Apple posts iPhone 3G Guided Tour:

“Apple just posted a guided tour for the new iPhone 3G. In the video, our old friend Bob from the original iPhone walkthrough covers ‘What’s new in the iPhone 3G’ and the iPhone 2.0 software update.

The iPhone 3G isn’t due out until July 11th, but it looks like Apple is, once again, trying to start up the hype train. You can watch the video by heading over to Apple’s iPhone website.

Thanks, Justin!”

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Seven problems with the iPhone 3G: “Section: iPhone + Communications, Carriers, Email/IM, iPhone, iPhone SDK & Apps

The new iPhone 3G hasn’t even been released yet, but seven problems with the new iPhone have already been pointed out by many, all of which have been based on demos and published specs of what the iPhone 3G will offer. We may get 3G and GPS, a way to connect to Microsoft Exchange, and the new App Store, but what about all of the other features that are missing from Apple’s device? Outlined below are the seven most prominent issues with the upcoming iPhone 3G, as defined by Forbes.com and Yahoo Tech:

1. The cost - The price of the actual iPhone 3G itself seems to be a lot more affordable than that of the first generation, but sure enough it’ll cost you an extra $160 or so over the next two years versus the original iPhone, and even more for people outside of the U.S. (such as for customers on Rogers).
2. The camera - Unfortunately, there’s still no flash or video recording features on the device, and the iPhone is still stuck with a 2 megapixel camera, while other smartphones will be gaining up to 8 megapixels with their built-in cameras this year.
3. The battery - Non-replaceable, yet again, which shouldn’t be a surprise, since Apple is starting to do the same thing with its notebooks as well.
4. No MMS - Apple is basically right that you don’t need MMS to send pictures on a device that has a full e-mail client, which the iPhone 3G does, but the real problem comes when users of other phones send you a photo via MMS: you simply can’t view it on the iPhone.
5. No Cut-And-Paste - Copy and paste is an essential feature for the iPhone, which has been requested by users since the first generation iPhone was released. Copy and paste is a simple tool that would make blogging and other tasks on the iPhone a whole lot easier.
6. No live TV - The YouTube implementation was seen as a great feature when the first iPhone was released, but it has grown tiresome and old. Live TV is a feature that has been implemented into many other smartphones as part of the standard data plan, but one gets the impression that Apple keeps it off the iPhone just so that they can sell you TV episodes at $1.99 each instead.
7. No 32GB option - 8GB feels like a pathetically small storage capacity, and now 16GB still doesn’t seem like enough. 32GB USB thumbdrives have been on the market since 2006, as cheaply as $140. Apple is likely to launch a 32 GB model in the near future, but it should have came with the launch of the iPhone 3G.

Although the iPhone 3G is undoubtably one of the greatest smartphones on the market, these crucial missing features show that it does have its weaknesses as well. We can only hope that Apple will implement these features into the iPhone in the near future.

Via [Forbes] and [Yahoo! Tech]”

(Via Appletell.)

Time Capsule and AirPort Base Station (802.11n) Firmware 7.3.2: “Filed under: Wireless, Airport, Software Update

Along with the Mac OS X 10.5.4 update tonight, Apple also released firmware 7.3.2 for Time Capsules and AirPort Base Stations. Apple states that it ‘includes general fixes and compatibility updates’ for both Time Capsule and AirPorts with 802.11n.

Most likely your AirPort (or Time Capsule) will find and download the update automatically; however, you can also visit the Apple Support Downloads page to download the installer package for Leopard, Tiger, or Windows.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!“

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Does the Santa Rosa MacBook Pro contain a fatal flaw?:

“A group of over 60 owners believes it does. A recent blog details the trouble, which seems to be a persistent blank screen problem.

After a reboot, or on wake from sleep, the machine refuses to acknowledge the presence of a display, either internal or external. From that point on, the computer never regains its displays—not after a reboot, etc. Subsequent debugging indicates that the machine is misidentifying its NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT card as the MacBook’s Intel X3100 card. This issue is known to affect at least 50 people—a group of affected users has formed a Google Spreadsheet in order to document and organize cases.

Apple recommends users replace the logic board, but doing this isn’t solving the problem for some users. And, of course, the problem seems to surface shortly after the expiration of the computer’s default warranty, meaning those inflicted are paying about $400 for a fix that may not actually fix anything.

If you’re noticing similar behavior, we recommend you join the Apple discussion forum to gather/offer possible solutions, or, at the least, to be counted. If this does prove to be a widespread problem, the more people who join the discussion, the sooner Apple may address the issue.

Via [apad.sytes.net]

Full Story » | Written by Kirk Hiner for Appletell. |”

(Via Appletell.)

iPhone 3G to be shipped in eco-friendly packaging: spuds:

“The new iPhone 3G will ship in a paper tray made that has a carbon footprint a tenth the size of a plastic tray, according to its manufacturer.

The paper tray, manufactured by Dutch firm PaperFoam, is made from potato or tapioca starch.

According to Dutch blog Bright, PaperFoam CEO Hans Arentsen said that Apple ordered ‘millions of PaperFoam packages’ for the new iPhone. PaperFoam also makes carton components for Motorola.

The PaperFoam tray will be inside a coated cardboard box, both of which are fully recyclable. Apple committed to reducing its environmental impact in an open letter from Steve Jobs released in May 2007.

[Via The Register.]“

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Apple Releases Mac OS X 10.5.4: “Apple has released Mac OS X 10.5.4 via the Mac OS X Software Update:

The 10.5.4 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and sec…”

(Via MacRumors : Mac News and Rumors.)

AT&T memos detail iPhone 3G unbricking tool, crowd planning, more…: “A recent series of internal memos from AT&T to its Mobility staffers reveal a variety of preparatory measures ahead of next month’s iPhone launch, including the deployment of an iPhone 3G unbricking tool, ongoing 3G network optimizations, regional ad…”

(Via AppleInsider.)

Sony confirms July 2 release for Firmware 2.40: “PlayStation 3

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) announced today that the highly anticipated Firmware 2.40 update for PlayStation 3 would be available for download on July 2.

This latest update adds the highly requested XcrossMediaBar (XMB), allowing use…”

(Via Latest News - PSU.com.)

iPhone 2.0 firmware release date hidden under our noses:

“Since its announcement, we’ve all been speculating about the iPhone 2.0 firmware release date, but Apple has been hiding the date under our noses all along.

‘iPhone 2.0 software will be available on July 11 as a free software update via iTunes(R) 7.7 or later for all iPhone customers,’ Apple notes in the original iPhone 3G press release (8th paragraph).

Many have told me (3 times 10 times) that this date most likely is a stall date; in other words a ‘latest possible ship’ date for the release. We noted last week that the iPhone 2.0 firmware has already gone gold master (received shipping status); however, we might not see the new firmware until the iPhone 3G is released on July 11th.

Thanks for the tip, Austin!”

(Via The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).)

Blizzard confirms Diablo III; Will be released for Mac and PC:

“Fans of the Diablo series have finally gotten their wish; Diablo III is under development. Blizzard confirmed this at the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational yesterday in Paris, France.

According to Mike Morhaime, CEO and co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment, Blizzard has wanted to expand the Diablo series for a long time. Mike said, ‘We know that players for many years [have been waiting for] a return of the series, so we are very excited to share this announcement with all of you here in Paris and the whole world today.’

I logged onto the Blizzard website as soon as I heard the news, and Diablo III already has its own website and forum. Blizzard also has the Diablo III cinematic trailer. If that isn’t enough to whet your appetite, you can watch 20 minutes of gameplay footage. Those familiar with the Diablo series will see Deckard Cain make a return in Diablo III. What his role will be in game is unknown.

There will be five different classes to play in Diablo III; however, the gameplay video focuses on the Barbarian class (which is the class I usually played in Diablo II). The Barbarian will be able to use Cleave, Ground Stomp, Seismic Slam, and Whirlwind. We’ll also see the introduction of a new class: the Witch Doctor. This is a powerful class that really lays on pain with spells such as Confusion, Firebomb, Horrify, Locust Swarm, and Soul Harvest. He also has pets that he can call to lay on additional damage. You’ll need all the power. Checking out the Beasitary on Blizzard’s website, you will encounter at least five different enemies in Diablo III. Currently there are four beasts that will be in the game: Undead, Khazra, Gnarled Walkers, and the Dark Cultists.

There will be tons of new visual and special effects added to the game. Additionally, there will be a random level generator so each level will be unique. Diablo III will also be getting a brand-new 3D graphic environment. It’s based on Havoc physics, so players will be able to interact with and destroy their environment…but watch out; the environment can work for you and against you!

Other features we’ll be seeing are full-zoom, a customizable hotbar (which I’m loving) which will enable you to get to your items in your inventory a lot faster. I got into them when I was playing World of Warcraft. I’m hoping we can make our own macros.

What we won’t see are more health potions or mana pots. Instead players will have to walk across floating orbs to get health benefits. I’m not sure how I’ll feel about this at the moment, I’ll just have to wait and see for myself.

I’m a huge fan of the Diablo series. I was introduced to the series in 2000 while in my local Best Buy. The Diablo II cover intrigued me, so I picked it up and read about the game. I liked what I read, so I was sold.

Diablo is an action role playing game involving a lot of hacking and slashing in dungeon environments…I loved it. I preferred playing the Barbarian in Diablo II, and had a blast hacking and slashing my way through dungeons and laying on the pain to any zombie that foolishly got in my way.

I’m also a big fan of solo gaming, and that is mainly how I played in World of Warcraft and many of my Xbox games which, at times, made the tasks challenging. Diablo III will focus on cooperative play. I might like having to group up with other players in order to complete some of the missions. P2P gameplay will be available online at Battle.net. Unlike World of Warcraft, which is subscription based, Battle.net is free. Battle.net launched with the original Diablo in 1997.

When will the game be released? Blizzard isn’t saying. It most likely will be released after Starcraft III. To say I’m looking forward to this game is an understatement. Although I’m hoping we’ll see it released next year, I don’t want Blizzard to rush the game. Take the time, make it great and I’ll be playing this Blizzard III on my MacBook Pro for a long time.

Product [Diablo III]

Full Story » | Written by Opal Tribble for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »

(Via Appletell.)