As we head towards WWDC 2016 we're looking back at the last few years of Apple's World Wide Developer Conference and the impact each has made. Today, we're all about WWDC 2008. Kicking off June 9 at 10am PDT with a Steve Jobs keynote, Apple had held the first iPhone SDK event that past spring and a lot of what was introduced there was finalized here. That's not to say there weren't some new things as well...

App Store

The App Store was a unified place on every iPhone where every customers could go to get native apps and games created by third party developers. Apple would handle all the logistics and transactions, keep 70% of the money for paid apps, and handle free apps for free.

iPhone 3G

The iPhone 3G was the first iPhone announced at WWDC. Despite its rounder, most plastic case, iPhone 3G was so similar to the original iPhone that Apple only incremented its model number by a minor digit — iPhone 1,2 — but it added both a 3G EDGE radio for GSM networking and GPS for location. It also fully embraced the subsidy model for the first time, dropping to an incredibly accessible $199 on contract in the U.S. and other markets.

MobileMe

.Mac, which had been Apple's online service, was reborn and rebranded as MobileMe. Originally called "Exchange for the rest of us", MobileMe was plagued by a troubled launch. So much so that Steve Jobs famously asked what it was supposed to do... and then why it didn't $&%$& do that.

Snow Leopard

With everyone at Apple bent on delivering iOS 2 (then iPhone OS 2), the software developers kit (SDK), the App Store, Mobile Me, and everything that went along with it, development on the next version of OS X, dubbed Snow Leopard (no wine codename) focused on under-the-hood performance improvements. There were some new features, including Exchange support, but Apple unabashedly marketed it as "no new features", something that, it turned out, deeply resonated with customers who wanted just exactly that.

Impact

If the iPhone revolutionized the phone, it's safe to say the App Store revolutionized software. Nothing has been the same since. iPhone 3G likewise made the iPhone accessible to many more people in many more countries and was the real beginning of the biggest business the industry has ever seen. MobileMe... wasn't great. Within a few years it would be replaced with iCloud. Snow Leopard, on the other hand, became a classic. So much so, whenever something goes wrong, you can count on the internet asking for another "Snow Leopard" moment.

What did you think of WWDC 2008? Share your memories in the comments below!

Steve Jobs didn't give the WWDC keynote on June 8, 2009. He was away on medical leave. So, a team of Apple executives soldiered on without him. That included Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Phil Schiller, who's task was to fill the biggest New Balances in the business for what was becoming Apple's biggest business. Schiller started off quoting Time Magazine's praise for "the phone that has changed phones forever." He'd go on to make that phone more affordable that ever, while also introducing its successor. It boasted twice the speed, both for processing and data networking. It was the iPhone 3GS.

Schiller recounted how the iPhone had captured 65% of mobile browsing, and how the App Store had grown to feature 50,000 apps. Then he launched into the "same great design, all new insides" segment that would be the theme for the iPhone 3GS (and for subsequent S-class iPhones to come). From Apple:

S is for Speed

The iPhone 3GS, codenamed N88 and device number iPhone 2,1, was the third iPhone but the second "generation". That might sound strange, but the device numbering is based on the processor, not the year. Cosmetically, the iPhone 3GS sported an almost identical design to the previous year's iPhone 3G. Only the word "iPhone" on the back changed—it became shinier.

The 3.5-inch screen was the same 320x480 and 163ppi as the last two iPhones, but Apple added an oleophobic coating to help it better resist finger prints and other oils. The cellular radio was updated again, this time to a twice-as-fast UMTS/HPSA 7.2 mbps. Wi-Fi stayed the same at 802.11 b/g, as did aGPS, but Bluetooth got a bump to 2.1 + EDR.

The chipset, however, was a twice-as-fast ARM Cortex-A8-based, Samsung manufactured S5PC100 CPU and a PowerVR SGX535 GPU that included support for OpenGL ES 2.0. RAM was doubled to 256MB and storage got an increase, with the addition of a 32GB model. Battery capacity jumped to 1219mAh, and that significantly increased battery life.

Apple also added a magnometer (digital compass), which brought directional and rotation data to the mix. Combined with the existing accelerometer, it was a huge boom for precision and accuracy, especially for gaming. Nike+ was also integrated, as was hardware encryption for added security.

The camera had become so popular on sites like Flickr that Apple finally started to pay attention to optics as well. It went to a slightly-less-terrible 3 megapixels with auto-focus, auto white balance, auto exposure, and macro. Thanks to the better processing power, it could also record video at 30fps... if only at 480p (VGA) resolution.

The iPhone 3GS also added voice control, a very early, rudimentary precursor to Siri. Activated by a long press of the Home button, it could handle calls and music playback, among select other things. Likewise, Accessibility gained a VoiceOver option.

For the third year in the row, there was still no CDMA and EVDO Rev A model, so still no iPhone for Verizon or Sprint in the U.S., but the iPhone was still exclusive to AT&T in the U.S., so it still didn't matter.

Like the casing, the price stayed the same, though you were getting a much faster phone with double the storage for the same $199/$299 on contract.

Scratching the surface

The iPhone 3GS launched on June 19 in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and several European markets. It reached 80 countries by the end of the year.

Steve Jobs shared the news that, once again, over a million were sold the first weekend. Apple:

Apple didn't mean for the iPhone 3GS to be a compelling upgrade for iPhone 3G owners. They were, more sensibly, targeting original iPhone owners whose 2-year contracts were up, and the much larger pool of people who didn't yet own an iPhone. Not all reviewers got that, of course. Some judged the phone by its casing. (Something that would haunt Apple again and again.) Still, reviews were mainly positive.

David Pogue, writing for the New York Times:

Anand Lai Shimpi, writing for AnandTech

Yours truly, writing for iMore:

With the iPhone 3GS, the hardware finally caught up to the software.

Palm tried, Droid did

2009 also saw the introduction of the most novel smartphone since the iPhone — the Palm Pre. Run by former Apple SVP Jon Rubenstein, the Pre made the choices Apple hadn't. It used WebKit for its interface layer and provided a physical keyboard.

Roger McNamee, one of Palm's principle backers through then-owners Elevation Partners, set expectations high:

And:

Steve Ballmer, then-CEO of Microsoft, painted the best picture for Windows Mobile that he could:

And:

And, of course:

Mike Lazaridis, then co-CEO of RIM (BlackBerry) saw how the BlackBerry Storm failed to catch on with Verizon customers, but used it as an excuse to double-down on keyboards:

Google's Eric Schmidt, meanwhile, was forced to resign from Apple's board of directors. From Apple:

Behind the scenes, Jobs was far less cordial:

Verizon, still lacking the iPhone, hurting from the Storm's failure in the market, and spurning the Palm Pre, went all in on Android. Licensed from Lucasfilm by Verizon itself, they launched Droid, a new line of Android phones that finally made the world stand up and take notice.

Three years later

By June of 2010 the iPhone 3G was being cleared out, the iPhone 3GS had outsold all previous iPhones combined, and what's more, it had been joined by another iOS device — the iPad. Yet the hardware was ripe for innovation, and we'd see it sooner than even Apple intended...

• History of the original iPhone
• History of iPhone 3G
• History of iPhone 3GS
• History of iPhone 4
• History of iPhone 4s
• History of iPhone 5
• History of iPhone 5c
• History of iPhone 5s

At WWDC 2008 on June 9, after finalizing the details of the upcoming App Store, and summing up the original iPhone's achievements, the late Steve Jobs] dove into the next set of challenges Apple had to face. On the surface, they were obvious even before Jobs bullet-pointed them on stage: 3G, Enterprise, third-party apps, more countries, and being more affordable. The software changes came as part of iPhone OS 2.0. The hardware, iPhone 3G.

More for less

The iPhone 3G, codenamed N82 and device number iPhone1,2, had the same 3.5-inch screen at 320x480 and 163ppi as the original. The cellular radio, however, received a significant update to support 3G UMTS/HSPA networks. That allowed for a much faster theoretical download speed of 3.6 mbps. Jobs claimed it was 36% faster than the other leading 3G phones of the time, including the Nokia N95 and Palm Treo 750, while also rendering a better version of the web.

The Dock connector remained, but Apple changed some of the pins so it no longer supported charging over FireWire, which rendered some accessories incompatible. It had the same Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR and 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi as well, but added an aGPS (assisted global positioning system) chip for more precise location services.

As the model number suggested, however, Apple didn't consider the iPhone 3G as full, next generation update. It was the first model, take two. That was probably due to the chipset remaining the same, an ARM-based, Samsung manufactured 1176JZ(F)-S processor and PowerVR MBX Lite 3D graphics chip, with 128MB of RAM that was already showing its age and limitations. Storage options also remained at 8 and 16GB for NAND Flash. Likewise sensors and cameras. Curiously, the battery dropped to 1150 mAh, though not at the expense of battery life.

There was still no CDMA and EVDO Rev A model either, which meant still no possibility for Verizon or Sprint. Since Apple remained exclusive to AT&T, it didn't much matter.

There was, however, something that did change and in a major way: the design.

Instead of the original aluminium casing with plastic buttons, Apple went with a polycarbonate casing with metal buttons. That let them improve RF transparency, which made for better reception, and also to offer some variety. While the front plate remained uniformly black the 16GB had a backplate offered in both black and white.

It didn't look quite as high-end as the original, and had some issues with hairline cracks around the cutouts, but it did manage to be both sturdy and reliable. It was also rounded instead of flat on the back, allowing Apple to call it thinner at the edges.

Improved audio and a "fixed" headphone jack that was flush mounted and thus compatible with almost all headsets rounded out the updates.

But there was one more giant different—the price.

Jobs said that, according to Apple's research, 56% of potential iPhone customers didn't buy because of the price. Yet the value of the iPhone and it's ability to drive adoption of premium services had been proven to carriers. So, Apple was able to convince the carriers to front a significant portion of the price.

It dropped from a whopping $499/$599, on contract, to a much more enticing $199/$299.

Apps for that

Three months before the iPhone 3G's introduction, on March 8, 2008, Apple held the iPhone SDK event. There, Steve Jobs announced not just iPhone OS 2.0, but the software development kit, and the App Store. It was the first indication of how Apple planned to handle updating the iPhone and turning it into a full-on platform.

Apple had discussed using OS X's AppKit or Safari's WebKit as an interface layer, but ultimately went with something new—UIKit. And so Henri Lamiraux's team, fresh off the forced-march required to launch the original iPhone, went on another one to get the software development kit (SDK) ready for iPhone OS 2.0.

From Apple:

The iPhone many people had been waiting for

The iPhone 3G launched on July 11, 2008, and it launched internationally. By the end of the year, it reached 70 countries. Apple also launched iPhone OS 2.0, the App Store, and MobileMe on the same day, something that overwhelmed so many servers for so long Apple has since switched to releasing software updates a couple days before hardware.

That didn't slow sales, however. Over a million people bought the iPhone 3G the first weekend alone. From Apple:

Reviews were likewise enthusiastic, even with some reservations. Ed Baig, writing for USA Today:

Jason Snell, writing for Macworld:

Those who bought the iPhone 3G that first weekend, and those who updated their original iPhones, could not only launch Safari or SMS, but could download and use Facebook, play Super Monkey Ball, and so much more.

By September 9, 2008, more than 3,000 apps were available in the App Store, including 600 free apps. The App Store, combined with the price drop, began the momentum that would drive the iPhone for year's to come. And would drive the mainstreaming of the smartphone.

Partners... and competitors

The existing, entrenched smartphone vendors of the time, Microsoft, Palm, RIM (BlackBerry), and Nokia spent 2008 not much differently than they'd spent 2007. They talked a lot, but none of them showed a single sign that they realized the iPhone had absolutely changed everything on the market.

Mike Lazaridis, former co-CEO of RIM/BlackBerry

Ivan Seidenberg, former CEO of Verizon:

Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft:

Olli-Pekka Kallasvu, former CEO of Nokia:

Palm's operating system had reached the end of its functional life, so the company focused on releasing Windows Mobile-powered devices until they could figure out what would come next. Microsoft launched Windows Mobile 6.1 but its future didn't look any brighter. Likewise, BlackBerry and Symbian has aging operating system problems of their own. The iPhone had made touch matter, which led to some touch-like phones, including the Instinct from Samsung.

Many of them sold well into the millions but it was clear to anyone—at least anyone not entrenched in an existing strategy—that the world was changing.

Google, an original iPhone launch partner, was both perceptive, and agile. They'd already bought Danger, the next generation phone platform created by Sidekick mastermind — and former Apple employee — Andy Rubin. They'd originally focused on making a Windows Mobile/BlackBerry-style competitor, determined to make sure Microsoft could never dominate the market and cut them out of the mobile future they so clearly recognized would be the next big thing.

Then the iPhone happened, and Eric Schmidt, who was then on the Apple Board of Directors, realized Microsoft wouldn't dominate in mobile at all. Apple would. So Google, much to Steve Jobs' consternation but to their credit, spun around and refocused Android at the iPhone.

When the iPhone was announced, Andy Rubin was shocked, since Google hadn't told them they'd given Apple their services, including Maps and YouTube. When Android launched Steve Jobs was furious. He'd been assured Google wouldn't go head-to-head with the iPhone.

The effects weren't immediate, but Apple and Google's relationship would never be the same, and the iPhone, which had a shot at market share leadership thanks to the paralysis of BlackBerry and Nokia, would never attain it in a post-Android world.

Two years later

By June of 2009, the original iPhone was gone but the iPhone 3G had sold somewhere around 20 million units. At that point, it dropped down to $99 on contract, and became Apple's first less-expensive iPhone.

• History of the original iPhone
• History of iPhone 3G
• History of iPhone 3GS
• History of iPhone 4
• History of iPhone 4s
• History of iPhone 5
• History of iPhone 5c
• History of iPhone 5s

As we head towards WWDC 2016 we're looking back at the last few years of Apple's World Wide Developer Conference and the impact each has made. Today, we're all about WWDC 2009. Starting off on June 8, 2009, with Apple's annual keynote, we got new MacBook batteries, iPhone OS 3.0, Snow Leopard, and the iPhone 3GS.

iPhone OS 3

Apple had already released a beta version of iPhone OS 3 — the name that predated iOS — for developers in March, adding a new Software Development Kit (SDK), more than 1,000 Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and 100 new consumer-facing features. But WWDC in June marked Apple's official public introduction, and the announcement that it would be released the following week.

Key improvements included support for In-App Purchases, peer-to-peer connections, an app interface for accessories, access to the iPod music library, a new Maps API and the first implementation of push notifications.

iPhone 3GS

Accompanying iPhone OS 3 was a new iPhone to run it on — the iPhone 3GS. "The S simply stands for speed," explained Apple VP Phil Schiller when he introduced it.

While it looked the same as previous iPhone models, the iPhone 3GS was very different under the skin: Faster silicon for twice-as-fast processing performance, improved storage (up to 32 GB), a much faster cellular radio and other features, like an oleophobic coating on the screen to resist fingerprints, a digital compass and more. The iPhone 3GS was also the first iPhone to support video recording.

OS X Snow Leopard

Apple also took the wraps off of OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard at WWDC. The software wouldn't ship until later that year, but it was an important step forward for OS X, reworking much of the operating system and its core applications to run in 64-bit mode. Improved performance and reliability were key attributes of Snow Leopard, along with a new version of Safari (version 4) with dramatically improved JavaScript performance and better plug-in crash resistance. Mail, Address Book, and iCal gained support for MS Exchange Server 2007, making the Mac a better corporate citizen, all this at a staggeringly low price compared to previous releases: $29.

New MacBook Pro

The MacBook Pro also got an overhaul at WWDC. LED-backlit displays, glass Multi-Touch trackpads, illuminated keyboards, Firewire 800 and Nvidia graphics came standard across the line. The 13-inch and 15-inch models both gained SD card slots while the 17-inch sported an ExpressCard slot. The 13 and 15-inch models also gained new battery technology initially introduced with the 17-inch model earlier that year that netted up to 40 percent longer battery life. What's more, Apple dropped the price as much as $300 to make them more affordable than before.

Impact

Apple CEO Steve Jobs, the event's primary keynote showman for years, had already taken a medical leave of absence that started in January of that year. We'd learn eventually that Jobs had a liver transplant. That left WWDC in the capable hands of senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Phil Schiller and the rest of the team. They did Jobs proud.

iPhone 3GS was a smash success, iPhone OS 3 an important next step, and OS X Snow Leopard a long time coming but a welcome arrival. The new MacBook Pros, though, continued what had started with the MacBook Air and showed where Apple was going with all laptops in the future. The days of the computing appliance had begun.

What did you think of WWDC 2009? Share your memories in the comments below!

Continuing our series of look backs on previous WWDC events, today is the turn of the 2009 keynote. 12 months on from the launch of the iPhone 3G, we got a first look at the refreshed model, the 3GS. The packed presentation also gave us a first look at iPhone OS 3.0, a TomTom demonstration and a refresh to the MacBook lineup along with the unveiling of OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.

The iPhone 3GS may have been visually pretty identical to its predecessor, but the changes were plenty underneath. Bumped internals, a better camera with video recording and voice control.

Alongside the iPhone 3GS was the announcement of the next generation of the iPhone OS, version 3.0. This brought with it MMS and copy and paste, two highly missed features that made such a difference. There were some pretty impressive app demos, including from satellite navigation company TomTom.

The Mac wasn't left out either. OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard was promised to be quicker and leaner to install - taking up 6GB less than OS X 10.5. Along with Safari 4, Snow Leopard was described as an iterative update, and was the first version of OS X to solely run on Intel hardware. It was also priced at just $29 and set to release around the same time as Microsoft's Windows 7.

So, that's 2009. Sit back and relax, and share with us your own personal highlights from WWDC 2009 in the comments below!

If you've got an iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS that you're just not ready to part with yet, we've got a tonsof DIY repair guides to help you keep it in the best condition possible. And when you're ready to upgrade, early generation iPhones are great to pass down to kids or other family members.

Whether you've got a cracked screen, blown earpiece, bad battery, or any other problem - we've most likely got the guide you'll need to keep your iPhone in working order. Most repairs don't cost very much and the iPhone 3G & 3GS are some of the most repairable models of iPhones ever released. If you're willing to put in the small amount of time it takes to keep it in good condition, our guides will help you do just that.

Not sure what's causing an issue? Just check below for some information on each repair and match up your symptoms with the appropriate repair.

Note: The following repair guides will work with either an iPhone 3G or an iPhone 3GS. There are very subtle differences internally and any part or procedure that may vary from model to model will be noted within each guide.

• How to replace a cracked or shattered screen in an iPhone 3G/3GS
• How to replace the LCD screen in an iPhone 3G/3GS
• How to replace the battery in an iPhone 3G/3GS
• How to replace the proximity sensor in an iPhone 3G/3GS
• How to replace the earpiece speaker in an iPhone 3G/3GS
• How to replace the vibrator assembly in an iPhone 3G/3GS
• How to replace the rear facing camera in an iPhone 3G/3GS
• How to replace the dock connector in an iPhone 3G/3GS
• How to replace the cellular antenna in an iPhone 3G/3GS
• How to replace the mic or loud speaker in an iPhone 3G/3GS

How to replace a cracked or shattered screen in an iPhone 3G/3GS

You probably don't need to know any symptoms or diagnostics for this one. If you dropped it and it broke, we can help you fix it. This repair will fix cracked glass and a non-responsive touch screen.

If the picture on your screen is fine and only the glass is cracked, you'll just need to replace the digitizer and we can walk you through how. Occasionally the LCD can get damaged from a drop as well. While this isn't very common, it does happen from time to time depending on how hard the iPhone was dropped. If that is the case, we can help you replace the LCD as well.

• How to replace a cracked or shattered screen in an iPhone 3G/3GS

How to replace the LCD screen in an iPhone 3G/3GS

Whether you dropped your iPhone 3G or 3GS or the LCD has just died, this guide will help you replace it. Symptoms of a defective or busted LCD can include lines through the display, lots of dead pixels, a white screen, black screen, or extremely dim screen. In some instances, you can see discoloration or bleed spots in the display.

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, you most likely need to install a new LCD.

• How to replace the LCD screen in an iPhone 3G/3GS

How to replace the battery in an iPhone 3G/3GS

Considering the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS are both a few years old now, many users experience drastic battery loss after so many charge cycles. Whether your iPhone is dying quickly or refuses to hold a charge anymore, a replacement battery can breathe plenty of new life into it.

Symptoms of a dying battery can include short time spans off a charger before dying and in some instances, the iPhone won't boot up at all. If you're experiencing any of these, it's time to replace that battery.

• How to replace the battery in an iPhone 3G/3GS

How to replace the proximity sensor (induction flex) in an iPhone 3G/3GS

The induction flex is what controls your auto brightness (ambient light sensor) and proximity sensor. If your phone refuses to dim when auto brightness is activated or the screen doesn't turn off when it's against your face causing you to press buttons unintentionally while on a call, putting a new induction flex in can solve the issue.

• How to replace the proximity sensor in an iPhone 3G/3GS

How to replace the earpiece speaker in an iPhone 3G/3GS

The earpiece speaker is located inside the top of the display and is what you hear callers out of when on a call. If the earpiece has stopped working or creates bad feedback including high pitched tones, garbled audio, or low volume regardless how high you turn it up, it's probably time to replace it.

The repair isn't too time consuming and will get your iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS call quality back to where it should be in no time.

• How to replace the earpiece speaker in an iPhone 3G/3GS

How to replace the vibrator assembly in an iPhone 3G/3GS

Vibrator assemblies run on motors and occasionally those motors can burn out over time. Whether your iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS isn't producing vibration alerts at all anymore or they seem really faint, a new vibrator assembly can get you back to working order.

Other symptoms include unpleasant loud whirring noises when activating the vibrator.

Note: The 3GS in particular is prone to issues with the vibrator switch. This is not the same as the assembly. The switch issue typically is caused by a bad cable in the top left corner. Symptoms of this problem can be unwanted vibrations when pushing in the upper left hand corner of the iPhone. We'll have a guide coming on this in the near future.

• How to replace the vibrator assembly in an iPhone 3G/3GS

How to replace the rear facing camera in an iPhone 3G/3GS

Considering the rear facing camera is the only camera in the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS, it's pretty important to many users. If your camera isn't working any longer, a replacement is cheap and the repair is pretty simple to perform.

Symptoms of a defective or broken camera can include the shutter not opening inside the camera app (we recommend a software restore before assuming it's a hardware problem), lines through the screen, blurry image quality (make sure the lens is not scratched on the rear casing), or dark images.

• How to replace the rear facing camera in an iPhone 3G/3GS

How to replace the dock connector assembly in an iPhone 3G/3GS

The dock connector in the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS actually contains or affects several functions and components including the following:

• Microphone
• Loud speaker
• Charge port (30-pin connector)
• Wi-Fi antenna
• Cellular Antenna
• Home button contact

Replacing the dock connector can solve problem issues with any of the above referenced components. Symptoms can range from no cell or Wi-Fi signal, no Home button functionality (the digitizer assembly can also be the culprit in this case), an iPhone that won't charge, no sound when the phone rings or when on speakerphone, or callers can't hear you when on a call.

If you're experiencing any of these issues, the dock connector is a good place to start when it comes to fixing the issue.

• How to replace the dock connector in an iPhone 3G/3GS

More DIY guides & help

Don't have an iPhone 3G or 3GS but looking for help fixing another iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch model? Odds are we've got you covered. Hit the links below for even more guides on everything from other iPhone variants to iPad to iPod touch. And if we don't, we add more and more guides every week so make sure to check our mod page regularly for updated guides on everything DIY.

If you're trying to perform a repair and run into issues or still need help figuring out what's causing a problem, our mod and DIY forums are a great place to start. If you still can't find what you're looking for, feel free to e-mail guide suggestions and questions to me at ally@imore.com.

• All DIY repair guides and how to's
• AT&T/GSM iPhone 4: Ultimate DIY repair guide
• Verizon & Sprint iPhone 4: Ultimate DIY repair guide

Disclaimer: As with any repair, iMore nor PXLFIX can be held responsible for any damage you may do to your device. It's also worth considering that opening up your device to perform any repair or modification can and will void your Apple warranty. If you don't feel comfortable opening your device, don't. Use extreme care and caution when performing a repair on any device.

Symptoms

• Your phone never vibrates even if vibrate is on in Settings
• Even if you flip your phone from vibrate to loud, you never get any feedback from the vibrate function

What you need for a DIY vibrator assembly repair

iMore recommends using only quality and genuine parts from a reputable supplier like iFixYouri. They have quality parts, tools, and much more for all your repair needs.

• A sad iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS
• A replacement vibrator assembly
• A #00 Phillips screwdriver
• A suction cup
• A plastic pry tool or spudger

This repair will be performed in exactly the same manner regardless whether you have an iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS.

Power off your iPhone

Before performing any repair or removing any screws or parts, always power off your device.

Remove the dock connector screws

Using your #00 Phillips screwdriver, remove the 2 screws located on each side of the dock connector.

Remove the digitizer & LCD assembly

This part can be a bit tricky so please do this with extreme care so you don't tear any cables during the process.

The easiest way to remove the digitizer assembly is by using a suction cup.

1. Position the suction cup on the screen directly above the home button.
2. Using your other hand, hold down the frame while gently pulling up on the suction cup.
3. The goal is to get the bottom of the digitizer loose. Do not pull directly up. There are 3 cables attached in the top right of your iPhone. You do not want to tear these. Just pull up until the bottom of the assembly pops out.
4. After you have the bottom up you can remove the suction cup.

Remove the cables that attach the digitizer assembly to the logic board:

Once you have the bottom of your digitizer assembly popped up we can remove the cables attaching it to the logic board.

1. Gently lift up your digitizer enough to have a clear view of the 3 cables in the top right of your iPhone.
2. With your plastic spudger or pry tool, you'll need to pry up the first two cables that attach the digitizer and LCD. They should be labeled with orange stickers numbered 1 and 2. Simply pop them off the logic board gently.

3. Underneath these cables you'll see one other labeled as cable 3. This one is a bit trickier as it is clipped down. You'll need to gently pop up the clasp holding it into the fastener. It is a tiny white clip. Simply pop it upwards and the number 3 cable should then slide right out.
4. Remove the digitizer & LCD assembly and set it aside.

Remove your SIM card

Using your SIM tool or a paperclip, either works, remove your SIM card and tray from your device.

Unclip cables from the logic board

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• Towards the top left of the logic board, use your pry tool to pop up the two cables labeled 5 and 6.

• Towards the bottom of the logic board, 3G owners will only see one cable to the left labeled 4. 3GS users will see two cables (one on each side of the dock connector) labeled 4 and 7. 3G users will just pop up the number 4 cable while 3GS owners will need to pop up both the number 4 and 7 cables.

• Remove your logic board

  2. Remove the 8 screws outlined in the video that hold the logic board in place. One of the screws is under a Do not remove sticker at the bottom right by the dock connector. Obviously you'll have to remove the sticker to get to it.
  3. Make sure you place the screws in an order you will remember. They are different sizes in some instances so you'll need to make sure you put them back in the correct order.
  4. Notice the screw holding the camera in place has a metal bracket underneath it. Just take care not to lose this as you'll need to put it back during reassembly.
  5. Gently pop your camera up with your spudger or pry tool. Do not completely remove it. Just flip it up out of the opening so it will come out with the logic board.
  6. Insert your pry tool in the space between the dock connector and logic board and gently pry upward to loosen the logic board.
  7. Gently grab the bottom of the logic board and slide it out downwards to remove it.

  Replace the vibrator assembly

The vibrator assembly is located on the right hand middle side of your iPhone. We will remove the old one now and put in the new one.

1. Remove the two screws holding the vibrator assembly in place.
2. Gently lift the old vibrator assembly out of your device.
3. Line up the new vibrator assembly and screw it down.

Reassemble your iPhone

In order to reassemble your iPhone, just follow these directions in exact opposite order or watch the video above, which includes reassembly instructions.

And ...done!

Now that your phone is complete re-assembled you can power it back on to test the vibrator functionality. If all went as planned, your phone should be back to working order. If you do run into any problems, let us know or check out our forums below where members will be more than willing to lend a hand.

If you're having issues with the proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, or earpiece speaker on your iPhone 3GS or iPhone 3G, the proximity sensor cable may just be the actual culprit. Luckily, a proximity sensor cable is inexpensive and relatively easy to replace.

Symptoms

• Your earpiece speaker cuts in and out or you can't hear unless you have speakerphone activated (this can also be caused by a broken earpiece speaker)
• Your ambient light sensor doesn't work - in other words, even if you have auto-brightness enabled your iPhone still isn't adjusting by itself given different lighting scenarios
• Your proximity sensor isn't working - this is the sensor that turns your screen off when in range of your face so you don't hit buttons while on a call

Disclaimer: As with any repair, iMore nor PXLFIX can be held responsible for any damage you may do to your device. It’s also worth considering that opening up your device to perform any repair or modification can and will void your Apple warranty. If you don’t feel comfortable opening your device, don’t. Use extreme care and caution when performing a repair on any device.

What you need for a DIY proximity sensor cable replacement

PXLFIX recommends using only quality and genuine parts from a reputable supplier like eTech Parts. They have quality parts, tools, and much more for all your repair needs.

• A sad iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS
• A replacement proximity sensor cable - iPhone 3G & 3GS prox sensor cable - As a side note, some parts suppliers may refer to this part as an induction flex cable. So if you can't find a proximity sensor cable, try looking for an induction flex cable. They are one in the same.
• A #00 Phillips screwdriver
• A suction cup
• A plastic pry tool or spudger

This repair will be performed in exactly the same manner regardless whether you have an iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS.

Power off your iPhone

Before performing any repair or removing any screws or parts, always power off your device.

Remove the dock connector screws

Using your #00 Phillips screwdriver, remove the 2 screws located on each side of the dock connector.

Remove the digitizer & LCD assembly

This part can be a bit tricky so please do this with extreme care so you don't tear any cables during the process.

The easiest way to remove the digitizer assembly is by using a suction cup.

1. Position the suction cup on the screen directly above the home button.
2. Using your other hand, hold down the frame while gently pulling up on the suction cup.
3. The goal is to get the bottom of the digitizer loose. Do not pull directly up. There are 3 cables attached in the top right of your iPhone. You do not want to tear these. Just pull up until the bottom of the assembly pops out.
4. After you have the bottom up you can remove the suction cup.

Remove the cables that attach the digitizer assembly to the logic board:

Once you have the bottom of your digitizer assembly popped up we can remove the cables attaching it to the logic board.

1. Gently lift up your digitizer enough to have a clear view of the 3 cables in the top right of your iPhone.
2. With your plastic spudger or pry tool, you'll need to pry up the first two cables that attach the digitizer and LCD. They should be labeled with orange stickers numbered 1 and 2. Simply pop them off the logic board gently.

3. Underneath these cables you'll see one other labeled as cable 3. This one is a bit trickier as it is clipped down. You'll need to gently pop up the clasp holding it into the fastener. It is a tiny white clip. Simply pop it upwards and the number 3 cable should then slide right out.
4. Remove the digitizer & LCD assembly.

At this point you can set the body of your iPhone aside and flip over the front screen assembly, which is what we'll be removing and replacing the proximity sensor cable on.

Remove the LCD assembly

This step is optional and not required but I recommend it. Removing the LCD will allow you to get a better view of the induction flex you'll need to remove. It'll also give you more room to maneuver your pry tool around. If you don't remove the LCD, make sure you don't apply any pressure to it when removing the induction flex and speaker assembly.

2. There are 6 screws holding the LCD in place. They are all the same size. Three on the left side of the frame, 2 on the right side of the frame, and 1 on the top right holding down the induction flex. Remove all 6 screws with your #00 Phillips screwdriver and set them aside.

3. Next use your pry tool to slowly work the LCD out of the old assembly on the left and right sides. It should come out fairly easily. Just take special care not to scratch it while removing it. The LCD and back plate will remove in one piece as they are glued together.

Remove the bad proximity sensor cable

We will need to remove the proximity sensor cable from the front assembly in order to put in the new one.

2. Use your #00 screwdriver to remove the one screw in the top right that's holding down the flex cable and your LCD. (If you removed your LCD, you will have already removed this screw.)

3. Next, use your pry tool or spudger tool to gently pry the cable on the right side. You don't want to try and pry it all the way off as it is still clipped on at the top. We just want to loosen it.

4. Next take the pointed end of your spudger (or you can use another plastic pointed object if you don't have a spudger) and pry up the 2 clips at the top holding the cable down. It should now easily lift from the assembly to reveal your earpiece speaker.

Replace the proximity sensor cable

You'll notice that the proximity sensor cable is attached with some adhesive to the metal clip that holds it in place. To remove it, gently peel the cable off the metal clip. You'll notice dotted lines that are printed onto the cable to assist you in lining it up correctly when placing the new one onto the clip. If you need to, you may apply more adhesive. Your replacement cable may have come with adhesive pre-installed already.

Reassemble your iPhone

Once you've replaced the proximity sensor cable, you'll just need to reassemble your iPhone by following these directions in exact reverse order. You can also watch the video above as it contains re-assembly instructions as well. As a side tip, take care to snap in the induction flex cable carefully. There's a clip towards the bottom you'll need to make sure snaps in all the way or you'll have issues putting the assembly back together.

And... done!

That's it! You probably saved quite a bit compared to what it would cost to buy a new iPhone. While the cable name may sound scary, the process to fix it wasn't that bad, now was it?

If you do run into problems, make sure to check out our DIY and mod forums below. If you don't feel comfortable opening your device on your own, you can always contact PXLFIX about mail-in repairs as well.

Additional resources:

• How to remove an iPhone 3G or 3G earpiece speaker
• iMore Mod and DIY forums
• Even more DIY repairs and mods

The iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS are some of the easiest iOS devices to DIY repair. With the right tools and parts, swapping out your bad LCD is much cheaper than purchasing a new iPhone.

Disclaimer: As with any repair, iMore can not be held responsible for any damage you may do to your device. It's also worth considering that opening up your device to perform any repair or modification can and will void your Apple warranty. If you don't feel comfortable opening your device, don't. Use extreme care and caution when performing a repair on any device.

Symptoms

• Screen is very dim or you can barely see an image
• Lines or pixels distorting the screen
• If your iPhone seems to work aka you can hear system sounds, slide to unlock, but can't see an image - your LCD probably went out

What you need for a DIY earpiece speaker replacement

iMore recommends using only quality and genuine parts from a reputable supplier like iFixYouri. They have quality parts, tools, and much more for all your repair needs.

• A replacement LCD
• Suction cup
• Standard #000 Phillips screwdriver
• Spudger tool
• Razor blade
• iSesamo Opening tool (not necessary but awesome for prying up cables and getting under adhesive)

This repair will be performed in exactly the same manner regardless whether you have an iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS.

Power off your iPhone

Before performing any repair or removing any screws or parts, always power off your device.

Remove the dock connector screws

Using your #00 Phillips screwdriver, remove the 2 screws located on each side of the dock connector.

Remove the digitizer & LCD assembly

This part can be a bit tricky so please do this with extreme care so you don't tear any cables during the process.

The easiest way to remove the digitizer assembly is by using a suction cup.

1. Position the suction cup on the screen directly above the home button.
2. Using your other hand, hold down the frame while gently pulling up on the suction cup.
3. The goal is to get the bottom of the digitizer loose. Do not pull directly up. There are 3 cables attached in the top right of your iPhone. You do not want to tear these. Just pull up until the bottom of the assembly pops out.
4. After you have the bottom up you can remove the suction cup.

Remove the cables that attach the digitizer assembly to the logic board:

Once you have the bottom of your digitizer assembly popped up we can remove the cables attaching it to the logic board.

1. Gently lift up your digitizer enough to have a clear view of the 3 cables in the top right of your iPhone.
2. With your plastic spudger or pry tool, you'll need to pry up the first two cables that attach the digitizer and LCD. They should be labeled with orange stickers numbered 1 and 2. Simply pop them off the logic board gently.

3. Underneath these cables you'll see one other labeled as cable 3. This one is a bit trickier as it is clipped down. You'll need to gently pop up the clasp holding it into the fastener. It is a tiny white clip. Simply pop it upwards and the number 3 cable should then slide right out.
4. Remove the digitizer & LCD assembly.

At this point you can set the body of your iPhone aside and flip over the front screen assembly, which contains your earpiece.

Remove the LCD assembly

For this step, you'll need to remove 6 screws that hold the LCD in place. If you've replaced your digitizer before, you should be familiar with the screw locations and how to remove the LCD.

2. There are 6 screws holding the LCD in place. They are all the same size. Three on the left side of the frame, 2 on the right side of the frame, and 1 on the top right holding down the induction flex. Remove all 6 screws with your #00 Phillips screwdriver and set them aside.

3. Next use your pry tool to slowly work the LCD out of the old assembly on the left and right sides. It should come out fairly easily. Just take special care not to scratch it while removing it. The LCD and back plate will remove in one piece as they are glued together.

Remove the frame from the old LCD

Most LCDs will not come with a new back frame so you'll need to remove the frame off your old LCD and place it on the new one.

1. Using a pry tool, spudger, or razor blade edge - run your tool between the frame and old LCD to break the adhesive. There isn't a ton so you won't have to pry very hard.

2. As the frame separates from the LCD, separate the 2 completely.

Place the frame onto the new LCD

Peel the backing (protective cover) off the new LCD and place the frame onto the back of the new LCD. Most replacement LCDs will come with adhesive already installed. If not, you can use any type of electronic adhesive you'd like. I personally prefer using a universal double-sided adhesive

Reassemble your iPhone

Now that you've gotten the new LCD placed onto the frame, it's time to reassemble your iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS. To do so, simply follow these instructions in reverse order or watch the video above for a walk-through of reassembly.

And... done!

When you power your iPhone up you should now have a fully functioning LCD again. If for some reason the LCD doesn't work, first check the cables and make sure they are secured to the logic board correctly and securely. If you run into any other issues, check out our mod and DIY forum.

Replacing the earpiece speaker in your iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS is one of the easier DIY repairs. If you aren't ready to shell out the cash for a new iPhone just yet, you should be able to easily and successfully replace the speaker on your existing iPhone all on your own.

Disclaimer: As with any repair, iMore can not be held responsible for any damage you may do to your device. It's also worth considering that opening up your device to perform any repair or modification can and will void your Apple warranty. If you don't feel comfortable opening your device, don't. Use extreme care and caution when performing a repair on any device.

It's always worth first trying an iOS restore to rule out a possible software issue before performing a hardware repair. If that still doesn't work and you can't hear any sound when on the phone, you most likely have a bad earpiece speaker that'll need to be replaced.

What you need for a DIY earpiece speaker replacement

iMore recommends using only quality and genuine parts from a reputable supplier like iFixYouri. They have quality parts, tools, and much more for all your repair needs.

• A replacement earpiece speaker
• Suction cup
• Standard #000 Phillips screwdriver
• Spudger tool
• Razor blade
• iSesamo Opening tool (not necessary but awesome for prying up cables and getting under adhesive)

This repair will be performed in exactly the same manner regardless whether you have an iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS. It also uses the same earpiece assembly.

Power off your iPhone

Before performing any repair or removing any screws or parts, always power off your device.

Remove the dock connector screws

Using your #00 Phillips screwdriver, remove the 2 screws located on each side of the dock connector.

Remove the digitizer & LCD assembly

This part can be a bit tricky so please do this with extreme care so you don't tear any cables during the process.

The easiest way to remove the digitizer assembly is by using a suction cup.

1. Position the suction cup on the screen directly above the home button.
2. Using your other hand, hold down the frame while gently pulling up on the suction cup.
3. The goal is to get the bottom of the digitizer loose. Do not pull directly up. There are 3 cables attached in the top right of your iPhone. You do not want to tear these. Just pull up until the bottom of the assembly pops out.
4. After you have the bottom up you can remove the suction cup.

Remove the cables that attach the digitizer assembly to the logic board:

Once you have the bottom of your digitizer assembly popped up we can remove the cables attaching it to the logic board.

1. Gently lift up your digitizer enough to have a clear view of the 3 cables in the top right of your iPhone.
2. With your plastic spudger or pry tool, you'll need to pry up the first two cables that attach the digitizer and LCD. They should be labeled with orange stickers numbered 1 and 2. Simply pop them off the logic board gently.

3. Underneath these cables you'll see one other labeled as cable 3. This one is a bit trickier as it is clipped down. You'll need to gently pop up the clasp holding it into the fastener. It is a tiny white clip. Simply pop it upwards and the number 3 cable should then slide right out.
4. Remove the digitizer & LCD assembly.

At this point you can set the body of your iPhone aside and flip over the front screen assembly, which contains your earpiece.

Remove the LCD assembly

This step is optional and not required but I recommend it. Removing the LCD will allow you to get a better view of the induction flex you'll need to remove. It'll also give you more room to maneuver your pry tool around. If you don't remove the LCD, make sure you don't apply any pressure to it when removing the induction flex and speaker assembly.

2. There are 6 screws holding the LCD in place. They are all the same size. Three on the left side of the frame, 2 on the right side of the frame, and 1 on the top right holding down the induction flex. Remove all 6 screws with your #00 Phillips screwdriver and set them aside.

3. Next use your pry tool to slowly work the LCD out of the old assembly on the left and right sides. It should come out fairly easily. Just take special care not to scratch it while removing it. The LCD and back plate will remove in one piece as they are glued together.

Remove the induction flex cable

We will need to remove the induction flex cable in order to get to the earpiece speaker. There's only 1 screw holding it in.

2. Use your #00 screwdriver to remove the one screw in the top right that's holding down the flex cable and your LCD. (If you removed your LCD, you will have already removed this screw.)

3. Next, use your pry tool or spudger tool to gently pry the cable on the right side. You don't want to try and pry it all the way off as it is still clipped on at the top. We just want to loosen it.

4. Next take the pointed end of your spudger (or you can use another plastic pointed object if you don't have a spudger) and pry up the 2 clips at the top holding the cable down. It should now easily lift from the assembly to reveal your earpiece speaker.

Replace the earpiece speaker

Once the induction flex cable and cover are removed, you'll have a clear view of the actual earpiece speaker. This is what you'll be removing and replacing. You'll just need to pry it loose from the digitizer assembly.

2. Gently pry up the earpiece speaker from the right hand side using your spudger tool. Be careful to remove the entire assembly as it's easy to only pull up the top portion. Since you're replacing it, don't fret if just the top comes up and you have to remove the bottom portion separately.
3. Once the assembly is loose you can pull it out of the front assembly and snap in the new one.

Reassemble your iPhone

Once you've replaced the earpiece speaker, you'll just need to reassemble your iPhone by following these directions in exact reverse order. As a side tip, take care to snap in the induction flex cable carefully. There's a clip towards the bottom you'll need to make sure snaps in all the way or you'll have issues putting the assembly back together.

And... done!

That's it! You should now have a fully functional earpiece speaker again. And you probably saved quite a bit compared to what it would cost to buy a new iPhone. If you run into problems, make sure to check out our other DIY guides.

A DIY repair will cost you far less than getting an out-of-warranty repair from Apple, or giving up and buying a new iPhone. All you need are the right tools, the right parts, and the right guide. Just like taking care of your old car can keep it on the road for years to come, taking care of your older iPhones can keep their value higher for resale.

Disclaimer: As with any repair, iMore can not be held responsible for any damage you may do to your device. It's also worth considering that opening up your device to perform any repair or modification can and will void your Apple warranty. If you don't feel comfortable opening your device, don't. Use extreme care and caution when performing a repair on any device.

What replacing a camera will fix

• Distorted pictures
• A blacked out camera lens

It's always worth first trying an iOS restore to rule out a possible software issue before performing a hardware repair. Also, if you cracked the actual glass over the camera lens this won't help you. You'll need to replace the actual back housing of your device instead.

What you need for a DIY camera repair

iMore recommends using only quality and genuine parts from a reputable supplier like iFixYouri. They have quality parts, tools, and much more for all your repair needs.

• A replacement camera assembly
• Suction cup
• Standard #000 Phillips screwdriver
• Spudger tool
• Razor blade
• iSesamo Opening tool (not necessary but awesome for prying up cables and getting under adhesive)

Power off your iPhone

Before performing any repair, always power off your device before removing any screws or parts.

Remove the dock connector screws

Using your #00 Phillips screwdriver, remove the 2 screws located on each side of the dock connector.

Remove the digitizer & LCD assembly

This part can be a bit tricky so please do this with extreme care so you don't tear any cables during the process. I highly recommend using the suction cup method unless your screen is cracked above the home button for some reason and you can't get a proper seal with the suction cup.

Suction cup method (recommended):

The easiest way to remove the digitizer assembly is by using a suction cup.

1. Position the suction cup on the screen directly above the home button.
2. Using your other hand, hold down the frame while gently pulling up on the suction cup.
3. The goal is to get the bottom of the digitizer loose. Do not pull directly up. There are 3 cables attached in the top right of your iPhone. You do not want to tear these. Just pull up until the bottom of the assembly pops out.
4. After you have the bottom up you can remove the suction cup.

Spudger/razor blade method (only use this method as a secondary method):

ONLY use this method if your screen is cracked above the home button. If this is the case, you'll need to use a razor blade or spudger in order to remove it. And while you're at it, replace that broken screen!

1. Starting in the bottom left hand corner, insert a plastic spudger and gently pry up. Once the first side is starting to pop up, do the same on the bottom right side.
2. Run your pry tool along the bottom of the device in order to pop up the bottom of the assembly. Take special care around the home button area.

Remove the cables that attach the digitizer assembly to the logic board:

Once you have the bottom of your digitizer assembly popped up we can remove the cables attaching it to the logic board.

1. Gently lift up your digitizer enough to have a clear view of the 3 cables in the top right of your iPhone.

2. With your plastic spudger or pry tool, you'll need to pry up the first two cables that attach the digitizer and LCD. They should be labeled with orange stickers numbered 1 and 2. Simply pop them off the logic board gently.

3. Underneath these cables you'll see one other labeled as cable 3. This one is a bit trickier as it is clipped down. You'll need to gently pop up the clasp holding it into the fastener. It is a tiny white clip. Simply pop it upwards and the number 3 cable should then slide right out.

4. Remove the digitizer & LCD assembly and set it aside.

Remove your SIM card

Using your SIM tool or a paperclip, either works, remove your SIM card and tray from your device.

Unclip cables from the logic board

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• Towards the top left of the logic board, use your pry tool to pop up the two cables labeled 5 and 6.

• Towards the bottom of the logic board, 3G owners will only see one cable to the left labeled 4. 3GS users will see two cables (one on each side of the dock connector) labeled 4 and 7. 3G users will just pop up the number 4 cable while 3GS owners will need to pop up both the number 4 and 7 cables.

• Remove your logic board

  2. Remove the 8 screws outlined in the video that hold the logic board in place. One of the screws is under a Do not remove sticker at the bottom right by the dock connector. Obviously you'll have to remove the sticker to get to it.
  3. Make sure you place the screws in an order you will remember. They are different sizes in some instances so you'll need to make sure you put them back in the correct order.
  4. Notice the screw holding the camera in place has a metal bracket underneath it. Just take care not to lose this as you'll need to put it back during reassembly.
  5. Gently pop your camera up with your spudger or pry tool.
  6. Insert your pry tool in the space between the dock connector and logic board and gently pry upward to loosen the logic board.
  7. Gently grab the bottom of the logic board and slide it out downwards to remove it.

  Remove the old camera and connect the new one

The camera on both the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS is connected by a single cable attached to the under side of the logic board. Pop off the old camera with your spudger or pry tool and connect the new one.

And... done!

All that's left to do is to put your iPhone back together. You can watch the complete repair and re-assembly on video below. And if you run into any issues or have other suggestions about mods or repairs you'd like to see us cover, you can check out our mod and DIY forum.

Want to jailbreak and unlock but need to know how to tell what bootrom your iPhone 3GS is running? There are two numbers in your settings that will be a dead giveaway as to what bootrom your phone has. You'll need to know how to determine your bootrom in certain situations if you want to achieve a software unlock.

2. Open up Settings

3. Tap on General

4. Go to About
5. If you scroll down a bit you'll see your serial number and your model number.

You can use one of these two numbers to determine if you have an older or newer bootrom.

Model number method

The easiest of the two is the model number. If your model number begins with MC, you have a newer bootrom. As you can see above, my serial starts with an MB. I have an older bootrom.

Serial number method

Another way you can check is by looking at the 4th and 5th digits of your serial number. If it is lower than around week 35, your bootrom is older. I'd say the model number method is the most efficient but you can use both to determine your bootrom version.

If you have other jailbreak questions or run into issues, check out our jailbreak and unlock forums as well!

Daily Tips range from beginner-level 101 to advanced-level ninjary. If you already know this tip, keep the link handy as a quick way to help a friend. If you have a tip of your own you’d like to suggest, add them to the comments or send them in to dailytips@tipb.com. (If it’s especially awesome and previously unknown to us, we’ll even give ya a reward…)

If your iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS is having trouble charging, picking up a signal, or has a dead mic or speaker - replacing the dock assembly should remedy any of these problems. It can also solve issues with an unresponsive home button. A DIY dock assembly repair is an easy enough fix if you've got the right tools and about thirty minutes to spare.

Disclaimer: As with any repair, iMore cannot be held responsible for any damage you may do to your device. It's also worth considering that opening up your device to perform any repair or modification can and will void your Apple warranty. If you don't feel comfortable opening your device, don't. Use extreme care and caution when performing a repair on any device.

What replacing a dock assembly fixes

• Microphone
• Dead speaker
• Charging port
• Wifi and 3G antennas
• Unresponsive home button (This problem can be caused by two issues - the dock connector or digitizer assembly. If replacing the dock connector does not correct the issue, try replacing your digitizer assembly.)

What you need for a DIY dock assembly repair

iMore recommends using only quality and genuine parts from a reputable supplier like iFixYouri. They have quality parts, tools, and much more for all your repair needs.

• Replacement dock
• Suction cup
• Standard #000 Phillips screwdriver
• Spudger tool
• Razor blade
• iSesamo Opening tool (not necessary but awesome for prying up cables and getting under adhesive)

Power off your iPhone

Before performing any repair, always power off your device before removing any screws or parts.

Remove the dock connector screws

Using your #00 Phillips screwdriver, remove the 2 screws located on each side of the dock connector.

Remove the digitizer & LCD assembly

This part can be a bit tricky so please do this with extreme care so you don't tear any cables during the process. I highly recommend using the suction cup method unless your screen is cracked above the home button for some reason and you can't get a proper seal with the suction cup.

Suction cup method (recommended):

The easiest way to remove the digitizer assembly is by using a suction cup.

1. Position the suction cup on the screen directly above the home button.
2. Using your other hand, hold down the frame while gently pulling up on the suction cup.
3. The goal is to get the bottom of the digitizer loose. Do not pull directly up. There are 3 cables attached in the top right of your iPhone. You do not want to tear these. Just pull up until the bottom of the assembly pops out.
4. After you have the bottom up you can remove the suction cup.

Spudger/razor blade method (only use this method as a secondary method):

ONLY use this method if your screen is cracked above the home button. If this is the case, you'll need to use a razor blade or spudger in order to remove it. And while you're at it, replace that broken screen!

1. Starting in the bottom left hand corner, insert a plastic spudger and gently pry up. Once the first side is starting to pop up, do the same on the bottom right side.
2. Run your pry tool along the bottom of the device in order to pop up the bottom of the assembly. Take special care around the home button area.

Remove the cables that attach the digitizer assembly to the logic board:

Once you have the bottom of your digitizer assembly popped up we can remove the cables attaching it to the logic board.

1. Gently lift up your digitizer enough to have a clear view of the 3 cables in the top right of your iPhone.

2. With your plastic spudger or pry tool, you'll need to pry up the first two cables that attach the digitizer and LCD. They should be labeled with orange stickers numbered 1 and 2. Simply pop them off the logic board gently.

3. Underneath these cables you'll see one other labeled as cable 3. This one is a bit trickier as it is clipped down. You'll need to gently pop up the clasp holding it into the fastener. It is a tiny white clip. Simply pop it upwards and the number 3 cable should then slide right out.

4. Remove the digitizer & LCD assembly and set it aside.

Remove your SIM card

Using your SIM tool or a paperclip, either works, remove your SIM card and tray from your device.

Unclip cables from the logic board

2. Towards the top left of the logic board, use your pry tool to pop up the two cables labeled 5 and 6.

3. Towards the bottom of the logic board, 3G owners will only see one cable to the left labeled 4. 3GS users will see two cables (one on each side of the dock connector) labeled 4 and 7. 3G users will just pop up the number 4 cable while 3GS owners will need to pop up both the number 4 and 7 cables.

Remove your logic board

2. Remove the 8 screws outlined in the video that hold the logic board in place. One of the screws is under a Do not remove sticker at the bottom right by the dock connector. Obviously you'll have to remove the sticker to get to it.

3. Make sure you place the screws in an order you will remember. They are different sizes in some instances so you'll need to make sure you put them back in the correct order.

4. Notice the screw holding the camera in place has a metal bracket underneath it. Just take care not to lose this as you'll need to put it back during reassembly.

5. Gently pop your camera up with your spudger or pry tool.

6. Insert your pry tool in the space between the dock connector and logic board and gently pry upward to loosen the logic board.
7. Gently grab the bottom of the logic board and slide it out downwards to remove it.

Remove the old dock connector

3G owners

1. Remove the two screws on either side of the bottom of the dock connector.
2. To remove the dock connector gently pull it up and out.
3. Take note of how the brackets for the screws go above the screw holds in the casing. You'll need to make sure this is how you line up the new dock connector.

3GS owners

1. Remove the two screws on either side of the bottom of the dock connector.
2. Remove the screw underneath the number 4 cable holding the dock connector into the casing.
3. To remove the dock connector gently pull it up and out.
4. Take note of how the brackets for the screws go above the screw holds in the casing. You'll need to make sure this is how you line up the new dock connector.

And... done!

If you followed all the steps above correctly you should be able to power on your phone and be on your way! Test the dock connector out to make sure it's fully functional by checking wifi, placing a test call, and attempting to charge it.

If your iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS is no longer holding a charge, and always running out of power, replacing the battery is a moderate level DIY repair. If you've got the right tools and parts, it shouldn't be too difficult to swap out that old battery for a brand new one on your own. It'll take a little bit of patience and about 30 minutes of your time.

Disclaimer: As with any repair, iMore can not be held responsible for any damage you may do to your device. It's also worth considering that opening up your device to perform any repair or modification can and will void your Apple warranty. If you don't feel comfortable opening your device, don't. Use extreme care and caution when performing a repair on any device.

What you need for a DIY iPhone 3G/3GS battery swap

iMore recommends using only quality and genuine parts from a reputable supplier like iFixYouri. They have quality parts, tools, and much more for all your repair needs.

• Replacement battery
• SIM removal tool or paper clip
• Suction cup
• Standard #000 Phillips screwdriver
• Spudger tool
• Razor blade
• iSesamo Opening tool (not necessary but awesome for prying up cables and getting under adhesive)

Power off your iPhone

Before performing any repair, always power off your device before removing any screws or parts.

Remove the dock connector screws

Using your #00 Phillips screwdriver, remove the 2 screws located on each side of the dock connector.

Remove the digitizer & LCD assembly

This part can be a bit tricky so please do this with extreme care so you don't tear any cables during the process. I highly recommend using the suction cup method unless your screen is cracked above the home button for some reason and you can't get a proper seal with the suction cup.

Suction cup method (recommended):

The easiest way to remove the digitizer assembly is by using a suction cup.

1. Position the suction cup on the screen directly above the home button.
2. Using your other hand, hold down the frame while gently pulling up on the suction cup.
3. The goal is to get the bottom of the digitizer loose. Do not pull directly up. There are 3 cables attached in the top right of your iPhone. You do not want to tear these. Just pull up until the bottom of the assembly pops out.
4. After you have the bottom up you can remove the suction cup.

Spudger/razor blade method (only use this method as a secondary method):

ONLY use this method if your screen is cracked above the home button. If this is the case, you'll need to use a razor blade or spudger in order to remove it. And while you're at it, replace that broken screen!

1. Starting in the bottom left hand corner, insert a plastic spudger and gently pry up. Once the first side is starting to pop up, do the same on the bottom right side.
2. Run your pry tool along the bottom of the device in order to pop up the bottom of the assembly. Take special care around the home button area.

Remove the cables that attach the digitizer assembly to the logic board:

Once you have the bottom of your digitizer assembly popped up we can remove the cables attaching it to the logic board.

1. Gently lift up your digitizer enough to have a clear view of the 3 cables in the top right of your iPhone.

2. With your plastic spudger or pry tool, you'll need to pry up the first two cables that attach the digitizer and LCD. They should be labeled with orange stickers numbered 1 and 2. Simply pop them off the logic board gently.

3. Underneath these cables you'll see one other labeled as cable 3. This one is a bit trickier as it is clipped down. You'll need to gently pop up the clasp holding it into the fastener. It is a tiny white clip. Simply pop it upwards and the number 3 cable should then slide right out.

4. Remove the digitizer & LCD assembly and set it aside.

Remove your SIM card

Using your SIM tool or a paperclip, either works, remove your SIM card and tray from your device.

Unclip cables from the logic board

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• Towards the top left of the logic board, use your pry tool to pop up the two cables labeled 5 and 6.

• Towards the bottom of the logic board, 3G owners will only see one cable to the left labeled 4. 3GS users will see two cables (one on each side of the dock connector) labeled 4 and 7. 3G users will just pop up the number 4 cable while 3GS owners will need to pop up both the number 4 and 7 cables.

• Remove your logic board

  2. Remove the 8 screws outlined in the video that hold the logic board in place. One of the screws is under a Do not remove sticker at the bottom right by the dock connector. Obviously you'll have to remove the sticker to get to it.
  3. Make sure you place the screws in an order you will remember. They are different sizes in some instances so you'll need to make sure you put them back in the correct order.
  4. Notice the screw holding the camera in place has a metal bracket underneath it. Just take care not to lose this as you'll need to put it back during reassembly.
  5. Gently pop your camera up with your spudger or pry tool.
  6. Insert your pry tool in the space between the dock connector and logic board and gently pry upward to loosen the logic board.
  7. Gently grab the bottom of the logic board and slide it out downwards to remove it.

  Remove the old battery

  There is nothing holding the battery down but adhesive. Gently use your pry tool to loosen the battery from the back of the device. Run it along the sides and gently pry up taking care not to bend or damage the battery. They are secured with quite a bit of adhesive so you may have to use a little bit of force to remove it. Just take care not to bend the casing either.

  Insert the new battery

  Most replacement batteries will come with adhesive already on them. Simply remove the backing from the adhesive and place the battery in the device taking care not to trap any loose cables underneath it. Push down firmly to make sure the adhesive stays in place.

  Replace the logic board

  1. Make sure there are no cables in the way. I typically tuck the number 4 cable into the frame (refer to video) so it does not get stuck underneath the logic board.
  2. Start by positioning the top of the logic board below where the SIM tray sits and start sliding it upwards into place.
  3. Once the top is in place, you can place the bottom of the logic board into its place. Just make sure no cables are stuck underneath the logic board where they should be on top.

  Insert your SIM card and tray

  The easiest way to make sure the logic board is in place is to replace your SIM card tray at this point. If it slides in easily, you're right on track. Don't force it if it doesn't want to go in. That means you don't have the logic board lined up correctly. Remove it and try again. The SIM tray will also help keep the logic board in place as you replace screws in the logic board.

  Reposition and snap down your camera

  Once the logic board is positioned right, you can reposition and snap down your camera again.

  Replace the logic board screws

  Replace the eight screws your removed earlier that secure the logic board. Just make sure you replace the metal clip over the camera before replacing the screw that holds it in place.

  Reconnect cables to the logic board

• Towards the top left of the logic board, reconnect the two cables labeled 5 and 6.

• Towards the bottom of the logic board, 3G owners will only see one cable to the left labeled 4. 3GS users will see two cables (one on each side of the dock connector) labeled 4 and 7. 3G users will reconnect the number 4 cable while 3GS owners will need to reconnect both the number 4 and 7 cables.

• Reassemble the digitizer

1. Begin with the number 3 cable that clips down. Getting it seated can be a bit tricky. Use a plastic spudger to guide it in the opening if needed. Then push back down the clip that holds it in place.

2. Next push down the number 1 and 2 cables onto the logic board.
3. To snap the digitizer assembly back in place, start at the top and make sure it is lined up. Once the top is pushed down and flush, snap the bottom into place on each side of the home button.
4. Replace the two dock connector screws.

And... done!

If you followed all the steps above correctly you should be able to power on your phone and be on your way! I recommend you drain the battery completely and do one full charge. You also may notice you'll need to reset the time and date on your device. Battery pulls tend to reset the clock.

Have you done this repair yourself? Let us know how it went!

For today only, the iMore Store has the  OtterBox Defender Series for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G in hot pink or cool white for only $9.95 — Get them before they're gone!

• Pink Otterbox Defender Series review

So when exactly will you get iOS 5 on your device? That's easy -- it'll be available this coming fall with a developer seed arriving today. And what devices will be capable of running iOS? That's another easy one as well. It'll support all the same devices as last time. For those of you who might not remember what they were last time:

• iPhone 4
• iPhone 3GS
• iPad
• iPad 2
• iPod touch (3rd and 4th gen)

No surprises there, everything is as was expected for iOS 5 releases. Now all we have to do is wait it out until fall rolls around.

[Image via Engadget]

Apple is now selling the 8GB iPhone 3GS for $49, half the price is was just a week ago, matching AT&T's recent price drop.

While the hardware is 18 months old, the iPhone 3GS is fully updated to iOS 4.2.1 and runs it well. You'll miss out on FaceTime, the Retina Display, and the higher quality cameras for stills and video, but not much else. As a budget smartphone goes, it's killer. Still, $49 compared to a $199 iPhone 4 is peanuts when you compare the total cost with a 2 year contract. Oh, and this one won't run on Verizon...

Check out our complete 8GB iPhone 3GS review and let us know, up front savings make it compelling for you?

[Apple]

MuscleNerd and the iPhone Dev-Team have released their long awaited update to Ultrasn0w which will use iPad's old baseband (06.15.00) from iOS 3.2.2 to unlock anyone stuck at basebands 5.14.01, 5.14.02 or 5.15.05 for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. Ultrasn0w requires you to be jailbroken and to use pwnagetool to upgrade your baseband firmware to iPad's 06.15.00 baseband. Ultrasn0w is then available to unlock that baseband and can be downloaded for free from Cydia.  Please read this entire post and also read iPhone Dev Team's blog.  If you are unsure about any of the following instructions or warnings, please head on over to our forums! 

iPhone Dev-Team gives the following instructions:

We’ve been busy updating both PwnageTool and redsn0w to make the baseband update as seamless as possible.

1. First up is “PwnageTool 4.1.3 Unlock Edition”. It has a special dialog box which will ask you if you want to update to the iPad baseband. You must already have the iPad 3.2.2 IPSW on your computer (see the above link)….so just point PwnageTool at it (or let it find it on its own if you’re in “simple” mode).
2. Directly after PwnageTool 4.1.3 is available, the official ultrasn0w repo http://repo666.ultrasn0w.com will be updated with ultrasn0w 1.2, which covers iPhone 4 baseband 01.59.00 and iPhone 3G/3GS basebands 04.26.08, 05.11.07, 05.12.01, 05.13.04 and now 06.15.00.
3. Finally, we’ll release an update to redsn0w today for those without Macs and can’t run PwnageTool. The new redsn0w will give you the option to update your baseband to 06.15 too.

These tools can be downloaded from: Iphone Dev-Team Blog

Also, iPhone Dev-Team issues this warning:

WARNING — YOU DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK! PLEASE UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCES OF UPDATING TO 06.15.

1. There is no way to come back down from 06.15, and there’s no hiding the baseband version from Apple. You’ll be voiding your warranty in a very obvious way.
2. If some future baseband comes out with a critical fix, you won’t be able to update to it if it remains down in the 05.xx sequence (then again, you wouldn’t update to it if you wanted to keep your unlock anyway).
3. Starting with FW 4.2.1 if you have 06.15 on your iPhone you won’t ever be able to restore to stock firmware (it will fail). You’ll need to only restore to custom IPSWs (then again, if you’re unlocker you should already be doing that).

Unlocking your iPhone allows you to use any GSM carrier which would still limit you to AT&T and TMobile in the US. iPhone 4 users will still get a badge on Cydia notifying them of the update and can download and install it to remove the badge, although it will have no affect. Word is that an unlock is being developed for the iPhone 4 as well, however no time table has been given.

UPDATE: Update: iPhone Dev-Team has just released the following update: The new redsn0w 0.9.6beta5 is out. It gives both Windows and OSX users the ability to flash the iPad 06.15 baseband on iPhone3G or iPhone3GS. It fetches the baseband files directly from Apple for now (the only IPSW you ever point it at is the stock IPSW for the FW on your iPhone right now). There may be a long delay while it’s doing this (their servers are currently getting pounded).

• OSX (SHA1 a322ec2c9e91993eca21abaf2e655bb44de3d7d4)
• Windows (SHA1 7250416e17c3aea9838cdfc73712b38b025e2ed0) (Windows 7 and Vista users, please run redsn0w as Administrator in “XP Compatiblity Mode”)

If you do flash your baseband via redsn0w, please keep it plugged into USB the whole time. You don’t want your battery to die during the flash process!

Will you be jailbreaking for this new unlock? Are you finally able to update to 4.2.1? Let us know how it's working for you by leaving a comment below!

If you are a fan of some of the features the Android O/S has to offer and currently have a jailbroken iPhone then you will be very happy to know that Bootlace v2.1 will now allow you to install Android on your device without even hooking up to your computer.

According to Twitter user @cpich3g:

If you are unaware of what OpeniBoot or even Bootlace are here is a quick explanation:

Bootlace can be found at the following repo in Cydia:

This version currently supports the iPhone 2G running 3.1.2 or 3.1.3 firmware and the iPhone 3G running 3.1.2, 3.1.3, 4.0, 4.0.1, 4.0.2 or 4.1 firmwares. If you are currently using backgrounder for multitasking on your 3G or even 2G iPhones then be sure to disable backgrounder to utilize Bootlace as there are known issues between the two applications.

If you utilize this feature and install Android onto your device let us know how it is running and how the entire process went in the comments section below.

[GeekWord ]

Though it got completely buried under the hype and hysteria of the iPhone 4 launch, Apple also released another "new" smartphone last week -- the $99 iPhone 3GS 8GB running iOS 4.

Sure it's "last year's model" in many ways, but a week ago it was still the best iPhone on the planet, holding up extremely well to much newer devices running other operating systems on other carriers. Now it packs iOS 4 punch with multitasking, folders, unified and threaded email, and all the other bells and whistles, and it's $99.

It makes absolutely no sense when you consider the costs of the accompanying voice and data plans under a 2-year contract run into the thousands of dollars, but getting below the magical $99 price point smashes a huge psychological barrier.

It also means Apple has something beyond competitive again in the budget $49-$149 smartphone space. For new entrants into the market wanting to upgrade from a feature phone (and quite possibly an iPod touch) to non-geeks of all kinds who just want a music, internet, and app phone, its going to be hugely appealing.

Since the iPhone 3GS shares the same basic design as iPhone 3G, accessory makers get a 3rd year on the market for their skins, cases, molded docks and chargers, and other accessories -- unprecedented in the modern smartphone space. More and more accessories will no doubt start targeting iPhone 4, just like a handful of apps are iPhone 4 only now, but a new iPhone 3GS owner will still find 225,000 apps and a mountain of gear available to them. Ad to that the integration into the rest of Apple's ecosystem, everything from iTunes media to Apple Store customer service, and appealing rapidly becomes compelling at the $99 price point.

And here's the one more thing -- unlike the iPhone 4 right now, it's available in many, many countries internationally, and unlocked in most of them outside the US. So, while a cheap, carrier subsidized iPhone 3GS is an option, so is a CAN$549.00, AUS$719, £419.00, €519.00 officially SIM-free, unlocked iPhone 3GS. It's an expensive option to be sure, but for those who hate contracts or love to travel, its cheaper than an iPhone 4 and around the same price as an unlocked Nexus One. That might also appeal to developers who want a second iOS phone but not the contract to go with it.

Apple launched two new smartphones last week and even though iPhone 4 sucked all the air out of the coverage, the $99 iPhone 3GS 8GB is just as important in its own right.

YouTube link

Finally, iBooks for iPhone arrives! I have been enjoying iBooks on my iPad for some time now. With iBooks for iPhone many more people can enjoy portable reading with their phones. How does iBooks measure up? Keep reading to find out!

After updating to iOS4 for iPhone 3GS I promptly downloaded iBooks. Apple has done a fantastic job with the application and it translates very nicely to the small screen. Let's start off with actually getting a book on your device. When you first launch the app, it asks if you want it to sync with other devices to keep bookmarks, notes, etc. in sync. Next, you are presented with a blank bookshelf. The promised Winnie the Pooh book is free, but you have to get it yourself. So to do that, I tapped the store icon and the app rotated in 3D very smoothly to reveal the iBooks store. From here you can find any Featured books, the New York Times Charts, Search and review your purchases.

Tap a book you are interested in and and you can download a sample (the samples typically contain at least one whole chapter, but sometimes more) or purchase the book. So, I went to the search option and looked up Winnie the Pooh. After finding the book, I tapped the "Free" button, the store flipped back to reveal my bookshelf, or Library, and it proceeded to download. About 10 seconds later I had Winnie the Pooh on my iPhone.

To begin reading just tap the book and you are taken to the first page. To go back to the Library, tap the icon in the top left. To view the Table of Contents and Bookmarks, tap the icon next to that. Simply tapping the left to right side of the page turns it. You can't scroll up or down; that's not very book-like. You can tap and hold on any text to bring up a few different tools. Some of the more useful ones are Highlight, Dictionary and Note. You can tap highlight and iBooks applies a highlight to the text. Tap again and you can add a note or change the note color.

If tapping the side of the page doesn't excite you, the page can be manually turned by tapping and holding the bottom right corner and turning the page like a real book. The effect is gorgeous and it really is impressive. At the top of the page you have more choices beyond returning to the Library or the Table of Contents. You can adjust font size, change the font, adjust brightness (especially helpful at night) and a new feature- sepia color. This is particularly nice as it dulls down the very bright background and makes it a little easier on the eyes. Next, you can search within the iBook, but it doesn't stop there. You can also search in Google and Wikipedia right from the search page! When done reading, you can tap the top right corner of any page and place a bookmark. All bookmarks, notes and highlights are accessible from the Table of Contents page.

Another new feature that Apple added with this release of iBooks is the ability to read PDFs. You can add PDFs a couple of ways. First, you can add a PDF in email to iBooks directly from the mail app. Second you can add PDFs to the Books section in iTunes and sync them over. Once a PDF is added, you see a PDF button next to Book on the top of the Library. Tap the PDF button to look at your PDFs and they are beautifully rendered. Scroll your finger along the bottom to view the different pages or Tap the Table of Contents button to get a zoomed out view of all PDF pages. Search, bookmarks, etc., work with PDFs as well.

They only real chink I can find in iBooks armor is there is no option for landscape in iBooks or PDF view. This is disappointing since on the iPad app, you get a two page view. I understand this may not be possible with the screen real estate, but just like the web, sometimes landscape is preferred. Many apologies. I was impatient waiting for my 3GS to rotate. Many thanks to the commenters on this post for pointing this out.

This is a must-buy free app for Apple. You have access to more than romance novels. Technical references abound and can come in really handy when you need them and viewing PDFs is very convenient. If you would like to know more about iBooks for iPad, check out our earlier review.

[Free- iTunes Link]

Pros

• Beautiful layout
• Fast
• Wonderfully animated
• Great tools for navigation
• Easy to use

Cons

• No landscapeI was too impatient with my device for it to rotate
• Can't export notes
• Can't copy text

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[gallery link="file" columns="2"]

Big week for Apple patent pr0n, as in addition to getting a patent for the original 2007 iPhone 2G design, Steve Jobs, Jonathan Ive, et al are not being granted a patent for the 2008/2009 iPhone 3G/iPhone 3GS design as well. And not content with hardware alone, Apple has filed for patents on almost all their Home Screen and App Store icons (we couldn't find Calendar, which means its either too generic or we just couldn't find it).

So fair warning to all the iClone manufacturers without prior art or $40 billion in the bank -- start visual differentiation plans now.

As to the icons, at almost 1000x1000 pixels and with detail to match, it shows just how obsessive Apple is when it comes to their products and while other OS and devices may use the same app-launcher paradigms, they don't seem to be slaving over every last detail -- in art, consistency, multitouch panel quality, and touch detection software quality -- Apple is putting in. Just amazing. (Except for those diagonal stripes).

Gallery after the break!

[Patently Apple, GoRumors via Engadget]

[gallery link="file" columns="2"]

Apple has not been shy in stating that the original iPhone 3G will not support multitasking but iPhone hacker cdevwill has proved them wrong - sort of. After the break you can see a YouTube video of an iPhone 3G running iPhone OS 4 jailbroken with functional multitasking.

While this all seems like a bed of roses stop and think about it for a minute: the only apps someone could test currently are those built in the iPhone OS 4 software (many of which have always multitasked) - no 3rd party apps. You'll notice in the video the amount of time it takes to open the clock application. Now imagine trying to play a game like Plants vs. Zombies and checking your Twitter all while streaming Pandora.

So while multitasking on an iPhone 3G appears to work, don't expect a very smooth experience. This is more than likely the reason Apple claims it will not work (even if they'd rather you upgraded your hardware).

If you want to learn more about jailbreaking in general stop by our forum dedicated to the topic and be sure to check out the video after the break!

Here is the OtterBox Defender in pink [$42.95 - iMore Store link], also offered in black, white, and yellow [iMore Store Link] a case said to be strong enough for a man but made in pink for a woman.

As a special bonus, we asked you, our readers, if you wanted to see Rene use this case for a day along with photographic proof, and you responded with a strong, hell heck ya! Though, getting Project Pink to happen was more difficult that originally planned...

Read on for the review, and the results, after the break!

The OtterBox Defender fully encompasses your iPhone. It comes in four different parts: the hard inner shell that separates into two parts, a soft silicone layer that goes over the inner shell for added protection, and then a belt clip which grasps your iPhone. A sheet of plastic covers the screen, camera lens and back Apple logo hole. The other buttons and ports on the iPhone are covered by removable silicone so they are also protected from dust.

The hard inner core provides impact resistance and the outer silicone provides cushioning and a better grip for the user. If you want a case that will provide protection from all but the greatest of falls and bumps, then the Otterbox Defender is for you.

It should be noted, however, that while the Otterbox Defender will resist a little rain or a light splash, it's not water resistant. If you would like something you can take to the beach or the bathtub then I would recommend the Aquapac.

Just because it's dressed up in pink, that doesn't make the Otterbox Defender any easier to put on or take off your iPhone. I looked at the case, turned it around a few times, trying to figure out how to open it. Sheepishly, I asked Rene to open the case for me. He then took the case and turned it around a few times. In the end we figured out you have to stretch the silicone layer off the inner core, logical you say? Chinese puzzle box, I reply!

So if you need to get your iPhone in and out of its protection quickly than this is not a case to get. Its protective qualities also make this case more bulky than most, though a fair trade for your precious iPhone. I found the belt clip to be less secure than I wanted and I usually carried the OtterBox Defender in my purse. Loose belt clips seem to be a problem specifically for the pink version of this case but not for the other color selections (black, yellow, white).

The front screen was still easily touch sensitive and I had no problems using it for texting and gaming, though the high side bezels did make it difficult to access the inside edges of the screen.

Project Pink began as a simple promise: if 50 comment were made in a past review our dedicated editor Rene Ritchie would wear the next pink case I received for review. As soon as the post went up the comments came streaming in, people Twittered and Facebooked to ensure it would occur -- in short it took on a life of its own. We easily got 50 comments by the end of the first day. A week went by, then two, scheduling conflicts, illness, for a while I doubted that Project Pink would ever come to completion. Then I heard that Rene had to travel to the Apple store. I knew this was the perfect opportunity to have Rene test out the OtterBox Defender and its lovely shade of bubblegum pink. Being a man of his word and a great sport, not only did Rene wear the OtterBox Defender but he twittered, emailed and carried it around on his belt. Though this was not all selfless as he did garner quite a good deal of female attention at the same time.

If you absolutely must have a pink case but also demand something that gives your iPhone the best chance for survival then the Otterbox Defender is for you. It's multilayer design offers protection and grip though it is thicker than most cases, just ask Rene!

Please take a moment to let Rene know how cool he was for going through with the dare! Would any of you other men out there have done it ?

Qik Video Camera for the iPhone, from Qik [$0.99 - iTunes Link] finally brings 15 frames per second video recording to the iPhone 3G. It also supports zoom, has some fun filters, and adds an easy system for sending your videos via e mail.

For the complete rundown, and pictures of Qik VideoCamera's effects, stay with us after the break.

As mentioned above, Qik VideoCamera lets the iPhone 3G shoot video at 15 frames per second (FPS) but that's only when using the default size. It's basically a trade off. Qik gives you the option of having low video resolution (200x152) and high FPS or high video resolution (400x304) and lower FPS. I usually go for the low video resolution and higher FPS because if the frames are too few the video is too choppy to appreciate.

Qik video has some really fun special effect filters to play with. Like with video quality, however, when you start using a special effect filter the frame rate slows down. Here are some examples of how they look.

Black and White.

Black white and red, which makes any red object show in color and everything else in black and white. While interesting, aside from the novelty I don't see many real life applications.

As requested here is some video taken using the black, white and red effect with a resolution of 200x152.

Color game, which inverses blue and red (I call it the Avatar effect!)

There are two mirror effects, both vertical and horizontal. These are good for making object suddenly disappear. It can be a lot of fun for the little ones to play with, if you would trust your little one with an iPhone.

Zoom is another nice feature, though I have found that for shooting anything very close it can cause blurring.

One of the other useful additions to this application is the audio and light enhancing controls. Since the iPhone has no external lighting source (plz 4.0!) the addition of brightness control can make those precious moments easier to see in low light settings. The audio boost helps increase the audio track but I usually don't realize that something is going to be too soft until the event has already occurred.

Qik VideoCamera also allows you to email your videos easily, by choosing which video to email and typing in the email address. The program is also linked to your contacts so you dont have to worry if you have forgotten the address.

All in all, Qik VideoCamera is a very nice app and has a lot of useful and fun effects for saving your life's special moments. It's not the same resolution or frame rate as the iPhone 3GS' built-in video recorder, but for iPhone 3G users who didn't get that feature, it's currently the next best thing.

Here is some video without any effects, taken with a resolution of 400x304.

Here in the great state of Illinois we kicked off the new year with a law that prohibits anyone talking on their cell phones (or iPhones!) while driving a vehicle -- unless they use a Bluetooth device. Now I am not not sure about your state laws but if you are in the same boat as I am, why not take a look at the Motorola Bluetooth Car Speakerphone T305? [$44.95 - iMore Store Link

For the full review follow me after the break!

The Moto T305 comes with a sturdy clip that you attach to the device itself, and then slide directly onto your sun visor. Either side of the visor will do - front or back, and during my few weeks of testing it remained securely in place and not once did it come off the visor. Charging the T305 is a piece of cake with the included mini-USB car adapter. Motorola's claim of 12 hours of talk time and 200 hours of standby time turned out to be pretty dead on give or take.

The controls of the T305 are plain and simple, and that is a positive. It contains a dedicated power button, volume up and down buttons on either side of the device, and a giant call button directly in the center. One thing that may be troublesome to some users is that the call button flashes blue constantly when the device is powered on, regardless of whether or not you are on a phone call. It can be distracting at night and just seems wasteful.

As far as sound quality, based on other car speakerphones I have tested, I'd rate the Moto T305 slightly above average. The T305 contains enhanced echo and noise reduction technologies that help keep both incoming and outgoing call quality clean and crisp. One issue I did run into was if you turn the volume up too far the sound makes it's way back to the receiver and makes the person on the other line hear themselves (echo effect). You can eliminate that particular issue by turning the volume down a bit. Other than that one problem, I did not experience any other voice quality issues.

If you are looking for a hands-free solution for your vehicle and a headset is out of the question, you can't go wrong with the low price and good performance of the Motorola T305 Bluetooth Speakerphone.

For more information and full specs, check out the TiPb store!

Disclaimer: The TiPb iPhone Accessory Store provided the speakerphone for this review.

blackra1n is the latest, simplest Jailbreak tool from iPhone hacker George Hotz (Geohot) and supports all modern iPhone and iPod touch devices running the latest 3.1.2 firmware. blacksn0w is the associated Unlock utility. (Jailbreaking lets you run software not approved by Apple, like background tasks, Google Voice apps, etc. Unlocking lets you use your iPhone on other carriers, like T-Mobile US or international carriers when traveling). blackra1n makes the process faster and easier than ever before, but if you need extra help, TiPb has your back.

Note: For those of you who are planning on jailbreaking your new iPhone 3GS with the updated bootrom, you should be aware that BlackRa1n supports only a tethered jailbreak. This simply means if you have to reset your phone or your battery runs out on you, you will need to connect your device to your computer and run BlackRa1n to be able to boot your iPhone.

Disclaimer: Neither TiPb nor I take any responsibility for any problems/issues/bricking/etc. that may occur while using this software to modify your iPhone. Please be aware of what you are doing. If you don't understand it -- don't do it.

Lets get started, after the jump!

Preparation

First things first, before we start please be sure you are currently on the 05.11.07 baseband. If you are not, connect to iTunes and update your software to 3.1.2. Once that is done it is time to begin. You will need to go to the BlackRa1n homepage, and click on the Apple to download the proper software. You will want to save the zip file to your desktop and then double-click on it. This will then create the BlackRa1n launch icon.

The Jailbreak Process

Connect your iPhone to your computer. Once connected double-click the BlackRa1n icon to begin the process.

Now simply click "make it rain". Your device will now enter recovery mode.

Your device will now reboot.

Once your device reboots the jailbreak process is complete and you will see the following message on your desktop.

Installing Cydia/Rock/Unlock

On your Springboard you will now see the BlackRa1n icon. Make sure you have a data connection and then press the icon to proceed.

* If you plan to unlock your device for T-Mobile USA (or any carrier not supporting iPhone 3G bands) you must first disable 3G in your settings before proceeding. *

Here you will now choose your installer. Your choices are Cydia and Rock. You can also select "sn0w" if you are unlocking your device. After you make your selections press "install".

* Do not select "sn0w" if you are not unlocking your iPhone. *

Once complete your Springboard will reset and you will now see Cydia or Rock, whichever you chose, on your screen.

Congratulations, you have successfully jailbroke/unlocked your iPhone. If you wish, you can uninstall BlackRa1n from your iPhone by simply going back into the application and pressing "uninstall".

If you are in need of some further help with this process please visit our iPhone Jailbreak/Unlock forums as there are many friendly forum members who are always willing to help you out.

Do you use a Bluetooth headset while driving? A lot of us do. How would you like to do the same thing, but hands free with nothing in your ear? Now you can! The Blueant S1 stereo Bluetooth headset is awesome for the iPhone! you can get it in the TiPb accessory store for $59.95. Now, why would you want to do that? Because this hands-free headset rocks!

I have been using the Blueant S1 for a while now and I have to tell you it is great for so many reasons. First of all the speaker is really lightweight and small. It has a detachable clip that allows you to slip it on to a window visor in your car. if you don't want the clip, it easily pops right off. There are only three buttons on the Blueant S1; Green for power on/off as well as activating the iPhone's Voice Control. Green also answers your calls. Red ends a call and if you hold it down, it will dial the last phone number from the phone app.

Using Voice Control with the iPhone could not be simpler; press the green button and wait for the Voice Control prompt from the iPhone. this works like a charm. You can call anyone or play music all from the press of the green button.

Speaking of music, you can use the Blueant S1 as a standalone speaker in your car. You can use the Blueant S1 for making calla but plug in your iPhone to your csr stereo and enjoy the freedom of Apple's Voice Control.

Outside of using the Blueant S1 as a car-based hands-free device, you can also just slip it in your bag and use it as a desktop Bluetooth speaker, or as I have, use it as a portable speakerphone! During the last month I have been away from my desk at work and have been working in random meeting rooms across campus. Not all of these rooms had phones and some of the rooms were quite large. As an iPhone owner we all know our speaker phones are not very loud, problem solved with the Blueant S1! This little guy came in handy in many of my meetings!

Personally I could not be happier with the Blueant S1. The only improvement I could suggest is a more robust speaker. The audio when playing music is tinty, but sounds great with spoken words. This device has come in handy on many occasions and I know it will for you too!

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According to market research company Gfk and their recent survey, it seems like Japan has fallen in love with the iPhone 3GS. So much so that in the month of July, the good people there have made Apple's 32GB iPhone 3GS the most popular cell phone in all of Japan.

Here is how the rest of the top 10 shakes out.

• Apple iPhone 3GS 32 GB
• Sharp SH-06A
• Panasonic 830P
• Sharp SH-05A
• NEC N-08A
• Sony Ericsson Walkman Phone Premier3
• Sharp SH-02A
• Casio W63CA
• Apple iPhone 3GS 16 GB
• Sharp SH001

It must be those Emoji icons...

[Via MobileCrunch]

Once again Canada's Rogers looks to be the source of a leak surrounding an upcoming 8GB iPhone 3GS, which -- if true -- would bring Apple's latest hardware down to the budget smartphone price point of $99.

MacRumors caught the story, though their take is that the price point is uncertain, and whether or not Apple will release the low-storage iPhone 3GS option in all geographies (i.e. in the US) is unknown.

True leak or cascading data error? We'll find out soon enough.

You purchased a new iPhone 3GS or 3G recently but you are still searching for that perfect case to protect your investment? There are so many options out there in the marketplace that choosing the perfect case can be a tough decision. Today I want to introduce yet another case that you may want to consider, the Belkin Slim-Fit Case for iPhone 3G/3GS. You can purchase the Belkin Slim Fit right here in TiPb store for the low price of $24.95. Follow us after the break to see if this case is the one for you!

Desgin

The Belkin Slim-Fit is a well designed holster case that serves one single purpose, to protect your investment while it is not in use. The case is made up of high quality leather and stitching, with fabric sides and a soft lining that will not scratch your phone. To secure your phone there is a velcro flap that assures you your phone will not accidentally fall out. A nice touch that Belkin added was leaving the bottom of the case open so you can not only attach your charging/sync cable but your speaker volume will not be muffled.

Overall, the case really lives up to its name, as it doesn't add much bulk to your iPhone, even with a belt clip on the back. Kudos to Belkin.

Daily Use

I am a big fan of holster/pouch cases, and the Belkin Slim-Fit did not disappoint. Your iPhone 3G/3GS will fit perfectly into the case but not so tight to the point where you can not get the phone out quickly if you have to answer a call. The first few times you use it, it may seem like it is tighter than you'd like but rest be assured, the leather does loosen up a bit after a few uses.

The option to use a non-removable belt clip is a nice feature. And the clip itself is very low profile so if you don't wish to use it, the case still fits comfortably in your pocket.

If there are any downsides to the case, it would be that, as a slide-in holster, the Slim-Fit doesn't allow you use your iPhone while it's in the case. Yes, that should be considered a given when purchasing a holster case but it would be a nice bonus to have none-the-less.

Conclusion

Like most holster-type cases, the Slim-Fit only offers protection to your iPhone when it is holstered, which can be a good thing or a bad thing. It all depends on what your preferences are in a case. If you are a fan of similar cases, this one is a great deal. In the end, I can't help but like this case for what it is - the slimmest belt-clip case I've used - ever.

• Slimmest holster case money can buy
• Offers good protection while your iPhone 3G/3GS is not in use
• High quality materials

• Can not access your screen when your phone is in the case
• Not dockable

Apple has stealthily updated their premium in-ear headset with remote and mic. What exactly did they update? Well nothing major but it's an update regardless - they replaced the soft rubber 3.5 mm headphone plug casing with a hard plastic one. So now instead of the soft rubber falling off we will now start to see the hard plastic replacement crack. ;)

All joking aside, Apple really got these headphones almost perfect. And as a bonus they are now fully compatible with iPhone 3GS. Sorry first generation and 3G owners, you are still missing out on the control features.

Be sure to check out Rene's full review from this past January.

[Via AppleInsider]

Echoing previous years, Apple.com has once again posted an easy, online way for iPhone 3GS buyers to check and make sure their local Apple Retail Store has units on hand.

Both 16GB and 32GB, black- and white-backed models are shown, with nasty red squares connoting sell outs and happy green circles, supplies on hand.

So if you're heading out to get your hands on an iPhone 3GS this weekend, give it a try, and let us know how it works for you.

One of the biggest gripes a lot of iPhone 3G/3GS readers have is battery life. Now this is mainly due to not being able to put the iPhone down to give it a rest, but we now have another solution to your iPhone addiction. Enter Case-Mate's Fuel Case for iPhone 3G/3GS, which is available in TiPb's store for $77.95. For a full review, follow us after the break!

Design & Usability

The Case-Mate Fuel Case for iPhone 3G/3GS is integrated with a 2300mA Lithium Polymer battery, Case-Mate says it will add up to nine hours of additional talk-time, up to seven hours of internet browsing, up to eight hours of video, 24 hours of audio, and 250 hours of extra standby time.

The times that Case-Mate claims are pretty much dead on. If you have trouble putting your iPhone down and typically end up with a dead battery sometime during the day, Fuel is the right case for you.

Usually when I get into my car after a full day at work I would have 20%-30% of my battery left. With the Fuel I've been leaving with anything from 80% to being topped off and that's still with some juice left in the case itself. Not too shabby. I think it's also important to note that you do not need to remove the phone from the case to use the iPhone in any way, including phone calls.

On the bottom front of the case you will find 3 built-in LEDs that allow you to see exactly how much "Fuel" you have left and a power button that allows you to turn the charger on or off as you see fit. Both of these are nice little bonus features.

To charge the case you only have one option -- you must use a standard 5-pin USB cord. One is included but it would be nice to have the option to charge the case without using my laptop. On the plus side, Fuel fully supports syncing while iPhone 3G is docked into the case.

One nice features Fuel has that other iPhone charging cases lack is a belt clip that rotates 180-degrees. This sounds great but unfortunately Case-Mate dropped the ball on this one. I found myself worrying about the lack of protection on the upper half of my iPhone and the screen. Since you have to place the iPhone face-out, the screen is left completely unprotected. This means you have to be careful not to bump into anything or you will damage your device.

So, the next possibility would be to place the phone in your pocket. There's only one thing wrong with that -- the belt clip is not removable. Granted it still would be a tight fit without the clip due to the added size it gives the iPhone, but the option would still be better.

As to the belt clip itself, it does it's job well. Rest assured, your iPhone is locked in place and will not fall out on you.

Conclusion

Even with the complaints about the belt clip, I still like this case. The pros outweigh the cons by far. I found myself using the case at work around my desk and at home when I was lounging around. Even though the size adds to the iPhone it still feels good in the hand while using it.

Overall the Case-Mate Fuel Case for iPhone 3G/3GS does it's job and it does it very well. Since Apple chooses not to make the iPhones battery replaceable companies like Case-Mate have stepped up and offered us some solutions. For $77.95 you can't go wrong with this one, Fuel will give your iPhone the boost it needs to easily make it through your entire day and, in some cases, days.

Pros

• Battery life as advertises.
• Feels good in the hand
• Reasonable price
• Ability to sync while your iPhone is in the case
• Works with the new iPhone 3GS

Cons

• Lack of screen protection
• Belt clip is not removable
• Case only chargeable v only by micro USB

iPhone 3GS review: it's the same as last year. There. Done.

What? That's what everyone's saying, isn't it? With the iPhone 3GS, Apple didn't give the fashionistas their glowing status fix, didn't once again jump high enough over the bar they themselves set way back in ought seven... The iPhone 3GS is increment

Maybe there's a point to the technorati's collective malaise of mobile-dernity. We've already done our iPhone 3.0 Software Walkthrough, so now it's time for TiPb to weigh in the hardware, and on whether or not it deserves the 2,1 designation Apple is seemingly so keen to slap on it.

Outs and Ins. Or, Don't Judge an iPhone by its Casing

The original iPhone 2G (1,1) established the iconic "black slab" look that still dominates a large portion of the smartphone landscape. iPhone 3G (1,2) replaced the composite metal and plastic backing with a full, un-blendable plastic that curved more to make it feel like less.

The iPhone 3GS (2,2) is almost identical in form factor -- screen, bezel, and casing -- to last year's model. The lettering on the back is as shiny as the Apple brand this time, and according to the tech specs, the new model ever so slightly outweighs the old, but not in any way that really matters.

This is nothing new with Apple, of course. Typically a year of revolutionary design, like the aluminum iMac or G5 tower, are followed by a few years of internal evolution. A few missteps like the "fatty" nano aside, the iPod has followed a similar path.

This may be tragic for those who view handsets and fashion items and want everyone to see they have the latest and greatest, it comes as a blessing to accessory owners and accessory makers alike. Why so? Because unlike the shift from iPhone 2G, this time the accessories you bought last year for the iPhone 3G will, in all likelihood, work again this year for the iPhone 3GS.

Everyone saves money, and the economy thanks us.

• TiPb Video: White 32GB IPhone 3GS Unboxing and Quick Look

Remember when I said "almost identical". Here's the biggest reason for that caveat: the new iPhone's screen is "oleophobic". This means that, while it doesn't keep your iPhone from getting smudged, its coating repels oils making it much easier to wipe clean. Much.

After waiting in line at the Apple Store on launch day, eager to get my greasy, Tim Horton's breakfast-biscuit'ed hands on one, I liberally transferred as much smearing as possible to the screen and then went to wipe and -- presto! -- a very impressive amount of clarity was restored.

While not a feature anyone was really expecting, and certainly not the most glamorous bullet point of the bunch, it's none-the-less my dark horse pick for feature many people will grow to really appreciate. (Especially the more grease handed ones).

In stark contrast to the lack of visible changes for the iPhone 3GS, Apple has given it the internals the equivalent of complete makeover. The "S", as we were told, stands for "speed".

First and foremost the iPhone 3GS not only boasts a faster processor (now clocked at 600mhz rather than the previous 412), but a new processor architecture from ARM called the Cortex A8. I forget who said it, but the analogy of going from a 486 to a Pentium isn't far off.

Further upping the ante is the new Power VR SGX GPU with support for OpenGL ES 2.0. Sticking with our previous metaphor, Apple just put a better graphics card in your PC -- Crysis will look slicker. Hopefully OpenCL (where GPUs can function as CPUs) will one day mean everything will look -- and work -- slicker as well.

Topping it off is a reported doubling of the RAM from the previous generations' skimpy 128MB to beefy 256MB. This explains itself. Take your PC from 1GB to 2GB and see what happens.

Oh, and the the upper level storage now available? 32GB.

Even the cell networking got a boost, going from 3G to 3.5G/HSPA 7.2. Most users, unfortunately, don't have those networks in place yet -- or won't see any huge real-world difference even if they do.

Losing out on this year's game of speed-bump musical chairs, however, is the Wi-Fi radio, which stays at the old 802.11g/b protocol rather than the current, much faster and farther reaching, 208.11n. While justifying the investment Apple made in dual-band routers back in March of this year, it does sort of stick out.

Overall, however -- and despite the allure of video (which we'll get to in a bit) -- this is the key upgrade offered by the iPhone 3GS. It's fast...

So what if it's got better hardware inside. What does that mean to me? In two words: less waiting. Less waiting for apps to launch, web pages to render or re-render, lists to populate or scroll, less lag, less lock-up, less of a dozen little things that take a dozen seconds and add up to a noticeably better, smoother, and more stable experience throughout the day.

Apple, for their part, claims on average the iPhone 3GS performs twice as fast the iPhone 3G. That may not sound like much, but imagine your car suddenly accelerated from 0-60 twice as fast. Imagine your laptop suddenly doubled its productive speed. It's not something you think you need, but if you ever go back to the slower model, it's something you immediately miss.

Speed matters.

• TiPb Video: iPhone 3GS vs. iPhone 3G Browser Speed Smackdown
• TiPb Video: iPhone 3GS vs. iPhone 3G App Launch Battle Royal!

Video Kills, Still Camera Now a Star

Not only does the iPhone 3GS answer the long-standing complaint about the camera on the iPhone 2G and iPhone 3G by raising the megapixel count to 3 (better, if only just), but it adds auto-focus, macro mode, and VGA-quality video recording to the mix.

Aside from the 3 megapixels being the barest boost possible, auto-focus and macro are very welcome features. The star of the show, however, is once again Apple's ability to make them really easy to use. Since this is a hardware, not software review, I really shouldn't mention the "tap to focus", no matter how user-empowering it is. Nor the auto-white balancing and all the other software-side mojo Apple has going on here. That they blend hardware capabilities with software features so seamlessly will make it hard to keep this review on the straight and narrow. Fair warning on that.

All in all, the quality of the pictures the iPhone 3GS can take are much improved, as is the range of conditions under which hey can be taken in. It's not a DSLR, not even a high-end consumer camera killer by any stretch of the imagination, but it's already killed the need for a separate point and shoot for many (based on Flickr usage stats alone) and this new, improved version just means those pointedly shot pictures are going to look a whole lot better from now on.

Here's a few samples, including the Apple Store in Montreal and one from Jeremy of downtown Chicago.

Video being VGA-quality is a bit of a downer, especially considering the chipset seems capable of 720p, and the bar has pretty much been set there by the likes of the Flip Mino HD. Also, like many low-end point and shoots, you can't change focus once you start recording. Those limitations not withstanding, iPhone 3GS is about to do for video what it's previous generations did for stills.

The single most compelling thing about the new video functionality is that it will always be there with you. RED ONE may shoot heaven the way the angels see it, but you're not lugging that beastie around with you all day, every day.

I mentioned above how the iPhone is the most popular camera on Flickr. I'm betting iPhone 3GS will become one of the most popular cameras on YouTube as well. Again, not to stray too far into software, but the ability to shoot video with a device you have with you all the time, easily trim it, and send it straight to YouTube (or MobileMe) is a killer app.

Unfortunately, we're more likely to see 11 billion more "cat falling off piano" videos than UFO footage, Big-foot proof, or an LED flash being developer for the fourth generation iPhone...

• TiPb iPhone 3GS Low Light Video Recording Test
• TiPb iPhone 3GS Video Recording - Walking Test at Apple Store Montreal
• TiPb iPhone 3GS Video Recording - Driving Test

Its Master's Voice Control

Is Voice Control really a hardware feature? Apple didn't deign to render it unto the iPhone 3G, so it could well require the horsepower and the same differences in the 3.5mm headphone jack that prevented the remote control from working in older iPhones and iPods. Either way, Voice Control is clearly one of the differentiators being offered on the iPhone 3GS, so we'll take a quick look.

Now, Voice Control is certainly nothing revolutionary. Feature phones have been doing it for a decade. The iPhone 3GS version looks great, of course, and sports a heroic number of language options. That Voice Control itself is not voice controllable -- I can't put on my Scotty accent and simply say "Computer!" -- is disappointing if understandable, but not even a Google Voice Search-style accelerometer and proximity sensor triggered activation scheme?

Holding down the home button and waiting for the tone, it's hard to argue with those who call it gimmicky at this point, but it's equally hard not to be tantalized by the possible future it suggests. If "call" and "play" are options today, why not "email Dieter", "browse tipb.com", "take photo", "launch application Twitter", "take voice memo" or any of a dozen other commands tomorrow?

Also, Voice Control can be launched from within other apps. You can be browsing, playing a game, working on a note, and launch Voice Control, tell it to "play music" and continue working without having to exit your current app, go to Phone or iPod, and come back.

It's still not background multitasking, but it's interesting.

• TiPb Video: iPhone 3GS Multilingual Voice Control Challenge

Connected to Voice Control and worth noting both as a software feature and exclusive to iPhone 3GS are accessibility options including VoiceOver, Zoom, White on Black, Mono Audio, and Speak Auto-text. We'll look at these more in a future post.

All-in Compass

Adding to the iPhone 3GS' location-based services is a digital compass that promises to help us more quickly discover not only where we are, but which way we're going. There's an app for that, of course -- a stand alone wooden-and-brass chromed single-tasker that's fairly meh-worthy. Integration into the Maps app shows more promise, a second tap of the "find my location" button now giving projection of your direction.

It does open up future possibilities for Google street-view to leverage the compass, the way it has on Android since launch. Other applications as well, including the oft talked about "augmented reality" views where data is superimposed on top of live images (rates on hotel rooms, movie times on theaters, etc.) I'm not sold on the relative advantages of that paradigm yet, but I'd happily take being proven wrong.

Conclusion

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Apple had me at speed. The minute I saw the performance potential of the new hardware, I had to have it. Video is nice and I'll likely use it a lot, but just cutting that much overhead off my day to day usage is priceless.

But I'm not a typical iPhone user, I'm an enthusiast and you may be as well, in which case -- speed and video! If your usage falls more towards the casual, if you just want a phone and an iPod and some nifty apps, then is the iPhone 3GS for you?

If you don't have an iPhone yet, now is a great time to get in. Subsidized prices for the iPhone 3GS are low ($199/$299 in the US on a 2 year AT&T contract), and you won't find a more user friendly and integrated (iTunes ecosystem) device in the mobile computing space.

If you currently have an iPhone 2G and you qualify for subsidy pricing, it's also a no-brainer. Unless you don't have 3G coverage in your area, don't care about GPS or low-res pictures, and want to ride the original until it breaks down, the iPhone 3GS should be on your shopping list.

If you have an iPhone 3G... well, here's where it gets tricky, especially if you have to pay your carrier a hefty upgrade fee. How much, if at all, does lag bother you? How badly do you want to take better quality pictures and video? If speed and the new camera are worth more to you than the upgrade price (and check with your carrier to see what exactly that will be), then go get it. If not, then the iPhone 3.0 software will give you very nice upgrade all on its own anyway.

And as to the big question posed in the beginning -- is the iPhone 3GS worthy of the 2,1 designation? Is it a big enough leap forward?

More of a step then a jump, but a good one and in the right direction. 2,1 is in keeping with how Apple classifies new processors in its Mac line, and it's fair enough here as well.

As much as I would have loved a 480x800 OLED display, a 5 megapixel camera, 802.11n, and -- yes -- a glowing Apple logo, iPhone 3GS delivered where it mattered most and did it without completely shattering the huge advantage of platform compatibility.

iPhone 3G S comes with typical shiny white Apple headset buds, but for the first time these earbuds sport the new "remote", which includes volume controls and more.

Apple previously introduced iin-ear headsets with remote and mic for the second generation iPod touch (and aluminum MacBooks) in September 2008, but clearly labeled them as not-compatible with the iPhone 2G or iPhone 3G because the "remote" part was useless.

What a different a generation makes.

Now the full control scheme introduced with the 4th gen iPod shuffle is available to iPhone 3G S owners with one notable difference -- holding down the center button activates Voice Control.

(Thanks Bruce for the tip!)

TiPb's giving away a 32GB iPhone 3G S (technically Apple gift certificate for $399). You had three chances to enter: on Twitter, by watching iPhone Live! and on our forums. And you entered in droves!

Best. Community. Ever.

Unfortunately, there can be only one winner, and for this contest, this time, the winner is...

Congratulations! Enjoy, and when you get your iPhone 3G S, send us a picture!

This is the second iPhone we've given out this year (along with tons of other stuff -- so if you didn't win, don't fret, it could be your turn next time!)

OH... BUT WE'RE NOT DONE YET!

The response on Twitter was so fantastic we're giving away a special runner-up prize, courtesy of the TiPb iPhone Store, just for the sheer fantasticalness of all our followers and friends:

• Motorola S9-HD Bluetooth Stereo Headphones

Make sure you're following us and check your DM's soon!

Once again it seems AT&T's lock down of the iPhone will be paying off in droves. It's only been a few days but yet AT&T has managed to sell each and every single iPhone 3G S that it had stored away for pre-orders. Any unlucky customer who places an order with AT&T after today will sadly have to wait an extra one to two weeks to get their hands on their new iPhone 3G S.

Now keep in mind, if did get your pre-order in on time with AT&T, you will still have to show up at 7:00 am on June 19th to claim your prize. After the pre-orders have been picked up, the remaining stock will go to all of the walk-in customers. Regarding Apple and their supply, there has been no word about their supply so you can try your luck ordering straight from the Apple online store.

So to all of you who took the pre-order plunge, which route did you travel? AT&T or Apple?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this tip in!]

Apple.com has posted up a large menu of help and how-to articles for the iPhone 3G S (and a few features aside, the iPhones 2G and 3G as well).

Reader Kagan, who sent in the tip, points out that if you dig through the contents, you find little gems like 11 home screens allowed with iPhone 3.0 -- which we saw in the beta, but is nice to get official confirmation.

If you find any gems of your own, send them our way!

[Thanks Kagan!]

The DLO SlimCase for iPhone 3G is available from The iPhone Blog Store for $39.95. If you are looking for a case that allows you to easily remove your iPhone while still keeping it secure when in the case, this one might be for you!. Let's see how it measures up after the break!

Design

The DLO SlimCase comes with the case and wrist strap. There is a nice leather finish on the outside of the case and a soft, non-scratch material on the inside. This material allows the iPhone to slide into the case smoothly, yet holds it in place securely as well. The included wrist strap attaches at the top of the case and does not impede placing the iPhone in or out of the case.

Daily Use

When I first looked at this case I was perplexed as to why the whole top half of it was open. As you can see in the pictures, there is no flap or clip to keep the iPhone from falling out! However, after spending some time with the case, I feel this design was done for three reasons; 1) easy access to remove the phone as needed for docking, etc. 2) to keep the form factor compact 3) complete and unobscured access to the iPhone's external buttons.

The DLO SlimCase is durable and stylish. The removable wrist strap comes in helpful too. The smooth leather case allows it to easily slip in your pocket and I feel it is protected. The only concern I have is if the case is dropped. I feel fairly confident that the iPhone will stay in the case, but the issue is the top corners; they are unprotected and if it takes the brunt of a fall, could harm the iPhone's shell.

Using this case daily, I did not encounter any problems. It didn't get stuck in my jeans pocket and it held up well under the daily abuse a case can get. I kept the wrist strap attached, but found that the case gave the iPhone sufficient grip so I did not use it. The Big question I know is on your mind: with a gaping opening at the top of the case, did the iPhone stay in securely? The answer is yes. The iPhone does fit securely, I had no issues with it coming loose.

Conclusion

This iPhone case is a double-edged sword; easily removable and slim, yet a compromise on the top corners if dropped. I am giving this case a 3 instead of a 4 because I have concerns if I were to drop the case, would the top corners be protected? If this is not a concern for you, then this is a great case that looks good, has a nice finish and allows you to remove the iPhone easily for docking or other activities.

Pros:

• Nice leather finish
• Easily remove the iPhone as needed
• Case is compact
• Openings for accessing everything you need on your phone
• Wrist strap

Cons:

• Top corners are exposed
• Not dockable

TiPb's Rating:

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[Ed: New Case-Mate Vrooms in new spectacular colors now available in the TiPb iPhone Store! - Rene]

The iPhone 3G certainly has a ton of case options. Everyone has their own take on what constitutes a good iPhone case—some prefer silicone, others want a hard plastic, some prefer loud cases, others search for more subtle options. We take a look at a lot of cases here at TiPb and there’s a different qualification for the case we’re about to take a look at—this falls under the ‘fun’ category.

The Case-Mate Vroom for iPhone 3G ($14.95) is a subtly-fun designed rubber case. From afar the Vroom case looks like a basic, black silicone case that protects the back of the iPhone 3G. Upon closer inspection, whoa what?! The back has tire tread!

Is this merely a gimmick? How cool is it?

Read on for the rest of the review!

Design

Come on. Laugh a little. Ease up. The Vroom case for the iPhone 3G is funny and a definite conversation starter. I mean, it’s a tire on your iPhone 3G! You could even come up with a far-fetched story on how you custom made the case with your old car tire’s or even say its a special edition made by Goodyear or Michelin. I mean, a tire on your iPhone? What other crazy designs can we get?

Jokes aside, the Vroom case is a basic black rubber case that protects the full back of the iPhone 3G while leaving room open for all of the iPhone 3G’s functions. It even comes equipped with a plastic screen to protect the iPhone 3G’s touchscreen. We’re not fans of those plastic touchscreens preferring to go with Bodyguardz or Invisibleshield for cases like these.

But in all, I think it looks great and adds a ton of character to the iPhone 3G.

Usability

The rubber is a lot different from other silicone cases I’ve encountered. Instead of a soft, grippy feel the Vroom case is harder and slicker. I don’t prefer this finish because it doesn’t offer the same amount of grip as other silicone options but I think that’s just a matter of preference.

What’s great about the Vroom case, other than the design of course, is that it doesn’t add much thickness to the iPhone. I found that the case was really easy to hold and didn’t change the contours of the iPhone 3G. And though the rubber is a bit different than most cases, I feel like it’s a stronger grade. Instead of being just a sleeve or a skin, this feels like true tire rubber. I guess it succeeded in its intended effect, right?

But this case does have its fair share of limitations—more thought was put into its design than its actual construction. It attracts lint and dust very easily, I could never really manage to keep the case clean. This may be more of a color issue than anything since dust simply shines on a black case.

Also, this is personal preference but I don’t like it when a case ever-so-slightly exposes the chrome rim around the iPhone. I feel as if you’re going to cover the back of the iPhone you might as well go the extra millimeter to cover the chrome rim.

But in all, the Vroom case offers just enough protection. It’s not going to be mistaken as an OtterBox but it definitely does a good job in preventing nicks and scratches from daily routine.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for pure protection, this case probably isn’t for you. I won’t lie, there are better options for you if protection is your biggest concern. For starters, take a look at the TiPb store.

But if you like quirky designs and/or conversations revolving your iPhone 3G case—hey, this is as good as it gets. Let me tell you, when I was testing out this case, I got numerous compliments and questions about its origins. I found that I personally LIKED the case enough to ignore its limitations.

Though it only offers middling protection—this is the case I reach for most for my iPhone 3G.

PROS

• Great, Fun Design
• High Quality Rubber
• Adds Minimal Thickness

CONS

• Offers Average Protection
• Attracts Dust

FINAL RATING:

Updated: To address some of the comments, we edited out the URL field to protect the source, but it was not the public facing web address mentioned below. It was local intranet address. Of course, anything is fake-able, so we'll just have to wait and see if -- ever -- Apple and Orange UK make an announcement... or not.

Seems strange to be writing about iPhone 3G launches when there are so many next-generation iPhone rumors flying around now, doesn't it? Then again, there have been rumors about Orange UK getting the iPhone going back to the early days of iPhone 3G. Now, however, a helpful tipster has stumbled across what might be the first step towards confirmation:

iPhone 3G has shown up on internal systems at Orange UK (see the above pic), something that typically happens 6-8 weeks before a handset starts shipping on the network.

O2 has been exclusively carrying the iPhone in the UK since just after the original iPhone was first released, but competition is a Good Thing, right?

Any of our UK mates think iPhone on Orange is brilliant, yeah?

The Krusell Classic Case for iPhone 3G is available from The iPhone Blog Store for $24.95. If you are looking for a stylish case that zips closed and has a protective clear cover, this case might be for you!. Let's see how it measures up after the break!

Design

The Krusell Classic Case is form-fitted for the iPhone 3G. The case comes with a removable multidapt clip that can adhere to any multidapt accessory. The clear protective screen allows you to still touch the iPhone touchscreen while protecting it. You also have openings for all of the standard accessible areas such as the sleep button, vibrate, camera, volume and 30-pin connector.

Daily Use

I was excited to get my hands on the Krusell Classic Case for iPhone 3G. Stylish cases are sometimes hard to come by as they are often stripped of their "coolness" for usability and functionality. The Classic Case fits very snugly in the zipped enclosure of the case. So snug, it was a little challenging to zip closed. Once my iPhone was inside, I inspected all of the openings to see exactly how accessible everything was. I have to say, everything was accessible... but... I feel the holes were cut poorly; they did not align properly and headphone jack did not have a sewn seam unlike the other openings on the case. This would lend me to believe that over time, the headphone opening might tear, or become larger than intended.

The clear protective screen was a nice addition. It allows you to use the capacitive iPhone screen to enter text, select apps, etc. I did run into two distinct issues: 1) the clear cover is not flush against the touchscreen, so sometimes I would have to "press" the screen in order for anything to work and 2) there is a distinct opening directly above the 30-pin connector on the bottom of the case. Depending on where you keep your iPhone (I tend to carry mine in my jean pocket) you can accrue unwanted lint and dust between the cover and the touchscreen.

Speaking of 30-pin connector, this case is not dockable unless you unzip the bottom of the case and slide it out, you can however, plug in your standard cable for charging and syncing. The included multidapt clip works... like a clip. If I had more multidapt accessories, it might be a little more exciting. To be honest, I left the clip off about 90% of the time.

Conclusion

While this case does have a few shortcomings in my opinion, it does look cool. The multidapt accessory is a definite bonus if you can take advantage of it and the Euro-styling is catchy. One of the big advantages of this case is that it protects it without adding a real bulk. The screen

Pros:

• Stylish
• Case is compact
• Openings for accessing everything you need on your phone

Cons:

• Not all openings are stitched
• Dust and lint can easily get between the screen and protective cover
• Not dockable

TiPb's Rating:

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The iGrip Custom Fit Sturdy Swivel Mount for iPhone 3G is available in the iMore Store for $19.95. This mount is an excellent alternative to having your iPhone float freely within the cabin of your car. In a day when more focus is being placed on distracted drivers, this mount allows you to affix your iPhone 3G and view the display while keeping both hands on the wheel. How does it measure up? Read on for the full review!

First Impressions

This is my second iGrip review of an iPhone mount and it is very different from the first. This mount comes with the detachable sled for the iPhone, a posable swivel neck mount and adhesive suction cup. I was a little concerned about the mounts overall height when I took it out of the box. My first thought was, "Where is the extender", "This is it?". However, there was no need to worry, this swivel mount does the job.

Daily Use

The first quandary I had with the iGrip was its size. Unlike the goose neck, this device was not very "long", it is more on the "stubby" side. I decided to attach the mount to my Honda Element.

First I tried to to attach it to the windshield.  I ran into an issue since the mount is so short I could not reach it from the drivers seat. So I had to look at other alternatives. I then affixed the suction cup to the mount and decided to place it on the dashboard directly above the instrument panel. This proved to be an excellent idea! The iPhone is now clearly positioned so I can view it easily if someone calls, or I am using GPS (yes, there GPS apps on non- jailbroken iPhones). So first up, the phone call test.

If someone is calling you, ya just can't miss it, the screen is directly in front of you. The mount does not grip tightly to the iPhone. You can very easily grab the iPhone with one hand from the mount and answer your call. You could even answer it with speakerphone, but while driving it makes it difficult to hear the other person. Answering a call with a Bluetooth headset was simple as well.

Next was GPS and it was an absolute dream. I use G-Map for iPhone and it worked perfectly (the mount of course). The maps were at eye-level and were in the best possible position.

Using music on the mount was easy too. Click the iPod app and flick to the music I wanted... nice.

Because the iGrip Swivel is not a gooseneck-style mount, it does not bounce; there is no limp part or the ability to move accidentally.

Conclusion

I really liked this mount. It is tough to say which I like better; the swivel or gooseneck-style mounts. I think it really depends on the vehicle you have. I prefer the gooseneck on my Honda Accord and the swivel on the Honda Element. At the end of the day, this is a solid mount that does not bounce, holds its position and will not budge. One of the more important aspects to mention is that it is a breeze to remove the iPhone; simply lift it out of the sled. The iPhone does not snap into place, it is simply held securely by molded plastic.

Pros:

• Rock-solid
• No bounce
• Can be tightened to a position you want
• iPhone fits securely with out snapping into place, it can be lifted out easily

Cons:

• No landscape orientation
• No extra "adhesive sticker" if you use the base mount to adhere to a dash
• Does not work well for windshield mounting, I found it worked best on the dashboard

TiPb's Rating:

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The Belkin TuneCast Auto with ClearScan for iPhone 3G is available and can be purchased in iMore Store for $79.95. If you are looking for a charger/ FM transmitter in one for your iPhone, this might be for you. Let's see how it measures up after the break!

Design

The Belkin TuneCast Auto is a charger/FM transmitter that sends your iPhone's audio directly to your FM radio.  The device is made of plastic and has been quite resilient. The cord length is just about perfect. I currently plug it in under my car's arm rest and it is just long enough. The transmitter is compact and easy to use.

Daily Use

I admit it, or perhaps I shouldn't, but I am one of those people that sometimes drives with my headphones in. I liken this to the same as someone playing their boom-box loudly in their car. So, being a good citizen, I wanted do the right thing and find a way to listen to music without headphones; in comes the Belkin TuneCast Auto!

I have a 45-minute commute each way to work, so I use this thing A LOT and for extended periods of time, driving through several parts of town before arriving at my place of employment. Why is this important? Well, the way this device works is, it sends the the iPhone's audio to a radio channel that is not currently being broadcast on. So, in theory, you find an "empty" channel and you are in business. Well, like I said, in theory anyway. The reality is where I live, there are very, very, very few stations (like 3) that don't broadcast anything. What is the magic station for me? 96.1, for about 75 percent of my commute. Since I am driving from suburbia to downtown, as I approach the city, there is more and more static encroaching on the crystal-clear audio I enjoyed from my home; frustrating indeed.

So how do you resolve this? Well the Belkin TuneCast Auto gives you a few tools at your disposal. First up is the scanner. You press the button and if finds a station, based on your location, that has the least amount of static or stations to transmit to the radio. You can adjust by numerical increment if you like too. For example, the device select 105.4, but you find that 105.5 provides a slightly clearer listening experience, you can adjust at that level.

Next, you can save up to two favorite channels. This is quite helpful in my instance. I choose one channel for most of my commute, then as I get closer to work, I switch to another. It would have been really handy to have more then two saved presets, but alas, what can you do.

Lastly, you have "Pro" settings that help improve the audio performance. There are Pro levels 1-3 that essentially increase the volume of the music if it is muffled over the air with the FM reception. The last level plays in mono, further decreasing static.

Conclusion

I really like the Belkin TuneCast Auto for iPhone 3G. The problems I have with it are really just inherent of the technology and its compatibility in my city; there just aren't any available stations that don't have anything being broadcast on them. This issue, however, is not Belkin's so I feel it is unfair to knock them any points for this. Instead, the disappointments I have with the device are listed below, that just prevent it form being a 5-star device.

Pros:

• Hey, instant iPhone to Stereo transmission in your car!
• Ample cord length
• Good reception (when there is a available channel)

Cons:

• It would be nice if the 30-pin connector snapped into place to make it more secure
• Having more than 2 presets for stations would be nice

TiPb's Rating:

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The OtterBox Impact Series Case for the iPhone 3G is available here at the TiPb iPhone store for only $12.95, in either black or white. It is a case that encloses your iPhone 3G in a soft rubber skin, extra rubber padding on the back and all four corners. Can a skin case for only $12.95 really stand up to the rigors of everyday use that may subject your sleek iPhone 3G to bumps, bruises and scrapes? Read on for the full review!

The OtterBox Impact case offers a slim, form-fitting Silicone layer of protection for your iPhone 3G while still providing impact-absorbing features. The back of the case and the corners are impact-absorbing and dissipate impact away from your iPhone 3G. Additionally, the sides of the case are textured for a more secure grip. All ports, buttons, and functions are accessible through the thin Silicone layer, including an opening for the headphone jack, the mute switch, and even a cutout on the back of the case to display the shiny Apple logo proudly. Having the option of purchasing the case in black or white is also nice - if you have a white iPhone, then switch things up with the black case, and vice versa.

One of my main concerns about skin cases is that, historically, I've had poor luck with them. Why? Usually they stretch a bit over time and start slipping around my smartphone like a cheap oversized suit. I'm very encouraged by the OtterBox case design because although the Silicone is thin and flexible, it wraps completely around each end of the iPhone and resists unwanted stretching and shifting.

The feel and grip of the case is comfortable, particularly with the textured sides. The screen is fully accessible, as well as all of the functions, ports and buttons. The additional thickness of the Silicone along the back and corners provide additional impact from impacts and scratching. The case has a stylish look and the open round window on the back for the Apple logo is a nice touch.

The OtterBox Impact Series Case for the iPhone 3G is hard to beat for the price. The Silicone skin is protective and comfortably grippy, all ports and controls are accessible, and you have a choice of black or white, depending on your taste. The case is stylish and seems to resist the stretching and slipping that can occur over time with other skin cases. I'm happy to report that there are many positives and nothing negative to report. Especially for the price of $12.95, I can give this case a big thumbs up.

##Pros

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• Available in both black and white
• Textured sides add "grippiness"
• Case wraps securely around both ends of phone
• Good accessibility to ports and buttons
• Only $12.95

• Cons

• Most skin cases can stretch out over time, and it's uncertain if this one will do the same given enough wear and tear

• TiPb Review Rating

The Body Glove Silicone protective case offers great protection for your iPhone 3G.  This slim case features a durable, translucent material that is easy to grip and shields your phone from bumps and scratches. An adjustable stand is built into the belt clip, allowing for multiple viewing possibilities.     

• Strong, tear-resistant case
• Soft, rubberized material
• Removable knob for sleek design
• Adjustable kickstand built into belt clip
• Kickstand allows for multiple viewing angles

Body Glove Silicone Case for iPhone 3G is available from TiPb's iPhone store...