It looks like Apple if starting to finally come through on their promise of expanding the iPhone’s feature set through updates. Those last two updates via iTunes have been somewhat of a disappointment - they offered nothing in the way of new features. But, as Apple Insider reports, the New York Post got wind of Apple’s plans to launch their customized iPhone ringtone service.
[Via: Into iPhone]

—
Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• iTunes Ringtones tab will allow custom ringtones for your Apple iPhone!
• iFuntastic makes adding of custom ringtones to your iPhone more manageable
• Ringtones to Require Licensing by US Copyright Office
• Send iPhone tunes to email and ringtones with Song Sender
• iFuntastic 2.1 released - now you can rearrange the main menu icons and change the AT&T logo

Tags: iphone cell phone, apple, iphone mobile phone, gadget

You know what they say. “If you’re not willing to brick your iPhone, don’t try the iPhone hardware unlocking hack.” Well, that’s more like something that we just said, but you get the picture.

Apparently, an enterprising hacker on the Hackint0sh forums wanted to give geohot’s hardware unlock hack a go on a locked iPhone. Just when he thought things were going smoothly (he got the antenna cover off and proceeded to pry off the battery cover), the iPhone just fried itself right into oblivion. A puff of smoke black smoke and a crapload of heat resulted in a partially dissected iPhone that is now good for little more than a prime example of what can go wrong when you don’t know what you’re doing around sensitive equipment.

From the forum:

“We were so happy, all the software part was done, so we started opening the iPhone. The antenna cover was a bit tricky but eventually it came off. Then we started to open the metal cover (after taking out the 3 screws) and PUFF, up it went in smoke, I think my collegue must have touched something. It literally went up in black smoke. It was so hot that when I tried to pick it up I burned my fingers. So, this is for sure the most difficult part of the whole process. I don’t know what he did, as I had just stepped out of the room to fetch something when I heard a scream…they got such a fright.”

The moral of this story? While the iPhone hardware unlocking method may be a provocative way to free yourself and your iPhone from AT&T hell, don’t try it unless you really know what you’re doing - and you’re willing to not only brick your iPhone, but fry it to a crisp as well. Wait for the software unlock! Seriously, be patient.

Still, we feel bad for the poor guy that “smoked” his iPhone.

[Via: Hackint0sh]

Best iPod speaker systems

Tags: apple, cell phone, iphone cell phone, gadget

This isn’t going to come as much of a shock to most, but T-Mobile Germany has confirmed that they have indeed been in talks with Apple over the upcoming European (specifically, German) release of the iPhone. Hamid Akhavan, CEO of T-Mobile Germany, said that they “have held talks with Apple but have nothing more to say at this time,” at a press conference.

So, aside from the almost accepted fact that T-Mobile AG will most likely be bringing the Apple iPhone to the land of fast cars and hardcore porn (what? we already mentioned the sauerkraut and Autobahn), there’s not much here that we didn’t already know. But, since there is no official word on the outcome of said negotiations, we’re going to wait for T-Mobile or Apple to announce an official deal before we declare Deutsch Telekom (which owns T-Mobile Germany) the iPhone winner in the German market.

Akhavan also stated that Apple will be bringing the iPhone to its European partners “well ahead” of the holiday shopping season - which sounds to us like a sly confirmation that T-Mo AG will indeed be part of the party. And, just to make it clear. We still have no idea what’s up with the 3G European iPhone - will it, or won’t it, make it to Europe?

[Via: Yahoo]

—
Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• European carriers commit to revenue sharing plan for Apple iPhone - T-Mobile, Orange, O2
• O2 confirmed for UK iPhone launch, coming soon - again
• Apple and Vodafone in final stages of working out iPhone exclusivity deal for European release?
• Fire up the rumor mill - Orange may have clinched iPhone exclusivity contract in France
• Germans in a frenzy over impending Apple iPhone release

Tags: iphone cell phone, apple, gadget, mobile phone

We love the iPhone’s ability to easily and quickly transfer music from our iTunes’ library. There’s nothing like a little plug and click simplicity to take any and all inconvenience out of make accessing your music a breeze. But, there’s just one little catch - you can only synchronize the music from a single computer’s iTunes library.  That is, until now.

The newest third-party native application available through the Nullriver iPhone Installer (Installer.app) is SwapTunes. Wait, you do have Installer.app installed, right? With the AppTappInstaller, there’s no excuse not to. Anyway, this nifty little app basically allows you to store two separate music libraries on your iPhone - and lets you switch between the two libraries once they’re loaded up on your iPhone. Sync your iPhone with the first iTunes library (disconnect afterwards), then run the SwapTunes app from your iPhone, then sync with the second iTunes library, and then run SwapTunes to switch between your two media libraries. It’s that simple.

SwapTunes is readily available through Installer.app on your iPhone. Find the SwapTunes.app under “Utilities” and click install.

These third-party native apps are really starting to fill in all the gaps that Apple failed to address yet. We’re rooting for all the developers out there - go out there and show Apple how it’s done!

—
Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• Apple iTunes will sync your existing data to the iPhone!
• Apple to require iTunes subscription for iPhone
• Activate your Apple iPhone from home using iTunes!
• Apple iPhone with 80GB storage capacity?
• iTunes Ringtones tab will allow custom ringtones for your Apple iPhone!

Tags: cell phone, gadget, iphone mobile phone, mobile phone

It looks like the AT&T legal hounds haven’t gotten to the guys at iPhoneSIMfree.com yet. Unlike UniquePhones‘ questionable software unlock status, iPhoneSIMfree has already clearly demonstrated, through independent means, that their software-based unlock solution truly does free the Apple iPhone from AT&T’s evil grasp.

Today they’ve released FAQ on their website in which they outline their plans to make their iPhone-unlocking software available for public consumption in just 3 days! Well, the software should be available witthin 48-72 hours, so we’re going with the three-day mark just to play it safe.

Hit up the FAQ - it’ll answer any and all questions you might have about iPhoneSIMfree.com’s software unlock for your iPhone.

Source

—
Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• Apple iPhone gets software unlocked - finally!
• Completely unlocked Apple iPhone - hardware unlock uses circuit workaround!
• Slide 2 UnLock will make your WinMo device feel like an iPhone
• Teenaged iPhone hardware unlock hacker trades unlocked iPhone for Nissan 350Z and three iPhones!
• Hardware unlock tutorial for Apple iPhone is now live!

Tags: cell phone, iphone mobile phone, iphone cell phone, gadget

We’re just throwing it out there, but we’re thinking that the Apple iPhone UI copy from Nokia and this 8 million unit order for Balda-sourced touchscreens could be related. Cellular News is reporting that Germany’s Balda has won a contract to provide 6-8 million touchscreens for an unnamed “leading mobile phone manufacturer.” Balda is the supplier for the iPhone’s touchscreens.

If Nokia is serious about replicating the same user experience that the iPhone UI has championed, it would make sense that they would source the same touchscreens that are used on the Apple iPhone itself.

Production should start in April 2008 in Xiamen, China.

We’ll keep you update on these happenings. We’re rooting for Nokia to bring an iPhone-like handset to market next year. Maybe alongside the Apple iPhone v2.0? We’ll see, we’ll see.

[Via: Cellular News]

—
Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• Nokia changes its mind - declares touchscreens as the future!
• Sony Ericsson comments the (iPhone) touchscreen
• Quanta Clinches Second Apple iPhone Contract - 5 Million iPhones Slated for September
• Fast typing on an iPhone is easy?
• Can Apple Afford To Keep iPhone A Cingular Exclusive?

Tags: iphone mobile phone, iphone apple, gadget, iphone

First Nokia courts the likes of rival Microsoft by licensing the software giant’s PlayReady DRM scheme and Windows Live applications suite for Nokia Symbian S60 devices. Now it looks like the Finnish handset leader is taking design cues from Apple. They’ve basically come out with what amounts to a Nokia-made Apple iPhone knockoff - hit the vid above to see what we’re talking about.Now, when we talk about clones and rip-offs, we’re usually referring to the sub-quality goods coming of the land of dim sum and Communism (read: China). This time around, Nokia is the one cloning the heralded Apple iPhone - and it’s a touchscreen! Not only does this phone represent Nokia’s newly-found fondness for the touchscreen, it also represents Nokia’s acceptance and admiration of the iPhone. Check out the video, it’s pretty damn familiar, eh?

And, it seems Nokia has no problem copying Apple’s design. Says Nokia’s Executive VP about the design similarities between this phone and the Apple iPhone, “If there is something good in the world then we copy with pride.”

On behalf of iPhone users worldwide, we’d like to thank Nokia for the hat tip. Who said the iPhone wasn’t revolutionary?

Update
This video is a demonstration of the UI that Nokia intends to use, not the phone hardware.

—
Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• Could Nokia be behind the anonymous order for 8 million iPhone touchscreens from Balda?
• Cnet puts the Nokia N95 and Apple iPhone in the ring - gloves off, fight on!
• iPhone availability all but evaporated at Apple Stores nationwide!
• Announcing: Into iPhone - our Apple iPhone mini-site!
• Apple launches the Apple iPhone guided tour!

Tags: cell phone, iphone cell phone, iphone apple, mobile phone

This looks awesome…

Tags: iphone, iphone mobile phone, iphone apple, cell phone

Apple is one lucky company to have all those fans making iPhone apps without an official SDK. Now, a guy claims he has figured out how to use the iPhone’s accelerometer in applications. What follows is the short video demoing some wacky stuff and games, which use the accelerometer for controlling objects on the screen. On the second though, this might be the pre-recorded video and such things are still not possible. Who knows…

UPDATE: It seems this is the real thing. The guy who made this video posted the source code!

[Via: Gizmodo]

—
Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• iPhone to support 3rd party apps!
• iPhone SDK to be announced at WWDC?
• Hello World - First REAL iPhone 3rd party app is here
• Two iPhone finder 3rd party apps available
• First 3rd party iPhone app available?

Tags: iphone mobile phone, iphone cell phone, gadget, iphone apple

It’s kinda boring to go through all that pages of Elite Traveler while you’re flying in the private jet, isn’t it? That’s why the luxury lifestyle magazine distributed aboard private jets in over 90 countries decided to find its place in the “iPhone world” by releasing the the version of its magazine optimized for the Apple’s handset. Developed in partnership with Texterity, the new website provides rich iPhone users with the ability to read everything about luxury destinations, products and services for the ultra-affluent outside of their private jets.

Anyhow, iPhone users can access the full contents of the Elite Traveler magazine from here. Those without an iPhone can visit this page for more information. I wonder if I could read Elite Traveler without a private jet?

—
Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• Dailymotion launches iPhone-optimized site
• Facebook hits the iPhone!
• Manage real estate leads on your iPhone
• Nokia wants to reach developers on their handsets; Launches ForumNokia.mobi
• Zoho optimizes for iPhone; Launches iZoho

Tags: apple, iphone, iphone cell phone, mobile phone