said a few years ago. How many "niche" products have $100 million venture capital funds ready and waiting, exactly? Candy bars and way-too-late, fake, 1st-generation iPhones with craptastic UI's aren't going to cut it from here on out, Nokia boy. This June, the bloodbath really begins, and Kallasvuo sounds like he knows it.

MacDailyNews pulled no punches. Of course, it is assuming that June will see the iPhone 2.0, plus a 3G version of the iPhone. The iPhone's success may be locked in here in the United States, but MacDailyNews needs to remember that it isn't selling so well past our borders. U.K operator O2 recently slashed the price of the iPhone to stir sales. That's a clear indicator that it fails to impress everyone.

So what is Nokia really doing to combat the iPhone both abroad and here?

Time and time again I've heard Kallasvuo say that the U.S. market is important to Nokia, and it is doing everything it can to regain share here. At CES, I was told that Nokia is going to release 10 to 12 U.S.-specific handsets this year. We're nearly a third of the way through 2008. Where are they?

Neil Mawston, director of Strategy Analytics, said that Nokia's North American market share has plunged from 20% to 7% in the last two years. The world's No. 1 supplier of handsets (with 40% of the world market) has just 7% presence in the United States, the biggest market of them all. I think that speaks volumes. Mawston blames some of Nokia's failures here on its poor relationships with U.S. network operators. That could very well be the case.

I have to agree with MacDailyNews' opinion that Kallasvuo isn't learning anything from the success of the iPhone here. If it were, we'd see phones launched specifically for the U.S. that aren't warmed-over versions of products that have been in the world market for three-plus months.

[Thanks: http://www.informationweek.com]

This is the first I've caught wind of the most recent rumors regarding the next generation of iPhone. A Macenstein writer says that Apple envisions a line-up of iPhones, including a "Pro" version, the current version, and a smaller, "Shuffle" version. Guess which one gets all the good specs.

I think the guy who posted this is a little too, uh, faithful about what Apple has hidden up its sleeve. Most of his own readers say this is complete and utter bunk, so I merely offer it up as a source of amusement and fuel to add to the fires of 3G iPhone Rumorville.

Writes Doug:

A "Pro" or "Max" model that is noticeably thicker than current model (over 15mm, versus 11.6mm for existing iPhone) to incorporate a battery with almost triple the duration of the existing iPhone. This model is also the 3G model. It is targeted for power users and enterprise, meaning people who may use their phone 2-3 days in a row (on a business trip) without accessing a PC or having the time or opportunity to charge it.

Existing iPhone stays the same, along with no 3G, just Edge.

Also being considered, and with engineering and development basically done, is a new entry model, that is slimmer than the iPod Touch (an amazing 6.2mm versus iPod Touch's already amazing 8mm), and slightly less wide (58.6mm versus 61.8mm for iPod Touch). Screen size is the same; this width reduction comes from the casing. It does not offer video playback and has only 4 GB. Could be as low as $159. Name to be determined, internally referred to as iPhone Shuffle, definitely not the final name. Edge, of course.

The first comment posted below Doug's idea is not repeatable here. Words that start with the letter "B" and the letter "S" are involved. I am sure you get the idea.

The best comment reads:

I think it's completely possible that they will introduce a second or third type iPhone, but a iPhone shuffle with no video playback, that is the complete opposite directions Apple was heading with it's current iPod line. The Nano, Classic and Touch all have video playback, why in the world you want to introduce a iPhone without video playback? Neither do I believe it would be smart to introduce a thicker iPhone 3G model, since the current model is really small and if you make it thicker, it would become an iPhone Treo ... bad idea ... Just update the current model with 3G and another cam in front of the bezel.

I love the iPhone Treo remark. Touché!

The one thing I'd really like to see is a user-replaceable battery. I think Apple is still dealing with lawsuits regarding the original iPhone's battery. It should realize that mobile phone users are used to being able to replace them and make that change on the next version of the iPhone.

Most analysts I've spoken with believe a 3G iPhone will at least be announced by summer, but not necessarily available right away. Why? The reasoning is simple. Steve Jobs doesn't want any new version of the iPhone spotted on the public FCC site before he has the chance to announce it himself. That means he has to announce it before it is submitted to the FCC for final testing. Since final testing takes up to two months, my guess is we're going to see availability of the 3G iPhone in the fall sometime. Not in two months, as everyone hopes.

[Thanks: http://www.informationweek.com]

Researchers have detected a critical vulnerability in the Safari browser of Apple (NSDQ:AAPL)'s iPhone version 1.1.4 which could lead to a denial of service exploit that could result in an entire system crash.

Security experts say that the design flaw, which was detected by researchers at application delivery solutions company Radware earlier this week, triggers a series of memory allocation operations on the memory pool, which in turn triggers another bug in the garbage collector.

In order to exploit the vulnerability, a user would have to open a malicious HTML page containing javascript, usually through some kind of social engineering tactic such as phishing e-mail. Researchers said that in a worst case scenario, the user will experience an application level denial of service attack that could result in a complete crash of the Safari browser. The crashed browser could ultimately escalate the malfunction to the point of paralyzing the entire iPhone appliance.

Researchers at Radware said that every time the iPhone crashes, it creates a log file dump, resulting in a situation where the entire memory of the device is consumed. Because iTunes, the official interface of the iPhone/iPod, does not allow file system navigation, most users won't be able to fix it by themselves, said Radware.

"While vendors are struggling to push new products and applications, it is evident that security still remains a secondary concern," said Itzik Kitler, Radware security operation center manager, in a written statement. "Hackers continue to misappropriate other people's software and their job is made easier by design flaws embedded into software products."

So far, the vulnerability is only in the proof-of-concept stage, and has not yet been exploited in the wild. However, that will likely change as the iPhone becomes more popular and marketshare increases, experts say.

"Though it looks like a nuisance, the fact is that a more sophisticated hacker could use iPhone vulnerabilities to shut services down or install malware," said Ron Meyran, product marketing manager for Radware, via e-mail from Israel. "iPhone is about user mobility, which in turn exposes users to attacks and bypasses the security perimeter deployed by enterprises."

[Thanks: http://www.crn.com]

The software integrates contact lists for packetized voice, IM communications, and other Web 2.0 sites.

Packetized voice is now available on the Apple iPhone, thanks to the development efforts of Fring, which on Wednesday made a beta version of its app available as a free download for mobile devices.

Fring, which describes itself as a mobile Internet community, enables "Fringsters" to communicate with contacts from AIM, Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Talk, ICQ, MSN, Skype, Twitter, and Yahoo (NSDQ: YHOO) lists. In addition to iPhone support, Fring also works with more than 500 mobile handsets, including Nokia (NYSE: NOK) Symbian Series 60 devices, Sony Ericsson UIQ Smartphones, and those that use Windows Mobile, the developer said in a statement.

This prerelease version "is designed to both answer demand from iPhone-owning would-be Fringsters and at the same time enable Fring to learn about user experience, benefit from early feedback, and influence the R&D process of the full release version," the company explained. A revised version will be made available later this year.

This beta enables iPhone users to sample Fring and how it works on an "opened" Apple handset. Fring users also will be able to make calls or send instant messages over Wi-Fi from their same lists of online contacts, the developer said.

Fring creates a single, integrated contact list when a user logs on to the service. And as an always-on, always-connected application, Fring offers PC-style "presence" indicators to display contacts' status -- online, away, offline, in a meeting, on their mobiles, for example.

Fring's VoIP app for iPhones is free to download and use. Consumers pay for any data they consume under existing service plans with their network provider; there are no hardware or location limitations to Fring's VoIP service, the company said.

[Thanks: http://www.informationweek.com]

Apple's U.S. blockbuster isn't a hit across the Atlantic. How will it fare elsewhere?

When Apple's iPhone first went on sale in Europe six months ago, hopes were high that the device would be just as big a hit there as it had been in the U.S. But analysts are now raising concerns that the iPhone may not translate as well overseas, with sales sluggish in Europe because of the device's high price and strong competition from Nokia (NOK) and others. "Our research indicates that European shipments to date have been far below [expectations]," says analyst Richard Windsor of Nomura Securities (NMR).

As in the U.S., Apple (AAPL) cut exclusive deals in Europe so only one wireless carrier has the right to distribute the device in each country. It has three such contracts so far, with Britain's O2, France's Orange (FTE), and Germany's T-Mobile (DT). Strategy Analytics, a Newton (Mass.) consulting firm, estimates the three carriers sold a combined 350,000 iPhones in the fourth quarter last year, short of the consultancy's forecast of 500,000. It also estimates sales in the first quarter of 2008 dropped to 300,000. (There were 2 million iPhones sold last year in the U.S., where AT&T (T) is the sole carrier.)

Mixed Signals

Apple and the three European car­riers have not disclosed up-to-date sales figures, and the company declined to comment on European sales. The carriers all have said they are happy with demand for the device. In February, O2 said the iPhone had helped attract customers in the fourth quarter and declared it "the fastest-selling device that we have ever had in the U.K." Steve Alder, O2's iPhone director in Britain, says the device has helped the carrier gain ground against competitors, with 60% of iPhone customers new to O2.

Still, the iPhone's price has been an issue. Most phones in Europe are heavily subsidized, and customers can get even some high-end models for free. The iPhone had not been subsidized, selling for $600 or more with a 12- or 24-month service contract. In the past two weeks, however, two carriers have reduced the price for the iPhone. On Apr. 15, O2 dropped the price of the iPhone with 8 gigabytes of storage by 37%, to £169, or $332. That follows T-Mobile's move to lower the cost of the 8GB model by as much as 75%, to $156. Some analysts say the cuts may be designed to clear out inventories before Apple introduces a higher-speed iPhone, expected in June.

A New Approach?

The Cupertino (Calif.) company drives a hard bargain with its wireless partners, which may make them reluctant to subsidize the iPhone. It takes a cut of the revenue that wireless operators collect for voice and data services each month, something no other phone­maker is believed to get. Strategy Analytics estimates Apple gets $5 to $20 per month for each customer from its wireless partners.

Apple hasn't signed any deals internationally since the three in Europe last year, and it may have a tough time getting the same terms in some markets. On Apr. 12, Wang Jianzhou, chief executive of China Mobile (CHL), said he's interested in a deal with Apple. But the world's largest mobile carrier is balking at sharing its voice revenues, says Flora Wu, a senior analyst at Beijing consulting firm BDA. China Mobile declined comment.

Apple's experience in Europe raises questions about the iPhone's prospects around the world. The company has said it wants to sell 10 million units by the end of 2008. But Apple may need to change its business model to reach that target, perhaps by moving to nonexclusive contracts or giving up its cut of service revenues. The company may make less money off each iPhone, but it could sell many more. "If they really want to be successful in this market, they had better [change]," says Shiv K. Bakhshi, director of mobile research and devices at research firm IDC (IDC).

[Thanks: http://www.businessweek.com]

NEW YORK — Apple Inc. shares rose Wednesday as a Piper Jaffray analyst predicted promotional iPhone price cuts in the United Kingdom and Germany will pave the way for the release of a new iPhone model with 3G technology in June.

Apple shares rose $4.69, or 3.2 percent, to $153.07. In the past year, the stock has traded between $89.60 and $202.96.

Piper analyst Gene Munster said in a client note that starting Wednesday, Carphone Warehouse and wireless carrier O2, which sell the iPhone in the U.K., cut prices on the 8-gigabyte iPhone to 169 pounds ($333) from 269 pounds ($530). Munster also noted that near the start of the month T-Mobile cut the price it charges in Germany for the same model to 99 euros ($157) from 399 euros ($631), with qualifying cell phone plans.

Both promotions will stop at the end of June, the analyst said, and he thinks they mean demand for the product is light in Europe and that carriers are "draining the channel" in advance of a new iPhone model that includes 3G, or third-generation technology.

Munster also noted that recent checks of Apple stores in the U.S. showed a constrained amount of 8-gigabyte and 16-gigabyte iPhones. This makes him believe the company is probably "pacing its remaining supply of phones by trickling units into its retail channel until the new model is released."

"While limited availability of iPhones would put downward pressure on iPhone units in the June quarter, we believe it would be more than offset by the price cuts in Europe and the launch of a new model in June," Munster said.

The analyst thinks that a new iPhone would include 3G technology, as well as a redesigned facade and starting price of $349 to $399.

"The addition of 3G technology to the iPhone is a meaningful improvement to the current generation iPhone models, particularly in Europe, where 3G is more prevalent," he said.

Munster believes there is a sizable group of potential iPhone buyers that are waiting for a new model to be released, which could also help sales of the product.

[Thanks: http://www.chron.com]

A London-based startup this week pre-released an application that it says can bring mobile VoIP over Wi-Fi to the widely popular Apple (NSDQ:AAPL) iPhone, integrating low-cost VoIP calls from Skype.

According to an announcement from Fring, a maker of a VoIP client that can integrate several VoIP networks such as Skype, the client is now available for the iPhone. The mobile VoIP application has been made publicly available and will let users talk, chat and interact with other Fring users; a community the software maker has dubbed "Fringsters," and all other online communities using the iPhone's Wi-Fi connection.

The pre-release version was developed in conjunction with Israel-based Holon Institute of Technology. The early version will give iPhone users a chance to dabble with the VoIP application and also enable Fring to get the low down on the user experience through feedback. That feedback will be used to influence future research and development for the full release version, which is scheduled for launch later this year.

In the announcement, Fring said the pre-release version gives iPhone users the ability to take their Fring contacts and buddies from their other favorite online communities anywhere they go with their iPhone. Users can also make free and low cost mobile calls over Wi-Fi and use IM-style live chat with online contacts on the iPhone, just like from their PCs or other internet-enabled devices.

To use Fring on the Apple iPhone, users need an open iPhone with the Installer and Wi-Fi access.

When a user logs in, Fring creates a single, integrated contact list combining contacts from a user's selected Internet communities, such as Skype, MSN, Google Talk, ICQ, Twitter, Yahoo (NSDQ:YHOO) and AIM. Fring also offers real-time presence indicators that show whether contacts are online, away, offline, on a call, using their mobile device or working on the PC.

Fring was launched in February of 2007 and started out as a mobile client for just Skype, but later rounded its offering with the other communities. The VoIP client is optimized for the 3G wireless network. Downloading and using Fring is free and requires no subscription costs. Users are only responsible for the data plan they use from their carrier. Along with the recent addition of the iPhone, Fring operates on allNokia (NYSE: NOK) Symbian Series 60 devices, Sony Ericsson UIQ Smartphones and Windows Mobile devices.

Fring's quest for feedback from the iPhone's loyal masses is already paying off. On the vendor's blog, dozens of users have praised the application, but are also vocally asking for improvements and offering suggestions.

One commenter wrote: "Finally. [I've] been using this on my Nokia, now finally on the iPhone. Thanks a lot but it takes a very long time to log on, also it would be much nicer if you could see your contacts by service." That commenter also recommended including an options tab to customize the settings and enabling Skype to run on GPRS/EDGE wireless networks.

Another user was a bit more critical.

"I've been reading the hype today about the first iPhone VoIP app What we have is a Fring beta on an unsupported platform that works and still needs work," the user wrote. "I'm impressed and not impressed at the same time. As a proof of concept it's pretty neat, although take care not to gloss over the details for that is what makes one of these apps really work. My intent here is to be both balanced and provide some input. It's also been a long time since there has been much more than a yawn in the VoIP arena."

[Thanks: http://www.crn.com]

The most recently released iPhone 2.0 SDK version had some pleasant surprises in it — among them is apparently the ability to take full screen captures with your iPhone (we did think that this option shouldn’t be too hard for Apple to implement).

As Engadget reports citing a “reliable source”, now it’s possible to take screen captures by simply pressing the sleep button and then tapping on the home button, after which the screen shot is added to your camera roll.

At the same time it’s still unknown whether it’s possible to take screen captures of videos.

Case Mate has designed a luxurious looking leather case and holster for the iPhone. The case slides around the phone allowing full access to the touch screen and all other iPhone buttons. It does not cover the top or bottom of the phone. The case is composed of carbon fiber infused leather and the look is continued onto the included holster. The carbon fiber texture does give the case a prestigious feel and look to it. Case Mate boasts that this rare leather has only been used in high end aftermarket cars by Techart Porsche and very high end cell phones may by Vertu. When using the case I found that it was easy to slide the phone in and out of the case and it fit snug in the holster. I have not had an issue with the phone sliding out of the case or holster on accident and I have been pleased by the ability of this high end case to protect my phone from incidental damage.

The Holster is a nice touch and allows for a sturdy way for you to carry your iPhone on your belt or outside pocket. It also provides additional protection for the touch screen to keep it from getting scratched or bumped while not in use. However, the other day I was entering my car and I was disappointed by when the actual clip broke off the back of the case. This after I’d only been using the case for less than a week!

I would not consider myself to be demanding on these products, so it seems the clip is not as sturdy as the molded case to which it’s attached. Still the carbon fiber case is a great case if you want to stand out, don’t mind spending the steep $90.00 to purchase one, and are willing to risk the ability to carry it on your belt. Visit case-mate.com to purchase. Overall, I still like the look and feel of the case and I am exploring how to get a replacement for the broken clip.

[Thanks: http://www.iphoneworld.ca]

Goldstriker, the company that previously offered all sorts of different “luxury-modded” iPhones, has done it again.

Its latest offering is the red grain leather unit, that will come in 24ct gold with a unique red grain leather design.

There will be only 250 units made and sold by GoldStriker, with the price being around $1820 USD at the current exchange rate, with availability starting at the end of April 2008 until the supplies are exhausted.

So if you want to be as flashy as Pharrell, you might want to consider getting one of these from GoldStriker (once they’re on sale).

As we all know, iTunes Music Store charges customers $0,99 for converting their favorite track into an iPhone ringtone.

No more, says the founder of iRinger, a free software program that allows you to create free ringtones for your iPhone from your favorite YouTube videos or Mp3s.

iRinger was born out of the reaction that many iPhone users had to Apple’s decision to charge iPhone owners $.99 to convert a song into a ringtone, even a song the user already owned.

The developer of iRinger took it two steps further - he created an easy to use software program that can convert any audio and video (YouTube, Google) file into a ringtone for the iPhone.

IRinger is free. Just download it, import the media file of your choice, pick the 30 seconds of audio you want for your ringtone and export it to your iTunes library. Thanks to iRinger, iPhone users can create ringtones from any streaming media source and no longer have to pay the 99 cent fee.

Additionally, iRinger offers the user easy editing tools and the ability to add effects (fade in, fade out, flanger, distortion, boost) to the ringtone.

Direct download:
- iRinger for Windows (3.5 MB)
# Runs on all versions of Microsoft Windows including Windows Vista
# Requires iPhone firmware 1.1.2 or newer, iTunes software 7.5 or newer

"Here's a great idea: Twitter+Location+iPhone. Twinkle is just that; a Twitter client which taps into the iPhone's location finding feature to let you tune into tweets from nearby people. These location based services have been tried before, but by combining the double nerd magnets of Twitter and iPhone, the critical mass required to make them useful might finally be reached.

"Twinkle is actually a pretty decent Twitter client on its own, but it is Twinkle's specific features that make it, if you'll excuse me, shine. As well as the location feature, which can be fine-tuned down to a one mile radius, you can also add photos to your posts direct from the iPhone's camera. Neither of these show up in the actual, official Twitter timeline, but then, do you need them when you're at your desk?

"Right now the application is a little too crash-happy on my jailbroked iPod Touch..." (((yeah, that's how you know you're reading a gadget blog instead of design theory.)))

(((The "Austin, Texas" locale is a nice touch.)))

It seems that Nike+, the Nike sports shoes/wear company exercise training program meant for especially marked shoes, is now coming to the iPhone (and iPod Touch).

According to stuff.tv, Nike is in the progress of adapting the Nike+ program for the iPhone.

Once fully established and running, it will allow you to use your Nike+ personal trainer via Wi-Fi and 3G internet connections in order to monitor your training log on the go.

Stay tuned for more news on this topic!