Apple opens iPhone App Store

Apple on Thursday launched the App Store for the soon-to-be-released 3G iPhone, making a major push at becoming a key player in what’s expected to be the next generation in computing. The online store coupled with the media player-smart phone hybrid completes the company’s platform for a ubiquitous connection between an ultra-portable computer and the Internet. “The iPhone is not a phone. It’s a connected touch-screen computer that goes into your pocket and just happens to make phone calls,” said Michael Gartenberg, analyst for Jupiter Research. Apple entered the market in a big way by introducing through the App Store about 500 applications for the new iPhone, which goes on sale Friday at 8 a.m. local time. For people with the slower original iPhone, Apple on Thursday released firmware version 2.0, which is the same operating system as in the new device.


For $9.99, people can load the OS in the iPod Touch, which is the iPhone without the phone. People can also access the App Store by downloading version 7.7 of the iTunes software, which also was released on Thursday. The latter makes it possible for iPhone buyers to deploy software from their Macs or PCs. In being able to offer hundreds of applications on the first day the 3G iPhone is available, Apple has shown that developers are onboard. About a quarter of the App Store software is free, with 90% of the paid software available for $9.99 or less. Apple, which must first approve applications before they go on sale, takes 30% of the revenue generated from paid software, but does not charge developers offering free applications. Available software includes games, educational program, mobile commerce, and business productivity tools. A third of the applications are games.

AT&T iPhone 3G Release Info

AT&T has just posted a whole bunch of official iPhone 3G info on its site yesterday morning as it prepares for the masses of people waiting to snag the new Apple handset on July 11. First and foremost is the announcement that the iPhone 3G will be available for sale at 8:00 am next Friday. Wait, where have we heard that before? We’re guessing there are going to be some pretty early lines forming this year. Next comes the official plan pricing which goes as follows:

AT&T Nation (unlimited data included)

• $69.99 - 450 anytime minutes, 45¢ each addtl minute, 5,000 night / weekend minutes


• $89.99 - 900 anytime minutes, 40¢ each addtl minute, unlimited night / weekend minutes


• $109.99 - 1,350 anytime minutes, 35¢ each addtl minute, unlimited night / weekend minutes


• $129.99 - Unlimited minutes

AT&T FamilyTalk (includes 2 lines, unlimited data & night / weekend minutes, $39.99 each additional line)

• $129.99 - 700 anytime minutes, 45¢ each addtl minute


• $149.99 - 1,400 anytime minutes, 40¢ each addtl minute


• $169.99 - 2,100 anytime minutes, 35¢ each addtl minute


• $209.99 - 3,000 anytime minutes, 25¢ each addtl minute


• $259.99 - 4,000 anytime minutes, 20¢ each addtl minute


• $359.99 - 6,000 anytime minutes, 20¢ each addtl minute


• $259.99 - Unlimited minutes ($129.99 each additional line)

Add Text Plan

• $5 - 200 messages per month (individual plan)


• $15 - 1,500 messages per month (individual plan)


• $20 - Unlimited messages (individual plan)


• $30 - Unlimited messages (FamilyTalk plan)


• 20¢ per message if no plan is selected

The contract price points were announced by Steve Jobs at WWDC so there’s no news there. AT&T customers who aren’t eligible for an upgrade will pay a $200 premium ($399.99 for the 8 GB and $499 for the 16 GB) so the $200 subsidy rumor was indeed spot on. There is also an interesting note found on the site: “Coming soon, AT&T will offer a no-commitment option of $599 for 8GB and $699 for 16GB.”

iPhone 3G only for Big City Slickers?

For those getting excited about the new iPhone 3G capabilities, facts are until AT&T fulfills their "expaning rapidly" promise if you're not located in a major metropolitan area you'll be stuck with the same old EDGE service you're currently accustomed too.

AT&T has provided documentation on which cities are currently equipped with 3G at the moment.

iPhone 3G July 11 Release

Well here it is, the long anticipated release annoucement of the 2nd Generation iPhone 3G.

Quick Specs:


• Size: 4.5 x 2.4 x 0.48 inches


• Weight: 4.7 ounces


• Display: 3.5 inch, 480x320 pixels, 163 ppi TouchScreen


• Network: (3G HSDPA) UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz) GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)


• Talk Time: 5.5 Hours / 12.5 days standby


• Camera: 2 Megapixels (no zoom)


• Video Recording: n/a


• Audio Formats: AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible (1, 2 & 3), Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV.


• Video Playback: .m4v, .mp4 and .mov - Widescreen (30 frames per second)


• GPS: Assisted GPS


• Bluetooth: 2.0 (locked)


• Stereo BT/A2DP: n/a


• BT Tethering: n/a


• Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g (no support for n band)


• Memory: 8GB or 16GB non-removable


• Processor: 620MHz ARM 1176JZF


• MMS: n/a


• Copy and Paste: n/a


• Voice Command: n/a


• Consumer Push: MobileMe email, calendar & contacts pushed from your PC.


• Corporate Push: Email, calendar & contacts. (MS Exchange)


• 3.5mm Audio Jack: Yes


• In The Box: Setero Headset with mic, Dock Connector to USB cable, USB power adapter, Manual, polishing cloth and sim ejector tool.

The 22 countries scheduled to go live with the iPhone 3G on July 11th:

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the US.

$199 for 8G and $299 for the 16GB model in the US, with a 2-year contract.

Welcome to Free 4 iPhone

Welcome to Free 4 iPhone!