Your Custom iPhone

Windows may be your operating system of choice or it may be forced upon you, but there’s some good news if you’re an iPhone owner. On Thursday, software company Mark/Space introduced a Windows version of its Missing Sync for iPhone software.

The software, like its Mac counterpart, allows users to easily switch from a smartphone to an iPhone or iPhone 3G as well as archive SMS messages, call log and notes to their PC via a step-by-step utility. Users can also view SMS messages in a threaded view (like on the iPhone) and search through archived messages and call logs. The software can also transfer iPhone Notes to your computer, so they can be read in Mark/Space Notebook.??

Brian Hall, Mark/Space CEO, said: “When we released the Mac version of The Missing Sync for iPhone earlier this year it helped make the transition from a smartphone to iPhone very easy for people. We’re happy to bring The Missing Sync for iPhone to the Windows platform. When iPhone 3G ships next month, both Mac and Windows users can be ready to transfer their contacts and calendar information.”??

The Missing Sync for iPhone supports migration from most BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and Palm OS devices, and devices from Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Motorola that use the Symbian OS.

The software is available as an electronic download from the Mark/Space online store for $39.95 and requires a PC running Windows XP or Windows Vista. Microsoft Outlook 2003 or 2007 is required too use the Migration Assistant.

Quoted from iPhone Alley

• eff at TrouserMac Industries sent a blurb about an upcoming iPhone app that’s right up my alley. Brewing Buddy will be free from the App Store after launch and consists of a tool for calculating and refining beer receipes, a brewing helper, and a social recipe sharing application. Bottoms up! [Our esteemed colleague would like to remind everyone that pants-based computing is a registered idea of Erica Sadun Enterprises. -Ed.]
• TheBarCodeProject is readying TouchWord, an iPhone Holy Bible with sections for notes and an included RSS reader for Christian learning resources.
• Meanwhile, over in Oxford, Mississippi, Deepak Mantena and TapeShow, LLC are getting ready to release Chores for Mac OS X and a companion app called Chores mobile for iPhone. Deepak says that “all the unnecessary fluff that’s in existing productivity tools is eliminated.”
• While it’s not an announced app, I loved reader Jack Chance’s idea – “Will someone write some software that turns the 3G iPhone into a bike computer? It should give speed, distance, and store the route so that you can sync with your Mac at home…” A lot of bikers would love this app idea — go for it, developers!
• Long-time Palm game developers Seahorse Software are bringing Blackjack Run to the iPhone and iPod touch in July.
• Advenio, makers of MacGourmet, are bringing a yet-to-be-named recipe application to iPhone.
• The amazing ApolloIM app will be going legal for all of you IM addicts.
• Michael Howard at Midnight Martian Software is bringing his 3D OpenGL-based Midnight Mahjong Solitaire to market soon!!

Quoted from: TUAW

With Apple releasing iPhone v2.0 firmware betas left and right, the iPhone is shaping up with support for more and more features. The latest iPhone firmware beta has revealed that the next firmware revision will enable FM radio and iPhone 3GFOTA (firmware over the air) support on the iPhone.

FM radio support could point toward the iPhone working with FM radio-products like Apple’s “iPod Radio Remote” that essentially allows iPod users to listen to broadcast radio. FOTA support indicates that future firmware updates could be rolled out over the air, with no need to synchronize the iPhone with iTunes in order to update the device’s firmware. With the iPhone 3G’s faster data connection allowing for software and firmware updates through the cellular network, firmware updates could become even more streamlined and hassle-free than its current form.

Unfortunately, OTA firmware updates could mean that Apple could possibly send software updates that will re-lock previously unlocked handsets wirelessly.

You gotta take the good with the bad - OTA firmware updates may prove to be more good than bad.

Quoted from: IntoiPhone

A recently published patent application discovered by MacRumors reveals that Apple has been researching more advanced uses of the built in sensors on the iPhone to predict what the user wants to do. The patent application describes various scenarios in which a mobile phone could automatically change its configuration based on built-in sensors.

Apple describes the use of proximity sensors, ambient light detectors, temperature sensors and accelerometers to help determine the current state of the device. Apple has already incorporated basic state detection into the iPhone. When a user holds the current iPhone to their ear, the proximity sensor disables the touch screen to prevent unintentional key presses.

Combined with similar sensors in Bluetooth wireless headsets, Apple proposes some additional possibilities:

- Accelerometer to determine if device is being picked up
- Temperature, ambient light, and proximity sensors to determine if device in a pocket
- Proximity to see if the phone is held up to your ear or Bluetooth headset is being worn
- Audio detection to see if you start talking into Bluetooth headset vs phone

Based on a combination of these situations, the iPhone could change configuration. Examples given include: Turning vibrating ring on when placed in your pocket. Turning off speakerphone when holding the phone to your ear. Routing the call correctly to your wireless headset or your phone depending on which one you are planing on using at that time (based on speaking into, wearing or picking up the appropriate device).

One final intriguing possibility also described is using the docking/undocking of the iPhone to trigger certain events.

Specifically, Apple describes passing off voice over IP (VOIP) calls from the computer to the phone and back again. With the phone docked, the user could answer the phone using their computer’s speaker and microphone, and then automatically pass this call over to the phone when it is removed from the dock. This passing-off of phone calls between the iPhone and iChat was previously depicted in a concept iPhone video (at 14m 15s) by Abilene Christian University.

Quoted from: MacRumors