iPhone News Updated

The country's largest grassroots medical marijuana advocacy group, Americans for Safe Access (ASA), launched a first-of-its-kind, free iPhone application today that will provide a vast array of tools for people new to the issue as well as for seasoned activists. ASA teamed up with iWeeds -- an application company that serves the medical marijuana community -- in order to make it easier for advocates to get educated and take political action. The ASA Advocate App gives users access to all of the organization's projects and programs.

"The ASA Advocate App is another way to empower grassroots action that is bringing change on medical marijuana policies to every corner of the country," said ASA Executive Director Steph Sherer. "We have to be innovative if we want the widespread public support that exists for medical marijuana to translate into concrete results," continued Sherer. "The ASA Advocate App will help put greater pressure on all levels of government to adopt sensible medical marijuana policies."

Specifically, the ASA Advocacy App will provide immediate updates on rapidly changing local, state, and federal issues across the country to keep users on top of the latest in medical marijuana politics, science, law and community action. In addition to ASA news feeds, users will also have easy access to political action alerts, video advocacy trainings, and ASA's printed publications, such as newsletters, condition-based booklets, and legal manuals, all from their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch devices. The ASA Advocate App even guides users to businesses in their community that support the work of ASA.

The ASA Advocate App will also allow users to become members of the organization's 50,000-strong grassroots network. And, because of the heightened concern over federal interference in medical marijuana states, the ASA Advocate App connects users to a legal hotline and enables them to sign up for raid alerts and activist phone trees. The ASA Advocate App is currently only accessible from Apple devices, but will be expanded to Android and other application markets over the next few months.

Since 2002, ASA has been educating patients, doctors, lawyers, scientists, key decision-makers, and the general public on issues concerning medical marijuana. The organization has also used lobbying and litigation over the years to help achieve the goals of protecting and expanding the rights of medical marijuana patients across the U.S.

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

It has been a while since we last reported on some iPhone 5 rumors, but you’ll be interested to know that we now have some fresh information courtesy of an industry analyst, who believes that Apple will finally announce a true iPhone 5, or sixth-generation device next year.

While many will feel that the iPhone 4S is a great addition, adding innovative features like Siri, many iPhone 4 owners feel that the upgraded device doesn’t warrant an upgrade, and isn’t the true successor to the iPhone 4 after so much hype about what the next device may include.

Requests that are top of the list include things like a 4-inch edge to edge OLED screen, but one of the priorities that remain for iPhone fans is a brand new design, one which would offer a significantly different appearance than the iPhone 4.

With this in mind, you’ll be pleased to hear that the latest rumors from analyst Gene Munster and Piper Jeffray, is that he forsees 2012 as the year of the redesigned iPhone, a sixth-generation model that will release sometime during Summer, as reported from Apple Insider. He also believes that it is very likely that there will be significant changes to Apple’s products in 2012, considering that the company did not make any major hardware revisions in 2011. These words back up similar rumors which we told you about at the start of November, in which Digitimes claimed that Apple would bring hardware revisions to each product line, such as the iPhone, iPad, Macbook Air and Macbook Pro.

Some additional comments by Munster also put further strength behind the rumors that a new iPad 3 is coming. However, he believes that Apple will just introduce one new model to replace the iPad 2, rather than release a new iPad with different screen and capacities, a business model which Samsung are utilizing with their Galaxy Tab for example.

How would you feel if the iPhone 5 had a complete redesign? From our point of view, it would feel a little strange since everyone is used to the iPhone 4 now, but knowing Apple – any such design overhaul by Jony Ive would well be worth the wait.

[Thanks: http://www.product-reviews.net]

Though there are already ways to control your iTunes, the thought of the ability coming straight from Apple is an all new kind of excitement. A remote control application from Apple for the iPhone would allow it to have all sorts of functionality that Apple would not allow a 3rd party application to have. This rumored application, aptly named iControl, could bring iTunes control to your iPhone.

This code discovered from the latest iPhone firmware build sports these strings, which shows some sort of application, or ability to control iTunes from the iPhone. The application would allow you to connect to a local iTunes library. You would have the a ability to stream and control media from the iTunes application. Just like with the Apple TV, this would all be done wirelessly.

Apple would be building a new navigation client for the application. Supposedly it would function much like the Apple TV’s navigation. You would be able to preview and listen to music, podcasts, and even view videos. There is no time frame for when we might see this application. Hopefully it will show up on the new App Store once the new firmware and SDK come out of beta.

[Via TUAW]

Unless you have been living under a rock the last few months, then you know that the 3G iPhone is one of the single hottest news items being discussed right now. This week is no different. One rumor of it may offer a little light at the end of the tunnel though. The 3G version of the BlackBerry has been pushed back. The reason is not confirmed, but the BlackBerry was supposed to launch in June. Some are speculating the delay is due to AT&T not wanting to launch two competing devices at the same time.

A new feature was unlocked for the iPhone this week, the ability to record videos. DreamCatcher has brought their recording application to the iPhone. The feature is much sought after in iPhone circles. DreamCatcher is not bringing this service to the iPhone for nothing though, and is going to be charging $20 for the application.

iPhone developers were treated to a pleasant surprise, when the iPhone SDK beta 4 was released earlier in the week. The new SDK brings OpenGL ES functionality to the included iPhone emulator, which was a much requested improvement asked of Apple by the developers. Apple also took the opportunity to release a new build of the 2.0 firmware beta, called build 5A258f.

This week we also found out that not only can can images be saved from Safari with the new firmware, but so can images sent through email. The feature was discovered right here on iPhone Buzz by Vincent. It works in much the same way as saving images from safari, you hold your finger over an image in the email for a moment, and then you are presented with an option to save the image.

Finally, after much speculation it turned out that the supposed black 3G iPhone photo well-circulated during the past few weeks is, in fact, simply a case for the current handset. Still, apparent confirmation (as if anything is ever confirmed until Steve Jobs announces it to be the case!) of the upcoming device having 3G, GPS and more should make up for any photograph disappointment.

iPhone Video Recorder by DreamCatcher is an app which records video and audio, and your file in mpeg4 format. The good thing is that developers acknowledged the limitations of the iPhone and implemented the ability to do the encoding while you are filming, or when the device is idle. This reduces stress on iPhone CPU.

One hour of video takes approximately 60mb. You can record videos up to 15 frames per second.

You can go here to download the free trial here, or buy it for $19.95 if it meets your needs.

Engadget reports that next generation iPhone is currently in the testing stages. In fact, their secret source managed to get one of new iPhones. Here are his findings.

New iPhone is same in size and shape as the old gen iPhone
There is 3G support
True GPS support
iPhone will have a black glossy back. No more nice shiny metal
Back plate will be thicker and will have less angular edges
Battery is not removable
Phone itself will be slightly thicker than current gen iPhone
The headphone jack will no longer be recessed
The screen size and resolution will stay roughly the same
It is unknown what battery capacity it will have

According to recent reports, it will chip sometime in June or July. When precisely, it is yet unknown.

We should find out how true this information is during the upcoming WWDC, when the device should be announced. Until then – wait.

Thanks: Engadget

There seem to be an interesting development with the 8GB iPhone. Firstly, Carphone Warehouse reported that they completely sold out of 8 GB iPhones all over the country.

Spokesman for Carphone Warehouse said:

“Our price promotion has given many more of our customers the opportunity to enjoy the iPhone experience. Due to this unprecedented demand we have now sold out of the 8GB iPhone and we’re currently reviewing the stock situation. In the meantime, customers can still purchase the 16GB iPhone at the standard price at The Carphone Warehouse.”

O2 also reported low stocks of iPhone. It has sold out of their stock on-line, and has limited stock in their stores.

Both O2 and Carphone Warehouse are thinking whether to order additional stock of 8 GB iPhones. One can only assume that they are indeed preparing for the upcoming 3G iPhone.

Still if you do not want to wait for 3G iPhone, and demand one now, Apple store is offering them at the usual price. No discount from there.

Thanks: PocketLint

According to a rumour, RIM, the makers of Blackberry phones, might wait for Apple to release 3G iPhone before releasing their own 3G version of Blackberry.

Fortune magazine reports, that sources close to RIM claimed that the reason behind the delay from June to August of BlackBerry 8900 were internal glitches. It will be the first 3G Blackberry to appear in US market.

Fortune report says that delaying to launch of the phone will actually lower the number of phones sold, instead of doing anything else.

Thanks: RegHardware

If you have a MythTV PVR system then you might find a great use for MythTV for iPhone . It allows you to watch your recorded TV shows or movies on your iPhone wirelessly.

“The software combines the work of many great programmers into one application. It allows you to browse your recorded shows, and look at show details. You can stream any recorded show to the iPhone wirelessly. It allows you to control your other (PC based) MythFrontend with a web-based remote control.”

Here is a YouTube video of it in action.

To find out more about Myth TV for iPhone, or download it visit Chris Carey’s website.

Thanks: eHomeUpgrade

Stickified.com is a service that will allow you to create “Sticky Notes”. However, differently from your regular text editor, the service will keep the notes on the web. So once you submitted it, and remembered that you want to add something else, you can always do that. It is like a sticky note blog.

It is really a great way to share information with friends, on forums or even maintain your own to-do list.

To use it, go to Stickified.com, create a free account and enjoy.

Lab Rat Maze is a fun little game where you guard a mouse in a series of mazes to get to a cheese. Sounds simple? The problem is that you only see 9 titles o screen from a huge maze. At first, it is quite basic, but the mazes get harder and harder each time. Have fun satisfying your hunger.

BURLINGAME , CALIF. -This week, Apple shocked the semiconductor industry by acquiring P.A. Semi, a 150-person chip design company, as first reported by my colleagues at Forbes.com. (See: "Apple Buys Chip Designer.")

Opinions differ on why Steve Jobs chose to take this additional risk of vertical integration when every chip vendor on the planet is falling all over itself to sell its wares to Apple (nasdaq: AAPL - news - people ).

Semiconductor companies have figured out incredibly innovative ways to "hyper-integrate" their chips. This trend has given us products such as camera phones, music phones, video phones and phones with wireless local area networks. The most recent galvanizing event came when Apple’s iPhone hit the market, packing all those capabilities, along with Web browsing and e-mail, into a single, sleek device. Are we that far from a laptop replacement, demanded by consumers who are tired of carrying multiple gadgets?

Achieving this level of functionality in one miniaturized device means bringing together many sub-systems. Camera modules. MP3 players. Layers of memory. Baseband. GPS. And, of course, the microprocessor. The iPhone, for instance, uses a Samsung chip, which is a three-level stacked-die package containing an ARM processor and two 512-megabit mobile SDRAMs.

That chip alone accounts for approximately $76 or 30% of the component cost in the first-generation, eight-gigabyte iPhone, according to analyst firm iSuppli. (I've written about this component of the iPhone before, too. See "The iPhone's Component Ecosystem.")

Now it so happens that ARM-based processors have an exorbitant market share among mobile devices, and by building the iPhone on the ARM-core, Apple has had to work with the same quasi standard that almost every other phone maker uses.

Many other component vendors--Broadcom (nasdaq: BRCM - news - people ), Marvell, STMicroelectronics (nyse: STM - news - people ) (which just created a joint venture with NXP), Infineon, Texas Instruments (nyse: TXN - news - people ), and National Semiconductor (nyse: NSM - news - people )--also serve multiple handset vendors. The Samsung chip that Apple used also had power problems, and there was widespread speculation that Apple was planning to move to Intel (nasdaq: INTC - news - people ) in the next generation, banking on the veteran’s low-power-design excellence.

Against that backdrop comes this announcement, which most analysts read as another effort from Steve Jobs to control the differentiation elements of his product line. He already controls the operating system, which has enabled the creative, mercurial genius to offer an unprecedented user experience on both his handheld and desktop products.

Jobs’ unrelenting commitment to delighting the customer has continued to yield bounties as frustrated consumers flock from the PC to the Mac, and from Palm's (nasdaq: PALM - news - people ) Treo and Motorola's (nyse: MOT - news - people ) Razr to the iPhone.

For Jobs, therefore, it is worthwhile to take this additional risk with the hope that a successful chip breakthrough may put Apple in an unstoppable position, vis-à-vis its competitors Research in Motion (nasdaq: RIMM - news - people ), Palm, Nokia (nyse: NOK - news - people ), Samsung and Motorola.

Apple has been insanely profitable, and is now sitting on $19.4 billion in cash, having generated $4 billion in cash over the last two quarters. In fact, shareholders have expressed their discontent at Apple not doing anything significant with that stockpile.

Well, here comes the answer. An answer of Jobsian proportion.

Apple’s long-time competitors have learned that having your own captive chip division is not easy. Motorola spun off Freescale as a standalone semiconductor company. Not only has Nokia systematically moved away from developing its own chips, it doesn't want to rely on a single partner, such as Texas Instruments (TI). Instead, last year, Nokia started creating multi-sourcing relationships with ST, Infineon, Broadcom and others. Palm is gasping and Research in Motion doesn’t seem like a company that would make a move toward vertical integration.

Samsung is the only mobile handset vendor in this market that is also a significant semiconductor player. In fact, Samsung owns its own chip fabrication facilities and has considerable ability to differentiate via manufacturing excellence and cost. Having Samsung as a key vendor should make Apple nervous.

But even without Samsung, there are so many other players who would be delighted to join Apple's parade. Apple could play them against each other, then pick the one that delivers the best chips. Intel, IBM (nyse: IBM - news - people ), TI, Broadcom ... one nod from Apple, and they would all be on their knees, begging to serve the master, Jobs.

Why then, does Steve Jobs close these options and bring the chip design in-house?

The answer is, he doesn’t. He will continue to play all of them against each other, including this newly acquired unit. If the in-house team delivers a breakthrough, he wins. If they don’t, he can continue to buy his chips from the other vendors.

The $278 million is chump change compared to the option it creates for Apple. The option to differentiate not only at the design, operating system and software application levels--all of which the Macintosh, the iPhone, and the iPod already do--but at the fundamental electronics level.

The convergence device movement will march on over the next decade. The next billion consumers will likely do their "computing" through a convergence device. No, the device may not be an iPhone. In fact, most likely, a whole new product category is in Apple’s labs right now which would give us the option of leaving the laptop at home.

Dell (nasdaq: DELL - news - people ), Hewlett-Packard (nyse: HPQ - news - people ), Lenovo and the other laptop vendors will need to get their own strategies together to bring convergence devices to the market. Nokia, Research in Motion, Palm, and Samsung will not only have to respond to the iPhone, but also to this new, yet-to-be-created category.

Too much is at stake. Jobs took a risk. He created an option.

If Apple succeeds, expect to see many others in the industry scramble to recreate a vertically integrated industry, which is where it all started. WinTel will eventually be seen as a detour.

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

IDG reports that industry analysts have settled on a prediction: Apple will unveil the next iPhone -- a model equipped with faster 3G networking capabilities -- on June 9, when CEO Steve Jobs will most likely take the stage at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference.

This is only a guess, of course, and it's not even an especially surprising one. Everyone knows that a new iPhone is coming soon, and the WWDC is Apple's next big event.

As support for their prediction, analysts point to reports of a shortage of current iPhones -- a suggestion that Apple may be winding down production before the new model debuts.

And when the new iPhone ships, what'll happen to today's iPhone? Looking into his crystal ball, Shaw Wu, an analyst at American Technology Research, predicts that it'll get a slightly redesigned case and a lower price -- $299 to $349, compared to today's $399.

We'll see.

[Thanks: http://machinist.salon.com]

Chris Sorensen
Business Reporter

The stars finally seem to be aligned for a Canadian launch of Apple's popular iPhone nearly a year after it was first unveiled to lineups of gadget-crazed consumers in the United States.

There have been no official confirmations, but industry sources say that Rogers Communications Inc., the only Canadian carrier with a compatible GSM network, was hoping to include the iPhone as part of a campaign that focuses on "touch screen" phones, to be rolled out between May and July.

That would put one of the world's most talked-about devices in the pockets of Canadians right around the time that Apple Inc. is expected to roll out an updated version of the iPhone that runs on so-called third generation, or "3G," networks.

It could also mean that the iPhone will be available in rival smartphone-maker Research In Motion Ltd.'s backyard before it is able to unveil its response: a 3G version of its popular BlackBerry email device for GSM carriers that is being dubbed "Meteor."

Shares of Waterloo-based RIM fell nearly 3 per cent or $3.52 to close at $122.25 on the Toronto Stock Exchange yesterday amid reports the anticipated June launch of a new BlackBerry has been pushed back to August.

"Reasons appear to be battery life, voice quality and other issues," said Mike Abramsky, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, in a note to clients yesterday that cited sources "confirming" the rumours.

A RIM spokesperson declined to comment.

As for the iPhone's arrival in Canada, a source said Rogers Wireless executives believed they were "close" to inking an agreement earlier this year with Apple, which has used its clout to force significant changes to the standard industry relationship between wireless carriers and handset makers.

That includes the way the iPhone is marketed and sold, as well as a sizeable cut of subscribers' monthly bills.

However, it's still unclear whether a deal has actually been reached because neither side is talking.

"We believe it is a phenomenal device and we look forward to being able to offer it to our customers if and when the device becomes available in Canada," said Elizabeth Hamilton, a Rogers spokesperson.

An Apple spokesperson declined to comment.

While Rogers initially said it planned to offer the iPhone in Canada, the carrier was later forced to backtrack after it admitted it didn't actually have a deal with the Cupertino, Calif.-based maker of iPods and computers.

It has been widely speculated that the stumbling block was Rogers' wireless data plans, which typically cost more than those offered by carriers in Europe and the United States – a disparity that critics blame on a lack of Canadian wireless competition.

As well, most of Rogers' wireless data plans have usage caps, with users charged by the megabyte if they go over their allotment.

"We're not fans of unlimited plans," Rob Bruce, president of Rogers' wireless division, told analysts during a February conference call.

Apple, by contrast, emphasizes the consumer experience of its products and is said to be adamant that the iPhone be offered with unlimited data plans. That way, subscribers don't have to worry their mobile Web browsing habits will put a crater in their wallets.

In return, carriers offering the iPhone can expect to woo new customers and coax more of their customer base onto higher-priced wireless data plans. AT&T Inc., which has an exclusive deal with Apple in the U.S., this week reported a 57 per cent year-over-year increase in its wireless data revenues, which was attributed in part to the iPhone and its focus on mobile email and Web browsing.

Apple also demands a portion of subscribers' monthly bills. That's bound to be a sticking point with Rogers, which has little incentive to bow to all of Apple's demands since there's little risk the iPhone will wind up in a competitor's hands.

If you are a student on mineralogy or geology, you probably know of the mindat.org, a mineral database on the web. Now it is available on the iPhone as well. It features over 4,400 minerals, and over 10,000 varietal and synonymous names.

This is great for both fieldwork, and cheating on the exam. Just be careful. And remember, you did not read that here.

Don’t know how to use a certain drug? iPharmacy is there to help you. It offers a huge list of various drug descriptions, directions on how to use them and common symptoms.

The information might not be presented in the best way, still it offers a search, where you can find all you need.

Apple has revealed that over 200,000 iPhone developers have downloaded Software Development Kit so far. Interestingly in mid March, that number was at 100,000.

Openheimer, Apple CFO, said that SDK is a great success, with more than 400 higher educations and over one-third of Fortune 500 companies making software for iPhone.

This will be even greater when Apple releases iPhone 2.0 software, with features like App Store for third party apps and exchange support.

Thanks: Macworld

RedSquare is a fun little game where you have to move red ball into a red square. Sounds easy? Well it is at first, but as the levels progress the games gets harder and harder. Click here to give it a try.

Some time has passed since the last news on the famous iBand we have posted at iPhone World. Well since then they have managed to issue a new single titled “Vitality” make an interesting appearance on a German TV show and produce their new CD. It is more of DIY-with the hand-made cover therefore unique and more valuable for their real fans.

Marina, Roger and Seb’s new song “Vitality” has inspired them to launch a contest for those of their fans who do something exceptional to make them feel alive. The link to the contest’s own internet site can be found on the iBand’s official web site. The site is already presenting people who want to show what makes them feel alive. The contest is opened for submissions until 25th of April. Below you can see the YouTube video showing the process of creating their first single CD (with all three songs) as well as listen to the latest single.

Coming back to their TV appearance on Sunday, 13th of April - the program in which they showed their faces to the public for the first time is called Neues (eng. New) and brings the news from the world of technology to the viewers of ZDF, Arte and 3sat TV stations.

The three members of the iBand, Marina (vocals, piano, guitar), Roger (xylophone) and Seb (drums.) has already appeared in the most important American newspapers like “Washington Post” or “New York Times”. But it is the first time they show their faces to the world. You can see the German language interview below with English subtitles and the full 20 minutes one for German-speakers available at www.3sat.de.