When Apple gave us a preview of iPhone Firmware 3.0 which includes more than 100 new features; they also released iPhone firmware 3.0 beta which is available only to developers of the iPhone Developer program.
But during Apple's special event, they showcased only some of the features out of the 100 new features. So it was expected that iPhone firmware 3.0 beta would reveal some interesting details that were not announced.
The beta version of iPhone firmware 3.0 has already revealed the screenshot which suggests that we could see video capabilities in the next generation iPhone and then code references to new iPhones and iPod Touch.
Here are some more details about the new features in iPhone firmware 3.0.
More details about Spotlight for iPhone:
One of the best features that Apple introduced in iPhone firmware 3.0 is Spotlight for iPhone which addresses one of the most painful things about the iPhone which is lack of a search feature.
Spotlight is essentially the iPhone version of the universal search feature that is available on Macs. Spotlight for iPhone will now be your new left-most home screen. You can just start typing in the search box which brings up a list of everything that matches your search.
Using Spotlight for the iPhone you will be able to search:
- iPhone Apps
- Contacts
- Calendar
- Email (To, From, Subject but not message content)
- iPod (Music, Video, Podcasts, Audiobooks)
- Notes
- Messaging (SMS / MMS)
Below is the video clip of how it works from Apple's special event:
However, I had mentioned earlier that I preferred the QuickGold way of invoking the Search screen (clicking on the Home button when you are on the first home screen launches QuickGold). The photos from iLounge's first impression revealed that Apple has added Spotlight/Search as an option for the Home Button. So double-clicking on the Home button from the Home screen or while using any other iPhone app will directly take you to the Spotlight home screen.
In addition to this setting, as you can see in the screenshot on the right, you can also customize the type of items you would like to search for.
Double-Click to Launch Camera App:
Along with Spotlight, Apple has also added Camera app to the Home button settings (Settings > General > Home Button) in iPhone fimrware 3.0 so if the Camera application is your favorite iPhone; you can quickly launch it from your iPhone's home screen or any other iPhone app by double-clicking on the Home button.
Podcast download limits removed:
The screenshot from iPhone Firmware 3.0 beta (courtesy Mac Rumors forum member ‘getinline1’) indicates that Apple might lift the 10 MB download limit on podcasts that is currently applicable if you are trying to download them via cellular networks.
Unfortunately, the 10MB limit while downloading iPhone apps from cellular networks still seems to be in place even in iPhone firmware 3.0.
Find My iPhone:
Another screenshot from iPhone firmware 3.0 has revealed a new feature called "Find my iPhone".
AppleInsider speculates:
"It would appear that the service obtains the iPhone's location and makes it available to the MobileMe user on request if the unit is lost or stolen."
Though I'm not sure how effective it will be when the iPhone gets stolen as the feature can easily be disabled by turning off the iPhone.
It's also important to note that these features were seen in beta version of iPhone firmware 3.0 so Apple could decide to make further changes to them by the time the final version is available to iPhone users in summer.
We would love to hear your thoughts on these new features in the comments section below.
didnt know about quickgold so getting it now to check it out, but i cant wait to hear more about the other features
If you're on the first page of the home screen and then push the Home button once it will take you to Iphone spotlight.
i think i'm most excited about new hardware. many of these features that have been discovered or announced have already been developed and avaible for jailbroken iphones.
Yeh a lot of the features that are anounced have been available for jailbroken iPhones, Clippy does exactly the same job as Apple C&P but I think is better because it has the "Stack" option.
I'm also more interested in the new hardware in the new iPhone. The new messaging icon is ugly, I think. I prefer if it had something inside the bubble, it looks soo plain.
True, but I think it's nice that Apple are taking the consumers views into consideration. With the new API's, there's also bound to be a massive surge of new, never seen before, Apps in the appstore. I also believe there's going to be some real expensive apps and the usual(quality) freebies. Personally, I'm looking forward to 3.0, I think it really will take that jump forward that the iPhone needs to compete with the current trend of Smartphones & PDA devices on the market today. Nokia's 5800 for example is a real nice first entry into touchscreen, plus they are constantly releasing new models with upgraded features and software. Some reviews say it's a close call between the 5800, iPhone & Blackberry's, my choice came about after 'i looked, i liked, i bought', i realized the lack of features after i'd parted with £342 gbp. Apple have to pull the rabbit now or the competition will stomp them (us) into obscurity.
Most of the revealed features seem beneficial to the consumer needs and wants, but if you look deeper (i'm a cynic by nature, inquisitive too) you see that Apple are just trying to cover up some major gaffs.
Spotlight: Oh, we'll give you a 'Search your device function'
Copy & Paste: Available on some of the earliest Palm's & O2 XDA series & BASIC NOKIA'S!!!!
Bluetooth: Wont even go there bar saying the most basic Sony Ericsson & nokia have this
Turn by Turn Nav: Palm/Nokia/Sony E Turn by Turn available with Bluetooth GPS (TomTom do a PDA version and most top end Nokia's come with TT preinstalled or on SD!!
3.0 MUST be seen as a major fix to a substandard O/S, i'm just hoping that they get it right this time….will there be a 3.1 release to fix the flaws that will bug the s*** out of us from 3.0?? Or will they just get it spot on
alritre wat got me interestd is the new iPhone. With all this talk of improvd battery, proccessor, internet speen with quaility media!! How much is this phone going to be. A good $350 with a twoyear contract and 700 hands down … Hope not
definitely apple is quite late in such technology. but… they definitely give us the very special thing
when is it going to be released?
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