We are nearing the launch of the new iPhone 3G.  AT&T is gearing up for their July 11th 8:00am launch date, by announcing the prices of the plans needed for the new iPhone 3G.  For those looking to start a new contract or are eligible for an upgrade can grab the iPhone for $199(8GB) or $299(16GB).  While those that want to upgrade the phone but can’t upgrade the contract must pay $399(8GB) and $499(16GB). AT&T has also prepared a video to help you help them.  It highlights what you need to have ready for when you buy the phone, since you need to activate in-store.  Here is a view of the prices of the plans that will be available for your new iPhone purchase.

Here are the individual plans, which do not include text messaging:

And here is the Family Plan, which also does not include text messaging:

And here are the texting options:

We leave you with the video AT&T created to help you make the proccess easier for the both of you.  Enjoy, and start making your plan of what to do while waiting in line for the new iPhone 3G!

AT&T iReady

written by Councillor Wes \\ tags: 3G, Apple, AT&T, iPhone

Everyone go straight to Apple’s Software Update program and get your copy of Leopard updated! (>Software Update)  Today Apple released an update to their current OS, Leopard.  I’m going t ogive you a quick rundown of the new features of the new update.  Engadget.com has a great break-up of the new update, which i will post here.

From Engadget.com (all credit goes to their authors)

General

• Includes recent Apple security updates.
• Resolves an issue with saving and reopening Adobe Creative Suite 3 files on a remote server.
• Includes additional RAW image support for several cameras.
• Addresses an issue that may result in a partially installed X11 application.
• Improves L2TP VPN client reliability.

AirPort

• Addresses AirPort reliability issues with 5GHz networks.
• Addresses AirPort issues that may result in slower performance in Logic Studio or MainStage.

iCal

• Improves overall iCal reliability for meeting requests, cancellation notices, delegation, and syncing with iPhone.
• Resolves an issue that prevents deleting an iCal event without notifying the creator.
• Addresses an issue in which events in all calendars affect availability. A checkbox now enables information-only calendars to be transparent from free/busy lookups.
• Resolves a UI issue preventing delegated calendars from showing up as a separate window.
• Addresses an issue with copying and pasting attendees from one event to another.
• Resolves an issue in which iCal may not delete events after a specified time interval, even when set to do so in iCal preferences.
• Addresses an issue in which To Dos cannot be marked private.

Safari

• Addresses a potential performance issue when loading secure web pages.
• Resolves issues that may be encountered when accessing secure web pages with client certificates that reside on a smart card.

Spaces and Exposé

• Addresses an issue in which switching from a space with a Finder window keeps the Finder as the active application instead of the application residing in the destination space.
• Fixes an issue in which dragging an application from the list of application assignments in Spaces System Preferences does not assign the application to the desired space.
• Resolves an Exposé issue that may result in only a subset of windows being shown.

Go now and update with Apple’s updater and post your thoughts about this update in the comments section.

written by Councillor Wes \\ tags: Apple, leopard, OS X, Software

Bundled with the new iPhone SDK 8 beta release that Apple shipped out to developers the other day was the pre-release of iTunes 7.7. It seems that iTunes 7.7 will be a requirement for the new iPhone 3G and iPhone 2.0 firmware.

According to the readme file inside the new iTunes Beta, iTunes 7.7 will allow iPhone and iPod touch users to download a free application that can remotely control iTunes on their mac’s. It is said that this will most likely work via a home network wi-fi connection. Reportedly, this free application will be available in the App Store upon the 2.0 firmware release.

Could we see Apple allowing a similar feature through Apple TV soon? Or even Airport Express Capabilities?

written by Councillor Ben \\ tags: Apple, iPhone, itouch, iTunes

Yesterday, I commented on a portable classroom design that seemed to be heavily influenced by the iPod. Today however I’ve found a product which not only seems to be influenced by the same chic Apple design but is also made for Apple users.

Its called MILK.

A 51×31 inch desk designed specifically as a personalized work space for lovers of Macs, MacBooks, Ipods and all other Apple accessories. A fully functional, fully personalized work station, made specifically to match your Mac.

The desk was designed by Holmris Hasen of Scandinavia not for commercial or business use but as a personal desk for himself. “I needed a desk that was simple but never boring. Smart but never overly sophisticated. I wanted a desk that was worth falling for.”

Since then however MILK has matured and is now being sold online. You can now buy your own MILK workstation direct from the Milkman with all the bells and whistles to make your home office, a Mac home office.

written by Councillor Ben \\ tags: Apple, design, desk, Holmris Hasen, milk, workstation

Man and Machine (M&M) makes waterproof computer accessories targetted at hospitals and labs. They’ve decided to file a lawsuit against Apple and CBS for their use of the term ‘Mighty Mouse’. Apple as we well know uses the term to describe the popular computer mouse, while CBS uses it for a cartoon character.

The suit has bee filed in the US District Court for the District of Maryland. M&M has said both Apple and CBS are infringing on its Mighty Mouse trademark. CBS and M&M had already been battling over the trademark, but Apple was just now brought into the frey because it licensed the use of the term from CBS (I didn’t know that, did you?).

M&M has stated it is cool with CBS using the trademark for its cartoon and clothing products. However, the big beef M&M has is that CBS has applied for a trademark for the term as it relates to a computer mouse…and the date of application is later than that of M&M.

A snippet from the lawsuit:

“Because of Apple’s size, fame and large advertising budget, Apple’s use of the Mighty Mouse trademark has and will continue to overwhelm M&M’s use of its Mighty Mouse trademark and will cause M&M to lose the value of that trademark…”

I can certainly understand M&M’s problem here. Good for them for taking Apple and CBS on. M&M is seeking damages, attorney fees, interest and costs.

[via MacWorld UK]

written by Mr. Mayor \\ tags: Apple, CBS, Man and Machine, Mighty Mouse, waterproof mouse

Jim Cramer recently made some interesting comments on Apple, and how it is clearly dominating the younger demographic… especially among teens.

In the video I’ve linked to at the bottom of this post, he tells us how we should watch children and teenagers and what they believe a computer to be. He believes that most teens view Apple products as real computers… While PC’s are something their parents use for other stuff that they could care less about.

‘I don’t believe anyone is going to ask for a Hewlett-Packard or a Dell when they go to college…’

He also commented that most of the people that run money and the markets have a lot of resistance to what is going on in the computer marketplace. ‘They don’t go to enough Apple stores…or they’re not lucky enough like I am to have teenagers…’

Anyways I digress… It’s a very interesting video and certainly points to bright outlook for Apple in the years to come. Watch the video here.

written by Mr. Mayor \\ tags: Apple, Apple Stores, Jim Cramer, TheStreet.com

Apple has been very good to people recently. For instance, offering firmware upgrades to the Airport Extreme Base Station that now give it the ability to use Time Machine with an AirPort Disk attached to it - something many people said would never happen as “greedy” Apple would want people to buy their Time Capsule hardware.

So, what have people turned to in order to get outraged with Apple? Well, it’s Apple pushing Safari onto poor, innocent Windows users.

When I ran Apple’s update application on my wife’s Windows PC, it came up with the option to install Safari. It wasn’t forced on me - just suggested. I know my wife would still be using Internet Explorer if I hadn’t downloaded Firefox for her years ago. So, assuming that there are many Windows users like my wife, who wouldn’t even consider looking elsewhere for an alternative to Internet Explorer, I think it’s totally fair for Apple to suggest one.

The people they are offering Safari to are already Apple software users (iTunes/QuickTime) and with the iPhone using Safari too, one could argue that the more people who are given the opportunity to use Safari, the better.

So, how do you feel on the matter? Why not leave a comment on the Mactropolis Forums and let the community know.

written by Mike Bradbrook \\ tags: Apple, iTunes, Quicktime, Safari, Windows

Many consumers are surprised that the iPhone still has no internet-video player. Adobe has a tight grip on this technology on mobile devices and it’s unbelievable that Apple and Adobe still haven’t reached an agreement. “Why?” is a reasonable question to ask. Unfortunately, it appears that the only man with an answer to that question is Steve Jobs himself. When asked, no other spokesperson or employee of Apple could answer the question.

Luckily, with the release of the SDK prone to come by the end of February, many sources believe that Adobe will be able to develop the flash player at that time. But the question still stands, why has Steve Job’s been delaying the process? Is there some underlying issue here? Unfortunately, with no official statements being made, us bloggers are left to be the ones to speculate. With so little sources, even the author of the article quotes Andru Edwards over at the Gear Live blog.

My opinion? Apple has something in the works, most probably a video player of their own creation. This would be quite the feat because almost all videos online are flash-based. This would also be a surprising move because Apple and Adobe have a history of a strong relationship, caused by both of their products driving the sales of the other so solidly. Really, all we can do is speculate and wait to see what happens.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal 02/21/08 P. B3]

written by Simone Renee \\ tags: Adobe, Apple, iPhone, iPhone SDK

I’ve recently read a few reports on the web that Apple is now the world’s leading smartphone manufacturer. “Really?” I thought in disbalief as I read the reports… “That just can’t be.. I mean, not yet anyways”. Turns out that after the luring headline, the story revealed a different reality. Apple is now third in the industry behind RIM and Nokia. Not bad when you consider the iPhone was only launched last year. They’ve made up a lot of ground in a short amount of time.

Also consider that RIM and Nokia have multiple devices on carriers all around the world, while Apple is still introducing the iPhone to select countries around the globe.

Apple shipped 2,320,840 units of the iPhone in Q4 and it is expected to ship several millions more when the iPhone becomes available in Asia and other markets around the world. Keep in mind that while Nokia shipped 18,802,480 units, and RIM shipped 4,046,860 units, these numbers include multiple devices and models. Not the one product Apple is offering.

I wonder how many units Apple will ship once they hit the Asian market!?

[Source]

written by Mr. Mayor \\ tags: Apple, iPhone, Nokia, RIM

Last week, Mr. Jobs was being interviewed by CNBC’s Jim Goldman when he was asked about the threat posed to the iPod by the Vole’s famous mp3 player, the Zune.

His response was to ask ‘Do you even know anyone who owns a Zune?’

Well, I’d like to say that I do, so there! And they love it. They say that it’s brilliant. It works excellently, is stylish, the sound is incredible and the battery life is out of this world.

I’d like to say all of that.

The thing is, I know a lot of people who really like Microsoft’s products. Real Microsoft fans. We tend not to stay in the same room for longer than entirely possible - they just end up getting too defensive.

Well, the thing is… it’s like this…

I don’t really know anybody with a Zune. I’m sure I probably do. Statistically, I must. Or, at least, I know someone who knows someone who has a Zune. Maybe. My LinkedIn network has lots of people on it - almost 2.5 million at the third degree (friends of friends of friends - or something). Some of those on the second degree work for Microsoft for crying out loud. One of them must have a Zune. I’m sure that walking around the Richmond campus listening to your iPod would be a hanging offence. So they must have a Zune.But the thing is, nobody has actually told me about it.

You know the way that your friends who have an iPhone or an iPod Touch or even just a new iPod, you know the way they ‘let you know’? That’s never happened to me with the Zune. Which is a little odd because someone must have one. And someone must like them.

Actually, I want the Zune to be good - well, better than it is now. I want it to be an innovative product. Something that stretches the boundaries of what we expect from a media player. I want some competition from Microsoft. Actually, it can come from anyone but they seem to have the most money to throw at this one.

The Zune being fundamentally unloved and, let’s assume, a bit useless is not good for Apple or for us as end users. Apple could become complacent. The iPod could become flabby. Anything could happen.

By buying something that has been panned and ridiculed, Zune owners are standing up for competition and the improvement of media players for us all. It’s exactly the same process that has led to Mac OSX being so much better than Windows Vista - except that at all stages, Apple got there first and did it better.

So, if you see or hear of anyone with a Zune, don’t mock them. Instead take a photo and keep it safe - as a constant reminder of what could have been.

written by James Barisic \\ tags: Apple, iPod, Microsoft, Steve Jobs, Zune