The iPod Nation

Phone plans for Apple’s iPhone comes with a certain number of text messages depending on what plan you have but it’s easy to go over this allotted number, and pricey! Macsimum News has provided a way to send free text messages via the free service Teleflip.com. Enjoy!

1. Create a new email message.
2. In the To: box, type 10digitnumber@teleflip.com. (1235551234@teleflip.com)
3. Type a message and click send.
4. The message will be sent to the cell phone with the number in the To: box
5. All recieved text messages will be sent to you as an email.

-Ray

[Source: Macsimum News]

According to Silicon Alley insider, the waiting list to get into the iPhone developer program is about 6 months long. On top of this, once your application is done, you have to wait about two weeks to get you application fully approved by Apple.

I’m not really liking the content control approach that Apple is taking towards the iPhone. Imagine if these circumstances were the same for developing programs on the Mac OS X operating system? It would be terrible.

Thankfully, there is some news that after the beta period of the SDK expires on July 11th the doors for development will be opened fully, allowing for all developers to get their hands at developing killer app’s.

-Jameson

[Source: TUAW]

The Beatles are very close to securing a deal with the video game hit Guitar Hero which will be the first digital music release for the world renowned band. The Beatles music will also be featured on rival video game Rock Band with talks of a Beatles-themed Guitar Hero and Rock Band game in the works as well.

The deal is said to be valued at several million dollars and will need approval of The Beatles’ Apple Corps and their parent label EMI and Sony who own most of the copyrights to the Beatles library. There has been a lot of interest in Beatles music since being featured on American Idol with demand for their music via ringtones and other channels seeing a huge rise. It’s no surprise to see The Beatles music going digital in a video game before being available on iTunes, maybe it has something to do with the name Apple?

-Ray

[Source: Electronista]

Yesterday was the iPhone’s 1st birthday. That’s right- one year ago today the iPhone was released in the United States. We were out of the office celebrating, so this post didn’t come until today. I would just take this time to reflect how far the iPhone has come in it’s one year of life.

Since it’s introduction into this world, the iPhone had gone through three Firmware updates (a fourth is forthcoming), a major price reduction, and has evolved into it’s second generation- the iPhone 3G.

Now with the 2nd generation iPhone coming will we keep June 29th, 2007 as the birthday of the iPhone, or will it be July 11th?

-Jameson

[Source: The iPhone Blog]

In addition to bringing you the latest news on Apple’s iPhone, iPhone Spies will now be bringing you free wallpapers that you can download and use to customize your iPhone. We have started a page on the blog that will hold the wallpapers. You may have noticed on the bar at the top of the page. You can get to the wallpapers here: iPhone Wallpapers

Our first batch of wallpapers comes from the “Artistic” realm of wallpapers. We will be adding new fresh wallpapers as we get them. We have plans to add Wallpapers from many other categories, so be sure to check back for the latest stuff. I hope you enjoy!

-Jameson

There has been another rumor bouncing around lately that the iPhone may get MMS (Multimedia Messaging) from AT&T as as a part of it’s upcoming Firmware 2.0 update. For those of you who are relenting to get an iPhone due to this lack of capability, this may add something for the case on why you should get an iPhone.

This speculation comes with AT&T dropping text messages as a part of their basic service plans for the iPhone. They are not treating the iPhone more like a 3G device, by making each feature independently purchasable.

The screenshot above is from the Swirly MMS application that can be downloaded via Installer.app on a hacked iPhone.

-Jameson

[Source: iPhone Freak]

iLuv has just released their il255 iPod dock and DVD player. This is more than just an iPod dock to listen to your music with, it features a 5.1 surround-sound capable DVD player which can read CD, VCD, MP3, JPEG CD as well as Kodak Picture CD’s. The il255 comes with dock adapters allowing it to work with iPod Classic, iPod touch, iPod nano as well as video iPods. The il255 also charges your iPod and allows you to watch videos from your iPod on your TV. Unfortunately no HDMI connections are available as of yet for the iLuv dock. It does feature S-Video, coaxial digital audio output, and 5.1 analog. The il255 dock from iLuv retails for $149.99 which is a great price for an iPod dock, let alone one that includes a DVD player as well.

-Ray

[Source: Macworld]

Even though the iPhone Firmware wasn’t release today, I have some news about it. Yesterday, the iPhone SDK beta 8 was released to developers. This distribution of the SDK is supposedly the gold master version, meaning it is as close to ready for public release as possible.

This edition of the SDK will be compatible with the inevitable release of the Firmware 2.0, which means developers should be hot on it to get their applications ready for the release of the iPhone 3G. I tried downloading it last night, but my wi-fi was having a fit. I’ll try to download it later and give it a try.

-Jameson

Apple has recently released a pre-releases version of iTunes 7.7 for developers. It seems an unannounced application has been added into this new version of iTunes which was hidden in the Read Me. The Read Me shows that Apple will including a free application on the App Store which will let you control iTunes via your iPhone or iTouch.The section with the hint is below:

Use iTunes 7.7 to sync music, video, and more with iPhone 3G, and download applications from the iTunes Store exclusively designed for iPhone and iPod touch with software version 2.0 or later. Also use the new Remote application for iPhone or iPod touch to control iTunes playback from anywhere in your home — a free download from the App Store.

This is one rumor that I’m very happy to see come true.

-Ray

[Source: Macrumors]

It seems as though those rumors of the iPhone Firmware coming out today (June 27th) didn’t pull through after all. I woke up this morning to find my Software Update prompt telling me I needed to update my iPhone. As I mentioned in an earlier post, a reader at MacRumors pointed out that Apple stated in the official press release that the Firmware 2.0 would be release on July 11th. So, I’m not really that disappointed by this non-developlment.

However, there is some news that Dot Mac was down for a few hours this morning. This may mean that we will get the new Mobile Me service sooner than we expected. For now I’ll just sit at work hoping and waiting for the newest Mac Goodies to come my way.

-Jameson