Chrysler Cars With In-Car Internet and WiFi This Year; Road Safety Stats Set to Plummet

Chrysler has announced its intention to bring internet access to its vehicles. The functionality will be added to existing models this year, and will be followed by assembly line produced, internet ready automobiles. The connections will rely on mobile phone towers and a monthly subscription charge will be levied on those taking up the service. Talking about the development, a Chrysler spokesperson said:

“We want to make the radio itself a WiFi port,” whatever the hell a WiFi port is. We’re guessing the spokesperson meant WiFi connectivity will be coming using a modified internal radio. Whether Chrysler will trick out their own navigation systems with an internet browser to make use of the functionality is not clear, but using WiFi instead of EDGE on your iPhone whilst driving has got to be a help, even if it isn’t great for general road safety. [Washington Post]

iPhone SDK Downloads Top 100,000 in Just Four Days. RIM, Microsoft Watch in Horror
It seems like only yesterday Apple’s servers were overwhelmed by the unbridled lust of developers, feverishly downloading the newly released iPhone SDK, going offline and back again like cheap Christmas tree lights. Today Apple is reporting that over 100,000 SDK downloads have been made in a span of just four days. That’s amazing considering that […]

Huffington Post: New York Apple Stores running out of iPhones?

Filed under: iPhone

If you were planning to buy an iPhone at one of the three New York Apple Stores, then you might be out of luck. According to The Huffington Post, the SoHo, 59th Street (5th Avenue Store), and new W 14th Street locations are all sold out of this hot little phone.

At the 59th Street store, an Apple employee was quoted saying, “You can always go online.” So, if you are looking for an iPhone in NY, you might be left only two options: AT&T stores, or Apple’s online store.

Update: the online US Apple Store is showing “5-7 days” shipping time for both the 8 and 16 GB models.

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Apple settles “millions of colors” class-action lawsuit
Apple has settled with two professional photographers who had charged the company with falsely advertising the quality and capabilities of its MacBook and MacBook Pro notebook displays. The out-of-court settlement, for which terms were not disclo…

iPhone Pic of the Day

Filed under: Cult of Mac, Odds and ends, iPhone

Happy Birthday to international iPhone hacker of mystery Nicholas “Drudge” Penree–but props to Drudge’s girlfriend. She put together this iPhone-themed cake, complete with it’s tell-tale jailbroken Installer.app icon. It looks too beautiful to eat but we’re told the cake was delicious. The silvery bits on the side of the phone/cake were created from edible paint. Mmmm. iPhone.

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First iPhone Developer acceptances confirmed

Filed under: iPod Family, Developer, iPhone

TUAW has finally been able to confirm actual acceptances into the $99 iPhone developer program. This is what we have been able to learn:

The accepted developers were apparently among the first to apply. Rather than wait for the SDK to download, many of the developers applied as soon as they saw the application page.

The accepted developers previously received the rejection letter (aka what Mike beautifully calls the “limbogram”). While the acceptance letter arrived this morning, developers reportedly received their initial rejections as early as the first Friday after applying.

The acceptances appear to be random. One lucky developer noted his surprise that he, with essentially no iPhone coding background, was accepted while experienced, well-known Mac software houses were rejected.

The program is firewalled. Unless you are authorized, you will not get access to Apple’s documentation and support site.

Five iPhone limit. For anyone hoping to find a back door way to distribute software, tough luck. You may develop for up to five iPhones and that’s it. So no distribution sans Apple.

Test devices are iBricks — so to speak. Adding the pre-release iPhone OS to your iPhone seems to kill actual phone functionality. Update: We have unconfirmed reports that some developer phones continue to work as expected; as soon as we can clarify this we will.

TUAW congratulates the lucky developers who got into the program. If you got your happy note this morning and have more to add, let us know in the comments or use our tip line for confidentiality. Update: Unless you submit a working email address with your tip, we cannot get back to you. (Hint hint, T.W.)

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Aloisson iPhone Costs $176K, Your Dignity

As a rule, stuff that retails for $499 should not be embellished with 17.75 carats of diamonds, set in 18k white gold and then priced at $176,400. Nonetheless, Peter Aloisson has done exactly that to create the Aloisson designed iPhone. The treatment makes it the most expensive iPhone in the handset’s relatively short history. That’s great and all, but even if you do have more money than I have vacant aerial hair follicles, don’t do it—save your dignity. Paris! Save your dig—hmm, that’d be a pointless plea. Catch another shot after the jump.

[Luxury Launches]

iPhone 2.0 Update Available for Free in June, Touch Users Get to Pay Up (Again)

All of the awesomeness you’ve been reading about—from an AIM client to Enterprise goodness—will be coming your way in June with the final 2.0 software update. For free! Unless you’ve gotta an iPod touch, then due to those nefarious “accounting practices” you have to pay to get the update. Again! ($20? less? more? You should’ve just gotten the phone, asshole.)

Apple Announces iPhone 2.0 Software Beta Includes SDK & Built-in Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync

CUPERTINO, Calif., March 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Apple(R) today previewed its iPhone(TM) 2.0 software, scheduled for release this June, and announced the immediate availability of a beta release of the software to selected developers and enterprise customers. The iPhone 2.0 beta release includes both the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK) as well as new enterprise features such as support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync to provide secure, over-the-air push email, contacts and calendars as well as remote wipe, and the addition of Cisco IPsec VPN for encrypted access to private corporate networks.

“We’re excited about creating a vibrant third party developer community with potentially thousands of native applications for iPhone and iPod touch,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPhone’s enterprise features combined with its revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface and advanced software architecture provide the best user experience and the most advanced software platform ever for a mobile device.”

The iPhone SDK provides developers with a rich set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and tools to create innovative applications for iPhone and iPod(R) touch. Starting today, anyone can download the beta iPhone SDK for free and run the iPhone Simulator on their Mac(R). Apple today also introduced its new iPhone Developer Program, giving developers everything they need to create native applications, and the new App Store, a breakthrough way for developers to wirelessly deliver their applications to iPhone and iPod touch users.

With the iPhone SDK, third party developers will be able to build native applications for the iPhone with a rich set of APIs, including programming interfaces for Core OS, Core Services, Media and Cocoa Touch technologies. The iPhone SDK will allow developers to create amazing applications that leverage the iPhone’s groundbreaking Multi-Touch(TM) user interface, animation technology, large storage, built-in three-axis accelerometer and geographical location technology to deliver truly innovative mobile applications.

Apple has licensed Exchange ActiveSync from Microsoft and is building it right into the iPhone, so that iPhone will connect out-of-the-box to Microsoft Exchange Servers 2003 and 2007 for secure over-the-air push email, contacts, calendars and global address lists. Built-in Exchange ActiveSync support also enables security features such as remote wipe, password policies and auto-discovery. The iPhone 2.0 software supports Cisco IPsec VPN to ensure the highest level of IP-based encryption available for transmission of sensitive corporate data, as well as the ability to authenticate using digital certificates or password-based, multi-factor authentication. The addition of WPA2 Enterprise with 802.1x authentication enables enterprise customers to deploy iPhone and iPod touch with the latest standards for protection of Wi-Fi networks.

The iPhone 2.0 software provides a configuration utility that allows IT administrators to easily and quickly set up many iPhones, including password policies, VPN setting, installing certificates, email server settings and more. Once the configuration is defined it can be easily and securely delivered via web link or email to the user. To install, all the user has to do is authenticate with a user ID or password, download the configuration and tap install. Once installed, the user will have access to all their corporate IT services.

The iPhone 2.0 software release will contain the App Store, a new application that lets users browse, search, purchase and wirelessly download third party applications directly onto their iPhone or iPod touch. The App Store enables developers to reach every iPhone and iPod touch user. Developers set the price for their applications — including free — and retain 70 percent of all sales revenues. Users can download free applications at no charge to either the user or developer, or purchase priced applications with just one click. Enterprise customers will be able to create a secure, private page on the App Store accessible only by their employees. Apple will cover all credit card, web hosting, infrastructure and DRM costs associated with offering applications on the App Store. Third party iPhone and iPod touch applications must be approved by Apple and will be available exclusively through the App Store.

The iPhone SDK provides a reliable, fast and secure way to create innovative applications for the iPhone and iPod touch. In addition to the rich set of iPhone OS APIs, the iPhone SDK also provides advanced tools for creating native iPhone and iPod touch applications including: Xcode(R) for source code editing, project management and graphical debugging; Interface Builder with drag and drop interface creation and live preview; Instruments to monitor and optimize iPhone application performance in real time; and the iPhone Simulator to run and debug applications.

During the beta iPhone SDK program, a limited number of developers will be accepted into Apple’s new iPhone Developer Program and offered the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing. The Standard Program costs $99 (US) per year and gives members an iPhone SDK and development tools; access to pre-release iPhone software; technical support; the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing; and distribution of applications via the new App Store. The Enterprise Program costs $299 (US) per year.

In addition to these new iPhone network and security features, the beta iPhone 2.0 software provides several new Mail features such as the ability to view PowerPoint attachments, in addition to Word and Excel, as well as the ability to mass delete and move email messages.

Pricing & Availability

Apple plans to release the final iPhone 2.0 software, including the iPhone SDK and new enterprise features, as a free software update for all iPhone customers by the end of June. Third party applications created for the iPhone will also run on the iPod touch, and iPod touch users will be required to purchase a software update to run these applications. The free beta iPhone SDK is available immediately worldwide and can be downloaded at developer.apple.com/iphone/program. The iPhone Developer Program will initially be available in the US and will expand to other countries in the coming months. Apple is accepting applications beginning today from enterprise customers who would like to join the private iPhone Enterprise Beta Program (http://www.apple.com/iphone/enterprise).

iPhone SDK Beta 2 Now Available

Potential iPhone developers should go and grab the latest release of the SDK, beta 2, and revel in the new Interface Builder. Make your own fancy UIs for your iPhone game, or maybe just make an improved iFartz. We’re cool with either. [Apple via Macworld]

iPhone has the potential to take over handheld gaming

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Gaming, Multimedia, Apple, iPhone

Roughly Drafted has a nice, long analysis of the iPhone as a gaming device, and they hit on a lot of great reasons why the iPhone seems destined to be a great gaming platform. Not only will it have the hardware chops to play games (including a few input devices that no other handheld gaming consoles have ever had), but Apple’s SDK implementation, when it finally gets off the ground in June anyway, seems poised to let almost anyone develop any game ideas they have for the device.

Throw in a great distribution platform and a relative lack of competition on the handheld platform (Nintendo is undoubtedly working on a successor to the DS, but other than that, there are no real next-generation contenders so far), and Apple apparently has the potential to do very well in the gaming market.

In fact, the only problem that Apple might bump up against in building up in the iPhone as a gaming device is the cost — at $400, it’ll be the most expensive gaming handheld out there. But given that it’s actually a smartphone, and thus actually benefits from an already installed user base (people who have the iPhone may very well be people who will have never purchased or used a handheld gaming platform before), the price may not be that big an obstacle to ownership.

And if they can build up a respectable library of game titles, they could even brand an iPod touch/phoneless iPhone as a gaming unit, and sell that at a price that would compete with Sony’s PSP and Nintendo’s DS. Apple has never historically pushed for the forefont of anything in gaming, but if their showing at the SDK event is any indication, they may be lining up to make the iPhone the place to play handheld videogames in the future.

[Via IMG]

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RadTech ProCable iPhone headset

Filed under: Accessories, iPhone

RadTech has just announced the ProCable iPhone headset. This set of in ear isolation headphones includes a mic so you can rock out to Wham! and not worry about missing a phone call (perhaps to wake you up before they go go). The ProCable headset also features a ’sound valve’ that opens up when you’re listening to music at a lower volume so you can hear what is going on around you.

The ProCable iPhone headset is available now in black and silver, and goes for $24.95.

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Microsoft eyeing potential options in iPhone development

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPhone

Over at Fortune, Jon Fortt reports on a conversation with Tom Gibbons (right), the VP in charge of Microsoft’s Specialized Devices & Applications group. SD&A is the MS umbrella that contains the Mac BU, along with projects such as Surface, Windows Embedded and Sync. Yes, Mac folk, we’ve been saying for years that we’re special, and Microsoft agrees — at least that we’re “specialized,” which is almost as good. Anyway, Gibbons had some interesting comments about MS plans for the platform of the future.

Gibbons says that for the past week a team of Microsoft engineers has been deep-diving into the SDK with an eye to “understand[ing] what we can bring to the iPhone.” In addition to the ActiveSync functionality that’s part of the forthcoming 2.0 update to the platform, it seems that MS may have some application-side ambitions for the iPhone as well. Considering that the Mac BU is a tidy and profitable division for Microsoft (Fortt guesstimates Mac app revenues for Microsoft at $350 million with $200M in annual profits, which strikes me as high-side but certainly not out of the realm of possibility), the opportunity to extend desktop productivity dominance to more corners of the mobile space (beyond the existing Windows Mobile installed base) must be quite appealing.

Still, there’s another quote from Gibbons that underlines Microsoft’s perceptions of the iPhone’s impact (emphasis mine): “To the extent that Mac Office customers have functionality that they need in [the iPhone] environment, we’re… trying to understand that now.” Possibly an honest estimation, maybe a deliberate shading, but anyone who looks at the iPhone market and thinks that Mac users = iPhone owners is operating in a slightly different reality than most of us. Memo to Tom G: Your Windows Office customers are going to want iPhone integration too, and you can take that to the bank.

[via Techmeme]

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Microsoft eyeing potential options in iPhone development

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPhone

Over at Fortune, Jon Fortt reports on a conversation with Tom Gibbons (right), the VP in charge of Microsoft’s Specialized Devices & Applications group. SD&A is the MS umbrella that contains the Mac BU, along with projects such as Surface, Windows Embedded and Sync. Yes, Mac folk, we’ve been saying for years that we’re special, and Microsoft agrees — at least that we’re “specialized,” which is almost as good. Anyway, Gibbons had some interesting comments about MS plans for the platform of the future.

Gibbons says that for the past week a team of Microsoft engineers has been deep-diving into the SDK with an eye to “understand[ing] what we can bring to the iPhone.” In addition to the ActiveSync functionality that’s part of the forthcoming 2.0 update to the platform, it seems that MS may have some application-side ambitions for the iPhone as well. Considering that the Mac BU is a tidy and profitable division for Microsoft (Fortt guesstimates Mac app revenues for Microsoft at $350 million with $200M in annual profits, which strikes me as high-side but certainly not out of the realm of possibility), the opportunity to extend desktop productivity dominance to more corners of the mobile space (beyond the existing Windows Mobile installed base) must be quite appealing.

Still, there’s another quote from Gibbons that underlines Microsoft’s perceptions of the iPhone’s impact (emphasis mine): “To the extent that Mac Office customers have functionality that they need in [the iPhone] environment, we’re… trying to understand that now.” Possibly an honest estimation, maybe a deliberate shading, but anyone who looks at the iPhone market and thinks that Mac users = iPhone owners is operating in a slightly different reality than most of us. Memo to Tom G: Your Windows Office customers are going to want iPhone integration too, and you can take that to the bank.

[via Techmeme]

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100,000 Apple iPhone SDKs Downloaded So Far

Apple says that over 100,000 iPhone software development kits have been downloaded since its celebrated unveiling on March 6, not a week ago. The announcement below is atypical of Apple: following the standard chest-puffing from execs such as worldwide marketing SVP Phil Schiller, you’ll find exec quotes from Namco, NetSuite, PopCap, Rocket Mobile, Six Apart and THQ—I suppose in alphabetical order by company. It’s more wind, to be sure, but from the feel of this announcement, it’s almost as if Apple had planned to support third-party development all along. Whatever the case, we’re looking forward to the resulting apps, both legit and, well, under the table.

iPhone SDK Downloads Top 100,000

CUPERTINO, California—March 12, 2008—Apple today announced that more than 100,000 iPhone developers have downloaded the beta iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK) in the first four days since its launch on March 6. The iPhone SDK provides developers with the same rich set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and tools that Apple uses to create its native applications for iPhone and iPod touch.

“Developer reaction to the iPhone SDK has been incredible with more than 100,000 downloads in the first four days,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “Also, over one million people have watched the launch video on Apple.com, further demonstrating the incredible interest developers have in creating applications for the iPhone.”

Apple also previewed the new App Store, a breakthrough way for developers to wirelessly deliver their applications to every iPhone and iPod touch user. Developers set the price for their applications—including free—and retain 70 percent of all sales revenues.

Leading developers such as AOL, Electronic Arts, Epocrates, salesforce.com and Sega have already demonstrated amazing applications using the SDK, and developer response continues to be phenomenal with more developers embracing the platform.

“The iPhone SDK gives us the tools we need to create powerful iPhone applications and is an important part of our overall mobile strategy,” said Rick Jensen, senior vice president, Small Business Group at Intuit. “We’re excited that the iPhone expands the ways our customers can solve key financial tasks wherever they might be.”

“We’re very excited about Apple’s new SDK and reaching every iPhone user through the new App Store,” said Scott Rubin, vice president, Sales and Marketing, Namco Networks. “We can’t wait to show off great new versions of arcade classics like PAC-MAN and Galaga that use the revolutionary features of the iPhone and iPod touch.”

“Apple’s tools have provided our development team the flexibility to make the SuitePhone application richer and deeper,” said Luke Braud, vice president, Software Development, NetSuite. “NetSuite is excited at the opportunity to give every iPhone customer access to their critical business data anytime, anywhere.”

“Apple’s become an important mobile game platform with the iPhone SDK,” said Jason Kapalka, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, PopCap. “The new SDK gives us the tools to innovate and reinvent games like Bejeweled, Zuma and Peggle. With the new App Store we can reach every iPhone and iPod touch user on the planet.”

“Seventy percent of the retail price is hands-down the best deal out there in mobile. It’s simple and motivating for developers,” said Wayne B. Yurtin, president and CEO, Rocket Mobile, Inc. “We can’t wait to get our first iPhone applications on the revolutionary App Store.”

“Six Apart pioneered the mobile blogging experience with an iPhone-optimized blog service,” said Chris Alden, CEO, Six Apart. “We’re taking it to the next level with our native iPhone application for TypePad that’s already in development.”

“The iPhone is the mobile platform game developers have been dreaming of,” said Scott Zerby, vice president, THQ Wireless. “We’re looking at how we can use the iPhone’s innovative user interface to create new game experiences for our big brand entertainment partners that consumers love.”

Pricing & Availability
The free beta iPhone SDK is available immediately worldwide and can be downloaded at developer.apple.com/iphone/program. The iPhone Developer Program will initially be available in the US and will expand to other countries in the coming months. A QuickTime video of the iPhone roadmap event is available to view at www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/iphoneroadmap.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

Adobe backs off iPhone Flash statement

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Odds and ends, Apple, iPhone

If you were one of those people who were excited that Adobe was going to apparently fight to get Flash on the iPhone, get ready to be unexcited: Adobe has decided that despite what they thought earlier, they’re not actually going to be able to get Flash on there using only the SDK from Apple. Nope, Adobe has admitted that they need Apple’s help to get it working (not a big surprise there), and since Apple isn’t really keen to help at all, odds are it’s just not going to happen.

Adobe then announced that they didn’t need your iPhone anyway, Apple, and that they hate you, Apple, and that you never let them have any fun, and that they wish you’d just die! And that they’d never been born! Then they ran to pout in the corner for a good 20 minutes, only to be seen a little while later playing with their trains like nothing had happened.

[Via Engadget]

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