What you’re looking at below are supposed images of the next iPhone. It’s 1/4 inch taller than previous iPhones, but similar to the original aluminium backed iPhone, the screen is glued to the multi touch screen digitizer. There’s also a tiny reflective surface right above the ear piece, which could be there for video calls, but that’s just my guess, it could be anything.

With the release of the iPad, my admiration for Apple (NSDQ: AAPL)’s ability to innovate was dramatically reduced, so my expectations are not that high for the next iPhone. That being said, Steve and the rest of the crew have between now and June 28th, the day of the next Worldwide Developers Conference, to come up with something new and exciting. Crossing my fingers that the NFC rumour is true.

When images like these turn up, always take them with a grain of salt.

[Via: iResQ, MacRumors]

If you’re thinking about updating your iPhone to the latest iPhone OS 3.1.3 firmware, you might want to note that the update will essentially stop you from unlocking your iPhone for use on GSM networks that aren’t your official iPhone carrier. The iPhone OS 3.1.3 firmware comes bundled with a new baseband firmware version (05.12.01) that makes it impossible to unlock the iPhone to use on, say, the T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) USA network. We’re telling you this because we’re a bit surprised by new stats from Medialets that indicates that 14% of iPhone users have updated their iPhones to the new iPhone OS 3.1.3 since last week.

The baseband modem is the piece of technology that allows your iPhone to communicate with wireless networks like AT&T (NYSE: T) and T-Mobile. It’s this baseband modem’s firmware that controls whether or not you’re allowed to surf multiple GSM networks, or just the one that sold you your iPhone. The thing is, there are hacks out there that will unlock almost all versions of the baseband, but none of them work on this latest version. Even the latest iPhone hacking utility, PwnageTool, won’t be able to hack this new baseband to work with unlocking utilities like blacksn0w or ultrasn0w.

Medialets also mentions that 87% of those that updated to iPhone OS 3.1.3 came from the previous iPhone OS 3.1.2 firmware. The only real benefits of the new iPhone OS are it’s less buggy batter meter and better support for third-party apps that were reportedly crashing with 3.1.2. Considering that most people probably don’t need the iPhone OS 3.1.3, we thought it was only right that we let you know what you’re losing by updating your iPhone.

In the end, if you don’t travel or could care less about using your iPhone on other GSM networks, just ignore this post. This concludes our Public Service Announcement. You’ll now be returned to your regularly scheduled programming.

[Via: Medialets]

If you’re into watching videos on mobile at all, you’ll know what a hassle it can be trying to get some clips to run on your phone. In-between solutions like Roxio Media Manager for BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) and iTunes for the iPhone can handle most stuff, but it can be hit and miss. This is why I’ve really enjoyed RealPlayer, whose desktop software is today available for Mac.

RealPlayer SP makes it super-easy to download Flash videos in your browser, and share them via Facebook, twitter, MySpace, or e-mail. What’s of particular interest to the mobile enthusiasts is that there’s a converter for all of the big-name handsets out there, so you don’t have to figure out which resolution to scale down to, or which codec to use. Mac handles Flash video ripping a bit differently than the PC version, but it looks like it’s still really usable.

I’ve found RealPlayer SP really handy for yoinking those YouTube videos of unreleased devices that you know will get taken down once the manufacturer’s lawyers get wind of it. Of course, there’s a ton of great Flash video and music out there, and it’s always great to have an easy way to get it on your phone. Head on over to Real to get downloading the app for free, or if you’re hardcore about your multimedia, get the premium version for $39.99.

[via The Real Story]

It’s only been a handful of days since Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) released their iPhone OS 3.1.3 firmware update through iTunes, and the iPhone Dev Team has already come out with a way to jailbreak the new firmware. The new firmware does little more than fix buggy battery level indicators and Japanese language keyboards, so most of you probably won’t need to install the update. But, there’s invariably going to be a subset of jailbroken iPhone users that can’t resist the urge to update to a brand spankin’ new firmware. For those of you in this group, the iPhone Dev Team has released PwnageTool 3.1.5 to jailbreak iPhone OS 3.1.3!

The PwnageTool utility creates a custom iPhone restore file that you can use to update and jailbreak your iPhone in one felled swoop. PwnageTool 3.1.5 will strip the iPhone OS 3.1.3 update file of its newer baseband modem firmware and replaces it with an older version that can be unlocked with ultrasn0w – this allows you to keep using your iPhone unlocked on any GSM carrier in the world. If you were to update your currently unlocked iPhone 3GS to iPhone OS 3.1.3 without PwnageTool, iTunes will replace your iPhone’s baseband firmware with a new version that cannot be unlocked.

For those of you using a newer iPhone 3GS or had previously updated your firmware to a newer version (05.11.07), you’re going to want to avoid updating to iPhone OS 3.1.3 altogether, if you plan to use your iPhone on unofficial GSM carriers. As long as you stay at iPhone OS 3.1.2, you can jailbreak your iPhone 3GS using blackra1n or PwnageTool and then run GeoHot’s blacksn0w unlock utility to free your iPhone of GSM lockdown.

Get PwnageTool 3.1.5 here.

Are you having trouble coping with the reality of not having one of Apple (NSDQ: AAPL)’s “magical” iPads in your hands? Rather than sweat through the next couple months in want of the slick tablet device, you can try to trick your desires into submission with a DIY iPad. It’ll be made of paper and no more useful to you than any other placebo, but it might just be enough to help you sleep at night.

If anything, printing out, cutting, and assembling the paper iPad will kill some time as you wait for the tablet to launch in a couple months.

Credit for the iPaperPad goes to Revolutionary Concepts‘ Jess Silverstone.

[Via: JohnChow]

The iPhone AppStore has and always will be controlled Apple (NSDQ: AAPL)’s iron-fisted app approval team, which is fine, because that usually means iPhone users can expect reliable and high quality apps. But, when Apple uses its control over the AppStore to censor more than just “adult” content, it starts to feel a little Big Brother-ish. Finding itself directly at odds with Google (NSDQ: GOOG)’s Android platform, Apple has reportedly prohibited an iPhone app from mentioning “Android” in the app’s description. The Flash of Genius iPhone app’s description wasn’t obscene or erotic in any way, it just happened to mention Google’s Android Development Challenge.

Having Apple filter apps through its “decency” screen is one thing, but to censor an app’s description of the word “Android” just rubs us the wrong way. This is the notice that the developer of Flash of Genius, Tim Novikoff, got from Apple:

“During our review of your application, we found that your application contains inappropriate or irrelevant platform information in the Application Description and/or Release Notes sections.

“While your application has not been rejected, it would be appropriate to remove ‘Finalist in Google’s Android Developer’s Challenge!’ from the Application Description.

“Please log into iTunes Connect to make appropriate changes to the Application Description now to avoid an interruption in the availability of Flash of Genius: SAT Vocab 2.2 on the iPhone App Store.”

Now, Apple didn’t come right out and say it, but it’s clear that Apple would drop the Flash of Genius app if the developer didn’t remove its claim to fame in the Android space. The app is live on the AppStore at the time of this writing, sans any references to the mobile operating system that shall not be named.

Is it right? We say no, but you might disagree. Either way, let us know what you think in the comments below!

[Via: PCWorld]

AT&T (NYSE: T) has just launched their new FamilyMap iPhone app for families looking to stay connected and, more importantly, for parents looking to keep an eye on their kids’ whereabouts in real-time. I have no idea what it’s like to be a parent, but I’d imagine that it’s a big ball of stress, what with having to worry where your hormonal and rebellious teen is spending his or her time. AT&T’s FamilyMap app might be just the thing to give you parents out there a little peace of mind. The app lets you track family members’ location, in real-time, on an interactive map, set schedules for families with hectic calendars, set up landmarks, and lets you send messages to family members from within the app.

The app is available as a free download on the iPhone AppStore, but it’s worth less than your kid’s macaroni art (I’m talking monetary value here, sentimental value has no place here) without a subscription to AT&T’s FamilyMap service. The service costs $9.99 per month for tracking up to two iPhones, if you need to track up to five iPhones, the service will cost you $14.99 a month. But, the first month of service is free, so you can try it out and decide if tracking your kids is worth an extra $10 bucks on your monthly bill.

Word to the wise, tell your kids this is a cool new social network that only your family is a part of. They might not take too kindly to being tracked. Or, if your kids are too tech savvy to fall for that, just remind them that you’re paying for their iPhone, damnit.

AT&T FamilyMap (FREE) [iTunes link]

If you’re going about your day thinking your iPhone is as secure as any other smartphone out there, you obviously don’t know about a newly unearthed security flaw that could give hackers control over your Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) iPhone. Turns out, a method for installing new configuration settings on your iPhone could potentially allow hackers to mess around with your WiFi settings and lock you out of email, Safari or other iPhone apps. Hackers have figured out a way to create iPhone configuration provisioning files to look like they’re coming from a legit Apple source, allowing them to trick people into installing some “update” and hand over control of their iPhone to hackers.

The thing is, Apple probably never intended for their configuration provisioning system to be used to hack an iPhone. The purpose of the system is mainly to allow enterprise fleets to quickly configure each iPhone with settings that adhere to some corporate security policy. The method has been exploited by iPhone modders to quickly enable internet tethering on the iPhone, though, so it’s not too surprising that the provisioning file has been hijacked by hackers.

The hack currently making its way around the web is a configuration file that claims to be “verified” as coming from “Apple Computer.” That’s bad news because, well, because who wouldn’t trust an update digitally signed by Apple? Once a user is tricked into installing the file, they essentially hand over control of major iPhone features to the hacker. That allows a hacker to peek inside your data traffic to learn bank account numbers, passwords, and the like. Also, it’s really hard to clean an affected iPhone of the hack without doing a full restore.

Whatever Apple plans to do about the problem, we have one piece of advice that should keep you safe. Do not install anything on your iPhone that you haven’t explicitly requested. Especially if it looks like the image above and to the left.

[Via: MobileCrunch]

While we’re still not sure whether Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) iPad will succeed or not, we do have quite a few related jokes to share. It’s the “iPad vs …” bonanza.

But that’s not all, Joy Of Tech has also made two comics on the subject.

Finally, make sure to check out this clip on CollegeHumor site, featuring directors from different “joke departments” talking about the comedy goldmine that the iPad is. It’s hilarious.

[Via: JustAnotherIphoneBlog, iPhonehelp.in, Joy of Tech]

AT&T (NYSE: T) seems to be loosening up when it comes to mobile apps using their 3G data network to stream video or internet phone calls, and we’re glad to see the flood gates slowly opening. Following on news that VoIP iPhone apps are now allowed to use AT&T’s 3G network to make free internet phone calls, Sling Media has announced that it has gotten the green-light from AT&T to stream video over the 3G network to its newly optimized SlingPlayer Mobile apps. Sling Media says that their new 3G optimized version of SlingPlayer Mobile tip-toes around AT&T’s 3G network gingerly enough that it should stream video without bogging down data network. For iPhone users, this is great news.

With AT&T on board, it’s only a matter of time before the 3G-enabled SlingPlayer Mobile app gets approved by Apple and gets pushed out to the AppStore. As it stands, SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone is a WiFi-only affair. Of course, we’ll also see the updated app hitting other platforms – like BlackBerry, Windows Mobile – in the near future, but they’ve been able to stream over cellular data networks for a while now. It’s still unknown how far into the future we’ll have to wait, but we have our money on seeing the updated SlingPlayer Mobile going live before mid-2010.

According to Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, the key to getting apps like SlingPlayer Mobile working on 3G is collaboration. In a press release, AT&T’s mobility chief said that “Collaboration with developers like Sling Media ensures that all apps are optimized for our 3G network to conserve wireless spectrum and reduce the risk that an app will cause such extreme levels of congestion that they disrupt the experience of other wireless customers [emphasis added].”

The approval of the new 3G-capable version of SlingPlayer Mobile signals a new age for AT&T – where 3G-enabled apps roam wild and free. The wireless carrier has been hit with criticism over the performance of its 3G network lately, so we have to believe that AT&T will be working to ensure that data-heavy apps and the upcoming iPad won’t bog down the network to the point where customers start complaining about their service. With a little luck, we’ll soon see streaming video iPhone apps from Netflix and Hulu become a reality.

Full press release after the break.

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