The iPhone Dev Team recently streamed a live video demonstrating an unlock of the iPhone 3G. They chose to stream the video so that no questions to the authenticity would arise. Before demonstrating yellowsn0w, a member of the iPhone Dev Team by the name of MuscleNerd streamed a video explaining that the notch cut out of his SIM card was not a part of the unlock, but was used for earlier development.

Pinger is a new application that allows users to stay connected to friends in a number of ways using social networking services such as MySpace, Twitter and Facebook. Users can use Pinger to see the IM status of their friends and elect to call, text, instant message, email or even send a Facebook, MySpace or Twitter message, all from one simple menu.

Among all the rumors of the new iPhone Nano a photo that claimed to be the actual device surfaced. Later some photos that looked remarkably like the iPhone Nano surfaced of a knockoff device being currently sold in Thailand. The boxing of this knockoff device is identical to that of the original iPhone 3G. Snapture has managed to bring Xenon Flash to the iPhone 3G for the first time ever. The concept device gives of an instantaneous flash more than 100 times brighter than any conventional LED flash accessory.

Smudge has finally introduced their Remind Me application for the iPhone that we have been hearing about. For only $.99 you can get a really useful note application with plenty of different looks and interfaces. Mint.com has also released their financial management application into the App Store at no cost to users. Another patent that Apple has filed has surfaced and as usual this one is very exciting. The patent outlines gestures used when composing a text message. A downward gesture would then enter a return in the message. A swipe to the left would then delete one character.

Just when you thought the iPhone 3G could not get any cheaper AT&T goes and offers it for $99. Of course this price is for a refurbished version of the 8GB model and is only available with the signing of a new two-year agreement. Now the iPhone 3G is available to virtually anybody who would like one. Thanks to Citrix Receiver, Windows users can use Windows apps in their iPhone 3G. Citrix allows users to access their PCs Microsoft Windows operating systems from a remote location.

Fans of Japanese sushi will be happy to know the Sushi encyclopedia has been released for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The Sushi Encyclopedia will provide 82 pictures and descriptions of 82 different kinds of sushi as your culinary refference. Initially the Sushi encyclopedia will available in Japanese with an english version to soon follow. Now for only $2.99 iPhone owners can watch TV on their iPhone with the new TV application, called Television, for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. This application is still not without flaws, videos are not live and a Wi-Fi connection is needed. All of the channels offered are already available for free on the Internet.

Yeah, this app lets you watch TV on your iPhone. Mobile software developer, Makayama, introduces new TV application, called Television, for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. Will cost you  $2.99 in the App Store, this app will allow you to download pre-recorded content from a number of TV networks.

This application:

includes 20 English language channels, such as CNN, NBC, CBS, MTV, Comedy Central, VH1 and many more. British TV from the BBC, ITV and SKY. Australian, French and German channels are also included.

This app has some limitations: the television is not “live”, requires Wi-Fi connection and does not work on a 3G network, all channels offered is already available for free on the web.

However, Television keeps you informed when on the go. No need to download the content like podcasts in iTunes first, just watch it instantly. On-demand.

[via TeleClick, MacWorld]

Are you a fan of sushi, Japanese cuisine? (Sushi is vinegared rice, usually topped with other ingredients, including fish, various meats, and vegetables.) It’s a good news for you. Shogakukan, major Japanese publishing company is about to launch a virtual sushi guide for the iPhone for iPhone and iPod Touch.

You can grab the app by the end of this month in Apple’s App Store with 5 USD (450 yen/3.50 Euros).

The Sushi Encyclopedia will provide 82 pictures and descriptions of 82 different kinds of sushi as your culinary refference. Not sure whether it also contains sushi restaurant directories.

The first edition will be in Japanese, but the English version to follow.  Yeah, it’s Sushi time!

[Asiajin via 3Gweek]

To some extend, I think it’s a cool idea. Thanks to Citrix Receiver, Windows users can use Windows apps in their iPhone 3G. Citrix allows iPhone users to access Microsoft’s operating systems from their PCs remotely.
Citrix Community wrote last month:

Our goal in delivering a Citrix Receiver to an iPhone is to ensure a completely seamless transition from personal to enterprise, all in one device. Virtually millions business critical application run today on Citrix XenApp, and soon enough all of them will be at your fingertips in an iPhone near you. We are following the very same guidelines every other native iPhone app follows, and to ensure that, we have teamed up with our friends at Apple to deliver nothing but the smoothest experience to our users.

The Project name is Braeburn, and they are also building an iPhone community site within their network to share the ideas.

Gizmodo said:

Why is this useful? It will give you the ability to run full Windows apps in your iPhone over the network. According to Citrix, you will have full Windows capability, including cut and paste inside Windows. And while this is not the first remote screen application available for the iPhone, it is the first one which is actually supported by a big company, which will make corporations happy.

So, do you really want to access to Windows on your iPhone remotely? Tell us what you think.

[via Gizmodo]

A bunch of crazy rumors about a new smaller version of the iPhone 3G called the “iPhone Nano” still flying around, but this news is really shocking me. Apple Insider reports that iPhone Nano knockoffs already on sale in Southeast Asia’s stores!

Wh00t? These photos (courtessy of Apple Insider) show the iPhone Nano is now hitting the Thailand streets. Yes, you’re right: it’s a clone of the supposed iPhone Nano.

The Apple insider wrote:

Those eagerly anticipating next month’s Macworld and the prospects of a smaller iPhone should beware, as a slew of tiny clones are introducing confusion as they reach store shelves.

While silicone case molds have surfaced that allegedly hint at a smaller iPhone in the works, a rash of similarly-sized dupes made by anonymous southeast Asian firms have added to the confusion.

The devices, spotted here by an AppleInsider reader in Thailand, are almost always designed to mimic Apple’s products as closely as possible and share not only the basic design but the branding as well, in some cases directly copying the logo and the “iPhone” labeling on the back.

So, let’s wait until the next month’s MacWorld to see the real iPhone Nano – if any.

It was not long ago that AT&T was offering refurbished iPhone 3Gs for a considerably high amount of money considering it is for a phone that was purchased, found defective and then returned and fixed. The prices were $149 for the 8GB version and $249 for the 16GB version.

Now the day after Christmas we expect to see low prices being offered by all sorts of companies, if you take a trip over to the AT&T Wireless website you will come across a $99 iPhone 3G! Now we know that his is the very most basic model and indeed a refurbished iPhone 3G, but it shows that a $99 iPhone is indeed possible.

With an iPhone being offered at $99 where does that leave the rumored iPhone Nano? The price would be so close that not many customers would not try and save the money and go with anything less than the full iPhone 3G. The $99 price tag is only available with the signing of a new two-year agreement.

[Via SlashGear]

Got an Apple iPhone or iPod touch for Christmas? Congratulations! In order to make you could enjoy your iPhone soon, you need a quick guide to save your time and reduce efforts. No worries, I’ve selected some credible and relevant sources for you.

• iPhone tips for beginner: TUAW listed some technical aspects and tips to start using your lovely device. You can learn a basic guide to the functions of your new iPhone.
• Great apps you can explore: What apps are you going to load onto it? PCMag lists 21 cool apps, while Silicon Alley Insider offers 21 great apps for you to choose.
• Yay! A bunch of cool games: Are you a gamer? iPhone would be your best mate to enjoy it. Check-out 10 favorites games according to VentureBeat or Gizmodo. A MacWorld insights is also worth reading.

So, enjoy your new iPhone!

Wow. A new patent application for iPhone during Christmas holiday! The new patent called Swipe Gestures for Touch Screen Keyboards and creditted to Wayne Westerman. Seems it’s very useful additions to the iPhone’s on screen keyboard. But MacRumors says that Westerman multi-touch patent applications “always seem to be more ambitious than practical”.

Swipe down = return

For example, erasing and basic punctuation insertion, directional swipes (also referred to herein as “swipe gestures”) over the alphabetic keys can be used as an alternative to striking certain keys. Because the Space and Backspace keys are quite frequently used, they are logical candidates for the rightward and leftward swipes, respectively. Leftward and rightward swipes intuitively match the cursor travel caused by these symbols. Following this cursor movement analogy, the Enter/Return may be invoked by a downward swipe, and a Shift/Caps may be invoked by an upward swipe. Alternatively, as the Enter and Shift functions may be less frequently invoked, these may be substituted for other functions as well. One alternative mapping for the upward swipe, for example, could be to activate an alternative numeric and punctuation keypad or a particular punctuation symbol like an apostrophe or period.

Swipe left = delete

Unfortunately, there’s still no copy-and-paste function.