Say goodbye to the noisy bunch of keys you bring with you on a daily basis. Yet another Apple patent has surfaced, this time involving the replacement of traditional keys with the use of your iPhone.
Dubbed the iKey by the Daily Telegraph, the newest patent application from Apple looks like an extension of a previous patent regarding the iPhone NFC system.
The Near Field Communication (NFC) system is a communication technology that allows an Apple device to emit a signal to a compatible gadget within a limited area. Apple’s new patent evolves this older concept by adding a Motion Sensitive Input Selection that can allow the user to open any type of door by entering the correct PIN code and waving the Apple device over a fitted electronic security box.
The iPhone was cited as an example in the patent. Considering the fact that another previous Apple patent mentioned NFC in the iPhone 4.0, it is likely to be the device of choice for this sort of application. However, there is no reason why Apple will not also integrate it into the iPad or the iPod Touch. All three devices run on the iPhone operating system so Apple only needs to include an RFID chip in new models to implement the iKey technology.
The iKey technology is not only limited to opening doors. This system can also serve as an electronic wallet or an all-around ID pass. With this in mind, what would stop people from listening in and stealing personal information right off the device?
The patent mentioned employing encryption technology in order to protect the information stored in the mobile phone. With Apple security the way it is now, the technology may have a long way to go before it convinces most iPhone owners to get rid of their traditional house locks and cut up their credit cards.
More information about the iKey can be found at Ubergizmo.
There is no doubt that the Apple iPad is one of the most impressive devices that has been launched this year (and its only February), and with the 3G hungry tablet getting ready to feed when it comes out, it all becomes a question of which network operators are prepared to handle the load. The tablet comes with a 9.7 inch capacitive touch screen with multi touch support, a 1GHz A4 processor and it functions as a gaming device, an eBook reader and a mini workstation.
In the United States, major network operator AT&T has been determined to be unable to meet the projected 3G network demands of combined iPhone and iPad users. The story in the UK however, is slightly different. Major network operator Vodafone UK is expressing plenty of interest in the coming Apple Tablet and according to recent reports, their 3G network is up to the challenge.
While both Vodafone and AT&T have iPhone users among their subscribers, it was only until recently that Vodafone started offering the device (due to a two year exclusive deal by Apple and O2), thus, the current number of iPhone subscribers on the network are pretty low. O2 however, still has over 2 million iPhone users –which contribute to the 3G congestion.
As to whether the volume of 3G users would eventually pan out in a more even distribution among the networks still remains to be seen; the current status of the two major networks shows distinctly that Vodafone has the better offer. So far, no talks between Apple and Vodafone have been confirmed, but it is only a matter of time before they start looking for a network operator to offer the tablet.
For the full details on Vodafone UK’s excitement for the upcoming Apple iPad, go to the Guardian UK.
A couple of months back, Orange Mobile UK announced that it would also be offering the Apple iPhone. This was after O2 Mobile’s exclusive hold on the Apple handset ended last October. At that time, many speculated that Orange’s entry into the Apple market, as well as Tesco’s and Vodafone’s involvements would create a new time of prosperity to would-be iPhone buyer through a price war.
The price war never happened, but Vodafone got closer to the hearts of many iPhone users with their fully upgraded and enhanced 3G network. In the first week of Vodafone’s iPhone sales this January, they sold over one hundred thousand units (about five times the number of Nexus One phones sold).
Now, Apple has just announced that its’ tablet will come in 3G and non-3G variants. Obviously, a lot of interest will be placed on the 3G version, as it would enable to the device to use other means of connecting to the internet without relying on nearby wireless LAN.
Vodafone right now seems like a prime contender –the network operator currently boasts to have the most extensive, stable and fastest 3G service available; and from the iPhone’s performance, we are inclined to believe that.
Even retailers are getting on with the talks with Apple. According to reports, Carphone Warehouse is very interested in retailing the device; chief executive Andrew Harrison has stated that he considers the iPad to be a very customer-centric device.
Subsidizing the iPad is a very important step for Apple. The iPad does not use the average SIM cards used in mobile phones; instead, it uses smaller micro-SIM cards; this means having to encourage users to invest in yet another SIM card is in order.
For more details about the Apple iPad and UK mobile network operators, go to the Guardian UK.
Just because a person has played a couple of rounds of Snake and Tetris on a mobile phone does not make them a gamer (neither does “finishing Sims” as listed by a poser on a video game forum). Gamers are players who are really into their games. Casual players who simply play games for amusement are not part of this market.
But when it comes to business, it is not a matter of who is hardcore and who is not; it is a matter of tapping into a larger market for bigger profits. This is why the iPad is marketing it large library of games from the iPhone. Simply put, the casual gaming market is significantly more profitable than the market of real gamers.
Even if the iPad never gets its epic, story driven and original titles like games found in console systems or on the PC, it will still make millions from its library of over 100,000 thousand apps worth of casual games.
To say that the iPad will redefine gaming is misleading, because it will not change the video game industry the way Nintendo’s DS and Sony’s Playstation Portable did when those devices debuted. What the iPad will affect is the world of mobile games. Mobile games are rarely in-depth (though there are several notable exceptions), and are often graphically simple –made to be played within the constraints of existing mobile technology.
The iPad goes beyond the hardware limits of mobile phones, the demo of the iPad showed a 3D racing game running at an excellent quality. Certainly a lot better than many other racing games on mobile phones, but hardly anything compared to even the first Gran Turismo. Still, with the support of the right developers, the iPad might just get some good games.
Do you believe that games are the iPad’s Killer App? –read about it from the Telegraph.
Apple is attempting to turn tablet into mainstay in our homes; and judging from the launch of the Apple iPad, they just might succeed.
While many people already rely on the internet for communication and staying in touch, the one thing that makes it so hard to combine the internet with daily life is the difficulty of picking it up when you are busy and the difficulty of putting it down when you have time.
It is common to access 3G on a mobile phone, share and upload a couple of pictures then post a quick message or two. But it is still a very trimmed down version of a full internet experience that only a net book or a desktop computer can bring. On the other hand, booting up a computer takes ages and having to leave the computer seat once you are in is very difficult (one of the best ways to lose track of time really).
The Apple iPad is easy to pick up when needed and easy to put down when you are done; literally.
The device is meant to be used as is, when the need arises. This means that if you just want peruse that Facebook album of yours, then go right ahead. When you are done, just put down the device. The iPad is meant for everyday use. The only real concern now is how you will manage to keep the tablet from falling off the table.
Apple crammed in some hefty hardware on this gizmo. A 9.7 inch touch screen display gives you a resolution of 1024 x 786 pixels (equivalent to a decent net book screen). It also has a 1GHz processor for handling browsing, games and apps.
To get the rest of the info regarding the Apple iPad, head right over to Phone Arena.
Vodafone knows that it will have to compete with Tesco, Orange Mobile UK and O2 for a piece of the iPhone market, and while many of its current subscribers would no doubt be tempted to get the 3GS, they are setting their sights on getting even more people from outside their current clients.
Vodafone’s offer will not be in the line of cheaper prices. According to the CEO of Vodafone UK, it is service and stability that will get iPhone users to sign up for Vodafone’s offers. At the moment, Vodafone is boasting to have the most stable, the fastest and most reliable network for iPhone users.
This is a pretty big boast, but according to the CEO, the company has had a year’s worth of preparations in order to support the device.
Right now, users of the Apple iPhone often suffer from connection problems such as lags, intermittent connections and similar issues. These problems are situated from the service provider and not the device itself. This is why people have been tired of having a single provider for the iPhone for two years. October saw the first competition for the iPhone between O2 and Orange Mobile. Tesco Mobile joined later on and Vodafone confirmed that they too would be releasing the phone.
Vodafone is currently offering the 32GB unit for free at an 80 Pound monthly tariff that lasts for 18 months. The plan also gives the subscriber 3000 minutes of talk time and unlimited messages and WiFi as well as 1GB of data downloads. Vodafone also has a 30 Pound per month offer that will last for 24 months. At this rate, the 8GB iPhone is 45 Pounds and the plan comes with 300 minutes of talk time as well as 1 GB of data and unlimited messages and WiFi.
It looks like the owners of iPhone 3G S are some of those individuals who are using the added functionality and making it count. According to Stuff.TV it has been claimed by Google that the uploads on YouTube from mobile phones have gone up by almost 400% since this handset from Apple has been released for sale. This augment is in fact a component of a larger picture, where the mobile phone uploads has seen an increase of 1,700% in last six months.
The main reason according to the company is the fact that there are many more mobile phones which have video-enabled features and it has become very convenient for user to upload captured videos to the websites from the handset. In fact within the first seven days, of the iPhone 3GS being sold there was a growth in the number of YouTube video uploaded.
If you have a 3G S and have uploaded video clips to YouTube from your mobile phone, you are also one of the contributors to the 400% increase. We all know that the iPhone is not the first handset in the market which captures video, or can upload it directly to the website. On the other hand the big success of iPhone 3GS launch figures also suggests a big rush on the very popular video upload website.
Apple iPhone 3GS has been launched with 2 new ingenious features, those are the capability to capture video and the other to directly upload of video on 3G Internet or Wi-Fi. The iPhone has very fast made an impact on the video sharing websites, in posting clips directly from phone, feature or the option of better quality video by syncing with a computer and then uploading the clip. It is extremely easy to upload videos on the YouTube.
iPhone 3.0, the latest operating system has been release by Apple for the iPhone, iPod touch, or any other device which will be introduced by the company. iPhone OS comes with several new features and applications and also has many features from the previous update. You can download the software from the Apple UK website.
The latest iPhone OS 3.0 includes more than hundred new features. Double tapping on the text, brings about copy, cut and attach bubble dialog. When you double tap once more a post bubble will come up if you have any data in the clipboard. This features works on all the applications and you can enlarge the points of selection with your thumbs. If by mistake you paste something you don’t want you just have to shake the iPhone to remove it. Copy and pasting of pictures can also be done now and you can even choose multiple images by tapping on the action button. Just copy and insert them in the email and send.
The Apple application has particular search interface and the search in Mail will not support the content of the message but will allow search in IMAP servers and you can save time logging in Gmail. There is an improvement in the stocks application as now you can read news related to it and know the latest happenings in the world of stocks. There is something added for the music lovers also. There is stereo Bluetooth A2DP audio which will let you join iPhone 3.0 with any stereo Bluetooth A2DP gadget, such as speakers or headphones.
iPhone OS 3.0 allows login in Safari automatically as it will remember login credentials, and you don’t have to feed in the password and username again to access it. You will also get auto-login for Wi-Fi and if you have subscribed for a paid hotspot, the gadget wills auto-log in it.
The new iPhone OS 3.0 brings with it many possibilities and features you have been waiting for in your iPhone.
There has been a shortage of the iPhone 3GS in 16GB stock as reported by the Carphone Warehouse, and it claims that the mobile phone has been sold out all over the UK. It is expected that the handset will be back for ordering online very soon. You can get the latest details on the handsets on Mobile Choice. It could be a strategy to pump in more interest in the smaller edition of iPhone as launch is becoming a remote memory, or there is a chance of a actual shortage of the 16GB Apple iPhone 3GS in the UK.
If it is true it may not be the best news for Apple, but good for Palm, which is launching the Palm Pre very soon from the same O2 shelves. If your contract is over it may not be possible to wait for the iPhone and may get tempted to take a Pre which is very similar to the iPhone.
Most probably the 32GB editions are available in the stores but it may be a good idea to call up your local O2B or the Carphone Warehouse shop before going out. You don’t have to worry if you are looking for the 16GB 3GS, as it is expected to be back very soon and you can pre-book the model. It will be delivered to you in a few days. It is not known when the shelf stock will be made available for the users.
In spite of doubts over the expense, present contracts and the new features offered by the new iPhone compared to earlier model, the mobile phone has been selling well since it has been launched. In fact Apple was able to sell around a million devices in the first three days itself. The 16GB iPhone 3GS is obtainable for free at £44.05 monthly payment for a 2 year contract or you can pay £440.40 for the Smartphone.
Say goodbye to the noisy bunch of keys you bring with you on a daily basis. Yet another Apple patent has surfaced, this time involving the replacement of traditional keys with the use of your iPhone.
There is no doubt that the 
A couple of months back, Orange Mobile UK announced that it would also be offering the 
Just because a person has played a couple of rounds of Snake and Tetris on a mobile phone does not make them a gamer (neither does “finishing Sims” as listed by a poser on a video game forum). Gamers are players who are really into their games. Casual players who simply play games for amusement are not part of this market.
Vodafone knows that it will have to compete with Tesco, Orange Mobile UK and O2 for a piece of the iPhone market, and while many of its current subscribers would no doubt be tempted to get the 3GS, they are setting their sights on getting even more people from outside their current clients.
It looks like the owners of iPhone 3G S are some of those individuals who are using the added functionality and making it count. According to 
iPhone 3.0, the latest operating system has been release by Apple for the iPhone, iPod touch, or any other device which will be introduced by the company. 
There has been a shortage of the iPhone 3GS in 16GB stock as reported by the Carphone Warehouse, and it claims that the mobile phone has been sold out all over the UK. It is expected that the handset will be back for ordering online very soon. You can get the latest details on the handsets on 