Apple and AT&T sent out e-mails introducing a new “iPhone Guided Tour” video on the Apple site. Download the 24-minute video in high definition on the Apple site or just watch the 3-part tour below:
iPhone Features
iPhone to Feature More Google Apps?
Glenn Lurie, a leader in the iPhone project at AT&T who is actually using his own iPhone before the device’s debut, said in an interview that “There are other things. You have the widgets, some of the Google applications that are coming, there are just so many things here that the price will not be an issue,” leading many to believe that Google Maps won’t be the only Google widget on the iPhone.
Might this be evidence that Apple is “pulling their classic under-promise and over-deliver move in a bid to capture a larger share of the mobile phone market,” asks ZDNet’s Jason D. O’Grady.
iPhone May Add Business Billing & Support Features
Apple may appeal to business users by adding enterprise billing and support systems to the iPhone, an anonymous source “familiar with the company’s plans” told IDG News Service’s Nancy Gohring. Some analysts, however, don’t recommend that businesses issue iPhones to their employees.
Rumor: iPhone to Integrate with Apple’s Final Cut Server
This may not interest all of you, but there’s apparently a rumor going around that the iPhone will integrate with the Final Cut Server and act as a wireless video monitor for use in film production.
If true, a director going over lines with an actor could use the iPhone as a visual aid for viewing certain film clips. Multi-Media Me got word of the rumor. Not sure where it originated, so be skeptical, but if true this could be just one of many examples of how the iPhone could work with all kinds of Apple software to enhance the user experience.
iPhone May Function as Universal Remote Control
Apple recently filed for a patent that would turn a mobile phone into a “universal remote control [that] needs no special knowledge about the appliance,” according to the patent filing.
Basic concept drawings (shown right – click the image for a larger view) show a device shaped much like Apple’s iPhone.
That means you might be able to use your iPhone to control your TV and computer, to navigate through PowerPoint slide show presentations, and even to maneuver through Apple’s iTunes store.
“The mobile phone can be used to control popular programs such as iTunes,” Apple wrote in the patent filing.
The question is will this feature be available on the iPhone in June or will we have to wait for iPhone 2.0?
Comprehensive iPhone FAQ
David Pogue of the New York Times had some hands-on time with the iPhone back in January. In response to his readers’ questions, he put together this pretty in-depth iPhone Q & A (see also: iPhone FAQ, part 2) that I thought might interest you (if you haven’t already seen it).
The FAQ addresses some of the iPhone issues I’ve covered here, too, including:
(The following links will take you to my past blog posts on the subjects.)
- Does the camera record video?
- Will they make a non-cellphone version�a widescreen touch iPod?
- What about airplane use?
And some of the questions you’ve commented on here, too:
- Is there going to be a security logon, so that if it is stolen that it is essentially useless for non-hacker thieves?
- No 3G is almost a deal breaker. EDGE is horrible for a device this advanced�how did that get overlooked?
- Will the iPod FM radio work?
Hope this is helpful.