Blogintosh

Along with all the Enterprise updates Apple announced on March 6th the long anticipated SDK announcement. Here is the very, very basic rundown on what the SDK announcement means for the “not-too-technical.” The iPhone has full access to the internet and can load pages from the internet directly to the phone. There are some companies however that have chosen to make their websites even more iPhone friendly by formatting their web pages to fit the iPhone better. Their websites are usually more direct and easier to find the information you need. One such example of this already accessible through the iPhone is Google. Simply push the Google button on the home screen and it will direct you to the Google formatted specifically for the iPhone.

Apple wanted to make it simple for third party developers to build API’s so it would be even easier for Clients to use their iPhones. For a web developer to receive an SDK they can simply go the Apple website and download the formatting to do so for $99.

Beginning in June, Apple will have all of the new website adaptations available for download through their new App Store which will be accessible through the iPhone. Developers will pick the price of their new App with Apple receiving 30%. Most Developers are expected to make their App free to users in an effort to simply get their product in the hands of consumers.

In the March 6th demonstration, game developers displayed their API’s using both the touch and motion sensors built into the iPhone. By simply turning the iPhone the player controlled the motion of the character. In other words the iPhone was not only the screen but also the game controller. Other demonstrations included Salesforce with their time management solutions.

Developers wishing to be on the forefront of the technology world will be using the next 3 months to prepare their API’s for the June launch.

The Apple iPhone SDK event yesterday had a lot of big announcements. The iPhone will be receiving a free update to iPhone 2.0 in late June. This update is Apple’s attempt to make the iPhone the authority in for Enterprise smartphone users. The updates will be mostly useful for large business or Enterprise users however there are some features that will benefit the everyday user as well. These updates include:

-push email

-push calendar

-push contacts

-global address list

-Cisco IPsec VPN

-Certificates and Identities

-WPA2/802.1x

-Enforces security policies

-Device configuration

-Remote wipe if lost or stollen

Along with these improvements, the iPhone will now work directly with Microsoft Exchange which will have built-in features on the iPhone interface. In order to gain the speed of smartphones such as the Blackberry but maintain a higher level of security than the Blackberry, the iPhone will work directly with the Exchange Server, lowering costs of operations while increasing security. These improvements will address a large number of concerns of iPhone Complainers. This update will also make the iPhone far more competitive among large Enterprise markets.

Many iPhone users are asking how the new Maps with Location feature works on their iPhones. iPhones do not come with a GPS unit built into their system so how does the new Locator button work on the iPhone?

The new Locator button works through the collaboration of Google and Skyhook Wireless. Google uses cell phone towers in your immediate area to triangulate your location. This information is then cross referenced by Skyhook Wireless. Skyhook Wireless has driven around the US and Canada marking WiFi hot spots. These hot spots give off beacons that are picked up by the iPhone even if it is not connected to them. The cross referenced information is then fed through Google Maps displaying a small circle on the map with your location.

This location can then be used as a starting point to received directions elsewhere through Google Maps. This system also works for pin pointing locations you wish to remember. On your Google Map, simply drop a pin on the location of your favorite restaurant, shop or friends house and you have the location saved for future use. The collaboration of Skyhook Wireless, Google, and Apple to bring Maps with Locations to the iPhone.

The new iPhone 16GB model is rumored to only be the first in a new fleet of iPhones to serve multiple needs. These rumors have been turning for a while now but with the release of the 16GB model gossips are more convinced than ever that KeyNote 2009 will include a few new iPhones to choose from.

Some projectors believe the new fleet will follow in the footsteps of previous iPod products and include something like the iPone Nano, and the iPhone Shuffle. These smaller and cheaper versions may not have all of the features of the iPhone but will offer a product more accessible to the average cell phone user. The pictures are just one speculator’s depiction of what might be around the corner.

The revolutionary iPhone is now available in a 16GB model for $499. Speculators, including Blogintosh, thought this new upgrade would be announced at MacWorld however the new model was posted as available for sale on Apple’s website February 5th.

The new model will have all the same features as the previous 8GB model however it has more capacity for storage of movies, music, and pictures. It is available for purchase through the Apple Store, or AT&T stores.

The iPod touch is now available in 32GB giving even more storage room for $499.

If you bought an iPhone and are having trouble learning all the functions of your new gadget, go to www.apple.com/iphone for video tutorials on all the cool features. Watch, practice and enjoy.

One of the great benefits of going to Macworld is visiting booths of new products. One product we loved so much we bought it on the spot and are recommending it to everyone we know.

InvisibleSHIELD is a clear urethane plastic film that adheres directly to your technical device. It is a soft plastic that is not only incredibly strong but also self healing, at Macworld demonstrators were trying to pierce the material with a ball point pen and were unsuccessful. Originally designed by the military to protect helicopter blades, the material adds an easy to grip texture without adding any bulk. Use InvisibleSHIELD over a touch screen and it does not inhibit the sensitivity in any way. For example you can place the InvisibleSHIELD on your iPhone, or iPod and still use the touch screens as though it isn’t even there. The material is not sticky and will not damage your device by leaving a tacky residue.

InvisibleSHIELD has covers for hundreds of devices including lap tops, cameras, iPods, cell phones, gaming systems and many more for very reasonable prices. Cover as much or as little as you like with materials cut to fit just the screen or to wrap the entire device. Please take a look at their website, we’re sure you’re going to love it just as much as we do. Military protection for your Apple gear…. it doesn’t get much cooler than that. http://www.shieldzone.com/

Blogintosh’s predictions on the release of a new iPhone were a little off, however Apple did announce a software update for the existing iPhone and iPod Touch. The upgraded software comes free for iPhones and provides many missing features that caused the largest complaints among smartphone dependents.The new features are:

• Maps with your location
• Webclips
• Customization of home screen
• Group text messaging
• Chapters, subtitles, and languages for videos
• Lyrics support for music

The upgrade for the iPod Touch comes at the low cost of $20.00 and includes many of the same updates as the iPhone.The updates for the iPod Touch are:

• Maps, Weather, Notes, Stocks, Mail
• Webclips
• Customization of home screen
• Chapters, subtitles, languages for videos

We can’t wait to try a few of these features out and are even more excited for upgrades to come. The updates for the iPhone and iPod Touch are available now. When you plug your iPod Touch into your computer iTunes will prompt you to purchase the update.