A sweet massage chair from Human Touch has been unveiled that can be controlled by an iPhone. The iPhone allows users to make their own custom massage programs and download programs that are pre-built to try.

Frash has now been ported to the iPhone 4. That means that once installed you can enjoy all the Flash games and video you want with the caveat that the Frash software is in alpha form right now.

The specs for the iPhone 4 are something we didn’t get hard details on when the iPhone 4 was unveiled. The new handset will have 512MB of RAM, more RAM is something that lots of people have been clamoring for.

O2 has confirmed the pricing for the iPhone 4 in the UK. The handset will sell for £209 for the base model on a 18-month contract with a 500MB data cap.

Apple says no more grabbing of device data for tracking firms like Flurry. Steve Jobs is tired of his new products and OS’ being leaked from this sort of data.

Verizon has rumors that keep circulating that it will soon be getting the iPhone. Verizon has again denied these rumors stating that it has no plans to support Apple devices “in the immediate future.”

An analyst claimed late last week that the iPhone would be landing at Verizon in November. We also heard last week that Sprint would be getting the device in September. I will believe it when I see it.

A new version of Skype for the iPhone landed last week. The app is now at version 2.0.0 and gets 3G VoIP call capability.

The user posting the information says several Apple resellers have been briefed about the 3G iPhone. No sources were given by the poster, citing that Apple had given out different dates to each reseller, so that any leaks could be traced back to the source.

Apple Australia was contacted, and said there was no information about Australia getting the iPhone. Local resellers were contacted, and all uniformly said there was no briefing that they knew about. One post made sums it all up “I will believe it when Apple makes a solid announcement.” Apple has been absolutely silent so far, and more likely than not, that is not about to change.

[Via MacTalk Forums]

When iPhone first connects to wireless network, it sends iTunes MVNO server it’s ID and location, and get’s back the information with the available networks, services and rates in the area.

Apple would have set up deals with multiple carriers to use their air waves for their virtual network. The iPhone then would either select what network in the area to use, most likely depending on price. It is suggested the user of the iPhone could have selected their network manually if desired. All billing of minutes and services would have been logged and handled through iTunes.

The patent application was filed in October, 2006, meaning Apple was thinking of MVNO plans long before the iPhone was introduced. Prices would have been competitive, as carriers would have ‘bid’ prices to Apple for the area. The iPhone also would also have had the capability to use multiple networks. For example T-Mobile for voice and AT&T for data, in any given area.

Sun came to the conclusion it could make a JVM work on the iPhone after taking 24 hours to look at information on Apple’s SDK. Sun saw nothing in the public statements preventing the JVM from being one of the applications enabled on the iPhone, said Klein. Apple released the SDK in conjunction with the beta release if its iPhone 2.0 software; the general release of iPhone 2.0 is scheduled for June.

Everyone – including Sun wants to cash in on the iPhone. Wow, this is huge.

“Now, the iPhone is open” as a target platform, Klein said. The free JVM would be made available via Apple’s AppStore marketplace for third-party applications.

“We’re going to make sure that the JVM offers the Java applications as much access to the native functionality of the iPhone as possible,” he said.

“I think going forward, with the SDK, it takes out of Apple’s control which applications are ‘right’ for the iPhone,” Silva said.

Don’t you mean iTouch iPod touch?

“It’s a new platform for us. We might be able to bring additional technologies onto the iPhone and the iTouch,” Klein said.

[Via InfoWorld]

“Only one iPhone application can run at a time, and third-party applications never run in the background. This means that when users switch to another application, answer the phone, or check their email, the application they were using quits” Apple SDK documentation

“It’s important to make sure that users do not experience any negative effects because of this reality. In other words, users should not feel that leaving your iPhone application and returning to it later is any more difficult than switching among applications on a computer” Apple SDK documentation

Cue two arguing perspectives, already branded as Apple fanboys and WM sympathisers by their rival camps; the former see it as a sensible way to manage the iPhone experience, especially when your user base is likely to comprise a whole lot of people to whom task managers are unknown, and one which will encourage developers to think up clever save-and-resume routines to satisfy Apple’s “this must be invisible to the user” demand. The latter, however, view it as another example of Apple attempting to control the iPhone environment to the detriment of developers and, in the end, users; they’d rather see intelligent automatic task management (pointing to Symbian as having a similar, generally pretty effective system of automatically killing rogue or leftover processes when CPU cycles and memory are needed) and owners given a choice about whether they get multitasking or not.

Interestingly, TBG points out something that I didn’t know about the Symbian developer environment:

“It stands to reason that Apple will eventually provide a workaround; Symbian for example, grants developers rights to restricted attributes for additional fees” TBG

Several commentors have suggested that, as AOL have developed their iPhone AIM client with Apple’s blessing for instance, that software is more likely to be permitted background running than something from a normal, unconnected developer. There may be workarounds, but that hangs on how draconian Apple are with checking for them.

It looks as though Installer.app and Jailbreaking won’t be going anywhere soon, unless Apple adapts its policies. Seemingly, when Steve Jobs said third-party developers were going to get “the same applications” that Apple’s own coders use to create software for the iPhone and iPod Touch, what he didn’t mention was that their creations wouldn’t get the same freedom on the device itself.

[Via Apple kill third-party background processes on iPhone - PHONE Magazine]

Neither Steve or Phil spoke of the feature at the iPhone 2.0 SDK announcement, but thanks to blargkaboom’s finding, there’s a hint that we may see search in the upcoming firmware release. They noticed what appears to be a small search icon in the iPhone’s Contact application.

iPhone SDK: Was it worth the wait?

“Worth the wait? Well, there’s a little longer to go yet – Software Update 2.0, which includes all this goodness, isn’t released until June. But on first impressions, and until we hear from actual developers as to how easy it really is to work with Apple, the answer seems to be yes.” — Chris Davies, PHONE Magazine

Every other tech company is dead in the water

“Seriously, folks, it’s game over. This announcement today is as big as the announcement of the original Macintosh in 1984. At airports all around the world they put flights on hold so that people could stay in the terminal and watch the news as it was announced. In Canada they declared a national day of mourning for RIM. It’s that huge.” — Fake Steve Jobs

Thanks for listening, for once

“Overall, this was one of the most “we get it” Apple announcements I can recall… Apple clearly understood how the iPhone has been used by those of use who are running the unapproved third party apps, and it has done its best to make the process work just the same with the official applications.” — Rob Griffiths, Macworld

Consumers first, businesses later

“Despite sitting out the first few years, Apple has arguably vaulted ahead of its competition in just 12 months. The other players in this industry came into smartphones building them for businesspeople and their IT masters. Then they tried to woo the consumer. Apple has done the complete opposite.” — Tom Krazit, CNet

We’re loving this Singapore metaphor

“Think of Apple as the Singapore of the technology world. It is impeccably clean, very functional, supportive of capitalism — and ruthless with miscreants… Now as you walk down the airplane aisle, you will not only see people watching and listening to their iPhones, you’ll see them wiggling and shaking them too. Just don’t wiggle anything Steve Jobs doesn’t approve of.” — Saul Hansell, The New York Times

But when will it go 3G?

“Another press event, another 3G iPhone no-show. Man, just think how nice it would be to have a brand spankin’ new HSDPA capable iPhone for downloading all those fancy new apps… Will that all change in June with the launch of the 2.0 firmware? That’s what the rumor mill says.” — Thomas Ricker, Engadget

Watch out Treo, Blackberry

“Is this big? Well, it will certainly help the iPhone win business customers, and it will mean that Blackberrys and Treos will have to get a whole lot better or they’re going to lose sales to Apple.”
— Kevin Maney, Tech Observer

It’s not perfect: no background IM or RSS-ing

“Only one third-party app can run at a time and it will quit when you answer a call or generally leave the app… This is a big suck.” — John Biggs, Crunchgear

It’s a short leash, but at least the consumer can go for a walk

“The plugin limitations means you aren’t going to see Mobile Firefox on the iPhone (or if you do it will have to be severely crippled) and there aren’t going to be any web service clients listening for and broadcasting updates. Still, the new iPhone SDK looks to be a win for users, if only because something, however limited, is better than nothing.” — Scott Gilbertson, Wired

Jobs’s hand was forced by Android

“I’ve been skeptical that Apple would do the right thing here. Last year, it didn’t treat third-party apps — created without Apple’s approval — very kindly when it issued an iPhone software update… it seems reasonable to guess that Google’s entry into the phone market helped prompt Jobs’ change of tune.” — Farhad Manjoo, Salon

[Via dvice]

You can find our previous coverage of the event here:

• iPhone gets native Exchange support
• iPhone SDK launched
• Apple store for iPhone apps
• Apple launch $100m developers fund
• Apple demo iPhone apps coded in just two weeks
• VoIP on iPhone: “WiFi yes, EDGE no” says Apple
• iPhone SDK: Was it worth the wait?
• Full gallery of event photos

Did you join us for the live-blog yesterday? Got any comments or suggestions, or requests for next time? Let us know in the comments.

[Via Apple release official iPhone SDK Roadmap announcement video - PHONE Magazine]

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Apple Announces iPhone 2.0 Software Beta
Includes SDK & Built-in Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync

CUPERTINO, California—March 6, 2008—Apple® today previewed its iPhone™ 2.0 software, scheduled for release this June, and announced the immediate availability of a beta release of the software to selected developers and enterprise customers. The iPhone 2.0 beta release includes both the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK) as well as new enterprise features such as support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync to provide secure, over-the-air push email, contacts and calendars as well as remote wipe, and the addition of Cisco IPsec VPN for encrypted access to private corporate networks.“We’re excited about creating a vibrant third party developer community with potentially thousands of native applications for iPhone and iPod touch,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPhone’s enterprise features combined with its revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface and advanced software architecture provide the best user experience and the most advanced software platform ever for a mobile device.”

The iPhone SDK provides developers with a rich set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and tools to create innovative applications for iPhone and iPod® touch. Starting today, anyone can download the beta iPhone SDK for free and run the iPhone Simulator on their Mac®. Apple today also introduced its new iPhone Developer Program, giving developers everything they need to create native applications, and the new App Store, a breakthrough way for developers to wirelessly deliver their applications to iPhone and iPod touch users.

With the iPhone SDK, third party developers will be able to build native applications for the iPhone with a rich set of APIs, including programming interfaces for Core OS, Core Services, Media and Cocoa Touch technologies. The iPhone SDK will allow developers to create amazing applications that leverage the iPhone’s groundbreaking Multi-Touch™ user interface, animation technology, large storage, built-in three-axis accelerometer and geographical location technology to deliver truly innovative mobile applications.

Apple has licensed Exchange ActiveSync from Microsoft and is building it right into the iPhone, so that iPhone will connect out-of-the-box to Microsoft Exchange Servers 2003 and 2007 for secure over-the-air push email, contacts, calendars and global address lists. Built-in Exchange ActiveSync support also enables security features such as remote wipe, password policies and auto-discovery. The iPhone 2.0 software supports Cisco IPsec VPN to ensure the highest level of IP-based encryption available for transmission of sensitive corporate data, as well as the ability to authenticate using digital certificates or password-based, multi-factor authentication. The addition of WPA2 Enterprise with 802.1x authentication enables enterprise customers to deploy iPhone and iPod touch with the latest standards for protection of Wi-Fi networks.

The iPhone 2.0 software provides a configuration utility that allows IT administrators to easily and quickly set up many iPhones, including password policies, VPN setting, installing certificates, email server settings and more. Once the configuration is defined it can be easily and securely delivered via web link or email to the user. To install, all the user has to do is authenticate with a user ID or password, download the configuration and tap install. Once installed, the user will have access to all their corporate IT services.

The iPhone 2.0 software release will contain the App Store, a new application that lets users browse, search, purchase and wirelessly download third party applications directly onto their iPhone or iPod touch. The App Store enables developers to reach every iPhone and iPod touch user. Developers set the price for their applications—including free—and retain 70 percent of all sales revenues. Users can download free applications at no charge to either the user or developer, or purchase priced applications with just one click. Enterprise customers will be able to create a secure, private page on the App Store accessible only by their employees. Apple will cover all credit card, web hosting, infrastructure and DRM costs associated with offering applications on the App Store. Third party iPhone and iPod touch applications must be approved by Apple and will be available exclusively through the App Store.

The iPhone SDK provides a reliable, fast and secure way to create innovative applications for the iPhone and iPod touch. In addition to the rich set of iPhone OS APIs, the iPhone SDK also provides advanced tools for creating native iPhone and iPod touch applications including: Xcode® for source code editing, project management and graphical debugging; Interface Builder with drag and drop interface creation and live preview; Instruments to monitor and optimize iPhone application performance in real time; and the iPhone Simulator to run and debug applications.

During the beta iPhone SDK program, a limited number of developers will be accepted into Apple’s new iPhone Developer Program and offered the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing. The Standard Program costs $99 (US) per year and gives members an iPhone SDK and development tools; access to pre-release iPhone software; technical support; the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing; and distribution of applications via the new App Store. The Enterprise Program costs $299 (US) per year.

In addition to these new iPhone network and security features, the beta iPhone 2.0 software provides several new Mail features such as the ability to view PowerPoint attachments, in addition to Word and Excel, as well as the ability to mass delete and move email messages.

Pricing & Availability
Apple plans to release the final iPhone 2.0 software, including the iPhone SDK and new enterprise features, as a free software update for all iPhone customers by the end of June. Third party applications created for the iPhone will also run on the iPod touch, and iPod touch users will be required to purchase a software update to run these applications. The free beta iPhone SDK is available immediately worldwide and can be downloaded at developer.apple.com/iphone/program. The iPhone Developer Program will initially be available in the US and will expand to other countries in the coming months. Apple is accepting applications beginning today from enterprise customers who would like to join the private iPhone Enterprise Beta Program (www.apple.com/iphone/enterprise).

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

Check out the full gallery of XPERIA X1 vs iPhone photos after the cut!

In terms of pure hardware and cellular connectivity, the X1 does rather outshine the iPhone. Sony Ericsson have packed an ARM-based Qualcomm chipset running at 520MHz into their handset; now while Apple chose a CPU capable of 667MHz, so far it’s throttled back to around 500MHz to save power. If they’re roughly equal on raw grunt, it’s high-speed data access where the XPERIA X1 shines: both have WiFI, but the Sony Ericsson’s HSDPA/HSUPA easily outguns the iPhone’s EDGE connection. The X1′s WVGA 800 x 480 display is physically smaller, at 3-inches, than the iPhone’s 3.5-inch screen, but the Apple phone only manages 320 x 480 resolution.

Apple do beat the X1 on internal memory, though; out of the box the XPERIA only has 400MB, expanded via microSD card, whereas the iPhone is available in 8GB or 16GB sizes (though the memory cannot be added to via a memory card). GPS on the X1 is another point in Sony Ericsson’s favour, as is the hardware keyboard (although it does make the XPERIA 5mm thicker than the iPhone: 110 x 53 x 16.7mm for the X1, 115 x 61 x 11.6mm for the iPhone.

What will likely make the biggest difference is the software environment. Time – and sales – have shown that Apple’s intuitive and attractive mobile OS X is enough to persuade users to look beyond the shortcomings of EDGE; it’s a reputation for usability Windows Mobile would love to have. Sony Ericsson are obviously hoping that their XPERIA Panel Interface – a group of finger-friendly shortcut tiles and menus – will gloss over WM’s shortcomings, leaving us to revel in all those third-party apps (that don’t require handset hacking to install) and true push-email, but we’ll have to wait for Vincent’s hands-on video to see just how much they’ve achieved that.

[Via XPERIA X1 vs iPhone: spend now or save? - PHONE Magazine]

CeBIT awards presenters chose the iPhone, due to being void of resounding defects, and for being “simply sensational”, while the Bluetooth headset exemplified simplicity and aesthetics, coupled with functionality.

Out of 2771 products shown at the conference, 821 of them were considered for the awards, according to SetteB.IT. Apple’s iPod nano, Classic, and Touch were among the winners, as well as the iPhone and Bluetooth headset. The standard USB and Bluetooth keyboards, and Apple’s aluminum iMac also won accolades.

[Via MacNN]