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It looks like China Unicom and Apple are finally ready to release the iPhone in China.

According to Reuters, which quotes analyst Cynthia Meng, the second largest Chinese mobile carrier has “most likely” signed a deal with Apple.

Reportedly, the deal is for at least two years, and China Unicom will be ready to launch iPhone products starting October 1 2009, when the carrier rolls-out its nationwide Wo 3G network.

Although the new iPhone 3G S wasn’t mentioned, it’s highly probable that this is the iPhone readied by China Unicom – since it went on sale today in several markets around the world.

China Unicom didn’t provide any official details about the matter, only saying that they’re still in talks with Apple.

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As expected, Apple’s brand new iPhone 3G S is now available for purchase in several European markets, and it should also be available in the US and Canada in a matter of hours.

Now, you’re probably curious about what the iPhone 3G S looks like after being unboxed and disassembled.

Well, the folks over at RapidRepair have already managed to disassemble the new Apple smartphone, after buying a 16GB version earlier today from the Orange Boutique in Paris.

So, here’s the iPhone 3G S like you’ve never seen it before:

On the outside, the iPhone 3G S looks similar to the iPhone 3G. However, as you probably already know, it has better specs, including: a 600 MHz processor, 256MB of RAM, a 3.2MP autofocus camera, digital compass and 16/32GB of internal memory.

The iPhone 3G S is sold in the US for as low as $199/$299 (exclusively from AT&T), while in Europe you can get it even for free – but only on contract and with expensive data plans. Of course, the smartphone’s retail price is quite high, and it can go up to €719.

Via Engadget

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By Chris Scott Barr

Remember not that long ago when we let you know that the Pre would be able to sync with iTunes straight out of the box? Well we knew it was only a matter of time before Apple tried to do something about it. While the likely have no legal grounds to take action directly against Palm, they’ve already warned users that the functionality isn’t going to last. They released a support note that stated the following:

Apple is aware that some third-parties claim that their digital media players are able to sync with Apple software. However, Apple does not provide support for, or test for compatibility with, non-Apple digital media players and, because software changes over time, newer versions of Apple’s iTunes software may no longer provide syncing functionality with non-Apple digital media players.

What this means is simply that they know of the Pre’s capabilities, and they’re going to make sure that it won’t work with a future version of iTunes. I love iTunes, and while I also am very happy with my iPhone, I don’t see any reason why those with a Pre shouldn’t be able to enjoy similar compatibility. So here’s my advice: Go to Apple’s site, download the latest version of iTunes. Now save the installation file somewhere safe. Now you’ll always have a version of iTunes that works with your Pre.

[ Apple ] VIA [ GearLog ]

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By Chris Scott Barr

While yesterday’s support note didn’t specifically call out the Palm Pre by name, it was pretty obvious what they were talking about. Well Palm was listening, so now they have posted a rebuttal, which is below:

Palm’s media sync works with the current version of iTunes. If Apple chooses to disable media sync in a future version of iTunes, it will be a direct blow to their users who will be deprived of a seamless synchronization experience. However, people will have options. They can stay with the iTunes version that works to sync their music on their Pre, they can transfer the music via USB, and there are other third-party applications we could consider.

I really hope that Apple doesn’t go out of their way to specifically block the Pre. Honestly I think it’s in their best interest to leave it alone. After all, media players are dime a dozen, however, Apple only stands to make money off of Pre users if they are able to purchase music from the iTunes store.

[ Wall Street Journal ] VIA [ Cnet ]

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When Apple and AT&T announced the iPhone 3G S, the two companies said that only those who sign a new 2-yr contract agreement can buy the smartphone at $199 and $299 (the 16GB and the 32GB version, respectively). This meant that all iPhone 3G owners would have had to pay $399 / $499 if they wanted a 3G S before becoming upgrade eligible.

However, today – the same day the iPhone 3.0 OS became available for download – AT&T has changed its pricing policy.

The carrier stated: “we’re now pleased to offer our iPhone 3G customers who are upgrade eligible in July, August or September 2009 our best upgrade pricing, beginning Thursday, June 18.”

Which basically means that if you bought your iPhone 3G in July, August or September 2008, you can upgrade to an iPhone 3G S at the fully subsidized price ($199 / $299), starting June 19 (or June 18 if you want to pre-order).

Obviously, those who bought the iPhone 3G after September 2008 won’t be able to get the 3G S at its lowest price – but they may be eligible for the $399 / $499 price, or they can simply pay the retail price: $599 (16GB) or $699 (32GB).

Here’s an AT&T video about the iPhone 3G S upgrade eligibility and other details on the smartphone:

You can read more about the iPhone 3G S pricing at AT&T’s official website.

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Announced back in March, iPhone 3.0 OS is now finally available for download, so all iPhone and iPod touch users can upgrade their devices to it.

Naturally, iPhone 3.0 OS is already installed on the brand new iPhone 3G S, but this will only be launched on June 19 (by AT&T in the US).

Until then, old iPhone owners should know that the iPhone 3.0 OS brings many new features, including: copy & paste, landscape QWERTY keyboard, stereo Bluetooth, turn-by-turn navigation, voice memos and MMS (only for the iPhone 3G).

iPhone owners can upgrade their handset for free, via Apple’s website.

iPod touch owners have to pay 9.95 for the 3.0 OS upgrade – also made via Apple’s website.

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Unhappy about those price increases you’ll suffer if you want to change to iPhone 3G S on AT&T?

Wait till you hear what some of us in Europe will have to shell out for the new handset.

The leaked internal Vodafone Italy price list is showing the 32GB version of iPhone 3G S going for EUR 719, while its smaller sibling – iPhone 3G S 16GB is EUR 619 a pop.

Granted, these prices are for a contract free, unlocked iPhones and you might be able to get some sort of subsidy if you go for a multi-year contract. But still, EUR 719 a phone?

No, thanks. I’ll pass.

Let’s see how other countries here go about getting us interested in Apple’s new wonder.

HDBolg.it

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After months of speculation and rumors as well as 3 nerve-wracking weeks in review by Apple, Dataviz has announced that Docs 2 Go is available for download in the iPhone’s App Store.

The well-known mobile document viewing and editing software will not be the first of its kind for sale in the App Store, as QuickOffice released a similar suite of apps just two months ago. But with Docs 2 Go now for sale, the competition is just firing up.

Docs 2 Go has two apps for sale: One with Exchange support for $9.99, and one without for $4.99.

Here’s how it will look.

The current apps feature:

• Create, edit and view Word docs
• View and sync Excel, PP, PDF, iWork, etc. (A future update will allow editing and creating Excel docs)
• Receive, edit and email Word docs via Exchange server
• Receive, view and email Excel, PDF, Powerpoint and more
• Desktop app with 2-way file sync (Windows and Mac)

With the editing ability restricted to Word only, QuickOffice will have more features (though at a higher cost) until a new update can come out. Dataviz is hoping the update will be available within the next two weeks.

We know many of you have been eagerly anticipating Docs to Go, so download it and let us know your reviews!

via AppShopper

More screenshots:

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Opera’s mobile browsers (including Opera Mobile and Opera Mini) are now more popular than iPhone’s Safari browser.

Reuters says that, according to the Web analytics firm StatCounter, Opera’s browsers were used more than Safari during May.

Reportedly, 24.6% of the total Web pages downloaded last month to phones were downloaded via a Opera browser, and only 22.3% via Apple’s Safari.

Of course, Opera’s software is distributed via many carriers and many handsets, while Safari is being used only on the iPhone and iPhone 3G.

(Opera Mobile on HTC Touch Diamond)

The third place in mobile browsers is taken by Nokia, which accounts for 17.9% of the market.

The StatCounter report is based on about 4 billion Web pages that were loaded during May.

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The third-generation iPhone, or iPhone 2009, might come in more versions than previously rumored. We’ve heard that the new smartphone would have 16GB and 32GB storage capacities, but now it looks like there will be 4GB and 8GB versions as well.

Engadget reports that the PCS Type Certification Review Board (better known as PTCRB), which is responsible with certificating GSM phones, has approved new iPhones with the mentioned capacities.

If this turns out to be true, Apple and AT&T will most probably sell the new 4GB and 8GB iPhones for prices that almost anyone can afford – perhaps under $100.

In related news, BGR has it that Canada’s Fido may launch a 4GB iPhone 3G for the price of $99.99 on contract – which is pretty weird, since Apple never introduced such an iPhone.

Sure, it’s the second time when info about a $99.99 4GB iPhone pops up, but, well, until something official appears, we can’t believe anything. Right?

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