iPhone 3.0 MMS, tethering rumored; Sirius XM iPhone app enroute

***AppleInsider*** · 03-12-2009, 07:55 PM

Apple's just confirmed iPhone 3.0 firmware is already rumored to add MMS picture messaging and data tethering. Also, Sirius XM has said it plans to give its radio subscribers an iPhone app, and Maine is negotiating a major deal to lease 100,000 MacBooks for its schools.

Possible iPhone 3.0 features leaked

While Apple has only just said it will introduce iPhone 3.0 at a special event next week, rumors have already surfaced of what the major refresh of the mobile OS will bring.

Well-known technology insider Boy Genius said he has been told of two new features so far. Notably, iPhones would get Multimedia Messaging Service support, or MMS. The standard is used to send photos and videos in a form similar to text-only SMS and has long been popular for trading content between phones for several years. Apple is one of the few phone manufacturers to leave out MMS.

iPhones would also purportedly get data tethering, or the ability to serve as the Internet connection for a computer, for both a direct USB connection as well as over Bluetooth. The update would put iPhones on a par with the data options for most smartphones.

Both claims haven't received additional support and should, for now, be seen as potentially inaccurate. However, AT&T has already said that tethering would come soon to iPhones.

Sirius XM building iPhone radio app

Hoping to diversify where and how users get its satellite radio stations, Sirius XM on Thursday mentioned in a financial results conference call that it will have an iPhone app ready sometime during the spring.

The software would let the iPhone and iPod touch stream Sirius or XM stations over the devices' respective Internet connections. Existing subscribers could keep listening to programming away from their normal satellite radios, while new customers could subscribe without having to link it to a dedicated radio, according to Sirius XM chief Mel Karmazin.

Unlike most existing Internet radio apps for the iPhone, the app would likely require the same $13 monthly subscription as needed for Sirius XM's conventional radios or for online-only listening.

The company has been struggling to add subscribers in recent months and has been particularly hard-hit in the automotive industry, where plunging car sales mean fewer satellite radios being sold.

Maine may grow MacBook school program

Even though the economic crisis has been tightening educational budgets, Apple is nearing a coup that would see it deliver 100,000 MacBooks to Maine high school students.

The northeastern state's Education Department declared on Wednesday that it was talking with Apple to expand the range of its current agreement -- which began in 2006 -- to more than double the current tally of about 47,000 MacBooks as part of a four-year leasing deal.

As with the original program, the goal would be to close the gap between rich and poor students by ensuring that every student has access to the same computing resources. A 2007 study showed that the writing skills of students had increased after the portables were introduced to classes.

And to deflect likely criticisms regarding wasteful spending, state Governor John Baldacci has stressed that the MacBooks won't add to any existing spending deficit.

Shunnabunich · 03-12-2009, 08:11 PM

Hmm. I'd rather see the iPhone peer-pressuring other phones into supporting real email than caving in and adding support for stopgap fake email.

w1n78 · 03-12-2009, 08:16 PM

wow, if this ends up being true, the only thing i can complain about my iphone 3g is the garbage coverage at&t has

w00master · 03-12-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shunnabunich

Hmm. I'd rather see the iPhone peer-pressuring other phones into supporting real email than caving in and adding support for stopgap fake email.

Because, it's a losing battle. Ever try to email using T9? Riiiight. That form factor (dial pad format) will NEVER go away.

It's about d*mn time that MMS is coming. About d*mn time. I'm so freaking sick of going to that buggy site just to look at a pict. I just hope this rumor is true.

SpamSandwich · 03-12-2009, 08:37 PM

Sounds like all good news to me.

solipsism · 03-12-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w00master

I'm so freaking sick of going to that buggy site just to look at a pict. I just hope this rumor is true.

I don't care about MMS and frankly would rather it not show up at all in an attempt to push more basic phones to offer email, but since SMS/MMS is pushed and email generally wouldn't be, especially on cheap phones, I see a reason why some want it.

If the site you are referring to is AT&T's site for viewing an MMS, then I agree. Not that I have a problem with receiving an SMS that points to an MMS image on a webpage, but the link in the SMS should be hyperlinked and have a hash code in it that doesn't require you to log in at all, especially with that cryptic username and password. For a service that make bank on AT&T sure seems to go out their way to make as inconvenient as possible to view on the web. On top of that, the picture quality seems to be lowered substantially for web viewing.

GregAlexander · 03-12-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shunnabunich

Hmm. I'd rather see the iPhone peer-pressuring other phones into supporting real email than caving in and adding support for stopgap fake email.

I don't see anything wrong with supporting the past, especially when it can be done at virtually zero cost and can be hidden entirely. I mean, the iPhone could receive an MMS from within email as an email from a phone number. It could send MMS the same way.

Anyway, MMS & Tethering are the common requests for the iPhone and they don't require a version 3.0 to implement, in the slightest. I wonder what else version 3.0 brings to the table!

solipsism · 03-12-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregAlexander

I don't see anything wrong with supporting the past, especially when it can be done at virtually zero cost and can be hidden entirely.

My biggest issue with SMS and MMS is that it's crappy technology that exorbitant rates. I think the whole thing is a scam and is a result of the cellular cartel price gouging the customer. If the cost is virtually zero why do they charge so much for 160 characters and the price keeps going up? It's considerably more than the cost of receiving data from the Hubble telescope.

TenoBell · 03-12-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Apple's just confirmed iPhone 3.0 firmware is already rumored to add MMS picture messaging and data tethering.

Both claims haven't received additional support and should, for now, be seen as potentially inaccurate.

Which one is it? Apple confirmed a claim that has received no additional support?

edit: Ah I see now, that first sentence has two subjects.

w00master · 03-12-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solipsism

I don't care about MMS and frankly would rather it not show up at all in an attempt to push more basic phones to offer email, but since SMS/MMS is pushed and email generally wouldn't be, especially on cheap phones, I see a reason why some want it.

If the site you are referring to is AT&T's site for viewing an MMS, then I agree. Not that I have a problem with receiving an SMS that points to an MMS image on a webpage, but the link in the SMS should be hyperlinked and have a hash code in it that doesn't require you to log in at all, especially with that cryptic username and password. For a service that make bank on AT&T sure seems to go out their way to make as inconvenient as possible to view on the web. On top of that, the picture quality seems to be lowered substantially for web viewing.

I'm sure you've had this debate before, but I'll put it this way... since you believe what you believe (i.e. everyone should just go to email) then why did Apple add in SMS? Doesn't Email do things better then?

Listen, in a "perfect" world, I'd agree with you that everyone just needs to go to email, but we don't live in a "perfect" world. All mobile phones have SMS. Nearly ALL mobile phones also has MMS. About HALF as many phones have some sort of email capability. It's about d*mn time that the supposed "most advanced phone" in the world should have MMS.

Ultimately though? I can sorta live without MMS, but Copy and Paste? For the love of GOD, C&P needs to be in the iPhone. I honestly believe this is the biggest reason why document, spreadsheet, etc. editing hasn't happened on the iPhone. You gotta have C&P.

NasserAE · 03-12-2009, 08:48 PM

I really don't think Apple is releasing the 3.0 update for MMS and tethering while they could have done it with 2.x update. I really don't think Apple is holding an event just to show MMS and tethering. I think this event and upgrade will mainly be all about OS improvement (performance, user interface, and system). Maybe we will see MMS and tethering but they will not be the stars of the events. There is still a lot of work to be done on the iPhone OS.

w00master · 03-12-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NasserAE

I really don't think Apple is releasing the 3.0 update for MMS and tethering while they could have done it with 2.x update. I really don't think Apple is holding an event just to show MMS and tethering. I think this event and upgrade will mainly be all about OS improvement (performance, user interface, and system). Maybe we will see MMS and tethering but they will not be the stars of the events. There is still a lot of work to be done on the iPhone OS.

I don't think anyone is claiming that MMS/tethering is "going to be the star" of the iPhone OS 3.0. This article was just a possible tidbit of what is coming.

solipsism · 03-12-2009, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w00master

I'm sure you've had this debate before, but I'll put it this way... since you believe what you believe (i.e. everyone should just go to email) then why did Apple add in SMS? Doesn't Email do things better then?

I never said that everyone should go to email. I said I see a reason for it. My next reply stated this...

"My biggest issue with SMS and MMS is that it's crappy technology that exorbitant rates. I think the whole thing is a scam and is a result of the cellular cartel price gouging the customer. If the cost is virtually zero why do they charge so much for 160 characters and the price keeps going up? It's considerably more than the cost of receiving data from the Hubble telescope."

Quote:

Originally Posted by NasserAE

I really don't think Apple is releasing the 3.0 update for MMS and tethering while they could have done it with 2.x update. I really don't think Apple is holding an event just to show MMS and tethering. I think this event and upgrade will mainly be all about OS improvement (performance, user interface, and system). Maybe we will see MMS and tethering but they will not be the stars of the events. There is still a lot of work to be done on the iPhone OS.

I'm guessing we'll see a base OS of Snow Leopard for the next iPhone. I wonder if they will demo the next iPhone HW to prevent people from considering a contract with another phone/carrier as their 2 years with AT&T will be up.

NasserAE · 03-12-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w00master

I don't think anyone is claiming that MMS/tethering is "going to be the star" of the iPhone OS 3.0. This article was just a possible tidbit of what is coming.

My point was that anyone can state the obvious. In this case the usual suspects are tethering, MMS, and cut and paste. However, I would like someone to come up with the news about the killer features that will be revealed on Tuesday. I guess since no one really expected this event means no one actually anything about it.

GregAlexander · 03-12-2009, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solipsism

My biggest issue with SMS and MMS is that it's crappy technology that exorbitant rates. I think the whole thing is a scam and is a result of the cellular cartel price gouging the customer. If the cost is virtually zero why do they charge so much for 160 characters and the price keeps going up?

When I said "virtually zero cost" I meant for Apple to add the feature. It's a software thing only - no extra hardware.

I agree the phone companies are gouging on the SMS & MMS - pity Apple + Google can't help us bypass those fees.. but AT&T wouldn't allow that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by solipsism

I'm guessing we'll see a base OS of Snow Leopard for the next iPhone. I wonder if they will demo the next iPhone HW to prevent people from considering a contract with another phone/carrier as their 2 years with AT&T will be up.

Yeah absolutely. The Snow Leopard base is a key part of Apple's future. It could also be what's holding up an AppleTV 3.0.

NasserAE · 03-12-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solipsism

I'm guessing we'll see a base OS of Snow Leopard for the next iPhone. I wonder if they will demo the next iPhone HW to prevent people from considering a contract with another phone/carrier as their 2 years with AT&T will be up.

Exactly. If Apple was able to reduce the Mac OS X footprint and improve performance with SL I think this is what they will do with iPhone OS 3.0. I also think that Apple will introduce a method for background applications and apps management.

Any guess on what the next iPhone will called? We already have iPhone and iPhone 3G.

Ireland · 03-12-2009, 09:21 PM

It's a pain in the butt that it took this look (if true) to get MMS, as for a quite a few people it would be "handy to have". And it should be added. Having said that I personally don't use it.

Now, the list of feature that I might make use of? That's a longer list. Still curious why AI hasn't liked to this site in this report yet. It's a brilliant website, and I'm glad it exists.

solipsism · 03-12-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregAlexander

When I said "virtually zero cost" I meant for Apple to add the feature. It's a software thing only - no extra hardware.

Gotcha

Quote:

It could also be what's holding up an AppleTV 3.0.

I don't think SL is quite ready yet, but I think the real hold up for AppleTV is Atom paired with Nvidia's Ion. AnandTech tested some of the platform and found that high bitrate 1080p Blu-ray with H.264 or VC-1 was not possible, but older MPEG-2 Blu-ray or high-bit rate H.264 that isn't being pulled from an optical drive is possible, though not ideal. Certainly not good enough for Apple to include 1080p. Though it is much better and presumably cheaper than the special 1Ghz Intel and GMA950 currently being used in the AppleTV. It would at least allow for high-bit rate 720p, which will good enough for all but the most whiny posters here.

I do think it makes sense for the iPhone/Touch, Mac and AppleTV to be updated with Snow Leopard this year, though I'd expect that the AppleTV may still be on SL after OS X 10.7 comes out.

edit: The page about the Ion testing hs been removed. Anand states that they believe the results are wrong and he removed it. Maybe it can play high bitrate Blu-ray after all.

• http://www.anandtech.com/weblog/showpost.aspx?i=581

Quote:

Originally Posted by NasserAE

Any guess on what the next iPhone will called? We already have iPhone and iPhone 3G.

That is a good question. I have no ideas. You?

Ireland · 03-12-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NasserAE

Any guess on what the next iPhone will called? We already have iPhone and iPhone 3G.

History is the best yard stick. We went from iPod to iPod photo, and after that we had iPod again.

I'm guessing the next iPhone will be called "iPhone", with no second word in the name at all.

hittrj01 · 03-12-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Any guess on what the next iPhone will called? We already have iPhone and iPhone 3G.

My guess is they will go back to simply calling it the iPhone, much like they did with the iPod line. It was first the iPod, then the iPod color, then iPod video, then they started calling it simply the iPod again before moving on to the iPod Classic. I don't believe iPhone 3.0 will be the name (too much confusion for average customers with 3G) but keeping it simple and sticking with just "iPhone" would keep the primary brand relevant instead of having 3 different iPhones. It would still simply be "THE iPhone".

edit: Ireland, you beat me to it!

solipsism · 03-12-2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireland

History is the best yard stick. We went from iPod to iPod photo, and after that we had iPod again.

I'm guessing the next iPhone will be called "iPhone", with no second word in the name at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hittrj01

My guess is they will go back to simply calling it the iPhone, much like they did with the iPod line. It was first the iPod, then the iPod color, then iPod video, then they started calling it simply the iPod again before moving on to the iPod Classic. I don't believe iPhone 3.0 will be the name (too much confusion for average customers with 3G) but keeping it simple and sticking with just "iPhone" would keep the primary brand relevant instead of having 3 different iPhones. It would still simply be "THE iPhone".

Spooky!

NasserAE · 03-12-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireland

Now, the list of feature that I might make use of? That's a longer list. Still curious why AI hasn't liked to this site in this report yet. It's a brilliant website, and I'm glad it exists.

I am glad to see the request for full Arabic support to be one of the top ten. The iPhone supports languages for countries without official iPhone availability but lacks Arabic support (the fifth most spoken language in the world) even with four Arab countries officially selling the iPhone!! Friends and family back home loved the iPhone but were disappointed that it cannot read nor write Arabic.

anantksundaram · 03-12-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solipsism

My biggest issue with SMS and MMS is that it's crappy technology that exorbitant rates. I think the whole thing is a scam and is a result of the cellular cartel price gouging the customer. If the cost is virtually zero why do they charge so much for 160 characters and the price keeps going up? It's considerably more than the cost of receiving data from the Hubble telescope.

Excellent points. I am amazed that no one is stepping up to take on these rip-off artists.

solipsism · 03-12-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NasserAE

I am glad to see the request for full Arabic support to be one of the top ten. The iPhone support languages for countries without official iPhone availability but lacks Arabic support (the fifth most spoken language in the world) even with four Arab countries officially selling the iPhone!! Friends and family back home loved the iPhone but were disappointed that it cannot read nor write Arabic.

Interesting. Of those 4 countries that speak Arabic, what is the potential iPhone purchase numbers if you add up the carriers numbers for those countries. This, of course, does not account for the profusion of native Arabic speakers around the world where the iPhone is sold. I wonder if it's not included yet because the number of speakers that Apple assumes would buy the iPhone are less than other languages, though I don't know all the languages that Apple supports. I may be wrong but I think a very common language, like Spanish, wasn't supported right away.

Here is the list, in short:

1) Background 3rd-party apps (Still will be problematic even with faster CPU and more RAM, so I say no)
2) MMS (I think it's coming)
3) C&P (I think it's coming)
4) Wireless syncing (Hell no!)
5) landscape typing for email/SMS (I say offer it, but I find typing in landscape mode to be more difficult)
6) Flash (Not until Abode can makeFlash 9 or 10 viable for ARM)
7) Arabic (If it's popular then I'm sure they will offer it)
8) Video recording (If they use Tegra or have SL use OpenCL then I think it will finally be viable, it isn't now)
9) Full screen click for camera (This makes so much sense I'm surprised it hasn't been done yet)

hill60 · 03-12-2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w00master

Because, it's a losing battle. Ever try to email using T9? Riiiight. That form factor (dial pad format) will NEVER go away.

It's about d*mn time that MMS is coming. About d*mn time. I'm so freaking sick of going to that buggy site just to look at a pict. I just hope this rumor is true.

Why not get all those MMS you no doubt receive sent to your email address, most phone's which are capable of sending MMS also have the capability of saving an email address under a contacts details.

This would remove the need to type an email address using damn T9 for those who can figure out how to send an MMS but can't figure out how to switch off T9 (or similar implementations of this copyrighted technology).

Ireland · 03-12-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solipsism

Spooky!

"Great minds think." - Al Ike

solipsism · 03-12-2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anantksundaram

Excellent points. I am amazed that no one is stepping up to take on these rip-off artists.

There was one I read about last year, Wisconsin senator Herb Kohl of the Kohl department stores, but I can find no follow up on it. He seems like a good guy and doesn't need hush money (though having money doesn't seem to be a deterrent for wanting more of it).

• http://www.electronista.com/articles...n.us.sms.fees/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb_Kohl

mark2005 · 03-12-2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w00master

I'm sure you've had this debate before, but I'll put it this way... since you believe what you believe (i.e. everyone should just go to email) then why did Apple add in SMS? Doesn't Email do things better then?

I believe SMS was a concession to AT&T and other carriers, as it is a huge profit center for them. Note Apple put no pressure on AT&T to make SMS a part of the unlimited data plan.

By the way, more people use SMS than any other service (of any kind) in the world, and MMS is rapidly growing - it's by way more people than email.

If MMS is included in iPhone 3.0, I think it will be another concession because MMS is also a huge profit center to the carriers. I only wonder what additional "control" Apple gained because of it.

Ireland · 03-12-2009, 10:17 PM

Two things I want, which I never really hear being mentioned. Is a proper YouTube app; where you can login to your account, rate and comment on videos. The second is over-the-air podcast integration in "the iPod app", i.e. so you don't have to leave the iPod app, at all. A button down the bottom, when you scroll down the Podcast tab, similar to "Get more episodes..." but when you tap it it checks for new ones, and then present you a list of "all" the new episodes so you can select them, or "all" and they go straight into the app, removing iTunes.ipa from this equation altogether.

solipsism · 03-12-2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireland

"Great minds think." - Al Ike

Not to nitpick, but I find that simple minds are more likely to think alike as they conceive less variables and therefore have less of chance in deviating their thoughts. I'm not passive-aggressively making a statement about you and hittrj01, I'm just pointing out one of those locutions that don't actually make sense what you think about them. Okay, time for bed.

solipsism · 03-12-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireland

Two things I want, which I never really hear being mentioned. Is a proper YouTube app; where you can login to your account, rate and comment on videos. The second is over-the-air podcast integration in "the iPod app", i.e. so you don't have to leave the iPod app, at all. A button down the bottom, when you scroll down the Podcast tab, similar to "Get more episodes..." but when you tap it it checks for new ones, and then present you a list of "all" the new episodes so you can select them, or "all" and they go straight into the app, removing iTunes.ipa from this equation altogether.

That is a great idea! Aren't there videos that require you to be logged in to verify your age? Can those be viewed on the iPhone? Does logging into the website via Safari and then clicking on the video bypass the age check for the 18+ videos?

sflocal · 03-12-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireland

History is the best yard stick. We went from iPod to iPod photo, and after that we had iPod again.

I'm guessing the next iPhone will be called "iPhone", with no second word in the name at all.

There's a lot of marketing and $$ behind the term "iPhone" as well as "OSX". Everyone know what it is so there is no real incentive for Apple to give it a new brand name. Arguably, Snow Leopard could be a v.11 release but they are not going to go out and call it OSXI now will they?

Ireland · 03-12-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solipsism

Not to nitpick, but I find that simple minds are more likely to think alike as they conceive less variables and therefore have less of chance in deviating their thoughts. I'm not passive-aggressively making a statement about you and hittrj01, I'm just pointing out one of those locutions that don't actually make sense what you think about them. Okay, time for bed.

Yeah, bed time

Adjei · 03-12-2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireland

It's a pain in the butt that it took this look (if true) to get MMS, as for a quite a few people it would be "handy to have". And it should be added. Having said that I personally don't use it.

Now, the list of feature that I might make use of? That's a longer list. Still curious why AI hasn't liked to this site in this report yet. It's a brilliant website, and I'm glad it exists.

What a useless site, I guess it's the only iphone that's missing features.

Ireland · 03-12-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adjei

What a useless site, I guess it's the only iphone that's missing features.

Was that comment supposed to make sense? Cause it didn't. If it had made sense like you intended it to, you're missing the point. Sites like this are setup, because the iPhone is "nearly there". 800,000 votes later you can bet your bottom dollar Apple know the site exists, and have read it. A lot of features Apple added to the phone so far was because of requests. Exchange support was added because there was a huge demand for it, for example. Flush headphone jack, ability to disable auto-correct, the list goes on.

hittrj01 · 03-12-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solipsism

Not to nitpick, but I find that simple minds are more likely to think alike as they conceive less variables and therefore have less of chance in deviating their thoughts. I'm not passive-aggressively making a statement about you and hittrj01, I'm just pointing out one of those locutions that don't actually make sense what you think about them. Okay, time for bed.

LOL, Agreed! Great minds may think alike, but simple ones do as well! Hopefully Ireland and I are part of the former rather than the latter!

Adjei · 03-12-2009, 10:32 PM

How did Apple manage to keep this under wraps, no leaked rumours, seems they are getting good at it, same with the shuffle, hit everyone with a surprise.

Adjei · 03-12-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireland

Was that comment supposed to make sense? Cause it didn't. If it had made sense like you intended it to, you're missing the point. Sites like this are setup, because the iPhone is "nearly there". 800,000 votes later you can bet your bottom dollar Apple know the site exists, and have read it. A lot of features Apple added to the phone so far was because of requests. Exchange support was added because there was a huge demand for it, for example.

LOL, so I guess Apple is adding features because of that useless site?

Ireland · 03-12-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adjei

LOL, so I guess Apple is adding features because of that useless site?

Well sites like this are giving the feedback they keep telling us they want, and are getting. Every drop counts buddy. You're wrong if you think it's not having an impact. Rearranging the home-screen was a big one, so they added it. Even Apple can clear the wax out now and then.

Abster2core · 03-12-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Apple is one of the few phone manufacturers to leave out MMS.

Maybe it just took a little time. After all their patent filing only appeared a year ago. http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2008/04/ip..._module-2.html

03-12-2009, 07:55 PM	#1
*AppleInsider* Kasper's Automated Slave Join Date: Nov 1997 Posts: 6,151	iPhone 3.0 MMS, tethering rumored; Sirius XM iPhone app enroute Apple's just confirmed iPhone 3.0 firmware is already rumored to add MMS picture messaging and data tethering. Also, Sirius XM has said it plans to give its radio subscribers an iPhone app, and Maine is negotiating a major deal to lease 100,000 MacBooks for its schools. Possible iPhone 3.0 features leaked While Apple has only just said it will introduce iPhone 3.0 at a special event next week, rumors have already surfaced of what the major refresh of the mobile OS will bring. Well-known technology insider Boy Genius said he has been told of two new features so far. Notably, iPhones would get Multimedia Messaging Service support, or MMS. The standard is used to send photos and videos in a form similar to text-only SMS and has long been popular for trading content between phones for several years. Apple is one of the few phone manufacturers to leave out MMS. iPhones would also purportedly get data tethering, or the ability to serve as the Internet connection for a computer, for both a direct USB connection as well as over Bluetooth. The update would put iPhones on a par with the data options for most smartphones. Both claims haven't received additional support and should, for now, be seen as potentially inaccurate. However, AT&T has already said that tethering would come soon to iPhones. Sirius XM building iPhone radio app Hoping to diversify where and how users get its satellite radio stations, Sirius XM on Thursday mentioned in a financial results conference call that it will have an iPhone app ready sometime during the spring. The software would let the iPhone and iPod touch stream Sirius or XM stations over the devices' respective Internet connections. Existing subscribers could keep listening to programming away from their normal satellite radios, while new customers could subscribe without having to link it to a dedicated radio, according to Sirius XM chief Mel Karmazin. Unlike most existing Internet radio apps for the iPhone, the app would likely require the same $13 monthly subscription as needed for Sirius XM's conventional radios or for online-only listening. The company has been struggling to add subscribers in recent months and has been particularly hard-hit in the automotive industry, where plunging car sales mean fewer satellite radios being sold. Maine may grow MacBook school program Even though the economic crisis has been tightening educational budgets, Apple is nearing a coup that would see it deliver 100,000 MacBooks to Maine high school students. The northeastern state's Education Department declared on Wednesday that it was talking with Apple to expand the range of its current agreement -- which began in 2006 -- to more than double the current tally of about 47,000 MacBooks as part of a four-year leasing deal. As with the original program, the goal would be to close the gap between rich and poor students by ensuring that every student has access to the same computing resources. A 2007 study showed that the writing skills of students had increased after the portables were introduced to classes. And to deflect likely criticisms regarding wasteful spending, state Governor John Baldacci has stressed that the MacBooks won't add to any existing spending deficit.

03-12-2009, 08:16 PM	#3
w1n78 Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: 909, CA Posts: 25	wow, if this ends up being true, the only thing i can complain about my iphone 3g is the garbage coverage at&t has - Dual 2.0GHz G5 \| 2.5GB Ram \| Switched April 2004 and Lovin' it! - MacBook Pro Dual 2.0GHz \| 2GB Ram - iMac Aluminum 2.66GHz \| 4GB My Site

03-12-2009, 08:37 PM	#5
SpamSandwich Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 8,453	Sounds like all good news to me. "The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground." —Thomas Jefferson Proud AAPL stock owner.

03-12-2009, 08:48 PM	#11
NasserAE Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 1,066	I really don't think Apple is releasing the 3.0 update for MMS and tethering while they could have done it with 2.x update. I really don't think Apple is holding an event just to show MMS and tethering. I think this event and upgrade will mainly be all about OS improvement (performance, user interface, and system). Maybe we will see MMS and tethering but they will not be the stars of the events. There is still a lot of work to be done on the iPhone OS. Nasser

03-12-2009, 09:21 PM	#17
Ireland Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 8,557	It's a pain in the butt that it took this look (if true) to get MMS, as for a quite a few people it would be "handy to have". And it should be added. Having said that I personally don't use it. Now, the list of feature that I might make use of? That's a longer list. Still curious why AI hasn't liked to this site in this report yet. It's a brilliant website, and I'm glad it exists. Collecting my SSD iMac Fry-die. :D

03-12-2009, 08:11 PM	#2
Shunnabunich Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 76	Hmm. I'd rather see the iPhone peer-pressuring other phones into supporting real email than caving in and adding support for stopgap fake email.

03-12-2009, 10:17 PM	#29
Ireland Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 8,557	Two things I want, which I never really hear being mentioned. Is a proper YouTube app; where you can login to your account, rate and comment on videos. The second is over-the-air podcast integration in "the iPod app", i.e. so you don't have to leave the iPod app, at all. A button down the bottom, when you scroll down the Podcast tab, similar to "Get more episodes..." but when you tap it it checks for new ones, and then present you a list of "all" the new episodes so you can select them, or "all" and they go straight into the app, removing iTunes.ipa from this equation altogether. Collecting my SSD iMac Fry-die. :D

03-12-2009, 10:32 PM	#37
Adjei Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 733	How did Apple manage to keep this under wraps, no leaked rumours, seems they are getting good at it, same with the shuffle, hit everyone with a surprise.

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