New Features in iPhone OS 3.1 Beta

Apple released the iPhone OS & SDK 3.1 Beta yesterday. Here’s a list of what people have found to be changed so far:Apple iPhone 3G WWDC 2009

– MMS is now enabled by default (Still not supported by AT&T).
– A “Fraud Protection” toggle is now available in Safari settings.
– Voice Control over Bluetooth is now available, allowing users to Initiate calls and control music playback via Bluetooth headsets.
– iPhone startup and shutdown and app launching times have improved.
– Trimming video clips on the iPhone 3GS now offers the ability to save the edited version as a copy rather than simply overwriting the original file.
– New APIs allow developers of third-party application to access and edit videos.
– iPhone vibrates when rearranging Home screen icons.
– OpenGL and Quartz have seen improvements.

Stack v3 Review [Updated]

stack3a1

Stack v3 for iPhone is the latest project from Steve Troughton-Smith, the project brings the Mac dock Stack feature to the iPhone in true style.

Stackv3_1

Shown above is the fan style which fans out the icons of added apps much like on the Mac does with files. The stack can be placed anywhere on the dock. The function of Stack for iPhone is to give a quick and easy access to your most used apps to save time from switching between screens.

Stackv3_2

This shows the grid view which Mac users will also be familiar with, this gives the user a lot more space to have there most used apps compared to the fan view.

Stackv3_3

To add an app to the Stack just drag it onto the icon and it will be added. To remove an app open the Stack and hold down then move your finger to bring up the shown notification which allows you to remove the app, this can be turned off in the settings to just remove without asking you first.

Stackv3_4

In the latest alpha (6b), the stack rename feature has been activated and allows you to rename the Stack so it appears to be a normal app.

Stackv3_alpha6b

Once the Stack has been renamed, you must re-spring the springboard for it to take effect.

Overall the Stack app is very stable and although in alpha, I have experienced few problems with it; there may be the odd UI tweaks needed here and there, but overall the app works amazingly well for those searching for a quick way to access apps.

As the Stack v3 is currently in alpha, to get a copy you must donate via the official site to get a copy, plus I must add it is only for Jailbroken devices, as Apple wouldn’t allow this sort of app. If you wish to test out the previous version for free then go here.

The project shows a lot of potential and I’m very excited to see what else can be added to this and keep following the developers twitter to get updates on the project along with others.

I’d like to thank Steve Troughton-Smith for allowing me to get hold of the alpha so that I could write this review.