HardwareScoop.com

A year ago today, Apple launched the iPhone 3G, the handset that changed everything. But what really revolutionised the mobile landscape is what happened the day after; the advent of the App Store.

Both launches have had a phenomenal effect on the UK’s mobile web traffic, with the iPhone now accounting for almost half of the UK’s data over mobile.

Biut first, it’s easy to gloss over the fact the iPhone 3G moved Apple’s mobile vision up several gears. The £269 up-front price of November 2007’s first-gen model was hefty, but nobody expected the eye-catching £99 cost of the new model, announced at last year’s WWDC.

Equally, given the original iPhone’s pricing, it seemed unbelievable when, within months, O2 and Carphone Warehouse started offering the 3G for free on the usual £35 a month tariff.

The 3G also saw Apple step up the sale of the iPhoneworldwide - in a total of 21 countries from 11 July. Whereas the original handset had been available to a privileged (and rich) few, the second-generation model was far more of a global proposition.

A billion apps and counting

But it was the App Store – debuting as part of the iPhone 2.0 firmware – that really propelled the iPhone platform forward. Now with well over a billion apps downloaded in nearly 80 countries, the top iPhone apps had more than one million users in the UK in May 2009 according to mobile advertising firm AdMob.

“In twelve months more than 50,000 applications have been added to the Apple App Store,” says Thomas Schulz, head of AdMob in Europe.

And not only have we had the usual productivity apps, but we’ve had all the fun stuff, too. “The App Store has helped birth the entire genre of pocket computing – a huge, paradigm-shattering shift in IT,” believes Chris Phin, Deputy Editor of MacFormat.

“I don’t care that it doesn’t pull in spectacular revenue for Apple – though some small developers can do very well, thank you very much –and at this stage I don’t even really care, at least as a consumer, that Apple’s restrictive practices and the clogging up and weird decisions of the App Store review process is causing headaches for developers.”

Indeed Apple only has itself to blame for the controversy over some apps, such as the infamous Baby Shaker, while it’s approval process continues to flummox some developers.

The top apps did phenomenally well in the initial weeks, with Shazam being one of the names to announce substantial download figures – 1.5 million in the first six weeks of availability.

“The revolutionary App Store has been a phenomenal hit with iPhone and iPod touch users around the world,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s head of Worldwide Product Marketing when the App Store hit the download milestone of a billion apps at the end of April. “In nine months, the App Store has completely revolutionised the mobile industry and this is only the beginning.”

The peerless appeal of the App Store is its simplicity. “That’s the genius,” says Phin. “It’s easy to add apps – tap-tap-tap-done; and there’s thousands of good, free ones to boot – and so it’s easy to transform your iPhone from a glorified PDA to a turn-by-turn GPS system, a library of classic novels, a guitar tuner and so, so much more.”

3.0 firmware more important still

Phin believes that the 3.0 firmware is going to prove more monumental still, because of its support for hardware add-ons. “Nobody really can grasp how amazing this will to be; it’s going to put devices running the iPhone OS (note the wording there) at the heart of medical, fitness, audio, lifestyle and pretty-much-everything-else-that-you-can-think-of devices in the years to come.”

“It’s this extensibility – ironic for a company unfairly famed for closed, proprietary systems – that will let the iPhone platform flourish.”

Indeed, iPhone OS 3.0 provides developers with over 1,000 new APIs. As well as the hardware support, these enable othere features such as In-App Purchases, Peer-to-Peer connections and Push Notifications. We’re yet to see the result of many of these so far, though.

But the plethora of apps is now having side-effects; apps are finding it harder to bubble to the surface. With millions now downloaded every week, it is becoming increasingly hard for developers to capture the attention of consumers,”

And the iPhone has other challenges, too. Carriers have continued to be under the spotlight. Here in the UK, O2 continues to be criticised for its patchy 3G coverage as does AT&T in the US.

The audience at Apple’s WWDC were hardly impressed when it became evident that AT&T wouldn’t be supporting MMS (updated in the 3.0 firmware) until later in the year.

App Store impact elsewhere

The App Store is certainly driving online advertising forward, says Schulz. “Many developers are now using mobile advertising to drive downloads of their applications.

“Not only is this boosting sales of paid-for apps, it is also helping developers to monetise the traffic generated by their free applications. Mobile advertising benefits both consumers and developers as the ads will help consumers users find new apps, and developers can afford to invest more time producing and updating their applications.”

In the UK, 28.4 per cent of ad requests came from the iPhone, just more than in the US, while globally it was 18.6 per cent.

And now, Apple has released the 3GS, a non game-changing handset that we can’t help but think is a halfway house between the 3G and the next, kick ass iPhone revolution. It does mean that the 3G suddenly looks like the budget option, with a £87 starter price tag for the 3GS on a standard O2 tariff.

Apple continues to be bullish about its handsets, press releasing a million weekend sales after the first few days of the 3GS being in stores, just as it did with the 3G. In contrast, it took 74 days to sell the first one million original iPhones – but you did have to lay down that wedge of cash up front, of course.

“Customers are voting and the iPhone is winning,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO in his return-from-hiatus statement. “With over 50,000 applications available from Apple’s revolutionary App Store, iPhone momentum is stronger than ever.” He’s right, you know.

Chinese Apple fans may be about to get their hands on officially approved iPhones soon, according to a report from the US, but it may be crippled in a bid to support state censorship there.

Research firm Wedge Partners says it has seen an application from Apple to the Chinese authorities for a licence to sell the iPhone officially.

Grey market begone

Previously, only grey-market imported iPhones have been available to use in China - over one million of them by some estimates.

Wedge also says, however, that Apple will be removing or disabling the Wi-Fi chip to meet Chinese requirements.

No hotspot for you

Apparently, the government prefers its citizens to get online through easily monitored phone networks, rather than through any old hotspot they happen to find.

While the implications for Apple’s bottom line in China are obvious, we’ll be keen to see what it says about crippling the phone’s connectivity if the rumours turn out to be true.

In another bizarre branding snafu, T-Mobile has decided that the forthcoming G1 Touch will be renamed G2 Touch.

Most of you will know the device as the HTC Hero, but T-Mobile, like with the first Android phone it popped out, the G1, likes to rename things in its own image.

The news was broken on Twitter by the official account, and T-Mobile has since confirmed to TechRadar it will be coming as the G2 Touch, with more details (ie why) to follow.

No delay

The company has also moved to refute rumours the new phone will be delayed by stating “No delays to next HTC Android phone. Should have more soon on dates and details” on the official feed.

The phone is set to debut at the end of the month, and we can only assume the name swap was due to the G1 moniker being too closely associated to an ageing handset.

Although you’d have thought someone might have though of that before the name was announced.

Designer Aleksandr Mukomelov has created the Magic Stone phone that comes in a shaped of a diamond. Its casing is covered with a “nano material” converting the sunlight into the energy your phone needs to function. The phone can also be charged wirelessly with electromagnetic fields. Other features include a touch-screen, a holographic display, constant [...]

Google boss Eric Schmidt has been ‘papped’ and caught on camera using a non-Android BlackBerry smartphone, much to his embarrassment!

The Google boss was snapped taking picture with the BlackBerry at Allen & Co.’s media summit in Sun Valley.

Watching the watcher

AP photographer Nati Harnik took the photo of the Google CEO Eric Schmidt sneakily taking a few BlackBerry pics of reporters at the Sun Valley Inn.

Businessinsider.com was quick to note that “not in the AP’s caption: Google’s CEO is — gasp! — using a BlackBerry to take the photo, not a Google Android-based device.

That report cheekily adds: “How is Android supposed to conquer the world if Google’s boss is still a CrackBerry addict? Is he borrowing Bill Gates’ phone to take photos?”

Palm Pre owners will be glad to hear that webOS 1.1 for the Palm Pre may be released within a month, offering a number of improvements to Palm’s latest smartphone including better sound quality, more apps and improved Exchange features for those working on the go.

The better managed Exchange policy integration is perhaps the most important upgrade, in addition to support for device wipe after failed PIN attempts, auto PIN lock, minimum password complexity and more.

A better work phone

Website PreCentral reports that “an anonymous tipster has sent in some details on what we can expect with webOS 1.1. The majority of the updates look to be focused on beefing up the Palm Pre’s enterprise and corporate chops by adding plenty of EAS improvements, including:

* IT-initiated remote wipe
* Required PIN with complexity
* Device wipe after a certain number of failed PIN attempts
* Auto-lock
* Improved digital certificates

Pre users should watch out for the update within the next 30 days.

Nokia will release its new Nokia 3720 classic rugged phone for the mass market. The handset is an IP-54 certified mobile phone that is specially designed to resist water, dust and shock. Measuring 115mm x 47mm x 15.3mm and weighing 94-grams, the phone is encased in durable materials and is entirely sealed to protect the [...]

Puzzled by all the latest smartphone releases? Well don’t be - this is your guide to all the latest handsets, enabling you to choose exactly the right one to suit your needs.

So whether it’s iPhone, Symbian, Android or Windows Mobile, it’s all here.

Many are available already, with some to follow over the coming months.

1. Nokia N97

Nokia’s new flagship communicator-style model is right at the top of the tree, with a 3.5-inch screen, 5 megapixel and slide-out keyboard. Wi-Fi and HSDPA rounds off the nicely-finished package.

Pros: As well as ‘DVD-quality’ video recording and the good camera, the N97 has been designed to be good for business as well as leisure with 32GB of memory and microSD card slot.

Cons: Symbian is still a relatively sluggish OS and the processor isn’t supremely powered either - needs to be a little better.

Availability: Now

Get it if: You want a workhorse smartphone with a QWERTY keyboard that has enviable multimedia prowess, too.

Read our Nokia N97 review

2. Palm Pre

The first to use the new Texas Instruments OMAP 3430 processor, the Pre is a superb new contender, and a real return to form by Palm. Now that O2 has the exclusive in Europe, Palm is set to be placed exactly where it wants – alongside the iPhone in stores.

Pros: A powerful business device with multitasking and contact synchronisation over the web. webOS is slick and fast.

Cons: Only 8GB of memory, some won’t like the smallish slide out keyboard at the bottom of the handset.

Availability: Late autumn

Get it if: You think you’ll get on well with webOS and you want a powerful business communicator that isn’t a BlackBerry.

Read our Palm Pre review

3. Samsung i7500 Galaxy

Set to be the first non-HTC Android phone on the streets, this 11.9mm thick Samsung handset has it all – including an OLED screen like the one in the Omnia HD. There’s also a 5 megapixel camera, too. Could this be the handset to send Android mainstream? What’s more, it’s also on O2. What a superb roster of handsets the network is building up for the autumn/winter season.

Pros: The OLED screen will be a winner as will the camera (which has a LED flash and auto focus) and there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack to boot.

Cons: Smaller screen than the N97, same as the HTC Magic. The 8GB memory could be better.

Availability: August

Get it if: You want an Android handset that’s not made by HTC - this is a serious alternative.

10 things to like about the Samsing i7500

4. HTC Magic

The second coming of Android improved on the T-Mobile G1 and is a Vodafone exclusive. Running the second ‘Cupcake’ version of Android, it’s a superb handset complete with Wi-Fi and HDSPA plus the usual accutrements such as GPS and a compass. And it isn’t too expensive, either. We’ll also soon have the Android-powered HTC Hero, available on Orange and T-Mobile.

Pros: It’s available free with unlimited internet and email for £25 per month – a steal.

Cons: The 3.2 megapixel camera could be better, but we’re nitpicking really. 512MB of built-in memory isn’t good enough, however, despite the expandable memory card slot.

Availability: Now

Get it if: You don’t want to pay £35 a month for a smartphone. It’s a super handset, providing you want Android.

Read our HTC Magic full review

5. Sony Ericsson Satio

Formerly known as the Idou, the new flagship Sony Ericsson handset has a 12.1 megapixel camera. We won’t get too carried away as it runs runs the Symbian S60 5th edition OS, also seen inside the Nokia 5800, while previous range-topping SE phones haven’t exactly set the world on fire (hello, Xperia X1)

Pros: 3.5-inch wide-format touchscreen looks great, and the design is also excellent. We’ll be interested to see how S60 copes come review time, though.

Cons: On board storage is the biggest miss (although there is a 8GB microSD card in the box), and a 3.5-inch headphone jack is now a must for serious entertainment phones.

Availability: October

Get it if: The idea of a Sony Ericsson handset appeals or you want that mega-camera. Such big photos again raises the question – why no internal memory?

Hands on: Sony Ericsson Satio review

6. BlackBerry Storm 2

Following on from last year’s excellent Vodafone-exclusive Storm 9500, the Storm 2 will fill some gaps. You could do a lot worse than pick up the original though, available free from Voda on a £30 unlimited internet tariff – though it missed a trick by not packing in any Wi-Fi.

Pros: Some reports claimed the SurePress haptic feedback touchscreen was being retained, but it now seems RIM will go the traditional touchscreen route. Wi-Fi is sure to be included. It has to be. We’re also expecting a 3.2 megapixel camera with auto focus and 3.5 mm headset jack.

Cons: Looks very similar to the original.

Availability: Autumn

Get it if: You liked the look of the original Storm, but want a BlackBerry.

Read our BlackBerry Storm 9500 review

7. Toshiba TG01

Powered by Qualcomm’s new 1GHz Snapdragon chip, the TG01 seems set to smack down a new benchmark for power handsets and will be offered on Orange in the UK.

Pros: A huge 4.1-inch WVGA touchscreen but it’s under a centimetre thick. Toshiba has developed a user-friendly ’striped’ skin for Windows Mobile like HTC does with TouchFLO.

Cons: Windows Mobile. 6.1 will ship with the handset. But come on, it’s been five months since 6.5 was announced, surely it’s time?

Availability: Autumn

Get it if: You want Windows Mobile, power, and a huge screen. We should have 6.5 before too long, too. Hopefully.

8 reasons why the Toshiba TG01 is better than the Apple iPhone

8. LG Viewty Smart GC900

The lightweight Viewty Smart will be just 60g and improves on the original Viewty which gave patchy performance at best. The new model will have the same 3D S-Class interface seen on the LG Arena.

Pros: An 8 megapixel camera will push it up the rankings and it may even have motion detection!

Cons: We’re not so keen on the S-Class interface, but the Viewty has always been a mid-market smartphone, so expect some competitive pricing. The 3-inch touchscreen is bettered by many of its competitors.

Availability: Now

Get it if: You want a smartphone with a decent camera, but don’t need the range-topping features seen elsewhere.

LG Viewty Smart GC900 review

9. Samsung Jet

Using Samsung’s TouchWiz 2.0 OS, the 110g Jet S8000 sits at the top of Samsung’s range for now. It’s also available for free on some tariffs - £20 a month with Vodafone, for example.

Pros: The 800MHz processor is among the best on the market at the moment, while the device is just 11.9mm thick. The 3.1-inch AMOLED screen might not is also crisp and clear. 30fps VGA video camera too.

Cons: 2GB of internal storage could have been better. And the 3D-cube style button on the front is – well - a little odd.

Availability: Now

Get it if: You want a reasonably priced entertainment-orientated smartphone with a good camera (5 megapixel) and 3.5mm headphone jack – but aren’t that concerned about getting something with Android on, for example.

Samsung Jet S8000 review

10. Apple iPhone 3GS

Where to start? Firstly, if you don’t need the compass or voice control, consider getting the iPhone 3G. It’s a heap cheaper and can do most of what the 3GS can. Having said that, the 3GS is as good as it gets (and you do get the 3 megapixel stills and video camera as well).

Pros: The genre-defining handset builds on the 3G with the video and voice functions. Do you need them?

Cons: There are actually plenty. You’ll lay down a minimum of £87 for the 3GS before you start on a 24 month contract. 3GS is better performing than the 3G full stop, but whether it’s worth the extra is up to you.

Availability: Now

Get it if: You want the very best there is. Consider the 3G if you don’t want to pay for the handset or won’t use the extra features.

Apple iPhone 3GS review

11. Samsung i8910 HD (formerly OmniaHD)

The Orange-exclusive i8910 HD has an impressive 3.7-inch AMOLED display running Samung’s TouchWiz interface on top of Symbian S60 5th gen.

Pros: Great screen and superb 8 megapixel camera with bonus video features. Comes with natty add-ons such as panorama mode and face detection. 720p video recording, while playback includes DivX/Xvid, H.264, WMV, MPEG4 and Real Video.

Cons: Reasonably heavy, weighing in at 148g. But otherwise, there’s little to fault.

Availability: Now

Get it if: You’re serious about recording video or taking pictures with your mobile. It’s the phone to beat for video.

Samsung i8910 HD review

12. HTC Touch Pro 2

We could have mentioned the impressive Touch Diamond 2, but we’ve plumped for the Touch Pro 2 instead. Complete with a QWERTY keypad, the HTC Touch Pro2 has a 3.6-inch touchscreen. HTC says it has integrated TouchFLO 3D more tightly into Windows Mobile 6.1. Good.

Pros: Straight Talk conferencing software shows this handset is aimed at business.

Cons: Needs Windows Mobile 6.5 now, not later in the year. Heavy at 179g and only has a 3.2 megapixel camera.

Availability: Now

Get it if: You need a flexible QWERTY Windows Mobile phone for business. Also take a look at the Touch Diamond 2.

HTC Touch Pro2 review

The Palm Pre has finally been confirmed as coming with a GSM European flavour after it was announced over in Spain.

The new phone will be shipping with Movistar in the region, the mobile operator owned by Telefonica, which has been widely tipped to have signed an exclusive European deal with palm.

Telefonica also owns O2 in the UK, with a British version of the Palm Pre expected to be launched imminently.

The announcement means all Palm’s non-committal posturing about a European version of its well-received phone is all over, and we can finally look forward to a summer of iPhone rivalry in the UK.

More to follow.

Nokia has filed a patent for an emoticon-based system to make it easier and quicker to send smileys and other little sad, happy or angry faces to your family, colleagues and mates via your phone.

Nokia’s new system will allow you to send a whole range of emotions alongside a text or voice message.

“Light messaging allows a user to express a mood while having an ongoing call or while sending a text message,” says Nokia’s patent filing.

“The light messaging may set the tone of the communication. People react to lights and colors [sic] very deeply and emotionally.”

Light relief

So when you send a message you can choose your mood and the recipient’s phone will light up with the relevant colour (red for high priority and so on).

The system consists of a transmitter, a light indicating signal and firmware to select the user’s mood.

We’ll wait to see how Nokia uses the system in practice before dismissing this as a gimmick.