I popped my head into the live stream of the TechCrunch 50 to hear about a really great app for iPhone, Android, BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM), and soon the Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Pre, that allows you to send geotagged pictures of problems around town (graffiti, potholes, etc.) and send them right to city hall. Cities can view the complaints with picture and text on Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Maps in order to analyze trends and sent to the appropriate department for action. Kevin Rose suggested a Digg-style rating system to prioritize existing problems, which makes really good sense. Take a look at the video for the full pitch – it’s worth watching the end when the developer gets razzed for supporting the Pre because Palm invested in them. If you want to get involved, you can contact the developers on info@citysourced.com

[via TechCrunch]

Vodka veteran Absolut has just released a free iPhone app that suggests drinks depending on a wide variety of criteria, like time of day, mood, type of liquor, occasion, and lots of others. After picking one, it even includes instructions on how to mix one up. As a reference alone, that’s a pretty sweet app, but you can even tweet and update your Facebook status about what you’re drinking. (Hey, some people even blog about their drinks.) GPS integration also lets you see what’s being drunk in your area and around the world. Fine timing on the launch, considering Independence Day is tomorrow… Interested? You can nab Drinkspiration from the iTunes App Store here.

It’s been done many times over already, so I figured I might as well jump on the bandwagon. It’s iPhone 3G S unboxing time!

Being in California, I was one of the last people on planet Earth to get their hands on the iPhone 3G S, what with time zones being what they are. Why should I let some time zone technicalities keep me from pretend-unboxing my new iPhone 3G S?

The iPhone 3G S of choice for me was the 32GB White iPhone 3G S. My 16GB iPhone 3G is Black, so I figured I might as well spice it up a little. As you can see from the pics, the iPhone 3G S packaging is identical to the iPhone 3G’s box, “iPhone 3G S” branding excepted. Aside from the “32GB” storage capacity printed on the back of the iPhone 3G S, it’s fairly difficult to distinguish the faster, more capable iPhone 3G S from its iPhone 3G forebears. A little “S” badge (we preferred ours blinged-out) would have been a nice way to inject some model differentiation into Apple (NSDQ: AAPL)’s newly-expanded iPhone lineup.

Once you get past the fact that the iPhone 3G S looks exactly like the iPhone 3G, the “S” proves itself deserving of the new moniker that Apple says “stands for speed.” Websites load with more snap and urgency, putting that 3G data connection to good use. And, with added RAM, I can surf the web to my heart’s content without worrying about bogging down the iPhone. And, speaking of not bogging down, iPhone apps launch without any of the hesitation that plagued previous iPhones.

As for the iPhone 3G S-only features – they rock. A simple tap of the video-camera icon switches to the auto-focusing camcorder mode. The compass is geeky-cool, but really hasn’t yet shown off its potential. Ever since we first laid eyes on augmented reality concepts back in the day, it was clear that magnetometer-equipped (digital compass) smartphones with integrated GPS  hardware had the potential to change the way we communicate and navigate the meta-world around us. As Stefan so aptly pointed out, the digital compass may be the single-most compelling feature on the iPhone 3G S. Better battery life, faster load times, video recording/editing, more RAM and 3D graphics all be damned – it’s all about the compass.

Enjoy the unboxing pics. iPhone 3G vs iPhone 3G S comparison coming soon!

[Update] Thanks to everyone who showed up, we had over 170 people watching Will buy his white 32 GB iPhone. The chat room was a load of laughs, and next time there is a live launch we’ll keep you updated. Simon and Will may be recording the next podcast right now, but it’s anyone’s guess what Will is going to do after staying awake for 12 hours in queue!

Will and Tom are at the Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) Store in Santa Monica and they have a laptop setup on Ustream showing what it’s like to queue. I’m in the chat room remotely via Finland, Will and Tom are just goofing around trying to pass the time. Come and watch.

I’m also enjoying Juhannus, Finnish for mid summer. In Finland they celebrate the summer solstice. I’m having a blast with my White Russian. What are you drinking internet?

The dude abides.

[Update]

As of 6:50AM, this is what the Santa Monica Third Street Promenade Apple Store looks like:

Here we are. It’s the eve of the iPhone 3G S launch, and the excitement is growing. In just a couple handfuls of hours, Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) will let loose the iPhone 3G S on the US. Come tomorrow morning (June 19), Apple stores across the country will open their doors, applaud the die-hard fans waiting in line, and proceed to dole out Cupertino’s latest smartphone hotness to anyone with the right number of greenbacks.

So, to continue our tradition of camping out for an iPhone bringing you live coverage of iPhone launch-day crowds, IntoMobile will be broadcasting live from the Santa Monica Third Street Promenade Apple Store in beautiful Southern California.

With a little luck, you’ll get a first-hand look at what Apple fans look like in their natural habitat (the Apple store, of course), and you might even get to chat with the IntoMobile team! The feed will go live shortly, so make sure to keep checking IntoMobile.

[Update]
Okay, we’re live! Hop in the chat room and let us know what’s on your mind.

[Update2]
Sorry guys, technical difficulties. We’re back. Stronger, faster, more sleepy!

Consolation prize - you see that fancy schmancy IntoMobile t-shirt that Will is rockin’? Well we’re giving away a couple IntoMobile shirts as consolation prizes. It’s no iPhone 3G S, but they sure are darn comfortable tees!

Remember: We’ll be announcing the third and final winner in our iPhone 3G S giveaway at midnight tonight! Make sure to enter in time!

There we go. Just in time to stream President-to-be Obama’s Inaugural Ceremony live to every iPhone and iPhone 3G in on planet Earth, Ustream.tv has announced that their Ustream Viewing Application is live in the iPhone App Store! Ustream had been waiting on Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) to green-light the live video-stream viewer for acceptance into the App Store, and are proud to make their new iPhone app available for free.

Just this morning we told you about Ustream’s iPhone app announcement. Tonight, the Ustream Viewing Application is ready to pull down live video streams of all shows on Ustream.tv’s site. The new Ustream iPhone app boasts a live interactive chat feature that allows Ustream.tv users to chat about the show they’re watching.

Unfortunately, the app is limited to WiFi-only viewing for the sake of decent video quality. But, Ustream did mention that we should “stay tuned for developments,” so we’re going to keep our fingers crossed for an update that enables viewing over 3G data connections (we’re going to go ahead and dismiss any EDGE-enabling updates altogether).

Keep an eye on Ustream’s live streaming coverage of the Presidential Inauguration on January 20!

Grab the Ustream Viewing Application here. (iTunes link)

It was only a matter of time before the streaming-video experts at Ustream.tv brought their streaming video service to the iPhone. John Ham, Ustream’s founder, has announced the new iPhone application on his company’s blog, opening the doors to a world where iPhone users can watch live Ustream video feeds “anywhere/with anyone.” We’ve used Ustream’s live-streaming service to broadcast live video in the past, and news of the innovative video-streaming service’s arrival on the iPhone is welcome news indeed.

The new Ustream.tv iPhone application puts Ustream’s community of in-the-field video broadcasters in the palm (NSDQ: PALM) of your hand. Never again will you miss a Ustream’ed live-stream of a concert/speech/conference/etc. just because you’re out of the house – every single UStream show/broadcast will be available through the iPhone application. And, because Ustream is all about connecting with like-minded people around the world, Ustream’s iPhone app allows you to chat live with anyone watching a particular Ustream show.

The launch of the Ustream iPhone app is perfectly timed to give iPhone users a chance to watch President-to-be Obama’s historic inauguration on Ustream’s dedicated inauguration channel. Whether you’re in front of a TV, computer, or just on the bus with your iPhone, there’s really no excuse for missing the January 20th Presidential Inauguration event.

The video below shows off the new application in all it’s auto-rotating glory.

Ustream’s iPhone app is still in beta. Getting your hands ona copy of the Ustream iPhone app requires that you send in your iPhone’s identifier number to Ustream.tv and pray that the Ustream team sees fit to send over a customized copy of the application your way.

[Via: UStream]

Just like we did last year, IntoMobile is reppin’ the west-side in Santa Monica, California. Just like last year, summer is in full swing and we’re waiting for Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) to drop their latest handset-bomb on the west-coast. The next-generation iPhone 3G launches on 8am, local time, July 11. So, that means we’ll be among the last people in the country to get our hands on the iPhone 3G. But, being in line 10 hours before the launch means we’ll be among the first in Socal to get the iPhone successor in our pockets.

Qik’s registration process sucks. Flixwagon and Kyte myopically only support S60 handsets. So, I’m left with the the limited but much more flexible Ustream option. Keep checking this feed for the latest developments from the line at the Apple store in beautiful Santa Monica, CA.
.TV online : provided by Ustream
And, only in Los Angeles do we have live entertainment at midnight. It’s a good thing…

Update:
Apple employees handing out Smart Water. Genius.

Update:
The line

This is how we get power:

Monopoly?

Check out our lve streaming coverage of the Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) iPhone unboxing – first looks and impressions!!

http://ustream.tv/channel/intoiphonecom-live-apple-launch-event-coverage

Alright! We’re back. Difficulties with our mobile broadcast have been resolved! The live streaming webcast has been reestablished just in time for the final countdown to the Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) iPhone launch!

Again, this is the final hour ’til the launch of the much awaited Apple iPhone – and we have it coming to you LIVE from the field. The 3rd Street Promenade Apple Store is abuzz with nervous energy as the Apple employees distributed their last batch of Smart Water bottled water in preparation for unveiling the blacked-out interior of the Apple Store!

Check out the live feed, and as always, come chat with us and amongst yourselves. We may be a little busy with all the launch rush, so we may not be able to entertain the chat room, but please do tune in!

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/intoiphonecom-live-apple-launch-event-coverage