iPhone 3.0 updates

Updated 21 Mar 2009: Youtube videos of portions of the presentations

Apple is currently having a conference in the US talking about the new features of the iPhone 3.0. There are also some cool demos of the new apps that will be based on the iPhone 3.0. Developer beta is available now.

iPhone 3.0 software will be available to all iPhones free (including original). However, some features will not work on the original iPhone as the hardware does not support it. iPod Touch will have an update too, but you'll need to pay again due to licencing issues ($9.95).


The new version looks good for developers:

1. Over 1,000 new APIs
   
   
2. Supports App in App purchase. E.g. Buy a few new levels for a game app you have bought previously.
   
   Basically, I translate that to mean that you can access the App Store via API, so you can embed your "store" in your app.
   
   
3. Updated the APIs for Bonjour for peer to peer, and it has been enabled for Bluetooth too.
   
   
4. Allow developers to write apps that talk to the hardware either connected by the dock connectors, or by Bluetooth!
   
   However, the devices are limited to those made for iPhone/iPod accessories only. I guess it's because the protocol used is Bonjour.
   
   
5. Turn by turn navigation supported in the API, but maps have to be self provided due to licencing issues.
   
   
6. Google Maps access, iPod Library access, Mail access, Proximity sensor, Shake sensor, Streaming audio/video, etc from API.
   
   
7. Push Notifications (finally). E.g. Meebo
   
   
8. Cuy, Copy and Paste, and Undo/Redo API. :) Minimal work to integrate into your own apps.
   

How about end-user features?

1. Cut, Copy and Paste. :)
   
   The UI experience is quite different from other phones, from what I read. It seems to meet the approval of the people who attended the talk.
   
   This is enabled for all the iPhone default apps. You can copy a photo and paste it into Mail. You can also copy the whole SMS content.
   
   
2. In mail, shake to Undo, and shake to Re-do. :)
   
   
3. Landscape mode, and search has been enabled for all iPhone key apps. (e.g. Mail)
   
   
4. SMS is now called Messages. Able to forward, and delete single or multiple messages. MMS is now supported.
   
   
5. New Voice Memos App. Integrates to Mail and MMS.
   
   
6. Calendar now supports third party calendars using CalDav or ICS format.
   
   
7. Stocks App update. I think they made it a little similar to Bloomberg.
   
   
8. Spotlight is added into iPhone so that there's one common search screen for all the apps. It will be to the left of the main home screen.
   
   
9. Shake to shuffle (Nano anyone?)
   
   
10. Notes sync between iPhone and Mac/PC.
    
    
11. Wi-fi auto-login.
    
    Hmm... Does it support Wireless@SG?
    
    
12. Youtube account support, so you can see your favourites.
    

There are many more features (100 new ones) but I think these are the main gist. Looks like they are making it more appealing for the general users. Knowing Apple's calendar, iPhone 3.0 should be available in June, in their WWDC conference. They'll most probably introduce some new hardware too.

Below are some of the Youtube Videos I've found: