So we’ve had the iPad, the iPhone 4, new Macs and a Magic Trackpad to keep us all occupied for the last few months, but now those are all established, or at least real, products, what’s next on the agenda from Apple?  Well, if iLounge’s anonymous source is to be believed, we’ve got a new

Originally posted here: 
Rumors of Several New Apple Products Surface. Are They Fact or Fantasy?

So we’ve had the iPad, the iPhone 4, new Macs and a Magic Trackpad to keep us all occupied for the last few months, but now those are all established, or at least real, products, what’s next on the agenda from Apple?  Well, if iLounge’s anonymous source is to be believed, we’ve got a new

Here is the original: 
Rumors of Several New Apple Products Surface. Are They Fact or Fantasy?

One thing that would certainly be nice for the iPhone, is some sort of feedback when you press an on screen key. The answer to this, is dilemma, is haptic feedback. This technology has already made it’s way to quite a few touch devices, like the Voyager on Verizon, and the LG PRADA. Haptic feedback provides a type of virtual interaction with with a device, it helps simulate a more traditional key stroke.

The aim of haptic feedback is to make users aware of a touch interaction with their device, such as a key stroke or selection. The technology is most often used by LG for their touch enabled devices. In the game of haptic feedback, Immersion is a major player. They currently provide the haptic feedback for LG devices, several Nokia devices, and even a few non mobile phone applications of the technology as well.

There has been a little executive association between Immersion and Apple as well. Clent Richardson has been appointed as the new CEO of Immersion. Richardson was a former executive for Apple. This may lend this story some more credibility. Haptic feedback would be welcomed with open arms, so lets hope this one comes to fruition.

[Via Palluxo]

via Ars Technica

In the last several weeks, rumors and speculation about the upcoming 3G version of the iPhone have greatly multiplied. The reasons for this sudden increase in noise could could be any number of things, but seasoned Apple-rumor-followers know from experience that an increase in chatter almost always indicates that something is about to hit, regardless of whether any one chatterer was entirely accurate.

So, we know it’s coming, but what else? Here, we try to differentiate between what we know, what we don’t, and everything in between.

What we know

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The recently released iPhone SDK Beta 3 continues to give up juicy hints as to Apple’s intents for the handset’s next major update; not only has the 3G chipset been identified but new code referring to stereo Bluetooth headset support, suggestions of GPS and new functionality for mobile Safari and Google Maps.  There are also signs that Apple may not be taking the ongoing hacking of the iPhone lying down, with the inclusion of a “BRICKED_AND_LOCKED_SIM_STRING” that suggests the handset could seize up should an unlocking attempt be made.

In terms of Bluetooth, A2DP has been included in the code as well as “HeadphonesBT” that indicates wireless stereo capabilities, long requested for the handset.  Bluetooth remote control is also mentioned.  The new beta also references “RoleGPS”, which many have assumed will mean either in-built navigation capabilities or at least compatibility with an external GPS device (likely connected via Bluetooth).

The library also includes a mention of “Printers”, a new addition, while reference to Nike+ sports monitoring equipment have been deleted.  The suspected integration of the currently standalone YouTube app into mobile Safari is also present, via a “YouTubePlugIn.webplugin” component, and “Google411″ – the search company’s directory enquiry service – is now associated with Google Maps on the iPhone.

Finally, there are suspicions that Apple will require official activation of an iPhone via iTunes before Firmware 2.0 is permitted to install.

According to Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney, Apple has ordered 10 million iPhones made to operate on 3G networks, based on the rumours he has heard in Asia. This is an additional 10 million, to current gen phones which Apple hopes to sell by the end of 2008.

Dulaney also said that 3G iPhone uses an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display which would lead to a thinner phone and longer battery life

Are you excited about iPhone 2.0 firmware just as we are? Now thanks to some folks from Hackintosh and Gizmodo, we have a video and some pics of how it looks.

There are quite a bunch of new features in it like Parental Controls, Mass mail delete, App store, Exchange support, advanced calculator Cisco VPN support and more.

Video is a bit blurry but it might satisfy the hungry ones:

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