Apple has released a pre-release beta 3 version for the iPhone OS 3.1 (7C116a) for iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and iPode Touch 1/2G. According to what the first developers have said, this version introduces the copy/paste for small video files and also offers the possibility of controlling the tethering service usage.

As it’s common on betas, the developers have already discovered and reported a few bugs and a slower operating speed when compared to the beta 2 version. Also in this version, the hack to activate the tethering doesn’t seem to work. No further details are available.

The build 7C106 for the second beta of the iPhone 3.1 was released to developers last night. Besides generic bug fixes, there are some new features such as:

- Implementation of new API for video and image editing, allowing a better control
- Update of the baseband to the 05.10.01 version
- The iPhone should suffer less overheating

From the tests done, the problem with the battery duration and continuous crash with the Mail and Messages application continue. It’s the beta testing, however, so there’s still hopes that the bugs will be fixed by the time of the launch.

According to an Asian source, Apple would have ordered a huge number of photocameras, enough to make it so that every iPod, except the Shuffle, could have one on their next update. According to this rumor, Apple ordered photocamera lenses similar to those used on cellphones, but in too big a number to consider their usage only on iPhones.

This announcement actually backs up the rumors about the iPod Nano and iPod Touch updates with photocameras and the new rumor arrives just when the first images of the possible iPod Nano 5 and iPod Touch 3 cover images start to be found around the net, and both of them show a hole on the back part of the cover that could justify a photocamera. None of this covers was claimed to be for the iPod Classic, which could mean no modifications if it will still be on the list, which is already unlikely.

Of course, some sources are less than reliable, but the one seen for iPod Nano would back up the rumors about its new size. It also seems to match with the rumor of a job offer that Apple published a while ago; before the company changed it, the job offer advertisement searched engineers that could develop photocameras for iPhone and iPod.

The guys from EA have finally released one of the most awaited titles for iPhone and iPod Touch this year: The Sims 3. The game is now available on the App Store.

The game has 63.8MB and costs €7.99, and those who have already bought it say that it’s definitely one of the best titles for the iPhone OS.

One of the interesting titles coming for iPhone and iPod Touch is definitely The Sims 3. And now we found a video that shows important aspects of the iPhone version of the higly-awaited EA title: intuitive controls, gesture recognition and support to accelerometer.

No launch date has been established yet for the game, however. But without further ado, we’ll leave you to the video above. Enjoy!

Apple has released a software update for the new iPod Shuffle, presented back in March. The Update 1.0.2 aims at optimizing the response on the control button found on the headphone wire. Those are the specific enhancements:

- Faster response on the “Play” button once it’s pressed after a longer period of inactivity
- The volume controls are done now through individual button presses
- The Japanese VoiceOver was enhanced
- Many “secondary problems” (which weren’t specified) have been fixed.

In order to proceed with the update, users must simply connect the iPod Shuffle to the computer and wait for iTunes to be launched.

The site Arstechnica has reported some new indications that would point to a voice interface on the new 3.0 Operational System for iPhone and iPod Touch.

In particular, all the reference sto a code name, “Jibbler”, would mean a voice synthetizer and recognition system. The references in the code would be these ones: VSSpeechSynthesizer, VSRecognitionSession, SBVoiceControlDisableHandlerActions, SBSensitiveJibblerEnabled, e SBVoiceControlSoundCompletion. SB would mean SpringBoard (the multiple “desktops” on the iPhone graphic interface) and VS would mean Voice Services.

Other indications make it seem that the voice recognition features would be able to be activated from the headphone buttons. We’ll have to see if those rumors are true or not.

Apple has launched a software update for the brand new iPod Shuffle, that now goes to its 1.0.1 version. The very small readme file doesn’t really explain what was changed; limiting to say that some issues were solved. And that’s it.

In order to perform the update, users need to connect the iPod Shuffle to their computer and wait for iTunes to open up, then follow the instructions that will be shown on the screen.

The particular chip found inside the iPod Shuffle, found by the guys at BBGadgets, is still creating polemic amongst the iPod users. Apple has been quick to claim that the chip doesn’t feature DRM technology, but it’s only part of the “Made for iPod” certification program.

The highlighted point on Apple’s spokesperson’s speech is the inappropriateness of the term “DRM”, which obviously Apple doesn’t enjoy, but they also do not explain the situation clearly. The guys at iLounge had made things clear: the manufacturers that wants to take part on the certification program will be able to buy the chip and the microphone from Apple, for a price around $3, that includes the rights to use the iPod brand. Only in thuis way the companies will be sure to have a compatibility with the current and future Apple players. Manufacturers can, obviously, choose not to take part on the program, but that means that the non-certified accessories might not have any warranty or can simply stop working due to possible firmware updates.

And the polemic continues.

Apparently, the video tour on how to use the new iPod Shuffle’s controls wasn’t enough, so Apple has proceeded to publish a written guide on their official support site.

The table presents a summary on all the control’s features and indicates how to interact with the integrated control on the headphone wires. For each of the commands, the device provides a visual feedback thanks to the status light.

But many users still think that, no matter the explanations, the new model is still inferior than the previous one. Something tells us that we’ll hear a lot more about the new iPod Shuffle in the next few days.
The guide can be found on this link.