iPhone 3.0 Details Announced [UPDATED]

Today Apple had an invitation-only event where they gave up all of their secrets regarding the next iPhone update: 3.0.

Here is a quick run-down of what to expect from the new software update coming out this summer:

• Copy/Paste: This is the most exciting. Copy/Paste should have been offered from 1.0, but, little matter, because we are getting it this summer! Apple says that it will be used by touching and dragging small "grab points" with a pop-up offering cut, copy, or paste. This functionality also includes the ability to copy and paste photos, as well as "shake to undo".
• MMS: This is another function available on the simplest of handsets that Apple has oddly been ignoring, but now they are including it in the iPhone's various functionalities. You will be able to send and receive photos, audio files, contacts, and more, although this functionality is only availabl on the iPhone 3G due to "hardware limitations" on the 1st generation.
• A2DP stereo Bluetooth: All this means is now you can connect headphones and speakers via bluetooth rather than the headphone jack. A very nice feature.
• Spotlight Search: A screen to the left of your first home screen which will allow for a universal search of your phone.
• Tethering: The ability to make your iPhone a modem has been put into the 3.0 update, although the carriers will have the final say on whether or not it will be present, as well as pricing plans regarding this.
• P2P: Peer-to-Peer meaning that you can connect to other iPhones to transfer files or play multiplayer games without the need of a Wifi network; both iPhones will be able to automtically connect with one another with no set-up required.
• Push: This is also an overdue feature which will allow instant messaging apps and other apps like them to receive messages and alert you to that fact without having to be open.
• Turn-by-Turn GPS: Apple is finally allowing developers to release apps with turn-by-turn directions; a feature that has been holding people back from calling the iPhone a true GPS device.
  

The update will be free to all iPhone owners "this summer", and will cost iPod Touch owners $9.95.

Engadget has a nice complete list of some other small things added by Apple, but these are all of the big ones. All we're missing now is the ability to record video and Flash. Anyway, I am pretty pleased with these new features; they add almost all of the features that the iPhone needs to become a truly great smartphone (although it is already, in my opinion, the best phone available).

UPDATE: Here is a nice 90-second video of the most exciting portion of the Apple event:

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'The Princess and the Frog' Character Designs

Ain't it Cool News got a hold of a small gallery of photos from a press kit for the upcoming two-dimensional animated Disney feature The Princess and the Frog. The movie will be released on December 11 of this year. Read all about it here. The photos from Ain't it Cool News follow (click for higher resolution):

Naveen

Tiana

Louie

Naveen and Tiana as Frogs

Facilier

Mama Odie

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'Transformers 3' Gets Official

Briefly: Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen comes out on June 24 of this year, but Paramount and Dreamworks have already made the three-quel for this successful film franchise official.

They haven't released anything about the movie other than the fact that the tentative release date is July 1, 2011. This isn't the official release date; they are mire likely just claiming their usual Independence Day slot so that no other blockbusters get scheduled around the same time.

No word yet on whether or not Shia LeBeouf, Megan Fox, or Michael Bay are returning for the three-quel

Source: Variety

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'Witch Mountain' Beats 'Watchmen' at Box Office

Briefly: The box office favorite of the weekend was Watchmen, but Disney's Race to Witch Mountain was the champion.

At about 500 fewer theaters than Watchmen, Race to Witch Mountain still managed to rake in $25,000,000, about $7,000,000 more than Watchmen's $18,700,000.

These are the estimated box office gains, but it is fair to say that during its opening weekend, Disney's Race to Witch Mountain successfully managed to beat out Watchmen, which was the box office favorite during its second weekend in theaters.

Source: Box Office Mojo

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'The Princess and the Frog' Trailer to Premiere Before 'Up'

Everybody wants to see the Toy Story 3 trailer as soon as possible, and many were hoping that it would be attached to Pixar's Up, coming out this summer, but, I am sorry to disappoint them, but the TS3 trailer will just have to wait.

Now that Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar are both under Disney, they are more than likely going to have a sort of 'trailer-pattern'. Let me explain: Disney's The Princess and the Frog will precede Pixar's Up, since the next Disney release after Up is The Princess and the Frog. (So, also be sure to spot the Up trailer before Race to Witch Mountain, which is a Disney film that comes out today).

If this pattern pans out like I think it will, we should expect to finally see the Toy Story 3 trailer before The Princess and Frog, which was just recently assigned an earlier release date of December 11 of this year.

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'Monsters, Inc.' Blu-ray Lacks Release Date [UPDATED]

This is very shocking news. Monsters, Inc. on Blu-ray, which was set to be released on May 19 of this year, has been pushed back to an unknown date. All retailers have stopped accepting payments for pre-orders, and it seems like months of promotion including inserts and promos in the new Pinocchio and Bolt Blu-rays, have gone down the tubes.

There isn't much more to say; the A Bug's Life Blu-ray release is still on schedule for release on May 19 of this year, but for some strange reason, Monsters, Inc. remains to have a release date, but there is much speculation that this release could be holding off an entire year until May 2010.

Shocking.

Update: Blu-ray.com is reporting that "Monster's Inc. has been delayed until November, likely to coincide with the Blu-ray release of Up."

Source: The HDRoom

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UPisode #2: 'First Aid'

Here is the second UPisode, entitled 'First Aid':



As I see more and more things from Up, the more excited I am to see it! It comes out on May 29 of this year.

To watch the first UPisode called 'Animal Calling', click here.

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