The Macintosh Wizard And PC Tech Blog

iPhone Nano rumors were made a few days ago by Kevin Chang but have now been retracted by JP Morgan.  The iPhone Nano is not entirely out of the question although it may be delayed until sometime next year.  It did take over two years for the original iPhone to make its debut.

According to a rebuttal from the North America Equity Research division, “has not been able to independently confirm” Mr. Chang’s comments with a second source and also mentions that “a lower-end iPhone appearing in the near-term would be unusual and highly risky.”

Continue reading iPhone Nano Rumor Retracted JP Morgan Hints at 3G Version in 2008

Beejive’s JiveTalk for iPhone has been released, but it is an Alpha version.  Earlier reports of iPhone instant message software by Trillian Astra will not be available for several more weeks.  Since the introduction of the iPhone Developer Site a few days ago, iPhone programmers are now able to build applications according to Apple guidelines.

Beejive is the first IM client for the iPhone available for download.  The alpha version includes most IM services such as AIM AOL instant messenger, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo!, GoogleTalk and Jabber.  It remains to be seen if all of the listed services will be available in iChat once it is released.  Users may actually want to use both programs, depending on what messaging services they use most.

Continue reading JiveTalk IM for iPhone Aplha Released by Beejive

AT&T and Apple recently sent out a survey to ask iPhone users about their experiences while using the phone.  This is in preperation for what both companies may be able to do in the future, to entice more switchers.  Several key questions of the survey are about EDGE performance.  EDGE is a lower end data transfer system that is being used rather than the 3G, that most thought would come with the iPhone.  Also asked was how well users rated performance while using “iChat,” which as we know, is not an application installed by default on the iPhone.

Continue reading iPhone Survery From AT&T Hints At iChat

iPhone users and testers alike agree that a major function missing from the iPhone application line up is instant messaging or chat software.  Rumors abound about what Apple has in store for its iPhone customers, when they decide to release the first firmware update.  iPhone customers that must have the latest and greatest have yet another option.  This option lies in the alpha version (pre-beta and no where near gm or golden master) of Trillian Astra software from Cerulean Studios.  They say that this software has been “designed for iPhone, it doesn’t just happen to work with it.”  Apparently, they got the memo from yesterday’s report of the iPhone Developer Web Site.

The picture above shows the interface for the new Trillian Astra application.  The program does look to be nicely designed and its interface is compact, which fits the screen well.  The result is a single screen showing text conversations.  The software updates your contact list and message windows, and enables the text messaging function as long as the Safari window is open.

Continue reading iPhone IM Software Trillian Astra

Apple decided yesterday to launch an iPhone developer web site.  It outlines what developers should do to make their applications compatible with the Safari web browser.  This new web site is part of the Apple Developer Connection.

Developers that want to make applications for the iPhone currently have the only option to make a Safari Web browser add-on.  The Web 2.0 approach allows applications to look and act like the programs that are already built into the iPhone.

 Apple says that by building applications this way, information is shared and integrates with other iPhone applications and services.  These include making a phone call, sending an email, and displaying a location in Google Maps.

The guidelines on the new Apple Developer web site provide several categories such as Understanding User-iPhone Interaction; Use Standards and Tried-and-True Design Practices; Integrate with Phone, Maps, and Mail; Optimize for Page Readability; Ensure a Great Audio and Video Experience; Know What Safari Supports on iPhone; Connect With other Web Developers.

 The Safari add-on application lock down Apple said in January at the Worldwide Developers Conference is to maintain the security of the iPhone.  This move, however, is a double edged sword.  There are many other cell phone developers that are allowed to make whatever programs they want.  Sony Ericsson, Nokia, Palm and Microsoft see this as a potential stay of execution for them in maintaining sales of their phones and operating systems.  It remains to be seen in how ingenious the Apple iPhone developers can be programming for Safari.  Via PCWorld.

In a recent article from a German regional newspaper, Deutsche Telekom AG’s T-Mobile division has contracted a deal to sell Apple’s iPhone in Germany starting November 1.  It is reported that T-Mobile won the bid at the last minute from Europe’s largest mobile phone operator, Vodafone according to Rheinischen Post newspaper on Wendesday.

 The iPhone is to be sold for 450 Euro or $613 USD.  The article itself cited unnamed sources from within the business community.

T-Mobile has yet to comment on what it says is a rumor and has noted that Vodafone and the Carphone Warehouse Group PLC have also been linked to possible iPhone deals in previous news reports.

The European cell phone market is fragmented, so this means that there will be several operators to distribute the iPhone.  There are however, several key points to Apple’s distributor contracts, that may require operators to share portions of their revenues from iPhone sales.  This may mean that larger operators may not want to give up the revenue to carry a single product.

 Apple is expected to launch the iPhone in Europe in the fourth quarter of 2007 but has laid out no further details at this time.  Source is MacWorld.