It's no secret that Apple is king of the MP3, but in 20 short months, the Silicon Valley-based company has also become a giant in the mobile world thanks to the release of the iPhone. Already in its second iteration, the cell phone/iPod/internet device has become the must-have gadget for businessmen and hipsters alike.
On March 17th, Apple held a media event for developers and press members to unveil their latest plans for the device's next major software update, currently being called iPhone 3.0. The new firmware will not only improve upon current features like SMS and text input, but will also enhance the possibilities of user-generated content. Here are just a few of the updates you can expect in the new software:
The Good
1. Peer-to-peer connectivity: Along with the ability to send contact data from one device to another using a WiFi or Bluetooth connection, iPhone users will also be able to partake in multiplayer gaming sessions.
2. In-app purchases: Another major extension of the app store, developers will be able to create new content for games (like better weapons and levels), eBooks, and more.
3. Third-party add-ons: Working hand-in-hand with companies like Johnson & Johnson, developers can now produce accessories like blood pressure cuffs and applications like glucose meters to help diabetics with their day-to-day lifestyles.
The Great
1. Spotlight: A search tool that can be accessed just to the left of the home screen, Spotlight allows the user to search their entire collection of applications and music, as well as email and notes.
2. Turn-by-turn GPS: With the ability to download turn-by-turn applications produced by companies like TomTom and Magellan, the iPhone’s true GPS potential will finally be unlocked.
3. Voice memos: Apple’s default recorder isn’t very different from the myriad of ones currently available on the app store, but you can send recorded audio through email or the new MMS feature.
Thank Goodness
1. MMS: A basic feature that most cell phones already have, MMS allows the user to send voice and image files to friends and family.
2. Cut, copy and pasting: With one touch of the screen, you can now copy text from emails, notes and websites and paste them into any application. You can also delete newly pasted data by shaking the iPhone and selecting the option from a pop-up window.
3. Landscape keyboard: Now available in all applications, users can access a wider keyboard for more ease with texting, surfing the web and sending emails.
Additionally, while there’s no official word on whether a new model of the iPhone will be released to coincide with the software update, it seems pretty likely. iPhone 3.0 OS is scheduled to debut sometime this summer, but developers will be able to download a beta version later this week.
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