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Speed Tests Confirm: The iPhone 3GS Earns its 'S'

Leslie Ayers — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:03:14 -0500

The hubbub over the space or no space in the iPhone 3GS's name aside (there is no space, for the record), a new Medialets speed test has found that the iPhone 3GS is "even faster than Apple claims" it is. In fact, after testing the iPhone 3GS against the Palm Pre, T-Mobile G1, and an iPhone 3G using the SunSpider test suite, a JavaScript benchmark, Medialets found that the iPhone 3GS running OS 3.0 is almost three times as fast as the iPhone 3G and Palm Pre, and 5.5 times faster than the T-Mobile G1. That’s even faster than Apple's claims that the 3GS is twice as fast as the 3G.

Medialets also points out that updating an iPhone 3G to OS 3.0 can boost the 3G’s JavaScript performance three times over what you'd get with OS 2.2.1 on the 3G.

Via AppleInsider

Podcast #93: Post-WWDC Spectacular

Mac|Life Staff — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:31:23 -0500

The iPhone 3G S has been announced and we discuss the missing MMS and tethering features at launch thanks to AT&T failing to deliver on time. Snow Leopard's upgrade cost and features makes us look forward to the Fall, and MacBook Pros drop in price and gain power. POWER!

Got a question, but you're afraid to leave a voice message because of Witness Relocation Dept. rules? Drop us a question via Twitter twitter.com/maclife.

This weeks Battlestar Applactica picks:

Boulder Dash - $4.99

Blowfish - Free

Don't forget, the Mac|Life staff would love to hear your thoughts, comments and ideas for the new podcast. Just leave a message on the Mac|Live question/comment line: (877) 404-1337, extension 622. Please limit the length of your messages to 1 minute max. We'll review these calls each week and feature our favorites, along with responses, on that week's podcast.

To subscribe to the Mac|Live podcast series through an RSS feed, click here; if you want to subscribe through the iTunes Store, click here.

Apple Posts WWDC 09 Keynote Video

Roberto Baldwin — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:26:32 -0500

Today's keynote was long, really long. In fact our MacBooks were on one minute of battery life when it ended. Whew!

Anywho, in order to get the full effect of today's event, check out the video posted by Apple. We've decided that Scott Forstall should always dress like a mad scientist.

Mac|Life Staff Rumor Roundup -- Wednesday Edition

Roberto Baldwin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:33:05 -0500

Source: adamjackson1984

With the WWDC keynote just a few days away and Apple's WWDC banners being of no help at all, it's time for the Mac|Life staff to make bold predictions of what we expect from Phil and the Apple executive team on Monday.

We've broken up the rumors into delicious bite size pieces that we will judge using the power of percentages. A high percentage means the a better chance of it happening. Someone really should have taught you this in school.

We've added sub-categories for the plethora of iPhone features rumored to be included.

After Monday's WWDC keynote we'll take look at our predictions and point and laugh at the Mac|Life staff member that scored the worst.

Here is what each staff member believes will happen.

Leslie Ayers - Editor in Chief

iPhone Software 3.0 being released the week of WWDC: 95%
iPhone 3G V2 being announced at WWDC: 75%
- iPhone 3G V2 features
-- four different sizes 4GB - 32GB: 70%
-- Different color iPhones: 30%
-- Matte finish back: 30%
-- Video recording: 60%
-- Video editing and uploading: 0% That's stupid!
-- 3.2 Mega-pixel camera: 80%
-- Limited background app support: 25%
Snow Leopard available during WWDC: 40%
Apple Netbook : 0%
Apple Tablet: 0%
Steve Makes a Cameo: 25%

Susie Ochs - Senior Editor

iPhone Software 3.0 being released the week of WWDC: 70%
iPhone 3G V2 being announced at WWDC: 90%
- iPhone 3G V2 features
-- four different sizes 4GB - 32GB: 30%
-- Different color iPhones 80%
-- Matte finish back: 68%
-- Video recording: 88%
-- Video editing and uploading: 79%
-- 3.2 Mega-pixel camera: 88%
-- Limited background app support: 60%
Snow Leopard available during WWDC: 65%
Apple Netbook : 2%
Apple Tablet: 1%
Steve Makes a Cameo: 4%

Ray Aguilera - Reviews Editor

iPhone Software 3.0 being released the week of WWDC: 92.7%
iPhone 3G V2 being announced at WWDC: 92.7%
- iPhone 3G V2 features
-- four different sizes 4GB - 32GB: 52%
-- Different color iPhones 59%
-- Matte finish back: 81%
-- Video recording: 92.7%
-- Video editing and uploading: 71%
-- 3.2 Mega-pixel camera: 85%
-- Limited background app support: 85%
Snow Leopard available during WWDC: 66%
Apple Netbook: 12%
Apple Tablet: 19%
Steve Makes a Cameo: 62%

Jan Hughes - Managing Editor

iPhone Software 3.0 being released the week of WWDC: 99%
iPhone 3G V2 being announced at WWDC: 95%
- iPhone 3G V2 features
-- four different sizes 4GB - 32GB: 50%
-- Different color iPhones: 80%
-- Matte finish back: sure why not, 75%
-- Video recording: 75%
-- Video editing and uploading: 50%
-- 3.2 Mega-pixel camera: 50%
-- Limited background app support: 75%
Snow Leopard available during WWDC: 85%
Apple Netbook : 25%
Apple Tablet: 25%
Steve Makes a Cameo: 75%

Roberto Baldwin - Online Editor

iPhone Software 3.0 being released the week of WWDC: 80%
iPhone 3G V2 being announced at WWDC: 80%
- iPhone 3G V2 features
-- four different sizes 4GB - 32GB: 60%
-- Different color iPhones: 10%
-- Matte finish back: 50%
-- Video recording: 80%
-- Video editing and uploading: 60%
-- 3.2 Mega-pixel camera: 90%
-- Limited background app support: 70%
Snow Leopard available during WWDC: 90%
Apple Netbook: -20% Why are we still talking about this?!?
Apple Tablet: -50% Ditto!
Steve Makes a Cameo: 25%

Robin Dick - Art Director

iPhone Software 3.0 being released the week of WWDC: 80%
iPhone 3G V2 being announced at WWDC: 10%
- iPhone 3G V2 features
-- four different sizes 4GB - 32GB: 100%
-- Different color iPhones 15%
-- Matte finish back: 0%
-- Video recording: 12%
-- Video editing and uploading: 10%
-- 3.2 Mega-pixel camera: 75%
-- Limited background app support: 0%
Snow Leopard available during WWDC: 0%
Apple Netbook : 0%
Apple Tablet: 0%
Steve Makes a Cameo: 0%

Want to join in on the fun and make some predictions of your own? Below is a lineup you can copy and paste into the comments section to add your own percentages. Or come up with your own rating system. Maybe something that involves potatoes, everyone loves potatoes.

iPhone Software 3.0 being released the week of WWDC:
iPhone 3G V2 being announced at WWDC:
- iPhone 3G V2 features
-- four different sizes 4GB - 32GB:
-- Different color iPhones
-- Matte finish back:
-- Video recording:
-- Video editing and uploading:
-- 3.2 Mega-pixel camera:
-- Limited background app support:
Snow Leopard available during WWDC:
Apple Netbook :
Apple Tablet:
Steve Makes a Cameo:

WWDC 09 Rumor Roundup - Tuesday Edition

JC Domingo — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:56:05 -0500

For the past couple of days, we’ve been hearing lots of rumors about what’s going to be released at the WWDC. Apple’s got many fans sitting on the edge of their seats anticipating the next best thing! What does the new iTunes software mean? What’s going to be new in the new OS, Snow Leopard? What does the new tablet have? Let’s get to it!

First off, is there even going to be a new iPhone coming out?

Reason #1 to believe that there’s going to be a new phone released: new iPhone OS 3.0 software release. Normally when there’s a new software release, a new phone is going to come out. Let’s face it, when Apple releases something this big, they go big and never go home.

Reason #2 A picture could mean a thousand words. Images from the web show a legit reason to believe!

Reason #3 Best Buy’s inventory shows a dwindling stock of iPhones. Evidence shows that the 8GB iPhone will no longer be shipped to their stores after November of this year, and after September 2010 for the 16GB version. If Best Buy were to drop the lower-priced iPhone, does that mean the 16GB version will be their base product?

Reason #4 Digitimes reported that shipments of circuit boards for the new iPhone are on its way from five Taiwan-based printed circuit board (PCB) makers for a June announcement.

Reason #5 We concluded that the release of the 3.0 iPhone firmware coming, Apple might have released iTunes 8.2 too soon. This version of the software was released for those who had the 3.0 firmware and to fix some security concerns. Of course, all we care about is iPhone software 3.0 compatibly.

Reason #6 Research has found that the new iPhone could come in four different storage capacities: 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB. With that said, having a more affordable iPhone on the smartphone market will allow Apple to win customers from all over the financial spectrum. More rumors have shown pictures of a matte finish, which attracts those who dislike the original feel of the phone.

What’s coming with the new OS, Snow Leopard?

Gadget Lab reported, “The new, improved version of Mac OS X--Snow Leopard--will be shipping on June 8th,” and will come packaged with a completely overhauled user interface. AppleInsider highlighted the new possible features:

•   Next Snow Leopard builds to include big changes
•   Snow Leopard to be wrapped in new interface ahead of launch
•   WWDC to offer finalized preview, release date, and
•   Upcoming iPhone OS 3 beta to activate live Push Notification support

The new tablet was rumored to come alongside, which was estimated to cost around $700 to $800. AppleInsider reports the unofficial Mac tablet to cost $2,279. It’s been said that it’s basically a hardware modification to the MacBook notebook line. Wired also released an article, stating that it will feature a 7- or 9-inch screen.

Does 8.2 Mean 3.0?

Arvind Srinivasan — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:53:02 -0500

With the release of the 3.0 iPhone firmware imminent, Apple has jumped the gun and released iTunes 8.2 ahead of time. The update consists mainly of security fixes, notably one hole wherein “accessing a maliciously crafted "itms:" URL may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.”

However, the real news is that 8.2 is a release that was previously only available to developers running the 3.0 firmware. With WWDC around the corner, the most logical conclusion is that the public release of 3.0 is near as well (and hopefully with new iPhone hardware at the same time). Users will most likely not see any major changes with this release of iTunes, but it can be downloaded via software update or straight from the download page here.

Screenshots of iPhone Push Notifications and Settings

Christine Chan — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:30:51 -0500

Apple recently began high volume testing of the push notification system with a special pre-release version of the Associated Press news app that is finely tuned for the upcoming iPhone 3.0 OS.

Applications that will be utilizing the push notification system will ask for permission first, like apps that use location will ask the user first before using the GPS feature. Once the app is authorized for push notifications, there will be a setting for Notifications in the Settings of the phone. From there, the user can finely tune the push notifications to their liking with the three options: Sounds, Alerts, or Badges.

Alerts will be similar to the SMS pop up, badges will just place a number in the top right corner of an app's icon, and sounds will accompany these if the user pleases.

Overall, seems the push notification system will be very polished and well worth the wait in the 3.0 OS coming this summer.

via MacRumors

Podcast #90: Rumored iPhone Specs and Apple Begins Push Notification Testing

Mac|Life Staff — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:34:24 -0500

The rumor mill is heating up as WWDC gets closer. Allegedly, the new iPhone specs have been leaked and the Mac|Life staff discuss the new features. Apple begins testing the long-awaited iPhone push notification and Irn-Bru makes a Scottish cameo in the podcast.

To subscribe to the Mac|Live podcast series through an RSS feed, click here; if you want to subscribe through the iTunes Store, click here.