While Jailbreaking iPhone 3.1 on the original iPhone 2G and iPhone 3G has made some strides, there's still no sign of an iPhone 3GS version. What there are signs of, however, are more and more apps taking advantage of iPhone 3.1-only APIs, meaning they can't be run on iPhone 3.0, meaning they're not available to iPhone 3GS Jailbreakers.

So far these iPhone 3.1-only apps are confined to a few camera-specific apps, but including the new features of the update, as augmented-reality functionality spreads, never mind whatever comes with the iPhone 3.2 beta when it appears, the number of incompatible apps is only going to grow.

So here's our question for iPhone 3GS Jailbreakers -- are you still content to wait for the Dev-Team to Jailbreak (and allow safe unlock of) 3.1, or are you getting tempted to restore to the plain vanilla OS? And how long will you wait?

It's time for some good old forum action. Reading From the Forums is a great way to see what all of the current hot topics are on the TiPb forums. In order to create any new threads of your own or reply to any of the existing threads, you must be a registered member. Becoming a member is a simple process that will only take a few minutes out of your day, so if you have not already already done so, head on over and register now.

Rene has started an excellent thread for those of you who want to know more about iPhone 3.1 along with iTunes 9 - TiPb's iPhone 3.1 Software Walkthrough is the place to go if you'd like to know what has changed in the software and/or need a link to send to some of your friends who have similar questions.

This next thread was started by xtremeyouth1 and he poses an interesting question - Will there be a new design for 4th generation iPhone? It's never to early to start speculating!

Last up for today we'd like to remind everyone who is in search for cool wallpaper and ringtones to please visit our dedicated forum - iPhone Wallpapers and Ringtones. That thread is the place to be for the latest and greatest to customize your iPhone.

See you on the forums!

So, how's your battery life doing under iPhone 3.1? If you jumped on it immediately last Wednesday, or had a few days to try it out at least, have you noticed any big changes? Much better? Much worse? Or is it pretty much the same?

Yeah, we ask this every time there's a new firmware, but that's just because Apple seems to be tweaking things every time there's a new firmware.

So, win, lose, or draw, let us know how it's working for you. And if you're having battery problems, remember to check out TiPb's How To: Troubleshoot iPhone Battery Life Problems guide.

Every week a few of us from team TiPb, bloggers and forum crew alike, will bring you our current favorite, funnest, most useful App Store apps, WebApps, jailbreak apps, even the occasional accessory, web site, or desktop app if the mood strikes us. As long as they're iPhone (or iPod touch) related, they're fair game.

So who's on deck this week and what are our picks? Find out after the break!

Chad's Pick: Chipotle

The iPhone is revolutionary. Why? I just placed an order for a Chipotle Burrito on my iPhone! You can create an online account, give your order a name, pick a location and voila! The order interface is easy and clean. You can add multiple orders and pay wih your credit card all on your iPhone. Yummy! [Free - iTunes link]

Chris' Pick: Lion Pride

I just downloaded and have been trying Lion Pride. This game is similar in some ways to games like Harbor Master and Flight Control - except you are a lion trying to eat your prey! You control a lion or lions, and try to hunt your prey - between stalking and outright chasing your food items, between different strategies for different prey, the game can be quite involving. The normal game is $.99, but if you want to try it first, there is a "lite" demo for free. [$0.99 - iTunes link

]

James' Pick: iVillain Theme (Jailbreak)

I tried not to. I really tried not to jailbreak. I was happy with my "stock" iPhone 3GS. Then I saw this theme...and I liked it. I could resist no more. If you have seen the HTC Sense UI, you will recognize it immediately as a "port" of the skin to the iPhone. It was easy to install and configure. There are also a few variations of the them included in the link. [Free - Web link]

Jeremy's Pick: Local Concerts

Great free app for anyone who likes to be kept in the loop of local concerts. Too many times I find out one of my favorite bands played a live show after the fact, not anymore. Local Concerts pushes all new local live concerts directly to your iPhone. Can't beat that for the price of.... [Free - iTunes link]

Leanna's Pick: Enigmo 2

Enigmo was one of the first apps I purchased when the App Store was launched and I loved it. Now Pangea Software has recently released Enigmo 2 and it's awesome. Instead of manipulating only droplets, you must also direct lazers and plasma with reflectors and gravity balls in 3-dimensional space. If you enjoyed playing the orignal Enigmo, I highly recommend picking up Enigmo 2. [$3.99 - iTunes link]

Matt's Pick: Otterbox Defender iPhone case

I have been eyeing this case for quite some time & finally I figure I "needed" it. The case is quite worth the price. It literally "seals" your iPhone inside so that no dirt can get inside, I'd definitely say it is spash-proof, but not waterproof. The only really exposed area is the speakers. I unintentionaly did a six foot drop "test" in the case and survived. The only issue I encountered was where - the overlay screen protector sticks to the iPhone screen creating a watermarked effect. It's easily solved with an anti-glare screen protector (at least this is the one I used.) [$44.95 - iMore Store link]

Rene's Pick: iPhone 3.1 + iTunes 9

Had. To. Be. Picked. (Especially after Leanna stole Enigmo 2 from me!) While on the surface iPhone 3.1 appears to contain... nothing on the surface, when you combine it with iTunes 9, all the much-needed bug fixes and feature fill-ins really start to shine -- especially with things like in-iTunes app management, and Genius for Apps. Unless you're jailbroken or desperate for a few early weeks of AT&T MMS and tethering, get this update now. [Free - Web link]

Your Pick?

You're part of team TiPb too, so what's your pick? What app was your absolute fav last week? Let us -- and everyone -- know in the comments!

Updating to iPhone 3.1 this weekend? TiPb's got your back!

• Complete iPhone 3.1 Software Walkthrough
• Warning for those with jailbroken or unlocked iPhones
• Need help? Having problems? Head on over to TiPb's iPhone Forums!

We're also going to keep track of known iPhone 3.1 issues and bugs, so if enough of us find the same problems, we'll post on them and they'll automagically get added to the list.

Go luck and happy updating!

Now that the dust is starting to settle after the return of Steve, we would like to take a moment and issue another friendly reminder to all of you who currently using an unlocked iPhone 3G or the 3GS - do not install the iPhone 3.1 update via iTunes. You will lose your unlock and it may be permanent as Dev Team's MuscleNerd stated on Twitter earlier today:

3G+3GS unlockers..you must not update to official 3.1! unlock needs pre-hacked 3.1 with 04.26.08

So what does that mean, well like I mentioned earlier do not update via iTunes. You must first hack the 3.1 software to include modem firmware 04.26.08. If this confuses you, please do not attempt to unlock your phone until an easier way is released.

We here at TiPb are wondering, what about iTunes? Have any of you with unlocked iPhones updated to iTunes 9.0? Let us know how it went in the comments!

As always, be safe out there, as we are not responsible if you blow up your iPhone.

*If you have questions regarding unlocking please visit our iPhone Jailbreak and Unlock forum.

Apple, following their announcement at the It's only rock and roll, but we like it special music event, has just posted iPhone OS 3.1, promoting it's Genius App Recommendations, Genius Mixes, Downloadable Ringtones ($1.29 - ouch!), and support for iTunes 9's App Management feature.

Just plug in your iPhone, hit Update, sit back, and enjoy the new hawt. (Jailbreakers and unlockers should hold off unless you want to lose your jailbreak/unlock.)

For more on iPhone 3.1, see TiPb's iPhone 3.1 feature page.

AT&T is promising MMS on September 25, along with a software update to enable it. Sounds like iPhone 3.1 to us. Show it off at the September 9 Music Event along with the third generation iPod touch, then release it a couple weeks later to coincide with MMS?

WhenWillApple reports that AT&T MMS is already working for them in Florida under iPhone 3.1 Beta 3. and while it might just be another random network test, could it also be a sign of what's to come?

Anyone else rocking AT&T MMS on iPhone 3.1 Beta 3? Say where and when in the comments!

UPDATE: WhenWillApple thinks they know what's going on with the 3.1 fix.

Looks like the tempest has run out of room in the teapot, as that bug we linked to earlier, about iPhone 3.0 Spotlight showing email messages that should be well and truly deleted, seems to have indeed been crushed in iPhone 3.1.

[Via WhenWillApple]

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Join Dieter, Chad, and Rene for iPhone 3.1 Beta 3, Google Voice rejection, iTablet and Verizon rumors, Palm/iTunes escalation, SMS exploits, and all the news and how-tos. Listen in!

Featured Accessory

• Jabra SP200 Bluetooth Speakerphone for Hands-Free iPhone 3G/3GS Action

News

iPhone 3.1 Watch

• Updated: Apple Release iPhone 3.1 Beta 3 to Developers (Beta 2 Expiring Tues, July 28!)
• iPhone 3.1: Augmented Reality Apps are a Go!

Apps and App Store

• UPDATED: Apple Rejects Removes all Google Voice Apps for iPhone from iTunes App Store
• GV Mobile Brings Google Voice to iPhone… via Cydia for Jailbreak
• Apple Reverses Decision, Allows Promo Codes for Apps Rated 17+
• Apple Improves iTunes App Store Search, Asks Developers for Keywords
• Quick App: Apple Releases MobileMe iDisk App for iPhone Amazon’s Jeff Bezos Apologizes to Kindle (and iPhone Kindle App) Users
• Google Finally Provides Latitude to iPhone Users — Yeah, it’s a WebApp

iTunes & iTablet

• iTablet: When Will it Ship and What Will it Run? now that Steve is finally happy with it, and Verizon is racing to get LTE ready...
• Apple and Record Labels Trying to Reignite Album Interest with “Cocktail”?

Carrier Talk

• CEOh-Snap! AT&T Says iPhone Exclusivity Will End… Eventually
• Verizon: iPhone 3GS Cost us Money, Helped Drive Innovation Rogers Canada Roundup: Q2 Financial Results, Out of Stock, and 21Mbps HSPA+ Testing
• Apple and China Unicom Finally Maybe Potentially Have an iPhone Deal. Possibly.

The Competition

• Palm Re-Hacks iTunes Sync, Shows They Care More About Ego and Press Than Pre Users, and files a complaint against Apple
• Palm’s Roger McNamee Wants to Know if You’re Still Using an iPhone?

In Other News

• iPhone 3GS Hardware Encryption “Useless”?
• 1GHz ARM Mobile CPU on the Horizon — but is it iPhone Bound?

Help and How To

• Pro Tips: How to Secure Your Jailbroken (or Regular) iPhone Against Hackers

Forums

• From the Forums: iPhone 3.0 Jailbreak Apps, Overheating, 3GS Photos, Battery Tips

Credits

Thanks to the the iPhone Blog Store for sponsoring the podcast, and to everyone who showed up for the live chat!

Our music comes from the following sources:

• I Called You -- iPhone Remix by Pete Leidy
via Sneakmove iPhone Ringtone Challenge

WhenWillApple has found another new goodie in the just released iPhone 3.1 Beta 3: Settings > General > Usage now shows Tethering Data alongside the previous Cellular Network Data counter.

Since countries outside the US, and carriers other than AT&T have offered tethering pretty much since the launch of iPhone 3.0, does this new addition, alongside the return of MMS settings in iPhone 3.1 Beta 1 released a month ago, hint that AT&T might finally be getting their iPhone offerings in order?

Insert your AT&T tethering rumor here!

Following up on the recent release of iPhone 3.1 Beta 3, WhenWillApple has posted up a YouTube video (embedded above) showing the new copy/paste functionality for videos.

Like copy/paste for images in iPhone 3.0, this allows you to send copies of your videos without the compression that goes along with the Share function. Just pick a video, tap and hold for "copy", switch to email, tap and hold for paste.

Again, the size of the email boxes (sender and receiver) will likely still be a limiting factor. (MobileMe allows for 20MB per email, for example).

Apple has released iPhone 3.1 Beta 3 (7C116a) to developers via developer.apple.com, along with notification that iPhone 3.1 Beta 2 expires tomorrow, July 28 at 12am (device local time).

While Apple has previously released most of the betas on Tuesday, a desire to prevent the "pink screen of death" associate with expired betas perhaps necessitated an earlier release this time.

The OS weighs is said to weigh in at around 307MB. Updates to follow below as we get them:

According to WhenWillApple, you can now copy and paste videos into email (like you could images under 3.0) to get full resolution (not compressed like the share option). We're guessing email box size will still be a restriction...

Also, Tethering Data now gets it's own counter in Settings > General > Usage.

[Thanks to Davizzle for the tip!]

The L.A. Times (via MacRumors) confirms what TiPb heard following the release of iPhone 3.1 Beta 2 -- public APIs for information overlay of live video will allow "augmented reality" apps to make their way into the App Store.

Apple told Acrossair, developer of the Nearest Tube train finder, that the app will be approved for distribution after Apple releases version 3.1 of the iPhone software, which the developer expects will land in early September.

This time frame, if accurate, will likely also coincide with Apple's traditional iPod and iTunes event, which for the last two years has seen the iPod touch center stage, and last year also introduced iPhone 2.1.

If a camera is integrated into the third generation iPod touch, as current rumors indicate, it would make for a fairly mind-blowing demo...

Speaking of iPhone 3GS accessibility features, it looks like Apple is improving them in iPhone 3.1 Beta 2 by adding a new "triple click" option to the home button to toggle VoiceOver, Toggle White on Black, and Ask (which then will pop up a menu offering Turn VoiceOver On, Turn Zoom On, Turn White on Black On).

Kudos to Apple for not only doing a great job implementing the various accessibility features in iPhone 3GS, but for continuing to improve them via forthcoming firmware.

Following up on last night' release of iPhone 3.1 Beta 2 firmware and SDK, developers are finding more changes and new features.

• TUAW reports that the AT&T IPCC hack, where the carrier file was modified to allow iPhone tethering sans official AT&T sanction no longer works. Bummer, given AT&T still hasn't announced anything about legitimate tethering support or pricing.

• Engadget Mobile's been informed that new APIs have been introduced allowing for the manipulation of live video to produce "augmented reality" apps (where information is layered on top of the video).

• Ars Technica reports iPhone 3.1 Beta 2 allows developers to connect to test devices via Wi-Fi, rather than having to tether via USB as in previous releases, and still access instruments and other features.

Apple has just informed developers that a new version of iPhone 3.1 Beta firmware and SDK have been released:

iPhone SDK 3.1 beta 2 and iPhone OS 3.1 beta 2 are now available on the iPhone Dev Center. These versions are for development and testing only and should be installed on devices dedicated to iPhone OS 3.1 beta software development. Please read the iPhone OS beta Pre-Install Advisory and the iPhone SDK 3.1 beta 2 release notes before downloading and installing.

Use the Apple Bug Reporter if you discover compatibility or functionality issues while testing with the iPhone OS 3.1 beta 2 release.

Registered developers can, as stated, grab it via developer.apple.com.

UPDATE: Ars Technica reports iPhone 3.1 Beta 2 allows developers to send apps to test devices via Wi-Fi, rather than having to tether via USB as in previous releases.

According to WhenWithApple, minor changes include new language for the video editing options, now called "Trim Original" and "Save As..." Screenshot after the break!

When/if we come across anything else, we'll update and add it to our ongoing iPhone 3.1 Beta Walkthrough...

iPhone 3.1 Beta 1 has just been released, and unlike the major new version that was iPhone 3.0, it's still unclear how many features -- compared with bug fixes -- will be added. However, enterprising developers have already discovered at least a few things we can all look forward too.

So, here's TiPb's iPhone 3.1 Beta Walkthrough, and we'll keep it updated as/if Apple releases future betas.

Home Screen

The jigglies -- what Dieter lovingly calls the little dance icons do when you hold them down long enough to make them moveable and rearrangeable -- now make the iPhone vibrate once to further indicate the change of state. Whether or not this will somehow factor in to the iPhone 3GS accessibility features is uncertain.

Voice Control

Voice Control, after holding down the Home button for several seconds, let you speak simple commands to place calls and control music. In iPhone 3.1, it will also work over Bluetooth.

The exact process isn't clear yet, but it's hard to imagine anything other than holding down the call button on a Bluetooth headset function similarly to how the Home button currently works.

Messages

After being present in iPhone 3.0 Beta 1 through Beta 4, before being stripped out in Beta 5, AT&T users will again find MMS functionality restored to the interface. However, it's not functional without hacking the carrier file, and it's unknown if it will survive until release or be stripped out again if AT&T still isn't ready for the feature to go live.

Calendar

Calendar gets a minor tweak in iPhone 3.1. Now event alerts also display the location of the event in the popup. Presumably, this is now considered important glance-able information.

Photos

Video trimming is now non-destructive. Previously, if you trimmed a video, it was automatically saved over the original, meaning you could never undo or go back to the full clip. Now, a Save As... dialog gives you the option of preserving the original and creating as many version copies as you want (an short clip to email, a longer one to share to YouTube, and the full clip to sync and bring into iMovie, for example).

Phone

Copy and Paste comes to the Phone Keypad. Just tap and hold and the input area will change from dark blue to light blue, and the Copy Paste menu will pop up.

Reportedly, the iPhone Paste feature is "smart" enough to change alphanumeric phone numbers to pure numbers (i.e. 1-800-FLOWERS to 1-800-356-9377).

When Will it Ship?

If history is any indication, iPhone 2.0 was released on July 11, 2008, and iPhone 2.1 followed some two months and 4 betas later on September 12, 2008 hot on the heels of Apple's Let's Rock introduction of the 2nd generation iPod touch. Will we have to wait for another new iPod and music event before we see 3.1?

Our guess is Apple will try to get 3.1 out earlier to fix a few of the more onerous bugs, but as always, only Jobs knows for sure...

Note on Using Beta Software

Unlike iPhone 2.0 Betas, where access seemed much more limited and leaks were few and far between, 3.1 like 3.0 seems to be on every iPhone users want-now list. Also, unlike 2.0 when many devs were seasoned pros, now Apple is touting thousands upon thousands in the program, some seemingly happy enough to enable 3.0 access for the general user base.

However, betas are intended for developers to test and report back on. They're not as stable, not as snappy, not as feature-complete and anyone trying to use them as a production OS on their main (or worse, only) device is likely to have something less than an ideal experience. People trying to use it as such may wish they could go back to iPhone 3.0 almost as much as they wished for 3.1. Think thrice before taking the plunge.

[Via Chris, Muero, WhenWillApple, and BGR. Thanks to everyone who sent in descriptions and screenshots.]

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Dieter and Rene discuss the iPhone 3.1 Beta, the return of Steve Jobs (and Fake Steve), iPhone 3GS news, and questions from the live chat. Listen in!

Sponsored by the TiPb iPhone Store.

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iPhone 3.1 and OS News

• Speaking of charge cases, TiPb got the tip that some chargers were having trouble under 3.0, but that Apple knows about it and will be fixing it soon in 3.1...
• And lo and behold, they've already gone and released the iPhone 3.1 beta just in time for iPhone Live!
• New features include BT support for Voice Control, Save As for video editing, and more!
• As always, Jailbreakers are warned to avoid 3.1 until the Dev-Team gives the all-clear
• Don't expect an iPhone 3GS jailbreak/unlock any time soon though...
• 3.1 is also good news to users experiencing MobileMe account and random icon bugs

General News

• Heeeeeee's Baaaaaack: Steve Jobs returns to Apple
• Heeeeeee's ALSO Baaaaaack: Fake Steve returns as well
• We get it, the iPhone 3GS is faster than fast fast
• Mobile YouTube Uploads Increasing 400% PER DAY Since iPhone 3GS Launch
• European Union: One Phone Charger Shall Rule them All -- And Apple's agreed?!
• iPhone 2G Turns Two Years Old!

How To

• TiPb Has iPhone 3G 3.0 Jailbreak Guides for Mac OS X and Windows PC

From the Forums

• One of our favorite threads, started by SM12, has just been given new life by the iPhone 2G birthday -- what phone did you have before the iPhone?
• With iPhone 3.1 just around the corner, Ivoryplum wants to know what you'd like to see in the next iPhone OS update?

Credits

Thanks to the the iPhone Blog Store for sponsoring the podcast, and to everyone who showed up for the live chat!

Our music comes from the following sources:

• I Called You -- iPhone Remix by Pete Leidy
via Sneakmove iPhone Ringtone Challenge

Right in time for iPhone 3.1, the iPhone Dev-Team has begun issuing their usual warnings about jailbreak/unlock users and new firmware updates:

ultrasn0w users must stay away from official 3.1 (incl. betas) until we release the tools for it, or you'll lose unlock!

Tempting as a tasty new beta may be, if you can't live without your hacked iPhone, don't hit that update button now, or any time before the iPhone Dev-Team has new, tested tools ready for you.

Once again, you've been warned!

[Via Twitter]

Early word from TiPb commenters and the Twitter show some new iPhone 3.1 features found already:

• Non-destructive video editing means trimming a clip no longer saves over the original video but gives you the option to "Save as copy..."
• Voice Control now works over Bluetooth
• iPhone vibrates when moving icons
• Updated AT&T profile to 4.2
• Updated modem firmware to 5.08.01

Behind the scenes changes abound as well:

• Improvements to OpenGL and Quartz.
• APIs to allow third party apps to access videos and edit them.

Update: Yes, MMS buttons appear to be back for AT&T users, but as with early iphone 3.0 Betas, they're non-functional on standard devices. Whether they survive to the official release this time (they were removed in 3.0 Beta 5), who knows?

[Thanks to Chris, Muero and WhenWillApple]

Apple has just released iPhone 3.1 SDK Beta to developers:

iPhone SDK 3.1 beta and iPhone OS 3.1 beta are now posted to the iPhone Dev Center. These versions are for development and testing only and should be installed on devices dedicated to iPhone OS 3.1 beta software development. Please read the iPhone OS Pre-Install Advisory and the iPhone SDK 3.1 beta release notes before downloading and installing.

Available now via developer.apple.com, and TiPb once again reminds non-developers to stay clear, avoid potential problems, and wait for the general release.

(Thanks Quickpwn.com and everyone else for the tip!)