Tucked away in Apple’s pre-release version of iTunes 7.7 is word that the iPhone and iPod touch will soon act as remote controls for nearby computers. Also, Apple is now accepting submissions to the App Store.

A reference in the late beta version of iTunes available with iPhone SDK Beta 8 and discovered by Mac Rumors directly points to a new Apple-made program that will navigate tracks on Macs and Windows PCs from any of Apple’s current handhelds.

“Use the new Remote application for iPhone or iPod touch to control iTunes playback from anywhere in your home — a free download from the App Store,” it reads.

While the depth of control offered by the app is still very much unknown, the virtually confirmed existence of such an app fulfills a longstanding desire at Apple to use its touchscreen devices as makeshift remote controls. A patent originally filed as early as December 2005 hinted at plans for a wireless iTunes remote that would collect track data from a nearby computer and give users more control than just the pause, skip, and volume controls from most remotes, including Apple’s own white stick remote bundled with some Macs.

A remote control function has also been hidden in recent iPhone betas but at the time didn’t provide enough evidence of its ultimate function.

Beyond the new remote functionality, iTunes 7.7 is also known to add an Applications tab to let users specify loading only certain software on the phone, and will be necessary for both iPhone 3G and the MobileMe sync service.

Apple has simultaneously begun accepting submissions of programs from members of its iPhone Development Program that are ready to post their content to the App Store, ensuring the service will be stocked ahead of its formal debut on July 11th.

written by Jose Castillo

Chalk this one up as just another rumor for now, but whispers around the Chinese web have it that China Unicom could be netting Apple’s latest handset (yeah, that 3G one) this August. If you’ll recall, Steve had issues in the past getting Chinese carriers to buy into his demanding revenue sharing model, but now that those days are gone, we suspect talks may go a little smoother. And c’mon, Apple didn’t add in Chinese character recognition for kicks and giggles, now did it? As of now, China Mobile has yet to make a peep on the rumblings, but we’ve only got a few months before finding out either way.

[Via IntoMobile]

written by Jose Castillo

Wired’s Leander Kahney, arguably the most credible yet of those who’ve weighed in with alleged specs of Apple’s upcoming 3G iPhone, is reporting the handset will be 22 percent thinner than its predecessor, not thicker as some earlier reports had suggested.

Citing “a programmer at a major software publisher,” Kahney adds that the handset should also sport better battery life than the “up to 8 hours” of talk time advertised alongside its predecessor. It will also include GPS and twice the amount of NAND flash memory: either 16GB or 32GB.

What’s more, Kahney’s tipster claims Apple will allow subsidies on the new model as a means of attracting some of Research in Motion’s existing and would-be Blackberry customers.

He points to an article by the UK’s TimesOnline, which cites a UBS Investment Research analyst as saying the device could be available in Britain for as little as £100 (or ~$200) beginning in July.

Still, Kahney hedges his bets with a warning that he has not confirmed the integrity of the information offered up by his tipster.

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written by Jose Castillo

Via Engadget:

So word on the street (literally) is that a large number of people are queuing in line outside of Apple’s flagship store on 5th Avenue in New York City — keep in mind the Cube is open 24 hours a day. Our intrepid girl-on-the-scene reports that the group is more than 60-deep, though most people seem confused about what they’re waiting for, but some believe they’re actually camping out for a 3G iPhone. Meanwhile, Apple reps tell us they’re crowd-controlling iPhone buyers because otherwise they would be “screaming” at employees and clogging up the store. See what happens when you get short on stock?

P.S. That’s a live photo. One more after the break.

[Thanks, Laura and Abiade]

written by Jose Castillo

Good news and bad news on the imminent 3G iPhone front. O2 apparently got another batch of 16 giggers in stock, since it’s currently accepting orders, while the 8GB remains out of stock, and both phones remain unavailable on the US and UK Apple Stores. More encouraging, however, is the new listing of an “iPhone Black” model on AT&T’s account management site. There’s nothing else on the site to hint at specs or release or whether this is indeed the upcoming 3G iPhone, but it does fall in line with the word we have on a glossy black back for the much anticipated phone. Whether all this means we have weeks or months to wait is anyone’s guess, but there are plenty of encouraging signs out there for the true believers to cling onto. Telecom Italia Mobile’s Executive VP Luigi Licciardi claims they’ll be selling the iPhone 3G next month. How’s that for clarity?

written by Jose Castillo