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Apple Explains iPhone 3.0 Roadmap

Zack Stern — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:17:14 -0500

At a preview event this morning, Apple detailed the iPhone 3.0 software update, coming Summer, 2009. A beta version for developers is available today, and iPhone subscribers will be able to get it free, likely in June. iPod touch upgrades will cost of $9.95.

The two-hour presentation was packed full of features for developers and consumers. Highlights included the long-missing cut-copy-paste tool, Bluetooth audio support, and a search function that burrows through Apple's main apps, including Mail.

Developers, developers, developers
The presentation covered many details for developers, with Apple stating that coders would have access to 1,000 new APIs (application programming interfaces). Think of these as Lego blocks that contain their own functionality; developers can more easily assemble these tools into complete apps instead of writing everything from scratch. The result will be great, new software that was previously impossible.

Apple explained the functionality behind a handful of these new modules. A peer-to-peer API lets two Bluetooth devices automatically discover each other and share content, such as in a networked game. (Forget having to join the same Wi-Fi network first, as is the current, typical technique.) Developers can now access mapping tools in their own software, including the framework to provide turn-by-turn directions. Streaming audio and video tools automatically scale content quality depending on your bandwidth. A voice-chat API instantly adds audio communications to software, especially great for games. Developers can also access the iTunes library stored on the device, using that music or data in software.

The APIs also enable hardware access, with Apple opening up even more options. A proximity sensor API, for example, lets software directly use the ear sensor. And hardware developers will be able to communicate with their own iPhone software directly through the dock or Bluetooth. This connection could result in nearly anything attaching to an iPhone; LifeScan demonstrated a glucose monitor that interacts with iPhone software.

Bluetooth gets another update, finally supporting stereo headsets (A2DP). However, Apple wouldn't explain if a bluetooth keyboard or other device will be able to connect.

The customer is always right
Apple also showcased many of the customer features. Copy-and-paste works by holding a finger on a word and dragging the highlighted area. Mail, Notes, and SMS messages add a landscape mode for a bigger keyboard. Notes can sync to your Mac through iTunes. MMS picture messages finally work--with the 3G iPhone only. Calendar features also improve, adding CalDAV and .ics subscriptions. Shake-to-shuffle from the iPod nano moves to the iPhone and touch.

Apple is finally readying the push notifications rollout promised last year. As previously announced, if a program isn't running, the developer can send Apple a notification that gets pushed to your device. For example, if you've subscribed to an ESPN alert, you'll automatically be notified of an important score with a message, sound effect, or hovering number on the ESPN app.

The iPhone hardware and software will continue to support tethering on a technical level. This method bridges the mobile 3G or Edge Internet connection to a laptop, enabling online access through the phone carrier. While Apple is working with carriers to offer this service, no specific release plans were outlined.

Everything comes with a price
In addition to the customer and developer features, Apple will be introducing new payment options for apps. Developers will continue to keep 70% of the sales money, but they'll be able to sell items on a recurring basis, like a magazine subscription. Developers will also be able to sell optional, add-on content--like new levels for a game or individual e-reader books--after the initial purchase. Those transactions will only apply to paid apps; a free app won't later be able to add charges later.

We're excited for the new iPhone features as much as new App Store software. Now we just need an app that counts the days until release.

EA Announces Spore Galactic Adventures Expansion

Zack Stern — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:00:00 -0600

Create a range of new content, including mazes. (Click to embiggen.)

EA has spilled its Spore plans for 2009, announcing a Mac and PC expansion pack, Spore Galactic Adventures will ship in the Spring. The game will require the original Spore title, adding planet-level missions to the final, space stage. Pricing has not been announced.

Galactic Adventures will let gamers interact as a creature on a planet, like in areas before the space stage. EA will bundle various missions that follow the styles of story-driven adventure and role-playing games, for example. But extensive editing tools will let players create their own stories and winning conditions, just as they've already created more than 65 million creatures, buildings, and worlds.

Creatures will be outfitted with new weapons and charms. (Click to embiggen.)

In a recent demonstration of the tools, Maxis developers showed how to alter nearly everything. Gamers will be able to sculpt planets, then place creatures in the world. These characters can then be set with their own behaviors--such as to guard an area--and even dialogue. Many other tools will set objectives, such as returning an object to a character or slaying a monster. More options will unlock gates if the player has the right key, add helping characters, trigger ambient sound effects, upgrade your specific creature, and provide more rules if wanted.

Like the rest of Spore, user-created missions will be folded into all gamers' universes; instead of the current aliens' errands, you might beam down to a planet and embark on a player-generated quest.

Make the perfect town, then build a story around the structures. (Click to embiggen.)

Like the original game, Spore Galactic Adventures for the Mac will use Transgaming's Cider technology. An as-yet PC-only game, Spore Creature Keeper will follow in the Summer, and new Nintendo Wii and DS Spore games are scheduled for the Fall.

Q3 Results Today, 146,000 iPhone Activations on Launch Weekend

Mac|Life staff — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:31:19 -0500

Q3 results today: Apple will announce its results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2007, which ended in June, in a conference call starting at 2 p.m. Pacific Time today. But the Web is already abuzz with the numbers that have been revealed so far. Specifically, AT&T announced that 146,000 iPhones were activated during the quarter. That's below the huge numbers (200,000, 500,000, even more) bandied about by overzealous analysts, but keep in mind that the iPhone was available for less than two full days when the quarter ended on June 30. More phones could have been sold (remember that a lot of people bought two) to people who were planning to sell them on eBay, people who bought them online and had to wait for delivery, and so on. Expect a clearer picture when Apple shares its figures this afternoon.

More Q3 numbers: TheStreet.com has learned from "people close to the companies" that AT&T is paying Apple between $150 and $200 per iPhone, plus $9/month per phone over the life of the contract. Neither company would comment. And other leaks being reported by AppleInsider show the Apple Retail division contributing a healthy $810 million in business over the quarter, and increased Mac sales (reportedly up 36 percent in Q3) making up for stale iPod sales (showing just 2 percent growth).

What's next? AT&T's iPhone numbers caused shares to fall 6 percent on Tuesday, after an 18 percent rise that had started with the iPhone's release almost a month ago. But analysis firm CIBC says to expect a new marketing push behind the iPhone, and that a new model could be out by November. If you're not ready to believe the analysts again so soon, there's a bit more corroboration to the rumor -- although it's still just a rumor. Taiwan Economic News has issued unconfirmed reports that Quanta has received manufacturing orders for the new iPhone model. AppleInsider reports that "extremely reputable sources" claim that the new iPhone model will be "a scaled-back, lower-cost alternative" with iPod and basic phone features, not Web or email. And MacRumors has some design possibilities for this so-called iPhone nano, based on information gleaned from patent applications.

And in other news: Steve Wozniak weighs in on his iPhone, both good and bad. He says he still prefers his RAZR for making voice calls, and would like to see the iPhone get 3G and voice dialing, along with a Celsius temperature display. (Hooray for the metric system!) Wired.com wants you to fill out your brackets for a tournament to determine The Greatest Gadget of All Time. Here's a tip for making ID tag wallpaper for your iPhone, so it can be returned to you if you lose it (don't scoff, there really are people that honest out there). And here are five Apple moves that could have been mistakes if Apple hadn't made them work anyhow. Any you'd care to add to that list? Sound off in the comments!

Apple Is Third Largest U.S. PC Seller, New iPhone Patents, and More

Mac|Life staff — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:01:40 -0500

Movin' on Up: Numbers are in for the second quarter of 2007, and Apple's Mac shipments grew 26.2% year-over-year, which outpaces the industry three to one. And the market share has also risen to 5.6%. This also puts Apple into a tie with Gateway for the third largest U.S. PC seller, behind Dell and HP. (Here's a groovy pie chart! Mmm, pie.) Look for Apple's bottom line to keep on improving, thanks in part to AT&T sharing a cut of its iPhone subscription revenues. Ka-ching!

In other Apple news: A shortage of the new LED-backlit displays has led to shipping delays for the latest 15-inch MacBook Pros. And Apple's high demand for NAND flash memory (found in iPhones and iPod nanos) is causing increased prices for other manufacturers.

A couple of newly published patent applications hint at new products being developed: a dynamic lyrics display on iPods and iPhones (karaoke, anyone?), and a plan to let those same devices act as a wireless remote for iTunes and the Apple TV. (And to help you make sense of all these technology patent applications, here are four things you may not know.) Speaking of iPods, Apple's Jonathan Ive wins again: First lady Laura Bush presented the senior VP of industrial design with a National Design Award in a ceremony at the White House.

Finally: A startup called ooma plans to offer customers free VoIP calls for life, after they purchase the hardware for $399. But the VoIP market isn't all it's cracked up to be, postulates BusinessWeek. But this is: A joke site is "selling" the newest innovation in iPod cases -- a "gutted, hinged Zune" to encase your iPod. If they were real, we'd be all over it. Wouldn't you?