Appletell

Steve, calling it the phone that changed phones, praised the iPhone’s 90% customer satisfaction and 98% mobile browsing and overall greatness. What could come next? Steve talks about them running out of iPhones, and their next mountain to climb. It’s a big mystery...and it is 3G. The iPhone in more countries. Steve acknowledges that they are in use in many more countries than the six they sell them in. Lastly, the iPhone needs to be more affordable. I’m just giddy.

Today, they introduce iPhone 3G, thinner, tapered, with a black plastic back, solid metal buttons, same gorgeous 3.5” display, a flush headphone jack, dramatically improved audio, and 3G. It looks like the mockups we’ve been seeing.

Steve says the 3G increased browser speeds. 21 seconds on 3G, and after a long long wait and some whistling, 59 seconds on EDGE. 3G is 2.8 times faster. iPhone 3G is 36% faster than the Nokia 3G phone. 

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According to Jason D. O’Grady of ZDNet, Apple will announce a 12 or 13-inch Mac tablet this fall – most likely in September or October. It will run the full Mac OS X that current Macs use and have a slot-loading SuperDrive that the MacBooks and MacBook Pros have. Apparently, it will use an “iPhone-type” GPS chip and an Intel Core Duo processor, that is presumably their forthcoming “Atom” chip.

No word on the design has been said—it could share the MacBook’s classic design, or sport an entirely new one. If you remember back last month Intel Germany’s CEO, Hannes Schwaderer said that an iPhone would be using their Atom processor in the future – this was quickly corrected by Apple. What Schwaderer could have been referring to is a future tablet Mac using their Atom processor, not an iPhone.

There have been rumors of a Mac tablet in the past, but only recently have they become more realistic. MacRumors have pointed out that Apple has patented several tablet designs since 1995 — is now the time when Apple truly launches a tablet platform for the Mac?

Via [ZDNet]

The iPhone 2.0 firmware is looking even more promising, with the inclusion of photo geotagging. For those not familiar with Geotagging, it’s the process of giving a photo an accurate location on a global map — for some, it may sound like a pointless process — but it is in fact a very useful one. Normally, GPS is used to give the most accurate location. Obviously, the current iPhone doesn’t have GPS built-in, so using Wi-Fi and cell tower technology, Apple can estimate your location. The next iPhone is rumored to have 3G and GPS built-in, so this could become a big feature for it.

The feature can be turned on and off under the “Location Services” preference in System Preferences on an iPhone. Location is becoming a key aspect of social networking today, with up and coming sites like Yahoo! Fire Eagle, and other location-based services. The iPhone could become one of the devices that kicks-off GPS location. The iPod Touch probably won’t see this feature, simply because it doesn’t have a camera or cell tower reception.

Via [MacRumors]

Engadget has the latest scoop on the next-gen iPhone. They’ve got a list of what to expect in the next iPhone, most of which sounds legit. Being from a big blog like Engadget, this information is usually right. Ryan Block says that it could ship as soon as this July - although you never know what to expect with Apple.

• Same size and shape as the first gen.
• 3G
• GPS (real GPS, not that cell tower crap)
• Back of the phone is no longer metal—the whole thing is glossy black, from top to bottom. The volume buttons are now chrome.
• Because there is no longer any metal, the phone doesn’t have quite as many angular edges.
• The battery is (still) not removable.
• Will be slightly thicker than the first-gen device.
• The headphone jack will no longer be recessed, and will finally be flush with the body - similarly to the iPod Touch.
• Roughly the same size and resolution screen as the first generation product.
• No word on battery life or capacity.

Via [Engadget]

Computers.  Displays.  Cell phones.  Music players.  Online music.  Storage.  Networking.  Apple is already in a ton of markets, many of which, unfortunately, are tightly tied together.  However, Apple is still a relatively young company and can branch out so much more.  The questions is, if at all, where?  Will they enter the digital camera market?  The gaming market?  The GPS and auto market?  Or maybe even video cameras?  It could be any of the above, especially given the fact that Apple has applied for so many patents lately.  It will be interesting to find out, but heres my thoughts:

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I have gotten the feeling lately, that Apple is going to get into the GPS business in a very real way.  I’ve not gotten confirmation from Apple on this, but the circumstantial proof is there.  There are four main reasons I believe this to be the case.

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MacWorld’s coming around the corner, and what would it be without a couple, fresh Apple rumors. Sure we know about the Mac Tablet rumors, and the Sub-notebook, but something fresh. Something different.

Well how’s this for you. Apple and TomTom are working on an external GPS module for the iPhone. nobody wants a GPS built into their phone, because it drains battery and takes a long time to connect. But Apple may be working with third-party hardware makers to improve the functionality of their device. Much like they did with the Nike + iPod deal. A GPS would be pretty useful to have in an iPhone, especially when driving in a car. We’ll just have to wait until MacWorld to find out.

Via [Engadget]

As Steve Jobs has already confirmed that work is underway on the iPhone2 that isn’t a surprise but if SmartOffice are to be believed then we may see it as soon as January 2008 at Macworld Expo, which would be a surprise.

Rumored improvements include:

• GPS
• expanded WiFi capability
• he ability to sync with email servers

The report claims that the discussions that Apple are having with manufacturing partners in Asia are likely to result in “major software and hardware changes to cater for non-US markets such as Europe, Asia and Australia.”

Via [Macworld]

Apple started off creating innovative computers with innovative software. They then expanded into the portable music player business with the first iPod. In just over a week, Apple will be moving into newer territory: the cellular telephone business. What’s next? GPS systems perhaps?

According to the German magazine, “Focus”, Apple is planning and begun working on a GPS navigation system for cars. In 2009, the device is said to be released, but only available to users of Mercedes branded cars. Six months after release, this GPS system is said to become available to other car models, however.

There has been a lot of speculation regarding GPS navigation in the iPhone because of confirmation regarding Google Map navigation to be included in the device. This story just adds more speculation, and possibly a better chance of us seeing GPS in the iPhone, and possibly future Apple products.

Read [FourSprung]