iPhone 3GS Launch has App Developers Seeing Gold

2009-06-27T19:15:00.000-07:00

Friday's launch of the iPhone 3GS could usher in an innovative and lucrative new era for those who create applications for the popular device, developers and industry observers say.

This woman in an iPhone costume was among the crowd outside an Apple Store in New York City on Friday.

The phone's upgraded hardware, combined with a new operating system, will allow developers to design apps that wouldn't have worked on previous models of the iPhone.

For example, developers said, the iPhone 3GS is the first iPhone with a video camera, which could inspire apps that edit or mix video clips. Other developers are eyeing the new phone's built-in compass or its "push notification" feature, which pings users with messages even if its instant-message application is not open.

"Apple has given us all these new tools," said William Kasel, founder and CEO of Jumpfox, a San Francisco, California-based company that makes mobile apps. "And I can't wait to see what developers come out with in the next six months. The new features really take [the phone] to a whole new level."

Apple fans in the United States and seven other countries lined up Friday morning to be among the first to get their hands on the new iPhone 3GS, billed as the fastest, most feature-laden iPhone yet. iReport: Buying an iPhone 3GS?

Lines outside Apple's 211 retail stores in the United States were generally shorter than for last July's debut of the iPhone 3G, probably because owners of that phone balked at paying upgrade fees to wireless carrier AT&T or could simply update their devices by downloading the iPhone's new 3.0 operating system.

The buying process also seemed smoother than last summer's iPhone launch, which was marred by slow-moving lines and a flood of customers trying to activate their phones at once. According to reports on Twitter, many iPhone 3GS buyers were able to activate their phones faster and more smoothly than last year.

The new iPhone contains a processor that Apple claims is more than twice as fast as its 3G model, plus a video camera, voice control, longer battery life and a built-in compass. It comes with an upgraded operating system -- which Apple released Wednesday for download onto older iPhones -- with 100 new functions, including the ability to copy and paste text.

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But the phone's biggest game-changer, observers say, may be new software that allows iPhone users to make purchases within applications.

On previous versions of the iPhone, applications linked users to Web sites where they could buy consumer goods or other items. With the new iPhone 3.0 operating system, users can shop entirely within apps designed specially for the phone, which promises to make for smoother transactions.

App developers love this new function. Until now, they earned money only when people bought applications through Apple's App Store, or from selling ads within the apps themselves. But now, for example, a game developer could charge users a few extra dollars to access higher levels of a video game. Other apps could allow users to locate the nearest movie theater, and then buy tickets.

"It's a whole new revenue stream," said Brian X. Chen, who writes about consumer technology for Wired.com. Chen believes the new feature could help iPhone app developers achieve long-term profits instead of hoping for an App Store "one-hit wonder" that sells well and then disappears.

"This could be absolutely huge for a lot of people," agreed MG Siegler, who writes for TechCrunch, a popular technology blog. "There's a lot of money to be made there, I think."

Siegler believes another bonus of the iPhone 3GS's new software is its ability to interact with special accessories via Bluetooth and the phone's dock connector. To cite one example that Apple showcased at a recent 3.0 event, a diabetes app could hook up with an insulin meter, allowing a diabetes patient to check his or her glucose levels.

Developers already are customizing apps for the new iPhone. Jumpfox is hoping to launch BuzzBuy, its PayPal-like e-commerce widget, as an iPhone 3GS app this summer. And ScrollMotion plans to introduce an upgraded version of its Iceberg reader, which will allow iPhone users to download more than 50 magazines, 170 newspapers and 1 million books to their devices for reading on the go.

"We love the new 3.0 functionality," said Josh Koppel, a ScrollMotion co-founder, who also believes the phone's copy-and-paste feature will help students and other readers get more use from the Iceberg app. "A new way to monetize on this magical device ... is the best thing we could have asked for."

The popular phone went on sale Friday in the U.S. and Canada plus six European countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Watch iPhone buyers lined up in London »

About 300 people stood outside the flagship Apple Store on New York's Fifth Avenue waiting for the doors to open Friday morning. In Atlanta, Georgia, more than 100 people were in line early Friday outside an Apple Store at Lenox Square mall.

"It doesn't seem like it's the Apple fanatics [this time]. It's moms and dads," said Robin Cutshaw, 51, who lined up for previous iPhone launches in 2007 and 2008.

An IT specialist, Cutshaw said he travels everywhere with his iPhone and once even used it to work remotely from a beach in Brazil. "It doesn't go in the shower with me, but that's about it," he said.

Some who had preordered phones were frustrated by how slowly their line moved outside the Atlanta store. But Marc Kagan, 31, said that buying his new phone took him about three hours, much less than the 10 hours it took last year.

Customers encountered problems activating their new phones last July because demand overwhelmed Apple's iTunes servers. But on Friday, Kagan said it took Apple employees about 15 minutes to activate his phone in the store.

"It went pretty smooth. I think they're a little more organized this year," he said.

AT&T stores, Best Buy and Wal-Mart also are selling the iPhone 3GS, although preorders through AT&T and Best Buy sold out before Friday.

Advance buzz about the iPhone 3GS has been largely positive. In a review, CNET gave it a four-star, or excellent, rating.

Source:
CNN.com, http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/19/iphone.3gs.launch/
Originally written:
By Brandon Griggs
updated 3:10 p.m. EDT, Fri June 19, 2009

Mouse Computer LM-M110S Desktop

2009-02-23T09:17:00.001-08:00

Mouse Computer LM-M110S Desktop Intel Atom Processor
Mouse Computer release a new Desktop powered by Intel Atom processor. It’s LM-M110S Series which compact design measuring 60×200x250mm with Intel Atom 330 (1.6GHz Dual Core).

mouse-computer-LM-M110S-desktop

The memory using 2GB RAM, Intel Express 945GC chipset, 320GB HDD, DVD super multi, and 4 in 1 car reader. The price is 49,800 Yen (€420) and the monitor is not included.

Toshiba Portable DVD Player

2009-02-23T09:14:00.001-08:00

Toshiba Portable DVD Player With 1Seg TV Recorder
Toshiba announce the new portable dvd player with 1seg TV recorder called SD-P73DTW on the market.

toshiba-sd-p73dtw-dvd-player

Featuring 7 inch lcd screen with 480×234 resolution and 1seg tv tuner which can be used to record 1sef tv programs on a SD or SDHC card. The price is 40,000 Yen (€340)

Priceton PSP-312IPIR3 iPod Speaker

2009-02-23T09:13:00.001-08:00

If you one of the iPod mania, Princeton release iPod speaker with virtual surround sound. This compact audio system for iPod called PSP-312IPIR3 come with compact 2×6watt speakers.

princeton-ipod-speaker

The speakers support all iPods with USB port which can keep your iPod in sync with your iTunes library. You can use your iPod cradle with a CD or MD player wih its line-in jack. The price is not available yet.

Logitech 1.5TB External HDD

2009-02-23T09:11:00.000-08:00

Logitech announce a new external HDD 1.5TB with connection many choice connection.
logitech-external-hdd

The connection you can choose between a USB 2.0 only enclosure or a FireWire 400 and USB 2.0, a eSATA and USB 2.0, and a eSATA only. If you think the 1.5TB is too big for your storage, you can choose the LHD-ED series which also available for smaller capacity start from 250GB.

Sony Cybershot T90 and T900 Digital Camera

2009-02-23T09:05:00.000-08:00

Sony Japan launch 2 new cybershot camera the DSC-T90 and DSC-T900 Cybershot. Both cameras have 12.1M pixel with latest Super HAD CCD, BIONZ image processor and record video 720p at both 6 and 9Mbps.

Other basic features Smile Shutter, Face Detection, and many more. Although technically Sony DSC-T90 and T900 are similar with both a touch screen, they are distinguished by their size LCD 3 inch for the T90 and 3.5 inch for the T900.

Golden Ant CPU Heatsink Cooler

2009-02-23T08:56:00.000-08:00

If you are an extreme gamer, power user or multimedia enthusiast, usually you will have a powerful PC with VGA card like NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS and AMD or Intel processor inside of it.

The heat on the PC need to circulate especially the processor must be cool to make your system run smoothly. Golden Ant CPU Heatsink Cooler Cooling Fan is one of the best cooler for your CPU. With higher airflow, static pressure and torque, your CPU will more durable and stay cool.

Ripen Apple