World of Apple

Guardian.co.uk is reporting on a BBC announcement about its iPlayer service. Amongst the announcement is a mention that the BBC will be bringing the iPlayer to the iPhone and iPod touch in “the next few weeks.”

No further details are offered by the Guardian; currently the BBC iPlayer offers a streaming version which operates using Adobe Flash and a Windows only download version that works using Windows Media Player. A download version is expected to be coming to the Mac by the end of 2008.

The Register is also offering some information on the subject, suggesting that the BBC will be converting its shows from Flash to H.264 and also claims the iPhone iPlayer will be Wi-Fi only and that the BBC has a deal with hotspot provider The Cloud to offer free access to bbc.co.uk and iPlayer.

ElectricPig.tv is reporting that an “extremely senior source” at Sling Media has stated that an iPhone/iPod touch version of their SlingPlayer client software is coming.

For those who need further information, Sling Media sells a device called a SlingBox, this SlingBox allows you to stream video from your home television over the internet to any supported device (Mac, PC, Mobile Phone).

A native app for the iPhone/iPod touch would bring the ability to interface with a SlingBox and also watch live TV.

MacRumors fails to dismiss the rumour which comes from a relatively unknown source. The mighty rumour site claims that it knows for sure that SlingMedia is one of the lucky developers to have recieved the iPhone SDK. It was previously reported that the iPhone SDK has reached the hands of some developers.

The iPhone SDK is officially pegged for a February 2008 release.

Finally, MacRumors reports that Apple will show new iPhone software at Macworld but admits that this rumour could refer to the upcoming iPhone 1.1.3 firmware.

Fujitsu, Hitachi Quit Micro Hard-Drive Business, Icon Wiggle in Patent

A report from Reuters notes that an increasing shift to flash-based storage has forced Fujitsu and Hitachi out of the ultra-small rotating hard drive business.

Both Fujitsu and Hitachi had supplied micro hard-drives for Apple’s iPod in the past but even Apple has begun moving across to flash-based storage with the iPod classic being the last remaining hard-drive based iPod.

Toshiba continues to make micro hard-drives.

Icon Wiggle in Patent

Hrmpf.com has noted that the recent icon wiggle seen in the recent videos of iPhone Firmware 1.1.3 are reminiscent of that in a recently published patent.

The patent filing for a reconfigurable touchscreen interface notes in detail the wiggle of the icons when a user selects them.

The patent does include some details of the ability to “toss” icons which appears to have not made it to the iPhone in firmware update 1.1.3.

Final Cut Meeting Holds Answers

AppleInsider writes that a collection of Final Cut Pro user groups will hold a meeting at Macworld Expo later this month.

According to the rumour site Apple will have a surprise for the attending guests.

The meeting which will take place on January 16th; the day following Steve Jobs’ anticipated Keynote will feature “something super secret” from Apple.

According to MacScoop the recent leak of firmware version 1.1.3 for the iPhone was of an incomplete build and some surprises may still be present in the final release.

According to the rumour site Apple intends to include copy and paste support in the final version of the 1.1.3 update. The site offers no details on how the feature would be implemented, nor is a release date mentioned.

For those interested, a mockup recently made the rounds demonstrating how Apple could implement copy and paste.

First we saw screenshots, followed by a brief video; now we have a lengthy video walkthrough and ongoing question and answers about the upcoming firmware upgrade for the iPhone.

The following features are demoed in the video:

• Moving home screen icons, across pages and in and out of dock
• SMS’ing to multiple recipients
• Google Maps, Locate Me, Hybrid Map
• Adding Safari bookmark to home screen

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Famed iPhone hacker Natetrue has decided to weigh in on the argument regarding the iPhone Firmware 1.1.3 screenshots that appeared on the internet yesterday.

A video of the icon dragging has been posted and the other features such as Locate Me, have been confirmed by the iPhone hacker.

GearLive is reporting that it has played with the upcoming iPhone Firmware 1.1.3 and reveals a number of features that are included.

• Ability to edit home screen - Drag icons around
• Add web bookmarks to the home screen
• Locate Me - Triangulation of towers to get a rough position on Google Maps
• Send SMS to multiple recipients

This close to Macworld it would be expected that Steve Jobs may unleash the new firmware during his keynote presentation at Macworld Expo next month.

Screenshots over the jump.

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AppleInsider writes that Apple will build a stronger relationship with Intel in 2008 by adopting its upcoming ‘Menlow’ Mobile Internet Device (MID) platform.

The sources who reported to AppleInsider that Apple would adopt ‘Menlow’ also noted that Apple was specifically interested in Intel’s upcoming 45-nanometer ‘Silverthorne’ processor, reportedly agreeing to use it in multiple products in 2008.

‘Silverthorne’ is a particularly good processor for mobile uses due to its small power usage, which can be anywhere between half a watt and 2 watts. The ‘Menlow’ platform also incorporates technologies such as 3G, WiFi and WiMAX.

‘Silverthorne’ is expected to be delivered in the first half of 2008.

Intel shows off iPhone-like device running future Moorestown processor

AppleInsider sources are unable to pinpoint which Apple products will take advantage of the new Intel processor but two fairly apparent products would be the 3G iPhone and long-rumoured ultra-portable Mac.

AppleInsider also briefly reports on ‘Moorestown’ an Intel mobile platform that is expected to be the successor to ‘Menlow’ with an estimated release date of 2009/2010.

During the Fall Intel Developers Forum, Intel executives showed off an unnamed ‘Moorestown’ processor, describing it as the ‘chip the iPhone would have wanted.’

During the processor demonstration Intel executives flaunted a device which was an apparent tribute to Apple’s iPhone saying that the Moorestown-based device could run constantly for 24 hours between charges.

9to5Mac claims that Apple will announce that it has sold over 5 million iPhones during next months Macworld Expo. The milestone would mark the half-way point to Apple’s target of 10 million iPhone units shipped in 2008.

According to 9to5Mac’s sources over 1 million of these sales have come from Europe.

Apple announced that it had sold 1 million iPhones on September 10th - just 74 days after release. At around the same time the price of the iPhone was dropped from $599 to $399.

After a key meeting with suppliers and manufacturers in Asia, Goldman Sachs analysts reported this week that Apple will most likely introduce two revisions to the iPhone in 2008 and an Apple TV overhaul.

David Bailey wrote in a research note that his Far Eastern contacts had led him to believe that, “Apple has several important new products lined up for 2008.”

Among those products is a second-generation iPhone which is said to the in the “final design phase” and is expected to “have a similar form factor as the current version although it could have a different look and will probably include 3G capability.”

The analyst estimates that the second-generation iPhone will launch sometime during the second half of the year, but also believes the company will tie over consumers with “a smaller upgrade with more flash memory earlier in the year.”

The analyst also writes on the potential of a significant Apple TV update in the second half of 2008. No details were offered other than it “could include an LCD display.”

“Apple will refresh its entire Mac line-up throughout 2008, but information about the potential launch of a subnotebook was scarce, with one supplier saying that the product may be pushed out, citing possible design issues,” he added.