New iPhone Now Being Tested

By Benedict Wee

Those of you who're considering getting the iPhone 3GS this Christmas might have to think twice now that rumors of Apple's next iPhone is currently being tested in San Francisco where the company is located.

A list provided by app analytics company PinchMedia to iPhone developer Pandav (creators of the iBART app, a transportation guide for the San Francisco train system) show an identification number for an iPhone assigned by Apple that has been utilizing their application.

The number "iPhone3,1" does not match up with any iPhones currently being sold or shipped and if you compare it to last year's news in October where an "iPhone2,1" identification string was spotted around the same area and it turned out to be the iPhone 3GS, you can probably conclude that "iPhone3,1" is Apple's next iPhone.

If you can, I'd advise holding out the next 6-7 months for the next-gen iPhone which is rumored to run a multi-core processor that could out-perform the 1GHz phones already announced by the other mobile manufacturers. If not, then be prepared for some buyer's remorse when Apple introduces the iPhone 4G in June/July 2010.

Source:

Mac Rumors - Apple Starts Field Testing Next Generation iPhone (3,1)

Apple:New 3GS iPhones To Block Jailbreaking. Modders: No.

By Benedict Wee

Earlier this week news broke in the US that an exploit present in previous iPhones which allowed modders to jailbreak the phones was fixed and that Apple's latest batch of 3GS iPhones will not be jailbreakable.

Unfortunately (for Apple, not us), the exploit has just been cracked and the new iPhones are just as jailbreakable as ever.

Once again "the man" has been overthrown, move along, nothing to see here.

Sources:

MobileCrunch - Apple Moves To Block Jailbreaking In New iPhones.

Gizmodo - Apple's Jailbreak-Proof iPhone 3GS Units Totally Aren't.

Layar. Now On iPhones.

By Benedict Wee

Layar; the awesome augmented reality application which superimposes information onto live views of a location is now available on the iTunes App Store for free. The interface been improved since it made its debut on Android and you can now overlay all kinds of data from information sources like Wikipedia, to social networking sites like twitter.

It's a tad unfortunate that you'll need the iPhone 3GS to fully utilize the application as the older models do not come with digital compasses.

Source:

Gizmodo - Android's Best Augmented Reality App Hits The iPhone.

Flash 10.1 For All Mobiles! .. Cept The iPhone.

By Benedict Wee

The people at Adobe have announced that their next version of Flash - version 10.1- will come to Android, BlackBerry, Symbian, WebOS and Windows Mobile phones and will be GPU accelerated which means watching flawless YouTube videos in HD.

Though the full software will only be available mid-2010, the beta version will be released to Windows Mobile and WebOS phones by the end of the year with Android and Symbian following early next so expect to stream television shows on your mobile in just a couple of months.

Too bad for iPhone users however. Given Apple's overprotective attitude towards their smartphone Adobe is reporting that there isn't much progress in developing Flash for the system. Sad, Flash support could work wonders on a device that relies heavily on a touch interface.

LOS ANGELES — Oct. 5, 2009 — At Adobe MAX, Adobe’s worldwide developer conference, Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq:RIMM; TSX:RIM) today announced they are working together to bring Adobe® Flash® Player support to the BlackBerry® platform. RIM is joining the Open Screen Project, a broad initiative dedicated to enabling standalone applications and richer Web browsing across mobile phones, televisions, desktops and other consumer electronic devices through the Adobe Flash Platform. The collaboration is expected to bring the full Flash Player browser runtime to BlackBerry smartphones.

“As an industry leader for innovative smartphones and wireless solutions, RIM delivers superior mobile user experiences to customers around the world,” said David Wadhwani, general manager and vice president, Flash Platform Business Unit at Adobe. “It’s a natural fit for both companies to work together to bring Flash technology based video and Web content to BlackBerry smartphone users.”

“As part of the Open Screen Project, RIM will be working with Adobe to deliver a great Flash technology experience on BlackBerry smartphones and to enable users to enjoy the exciting content and services that Flash technology developers and content creators are bringing to the Web,” said Alan Brenner, SVP at Research In Motion.

Led by Adobe, the Open Screen Project includes close to 50 industry leaders working together to provide a consistent runtime environment and user experience across mobile phones, desktops, and other consumer electronics devices. The initiative addresses the challenges of Web browsing on a broad range of devices, and removes the barriers to publishing content and applications seamlessly across screens. For more information, visit www.openscreenproject.org.

Source:

Gizmodo - Flash 10.1: Full Flash For Everyone But iPhone, Actually Playable HD Vids

Adobe - RIM joins Open Screen Project

Sidenote: Doesn't Ming the Merciless look kinda like Steve Jobs with a beard?!

Bear Tear Out Your Ribcage? There's An iPhone App For That.

It's funny cause many (obnoxious) people believe it's true.

Danger! iPhone/iPod Touch Firmware 3.0 Email Security Flaw

By Benedict Wee

If you're using your iPhone/iPod Touch to manage your emails and you got the latest firmware upgrade (3.0) you might want to try this out.

1. Delete an email with a subject line you can remember.
2. Go to your trash and empty it as well so the particular email is truly "gone".
3. Exit to the main Home screen and go to the Spotlight Search page on the left screen.
4. Type in the words from the subject line.
5. Watch in amazement as the email gets resurrected from oblivion.

This flaw in the system is so easy to exploit anyone can do it. All your private emails could be read by anyone!

Here's a video of how it works:

Let's chalk this one up to another reason why you shouldn't be using the iPhone for business purposes.

Source:

Gizmodo - Uh Oh: iPhone OS 3.0 Never Fully Deletes Your Emails

TomTom For iPhone Now Out In NZ App Store

By Benedict Wee

We've got an early surprise. There have been no announcements made yet about the popular navigation service but you can now download the TomTom application from the New Zealand App Store.

The maps/services are charged by region:

• New Zealand : NZ$119.99
• Australia : NZ$104.99
• Western Europe : NZ$179.99
• US & Canada : NZ$124.99

It seems that we're the first in the world to get this application. Whoo Hoo.

Source:

MacRumors - TomTom For iPhone Appears In New Zealand App Store

iPhone 'Slopde, Go Boom.

By Benedict Wee

A French teenager has suffered an eye injury by his girlfriend's iPhone when it exploded suddenly.

As with the other similar explosion that occurred England a few weeks ago regarding an iPod Touch, the phone started to make a hissing noise and the screen suddenly shattered and sent flying shards in the air, one of them hitting the French boy in the eye.

"My son was frightened but he did not lose an eye," his mother told AFP.

Source:

Yahoo! Tech - French Teenager Hurt By Shattering iPhone

Apple Backlash: Jason Calacanis Gives Up On Apple

By Benedict Wee

High-profile US internet entrepreneur and co-founder of Weblogs, Inc. Jason Calacanis has publicly announced the end of his 6 year relationship with Apple.

"Over the last 12-18 months, my love affair with Apple has waned. Steve Job's peculiar, rigidly closed, and severe worldview have started to cramp my style."

"Steve's a great guy, and the love affair has been wonderful, but I'm starting to look past him and back to Microsoft for a more healthy relationship that is less-wait for it-anti-competitive in nature"

The astute businessman (whose first company was part of the dot-com era and who managed to capitalize on the growth of blogs) admitted that he used to buy every product (sometimes twice, for his wife) Apple made and was more than willing to over-pay for the premium price tag but has now decided that the company has turned into the monster they've depicted their competitor -Microsoft- to be.

Jason likened it to Apple's famous 1984 television advertisement where an Olympian (symbolizing Apple) destroyed a giant television displaying a dictator (symbolizing Microsoft) brainwashing the masses except now the person on the screen is Apple and the Olympian, the open-source movement.

Jason highlighted the 5 main reasons why he is giving up on Apple:

• They've destroyed MP3 player innovation through anti-competitive practices such as not allowing iTunes to sync with other players (which they allowed before) except their own high-priced iPods which possess limited features like the lack of a radio tuner. The public acceptance of this knowledge is a double standard as Microsoft wouldn't be able to get away with the same antics with their Zune player.
• The second reason is their monopolistic practices in telecommunications where their iPhone is only sold by one telco provider in the US. This practice happens on our shores as well with Vodafone being the only company selling the iPhone in New Zealand.
• The third reason is their draconian App Store policies that force developers into making applications that are creatively limited. Apple's excuse of restriction in order to protect a telco's network holds no water as there are other open phones in public today and networks are still standing. This is also a double standard against Microsoft as they won't be allowed the same freedom with Windows.
• The fourth reason is their hypocrisy by banning other mobile browsers with better functions like Opera on the iPhone despite criticizing Microsoft's early attempts at including Internet Explorer on Windows.
• The last reason is the Google Voice debacle to which Jason remarks: "This point is similar to the browser issue, in that Apple wants to own almost every extension of the iPhone platform. How long before Apple decides to ban a Twitter client in favor of an Apple Twitter-like product?"

Although not a proponent of government regulation like I am, Jason predicts that Apple will face a self-inflicted revolt when Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6.5 & 7 joins Google's Android in offering cheap, stable and open devices/smartphones to the market. He then sates the two cardinal rules about making great technology: 'Don't be evil' and 'Never get high on your own supply' from Scarface before asking questions that us consumers should think about:

1) Do you think Apple would be more, or less, successful if they adopted a more open strategy? (i.e. allowing other MP3 players in iTunes)

2) Do you think Apple should face serious antitrust action (the way Microsoft has experienced for years now)?

3) Do you think Apple's dexterity and competence forgive their bad behavior?

Source:

CrunchGear - If Jason Calacanis is against Apple, who can be for it?

Developers Favor Android Over iPhone For New Projects

By Benedict Wee

Mobile application analytics company; Flurry has released the latest statistics on new projects starts and have found that developers are more inclined to make mobile applications for the Android Market rather than Apple's App Store for the iPhone.

Although Apple has experienced an exponential growth of applications appearing in their store (from 25,000 in the beginning of the year to over 65,000 in July), there has been a significant drop in new projects by developers. This is most likely due to them shying away from Apple's archaic app approval policy which does not provide descriptive and helpful information should an application be rejected or pulled from the store. This problem was escalated to the public eye recently with the Google Voice fiasco that enraged developers and iPhone users alike, causing the US government to step in.

The reason for more developers choosing Android to start their new projects is due primarily to their Open Source policy with allows them to create applications without the scrutiny and policing of a gatekeeper. Applications are therefore "let loose" into the in the Android Market, relying on users and a five-star rating to determine if they're useful, malicious or garbage. This environment benefits both sides as the developers get feedback on their apps (be it positive or negative) and find ways to improve them while users get to decide which apps they want to use without a virtual parent deciding on their behalf.

Another good reason for developers to start projects on Android is unlike the iPhone, the operating system appears on more than one mobile currently in the market and the number is set to increase within the year's end with non-phone gadgets running the OS as well.

Of course the iPhone still reigns supreme in both smartphone wars and application development, but the gap between them and the Android is slowly getting smaller and with the recent troubles Apple has been facing they'll never know when the tide will turn against them.

Source:

Flurry - Smartphone Industry Pulse July 2009

Google CEO Steps Down From Apple Board

By Benedict Wee

Well it was bound to happen.

3 years ago, Google CEO Eric Schmidt accepted a seat on the Apple's Board of Directors in what was thought by many to be an alliance against Microsoft. As the years passed, Google became a powerhouse unto itself with their heavy presence on web-based interfaces and the introduction of the Android mobile operating system, finally accumulating in their announcement of the computer OS; Chrome. They represented a whole new model of computing that neither Apple nor Microsoft subscribed to yet was gaining popularity from the masses.

I suppose it got pretty awkward for Eric at Apple as Google started to pose a real threat to them. Apple, being the closed and highly protective company that they are then began to act out against Google with inane requests such as requiring that Latitude be made a web app instead of a native one.

The situation finally exploded when Apple's App Store rejected the official Google Voice app and pulled all apps that had the Google Voice function, resulting in enough complaints by iPhone/iPod Touch users and developers (and probably Google) for the US government to step in and questions all parties concerned.

So it makes sense that Eric would step down from the board to prevent any further conflict of interests. Apple's statement on Eric stepping down does not directly address the Google Voice debacle but it talks about how it would be impossible for him to remain with the company.

We've always known this would happen and it makes sense that it does now. The battle lines have been drawn and it's Microsoft vs. Apple vs. Google

Source:

TechCrunch - Google CEO Eric Schmidt Resigns From Apple Board. Surprised?

iPod Touch 'Splode, Go Boom.

By Benedict Wee

Wow, it just isn't Apple's 2nd half of the year is it?

We've got a China employee committing suicide, public denouncement of the iPhone by tech-celebrities, getting investigated by the US Government for being an asswipe, vulnerable iPhone security issues, crazy statements about cell towers crashing and now, an iPod Touch explodes.

Now we've all heard issues about iPhones overheating and causing minor burns or discoloration to the white plastic models but to explode?! That is a new one.

It all happened in Liverpool, UK when 47 year old Ken Stanborough dropped his 11 year old daughter's iPod Touch, it then made a hissing noise and vapor started to appear. He threw it out his back door before it popped and flew 10 feet into the air.

He then called Apple and was shot around different departments before talking to an executive who later denied any responsibility but offered a refund in exchange for their soul. Well, not soul exactly but it was a gagging order which would prevent Ken, his wife and his daughter from ever speaking about this matter under a threat of legal action.

162 GBP/NZ$409 for a lifetimes sentence of silence was not worth it so Ken declined. He also thought the wording on the letter by Apple stating the terms and conditions of the refund was pretty disturbing.

The paper which reported this story also mentions that it was revealed last week that Apple was trying to silence stories of iPod players burning their owners.

They also talked about how a reporter in the US had difficulty obtaining 800 pages worth of documentation on safety issues regarding Apple's products as their lawyers kept filing exemptions. This despite the Freedom of Information Act which allows the public the right to obtain information held by public authorities. In March this year a boy suffered burns when an iPod Touch allegedly exploded in his pocket.

In Japan, the government has warned that iPod Nanos provided a potential fire risk with 14 cases documented of players bursting into flame and two people suffering minor burns.

Well now, a Zii Egg anyone?

Source:

TIMES ONLINE - Apple Tried To Silence Owner Of Exploding iPod With Gagging Order

Microsoft Talks About Porting iPhone Apps To Windows Mobile

By Benedict Wee

The whole "Apple is being a jerk to developers and iPhone users to the point that the US Government has to step in" situation has given one of their potentially greatest threats an opening salvo in the smartphone application wars.

Microsoft's Windows Mobile Blog has written an informative and helpful article for developers about porting iPhone applications to the Windows Marketplace. Using a case study, it features developer Luke Thompson's experience in converting his Amplitude application from an iPhone App to a Windows Mobile one.

The article talks about the relative ease in porting the application using developer-friendly tools such as Visual Studio 2008 by Microsoft and by reading helpful programing sites like Code Gallery and The Code Project. It also took a quick jab at Apple by talking about how the iPhone does not allow applications to run in the background (apps are closed when you exit them) while Microsoft requires it.

You can follow Luke's porting journey here.

Source:

Windows Mobile Blog - Ready To Port Your iPhone App to Windows Mobile?

Apple Backlash: An Example Of Apple's Ludicrous iPhone App Policy

By Benedict Wee

To add to their "Let's screw people cause we can" list, Apple wants the developers who made apps that have been pulled from the App Store to give refunds to the people who bought them.

Kevin Duerr and his team Riverturn (creators of the VoiceCentral app which has a Google Voice function and hence got pulled by Apple without explanation) talked to MacLife on Friday and explained how the lack of communication and the issue of the refunds have left a bad taste in their mouth.

“Apple made it impossible for our customers to receive the fixes, updates, and support by pulling the app. We were fulfilling our end of the bargain. Why should those refunds come out of our pocket?” says Duerr. “The refund issue and lack of respect for our mutual customers has further soured us on the belief that Apple cares at all about their developers … other than the dollars they bring in.”

Kevin also elaborated on the lack of any communication from Apple, only finding out that there was a problem when a potential customer emailed the team complaining that any attempts to purchase the app was met with an error message. Kevin thought it was just the occasional glitch and passed it off as such until a competitor posted a similar situation on his blog.

After days of emailing the various channels available at Apple, Kevin received a call from them "explaining" (used in a very liberal sense) the situation. Richard (from Apple) told them that their app was pulled because "it duplicated features of the iPhone... causing confusion in the user community". When Kevin then gave similar apps that duplicated iPhone features Richard replied that he couldn't discuss the other apps.

Richard also refused to provide any information that would make the VoiceCentral app compliant with Apple's newly-enforced policy or suggesting any avenues in Apple that would be able to help them. To visit the bizarre conversation Kevin had with Richard (who I honestly think is a robot) you can visit their blog here.

Till now, Kevin has not managed to attain any sliver of information about his dead application or how he should proceed with Apple.

Let this be a lesson to those app developers out there, Apple thinks you guys live on air. If you don't however and need to make an actual living developing, there's always Android, WebOS (for the Palm Pre), BlackBerry, Symbian and Windows Mobile (you could win a Surface!) that provide better developer support and an all-round positive experience.

Source:

Mac Life - VoiceCentral Developer Talks About Being Pulled From The App Store And Apple's Lack Of Communication.

Apple Questioned By US Government On Goggle Voice Debacle.

By Benedict Wee

Looks like Apple has got a lot of explaining to do to Uncle Sam. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as decided to step in and question Apple's decision to reject the official Google Voice app as well as pulling 3rd party apps from their app store which had similar features.

The FCC has sent out letters to Apple, AT&T and Google, each with specific questions to find out everyone's side of the situation that has US iPhone users as well as tech sites screaming unfair practice.

The following letters were copied from the TechCrunch site.

FCC to Apple

July 31, 2009

Catherine A. Novelli, Vice President
Worldwide Government Affairs
Apple Inc.
901 15th Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005

RE: Google Voice and related iPhone applications

Dear Ms. Novelli:

Recent press reports indicate that Apple has declined to approve the Google Voice application for the iPhone and has removed related (and previously approved) third-party applications from the iPhone App Store. In light of pending FCC proceedings regarding wireless open access (RM-11361) and handset exclusivity (RM-11497), we are interested in a more complete understanding of this situation.

To that end, please provide answers to the following questions by close of business on Friday, August 21, 2009.

1. Why did Apple reject the Google Voice application for iPhone and remove related third-party applications from its App Store? In addition to Google Voice, which related third-party applications were removed or have been rejected? Please provide the specific name of each application and the contact information for the developer.
2. Did Apple act alone, or in consultation with AT&T, in deciding to reject the Google Voice application and related applications? If the latter, please describe the communications between Apple and AT&T in connection with the decision to reject Google Voice. Are there any contractual conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T that affected Apple’s decision in this matter?
3. Does AT&T have any role in the approval of iPhone applications generally (or in certain cases)? If so, under what circumstances, and what role does it play? What roles are specified in the contractual provisions between Apple and AT&T (or any non-contractual understandings) regarding the consideration of particular iPhone applications?
4. Please explain any differences between the Google Voice iPhone application and any Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications that Apple has approved for the iPhone. Are any of the approved VoIP applications allowed to operate on AT&T’s 3G network?
5. What other applications have been rejected for use on the iPhone and for what reasons? Is there a list of prohibited applications or of categories of applications that is provided to potential vendors/developers? If so, is this posted on the iTunes website or otherwise disclosed to consumers?
6. What are the standards for considering and approving iPhone applications? What is the approval process for such applications (timing, reasons for rejection, appeal process, etc.)? What is the percentage of applications that are rejected? What are the major reasons for rejecting an application?

Request for Confidential Treatment. If Apple requests that any information or documents responsive to this letter be treated in a confidential manner, it shall submit, along with all responsive information and documents, a statement in accordance with section 0.459 of the Commission’s rules. 47 C.F.R. § 0.459. Requests for confidential treatment must comply with the requirements of section 0.459, including the standards of specificity mandated by section 0.459(b). Accordingly, “blanket” requests for confidentiality of a large set of documents are unacceptable. Pursuant to section 0.459(c), the Bureau will not consider requests that do not comply with the requirements of section 0.459.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation.

Sincerely,

James D. Schlichting
Acting Chief
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau

Federal Communications Commission

FCC to Google

July 31, 2009

Richard S. Whitt, Esq.
Washington Telecom and Media Counsel
Google Inc.
1101 New York Avenue, NW, Second Floor
Washington, DC 20005

RE: Apple’s Rejection of the Google Voice for iPhone Application

Dear Mr. Whitt:

Recent press reports indicate that Apple has declined to approve the Google Voice application for the iPhone and has removed related (and previously approved) third-party applications from the iPhone App Store. In light of pending FCC proceedings regarding wireless open access (RM-11361) and handset exclusivity (RM-11497), we are interested in a more complete understanding of this situation.

To that end, please provide answers to the following questions by close of business on Friday, August 21, 2009.

1. Please provide a description of the proposed Google Voice application for iPhone. What are the key features, and how does it operate (over a voice or data network, etc.)?
2. What explanation was given (if any) for Apple’s rejection of the Google Voice application (and for any other Google applications for iPhone that have been rejected, such as Google Latitude)? Please describe any communications between Google and AT&T or Apple on this topic and a summary of any meetings or discussion.
3. Has Apple approved any Google applications for the Apple App Store? If so, what services do they provide, and, in Google’s opinion, are they similar to any Apple/AT&T-provided applications?
4. Does Google have any other proposed applications pending with Apple, and if so, what services do they provide?
5. Are there other mechanisms by which an iPhone user will be able to access either some or all of the features of Google Voice? If so, please explain how and to what extent iPhone users can utilize Google Voice despite the fact that it is not available through Apple’s App Store.
6. Please provide a description of the standards for considering and approving applications with respect to Google’s Android platform. What is the approval process for such applications (timing, reasons for rejection, appeal process, etc.)? What is the percentage of applications that are rejected? What are the major reasons for rejecting an application?

Request for Confidential Treatment. If Google requests that any information or documents responsive to this letter be treated in a confidential manner, it shall submit, along with all responsive information and documents, a statement in accordance with section 0.459 of the Commission’s rules. 47 C.F.R. § 0.459. Requests for confidential treatment must comply with the requirements of section 0.459, including the standards of specificity mandated by section 0.459(b). Accordingly, “blanket” requests for confidentiality of a large set of documents are unacceptable. Pursuant to section 0.459(c), the Bureau will not consider requests that do not comply with the requirements of section 0.459.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation.

Sincerely,

James D. Schlichting
Acting Chief
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau

Federal Communications Commission

FCC to AT&T

July 31, 2009

James W. Cicconi
Senior Executive Vice President-External and Legislative Affairs
AT&T Services, Inc.
1120 20th Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20036

RE: Apple’s Rejection of the Google Voice for iPhone Application

Dear Mr. Cicconi:

Recent press reports indicate that Apple has declined to approve the Google Voice application for the iPhone and has removed related (and previously approved) third-party applications from the iPhone App Store. In light of pending FCC proceedings regarding wireless open access (RM-11361) and handset exclusivity (RM-11497), we are interested in a more complete understanding of this situation.

To that end, please provide answers to the following questions by close of business on Friday, August 21, 2009.

1. What role, if any, did AT&T play in Apple’s consideration of the Google Voice and related applications? What role, if any, does AT&T play in consideration of iPhone applications generally? What roles are specified in the contractual provisions between Apple and AT&T (or in any non-contractual understanding between the companies) regarding the consideration of particular iPhone applications?
2. Did Apple consult with AT&T in the process of deciding to reject the Google Voice application? If so, please describe any communications between AT&T and Apple or Google on this topic, including the parties involved and a summary of any meetings or discussions.
3. Please explain AT&T’s understanding of any differences between the Google Voice iPhone application and any Voice over Internet Protocol applications that are currently used on the AT&T network, either via the iPhone or via handsets other than the iPhone.
4. To AT&T’s knowledge, what other applications have been rejected for use on the iPhone? Which of these applications were designed to operate on AT&T’s 3G network? What was AT&T’s role in considering whether such applications would be approved or rejected?
5. Please detail any conditions included in AT&T’s agreements or contracts with Apple for the iPhone related to the certification of applications or any particular application’s ability to use AT&T’s 3G network.
6. Are there any terms in AT&T’s customer agreements that limit customer usage of certain third-party applications? If so, please indicate how consumers are informed of such limitations and whether such limitations are posted on the iTunes website as well. In general, what is AT&T’s role in certifying applications on devices that run over AT&T’s 3G network? What, if any, applications require AT&T’s approval to be added to a device? Are there any differences between AT&T’s treatment of the iPhone and other devices used on its 3G network?
7. Please list the services/applications that AT&T provides for the iPhone, and whether there any similar, competing iPhone applications offered by other providers in Apple’s App Store.
8. Do any devices that operate on AT&T’s network allow use of the Google Voice application? Do any devices that operate on AT&T’s network allow use of other applications that have been rejected for the iPhone?
9. Please explain whether, on AT&T’s network, consumers’ access to and usage of Google Voice is disabled on the iPhone but permitted on other handsets, including Research in Motion’s BlackBerry devices.

Request for Confidential Treatment. If AT&T requests that any information or documents responsive to this letter be treated in a confidential manner, it shall submit, along with all responsive information and documents, a statement in accordance with section 0.459 of the Commission’s rules. 47 C.F.R. § 0.459. Requests for confidential treatment must comply with the requirements of section 0.459, including the standards of specificity mandated by section 0.459(b). Accordingly, “blanket” requests for confidentiality of a large set of documents are unacceptable. Pursuant to section 0.459(c), the Bureau will not consider requests that do not comply with the requirements of section 0.459.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation.

Sincerely,

James D. Schlichting
Acting Chief

Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Federal Communications Commission

Apple Backlash! Tech-Celebrities Give Up On The iPhone.

By Benedict Wee

Steven Frank, Mac fanboy and co-founder of well known OS X development house Panic is giving up his iPhone.

The well-known developer wrote about his frustration over Apple's dismissive and biased attitude towards application developers of the iPhone and iPod Touch, not giving a clear explanation on why an app has been rejected from the store or pulling one that they've already approved before. App developers have been complaining about Apple's schizophrenic policy since day one of the app store's launch as they've put a lot of work into creating the applications but it wasn't till the company's latest fiasco that Steven decided enough was enough.

That fiasco being Apple's rejection of the official Google Voice app and the pulling of all other third-party apps that contained the Google Voice function which were already approved and in the app store.

Google Voice is Google's latest service which allows users to have a personal Google phone number that is not tied to any telco. The user has all of his/her contacts call that Google number while determining where a particular contact is allowed to be connected to.

The user can also make free calls by calling their own Google number and then inserting the number of the person that they want to call.

This new service is currently available only in the US and can be downloaded by Android and BlackBerry smartphones.

Steven downplayed AT&T's (the exclusive carrier of the iPhone in the US) culpability in forcing Apple to remove the apps by stating that they sell BlackBerries which can download the Google Voice application.

Despite being the rejected as a native application, Google Voice is still accessible by going though the iPhone's Safari browser. This is the same route iPhone owners have to go through to access Google Latitude as requested by Apple. This did not provide any solace for the frustrated developer of the Google Voice app however and he has released the application on the unofficial app store Cydia, available on jailbroken iPhones.

Steven also highlights that Apple still allows apps that let iPhone users send free texts to remain in the store. He also says that it is not only the developers who suffer from Apple's authoritarianism, but the iPhone users who are missing out on the great software available to other smartphone users.

Steven is not the only well known tech-celebrity to publicly denounce his iPhone.

Popular technology blog founder -TechCrunch- and creator of the Crunchpad web tablet Michael Arrington has also revealed in a post today that he is terminating his contract with AT&T and switching his iPhone to a myTouch 3G (a.k.a the HTC Magic). His reason: also not being able to use Google Voice.

Michael's public announcement was supported by sentiments of the readers who agree with his reasons as well as rival tech blog Gizmodo, who have also condemned Apple's approval process.

Steven is switching to a Palm Pre and he has sworn off buying any gadgets that carry the iPhone OSX (including the rumored Apple Tablet) and it is only a matter of time before the news of more people giving up the iPhone for similar reasons spreads.

Is the company that created the iPhone able to survive the seemingly unending PR nightmare? How long will the house of Apple stand before it comes crumbling down?

Source:

this is stevenf.com

TechCrunch - I Quit The iPhone

Gizmodo - GV Mobile Google Voice App Available For Free On The iPhone via Cydia

Gizmodo - Apple's Chickenshit Approval Process Has Gone Too Far

Firmware Update Out Now For iPhone Fixes Vulnerability

By Benedict Wee

The latest iPhone update (3.0.1) is now out and it fixes all that nasty hijacking via text madness reported on Thursday. Best get it soon, don't want your iPhone to go all zombie on you and your friend's now do ya?

Samsung Chip Would Give New iPhones That Extra "S"

By Benedict Wee

Samsung and Intrinsity have developed a new chip similar to the one the iPhone 3GS currently runs with an improved speed of 1GHz. Code-named "Hummingbird", the chip could power Apple's next iPhone which currently runs on a 600MHz Samsung processor.

They aren't the first 1GHz chip makers however, Qualcomm announced their processor earlier this year and it powers Toshiba's TG01 smartphone which runs Windows Mobile 6.1, recently released in the UK and Japan markets.

In addition to the new iPhone, expect such fast speeds to be commonplace in Android, Palm and WinMo 6.5 running mobiles as early as next year.

I've suddenly lost the urge to purchase any smartphones, best wait for these fast ones to be announced.

Source:

cnet - Samsung chip hits 1GHz. Is it bound for the iPhone?

Hijack All The iPhones In The World By Texting

By Benedict Wee

Cybersecurity researchers Charlie Miller and Collin Mulliner have found a dangerous flaw in the way the iPhone handles text messages that could potentially be used by malicious hackers to take control of Apple's smartphone just by sending it a text containing a single square character.

This cipher will allow whoever sends it the ability to call people, surf websites and turn on the microphone and cameras remotely, basically taking over the iPhone's every function. This also means that hackers will be able to send the square character through a controlled iPhone to other iPhones, spreading the bug.

Miller recommends that you turn off your iPhone immediately should you receive a text such as this to prevent your mobile from being infected.

The researches have also found a bug that could disconnect you from your telco's wireless network on both the iPhone and Android-running mobile phones for 10 seconds. This process can be done repeatedly to keep the mobile off the network.

While they've reported the two vulnerabilities to Apple over a month ago, the iPhone maker has yet to release a patch to fix this potentially disastrous problem. Google however, have. Apparently the iPhone is not just bad for business people, it's bad for everyone! I'm wondering why Apple is being so complacent about their easy-to-hack smartphone, used by millions of people round the world.

Miller and Mulliner have also found a similar text bug that can remote control Windows Mobile phones, though they've yet to inform Microsoft of the vulnerability.

Source:

Forbes.com - How To Hijack 'Every iPhone In The World'

iPhone 3GS Is Bad For Business People

By Benedict Wee

A recent article in Wired has talked about how the encryption of Apple's new iPhone can easily be broken into within two minutes with readily available software found on the internet.

Jonathan Zdziarski -an iPhone developer and hacker- compared the weak security measures of the iPhone to that of putting an answer code next to an encrypted message:

"It is kind of like storing all your secret messages right next to the secret decoder ring. I don't think any of us (developers) have ever seen encryption implemented so poorly before, which is hard to describe why it's such a big threat to security."

The iPhone 3GS has been touted by Apple to be enterprise-friendly compared to its pervious iterations the iPhone and iPhone 3G. Add this to the mobile's easy to use interface and it would compel businesses to purchase the mobile for their employees but Zdziarski says that it is as easy to access sensitive information (such as credit card numbers) from the 3GS as it was the previous models as the mobile automatically decrypts its own data when it is extracted. No effort is done on the part of the hacker at all to decode the information.

All it takes to retrieve the information is to steal the iPhone and use free jailbreaking software (these are used by many to install an unofficial application store in order to download apps which Apple might not approve of due to trademark issues or violations of Apple policy) readily available on the internet to extract the data. This takes as little as 2 minutes with retrieving the entire contents of the phone in about 45.

In addition to the weak encrypting feature, the article talks about how easy it would be for developers of legitimate applications to sneak in malicious code for their programs despite Apples tough screening process. A good example is the Lyrics application which allows you to read lyrics -including swear words- found in certain songs. This was originally rejected by Apple but the developer found a way to hide the option of making the profanity available.

Apple big-boss Steve Jobs is not worried however as he admitted that there is a remote kill switch for the iPhone which is able to delete an application remotely by triggering a command. There is a similar option for iPhone users who subscribe to Apple's MobileMe service which allows them to remotely delete their information on their iPhone via PC but Zdziarski says that circumventing that measure is as easy as removing the SIM card.

Source:

Wired - Hacker Says iPhone 3GS Encryption is 'Useless' for Business