China in the formal introduction of the iPhone, finally, as all but locked at the end of this year, but put the size of the market in perspective, check this stat: according to “local media” in China’s UMTS / HSPA network operator China Unicom, as they say, placed an order for boys and girls in Cupertino over 5 million units at launch in exchange for 10 billion yuan, which is simply to avoid $ 1.46 billion. For comparison, AT & T has sold about half that number in its last reported quarter, so that if the 5 million figure is correct, Unicom is definitely coming to the area to play ball. Rumors have the first batch of domestic iPhones in September, declining; carrier apparently quite aroused, and it is understandable - they still say they can get within reach of China Mobile, the world’s largest carrier on the subscriber’s account. Strangely, while Unicom representative said that an agreement with Apple to actually sell these is not complete, so if they are going to the final document, to obtain cash from point A to point B, pump millions of localized telephone numbers, and get ‘Em on the shelves in time for the autumn, time is certainly of great importance.

Finally, it seems Chinese people are going to be able to legally get their hands on the phone, they were building: the iPhone.

According to the International Business Times “, Unicom, China is the second-largest cell carrier, paid 10 billion yuan (about $ 1.46 billion) for the purchase of 5 million iPhones from Apple. The first batch of phones will be available to Chinese customers as early as next month. Since March, the company was placing phone pictures and specifications at its stores.

This will be the first time the phone was legally available in the country the largest number of mobile phone users in the world. I think this kind of ironic, because, like most other electronic devices, the iPhone is going to China.

Chinese people are already familiar with the iPhone. Prior to that phone was in China and Vietnam, and many other countries where Apple has no business partners, through smuggling.

What will be new to the Chinese people for sure, however, is the fact that the phone will be blocked at the Unicom. Yu Zaonan, General Manager of Client Development Department of China Unicom in Guangzhou, said the International Business Times that the China Unicom expects 5 million iPhones will be translated into 5 million new customers for the company. Unicom are still far behind China Mobile , the largest cell carrier in the country, both in terms of subscribers and profits. Unicom expects that the iPhone will help it narrow the gap.

Locked phones, as new to China and Asia, where people have the freedom to receive any phone in any store and use it with any carrier. This deal between Apple and Unicom means that they will receive a taste of the American way of business.

It is unclear what version of iPhone (3G or 3GS), included in this transaction, and whether the phone will have Wi-Fi-disabled persons. However, according to Yu Zaonan, the price for the 8GB iPhone will be 2400 yuan ($ 350) and 16GB version will cost twice as much. This means that the companies hope the new package of 5 million subscribers are those that significantly higher income.

Any person who is not so rich, you may have to resort to the use and jailbroken iPhones imported from other countries. These phones cost somewhere between 400 yuan ($ 59) and 1000 yuan ($ 146), in accordance with the International Business Times.

Personally, I think, more likely, many of whom 5 million iPhones will be jailbroken by local residents. Now, if Apple say that jailbreaking your phone could turn it into a weapon of mass violation was true, this could be troubling news for the Communist China.

I am a big fan of GPS navigation devices. Actually, I depended on them. It is therefore natural that on my iPhone 3GS you can find the latest turn for turn, GPS navigation applications, NAVIGON $ 70 and $ 80 IGO My Way. And only recently was released on App Store. (In my car, I also have the Tom Tom ONE XL.)

After about a week using iPhone Apps in San Francisco, Bay Area, as well as in some other states, these are my impressions.

First of all, as NAVIGON IGO can turn your iPhone (3G or 3GS) in decently reliable GPS navigator. They took about 15 seconds to download on my iPhone 3GS and around the same time, the lock with the GPS signal when on the street. This is much faster than the Tom Tom, which may take a minute or two. In general, IGO My Way, to raise the alarm as quickly NAVIGON, but loses its signal more easily, especially when in a big city with many tall buildings.

My disappointment in the major is that they do not provide real-time traffic updates, which you can get anywhere in the states with Google Maps.

Both applications propose beautifully rendered 3G card, which can be viewed vertically or horizontally, and is a convenient way to enter a new address or search points of interest (POI). They come with a good database POIs as well. I was in quite a few remote areas, and was able to find what I needed. Nevertheless, the database is not updated - twice, both applications had me in restaurants and bars in La Cross, Wis., That no longer exists. Unfortunately, you can not tab lists the POI to call his phone number, which won the main goal in iPhone, which, in the end, the phone.

Maps of both applications could also stand to be updated, but I could not find the same address in the Bay Area or the NAVIGON and IGO My Way, and this particular address, as always, a few car GPS device I owned. I think both Apps share of slightly outdated maps for North America.

NAVIGON and IGO My Way can upload and functions with iPhone music in the background. This means that you can still listen to music (if your car has auxiliary jack), but with Apps’ audio instruction on driving. None of the applications, however, have built-in IPod control, so you have to go if you want to skip a song, etc.

IGO My Way has the best and least intrusive way to help you get what road to take.

(Credit: Dong NGO / CNET) Despite the fact that the sound works when the instructions describing where to turn, which lane to stay, and so forth, none of the applications offer Text-To-Speech. In NAVIGON, however, able to read the name of roads, such as “Take the next exit to 580 West, and the IGO can only say:” Take the next exit. ”

In NAVIGON also surpasses IGO My Way, with its ability to extract addresses from the phone address book. As someone with very poor short-term memory, I found the lack of this feature in the IGO’s the deal breaker. Address is already on the phone, it does not make sense to have to enter it again.

To remedy this, IGO there are many more settings than NAVIGON. Take voice, for example. If you’re stuck with an American English female voice from NAVIGON, you can choose from a dozen to the IGO My Way, and between the three languages: English, French and Spanish languages. IGO also allows you to change the form of on-screen image with the overall arrow of cars, taxis, trucks and much more.

When an incoming call arrived at using either an application, you can answer the phone, as usual. At a time when you hang up, the application automatically re-engage and continue with the existing navigation. In addition, you can quit at any time either the application and forward to the resumption of shipping only the beginning again.

As NAVIGON and IGO My Way drain battery quite quickly, and in each case, approximately 4.5 hours when running nonstop on my iPhone 3GS. In addition, the phone sort of warm, or when an application runs. If you plan to use it as a basic GPS device, you must receive a package of juice or a car charger.

In general, NAVIGON and IGO My Way are great addition to the iPhone, especially for those who travels a lot. Personally, I prefer to NAVIGON, because it works with your phone address book. But if you want to configure, IGO is definitely the best choice.

Note that this initial release of these two software, and I have no doubt, features and enhancements will be added in future updates. Personally, I would like to add as Apps real-time traffic updates, as well as remote points up, the phone control playback of music, and IGO My Way in the case of integration with the phone in your address book.

Since the beginning of the new Apple iPhone 3GS, older iPhone 3G is already over $ 99 with the new two-year contract. Well, according to Boy Genius Report seems to be some signs that Apple may lead to new 8GB version of iPhone in 3GS, which will take place on the iPhone 3G, as well as the cost of $ 99.

Interestingly, BGR at the source, not AT & T, but Rogers, a Canadian carrier, site is a schemer sent some screenshots, which seem to provide evidence of the transition between models. All this confirms, of course, but if AT & T (and other carriers, like Rogers) 8GB iPhone 3GS provides for $ 99, it will be yet another aggressive step Apple in its quest to dominate smartphone space. I am not sure that it spells death for the $ 199 8GB Palm Pre, which is selling well, but she could not help the cause.

Comments? Is the 8GB iPhone 3GS for $ 99 more than the matter?

When any trouble finding a specific app for the iPhone App Store? Who does not? A couple of weeks ago, I spent 10 minutes trying to find a game to a friend recently showed me. This may be more with me in a state of intoxication and to a lesser extent on the App Store search function, though.

Nevertheless, all can be better. According to AppleInsider, Apple iPhone developers are now asked to enter the 255, separated by commas marks as keywords to iTunes Connect will be used to search the App Store for iPhone and IPod touch.

iTunes Connect is an application that developers use to upload and submit their iPhone and IPod Touch applications for Apple.

Definitely welcome change, and it can only improve the sales, so I am sure that most developers will be using it. I would not be surprised to see some developers to exploit it, however, by entering keywords for popular applications that are fully, not only the chance to add impact.

We hope this addition will also improve its search window, and good luck. If I had been drinking or otherwise.