Next iPhones and iPads To Lose Home Button? Not So Fast

Jonathan S. Geller over at BGR reports that, according to his sources, we may see Apple removing the Home button from the next-generation iPhones and iPads, to be released this year:

We have exclusively been told that the reason Apple just added multitouch gestures for the iPad in the latest iOS 4.3 beta is because the iPad will be losing the home button.

In addition to the home button disappearing from the iPad, we’re told that this change will make its way over to the iPhone as well. Our source said Apple employees are already testing iPads and iPhones with no home buttons on the Apple campus, and it’s possible we will see this new change materialize with the next-generation iPad and iPhone devices set to launch this year.

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Denon Gets AirPlay Via $60 Firmware Update

Want AirPlay on your Denon AVR4311, AVR3311, AVRA100, or DN7 Multimedia System? Prepare to shell out a sixty dollar upgrade for the privilege – Denon isn’t new to up-charging customers for software updates such as this one, but we think it’s a little absurd that they don’t just give you the proprietary update for free. Audiophiliacs looking to stream lossless audio to their receivers will pay for the privilege – everyone else can just buy a used Airport Express on eBay for the same price.

[via Macworld Australia]

iOS 4.3 To Introduce New Camera Effects?

According to Italian blog iSpazio, the iOS 4.3 firmware file includes some references to new effects that could be implemented in the native Camera app. By taking a look at an info.plist file, iSpazio found out that there are mentions of new effects such as X-Ray, kaleidoscope, light tunnel, compress and thermic camera.

It is unclear whether these new effects will be part of the actual Camera app or a video chat application Apple might introduce in the future, as they sound really similar to distortion and color manipulation effects already present in Apple’s iChat and Photo Booth for Mac.

Could this be a hint at iChat for iOS coming in the next months, or more features in Camera.app?

With iOS 4.3, Apple Drops iPhone 3G Support (and iPod Touch 2nd gen)

Apple just seeded a new build of iOS, version 4.3, to developers, and it looks like they finally dropped support for the 2008 iPhone 3G. The device is indeed not listed on the iOS developer website, and nothing makes us think that future beta versions will be released for that model. The latest OS for the iPhone 3G may be iOS 4.2.

AT&T discontinued the iPhone 3G last June. Several users who installed iOS 4 on the iPhone 3G last year lamented that the OS was slow and unusable, mainly because of the slow processor and less RAM on the 2008 device. Apple tried to make things better with iOS 4.1 and 4.2, but the iPhone 3G was clearly showing signs of its age.

Update: there’s iOS 4.3 for iPod touch 2nd generation either.

Apple Releases iOS 4.3 Beta, Here’s What’s New

A few minutes ago Apple released iOS 4.3 beta to developers. It’s available now in the iOS Dev Center. The beta is available for iOS devices and the second generation Apple TV. Supported iOS mobile devices are iPad, iPhone 4 and 3GS, iPod touch 3rd and 4th gen. Build number is 8F5148b. A pre-release version of the Apple TV software has been provided to test AirPlay functionalities with 4.3 apps.

It looks like iOS 4.3 has some cool new gestures built specifically for the iPad. 4 & 5 finger gestures; pinch to the home screen, swipe up to reveal multitasking tray, swipe left/right to switch apps. Update: even though Apple says the gestures are there, I can’t seem to be able to use them at all. They don’t work for me in Apple’s own apps, and there’s no option to activate them in the Settings. We’re hearing several reports of other users unable to use these gestures. Read more

Black Diamond for iPhone Brings Apps To Life

Well, sort of. This very particular dock for the iPhone has indeed the shape of a diamond, but it can also take colors from the iPhone’s screen and bring them to a 3D ambience light experience. You’ll have to use together with an app, although no further details have been provided on the product’s website.

I can you hear you say “But Ticci, what does it do?”. I don’t know, but it’s cool. And the name Black Diamond? I bet Steve Jobs already has one. In a super secret testing lab. With a white iPhone. And an iPad 3 prototype. [Yantouch via Slashgear]

Denso Dash Has an iPhone Steering Wheel

Everyone owns a smartphone so why not integrate it into your future car? Many automobile companies are already integrating them because it could be the next big thing. Skip the built-in GPS screen, plug in your iOS device and do more! Denso is showing a futuristic dashboard, with an iPhone embedded in the center of the steering wheel. Sounds distracting and dangerous but it controls the infotainment system and a small, circular LCD above with some widgets you can flick & bounce with a touch from the iPhone. It also communicates with traffic lights to inform you what speed to drive in order to meet them when they’re all green. Weird I know, but the idea is to save fuel (and money) by not stopping and starting all the time.

Video after the break. Read more