Apple released new iPhone 3.1 and iPod Touch 3.1.1 firmwares. Here is a quick changelog:
- Improved syncing for music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, and photos
- iTunes U content organization
- Redeem iTunes Gift Cards, codes, and certificates in the App Store
- Display available iTunes account credits in the App Store and iTunes Store
- Save video from Mail and MMS into Camera Roll
- Option to "Save as new clip" when trimming a video on iPhone 3GS
- Better iPhone 3G Wi-Fi performance when Bluetooth is turned on
- Remotely lock iPhone with a passcode via MobileMe
- Use Voice Control on iPhone 3GS with Bluetooth headsets
- Paste phone numbers into the keypad
- Option to use Home button to turn on accessibility features on iPhone 3GS
- Warn when visiting fraudulent websites in Safari (anti-phishing)
- Improved Exchange calendar syncing and invitation handling
- Fixes issue that cause some app icons to display incorrectly
iPhone OS 3.1 is available and is a free download for iPhone customers. iPod Touch users already running iPhone OS 3.0 can update to 3.1.1 for free. iPod Touch users running earlier firmware versions can upgrade to OS 3.1.1 for $4.95.
Users of jailbreaked and unlocked devices - do not update, wait for utilities updates!!
The Environmental Working Group (ewg.com) analyzed the radiation emissions from 1,268 cellphones.
Apple’s iPhone 3G has a maximum SAR of 1.39 W/kg when held at the ear. You can compare that to the 1.19 W/kg SAR for the iPhone 3GS. The lower the SAR the safer the phone is. The best phone was the Samsung Impression which had a max radiation of just 0.35 W/kg.
“The FCC limit for the head (SAR of 1.6 W/kg) is just two-and-a-half times lower than the level that caused behavioral changes in animals (SAR of 4 W/kg),” says the representative. “Thus, the brain receives a high exposure, even though the brain may well be one of the most sensitive parts of human body … and should have more protection.”
Here is a list of EWG’s top 10 phones, based on low and high emissions:
We mentioned this in our previous sales update, but Firemint's Real Racing (AppStore link) has now dropped its price from $9.99 to $6.99 and is expected to remain there for this weekend only. Real Racing is considered one of the most technically impressive racing games on the iPhone:
Want to sing like T-Pain? There's an app for that, costs just $2.99 (AppStore link). This app auto tunes your voice, adding special effects. You can now sing like you have never done it before.
You can make your own track and share it with your friends with just a few clicks. Watch the video:
Skype, the iPhone and iPod Touch application through which you can call and chat with your Skype contacts, has been updated to version 1.2. There are many updates and new features.
What's new in version 1.2:
Set up call forwarding from your iPhone – forward Skype calls to a phone number when you're not signed in.
Improved performance and better audio quality on Skype-to-Skype calls.
Even easier to send text messages (SMS) - Send SMS from the Call tab.
Calls are connected much faster.
Status of your contacts is updated more often.
You can now decide whether you want to stay online/offline when the iPhone is locked. We've added this into settings.
Contact groups are now supported, making it easier to see who is online and separate your saved phone numbers.
You can now edit the name of your saved phone numbers.
Added support for skype: URL schemes in Safari.
When creating a new account the country in your Skype profile is taken from the language used on your iPhone.
Group chat profile pictures are now shown.
You can now remove your profile picture.
Added a 'Help' link to 'Forgot your password'.
Improved support for proxy configurations.
If you have done jailbreak, don't worry. During first launch Skype will pop up a message showing that it works only on unmodified iPhones and iPods. But it is not true. It works just fine.
Navigon has decided to produce a Car Mount for iPhone (just like TomTom). This is a much simpler version that only allows to keep the iPhone in position and charge via the cigarette lighter or USB:
It will be avaliable in October and will cost less than $60. More advanced model with GPS module might appear later.
Here are a few interesting sales over the past couple of days:
Silent Hill: The Escape ($7.99 -> $0.99, AppStore link) – Konami's first person shooting game set in a creepy environment has seen a massive price drop from $7.99 to $0.99. So, if you've been curious about this title, now's a good time to try it.
Resident Evil 4 ($7.99 -> $2.99, AppStore link) – The mobile edition of Resident Evil 4. There was some very split opinions between those who loved the game and those who felt it paled in comparison to the original console version. Regardless of your position, a $5 price drop certainly makes it easier to pick up.
Dirt Moto Racing ($4.99 -> $0.99, AppStore link) – A solid off-road racer that's easily worth $0.99.
Crash Bandicoot ($5.99 -> $2.99, AppStore link) – One of the original kart racers for the iPhone, it seems they are starting to feel the pressure with Konami's Krazy Kart Racing and the upcoming Shrek Kart.
And, we've heard of one major game that will be holding a sale soon. Firemint's Real Racing (App Store link) will see its first sale this weekend dropping from $9.99 to $6.99 temporarily. The sale should be live by Saturday morning, so keep that in mind if you've been holding out.
AT&T has issued a press release today announcing that MMS will become active for iPhone users on September 25.
We've been working for the past several months to prepare our systems and network to ensure the best possible experience with MMS when it launches - and that launch date is: September 25 for iPhone 3G and 3GS customers. MMS will be enabled through a software update on that day.
AT&T points to the need for the company to build out its network infrastructure to handle the demands of heavy MMS messaging volumes as the primary reason for the delay in launching the service compared to carriers in other countries that have offered MMS since the launch of iPhone OS 3.0 in June.
As announced in June, MMS messaging will be included at no additional cost to users with an iPhone text messaging plan.