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Apple on Tuesday afternoon released version 3.1.3 of its iPhone OS software for the iPhone and iPod touch, bringing with it improved accuracy of reported battery level on the iPhone 3GS.
The update also reportedly resolves an issue where third-party applications would not launch in some instances. It also addresses a bug that could cause applications to crash when using the Japanese Kana keyboard.
iPhone OS 3.1.3 also includes a number of security updates related to CoreAudio, ImageIO, Recovery Mode and WebKit. Full details are available in the support document on Apple’s Web site.
The update for the iPhone and iPod touch operating system is available for download through iTunes.
The last update, iPhone OS 3.1.2, arrived last October. It fixed an issue that would cause the iPhone to not wake from sleep, and resolved a glitch that could interrupt cellular network services until restart.
Last week, iPhone OS 3.2 was revealed as part of the new multi-touch iPad. For now, the operating system upgrade is for the iPad hardware only, which is scheduled to launch before the end of March.
iPhone OS 3.2 offers a number of enhancements over the current operating system, including a home screen that can be viewed either horizontally or vertically. It is not yet known what additional features in the iPad version of the iPhone OS could show up in the iPhone or iPod touch.

Source: Apple Insider

Intel’s forthcoming "Gulftown" 32nm, six-core processor will be known as the Core i7-980X and could be a part of new Mac Pro systems from Apple in early 2010.
Contrary to earlier reports, the new processors will not adopt the Core i9 name, and will allegedly keep the Core i7 title, according to leaked information relayed by Hardmac, the English-language version of French Apple site MacBidouille. The new processor, code-named "Gulftown" will fall under the i7 "Extreme Edition" category, the first of which will be the i7-980X.
The alleged roadmap from Intel shows that the processor will clock in at 3.33GHz. That chip is expected to arrive in March 2010, but in the past, Apple has reached exclusive agreements with Intel to be the first to carry its new processors.
Previous reports have suggested Apple is testing the new Xeon chip, based on the Gulftown architecture, in its Mac Pro desktop. The new, upgraded processor features more horsepower and lower power consumption, and will be the first dual-socket, six-core processor for Intel.
The new 32 nanometer chips have 12MB of L3 cache, and six cores with 12 threads for each CPU. Apple usually doubles the processors in its high-end professional workstations, so it’s possible the new Mac Pro system could have a total of 12 cores and 24 threads. The new hardware could be released sometime in the first quarter of 2010.

The last major refresh to the Mac Pro equipped it with its Nehalem Xeon processors, with a high-end eight-core Mac Pro offering two 2.26GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 5500 chips. Earlier this month, Apple quietly upgraded that to a potential maximum 2.93GHz eight-core system.

Source: Apple Insider

Following various reports of exploding iPhones and iPod touches, Apple has reportedly informed the European Commission that it has begun a probe into the matter.

In a new report from Reuters, a spokeswoman from the European Union’s consumer safety division stated that Apple is gathering information on a number of events in which users allege devices running the iPhone OS exploded. Apple has reported the incidents to the union as "isolated," but will do tests to determine the possible cause.

"What they’ve said to us is that they consider these are isolated incidents," Helen Kearns said at a news briefing. "They don’t consider that there’s a general problem."

A spokesman for Apple in Europe added little else: "We are aware of these reports and we are waiting to receive the iPhones from the customers. Until we have the full details, we don’t have anything further to add."

Earlier this month, a report from the U.K. over a supposed exploding iPod touch said the company attempted to refund the family only if they agreed to keep quiet. In that case, an 11-year-old girl reportedly dropped the device, at which point it hissed, popped, and flew into the air. After the family requested a refund, Apple sent a letter denying any liability on the company’s part. It also asked the family to "keep the terms of existence of this settlement agreement completely confidential."

Reuters also cites a recent incident in which a French teenager was "slightly injured" when his iPhone made a hissing noise and shattered. The boy’s mother is considering taking legal action against Apple.

Earlier this year, Apple was sued over an alleged exploding iPod touch in Ohio. In that suit, the complainant states that a second-generation device exploded, set a person’s pants on fire, and caused second-degree burns.

Source: Apple Insider

They call it the iPhone 3G S for a reason. The S stands for speed, and everything on the new iPhone is up to 2X faster or more. This includes opening apps, surfing the Web, e-mails, and more. The iPhone 3G S supports 7.2 Mbps HSDPA, a network upgrade that will be coming to AT&T later this summer.The 16GB model will sell for $199 and the 32GB will cost $299. They come in black and white, and go on sale June 19. The existing iPhone gets a price drop to $99 today. Look out, everyone else.  

The new device features a 3-megapixel autofocus camera. You can also tap to focus on a specific object. The iPhone 3G S also has a an auto macro mode, so when you get close to an object the function will automatically kick in.

The new camera also captures video, and you can record 30 fps footage at VGA resolution. This could give the Flip a run for its money, although it’s not HD. Not only can you edit footage, you can put it up on MobileMe or YouTube or share via MMS (if the carrier supports it.) Apple predicts that the iPhone 3G S will be the most popular device for sharing video. And Apple will allow developers to tap into this feature, too.

voicecontrol1The new voice control feature looks pretty slick. Hold down the home button and a new interface pops up, complete with search terms floating by you can use. You can do voice dialing, as well as play songs by certain artists or tell your iPhone 3GS to start playing a playlist. You can even say play more songs like this, which taps into the iTunes Genius feature.

A new built-in compass and compass app is on board. You can go right into Google Maps and it will orient to the direction you’re facing. This is a great feature that will make it easy to get your bearings.

Another new feature is integrated Nike Plus functionality, so you can track your workouts and get your distance. On the business side is a new hardware encryption feature, which supports instantaneous remote wipe.

Battery life is now up to 9 hours of web surfing vs. 6 hours, and improvement across the board in other categories is promised, including video and music playback.

The current iPhone 3G will sell for just $99 (8GB version). That’s quite a drop, starting today.

Overall, the iPhone 3G S doesn’t look all that different, but it’s the new guts that will make people want it. I just hope AT&T can ramp up its network to support 7.2 Mbps data fast enough to keep up with this speed demon.

Source: Laptop MAG
Image: Copyright of Apple.com

Apple aficionados turned their attention this week back to a rumored Apple iPod touch-like tablet device. Chatter about such a gadget has risen and fallen several times over the past few months, so what put it back on the front burner? It seems a recent Piper Jaffray report suggests Apple is working with suppliers to deliver such a large-screen touch tablet sometime in the first half of 2010. Meanwhile, netbooks continue to be all the rage on the PC side of the fence, though Mac netbook rumors have appeared to die down lately.