os 3.0

iPhone now supports accessory app downloads

According to iLounge, Apple has added a feature to the iPhone OS, as well as to Made-for-iPod and Works-with-iPhone certified devices, to include automatic download prompts when connecting accessories supported by iPhone apps. If you connect one of these accessories to you iPhone or iPod Touch, an alert box warns you about the missing application and asks for permission to install it.

Griffin's iTrip, an FM transmitter with app support, is the first already-shipping accessory we found that supports this new iPhone OS feature.

The iTrip app is optional. According to Griffin, the app enhances the usefulness of the … Read more

iPhone OS 3.0 Mail security issue fixed in OS 3.1

A video posted recently on YouTube demonstrates, on an iPod Touch, a potential security risk for users of iPhone OS 3.0. The bug allows e-mails that have already deleted to be viewed by searching for the title of the deleted message.

The results of the search display two copies of the message. Selecting either one of these the first time will cause Mail to crash. The second time you select the messages, the iPhone may display the original message or you may get a warning that states: "Message cannot be displayed because of the way it is formatted.&… Read more

iPhone OS 3.0 users plagued by missing photos

The iPhone OS 3.0 Camera Roll is running out of film for some iPhone users. A handful of photographers on Apple's discussion board are reporting that pictures taken with the iPhone camera and screen captures are disappearing from the iPhone's onboard photo library.

The bug, according to these reports, occurs when the photo names generated by the iPhone reach IMG_10000.xxx or higher, where the xxx represents either a JPG for photos, PNG for screen snapshots, or MOV for videos. Once you've reached this 10,000 mark milestone in your iPhone photography career, the Mobile Photos app no longer displays additional media files. Luckily, however, the photos are still there--they simply don't display on the phone.

Some users found help using the Phoneview utility from Ecamm on their Macs--the free demo version worked long enough to uncover the missing photos. PC users may be able to find their shots via iPhone Browser.… Read more

Poll: Do you use iPhone Spotlight search?

Spotlight search, one of the high-profile features introduced with OS 3.0 last month, lets you search contacts, appointments, music, mail, and more without first loading their respective apps.

In other words, it's a time-saver. In theory.

Confession time: I haven't touched Spotlight once since installing OS 3.0 on my 3G. On a few occasions I've flicked past my apps and landed on the search screen, invariably prompting the same reaction: "Huh. Forgot that was there."

I have used Mail's new in-box search, which frequently proves invaluable. But Spotlight strikes me as a … Read more

Rocking out with stereo Bluetooth

Now that the iPhone OS 3.0 firmware has added stereo Bluetooth functionality to the Apple iPhone, we thought it would be a good idea to revisit stereo Bluetooth and what it promises.

Stereo Bluetooth, or A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile), is essentially a Bluetooth profile that lets you stream music from one device to another without the use of wires. The technology has been around for years, and almost all music phones have this feature. In fact, it was quite a big letdown that the original iPhone and iPhone 3G did not have this built in when they first launched, considering the iPhone's iPod heritage. Still, it's better late than never. The iPhone OS 3.0 update also brought stereo Bluetooth to the iPod Touch 2nd gen. If you have a music player instead of a phone, you can also purchase additional stereo Bluetooth adapters, like this Motorola D650 iPod adapter.

Stereo Bluetooth headphones come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some, like the Motorola Rokr S9 HD, are meant for active lifestyles, as it's shaped to hug the sides of the head. Others, like the Samsung SBH-600, are meant for serious audiophiles, especially with its promise of surround sound and bass boost. We also like the mono-to-stereo headsets, like the Plantronics Voyager 855, that can change from a mono headset to a stereo version simply by connecting an additional ear bud. One of the more popular stereo headsets among our readers is the Jabra BT3030, which isn't really even a headset so much as it is a pendant that you can use with any pair of 3.5mm-compatible headphones.… Read more

Finding iPhone OS 3.0's small changes

Though everyone knows the iPhone OS 3.0 brought welcome and long-awaited changes like multimedia messaging; a landscape keyboard; and cut, copy, and paste, there are a host of other tweaks from the software update that Apple has not publicized. According to Apple, the update offers 100 additions to the iPhone, but we covered just a handful in our iPhone 3GS review.

What other features are new? Well, a week after Apple released the update to the world we have a better idea. We've done our own exploring, but last week we also asked for your help in finding the update's hidden treasures. Thankfully, you responded in force, so we're glad to offer you this list. It's still not complete, so we'll be adding more as we (and you) find them. (Note: I've only included features not listed in the review.) Also, Apple has posted a handy chart detailing which OS 3.0 features are available on the iPhone Classic and iPhone 3G. … Read more

They're here: iPhone OS 3.0 and iPhone 3G S

roundup Apple has the world's attention once again as it delivers new versions of the iPhone and its operating system.

Smaller crowds line up for iPhone 3G S on first day The turnout is noticeably less frenzied and the activation problems that plagued last year's iPhone 3G launch appeared a thing of the past. (Posted in Apple by CNET News staff) June 19, 2009 11:30 AM PDT

364 days and counting to iPhone 4G If history is any indication, we have less than year to go before we see a new iPhone. Let the official countdown begin. (… Read more

Is the original iPod Touch worth upgrading?

Owners of the original Apple iPod Touch are at a disadvantage when it comes to upgrading to iPhone OS 3.0. The OS upgrade comes with a $10 fee and adds improved features such as copy and paste, landscape keyboard, Spotlight searching, Shake-to-shuffle, Safari autofill, and improved Wi-Fi hot-spot log-in. Unfortunately, desirable new features such as Voice Memos and Bluetooth audio streaming won't work on the first-generation hardware.

To add insult to injury, some first-gen users (including CNET's own Antuan Goodwin) are reporting slower system performance after making the upgrade. Symptoms such as choppy gameplay, longer App launches, … Read more

An overview of iPod updates in OS 3.0

As an iPod Touch owner, iPhone OS 3.0 enhancements such as MMS, and copy/paste aren't as relevant to me as the subtle improvements Apple has made to media playback and search.

New features such as music search (distinct from Spotlight), fine track scrubbing control, podcast e-mailing, and an expanded iTunes storefront, won't grab many headlines but they're certainly welcome additions to an already excellent product.

To make my point, I've put together a slideshow and video of some of the less-appreciated improvements iPhone OS 3.0 has given to media junkies like myself.