This latest rumor comes byu way of Near Field Communications World. A “highly reliable source” is saying that he’s seen iPhone prototypes with an embedded RFID reader and he’s even seen it in action. This usage of near-field communication could be the next major innovation for mainstream mobile phones.

What sort of applications can we expect from this? Based on the demo video below, you can tap your iPhone next to a variety of RFID-equipped toys to get related content. Just as we weren’t sure where the App Store would go, we can’t be sure what will become of RFID implementation.

What we do know with some certainty is that if Apple does indeed go through with an RFID-reading iPhone, you can fully expect the rest of the cell phone industry to follow suit shortly afterward.

On a side note, how do you guys say RFID when you talk about it in real life? I’ve always just said the individual letters (arr-eff-eye-dee), but I’ve been hearing more than more people say it as if it were a word (arr-fidd). Isn’t that like saying HSPA as hiss-pah?

Source: Intomobile

I’m not entirely sure if we can technically call it a unibody, but the chassis for the new white MacBook is certainly different from before. The removable battery has been swapped out for a non-replaceable seven-hour unit, making a flat rubberized bottom. They say that it’s thinner and with beveled edges, but some reports are saying that it actually looks chubbier than the previous generation.

Just about all of the specs have been upgraded as well. You get an LED backlit display and a multitouch trackpad, just like the most expensive 13-inch MacBook Pro. There are also some other small aesthetic changes to make it look more like the current aluminum unibody line.

The base $1,099 configuration comes with a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD, 8x SuperDrive, and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M. These can be updated or upgraded further through a custom order.

Also announced today were the new 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMac all-in-one computers, as well as the updated Mac Mini. All details should be available on the Apple site now.

Source: iPhoneInCanada

Why, then you may ask, has Apple not unleashed this ability unto the masses with the iPhone 3GS? Based on the hearsay and rumors going around, the team in Cupertino is busy “trying to reintegrate the Mobile iTunes Store purchases into the functionality of the program.”

I think this means they’re working on the way for you to tag a song being played via FM radio so that you can hope into the mobile iTunes store to buy said track later. Either way, this “hidden app” for iPhone-fueled FM radio sounds like it’s there waiting to be broken free.

The iPhone is a constant source of new abilities from its hidden bag of tricks. Hopefully, the FM radio will get unleashed in the next firmware update.

Source: Gadgetreview

The good people in Waterloo have officially confirmed that the BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac will be released this Friday, October 2. Just because you’re rocking a MacBook doesn’t mean that you can’t take the path of the BlackBerry Storm instead of the iPhone.

This means that you no longer have to use VMWare or Parallels to get your BlackBerry connected to your Mac, since Research in Motion is finally recognizing that plenty of BlackBerry users prefer using an Apple computer over one powered by Microsoft’s Windows.

As far as we can tell, the BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac will offer the same functionality as its Windows counterpart, though it may be jazzed up a bit in aesthetics to fit in better in the Mac environment. Either way, set your clock for 1PM EST this Friday and get your Mac-Berry on.

Source: BGR

Yes, I realize that the iPhone was initially released in the United States over two years ago and we are already well engulfed in the generation of the iPhone 3GS, but this has been a very long time coming for China. Yes, I also realize that they could have retrieved a unit through the grey market, but this will be the first time that China Unicom has the ability to sell the phone officially.

That’s the good news, so go ahead and mark October 1st on your calendar if you happen to want an iPhone in China. The bad news, however, is that the iPhone is going to chime in at quite the premium compared to most other markets around the world.

It’s a little ironic, really, seeing how many of the components and manufacturing are done in and around China. In any case, China Unicom is set to offer the Apple iPhone for 5,000 yuan. That works out to over $700! You’ll also get to choose from eight different monthly plans, ranging from 126 yuan to 886 yuan ($18 to $130).

Source: GadgetReview

However, not everyone wanted to take the trip into Downtown Vancouver to visit the Apple Store. As with the downtown cores of so many major metropolitan areas, parking in Downtown Vancouver is less than pleasant and it can oftentimes get quite pricey. Vancouverites yearned for a more convenient location.

Well, this weekend, the great people of Vancouver are finally getting their wish. We knew this day was coming, but now we have a firm date. The second Apple Store in Vancouver will be opening its doors at Oakridge Centre this Saturday, September 26. This is the 13th location in Canada, joining the ranks of other locations in Winnipeg, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Laval, Mississauga, and Montreal.

In addition to the ability to check out the new camera-touting iPod nano and the aluminum unibodies of the MacBook Pro, you can also get some free swag at the grand opening. Be at the Oakridge Centre location, on the corner of Cambie and 41st Avenue in Vancouver, when they open the doors at 9:30am on Saturday and you’ll get a free Apple t-shirt… if you’re one of the first 1,000 people through the door.

Source: MobileSyrup

As far as we can gather, the “Apple iPad” won’t get a conventional keyboard like the Eee PC or MSI Wind, instead relying on a large touchscreen just like the iPhone and the iPod touch. With the new rumors, the Taiwan Economic News is saying that the upcoming Apple tablet will get a 9.6-inch “finger friendly” touchscreen from Wintek. This is consistent with the “big iPod touch” line of thinking.

The Taiwanese newspaper is also reporting that the yet-unnamed Apple device will have HSPA connectivity and a processor from PA Semi, a company that Apple owns. The battery comes from Dynex, which will be producing 300,000 battery packs each month for the device.

So, how much will it cost? We’ve believed all along that the Mac Tablet would slot between the iPod touch and the entry-level MacBook, so the most recent rumor of a $799 to $999 price range makes perfect sense. And the question of when? We’re currently looking at a February 2010 launch, so that could mean we’ll see an official reveal around the same time as CES and MacWorld in January.

Source: BGR

Dan Nosowitz of Gizmodo couldn’t help himself after the It’s Only Rock and Roll Event hosted by Apple earlier this week. During that event, Steve Jobs officially unveiled the iPod nano 5G, saying that the new MP3 player is on sale right away.

Going through Dan’s review, we learn that the screen goes from the 2.0-inches on the 4G nano to the 2.2-inches on the 5G nano. The resolution, as a result, gets a bump from 240×320 to 240×375. That’s not quite a 16:9 wide aspect ratio, but it is a widescreen nonetheless. The screen is also noticeably brighter and sharper than its predecessor. To make room for the bigger screen, the click wheel had to get a little smaller.

The embedded VGA camera will only do video (no stills), but it does come with a series of built-in effects and filters, including heat vision, tunnel vision, and security cam vision. The video quality is actually quite good, comparable to some of the standard-def pocket camcorders out there. It doesn’t do HD, but it does VGA at 30fps quite well. Just make sure your finger isn’t blocking the lens.

Other highlights include the new FM radio, a built-in speaker, pedometer, and a microphone with voice recorder. All in all, Dan says that the iPod nano 5G is a seriously good player and the inclusion of the “surprisingly good” camera is a huge bonus. That said, you have to realize that a 16GB nano is the same price as an 8GB iPod touch, so would you prefer to have a smaller form factor and a camera or would you want a touchscreen and the App Store?

Source: Gizmodo

For the iPhone and iPod touch owners in the audience, Apple announces OS 3.1. This brings Genius technology to the App Store, giving you recommendations based on what you already own. They’re also adding ringtones to the iTunes Store for $1.29 each.

iTunes 9 was also announced. The newest release is easier to navigate, includes Genius mixes (creating “smart” playlists on the fly), and lets you manage your apps too. The iTunes store has also been redesigned to include artist pages, more artwork, and iTunes LP. The large images are very reminiscent of the Zune interface.

They are also allowing for “home sharing.” This lets you copy songs, movies and shows to up to five authorized computers in your home. I guess this is how they are addressing the complaints about DRM restrictions.

As I mentioned earlier today, the iPod touch price drops were in full effect. Contrary to earlier rumors that the new iPod touch would get a camera, that didn’t happen. Instead, you get more capacity for less money. The 8GB, 32GB, and 64GB models are $199, $299, and $399 respectively. The top two are also up to 50% faster with OpenGL ES 2.0. This is supposed to be great for those next-gen games.

I can’t say for sure, but a friend of mine heard that the reason why the new iPod touch lacks the rumored camera is that early production units “had defects.” Maybe they’ll iron out the kinks and have an updated version at some point in the future.

The iPod classic, contrary to earlier rumors, is indeed sticking around. The 160GB model is the same physical size and will sell for $250. The iPod shuffle gets the color treatment, including pink, blue, green, and silver. The 2GB model is $59, whereas the special edition 4GB version is $99.

And, as expected, the “one more thing” with Steve Jobs this morning was the updated iPod nano with a video camera. El Jobso whipped out a Flip Mino and talked about the explosion of video, but he’s saying that he’s bringing the price down from $149 to free by including a camera in the iPod nano.

On the back of every iPod nano is a camera, mic, and speaker. He made no mention of resolution, so I’m guessing that it’ll be VGA (640×480) at 30fps. That’s not the 720p HD that so many other units are doing these days, but the nano is a fifth as thick and a tenth the volume of other pocket camcorders. There are built-in special effects and one-click uploads to YouTube. The iPod touch also gets a larger 2.2-inch screen, VoiceOver, Genius Mixes, and FM Radio.

The 8GB iPod nano is $149 and the 16GB nano is $179.

And that wraps it up. As far as I can tell, everything is available right now through Apple.com.

Source: gdget

Starting with the iPod touch, we find that the 8GB model is dropping down from its current $229 price. The screenshot taken before the press event says that it’ll be $189, but I have just learned that the 8-gigger will sell for $229.

Again looking at the screenshot, we see that the 16GB iPod touch will be $249 (down from $299) and the 32GB model will be $279 (down substantially from $399), but I’ve also just learned that these are being pushed a bit too. The 16GB model isn’t mentioned in the event, since it is getting doubled to 32GB for $299. The current 32GB model gets doubled too, getting 64GB for $399. They also say that the 32GB and 64GB models will be up to 50% faster.

On the iPod nano side, the 8GB dropped $20 to $129 and the 16GB dropped $40 to $189. Could this be the new price for the potentially camera-touting new model? We’ll be finding out in the next hour or so!

Source: iPhoneinCanada