iPhone Updates

Developers have found new header files in a directory labeled "compass" under iPhone OS 3.0 beta 5. These files point to Japanese company Asahi Kasei’s azimuth sensor No. AK8973. The reference describes a chip otherwise known as a digital compass, or a magnetometer, that comes bundled with a master clock oscillator.

The confirmation of this additional hardware on the next-generation iPhone is exciting, to say the least. Applications that would take advantage of an azimuth sensor have only begun to develop and make a multitude of new functionality possible.

Jibbler? The name may be awkward, however the code buried within iPhone OS 3.0 it refers to could make the iPhone much more talkative. Jibbler works with the SpringBoard and Spotlight in iPhone OS 3.0 to recognize and synthesize speech.

With improved processing power, it's possible the next iPhone could be controlled by the user's voice. In addition, the iPhone could read off contact names, calendar entries, or song titles on demand. A new Voice Services class has been discovered which may mean that Jibbler will be available to developers in Apple's Software Development Kit (SDK).

Apple has released the second beta version of iPhone OS 3.0 to developers (build 7A259). They are making progress and the latest beta includes several new operational features. Application developers can finally start developing for push notification service, as well as in-app purchasing capabilities. Apple will soon provide live testing services to a limited number of developers.

The home screen in iPhone 3.0 beta 2 allows for up to 11 pages of apps instead of the current 9 pages, which including the dock will provide space for a whopping 180 applications. Stability and speed have also been improved in the latest version.

With all the buzz surrounding iPhone OS 3.0, it's easy to forget the incredible potential of next-generation mobile hardware coming our way this summer. When it comes to the insides of Apple's iPhone 3.0, there are plenty of upgrades in the works.

One only has to look at the deals Apple has already made with its partners in the hardware manufacturing business to picture the next device. In one of the most dramatic and exciting developments, LG has made a multibillion dollar deal with Apple to supply the company with OLED displays.

With the initial excitement of Apple's iPhone 3.0 preview already passed, users of the iPhone OS 3.0 Beta have been finding several new features that appear to be in the works for a next generation device. One such feature is video recording, which reports have indicated would come along with an upgraded camera and possibly a multi-core GPU (graphics processing unit).

Backing up the claim are screenshots from the MobileMe upload screen in iPhone OS 3.0 that say "Publish Video" at the top of the app. Of course, a better camera would mean higher-resolution still photos, too. Other features that look interesting have also appeared in leaked screenshots of iPhone OS 3.0 Beta.