Apple Looking Into A Telephonic MacBook – That Even SOUNDS Retro

Even I have to admit that wandering around town looking for an unguarded WiFi signal blows, and I’m not about to drop the cost of a USB internet stick. My laptop cost enough on its own, thanks.

Luckily, it would seem Apple’s looking into it, recently filing patents for a telephonic laptop featuring a magnetically coupled antenna. Mobile communications being what they are, this would only seem to make sense, and in terms of tech, is a great step forward.

But on the other hand, as a designer, I’m left wondering. If Apple has a commitment to one thing, and one thing only, that is form factor. An Apple product has to be pretty. But looking at this diagram… how do you make an extendable antenna look pretty in 2010? That’s so 80s. I don’t care how you slice it. But then again, maybe Apple won’t either, and usher in an age where everything gets all boxy and cumbersome again. Maybe the iPhone 5 will be absolutely enormous on purpose.

Oh, wait, the iPad’s out already.

Never mind.

New Skype iPhone App Allows Calls over 3G

Skype has launched a new version of its client software for Apple’s iPhone 3G allowing users who have downloaded the app to make calls to other Skype users on the 3G network. The best part? The service remains free at least until the end of this year.

Skype announced on Sunday that the new app is available for the 3G iPhone and that Skype-to-Skype calls over Wi-Fi will remain free until after the end of 2010. Skype has also said that they have not yet decided on what to charge for the calls.

With the new software, owners of the iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and the second and third generations of the iPod Touch can make calls using the new app. The iPod Touch will need an additional headset and because it is not connected to the 3G network, it can only make those calls over Wi-Fi.

Other improvements to the new Skype software include improved start-up time and improved sound quality (about the same quality of a CD). There has also been a call quality indicator added to this version of the client to help users choose the best moments to make their call depending on the speed of their connection and traffic heaviness.

Overall, it looks like it could be a pretty solid new way of allowing your significant other or parent to check up on you. Everywhere you go.

Source: PCWorld

Skype 2.0 Finally Adds Voice Over 3G

Skype has finally given the green light to voice calls over 3G with the new version of its Skype for iPhone software.

iPhone users rejoice, you can finally actually use Skype’s software to make VoIP phone calls. Naturally, the news comes with the catch that it’s gonna cost you. Skype-to-Skype calls will be free – but only until the end of August. After that, a “small monthly charge” will be applied.

So, to clarify, you spend a load of money on an iPhone, pay AT&T for data over 3G, then you pay Skype for the capability to make these calls.. on your phone. Confused? Not nearly as confused as your accountant will be.

On the bright side, call quality is improved, now at near CD-quality. The app is also faster and the bandwidth indicator is enhanced. 9to5 Mac shows the software in action in a YouTube video.

It still seems to me like the primary barrier to me using Skype more on the iPhone is the limited capacity to remain active on Skype while viewing other apps (otherwise known as the multi-tasking issue). iPhone OS 4.0 is due out later this year, and promises to increase the usability of apps like Skype.

Grab the app here (iTunes link).

Source: 9to5 mac

At Last, at&t Prepares For 3G Tethering…

Attention US iPhone users — it looks like AT&T and Apple are at last making good on their long-held promise to offer tethering support through the iPhone, but not until the release of iPhone OS 4.0 later this summer.

This illustration comes from inside the iPhone OS 4.0 beta that’s circulating at present, though the number given takes you to a recorded message saying “AT&T doesn’t offer tethering at this time”.

Tethering — the process of using your iPhone as a 3G modem with your Mac — is really useful when traveling, or as a home back-up Internet connection for when your broadband goes down.

AT&T, while encouraging tethering usage on Blackberries and other smartphones has delayed enabling it on the iPhone. Many had hoped it would appear last year, now it seems to have been delayed to mid-2010.

In August 2008, Apple CEO Steve Jobs told one customer that Apple agreed that tethering should be available via the iPhone, saying the company was “discussing it with AT&T”.

With wide expectation AT&T will lose its exclusive US iPhone deal this year, 9to5Mac may have got it right when it said in November last year, “Given that AT&T may lose its exclusive deal to offer the iPhone at some point next year, it’s possible the company may not introduce tethering until Verizon begins offering an Apple mobile, using the feature as something to boost customer retention.”

Via: MacRumors

When Hacking Gets A Bit Too Literal

Everyone loves a good hack. There are good hacks, bad hacks, clever hacks, then there’s just plain old hacking.

John Benson purchased a 3G iPad and traveled home to the UK hoping to be able to simply switch SIM cards. The one problem? The 3G iPad takes a MicroSIM card, which aren’t yet available in the UK.

Some might have been stumped. Some might have given up. Not John.

With a chopping board and cleaver, John literally hacked his way out of a pickle. On his site he provides step by step instructions with photos, but doesn’t recommend everyone try this.

John is now happily using his 3G iPad on the Vodafone network. Good work John!

Source: DVICE

New Blackberries Aim To Shake Up The Low End Market

Unlike its decidedly corporate brethren, the Blackberry Pearl was the kind of phone you would see everyone using, from teenagers on the bus to seniors at the mall. The little candybar smartphone that could was RIM’s first real foray into the consumer market.

So while the announcement of a new Pearl 3G seems a bit unexciting, it’s likely that soon, millions of people around the world will be carrying one of these new Pearls with them.

Perhaps the most surprising change here is the availability of a Pearl with a standard T9 keypad, in additional to the Pearl’s traditional 20-key ‘it’s kinda’ like QWERTY but not really’ SureType pad – though the T9 pad is only going to be available for Europe and Africa.

In addition to the obviously faster speeds of 3G, the phone also sports the new Blackberry trackpad in place of the previous ‘pearl’ trackball – making us wonder why it’s still called a Pearl at all (maybe they should have gone with ‘Swipe’?) Also on the model is the unusual feature Wireless-N in addition to a 3.2MP camera, Bluetooth and video recording.

It was also leaked/announced today that Blackberry Bold 9650 is on its way, which is just a CDMA version of the Bold 9700 for Sprint customers in the US.

[Sources: The Street & Pocket-Lint]