The Apple press conference at 6pm UK time has wrapped up. Apple appears to have admitted that there is a problem with the iPhone 4′s reception, and that holding the handset in a certain way will impact signal strength. There won’t be a product recall, but Apple has gone some way to addressing the problem.

The OS upgrade to 4.01 (out now) will make the signal strength display more accurate, and Apple will be giving away a free case (referred to as a rubber “bumper” to everyone who has bought an iPhone 4, or buys one before the end of September 2010. A “bumper” reduces the problem which is caused when the human hand comes into contact with the lower part of the left-hand edge of the iPhone 4.

Those who’ve already bought a bumper case will get a refund.

iPhone 4 owners still not happy can get a refund within 30 days of purchase.

“Antennagate”, a.k.a Death Grip is likely to cost Apple something in the order of £115 million in costs to provide cases for the 3+  million iPhone 4 users – plus a lot of bad press…

Details of how to get a free case will be coming to the Apple website from the 22nd of July 2010.

Apple has just released a new version of operating system for the iPhone – iOs 4.01 is now available for download via iTunes

The 580 megabyte download includes bug fixes and improvements, most notably: “iOs 4.01 Improves the formula to determine how many bars of signal strength to display”.

The new OS appears to have increased the size of the signal strength bars, and in part addresses the “Death Grip” issue with reception, which will be formally addressed by Apple at a press conference tomorrow.

iOs 4.01 is available now for iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4

The problem with signal strength (or lack thereof) on the new iPhone 4 just won’t go away, and Apple’s been forced to make a comprehensive statement. This will happen tomorrow, Friday the 16th of July, at 10am California time.

The problem manifests itself when you hold the handset in a certain way – causing the signal to drop a few bars – we demonstrated this in our iPhone 4 Launch Special Edition.

A leading consumer magazine in the US has stated that it can’t recommend the phone due to the signal / reception problems, and many Apple fans are an unhappy bunch.

It’s unclear what Apple will have to say about this – Their responses so far have been wooly. There appears to be four options open to Apple:

1. The “It’s not a problem” approach that we’ve had from Steve Jobs
2. Free “bumpers” for all – $25 rubber cases that cover the offending area on the bottom left of the phone
3. A software fix – Although the problem still exists in iOS 4.1 just released to developers, and most believe that this hardware problem can’t be fixed in software
4. A product recall. Embarrassing for Apple, being called for by many, and could be the only way to put this to rest.

Here in the UK, we should know by the end of the working day on Friday just what Apple plans to do for us iPhone 4 users…

Got an iPhone? Get iOS 4.

The new version of firmware for the iPhone has just been released to the waiting world. If you want to give your iPhone 3GS an update, hop to iTunes and upgrade from 3.1.3 to 4.0

There’s a bunch of new toys to play with, including:

• Multitasking – Run apps such as streaming radio in the background… finally
• Email enhancements – A unified inbox and message threading
• Photo improvements including 5x digital zoom and map display of geo-tagged photos
• SMS search and character count
• Automatic Spell checker
• Wallpaper for the home screen
• iBooks and iBookstore
• Support for Bluetooth keyboards
• Improvements to location privacy
• Plus loads of other fixes and tweaks

Later this week, we can expect the release of the iPhone 4, which of course runs iOS4.0.

Enjoy the new features on offer with iOS 4.0 – but if you’re reading this before 7pm on Monday evening, do us a favour and don’t hit “Check for update” for another few minutes, as we’re mid-download!

In one of the worst-kept secrets, Apple today announced the next generation of iPhone, the iPhone 4.

Speaking today at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in San Francisco, Steve Jobs announced the slimmest smartphone ever. Here are the highlights:

• 24% thinner than the iPhone 3GS (9.33mm)
• Front facing camera – video calling (called FaceTime), but initially over wi-fi
• 4 times as many pixels (326 ppi)
• Uses a micro-SIM card as they “need the space”
• Onboard gyroscope for games (6-axis motion sensing)
• Camera upgraded to 5 Megapixels with LED flash
• Video editing on the iPhone – “iMovie”

Available in Black or White. In the US, pricing the same as 3GS – that’s $199 for 16GB model, $299 for 32GB model (on a 2 year contract)

The iPhone 4 ships in the UK on June 24th 2010.

Also covered by Jobs – the next release of the OS – renamed from iPhone OS to iOS.

iOS 4.0 has over 100 new features, including:

• Multitasking
• Message threading in email
• Folders for apps
• Addition of the Bing search engine
• iBooks (now on iPad) will be on iPhone

A Gold Master Candidate of iOS4.0 is ready – and the final version will be out on 21st June for existing iPhone users (free).

Apple also announced that on the 1st of July, they’ll enter the advertising market by launching iAds – mini-adverts that developers can add to their applications (and get 60% of the ad revenue). When you click on an ad, it opens within the application, not in the browser.

Some of Steve Jobs live demos failed – 570 people in the audience with an active wi-fi connection stealing all of the bandwidth. He asked the audience to shut down their laptops and stop live blogging.

So, the hype has started – and we’re three weeks away from queues of people desperate to get the iPhone 4…

As a tech website, it would be remise of us not to mention that here in the UK, it’s National iPad Day.

After some delays, the Apple iPad hit the UK market today, the 28th May 2010. Queues were let into the Apple Store in Central London this morning at 8am, with many camping out overnight to get their hands on the latest goodie from Apple.

First across the line at the store in London was a 17 year old lad from Essex. Mac-man Stephen Fry was there too – he’s already got one, but after being at the launch back in January, it seems he felt he had to be there… and why not.

Prices for the iPad start at £429 for the 16GB wi-fi version, right up to £699 for the 64GB version with Wi-fi and 3G, It seems that pre-order demand was high, and it seems that web pre-orders now won’t be shipped until the 7th of June.

Any of our lovely listeners been in the queues today? Any comments on your iPad experiences appreciated!

It crashes our devices, it’s a security risk, it eats batteries, it’s slow, it’s closed to third-parties, it’s poor on touch-screen devices, and it’s not needed. That’s why iPhone users won’t be seeing Adobe’s Flash on their hardware any time soon, according to Apple.

For months, there’s been some ping-ponging between Adobe and Apple about the possibility of adding support for Flash to the iPhone, notably for the web browsing experience, where users will see only a placeholder when they hit a site that has some Flash content.

Apple boss Steve Jobs has just gone public with a full written reason why Flash is not suited to the iPhone platform, and it’s well worth a read. If you’re wondering why you can’t Flash on an iPhone, read “Thought on Flash“, posted yesterday on Apple’s site.

It’ll be interesting to see how Adobe responds to this tell-it-like-it is approach from Mr Jobs – We’re wondering if they’ll reply in the form of a Flash video that can’t be read by iPhoners. Watch this CyberSpace.

Any thoughts? Comments appreciated for our next tech podcast!

Happy February people. The first of the month means a brand new installment of FrequencyCast…

Here’s what we look at in Show 48:

• News Updates: Fast broadband from BT, SeeSaw goes beta, and some new thingie from Apple.
• Focus: Getting more from your TV – devices you can connect to get more
• Hands-on: A new media player and a weather station
• Your podline and email questions on Freeview, iPlayer, HomePlugs and PC vs Mac

You can download Show 48 direct to your MP3 player or listen online at http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/latest.html.

If you have an iPod or iPhone, get shows faster by signing up via iTunes.

If you have a minute, tell us if you’re happy with our news feed alerts in this short survey: http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/limesurvey/index.php?sid=25112

 FrequencyCast UK Show 48 [30:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The iPad is out. We’ve been listening to a flaky audio stream live from Apple’s Keynote speech to find out what’s new, and here’s what we can report:

The iPad:

It’s a 9.7 inch touchscreen tablet – think of it as an iPhone that’s two and a half times larger. It has a 10 hour battery life, comes in 16, 32 and 64 Gig versions and is wi-fi enabled – a 3G version will also be available. Price for the iPad starts from $499 in the US (converts to £310). An iBooks (eBook Reader app and store) will be available, as will iWork (Apple’s new wordprocessing, spreadsheet and presentations applications). It’ll run existing iPhone apps. Looks like this will be available in the UK sometime from June onwards…

Other Stuff?

Many were expecting an announcement of a new iPhone OS, expected to be iPhone OS4. Sadly, nothing.

Our thoughts

Looks like a nice piece of kit, and it’s bound to be a hit with many. A little larger than we were expecting, but thin and sexy, as with all of Apple’s stuff.

Interesting to see Apple’s dipping into the eBook market, and their iBooks store could be a big hit, as Apple’s bound to make book purchase as easy as App store. Also, with the Apple iPad being available for $499 for a colour touch screen, Sony Reader and Kindle will have a struggle competing.

It’s going to be available in the US “in 60 days”. The 3G element will mean it’ll be several months before we see these in the UK.

Thoughts?

Carl and Pete have completed another one of their audio updates looking at the latest tech news, plus your feedback on the last show – which was all about backups.

Planned as a 15 minute quick update, this runs to nearly 26 minutes, and fans of Carl and Pete’s tech ramblings and rudeness should enjoy the mid-show argument, and the coffee break.

The show is attached to this blog entry, or you can listen at www.frequencycast.co.uk/update.html.

We’re especially keen to get you to listen via iTunes, as that helps our ratings. Please subscribe via the FrequencyCast Podcast page on iTunes.

 FrequencyCast Update 14 January 2010 [25:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Now that got your attention, didn’t it?

Apple’s currently running a 12 Days of Christmas giveaway, with a different freebie available on iTunes each day until the 6th of January. Today’s giveaway is a free downloadable copy of Lesbian Vampire Killers, the British vampire comedy film. Those who’ve seen the film either love it or hate it, but if you’re reading this post on the 31st of December 2009, get the film for free and make your own judgement.

To get the film, and for more on the 12 days of Christmas, go to www.itunes12daysofchristmas.co.uk

While you’re on iTunes – Don’t forget to give our humble TV and Tech podcast a listen: FrequencyCast on iTunes.

Hot off the press, over 16 minutes of tech and TV news from the team at FrequencyCast.

In this update we look at the merging of two mobile networks, what Apple’s been up to this month, Freeview HD testing, BT Vision updates, a Sky offer, the latest on iPhone sat nav applications, and a new DVD release.

The show is attached to this blog entry, or you can listen at www.frequencycast.co.uk/update.html

 FrequencyCast Update 16 Sept 2009 1597790 [16:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Woo-hoo! This has been a great week for those that like their phones shiny with a picture of an apple on.

Two days ago, the new version of operating system OS 3 came out offering cut-and-paste, MMS and a lot of under-the-hood tweaks.

Today, Friday the 19th of June 2009, the iPhone 3GS went on sale at o2 and Carphone Warehouse stores across the land.

The 3GS (the “S” standing for Speed) offers a faster processor, improved battery life, video recording, a uninspiring 3 Meg camera and a digital compass.

The new 32Gig variant is likely to be a popular choice, but boy it’s not cheap – £890. (Assuming £275 for the phone, and £35 a month for 18 months). Those with an iPhone 3G will have to buy out their old contract to upgrade – for many, £245 or more…

Queues at a local o2 store at 8:30am today

Still, you have to hand it to Apple, the iPhone is revolutionary, and for many, including our presenter Pete, this is the must have phone, and it’s still hard to fault (if not afford!)

More on the iPhone: UK iPhone details

We’ve just released a 7 minute emergency podcast.

Lots to cover: Apple, Sony, Google, BT… and so little time left!

You can listen to our update at http://www.frequencycast.co.uk/latest.html, or better still, get us via iTunes. 

Share and Enjoy!

 FrequencyCast Update 09 Sep 2008 [7:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Late this evening, Apple released v2.0.1 for the Apple iPhone. Apparently, this patch includes a number of bugfixes. Installed this evening via iTunes on an o2 Apple iPhone 3G:

• Version: 2.0.1 (5B108)
• Model: MB496B
• Modem firmware: 01.48.02

Any info on what 2.0.1 has to offer in the way of fixes, please comment below. Apparently, a 2.1 release is due soon.

More on the iPhone

Who’d believe a phone could stir such a fuss. Thousands are set to be disappointed as Apple’s 3G iPhone goes on sale today, but stocks are severely limited. Here’s the scene in Central London this morning…

Madness. If you’re desperate for a 3G iPhone, try your luck ordering online at o2 or Carphone Warehouse

It’s only a phone, gang! (By the way, we haven’t got one… we’re not bitter… honest!)

Apple has issued a software update for the iPhone. The new version, v1.1.3, can be installed via iTunes.

New features include:

• New Maps application – Find location by mobile phone cell site
• Send SMS text messages to multiple recipients
• Customize Home Screen – Rearrange icons and add browser bookmarks to Home Screen
• IMAP support for Gmail
• Support for iTunes Store movie rentals
• Enhanced Video Player (Chapters, Subtitles, Alternate language tracks)
• Lyrics support in iPod