This week we were happy to announce that the Linux 2.6 kernel has been ported the Apple’s iPhone. So far the development team has managed to get a serial driver, frame buffer driver, serial over USB driver and Interrupts and MMU Clock. Eventually we will be seeing support for sound, accelerometer, baseband support, touchscreen, write support for the NAND and wireless networking.

It looks like Taiwan will be the next to get the iPhone 3G. The release date over there is set for December 13th. Chunghwa Telecom is the lucky provider to get the very popular handset and plans to sell 50,000 units by March of 2009. RusianiPhone.ru made claims this week that the new iPhone firmware 2.2.1 includes push notifications and notes sync. This rumor was quickly debunked however, simply just wishful thinking gone a little too far.

A new Silicon Touch iPhone case is in the works to bring the iPhone to visually impaired users. While it is only a concept right now, this shows great promise. One of the most interesting facts about this case is that users get the full functionality of multi-touch and gestures. People keep stirring up rumors of a 32GB iPhone 3G in high hopes, but it just never seems to be true. The latest rumor is that Apple will announce this version at Macworld. None of these rumors have any credibility behind them.

Apple did announce the top ten applications of 2008 by categories. Some were easy to figure out while others we have not even heard of. For all of you who have had trouble getting connected to AT&T’s free Wi-Fi hot spots there is now an application that will get you connected fast without many steps. Devicescape’s Easy Wi-Fi for AT&T takes care of all of the steps whether it be entering a username and password or clicking the “I accept” button to start browsing.

The new iPhone firmware 2.2 is reportedly locking legitimately unlocked iPhones that were imported from other countries. We are told that any update other than the one from the country of origin will indeed lock the handset and waste the extra money you spent on it. We are finally seeing an Amazon.com application for iPhone. The thing about this application is a new feature that allows you to snap a picture of an item you would like to purchase. If that item is later identified you will be notified with an email.

It appears that Walmart will be getting the iPhone 3G on December 28th. The difference is they will be selling a 4GB version rather than 8 or 16GB versions for only $99. There will be no difference with this model other than the obvious storage space. Now the iPhone picks up even the low-end price range. There is now an upgraded version of Tap Tap revolution called Tap Tap Dance that uses the new OpenGL-based platform, switching up the layout of the tracks themselves. The ability to embed video into the background adds a whole new level of craziness to the game play.

Flickr has added the ability to view videos on their m.flickr.com website with the iPhone. They eventually plan to expand this service to many more phones as time goes on. Flickr is currently the only company to currently provide a service such as this. Apple has instated a promo code application distribution program for various reasons such as getting apps to reviewers.

A PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Florida has created a very interesting way of delivering treats to his dog without even getting up. This contraption took only 90 minutes to make. All the materials are commonly found around the house, including a CD spindle case, scraps of cardboard, a servomotor and some random junk. It appears that jus about anyone who would like to can create a similar machine.