Now that the worst kept secret of the year is public knowledge its got me thinking about what applications I would like to see on the new 3G iPhone

Firstly, I haven’t yet got an iPhone Whilst being impressed with the first model, and the several friends I have who do own one have yet to say a bad word about it, I felt that several things that I wanted were lacking.

GPS

The major consideration for me was GPS, both for navigation, location findings and geo-tagging.

The last iPhone software update added location finding in an all be it simple fore, but true navigation was missing. This looks like it is now available with the 3G iPhone and it will be interesting to see if the rumours that TomTom and others will bring their products to the App Store.

Currently you can use applications such as Geophoto or HoudahGeo to insert the location a photo was taken in to the files IPTC fields. This does however rely on you having a compatible GPS device that will record your travels.

I would be particularly interested in an application that records your GPS location to a log so you could load this on to your Mac/PC and geo-tag photos taken on your camera (as opposed to the iPhone which will be automatically geo-tagged so I am led to believe)

This feature is of particular interest when you upload you photos to sites such as Flickr. You can browse the global map and see photos from the areas they were taken.

Privacy issues aside (you don’t really want to record your home location when photographing the un-boxing of your new iPhone/computer/TV etc!) this is a really fascinating way of exploring places or creating visual diaries and prompts for your self.

Games

Whilst its easy to be dismissive of games and gaming, many a time I’ve found myself waiting in a train station for a delayed train, or outside a supermarket whilst my wife just ‘pop’s in for some milk. Its at times like these that taking your phone out and having a quick game of Poker or Golf. No mean feat on a screen 2"

The iPhone takes this to a whole new level. Whilst it is currently possible (and legal) to use any number of freely available WebApps you can only do so much with what is effectively a web page. The demos of Super Monkey Ball, Enigmo and Cro Mag Rally demonstrates what you can achieve when you develop and application that has access to all the features of the iPhone

Just watch the demo of Super Monkey Ball and you can start to see the possibilities of being able to interact with the iPhone’s Accelerometer. Its not hard to see a huge number of games being released within the first few months in time for Christmas.

Blogging

TypePad announced that they would have a free blogging tool available at the July 11th launch to post to TypePad hosted blogs. Again, it will only be a matter of time before other 3rd party application will allow you to blog to other sites.

Part of the problem with writing a blog (and I am as guilty as many) is having the time and discipline to actually add to it. Days become weeks and weeks become months, at which point you look at what you last posted and invariably think of starting from scratch with new and better intentions.

The other part of the problem is access to a computer. At work, its probably best not to be caught updating your personal site, and at home… Kids, housework, shopping, bills, taking various children to/from parties/friends/A&E/Brownies/Football/Ballet all get in the way of sitting down and writing.

Even if you do find the time you then run the risk of being accused of sitting all night at the computer and ignoring the wife!

Now if I can stop playing all these new games I could actually use the time waiting in train stations or outside supermarkets more constructively.

Again web based applications such as iPhoneSlide already exist which enable you to create a simple post, but a more feature rich application would be the perfect partner for your iPhone

RSS

The final application that would make my iPhone wishlist is a good RSS reader. I currently use the rather awesome NetNewsWire on my Mac and its sister application FeedDemon on the PC. Apart from being very simple to use with a number of use features both applications use Newsgator to keep my feeds in sync. This means if I add a new feed on my Mac, the next time I log on from my PC it will be available and vice versa.

In addition to this when not at one of my own machines I can still see all my own feeds using the web based service at NewsGator. Therefore the news that NewsGator were releasing NewsGator Mobile for iPhone was music to my ears. Looking at a preview seen by Ars Technica its a sight for sore eyes as well.

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When you see the iPhone version next to the Blackberry version for example, you begin to appreciate just how much better the iPhone display environment is.

So whilst I’m still a little miffed that the iPhone camera is a rather limited 2 mega-pixels and that it can’t shoot video, on the whole the addition of 3G and GPS with the ability for developers to create proper applications means that I will probably be spending the next couple of weekends on eBay trying to raise enough money for one.

(Did I mention the eBay application?)

The eagerly anticipated SDK for the Apple iPhone was released last night in typical Apple fashion. The entire presentation can be watched via the Apple website and shows how Apple intend to open the iPhone up to both third party developers and individual enterprises.

Using the new development tools, developers will be able to create full applications that can be sold via the new App Store. Developers are being invited to write applications that can access the full power and capability of the iPhone

The first part of the presentation went into the addition of enterprise features that will be enabled in the free iPhone 2.0 software update which will enable corporate clients to manage and secure the iPhone Apple has licensed the ActiveSync technology from Microsoft so that the iPhone can connect straight out of the box with companies Exchange servers. This will enable users to directly access their corporate email, calendars and contacts. Backing this up will be support for Cisco IPSec VPN to enable secure connection to corporate networks and the ability to authenticate using digital certificates.

IT Administrators will also be able to configure the iPhone, tying it to corporate networks and if need be remotely wipe lost or stolen devices.

Companies will also be able to develop their own private software, which though hosted on the Apple hosted App Store will only be available to their customers.

The second part dealt with the actual SDK and what can be done. This included a couple of demonstrations. Games developer Electronic Arts who were present at the launch demonstrated a version of the much anticipated game, Spore.. Apple also demonstrated a version of Super Monkey Ball by Sega, which makes full use of the iPhones built in accelerometer.

Developers will be able to access all the existing Apple functions, enabling them to use the touch interface, address book and connectivity functionality.

In a Q&A after the presentation, more details emerged. When asked if VOIP would be allowed, it was confirmed that as long as this was only over WI-FI then it would not be a problem. Likewise, iPhone owners who subscribe to Exchange calendars and contacts will still be able to keep separate personal mail, contacts and calendars separate.

Parental controls will also be enabled in the iPhone 2.0 software release which will be free to all iPhone users and available as a charged item to iTouch users. The only thing that was unclear was the question of building applications that use the dock-connector.

The announcements greatly enhance the iPhone and iTouch and raise some interesting possibilities. Allowing VOIP over WI-FI could potentially turn the iTouch in particular into a great little second phone. Coupled with games and the ability to stream video from the AppleTV or the currently in beta BBC iPlayer, this would make a great mobile platform for kids around the house.

Likewise companies such as Tom-Tom would have a great incentive to port their satellite navigation software to the iPhone, connecting a GPS receiver via Bluetooth.

The SDK is available as beta now, and will be officially released in June along with the software update. The next few months could see some very interesting tools coming to the iPhone

June is also the one-year anniversary of the iPhone launch, maybe at the software update we will also see a hardware update. 3G, improved camera/video, GPS?????……

The Apple TV is starting to look an increasingly more able beast than the anaemic tadpole that was released last year. With a larger hard drive and the newly released software update it might finally become a viable option. (even without the much mooted Movie rentals here in the UK)

Of particular interest is the inclusion of Airtunes streaming which means you can connect stream music from your iTunes library to your hi-fi system.

Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Apple TV 2.0 | iLounge: “(10) Hidden iTunes Features, Unlocked: Updating to Apple TV 2.0 unlocks features included but previously hidden in iTunes 7.6, including a choice between Automatic Sync and Custom Sync, AirTunes streaming to the Apple TV, and the ability to transfer rented movies from iTunes to the Apple TV for viewing. Automatic Sync lets iTunes choose which audio and video to sync to your Apple TV, giving priority to newer items, while Custom Sync gives you the choice of audio and video to sync, giving priority as space allows to movies, TV shows, music, then podcasts. AirTunes treats Apple TV like an AirPort Express, enabling it to wirelessly receive audio sent directly from an iTunes-equipped computer, and perform it on a connected audio system.”

(Via iPod Lounge.)

Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Apple TV 2.0 | iLounge

I fully intend to do some digging around and come up with a solution that would allow me to access my music throughout the house.

It’s really surprising how seemingly obvious things can cause amazement in people. The last couple of days have seen several mobile phone operators and content providers taking at the Mobile World Congress, 2008 in Barcelona, Spain, and some of the announcements and comments validate this belief.

Both O2 and Google have both commented in different ways about the volume of traffic that they are seeing that is being produced by the iPhone Google reports to be seeing 50 times the number of searches being carried out from the iPhone than from other mobile handsets, whilst O2 are monitoring ‘unheard of levels of mobile internet useage’

It would appear to be obvious that when you give people the ability to use a product, the iPhone, in an unfettered way, unlimited access, that people will take the opportunity to use it.

My current phone, Sony Ericcson K810i is fully capable of browsing the internet and using emial, in fact if you believe some of the iPhone detractors, more so because it is 3G enabled, but I rarely use it. Why? Because the input method is rubbish, the browser capability limited (though RSS works quite well even on such a small screen and most importantly, cost.

My package gives me 1mb of data per month, there after I have to pay £3 per mb I go over. This seriously stops me using the internet on my phone. I have been looking at using my phone for sat-nav, pairing it to my bluetooth GPS receiver and then using one of the compatible services, but because they download the map via 3G or GPRS, the cost of using this would be prohibitive.

So whilst the device may not be as good as some for using the internet and its associated services, its not the technology per se that holds back demand, but artificial limits placed on access by the operator, in my case also O2.

It reminds me of the argument that seemed to ensure that the UK was years behind most other countries when it came adopting ADSL.

Back in the days of 33kps modems, BT (British Telecom) had a virtual monopoly for all phone services, they were at the time heavily pushing ISDN as the future of home internet with a whopping 64K connection speed, or you could have dual lines fitted for 128K

Europe and the Far East were moving to ADSL at 256 and 512K but BT resisted all calls to adopt the same approach. There argument was very simple, why go to the cost and hassle of adopting ADSL when there is no content for users that demands such a fast network?

Of course the obvious reply to this, and as it turns out to be the case, is that if you give us the capacity to create the content, then we will fill it.

The findings being vocalised by O2 and Google only go to prove this.

This has been around for a bit and I don’t know where it came from originally but I found this over at OS X DailyIn a nut shell it allows you to turn on a highlighting for the stacks feature in the OS Leopard Dock when you hover over them. Nothing more than that but a nice effect all the same.

Highlight Stack Items on Hover

January 7th, 2008 - Mac OS X, Tips & Tricks, Customize, Leopard, 10.5

Here’s a great tip that creates a nice hover effect when your mouse goes over an application (or folder) within a Leopard stack. Why this isn’t enabled by default in Leopard is beyond me, because it makes navigating within stacks a whole lot easier.

Don’t miss out, here’s how to activate it:

Launch the Terminal and type the following command:

defaults writecom.apple.dock mouse-over-hilte-stack -boolean yes

then, you’ll have to restart the Dock by issuing the following command:

killall Dock

To disable the hover highlights, type:

defaults writecom.apple.dock mouse-over-hilte-stack -boolean no

[From Highlight Stack Items on Hover - OS X Daily]

Well after weeks of chatter the latest update for Leopard is out. Weighing in at nearly 350mb for the full combo update file, this is a huge update and hopefully it address some of the problems that have affected some of us since updating to Leopard (10.5) from Tiger (10.4)

The Mac OS X 10.5.2 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.5.1 Leopard. It includes general operating system improvements that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac. For detailed information about security updates, please visit this website.

Important: Read before installing

• It is recommended that you back up your system prior to installing any updates.
• The installation process should not be interrupted, even if the progress bar remains unchanged for several minutes. If a power outage or other interruption occurs during installation, use the standalone installer (see below) from Apple Support Downloads to [From About the Mac OS X 10.5.2 Update]

I am not normally one to speculate on Apple products, as part of the fun is in the surprise of each release, but the recent announcement of the 16gb iPhone and the 32gb iPod Touch makes me wonder about the next release of the iPhone

Firstly, why limit the 32gb to the iPod touch and not put it in the flagship iPhone model? Maybe this is to do with supply constraints or maybe moving the iPhone from 8gb to 32gb in one go would potentially rile too many people who had recently bought 8gb iPhones iPhone adopters" target="_blank">(remember the fuss when they scrapped the 4gb iPhone)

By introducing the 16gb iPhone, Apple can create the price differential as well as creating a different product base in the iPhone range.

Which brings us to the second point, when the iPhone was released a lot of the negative press in the UK and Europe seemed to centre around the omission of 3G which is widely rolled out in Europe but by all accounts is limited in the USA.

The argument was that EDGE was fast enough and more prevalent (in the USA) and you could use WI-FI when required. In truth, playing around with friends iPhones to check the web/email etc. the EDGE connection operated by O2 in the UK is pretty snappy (some of the credit for this can probably be taken by rendering engine in Safari/Mail as well)

I can’t say I’ve watched anyone download YouTube content via EDGE so that may cause hiccups but as it goes the lack of 3G doesn’t seem to be causing any great headaches.

The only thing people I know with iPhones universally moan about, is the camera. I know mega-pixels can count for little if the compression is set to high and the lense is crap, but the lack of features and flash cripples what is otherwise a reasonable camera. If you take pictures in bright Californian sunshine!

Therefore I am guessing (hoping - ‘cos I intend to be in the market for an iPhone about July/August time) that come by the end of summer we will be able to choose between a 16 and 32gb 3G enabled iPhone with a 5MP camera and flash, with some clever iPhoto/PhotoBooth type software.

Remember June 29th is the 1st anniversary in the USA of its launch so it should be due an update a bit more encompassing than a HD bump or software update.

In which case I can start pestering people for birthday gift vouchers…….