The much awaited Macworld 2008 keynote address has been delivered by Steve Jobs, and if you ask me one of the best things to be announced is the iPhone January update (aka iPhone Firmware v1.1.3). It was a year back when Steve Jobs had announced the revolutionary iPhone so probably the expectations were very high.

The new features in Apple iPhone firmware v1.1.3 are as mentioned below:

• Google Maps application can now pinpoint your location using Wi-Fi base stations and cell tower triangulation.
• Google Maps can now display the Hybrid map view.
• Ability to customize your home screen so you can now drag and drop application icons on your home screen
• You can have upto 9 customized home screens and supports pagination.
• You can now add web bookmarks to your home screen.
• Watch movies rented from the new iTunes Movie Rentals right on their iPhone.
• Ability to navigate videos by chapters, so you can now navigate forward or backward in a movie using the chapter markers.
• The ability to send an SMS message to multiple people.
• If you have song lyrics iPhone will now display them.
• You can purchase on iTunes Wi-Fi Store using gift cards.

You can check out the YouTube video that was published by Gearlive:

ffects of Firmware v1.1.3 on Unlocks, JailBreaking and Native Third-Party iPhone applications:Though iPhone Firmware v1.1.3 is one of the most exciting firmware updates to be released by Apple as compared to previous firmware updates, this firmware v1.1.3 too breaks unlocks like AnySIM and so far there is no alternative to iPhone activation other than using iTunes and a standard AT&T account.

Also as you would expect, iPhone firmware v1.1.3 will wipe out all your native third-party iPhone applications.

So far the iPhone hacking geniuses have not been able to Jailbreak iPhone firmware v1.1.3 which means that getting your favorite third-party applications is also ruled out for now.

So if you are one of those who can’t think about using your iPhone without the native application then the advice would be to not upgrade.

However, despite the above warning if you want to still proceed with the firmware, launch your iTunes, because the new Apple iPhone January Firmware update (aka 1.1.3) is now available.

Apple has also released iTunes 7.6, which features support for iTunes Movie rentals and tweaks for the iPhone/iPod. The snippet from Software Update pertaining to the iPhone is as follows:

“Rent and download your favorite movies with iTunes on your computer or directly to your living room on Apple TV. Enjoy rented movies in sizes up to 720p HD with surround sound on your Apple TV and sizes up to DVD-quality on your computer. Transfer your rented movies from iTunes to your iPod or iPhone and enjoy them on the go.”

iTunes 7.6 brings Windows Vista 64-bit support which means Vista 64-bit users finally have an official method for synchronizing the iPhone.

Posted on January 16th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: iPhone News