At the WWDC 2011 Keynote, the enigmatic iCloud was finally unveiled to all attending the keynote conference. Steve Jobs climbed back on stage to reveal the iCloud.

He said, “I’m going to talk about iCloud. We’ve been working on this for some time now, and I’m really excited about it.”

What exactly is iCloud? Well, iCloud is a way to  ”seamlessly integrated into your apps, so you can access your content on all your device”

Before talking about the iCloud, Steve began by recalling how many years ago the PC was becoming the digital hub for one’s digital life.  Digital photos, digital videos, music. It worked for the better part of 10 years. But it has broken down in the past few years.

“iCloud stores your content in the cloud and wirelessly pushes it to all your device. It automatically uploads it, stores it, and pushes it to all your devices.”

Since it is integrated with all your apps, everything happens automatically. The iCloud can also work on the MobileMe apps since they have been re-written from the “ground up”.

The contacts that are added in any device are pushed to the cloud and then sync’d down to all the other devices.

The calendars work the same way-one can make a new calendar, edit it, and it is  all pushed to the cloud. Calendar sharing is now added as well.

“Mail was in the best shape of all, but it’s even better.” Get an @me.com account and all your messages are sync’d and pushed across.

Steve Jobs also confirmed that there are no ads. He said, “We build products that we use too, and we just don’t want ads.”

With iCloud, you will be able to store all you content so it is always accessible from your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Mac, or PC. It will give you almost instant access to your music, apps, latest photos, and more. Furthermore it will also keep your email, contacts, and calendars up to date across all your devices. There is no syncing required. And no management required. “In fact, no anything required. iCloud does it all for you.

“iCloud will be free! And it is launching in developer beta today!

1. iCloud not yet available for Verizon iPhone
2. WWDC 2011 Announcement Live Coverage Recap: Mac OS X Lion, iOS 5, and iCloud
3. WWDC 2011 Keynote: IOS 5 & More

It looks like Apple has released a new iPhone 3.1.3 update for iPhone, iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3GS users. This new update includes the following fixes:

• Improves accuracy of reported battery level on iPhone 3GS
• Resolves third-party application crashes
• Fixes bugs with Japanese keyboard

You can either download the iPhone 3.1.3 update through iTunes, or you can also download it directly from the iPhone userbar.

1. iPhone 2.1 software update to be released Friday 12th
2. Surprise: Apple releases 2.2 iPhone firmware
3. iPhone firmware update 1.1.1 released

At Apple’s “It’s Only Rock and Roll” media event, Apple announced the availability of iPhone OS 3.1 for the iPhone and iPod touch.

The new firmware will be able to take advantage of the new Genius feature for apps to help users find new apps that may be of interest based on past purchases and will also allow wireless downloading of new pre-cut ringtones. The full list of 3.1 features and updates includes the following (from their website):

- Improved syncing for music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, and photos
- iTunes U content organization
- Redeem iTunes Gift Cards, codes, and certificates in the App Store
- Display available iTunes account credits in the App Store and iTunes Store
- Save video from Mail and MMS into Camera Roll
- Option to “Save as new clip” when trimming a video on iPhone 3GS
- Better iPhone 3G Wi-Fi performance when Bluetooth is turned on
- Remotely lock iPhone with a passcode via MobileMe
- Use Voice Control on iPhone 3GS with Bluetooth headsets
- Paste phone numbers into the keypad
- Option to use Home button to turn on accessibility features on iPhone 3GS
- Warn when visiting fraudulent websites in Safari (anti-phishing)
- Improved Exchange calendar syncing and invitation handling
- Fixes issue that cause some app icons to display incorrectly

iPhone OS 3.1 is available and is a free download for iPhone customers and iPod touch users already running iPhone OS 3.0. iPod touch users running earlier firmware versions can upgrade to iPhone OS 3.1 for $4.95.

1. Apple releases iPhone 3.1 software Beta 3 to selected parties
2. Ambrosia Software Releases iToner Update
3. iPhone 3.0 software to be released soon; rumors about additions swirling

Apple today released the first update to the iPhone 3.0 software to address an SMS vulnerability that threatened the security of your iPhone. From Apple:

“We appreciate the information provided to us about SMS vulnerabilities which affect several mobile phone platforms. This morning, less than 24 hours after a demonstration of this exploit, we’ve issued a free software update that eliminates the vulnerability from the iPhone. Contrary to what’s been reported, no one has been able to take control of the iPhone to gain access to personal information using this exploit.”

Well, of course they have to say that, but odds are its happened at least once for Apple to be so quick on the draw releasing a patch (or at least something nasty was imminent).

So plug in your phone, fire up iTunes, and click Check for Update to get the latest and greatest version for your iPhone.

1. iPhone SMS vulnerability patch expected to be released this weekend
2. TomTom released in US App Store this morning and selling for $99
3. Apple iPhone Software Update Released

Apple provided iPhone developers Monday afternoon with a third beta of iPhone 3.1, the first planned update to its third-generation mobile operating system.

Beta 3 is only accessible to those with an existing developer account. Labeled build 7C116A, it weighs in at 307MB. Apple also released a new iPhone SDK for OS 3.1. The SDK build is 9M2808.

Those running Beta 2 must update by midnight tonight (local time based on each individual device) in order to continue using the device without interruption.

As revealed with the first beta release, 3.1 adds Bluetooth and video features. Users can now invoke Voice Control using a Bluetooth headset rather than a wired headset or the built-in microphone. When editing video clips, users can save a copy of the trimmed video instead of permanently losing the discarded ends.

Since the second beta, iPhone OS 3.1 has allowed developers to connect to and work with a system wirelessly, without the tether of a USB cable.

At least one developer has been told that the new update will allow for augmented reality apps, which overlay information and controls on top of real-world objects seen through a camera.

Unofficially, iPhone OS 3.1 is anticipated to be ready by early September, just in time for Apple’s by now yearly iPod updates — and the seemingly probable release of an iPod touch with a camera that could take advantage of augmented reality when using Wi-Fi.

1. Augmented reality becomes a reality – or will with iPhone 3.1 update
2. Apple iPhone 2 Software Beta
3. iPhone 3.0 Beta 5 is released

Seeded to developers on Tuesday night, the first beta and a matching SDK are said by those familiar with the releases to include roughly a dozen new extensions for the OpenGL ES graphics library that developers can use to improve graphics on the iPhone 3GS, which is needed to support the standard.

They also reportedly give programmers their choice of video recording quality as well as a pair of new app interface classes that are known to relate to graphics, but which haven’t had their functions identified.

Xcode 3.1.3 has also been released and is said by people aware of the update to improve facilities for creating a new project as well as setting a target configuration.

Apple’s release is a quick turnaround and unusual for hinting at a point release so soon after 3.0. In the past, Apple has often preferred to address outstanding bugs first in minor patches rather than more significant revisions that often contain small but noteworthy new features. So far, nothing contained in iPhone OS 3.1 is believed to have added significant components.

1. iPhone Firmware 3.0 beta 3 released
2. iPhone firmware 2.2 released to selected developers
3. Apple has begun testing for iPhone firmware 2.2 Beta 2

Their highlights include: Spotlight Search, camera improvements, push notifications, Stereo Bluetooth and Calendar upgrades and Copy/Paste additions (though they wished for more elegance in supporting the feature, given the long wait time for the feature).

Their lowlights include the shake to do feature (the reviewer found it difficult to do sometimes), the lack of video in the firmware itself, speed wasn’t improved much, and voice memos were just that, without anything innovative about it.

Full review is here: http://gizmodo.com/5292789/iphone-os-30-software-review-what-to-expect

What do you, our readers, think about the 3.0 firmware? Was it worth the hype?

1. Video recording code/interface uncovered in iPhone firmware 3.0
2. Tech site Gizmodo selects their top 30 iPhone apps of the year
3. 3.0 Firmware to give much needed feature bump to Maps

Here are some of the problems they’ve noticed so far, feel free to let us know if you confirm these:

# Multimedia messaging does not support sculpture, macrame, or interpretive dance.
# Voice memo recordings totally don’t sound like me. I don’t sound like that, do I? Seriously?
# Turned on adult content filter but everybody in my videos still has their clothes on.
# Adding a task to calendar did not result in task getting done.
# Clicked this blue “compass” icon but kept getting some stupid web browser.
# Still no apps to cure the nagging feeling that I should’ve bought a Palm Pre.
# The touchscreen is now on the back of the phone instead of the front.
# Gone to the bathroom four times already today, and Remote Wipe hasn’t worked once.
# Spotlight search crashed with memory overload error trying to index my Harry Potter cosplay photo collection.
# Tried out tethering, but I think I broke my finger smacking that phone around the pole.
# Apple still hasn’t fixed the no-hardware-keyboard bug.
# “Cut” function does not apply to monthly AT&T bill.

Very disappointing set of easily reproduceable bugs; hopefully Apple takes notice. Courtesy of the Woot! Blog: http://www.woot.com/Blog/ViewEntry.aspx?Id=8475

1. iPhone jinxing Harry Potter’s buzz
2. Even with the 2.2 Update, several crucial Safari bugs left unsquashed
3. Apple display broken iPhone in store

This update contains over 100 new features, including the following:

• Cut, Copy & Paste with shake to undo
• Landscape keyboard in key applications
• Enhanced Messages application
– Send and receive photos, contacts, audio files, and location via MMS*
– Forward and delete single or multiple messages
• Added search feature in Mail, Calendar, Notes and iPod
• Spotlight search across iPhone
• Support for CalDAV and subscriptions in Calendar
• Improvements to Safari
– Performance
– HTML 5 support
– HTTP Streaming audio and video
– Auto-fill usernames and passwords
• New Voice Memos application
• Sync Notes with a Mac or PC via iTunes
• Internet Tethering over USB and Bluetooth*
• Browse and download movies, TV shows, and audiobooks from the iTunes Store**
• Stereo Bluetooth***
• Wi-Fi auto login
• Enhanced Stocks application
• More Parental Control options for Apps, Music, Movies and TV Shows
• iTunes account creation and login**
• YouTube account login and access to subscriptions, ratings and favorites**
• Shake to shuffle
• New languages, dictionaries, and keyboards
• Find my iPhone and Remote Wipe via MobileMe (subscription required)**
• Support for more Exchange policies
• Create and send Exchange meeting invitations
• Search mail on server (Exchange Server 2007 and supported IMAP servers)
• Search LDAP company directory
• VPN on demand and VPN proxy support
• Encrypted configuration profiles
• Encrypted iTunes backups
• 1,000 new developer APIs, including:
– In App Purchases
– Apple Push Notification Service
– Accessories support
– Peer to Peer Connectivity
– Embedded Maps
– iPod Library Access
• Bug fixes

Products compatible with this software update:
• iPhone
• iPhone 3G
• iPhone 3G S

* Compatible only with iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S and requires support from your wireless provider.
** Not available in all regions or in all languages.
*** Compatible only with iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S.

1. iPhone 3.1 firmware having issues with encrypted MS Exchange connections on non-3GS units
2. iPhone Firmware v1.1.3 is Now Available
3. Airfoil Speakers released for the iPhone

Jesus Diaz wrote a miniblog updating his status as he installed the 3.0 version on his phone. The 7a341 version should be downloadable on your favorite bittorrent site and can be installed without needing a developer license.

Also unless there are some major changes done soon it should be the version that is released on June 17. So if you feel brave enough and don’t care if your device is jailbroken or not, then download iPhone 3.0 7a341 and give it a try. Of course, doing this (and it not being the “official release date” yet), you assume any and all risk with this activity. But it appears things work smoothly so far, which is a good thing for everyone.

It’s only a few days away, so it may be better if you’re the extra cautious type to wait until the “official” release date.

1. Apple releases iPhone Firmware version 2.2.1
2. New Version Release: The Missing Sync for iPhone 1.0.1
3. iPhone 5 Release Date Not in June or July, According to an AT&T Rep is Just a Rumor