News

Microsoft has released version 1.1 of its popular Bing search tool for the iPhone. The daily image and trivia features pop up on the home screen after launching the app, and users can use voice commands to search the web or maps. Image search allows for quick previews of images and can save to the camera roll directly.

The update adds bug fixes, usability improvements, and more features. Searches and sites can be bookmarked or shared. Bing will now use location services to find nearby search results. Microsoft has added iPod Touch compatibility and SafeSearch settings with passcode protection. iPhone owners have already downloaded over one million copies of the app since it first launched in November.

The iPhone is about to get a new web browser. That is, if Apple approves Opera Mini for distribution in the App Store. Opera Software ASA has announced that an iPhone version of its efficient web browser will be submitted for approval very soon.

The project is said to be only weeks away from completion, and would bring Opera Mini to yet another mobile platform. The company has already released its software for Android, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile devices. In January, Opera Mini surpassed 50 million unique monthly users.

Reports from third-party vendors indicate that Apple intends to remove all screen protection products from the Apple store starting in May. Any screen product sold alone or with a case will effectively be banned for any product including iPhones, iPods, iPads and Mac notebooks.

The change in inventory involves any and all screen film products including those marketed for protection or simply decorative use, and could affect the Apple online store as well as retail outlets. Speculation is rampant as to the cause of the change in policy.

Regardless of some unscrupulous websites out there, Dev-Team reminds us that jailbreak solutions for iPhone firmware version 3.1.3 on new devices like the iPod Touch 3G don't exist! Unlock solutions for baseband version 05.12 do not exist! Scam sites will take your money and give you older software that was already released for free.

Unlocking and jailbreaking software is always released free of charge. Currently baseband 05.11 can't even be unlocked on iPhone OS 3.1.3. If you upgraded your firmware using the official Apple 3.1.3 software you'll just have to be patient while the Dev-Team finds a way.

The Apple store is down internationally, as Apple updates its store to get ready for the US pre-order of the iPad. Starting at 8:30 AM EDT, prospective customers will be able to order the WiFi-only and 3G capable versions of the Apple's hotly anticipated tablet. Today's pre-ordering is open to US customers only. The WiFi-only iPad is slated for arrival in stores and homes on April 3rd, with 3G models arriving later in the month.