Apple has refuted early assertions that GPS-based driving directions on the iPhone 3G are impossible because of the GPS transponders’ size, and left the door to copy/paste functionality open. Per an ExtremeTech interview with Greg Joswiak, Apple’s Vice President of Marketing:

Copy/Paste: “Apple has a priority list of features, and they got as far as they could down that list with this model.” — apparently copy/paste was not high enough on the priority list.

GPS driving directions: The iPhone’s GPS is “just like the GPS in other phones, many of which do provide driving directions,” but there are some “complicated issues” preventing driving directions at present “It will evolve. I think our developers will amaze us,” Joswiak said.

Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.

If you have an iPhone 3G and haven’t restored it yet, do so. The first batch of iPhone 3G units shipped with iPhone OS 2.0 5A345, but the current build is 2.0 5A347. A handful of bugs were squashed with the new iteration, which brings enhanced stability and other enhancements.

Unfortunately, Apple hasn’t designed iTunes to recognize the difference between the iPhone OS 2.0 builds. As such, you’ll need to perform a “Restore” function to pull the new release.

In order to restore, connect your iPhone to your system then click the Restore button under the Summary tab in iTunes. Restoring the phone will erase contacts, calendars, photos and other data on the phone (including any third-party applications), but will restore automatically backed-up information including text messages, notes, call history, contact favorites, sound settings, widget settings, etc.

The restoration process itself may eliminate some iPhone issues.

Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.

A huge swath of accessories that were compatible with the first-generation are not compatible with the iPhone 3G, either failing to charge the device or losing functionality completely.

iPhone Atlas reader Carson’s case is exemplary:

“I upgraded form the first generation iPhone to the 3G iPhone and noticed that it does not work with all my accessories.

• Doesn’t work with the iPod AUX connector in my car, a $350 adaptor
• Doesn’t work with the Monster Cable FM tuner
• Doesn’t work with the cigarette power adaptor

Charging The most common problem is one in which various accessories fail to charge the iPhone 3G. The explanation for this issue is as follows: most accessories on the market charge iPods/iPhones through either USB or a 12V connection that works through the FireWire portion of the pin connector. The latter method is cheaper, and hence more common. Apple has removed 12V (FireWire) charging from the iPhone 3G; this means that these devices are no longer able to deliver a charge. As such, some accessories will still perform their intended function, but fail to charge the iPhone.

Audio/video connectivity The iPhone 3G is also not capable of pushing audio through some previously compatible devices. This is apparently because of a new sensing mechanism that obviates functionality of non-compliant devices.

Incopmatible or partially incompatible (unable to charge) devices include:

• Monster FM tuner
• Monster car charger
• BOSE SoundDock
• Dension ICE
• OEM iPod Connection Kit for several cars (Mazda 3, Scion XB, Audi)
• Sony XA-110IP iPod Interface Adapter

If you’ve experienced incompatibility with a specific accessory, please let us know.

Some iPhone applications downloaded from the App Store have proven difficult to remove. The two traditional methods of deleting/uninstalling apps are as follows:

• On the iPhone, press and hold any icon until all icons begin to shake. Press the black “X” in the upper left end of the icon, and the app is deleted from the iPhone.
• View applications in your iTunes library on your computer, control or right-click any application and select “delete”

However, if you delete the App from the iPhone the computer will reload it when you sync again. If you delete it from the computer the opposite happens. iTunes reports having purchased (free or otherwise in this case) apps to load from the iPhone. It then reappears. The ostensible workaround and is to delete the offending App from both places before syncing your iPhone again. However, we were foiled again in our attempts to remove some applications from our iPhone: they showed up again and again.

This is contrary to the behavior described in Apple Knowledge Base document HT1977:

“If you delete an Application from your iTunes library, the next time you sync your iPhone or iPod touch with that computer it will be removed from the device. If you delete an application from your device, but not from your iTunes library, it will be synced back to your device the next time your connect to iTunes.

“If you delete an Application from your iTunes library, the next time you sync your iPhone or iPod touch with that computer it will be removed from the device. If you delete an application from your device, but not from your iTunes library, it will be synced back to your device the next time your connect to iTunes.”

Similar issue? Please let us know.

Apple announced that iPhone 3G sales surpassed one million units on Sunday, just three days after the device’s launch on Friday, July 11. The Phone 3G is now available in 21 countries - Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the US and will go on sale in France on July 17.

The company also said iPhone and iPod touch users have already downloaded more than 10 million applications from the App Store since its launch late last week. A statement read, “more than 800 native applications are now available on the App Store, with more than 200 offered for free and more than 90 percent priced at less than $10.”

Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.

A number of iPhone 3G purchasers have reported yellow-tinted displays. Apple reportedly claims that the tint is a result of a warmer display that will generally produce more accurate colors and deeper blacks.

Richard Baguley conducted some tests on an iPhone 3G and a first-generation ipHone using a CS-200 chroma meter and Erica Sadun’s Light application. The color temperature was between 6800-7054k on the iPhone 3G vs. 8294k on the 2G. At maximum brightness, the iPhone 3G is noticeably brighter.

It appears that cases may be exacerbating, if not causing, this issue for some users.

Jonathan Zdziarski, the author of the “iPhone Open Application Development” and an iPhone Forensics Manual for Law Enforcement told us:

“As many have reported, I’ve too noticed a yellow tinge on the screen. What I found, however, was that this seemed to be due, in part, to the case I was using, which was blocking the new light sensor. This caused the iPhone to think it was constantly dark. Using a hole punch, I punched two holes to the left of the speaker hole in my case (use a flashlight to find the exact positions). This fixed both my light sensor and my proximity sensor (so that the screen would shut off when using it for calls). One side effect to this was that the yellow tinge seems to have gone completely away. I suspect this might have something to do with the backlight being somewhat tinted when on its lowest settings.”

Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.

The iPhone 3G has been shown to exhibit poorer battery life than its predecessor when persistently utilizing 3G connectivity. However, some have reported inordinately short battery life, which could have a variety of causes including:

• faulty battery indicator
• overactive Push mechanism
• application flaws
• hardware defects

If you think you’re suffering from unusually short battery life, try the following procedures:

Turn off Push The iPhone 3G’s Push functionality for Exchange and Mobile Me accounts can destroy battery life. Turn this option off in “Settings” and compare your new battery life to the old.

Force-quit applications If an application quits unexpectedly and you notice poor battery life afterward, relaunch the application then force-quit it by holding down the home button for several seconds. This can eliminate problematic or hung processes that might be draining the battery.

Reset iPhone In some cases, simply resetting the iPhone can resolve signal strength issues. Hold down the home and sleep buttons simultaneously until you see the white Apple logo, indicating that your iPhone has restarted.

This procedure can right a faulty battery indicator and eliminate applications that have hung or are otherwise improperly chewing battery.

Reset network settings Tap Settings, tap General, tap Reset, tap Reset Network Settings. This will cause your iPhone to restart, and will delete any stored Wi-Fi passwords as well as DNS settings and more. It can resolve signal strength issues in some cases.

Failing the above, peruse our special report on increasing battery life for first-generation iPhones — many of the same fixes may be applicable.

We have received multiple reports indicating that the iPhone 3G is being sold as an unlocked device by 3 Hutchnison Telecommunications in Hong Kong and TIM in Italy. This means that users can insert any carrier’s SIM card into the device and access the attached network. However, both carriers are still requiring users to sign a two-year contract before they purchase the unlocked iPhones.

Per the Office of the Telecommunications Authority, Hong Kong, carriers are not allowed to SIM lock a phone for the purpose of solely tying customers to their network. However, Hong Kong carriers can SIM-lock a phone to protect the handset subsidy or to enforce mobile plan contracts.

Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.

The iPhone 3G automatically switches between 3G and 2G networks for voice and data connections. In theory, the phone should hop off 3G when signal strength is too low or non-existent, and hop back on when the signal gets better. In our experience, however, the iPhone 3G isn’t aggressive enough regarding the switch from 3G to 2G. In other words, you may find that your phone stays connected to a 3G network when the signal strength is too low to allow incoming or outgoing calls.

The simple solution is to manually turn 3G connectivity, forcing a switch to 2G — which may take several seconds — and likely a boost in signal strength.

Read more…

With the debut of the AppStore come a number of native applications that replicate the functionality of already extant iPhone-optimized Web sites. The impetus for creation of native applications has, thus far, been driven by the ability to use location sensitivity, access to the camera, and other iPhone technologies that are conventionally inaccessible through MobileSafari.

Google Mobile

Google’s native search application for the iPhone and iPod touch is simply an interface to the popular engine with location awareness — essentially the only advantage this application holds over the mobile-optimized Web site. Like other location-aware applications, Google may ask whether or not you wish to allow use of your current location.

Clicked search results are, as should be obvious, launched in MobileSafari.

The application has a settings screen that is accessible by pressing the grey circled italic “i” in the upper right corner of the Apps screen. In the settings pane, you can configure Google to search your contacts, previous searches or websites. You can turn Google suggestions on or off and even turn on Safe Search. Safe Search will not pull up any adult topic returns in the search results. Finally you can clear your search history.

The “Explore More Google Products” button brings you to a page that shows all of Google’s Apps on one screen. Touching one of those App icons results in Safari launching and bringing to that application.

MySpace Mobile

Once you’ve logged into the MySpace application you are presented with your own personalized home screen. You have immediate access to your mood settings, profile, Friends Status and Mood, Friends Updates, Comments, bulletins, and the ability to search for other people. The interface feels a bit cramped on the iPhone’s screen. Along the bottom you’ll find a row of five buttons that immediately jump to home, mail, requests, friends, and photos.

The My Friends section allows you to see your top friends, all of them, those that are online, new friends, and friends with birthdays. You also have complete access to your MySpace email. You can visit your inbox, compose messages and even see your sent, saved and trashed emails. The Mail icon at the bottom of the Apps screen notifies you when you have new messages by displaying a white plus-sign inside of a red circle.

Photo access is accomplished via the Camera Photo icon at the bottom of the Apps screen. You can touch the “Add Photos” button and add them directly from the iPhone’s camera or from your iPhones photo library. Basic editing allows you to delete photos from your MySpace profile.

eBay Mobile

The popular auction Web site comes to the iPhone and iPod touch. When the application is launched and you’ve logged in, you can immediately search for an item or check the status of your various activities. You can also check the status of something you are selling, auctions you are watching or winning, auctions you’ve were outbid on, or items scheduled or unsold.

The app also features a miniature version of My eBay. It shows you active items and items where the auctions have ended at a glance that you are watching, items you are buying or selling.

Overall the program works well, and it’s responsive — even on EDGE.

AOL Radio

AOL’s Radio App for the iPhone and iPod touch is a native streaming application that is also location aware. Once you confirm access to your location it reveals local radio stations that provide streamed radio programming in your area. In the Houston Bay Area, the app revealed four stations: 100.3 KILT, CNN 650 Radio News, HOT 95.7 and Sports Radio 610. Other locales like Atlanta, Baltimore, Cleveland, Los Angeles, etc. are offered.

Tapping the stations button displays stations that AOL recommends, “What’s New,” AOL and CBS Radio, Genres, and AOL’s spinner.com. Even on an iPhone using EDGE exclusively, there was no noticeable interruption

When a call is received while audio is streaming in AOL Radio, the music fades and your call rings through. If you decline to answer AOL Radio starts up where it left off with out a hitch. However if you accept the call and subsequently finish that call you have to re-launch AOL Radio. It does not automatically restart. This follows the rules Apple has for apps developed for the iPhone.

The Favorites button opens up a screen that will either display your favorite streaming radio stations or individual songs you’ve marked as favorites. Songs are added by touching the magnifying glass next to the album art. You can find the song in iTunes or on AOL Music. A “Remember This Song” feature allows you to add a song to your favorites. Finally, there is a Recents button that does exactly what it says - tracks your recent stations you listened to.