Iphone ‘Reborn’

Wow I am really amazed with the latest Iphone OS 3.0 which will be released around June this year.  Apple has promised to give a preview of the new OS at Cupertino today and again WOW!!!

The word Reborn is use to describe the new OS as for me it represent the REAL moment where Apple publish a competitive smartphone in the market.  The new OS has incorporated the much awaited ‘cut & paste’ , MMS, one stop search and SMS forwarding.  The Bluetooth function has also being improved to standard Bluetooth where sending of file or playing LAN game with other iphone or ipod touch user is possible (originally it only can only pair with earphone). 

The news of Maxis will be the sole operator in Malaysia to distribute Iphone is much welcome by most of the people.  However as expected the minimum cost to own 8Gb version is still very expensive which is RM2540 plus a 6 months contract of RM250 each month.

Below is the basic enhancement that will come with the OS 3.0 (source: engadget)

App and developer functionality

• Peer-to-peer connectivity over Bluetooth for gaming and other info-swapping.
• Paid apps will have the potential to be subscription fee-based, and can include optional paid content that can be bought from right inside the app.
• Developers can now build apps that call out to Google Maps, and can also finally bring Apple-blessed turn-by-turn to the phone.
• Devs can also connect with hardware accessories over in their apps now, such as a blood pressure monitor -- or perhaps a keyboard? Connectivity works through the dock connector or over Bluetooth.
• Long-promised push functionality will at last be included, but apps won't run in the background.
• Developers can add streaming video and audio to their apps, along with in-game voice use.

General functionality

• Cut, copy and paste. At last! You can shake the phone to undo and redo the action, and it works with both text and photos, allowing Mail to send multiple photos at a time. (more here)
• MMS, along with forward and delete for multiple messages. (more here)
• A2DP stereo Bluetooth.
• Unlocked Bluetooth functionality on 2G iPod touch. (more here)
• Spotlight has been added to a new home screen page to the left of existing pages, allowing for universal search on the phone. (more here)
• Tethering is built into 3.0, and Apple will work with carriers on that -- who will have the last say on its implementation, most likely.
• App Store will be available in 77 countries.
• Parental controls for TV shows, movies and App Store apps.
• Auto-login for Wi-Fi hotspots.

Apple apps

• A new app called Voice Memos which lets you record notes and reminders.
• A revised Stocks app, with news stories and a landscape view.
• Landscape view available for Mail, Text and Notes.
• CalDAV support has been added to Calendar, along with subscriptions support in the .ics format.
• Apple's major apps have all been expanded with search functionality.
• Note syncing to Mac and PC.
• YouTube account support.
• Form auto-fill.
• Phishing protection.
• Shake the shuffle iPod playback.