Apple
Voice search for iPhone
"The newly designed application introduces a new, more compelling consumer and search experience. Through Nuance speech recognition servers, mobile consumers — with no training required — can simply speak requests into their phone like “Find the Apple store in Boston, Massachusetts,” “Score of the Boston Celtics game,” or “Play Hannah Montana Best of Both Worlds” to quickly and accurately search the mobile web or in the future dictate an IM, SMS or e-mail message. The prototype, code-named “OVS” for open voice search, will allow mobile operators to offer simple ‘say anything’ search capabilities and is search engine agnostic, able to link to any search engine of an operator’s choosing."
Eventually features such as Mobile Messaging would be incorporated.
With speech and its advanced predictive text technologies, Nuance mobile messaging solutions let users enter text for email, SMS or IM in a simple and intuitive way: By voice. For example:
Say “Send email to Mark Smith… Mark, a car service will pick you up at LAX today at 3pm” or “Send SMS to Ian Griffith…’Ian, let’s meet in the client’s lobby to discuss the presentation 20 minutes after noon today.” Then, “Send message.”
Its only the beginning. Blackberry, Palm and Windows Mobile versions are already vailable at www.nuance.com
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The Real Deal about the 3G
***Confidential AT&T Information. For Internal Distribution Only.***
AT&T and Apple today announced that the iPhone 3G will be available in the U.S on July 11. iPhone 3G combines three products into one small, lightweight device: a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod, and it puts the Internet in your pocket with the best e-mail, web browsing, search and maps applications ever on a mobile phone.
The new version of the iPhone harnesses the power of AT&T's broad and powerful 3G mobile broadband network, which offers 3G mobile phones download speeds of up to 1.4 Mbps.
Key Device Features:
Operates on Wi-Fi, EDGE, and 3G networks
New enterprise e-mail capability with support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
New iPhone software development kit (SDK) to support new innovative applications
Note: 2G iPhone customers will be able to download the iPhone 2.0 software from iTunes which enables new features such as access to corporate e-mail via Microsoft ActiveSync.
New Activation Process and BRE:
The iPhone 3G will be activated at point of sale when the device is purchased, in store. The BRE period will change from 14 days to 30 days and will require the device to be returned to place of purchase before service is cancelled.
Pricing and Plans
Device Pricing:
$199 8GB and $299 16GB for new activations and qualified upgrades with 2-year agreement.
Data Plans and Pricing:
The iPhone 3G will be activated on existing AT&T voice rate plans, but new data plans have been created for the 3G device.
All iPhone 3G customers are required to have one of the new data plans and qualifying voice plan.
Customers intending to use the iPhone 3G for access to corporate e-mail, business applications, or access to corporate intranet are required to activate with Enterprise Data Plan for iPhone.
The 2G data rate plans will remain available for 2G devices until further notice.
IRU service discounts for both voice and data pans will apply to iPhone 3G, but not 2G iPhone.
CRU service discounts for voice and data will apply to both 2G and 3G, when on a qualifying data plan.
IRUs will not get a discount on device purchase for 2G or iPhone 3Gs.
Data Pricing will be as follows:
Consumer Data Plan (must be added to qualified voice plan):
$30 - Unlimited Data (E-mail/Web), includes Visual Voicemail
Enterprise Data Plan (must be added to qualified voice plan):
$45 – Unlimited Data with personal and corporate e-mail, web, includes Visual Voicemail
Upgrade Eligibility and Qualified Upgrade Pricing
Upgrade eligibility will be determined based on standard upgrade eligibility rules. Customers must be upgrade eligible to receive the qualified upgrade pricing. However, not all customers will be qualified upgrades. AT&T has not determined the price of the 3G device for non-qualified upgrades.
All customers will be required to sign a 2-year agreement. There will not be a "no commitment" price for the iPhone 3G.
Note: When the 3G device launches, all active postpaid customers in good standing with a 2G iPhone will be eligible to receive the qualified upgrade pricing for a 3G device regardless of service tenure. (Customers that would not otherwise be eligible due to tenure will be made eligible at launch).
Activation Process
The new 3G device will be activated in store in both AT&T and Apple stores. Customers must accept AT&T and Apple Ts & Cs, sign a 2-year agreement, and select the data plan for the iPhone 3G before leaving the store. The current iTunes activation process will no longer be required for iPhone 3Gs, however a short tether process to unbrick the 3G device will be performed in all AT&T stores (tether cords will be provided). Apple stores will also perform this tether process, however in the event that a customer's device is not tethered in the Apple store, their device will be inoperable until they get home and tether through iTunes. Prepaid and Pick Your Plan will not be allowed on the 3G device.
The SSK has been modified to allow customers interested in the iPhone 3G to enter their information, select rate plans and data plans, and print a document that will allow COR reps to quickly access the customer's information in OPUS and save time for data entry in the activation process.
Note: In the interim, 2G iPhones will continue to be activated via iTunes - BAU. This is also true for existing AT&T customers who receive a 2G device as a gift, hand-me-down, etc. and wish to activate the device. Existing AT&T customers who switch to the 2G iPhone must tether through the iTunes process to begin using the device.
Compensation
Because the 3G device will be activated in store, compensation for the 3G device will be BAU. COR reps will receive compensation for upgrades and new activations with a 2-year agreement.
Purchase Limit
The device purchase limit will remain three (3) per customer for iPhone 3G in AT&T stores.
Allocations
If allocations are required at launch, supply chain will allocate based on January-April sales rates applied on a store-by-store basis.
Direct Fulfillment
The DF tool will be available at launch in COR for iPhone 3Gs. Customers will be required to pay for the device when the order is placed and the phone will be shipped to the store in the customer's name.
Existing Stock of 2G Devices
We will continue to sell 2G devices until stock is depleted.
Return Policy
2G Devices
Customers who recently purchased a 2G iPhone may want to return their device once they hear about the 3G model and price point, but the new device will not be available immediately. Since the announcement and launch will be about 30 days apart, we could lose some customers who are within their BRE period and want to return their device before their 14 days expires and wait for the new 3G device. We must acknowledge and address their desire to get the best device for them.
Here's how AT&T will handle 2G iPhone returns:
If a customer purchased before 5/27, we will follow BAU processes – no device returns. However, all postpaid 2G iPhone customers in good standing are upgrade eligible, so these customers will qualify to upgrade to a 3G iPhone when it is available.
If a customer purchased on or after 5/27 (within the 14-day BRE period before the product announcement on 6/9), we will let them exchange their 2G iPhone for an iPhone 3G before August 1. This means that after we launch the 3G model they can return their 2G iPhone, pay the 10% restocking fee, and purchase a new iPhone 3G before August 1.
Note: This modified return policy applies only to customers who purchase from AT&T stores.
3G Devices
The return policy for 3G is changing from 14 days to 30 days for both Apple and AT&T stores.
To cancel service within the first 30 days, the customer must return their equipment to the place of purchase (no exceptions).
If the customer cancels service after 30 days, they will be charged the ETF. The customer is not required to return the device to cancel after 30 days.
Special Notes Regarding 2G Devices
After the iPhone 3G launches, activations of 2G iPhones for new AT&T customers can be performed in COR stores or in the existing iTunes tether process. COR reps will receive compensation for activations of new AT&T customers done in store.
2G upgrades will continue to be activated via the existing iTunes tether process.
Existing 2G data plans will remain available for 2G devices until further notice.
Note: 2G iPhones are out of stock in the DCs, and the Direct Fulfillment tool for 2G is turned off. 2G iPhones have been removed from the "myRewards" incentive catalog.
Their rate plans are as follows:
With a two-year contract, the price of an 8GB iPhone 3G will be $199; the 16GB model will be priced at $299.
Unlimited iPhone 3G data plans for consumers will be available for $30 a month, in addition to voice plans starting at $39.99 a month.
Unlimited 3G data plans for business users will be available for $45 a month, in addition to a voice plan.
No mention of any included SMS messaging but we guess that it will be extra.
Episode Zero for The Lounge Magazine
Episode Zero for the Lounge Magazine from Carlos Phoenix on Vimeo.
Other download versions:
iPhone - Apple TV - Cellular iPhone - Cell Phone
The iphone has just taken off its clown suit and showed off its tux and introduced itself as Bond
Yesterday Apple reintroduced the iPhone. How? By showing all of us that it is not a phone, nor smartphone. It is a miniature computing/ communications device. They showed us some skin by flashing us some insight to what is inside the OS of the phone, in the end it was understood that the iPhone is really more like a thinned out full OS, making it like the Macbook AIR for the pocket.
Apple turned over the SDK for software developers, to unleash havoc in the cellular work and relief to the business world.
For starters, the licensed the active sync protocol for Outlook exchange capabilities. What does that mean for business? Well syncing with the office is more like it, your email gets pushed to your phone like the blackberry, your contacts are synced across the U.S. even as your secretary is adding numbers to your contact list in the office computer, it shows up instantly on your cell, so you have the latest info. A new meeting? Your secretary adds it to your office computer (with Outlook) and you corporate Exchange server sends the latest calendar info to your phone instantly.
Software: Um what can i say? 3D gaming, and robust apps have access to some of the latest technologies Apple has to offer. Apple has added SQLite to handle database type apps which will offer some heavy duty capabilities. Apple also has permitted access for the applications to the camera, address book, calendar, and wireless features to that anyone can create applications that can do all sorts of fun or serious things. For example, Apple demonstrated the ability to play games by using movement of the phone with its accelerometer, and 3D like sound so if you are playing a game with headphones you can hear when something is behind you without needing 5.1 surround. The question is weather you can use the video output to watch the game you are playing on an HD screen?
This will be a phone game changer, with near laptop capabilities for the traveler ( like the macbook Air) Apple is introducing a new way people interact with technology. It will take years for any mobile phone manufacturer who have been making "iPhone killers" to out maneuver this move by Apple.
All I can say is with the combination of Business apps, and network capabilities, and mobile entertainment, (games, movie rentals, podcasts) which for the first time , can connect you to your office and home in ways that no one has ever thought of.
Sit back and enjoy the revolution.
Apple Macbook AIR?
01/13/08 01:16 AM Filed in:
Technology | Apple
Banners have been placed at the Mac Expo stating that "Some thing is in the air" leaving some to believe in some new wireless technology. It could be the upgrade to the 3G iPhone, which i don't think it is, at least not big enough to make banners about it. Some speculate new laptops with WiMaxx technology with is faster than any 3G network running today, and that Intel has been pushing into the market since last year. Sprint has been attempting to launch their WiMaxx Network with limited results.
Macworld.com then posted the possibility of the Macbook Air saying:
I've heard various whispers about the new thin MacBook. Here are a few additional tidbits and confirmations about what might be coming from Apple on Tuesday.
- A slim notebook, but not a "sub notebook"
- 13.3" screen
- Not a "Pro" machine
- External Optical Drive
- It will be called the MacBook Air
A reminder, though, that Apple has been known to seed people with false specs/designs, so these whispers may not be accurate... but we believe they are.
So we will soon find out. Keep it here. We will let you know.
The iPhone that isn't an iPhone that can be an iPhone
Thanks to VOIP technology, our beloved internet and the iPod Touch, you may now be able to take advantage of making calls with it.
First you will need a microphone for the Touch, such as the Macally iVoiceIII . Then you will need a soldering iron to solder one wire on the Mmicrophone circuit board.
Thanks to Rob.tc, we gives us some good instructions here. Basically you will need the solder a wire to two connectors within the device. Once that is done you will need the "SIP/VOIP app for the iPod Touch. You should know that it does not require jailbreaking the Touch to work, and no soldering on the Touch is needed.
Now this will allow you to make calls using your wifi access. The quality of the call is something we will consider testing and finding out. Remember that you will also need to use your headphones to hear the call.
New Ipods coming, touchscreen and larger drives.
09/04/07 08:58 PM Filed in:
Apple
This is an unofficial announcement of what is to be the new ipods. Rumored for months if not longer, it has been quite some time that a new design of an ipod has come to light. Apple announced a special event to a limited audience and of course they never mention what it can be. Well just about everything has been updated, except the beloved ipod. So here we have some images of the new ipod interface which we believe to be touchscreen based. The event is officially tomorrow, but its so much fun to talk about it before the fact.
Thinksecret says that the ipod will look like the iphone and have drives as large as 120GB. They also say "The rumormill has been ripe with other feature speculation surrounding the new iPod, some more far-fetched than others. While it is possible the new iPod will be the first to pack some sort of wireless capability, suggestions of digital radio playback should be taken with a grain of salt.
Apple's new iPod nano, meanwhile, will gain much of the same functionality as Apple's current 5.5G iPod, including video playback and a higher resolution 320x240 pixel display. The nano will remain Flash-based, with capacities expected to top out at 12GB or 16GB, in keeping with rival product offerings."
All we can say is we will soon find out. Then buy one. Chances are they will be available for purchase starting tomorrow.
New iMacs, New iWorks, New iLife
08/07/07 02:30 PM Filed in:
Apple
Apple has announced some great new products today. The new products start with a new look for the iMacs. They are now metallic and glass more beautiful than ever, with upgrades including : 2.4GHz Core 2 Extreme processor, up to 4GB of memory. ATI Radeon HD graphics card, up to 1TB of hard drive storage. 802.11n and Bluetooth 2.0 built-in. What models will they have? Up until now, 17-inch, 20-inch, and 24-inch. Well, today we're replacing the 24-inch, lowering price by $200, 20-inch at same $1499. replacing 17-inch with $1199 model.
The new applications are still being announced so we will update all the great info shortly.
Ok More on the iPhone, But if you have one this is a gift for you.
07/27/07 10:31 AM Filed in:
Apple
So by now you must know that in the first few weeks Apple and AT&T sold over 700,000 iPhones. And if you have been following this site we have shown plenty of iPhone programs that are internet based. So in keeping with this tradition he is another list of apps and fun things you can do with you phone.
iPhone Widget List - The Master List of iPhone Widgets and iPhone Applications
Mock Dock Iphone Call launcher
Gridgets A few apps
Leaflets: iPhone apps that grow on you. NY Times, Flicker, RSS feeds.
PocketTweets: Twitter For Your iPhone When you want to let everyone know what you are doing.
hahlo.com - twitter for the iPhone Another Twitter app that works with the Twitter network.
beejive :: JiveTalk mobile messaging A IM client.
FlickIM - iPhone based AIM Instant Messaging and Chat An IM Client.
iPhoneChat - iChat for iPhone in JavaScript An IM Client.
iPhone Interface in JavaScript DIGG client.
m.heysan.com Use AOL, Yahoo(coming soon), MSN, ICQ messengers