iPhone: Vodafone could sign deal with Apple

Apple is finalising a deal with Vodafone to bring the iPhone to Europe, according to the latest iPhone rumours.
Vodafone has once again emerged as a frontrunner to sign an exclusive deal with Apple for the European launch of the iPhone, although it's unclear yet which territories the proposed deal would cover.
The latest reports suggest Apple is on the verge of agreeing a deal with Vodafone which could be announced within the next couple of weeks. However, when asked about the impending deal by Tech.co.uk, a Vodafone spokesperson declined to comment.
Apple is addressing some issues with the iPhone requested by Vodafone and other potential European mobile operator partners, sources quoted by Unstrung suggest. These include getting the iPhone's YouTube application to work more like the internet version, with multiple word searches and ensuring that the iPhone's calendar application syncs more reliably with Outlook and Exchange.
3G capability
Added support for Cisco Systems' firewalls and simplification of the Wi-Fi security codes and procedures are being looked into as well. And in addition, improvements to the web browser, including the addition of a cut-and-paste option are being addressed.
Another more obvious enhancement European operators would like to see on the iPhone before it crosses the Atlantic is the addition of 3G capability.
Other recent iPhone rumours have suggested that Orange could be lined up to be Apple's iPhone partner in France. There is speculation that an announcement could be made at the forthcoming Apple Expo in Paris, which runs from 25th to 29th of September.
Meanwhile, T-Mobile has been identified as the most likely potential Apple mobile operator partner in Germany, while O2 has previously been cited as a possible UK candidate for the iPhone, too.

Apple's Newton Vs iPhone : How far Apple's come

I know you're probably sick of all the iPhone news at the moment, but let's reflect a bit...

Here's a picture from Engadget, comparing the old with the new. Go Apple!

Apple iPhone competitors

Very interesting post by Raj about iPhone similar handsets.

iPhone in India (un) officially available

We reported all about the fuss going on Germany regarding legally selling unlocked iPhone; but did you know that an enterprising offer is available to Citibank and Diners Club Card members in India. A company called Compact International is offering the card members an iPhone that “works on all Indian networks.” On offer is the 8GB version on six months of monthly installment scheme to be paid via the credit card. How far Citibank and Diners Club involved are is not clear, although the fine print does say that the CC companies are not involved in the warranty, delivery and service related issues. The brochure of the offer has been dispatched to the card members with their credit card monthly statements.

clipped from www.newlaunches.com

The iPhone in this offer is available for Rs. 34,990 ($882)
broken down to Rs. 5835 ($147) x 6 installments.

iphone India edition something on lighter side

Apparently, Apple Inc is secretly working on a draft plan to release a customised iPhone to capture the Indian market. Here is some exclusive information about a ’special button’ that activates a plethora of amazing features.

Special Features:
MMSi
Miss-call Management Service Integrated allows you to make calls to friends without giving them a milli-second to pick up your call.

IRK
Irritating Ringtone Killer allows you drain the battery of the offending phones in your area.

MVMS
Misleading Voice Message Generator plays auto generated voice messages to your boss/parents/wife leading them to think that your phone is busy or out of coverage area.

clipped from www.urdugame.com

Note: Requests to imprint the price of the phone on the back will be considered in the next release.

Ultrasimple 1.1.2/1.1.3 unlock released - from iphone.unlock.no

I call this the most reliable resource on the net to Jailbreak any iPhone. And as I mentioned in my earlier blogs, I blindly follow this website for all jailbreaking help i need. Thanks a ton iphone.unlock.no. Here is how we can jailbreak the newly released 1.1.3 firmware from Apple:

Things are really happening these days! With the release of “ZiPhone” you can jailbreak, activate and unlock a brand new phone in just 3 minutes. No need to downgrade to 1.1.1 first!

ZiPhone in it’s original version is available here: Zibri’s blog

iphone.unlock.no has made a graphical user interface for easier operation, and better descriptions - click picture to download!

Mirrors: MegaUpload | RapidShare

1.1.2 and 1.1.3 OTB software unlock released by George Hotz!

8th Feb 2008: Yes, he did it. Now you can unlock your brand new iPhone very easy. I set up an Installer script to make it even easier. In short terms, downgrade your phone to 1.1.1 and jailbreak as described below. After you have access to the phone, open Installer and goto Unlocking Tools and Install 1.1.2/1.1.3 OTB Unlocker. When it completes, you must upgrade to 1.1.2. Click the following link for full details:

Click here for 1.1.2 and 1.1.3 software unlock tutorial!

New and better 1.1.1 jailbreak method

iphone.unlock.no released a tweaked version of jailbreakme.com’s jailbreak method. To use it, just use i.unlock.no as URL instead of jailbreakme.com when you are about to jailbreak your 1.1.1 phone. More details here.

Status on 1.1.3 jailbreak

1.1.3 was released on January 15th. There’s two jailbreak solutions released. The “offical” jailbreak can be downloaded here. The other one was “unofficially” released by NateTrue, but reports tells that there are some issues with it. DON’T upgrade to 1.1.3 using iTunes! 1.1.3 secpack is found, so if you accidentally upgraded your OTB 1.1.1 or older it is possible to downgrade.

Info about “out of the box” 1.1.2 unlocking and bootloader downgrading

It’s now possible to downgrade the bootloader on out of the box 1.1.2 which has bootloader v4.6. This means that it’s also possible to unlock these phones after they are downgraded. To downgrade you will need to use testpoints, meaning the phone needs to be disassembled.

How to unlock OTB 1.1.2 with testpoints tutorial here (old, read news above)

Info about 1.1.2

If you bought a phone that had 1.1.2 preinstalled (it shows a picture of a cable and the iTunes icon), the phone have a new bootloader preventing an easy unlock. It is now possible to downgrade the bootloader, but it requires disassembly and testpoint. Tutorial available here!

For more info - go to iphone.unlock.no

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Important Update - You can now unlock any version of iPhone : Click Here
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Apple iPhone warning proves true

An Apple software update is disabling iPhones that have been unlocked by owners who wanted to choose which mobile network to use.

Earlier this week Apple said a planned update would leave the device "permanently inoperable".

Thousands of iPhone owners hacked their expensive gadget in order to unlock it for use with other mobile carriers and to run a host of unsupported programs.

There are also reports of the update causing issues with unaltered iPhones.

On Monday Apple issued a statement in which it said many of the unauthorised iPhone unlocking programs caused "irreparable damage" to the device's software.

The company said this would "likely result in the modified iPhone becoming permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed".

Users may not be able to add Apple
features to an unlocked phone

That warning has now proved correct as many owners are reporting their phones no longer work following installation of the update. Apple requires iPhone owners to take out a lengthy contract with AT&T in the United States but there are a number of programs on the net that unlock the device for use with other networks.

Some owners are reporting on technology blogs and Apple's own forums that the update is deleting contacts information, as well as photos and music, on iPhones that have not been modified in any way.

News: Sennheiser unveils MM50 iPhone headset

Sennheiser has announced it will show its new MM50 iPhone headset this week during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The MM50 iPhone is a wired stereo headset that features an in-line microphone. Further details, such as pricing and release information, have yet to be announced. In addition to the MM50, Sennheiser also introduced several new Bluetooth products, including the MM 200, a Bluetooth stereo headset, the BW 900, a wireless office…

Read more..

Really Funny Stuff I Phone Band

Check this is the first I phone band! And let me tell you it's really funny stuff... however, it still sounds great!

Rumor: Application Key for the iPhone Leaked

Hackers have reportedly discovered the key which allows the installation of applications on the iPhone using iTunes. The report comes from two tipsters at The Unofficial Apple Weblog. The same Application SDK key has also been posted to Digg, where it's still available right now.

This is big news for hackers, but not because it lets them put apps onto an iPhone. There are several ways to do that already using a jailbroken iPhone. Official iPhone applications will be submitted to Apple and subject to its verification process. This gives Apple a chance to double-check the code. Then, iPhone users will be able to browse, purchase and install "blessed" apps using iTunes. This signature key is required for the iTunes-powered installation.

Or at least, a signature key. Probably not this one. While it's a step towards being able to test out the iTunes delivery process, many are pointing out that Apple will almost certainly replace this key with a new, more secure version when the official SDK is released.

iPhone users show affinity for Google searches

Maybe it's due to how easy Apple has made it to search the web via Safari on the device, but the number of search queries on the iPhone are shocking Google.

When Google first saw the results, executives actually asked its engineers to ensure that there wasn't an error in the calculations. The logs were run through again and the result was the same.

Even with the success of the iPhone, the company is still focused on its own platform. "We want every phone to be a Google phone," Gundotra told the paper. "We are ultimately talking about thousands of devices."

If that's the case, it's not out of the question that Google's dominance could extend from the PC to the cell phone very soon.

Apple iPhone 3G could arrive by the mid of this year

Apple iPhone 3G

Market analysts have said that they believe that Apple would bring out the 3G edition of their highly successful iPhone mobile phone by the mid of the current year.

Apple needs a 3G iPhone to enhance the appeal of the device in the European countries. Sales of the first generation iPhone have been slowing down in the recent times.

Richard Gardner of Citigroup spoke about their analysis: “We believe that lack of 3G has been a significant headwind for iPhone in Europe where 3G is already pervasive.”

Apple aims to sell as many as 10 million devices by the end of the year. And they are expected to launch the device in Asian countries along with some other European markets in the coming months.

Popularity: 4%

Korean CEOs Name IPhone Most Inspirational Gadget

South Korean CEOs consider Apple's iPhone as the most inspirational invention of last year.

In a poll of 590 CEOs conducted by the Samsung Economic Research Institute, 26.4 percent of respondents chose the iPhone as the no. 1 item of inspiration among devices included in Time Magazine's "Inventions of 2007" list.

The iPhone is not just a mobile phone, but rather a portable multimedia computer that plays music and video, takes pictures, and comes with a built-in mapping system.

The CEOs' choice of the iPhone shows that local business leaders think highly of functional integration and refined design, the research institute said.

A flexible display that can be folded or even rolled up like paper also received a favorable response, gaining 21.8 percent of the vote.

400,000 unlocked iPhones running on China Mobile

The Apple iPhone is not officially available in China, but according to a report by communications research firm In-Stat, as many as 400,000 unlocked iPhones were running on China Mobile’s cellular network at the end of last year.

If these claims are accurate, then roughly 10 percent of iPhones sold thus far are being used in China. It also helps explain part of the iPhone gap created by the difference between Apple’s shipping totals for 2007 and the activations reported by its carrier partners in the U.S. and Europe.

In the short term, however, Apple seems unlikely to convert this semi-underground trade into legitimate business. China Mobile ended iPhone talks with Apple in January, citing the infamous revenue sharing component of the deal as the main cause for dispute. This is a bit of an opportunity lost for Apple, since the iPhone is clearly a hot item already among China’s massive population.

Unlocked iPhone In India Coming en route France

If you are an Apple fanboy residing in India who desperately wants an iPhone, just wait for some more time before you think of buying an unlocked set from the gray markets of Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore.

That’s because Apple will officially release the unlocked iPhone in France next month that will work with GSM SIM card of any cellular network.

Once the unlocked iPhone hits the shelves of France, you may expect to see that India almost immediately - after all FedEx and DHL provide excellent shipping services.

eBay India could have been a better place to buy unlocked iPhones but due to their policies or agreement with Apple, they are not allowing auctions or sale of any unlocked iPhone handset on their website.

The current price of an unlocked iPhone on Rediff shopping is around 34k - just double the US price. That price should come down drastically once the iPhone becomes available in France.

Reliance Retail to open iStores for selling Apple products

Reliance Retail through is consumer electronic chain Reliance Digital would be opening exclusive standalone iStores selling iPods, Macintosh computers and iPhone (once it is launched in India).

Reliance has made an exclusive marketing and distribution deal with Apple for these stores. The first one would be coming up in Bangalore while 9 more would be opened by 2007 end in India.

This alliance is first of its kind for both companies as it is Reliance Retail’s first exclusive alliance with an international brand and Apple is also tying up with a corporate for distribution for the first time in the world.

The iStores apart from retailing products would also offer facilities such as a theatre for presentations, workshops, training studio, technical support, repairs and free workshops to the public.

Reliance would be able to cater to upper class mobile segment through the tie-up while Apple would get immediate presence and scale.

Currently, Apple products are sold in India through resellers which include department stores, large retail chains and specialty retail stores.

Unlocked Apple iPhone That Accepts Any GSM SIM Card

Will Apple release an unlocked iPhone (that accepts sim card of any cellular operator like other GSM phones) - that may be the top question in your mind now as Apple iPhone is all set to debut in few hours on AT&T stores in North America.

There’s little reason to believe that Apple will themselves release an unlocked iPhone given their exclusive contract with AT&T [so don’t expect iPhone in India yet] but there’s a high probability that creative minds will find some workarounds and the unlocked model of iPhone may soon be on eBay stores in India and around the world. For now, you may buy iPhone books and accessories.

The Unlocked phone may not have everything that comes with the Cingular-Apple package [like Google Maps] but still, you will have an iPhone handset that can SMS or make voice calls. Set an alert on eBay and the good news may be in your inbox soon.

The latest auction for unlocked iPhone on eBay was running for $352 but looks like the Apple lawyers have flexed their muscle and it’s offline now. iPhone vs Blackberry, N95, Wallpapers

Why the iPhone won't be in Asia

Apple is in the headlines yet again -- this time it’s an ultra-thin notebook and plans for a movie download service.

But more significant for mobile operators is the news that iPhone is driving more traffic to the web than any other device.

A New York Times story says that at Christmas time Google saw more data traffic from iPhone than rival smartphones. The number declined after Christmas but nonetheless the figure impresses: iPhones account for just 2% of smartphones worldwide, compared with Symbian’s 63% market share.

The story underlines that iPhone’s financial pulling power is equal to its hype. The device helped AT&T post a record in net customer adds in its first two months selling the iPhone.

For all that, it will be some time before Asian consumers (excluding Japan) can buy the iPhone for themselves.

Apple and China Mobile recently broke off talks over selling the device in the mainland after the Chinese carrier rejected Apple’s insistence on a 30% commission.

An executive at a non-mainland operator told me the company was keen on selling the iPhone, but just couldn’t raise Apple’s interest. Apple doesn’t have a senior executive in Asia trying to push the device and is conducting negotiations from Cupertino at a leisurely pace.

It’s worth remembering developing countries have never been happy hunting grounds for Apple’s high-end devices.

The iPhone is a low-volume, high-margin device demanding a fat airtime commission. In other words, not for developing Asia. So far Apple has shown no interest in developing Singapore or Hong Kong. Until it does, the iPhone’s sole Asian channels will be eBay or the gray market.

AT&T Expanding Their 3G Network in 2008

AT&T announced today that they will be deploying third generation (3G) wireless broadband service to more than 80 additional cities as part of its 2008 wireless network expansion plans.This will bring 3G services to nearly 350 U.S. markets by the end of 2008, including the top 100 U.S. cities. This news is relevant, in that Apple users AT&T as their exclusive iPhone carrier in the U.S. and has a multi-year commitment with them. One of the main criticisms of the iPhone when it was launched was a lack of 3G networking, which is typically much faster than the EGDE network that is presently offered with the iPhone.AT&T's CEO confirmed that the 3G iPhone would become available in 2008, confirming comments by Steve Jobs at the original iPhone launch that Apple planned on making "3g phones and all sorts of other amazing things in the future". The reason that 3G was not included in the original iPhone was due to concerns about excessive battery usage:

When we looked at 3G, the chipsets were not low-enough power for what we were looking for. They were not integrated enough, so they took up too much physical space. We cared a lot about battery life and we cared a lot about physical size. Down the road, I'm sure some of those tradeoffs will become more favorable towards 3G but as of now we think we made a pretty good doggone decision.

Apple iPhone Launch Gallery - Day ONE Pics, slides, videos feat. Steve Jobs

wish this should be last one in iPhone launch series! I never taken any launch so seriously. But no matter how much I try to get rid of this iPhone thing it keep coming back to me. In fact I am feeling that getting rid of a girlfriend is easier than getting rid of iPhone fever

Well sticking to the title, here comes menu…

#Slideshow of DAY ONE Launch pics




#Gallery uploaded on Picasa
If you are having problem viewing above slideshow you can check out following link to Picase Web Album of same…




Apple iPhone Gallery - Day one

#Videos from YouTube
Here are some video I liked from YouTube

Steve Jobs is in the Palo Alto store!

First iPhone sold in Chicago



Activating the iPhone



Macy Gray at Apple LA iPhone Launch - Extended



Into iPhone’s live streaming webcast of iPhone launch event



iPhone Launch - first one out of SoHo Store



The Countdown at the Irvine Spectrum



Apple iPhone Mania - St. Pete Florida



iPhone launch Pasadena Apple Store 6/29 (iSicko)

Related: How To Download Videos from YouTube

DISCLAIMER/Credits: Content of slideshow is property of Apple and copied from here. YouTube video belongs to respective uploaders and/or YouTube.