Apple unveils new iPhone 3.0 features, sets release for June 17th

[AppleInsider]

At WWDC, Apple revealed a few new details related to its iPhone 3.0 operating system update for existing iPhone and iPod touch users, including its release date set for June 17, 2009. Meanwhile, new information clarifies why U.S. wireless carrier AT&T has delayed support for tethering and MMS features of the software.

iPhone Software 3.0 will appear as a free download on June 17th for iPhone user, which is just two days before the iPhone 3G S goes on sale. iPod touch users will be able to obtain the update for $9.95.

Newly unveiled features

While many features in iPhone 3.0 were announced back in March, a few new ones have only been hinted at by developer leaks since then but were confirmed by Apple today, including:

Purchase and rental of movies from iTunes, along with TV shows, music videos, audiobooks, and new access to free iTunes U content. The software also supports creating a new iTunes account directly from the device.
Shake to shuffle in iTunes playback.
New Parental Controls limiting the iPhone App Store software by a content rating, as well as ratings limitations on movies and TV shows.
New features for MobileMe subscribers, including a web based interface to pinpoint the location of an iPhone on a map, send it a text message, have it play a sound in order to find it locally, and remote wipe the device to destroy all local data when the phone is lost or stolen.
New Safari features, including autofill and the use of contact information to fill out forms, much faster JavaScript, and support for new HTML5 features.
New details about AT&T support for tethering, MMS

Apple also revealed that its US partner won't be supporting the tethering features it built into iPhone 3.0. The company tactfully describes the feature as "not currently offered in the US." Apple is clearly using its leverage in being able to attract mobile subscribers to push global mobile providers to support the feature, but AT&T has been unable to support it so far.

The company already allows tethering on other phones it sells when the user pays extra fees, but its network would face a significant hit were tethering opened up to iPhone users who are likely to use it extensively, given how easy Apple has made it. Even iPhones cracked to run on T-Mobile as an alternative provider won't be able to take advantage of tethering, as T-Mobile does not support 3G data service compatible with the iPhone.

MMS features, including the ability to send pictures, audio and video clips, contacts and location files as multimedia text files, are planned for support on AT&T's network "in late summer." Speaking in an interview, AT&T Executive Director Mark Siegel insisted that support for MMS was not related to the company's 3G network but said it was a secondary service.

Asked if support for tethering was tied to the same system upgrade, Siegel answered "Yes. But we don't have a date for when we will announce tethering, but it won't be at the end of the summer."

The interviewer also stated that Apple and AT&T had initially resisted support for MMS messaging as a protocol, calling it "ugly" and hoping to direct users to use free email instead.

The MMS service upgrade AT&T is rolling out to support the iPhone 3.0 software is part of a larger upgrade happening this year. Apple's website also notes that "MMS is not supported on first-generation iPhone. Sending video via MMS is not supported on iPhone 3G."

iPhone 3.0 features unique to iPhone 3G S

Meanwhile, some features of iPhone Software 3.0 rely upon or are enhanced by new hardware unique to the new iPhone 3G S. These include:

Support for Voice Control, a new app for voice dialing or voice command of iTunes playback. Use of the app requires the new phone's faster processor.
Support for new features in the improved new camera, including rapid shutter; low light; macro and autofocus; touch controls for automatic refocus, exposure and white balance settings; and higher resolution 3 Megapixel images.
Support for video capture, including trim editing and MMS delivery of video clips and publishing to YouTube and MobileMe.
Hardware encryption of all internal data. This makes remote wipe instantaneous because the system can blank the device without needing to scrub individual files using secure delete.
Support for faster 7.2 Mbps HSDPA 3G data service where available for faster browsing and downloads.
Electronic compass support for indicating the direction you are facing and orienting map display.
Accessibility features including the Voice Over screen reader and triple tapping to zoom the display.
Nike + iPod support for use with running shoe sensors and other gym equipment.
Developers received access to a gold master version of iPhone 3.0 software today with instructions to ensure their apps were compatible and to assign their apps a rating appropriate to their content for Parental Controls. The 3.0 software will be made available to the public on June 17, and the iPhone 3G S will go on sale two days later on June 19 from Apple, AT&T, BestBuy, and WalMart.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[teckstud]

I find it extremely hard to believe that it was AT&T that thought MMS was ugly when it's a cash cow for them. That decision has SJ and SJ alone written all over it. If you have MMS you have less need for MobileME. Plain and simple.

[hunt70]

OS 3.0 will be great, but on AT&T's network it does not make sense to purchase a 3GS phone until they upgrade their cellular network or Apple eliminates the exclusivity deal between them.

With AT&T you miss:
- NO 7.2 Mbps: I travel all around the US and rarely get over 700k connection speeds
- NO MMS
- NO tethering
- NO TV streaming: i.e. Slingbox streaming

....soon Apple will see AT&T as the limiting growth factor in the US.

Cheers,

[John the Geek]

Asked if support for tethering was tied to the same system upgrade, Siegel answered "Yes. But we don't have a date for when we will announce tethering, but it won't be at the end of the summer."

Well, some of us are GM 3.0 and STILL tethering just fine you pompous windbag. So make your service work like it's supposed to and we'll keep giving you money. Screw this up and expect Apple and it's customers to jump ship to another carrier. Your upgrade will be worthless if you wait so damn long you run off your customers.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by hunt70

OS 3.0 will be great, but on AT&T's network it does not make sense to purchase a 3GS phone until they upgrade their cellular network or Apple eliminates the exclusivity deal between them.

With AT&T you miss:
- NO 7.2 Mbps: I travel all around the US and rarely get over 700k connection speeds
- NO MMS
- NO tethering
- NO TV streaming: i.e. Slingbox streaming

....soon Apple will see AT&T as the limiting growth factor in the US.

Cheers,

Soon? In fact they would have had ever greater sales if the had gone with another carrier be it T-Mobile or whoever. AT&T has boxed Apple into a hole- a real big fat one.

[sc_markt]

So, does anybody know if this new iPhone has a faster processor?
How about a faster graphics card?

[Kasper]

Originally Posted by sc_markt

So, does anybody know if this new iPhone has a faster processor?
How about a faster graphics card?

We'll know June 19th once its torn down.

[rnp1]

Sorry to be out of order, but...STAY AWAY FROM THE NEW SAFARI 4!
I love new stuff, but this one bombed five times already. Thank God (and Steve) for Time Machine. I reloaded my S4 beta in less time than rebooting the new Bad S4. (Besides, all my fixes such as the nicer original tabs, rather than the fakey Windows styled ones, and the original proper tools, like stop/reload, in the toolbar went back to stupidity in today's download of Safari!) Besides the beta of 4 is 13 megs, the new version today is 48 megs? Who rewrote this-Microsoft?
Somebody needs to speak with Andy Hertzfeld about writing precise and minimal code. Apple-check your resumes!

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by teckstud

I find it extremely hard to believe that it was AT&T that thought MMS was ugly when it's a cash cow for them. That decision has SJ and SJ alone written all over it. If you have MMS you have less need for MobileME. Plain and simple.

And yet the MMS ready v3.0 won’t have MMS on AT&T’s network. That tidbit conveniently slipped your mind?

[BuffyzDead]

Originally Posted by rnp1

Sorry to be out of order, but...STAY AWAY FROM THE NEW SAFARI 4!
I love new stuff, but this one bombed five times already. Thank God (and Steve) for Time Machine. I reloaded my S4 beta in less time than rebooting the new Bad S4. (Besides, all my fixes such as the proper tools, like stop/reload, in the toolbar went back to stupidity in today's download of Safari!) Besides the beta of 4 is 13 gigs, the new version today is 48 gigs? Who rewrote this-Microsoft?
Somebody needs to speak with Andy Hertzfeld about writing precise and minimal code. Apple-check your resumes!

Mine works to perfection and lickity split, but then again, I don't have any funky add-ons, plugins or hacks. Be sure you root out any of that out before you assume it's the new software.

[NasserAE]

Originally Posted by rnp1

Sorry to be out of order, but...STAY AWAY FROM THE NEW SAFARI 4!
I love new stuff, but this one bombed five times already. Thank God (and Steve) for Time Machine. I reloaded my S4 beta in less time than rebooting the new Bad S4. (Besides, all my fixes such as the nicer original tabs, rather than the fakey Windows styled ones, and the original proper tools, like stop/reload, in the toolbar went back to stupidity in today's download of Safari!) Besides the beta of 4 is 13 megs, the new version today is 48 megs? Who rewrote this-Microsoft?
Somebody needs to speak with Andy Hertzfeld about writing precise and minimal code. Apple-check your resumes!

I have the opposite experience. Safari 4 is much faster than the beta and stable so far.

[Postulant]

Originally Posted by teckstud

. If you have MMS you have less need for MobileME.

How so? I've had MobileMe(dotmac) before there was ever an iPhone. How exactly does MMS take the place of mobileme?

Does MMS sync my contacts, bookmarks, calendar, keychains, mail accounts, dashboard widgets, notes, or my computer settings?

Are you saying now that I have MMS, I can cancel mobileme because MMS does the exact same thing?

Does MMS keep my iphoto library current on the web and across my devices?

Explain...

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by solipsism

And yet the MMS ready v3.0 won’t have MMS on AT&T’s network. That tidbit conveniently slipped your mind?

But it will eventually once the patch network comes of age.

[rnp1]

Originally Posted by NasserAE

I have the opposite experience. Safari 4 is much faster than the beta and stable so far.

Do you have more than one page or loaded tab open? Have you watched a video yet? Do you like the fact that it is more Windows like? I don't-I've had a mouse since 1984, and I don't like Windows features regurgitated into Apple software! There are standards and they should be adhered to. You can't improve on perfect by copying a copy-that's insanity. I repeat: Apple check your resumes!

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by Postulant

How so? I've had MobileMe(dotmac) before there was ever an iPhone. How exactly does MMS take the place of mobileme?

Does MMS sync my contacts, bookmarks, calendar, keychains, mail accounts, dashboard widgets, notes, or my computer settings?

Are you saying now that I have MMS, I can cancel mobileme because MMS does the exact same thing?

Does MMS keep my iphoto library current on the web and across my devices?

Explain...

It's all indirect . If you have MMS on your phone you don't need an active email account nor have a need to constantly open up email as messages go directly to your phone number, therefor there really is no need for an email account or one that handles large volume (mobileme account). If a salesperson is trying to sell you an account along with your phone because your phone lacks texting you would be more apt to purchase one - for the Apple synergy effect. It's like the same reason they won't sell the iPhone without the data plan- they both make more money, not just AT&T alone. It benefits them to not have MMS and sell mail accounts

[NasserAE]

Originally Posted by rnp1

Do you have more than one page or loaded tab open?Have you watched a video yet? Do you like the fact that it is more Windows like? I don't-I've had a mouse since 1984, and I don't like Windows features regurgitated into Apple software! There are standards and they should be adhered to. You can't improve on perfect by copying a copy-that's insanity. I repeat: Apple check your resumes!

Yes, currently I have more than three tabs open.

Yes, I watched few videos on Youtube and Apple.com.

I don't know what makes it Windows Like? It still looks like Safari. Do you mean putting the tabs back to where they were before beta?! Please explain what is Windows like in Safari 4.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by teckstud

But it will eventually once the patch network comes of age.

So how is that Jobs’ fault? Granted, i don’t understand how AT&T can have MMS with their other phones, but I don’t see how this is blatantly Jobs doing.

[simulacra]

According to the 3.0 software "globe" graphic shown at the 2009 roadmap there is a "Call log" feature displayed, can any of you beta tester verify that 3.0 has the ability to shown call duration and direction when browsing recent calls, I've always hated that I cant get any details on previous calls.

Someting that ALL my previous phones have been able to do.

[nitro]

Originally Posted by

Support for faster 7.2 Mbps HSDPA 3G data service where available for faster browsing and downloads.
.[c

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ][/c]

All right!!! in Australia Telstra will have 21 MBs on there Next G. Price however is "walletectomy"

[rnp1]

Originally Posted by NasserAE

Yes, currently I have more than three tabs open.

Yes, I watched few videos on Youtube and Apple.com.

I don't know what makes it Windows Like? It still looks like Safari. Do you mean putting the tabs back to where they were before beta?! Please explain what is Windows like in Safari 4.

1. The drop of the toolbar icons without cause is very unApple. If you taught One to One, you'd have to tough time explaining that to a retired couple who migrated from Windows just to get away from such foolishness! (Where is the knob to turn on the wind shield wipers?)
2. Switching the close 'x' to the right on a tab has the same consequences! Again, why does my Honda have the lights knob on one side and my Dodge have it on the other? Apple has always had standards-Windows just does what ever they like! I'm pissed, and I don't wanna take it anymore. Shame on all of you who think this kind of stuff is Ok for Apple-it is not! Chaos is for Maxwell Smart. Give me menus from the top, resize in the lower right. Once you establish something, you don't change it! First, it shows you didn't think about it from the start, secondly it shows disrespect for the users! When the Mac was created and the Desktop software was improved by the folks who signed my 128K, they made some great choices and functional decisions that still are here today-except when the MS guys get hired by Apple!

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by solipsism

So how is that Jobs’ fault? Granted, i don’t understand how AT&T can have MMS with their other phones, but I don’t see how this is blatantly Jobs doing.

Do you really believe AT&T thought MMS "ugly" on the iPhone?
Come on - who's philosophy would that truly invoke?

[Tofino]

Originally Posted by Postulant

How so? I've had MobileMe(dotmac) before there was ever an iPhone. How exactly does MMS take the place of mobileme?

Does MMS sync my contacts, bookmarks, calendar, keychains, mail accounts, dashboard widgets, notes, or my computer settings?

Are you saying now that I have MMS, I can cancel mobileme because MMS does the exact same thing?

Does MMS keep my iphoto library current on the web and across my devices?

Explain...

oh please don't feed the troll.... oh.. too late!

[MsNly]

Originally Posted by rnp1

Do you have more than one page or loaded tab open? Have you watched a video yet? Do you like the fact that it is more Windows like? I don't-I've had a mouse since 1984, and I don't like Windows features regurgitated into Apple software! There are standards and they should be adhered to. You can't improve on perfect by copying a copy-that's insanity. I repeat: Apple check your resumes!

I've don't know what you are complaining about I've had no trouble at all.

Originally Posted by NasserAE

I have the opposite experience. Safari 4 is much faster than the beta and stable so far.

Agreed, the only complaint I have is the fact they moved the tab bar back down, but performance is 10x better than the beta and that's all that matters to me!

[mdriftmeyer]

Originally Posted by teckstud

I find it extremely hard to believe that it was AT&T that thought MMS was ugly when it's a cash cow for them. That decision has SJ and SJ alone written all over it. If you have MMS you have less need for MobileME. Plain and simple.

You know nothing of Steve Jobs. Quit acting like it.

[NasserAE]

Originally Posted by rnp1

1. The drop of the toolbar icons without cause is very unApple. If you taught One to One, you'd have to tough time explaining that to a retired couple who migrated from Windows just to get away from such foolishness! (Where is the knob to turn on the wind shield wipers?)
2. Switching the close 'x' to the right on a tab has the same consequences! Again, why does my Honda have the lights knob on one side and my Dodge have it on the other? Apple has always had standards-Windows just does what ever they like! I'm pissed, and I don't wanna take it anymore. Shame on all of you who think this kind of stuff is Ok for Apple-it is not! Chaos is for Maxwell Smart. Give me menus from the top, resize in the lower right. Once you establish something, you don't change it! First, it shows you didn't think about it from the start, secondly it shows disrespect for the users! When the Mac was created and the Desktop software was improved by the folks who signed my 128K, they made some great choices and functional decisions that still are here today-except when the MS guys get hired by Apple!

I really don't know what you are talking about. My Safari 4 toolbar icons layout and the close, minimize, and expand buttons (on the left by the way) are exactly the same as Safari 3.2 and beta 4. the only difference is they put the tabs back under the address bar.

[randythot]

I'm still waiting!
If they don't add this, after adding external accessory support, they better come out with their tablet/netbook killer soon!
Otherwise, nice hardware and software upgrades.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by Tofino

oh please don't feed the troll.... oh.. too late!

I’m guilty of that, too. I’ve never seen a troll stay around for so long, but I also have a hard believing someone can be short ignorant and shortsided, especially after being around here for so long.

[rnp1]

Originally Posted by NasserAE

I really don't know what you are talking about. My Safari 4 toolbar icons layout and the close, minimize, and expand buttons (on the left by the way) are exactly the same as Safari 3.2 and beta 4. the only difference is they put the tabs back under the address bar.

All they did was put the emergency brake in the glovebox, no big deal!!!!

[pauldiddy]

I remember reading a few months ago that the new phone would support a stereo bluetooth setup. Does anyone know if this is indeed supported. I did not read anything about that today.

Thanks!

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by mdriftmeyer

You know nothing of Steve Jobs. Quit acting like it.

Puh-leeze, e who doesn't know anything about Steve Jobs. Even his rat trap house gets a thread around here. His sightings on the street get write ups on here. No act needed if you can read. Sorry you can't , I guess.

Like AT&T has such class- with their crap network. I'd be ashamed to run such a company supporting such a great device.

[NasserAE]

Originally Posted by rnp1

All they did was put the emergency brake in the glovebox, no big deal!!!!

If you would tell us exactly what they change it would help a lot. I really don't see what they did different in the toolbar icons and the close bottun (x).

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by pauldiddy

I remember reading a few months ago that the new phone would support a stereo bluetooth setup. Does anyone know if this is indeed supported. I did not read anything about that today.

Thanks!

I've been asking that all day long but the koolaid drinkers have been kept busy keep defending AT&T to the bone. Does anybody know of BT STEREO?

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by solipsism

I’m guilty of that, too. I’ve never seen a troll stay around for so long, but I also have a hard believing someone can be short ignorant and shortsided, especially after being around here for so long.

When all you spew if nonsense - why should I?
Where is the stereo bluetooth we all keep asking you about?

[wilco]

Originally Posted by solipsism

I’m guilty of that, too. I’ve never seen a troll stay around for so long, but I also have a hard believing someone can be short ignorant and shortsided, especially after being around here for so long.

No shit. It seems like half of your nearly 10k posts are you calling him a troll, and the other half is you taking time (and space) to respond to him.

Make up your mind, and pick an approach -- either way we'll be spared a lot of blah-blah-blah.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by wilco

No shit. It seems like half of your nearly 10k posts are you calling him a troll, and the other half is you taking time (and space) to respond to him.
.

That's a good one.
That's because when he doesn't agree with me - he resorts to name calling. i could develop a complex- may need to change my name to trollstud.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by teckstud

That's because when he doesn't agree with me - he resorts to name calling. i could develop a complex- may need to change my name to trollstud.

Agreeing with you would mean that I accept your lies and ineptitude. I am clearly torn, as I stated above. I can’t imagine how why you’d troll so much for fun on the same site or how you could be so absurd of your opinions as facts no matter how wrong you are. Both you and Wilco have never added any information that could be deemed useful yet you won’t go away and it’s not like I’m the only one who finds your presence immature and regrettable. I wish I could put you both on my ignore list but the vBulletin system doesn’t actually allow for full ignoring. Seriously, why not add something substantial even once in a while?

[anantksundaram]

Originally Posted by wilco

No shit. It seems like half of your nearly 10k posts are you calling him a troll, and the other half is you taking time (and space) to respond to him.

Make up your mind, and pick an approach -- either way we'll be spared a lot of blah-blah-blah.

Hallelujah! He can speak!!!

[stonybrookadam]

Originally Posted by teckstud

When all you spew if nonsense - why should I?
Where is the stereo bluetooth we all keep asking you about?

Stereo bluetooth works beautifully -- I have a clarion FB275BTB in my car (bluetooth/SD head end), and so far, so good.

Settings->General->Bluetooth->(Add Device), put the clarion in Searchable mode, paired with passcode (iPod asked for passcode with regular keypad-style UI).

It's audio output only, but I'm not sure if that's a limitation of the headend or not. In other words, audio plays, but I can't control from the car. Oh well.

In "Music" (iPod for you iPhone guys), there is an additional banner at the bottom -- it's for audio device. Internal speaker/headphones/bluetooth device (by name).

Easy as pie. Sounds nice, too. I didn't notice any glaring compression artifacts... It was a brief test, but I'm impressed.

[irnchriz]

Originally Posted by rnp1

1. The drop of the toolbar icons without cause is very unApple. If you taught One to One, you'd have to tough time explaining that to a retired couple who migrated from Windows just to get away from such foolishness! (Where is the knob to turn on the wind shield wipers?)
2. Switching the close 'x' to the right on a tab has the same consequences! Again, why does my Honda have the lights knob on one side and my Dodge have it on the other? Apple has always had standards-Windows just does what ever they like! I'm pissed, and I don't wanna take it anymore. Shame on all of you who think this kind of stuff is Ok for Apple-it is not! Chaos is for Maxwell Smart. Give me menus from the top, resize in the lower right. Once you establish something, you don't change it! First, it shows you didn't think about it from the start, secondly it shows disrespect for the users! When the Mac was created and the Desktop software was improved by the folks who signed my 128K, they made some great choices and functional decisions that still are here today-except when the MS guys get hired by Apple!

Are you running Safari on a Mac or Windows? Seems like you need to sort your head out, you should like you are going through a mid-life crisis or something.

[irnchriz]

Originally Posted by simulacra

According to the 3.0 software "globe" graphic shown at the 2009 roadmap there is a "Call log" feature displayed, can any of you beta tester verify that 3.0 has the ability to shown call duration and direction when browsing recent calls, I've always hated that I cant get any details on previous calls.

Someting that ALL my previous phones have been able to do.

Yes this is supported in 3.0 GM. It was a feature which has been in all of the developer betas. On the main recent call list there are icons showing the direction of call and when you go into the call it shows the durations of the calls made to or received from that number.