A healthier looking Steve Jobs took to the stage to let everyone know that his liver transplant was a success, and that he was fine. It sure was nice to have a familiar face delivering the keynote. Jobs kicked things off by talking about the new iPhone OS 3.1 for iPhone and iPod touch users. The highlight of OS 3.1 is now having the Genius function applied to the app store. Apps can be recommended for you based on your buying habits. Pretty cool. Of course, you can turn this feature off if you want to. No harm, no foul.
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Now here’s a device that I think is really cool. It’s the Fastmac iV. The Fastmac iV is a 3100mAh battery that you attach directly to your iPhone when the battery is running low.

The Fastmac iV also has a USB port on its bottom. This lets you charge an extra device simultaneously as the iPhone charges. A built-in flash LED light can be used for emergencies or low light situations.

All in all, it’s a wonderful device for people on the move Continue Reading »

You’ve probably heard a thing or two about this new phone Apple is releasing, the iPhone. What’s the fuss all about? Let me break it down for you.

What makes the iPhone so exciting to geeks everywhere is that it has a giant touchscreen and only one button on the front. All the controls are on the touchscreen, which is multitouch. That means you can use multiple fingers to control it, and it’s much more intuitive than your standard touchscreen. The iPhone is also a new iPod, storing all your music, and it can surf the web too. See why it’s so cool?

It’s not perfect, however. The data network it uses, AT&T’s EDGE, is much slower than other 3G networks, making surfing the web on it away from a Wifi hotspot a chore. It doesn’t have some basic features, like picture messaging and voice dialing, and, well, it’s really expensive. Some people are planning to wait for a new version next year that upgrades to a 3G connection, adds GPS, and reinstitutes some of those missing features. So, now it’s time for your decision: is it worth it?

The iPhone is all the rage at the moment, and while its features as a phone and web-surfing device are awesome, one thing that people seem to forget is that it’s also a brand new iPod. Which means you’ll be listening to all your tunes on it as well as making calls with it. But, unfortunately, it has a unique minijack, meaning you won’t be able to plug your normal headphones into it. At least not without an adapter.

An adapter such as the Belkin F8Z177 Headphone Adapter for iPhone. It’ll allow you to plug any set of headphones into your hip new phone/iPod, letting you listen to music with something a bit better than the standard earbuds that come with it.

Hey, have you guys heard about this new phone that’s coming out? Apple, that smaller computer company that competes with Windows, makes it, and it’s called the iPhone. I guess some people are excited about it or something. It’s gonna be some sort of status symbol, and it’s gonna make the iPod look like a cassette walkman. So, are you gonna get one? And if so, how are you going to make sure everyone knows you have one?

Why, with one of these Belkin F8Z170-KG Active Armband Cases for Apple iPhone, of course. It’ll allow you to keep your fancy new phone/music player strapped to your arm for all to see, so whether you’re working out or just strolling down the street, everyone will know that you just dropped $600 on the most hyped-up gadget of the last few years. Because that’s what the iPhone is all about, right?

Some early adapters will be getting iPhones this Friday, July 29th after 6pm. The rest of us will be waiting to hear their reports. If it still seems attractive, we’ll be getting ours when Apple ships iPhones to all its authorized retailers.

We understand that some people are in line at Apple Stores now, four days before purchase is possible. The anticipation hard to resist, but if it does turn out to be the revolutionary phone the fan-boys claim, it will be around for a while, we’ll all have plenty of time to buy one.

News of iPhone is hard to avoid. Mainstream and alternative media is full of stories. Apple, of course, has the most complete information with its 20 minute, multimedia guided tour.

Yahoo Finance has a good rundown of the costs of the AT&T service plans for the iPhone. They seem to be on par with plans offered for other top-of-the-line phones.

An authoritative weekly audio podcast covering every aspect of the iPhone story can be found at Apple Phone Show and there are two daily podcast, one audio, Today in iPhone and one video with CNET’s Veronica Belmont, Eye on the iPhone

An inevitable underground market for all things iPhone is flourishing on eBay, the hot bed for such things, as of now shows 1414 hits for the term “iPhone”.

What’s selling? At the highest price, “iPhoneSvcs.com” sold for $140,000. Even e-mail addy’s are up for bid with “iphone.direct.distributor@gmail.com” going for $1400. Not sketchy enough? People are selling what they claim to be the iPhone itself. Whether it’s a cardboard facsimile or a brick in a box we cannot say for sure, but if you ask me steer clear.

While you’re waiting to get your iPhone, it may be wise to get some accessories right away. The main thing you need is a good, protective case for the precious device. While you select your case from JR.com’s definitive selection, consider also a FM transmitter or extra power cord.