Appletell

Because of the iPhone’s capacitive touch technology (which measures your finger’s electron flow), the use of a normal stylus was highly frowned upon by the device (and, in fact, didn’t even work). Those days are over. A Japanese company has now developed a stylus that mimics this sort of technology, making it very usable with the iPhone. This stylus is made of metal, and even has a SIM eject tool built in. Better yet, the tip is flexible, so dragging with the stylus is easy on your phone’s screen.

My only question for this would be, why? The whole point of the iPhone is that you don’t need a stylus and don’t have to worry about losing it. As long as you have fingers, you are good to go. However, that brings me to conradictory point. This stylus may be perfect for those people who have large fingers, like to wear gloves, or have long fingernails. This stylus would make using the iPhone much easier for those people.

What do you think? Do you know anyone who would love something like this?

Via [ThinkGeek]

Due to the iPhone’s Infineon 3G chip, somewhere around 2% to 3% of iPhone users are experiencing continual shifting between 2.5G networks and 3G networks. The normal rate for this, according to AT&T’s numbers, is around 1%. So, how is Apple going to fix this? According to Nomura Securities, they are currently developing a software fix for this issue. That’s right, there isn’t going to be an iPhone recall anytime soon. Ah, the benefits of a highly software based platform.

Nomura Securities adds that the issue deals with how the chip handles the data it receives from the 3G network. They go on to say that the chip can be programmed to only use the 3G speeds if enough 3G bandwidth is available. The reason for Apple’s issue is that they have set this number too high, allowing the iPhone to only connect to 3G in a well-covered area. Let’s hope we see this update soon.

Via [MacNN]

According to AppleInsider’s sources, the iPhone 3G is expected to be available for purchase in Best Buy retail stores as early as next month. This would make Best Buy the first independent retailer of Apple’s highly popular touch screen device. With 970 stores expected to carry the device, Best Buy could help give the iPhone even more market share. It seems as if Apple and Best Buy are becoming quite the partners.

The only question I have about this possible deal regards how Apple plans to keep stock available in all of these extra stores when they can barely sustain a healthy supply for them and AT&T alone. I’m sure the shortage will stop once the hype dies down and production vamps up, but nearly 1,000 Best Buy stores means a lot more iPhones.  Could this be what the Foxconn iPhone production increase was preparing for?Sources indicate yes.

Via [AppleInsider]

With the recent news of the large quantities of money Apple has been making via their App Store (almost $1 million a day), T-Mobile wants in. With their 30+ million subscribers compared to the iPhone’s near 10 million, T-Mobile feels that their creation of an App Store-like platform could rake in some serious revenue. That is, as long as developers take advantage of it. They should probably act quickly, however, as the iPhone is rapidly gaining market share, and T-Mobile’s numbers have been growing more slowly every year.

T-Mobile will be calling this platform (which is currently in alpha) their devPartner Program. And they aren’t fooling around with this, either. “The devPartner Community site, which is in its alpha stage, is just a taste of what T-Mobile has in store, and we encourage you to stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks,” said Venetia Espinoza, T-Mobile’s director of Mobile Applications and Partner Programs.

This is going to get interesting.

Via [iPod Observer]

Until now, there was really no good way to get the 2008 Beijing Olympics on your iPhone. However, Marvel Apps, LLC has entered the game and wants to change that. Another app of theirs to enter the App Store is called Fandora’s Box and helps you track the Olympics. With the touch of your finger, you can follow your country’s medal performance, along with results, news, and highlights from the various events. No word yet on whether it comes with a picture of Michael Phelps to gaze upon.

Although this app doesn’t have live, streaming video, it is still really cool. You will no longer have to wait for tons of web pages to open on your iPhone, as you can get all the Olympics information in one easy to use interface. That said, this application will cost you a slim $0.99, and comes in at 1.8MB. Be sure to check it out and let us know what you think!

Product [Fandora’s Box 2008 Summer Games]

Have you needed to have an SSH tunnel to your personal machine while on the go? If so, TouchTerm from the App Store may be a great solution for you. This application allows you to gain remote access to your computer over Wi-Fi, EDGE, or 3G from your iPhone. The interface looks like a normal Terminal window, with control over the font size and color as well as the ability to scroll over your Terminal output. It can also save your passwords, making it great for quick access to your main machine.

Although there is no Terminal emulation yet, Jim Brink, the developer, promises it will be coming in a free software update soon.  When this arrives, the app will be much more functional. The app currently runs for $2.99 and comes in at 0.8MB. It has three out of five stars on its iTunes page, with 31 reviews. Check it out, and then be sure to report back here with what you think about it.

Product [TouchTerm]

Although Apple has decided to offer two colors for the iPhone 3G in the 16GB version, some people may want more. Thankfully, ColorWare has gotten their hands on an iPhone 3G and is now able to offer their popular device coloring service for it. There are five separate parts of the iPhone 3G that are able to be colored, the back, frame, home button, SIM tray, and earbuds. You can also get your dock colored.

The only downside to this cool service is that it is quite pricey, and you will have to be without your iPhone for about two weeks while they color it for you. If you want all six of the hardware pieces listed above colored, it will run you $230 before taxes. Just the back itself is $150. However, if you like to use your iPhone in style, it may be worth the price. Did you get your iPhone 3G colored?

Product [ColorWare]

Our fellow California friends can start preparing to celebrate the opening of yet another Apple Store this weekend. On Saturday, August 9th at 10 AM you will now be able to get your favorite Apple products at the Del Monte Center in Monterey, California. As usual, this opening will come with the Genius Bar, One to One Lessons, and eventually helpful workshop tutorials (no workshops are scheduled yet).

If you are still eagerly awaiting the opportunity to purchase an iPhone 3G, you may want to wait in line at the opening to see if you can get yours hands on one. There is no confirmation on the site of whether they will have stock, but I imagine they will. Head out to the store if you get a chance and take some pictures for us if you live around there. Let us know how it is!

Via [Apple]

Despite already having Twitter, Flickr, Facebook, and Myspace on your iPhone, it will now be even easier to share your life via the Internet from your phone. The team over at Qik has announced that their client is now ready for the touch screen device. You probably remember that Qik is a popular live video streaming client for mobile devices such as the Nokia N95. However, you may be depressed to find out it is currently only available through Installer.app on jailbroken iPhones running v1.1.4. (Running iPhone 2.0? See these iPhone 1.1.4 software downgrade instructions.)

Although a version is expected soon for jailbroken iPhones running the 2.0 software, we may unfortunately never see this app through the App Store. Not only is it sure to use up a lot of bandwidth (which AT&T won’t approve), but Apple hasn’t even enabled any sort of video on the cameras themselves, yet. That sort of sucks, in my opinion, as I would love to see Qik available through the App Store, and would even love to pay for it.

Via [TechCrunch]

Although Japan has legally had the iPhone for only about a month, their carrier, Softbank, is already cutting the prices on their data plans. Softbank’s site has the number in yen, so I will translate for you. The iPhone 3G data rates were currently at ¥7,280, or $67.47/month, but they have now been reduced all the way to ¥2,990, or $27.71/month. This is a big win for Japanese iPhone customers in my opinion, because the cheapest plan we can get here in the states with AT&T is at $70/month.

The Alley Insider points out that although the iPhone drew lines in Japan on launch day, there are still some issues with its arrival there. For one, it still doesn’t work with some local services, such as using your phone for a subway smart card. Therefore, with a large amount of people in Japan who frequently buy new phones, the iPhone may only see a short term impact over there. We will have to wait and see.

Via [Silicon Alley Insider, Softbank Mobile]