Live video streams rush to the app store

iPhone running the Ustream app.There’s more good news for app junkies out there. UStream is now officially available in the App Store, allowing users to stream video content over 3G and Wi-Fi connections. It’s a big step for the app approval process and more like a leap off a cliff for AT&T’s network.

UStream isn’t the first app to offer streaming. That distinction goes to Knocking, another app that paved the way for UStream, proving that both Apple and AT&T would allow such a demanding application to break through the notoriously awful approval process. Of course, it remains to be seen whether the network can actually handle that sort of strain. In fact, AT&T has said several times that high data traffic causes most of the network issues. These apps definitely won’t help that situation.

It’s nice to see developers continue to push AT&T to provide some of the cool options the iPhone has available. Let’s hope AT&T will come around to the idea…right.

  

New iPhone model shows up in SF

Apple testing a new iPhone?The iPhone model 3,1 has peeked its head above ground for a second time this weekend. You may recall the first appearance was in OS 3.0 beta firmware files back around June. Now the company responsible for iBART, a Bay Area Rapid Transit app, has found the model number showing up under access lists for the application. Someone in San Francisco has the new iPhone. DUN DUN DUN!

It’s not all that surprising. The more iPhones Apple makes, the more money it makes. It’s a simple business model for Cupertino. As for what this model will have, I don’t really know. The front-facing camera? Maybe, but my guess would be more speed, more wireless band support (new carriers) and maybe even a better camera.

As for timing, again, it’s all guesses. iPhone model 2,1 first showed in October 2008 and went on to become the 3GS eight months later. The first iPhone launched in June 2007, so it would be odd to see model 3,1 available within the same timetable as the 3GS, around February 2010. At the very least, I would guess AT&T’s exclusivity contract has a duration divisible by six.

Source: MacRumors

  

App Store breaks 100,000 mark

Apps from the App Store.Today Apple announced that the App Store has breached the 100,000 mark. That’s right, more than 100,000 apps are available for your iPhone or iPod Touch. A solid 50% of those apps are strictly for replicating flatulence and then auto-tuning it to your favorite T-Pain beat.

In all seriousness, it’s another great milestone, and another great reason to reorganize the whole damn thing. This is probably the last time you’ll hear an app count out of me until the 500,000, at which point the numbers won’t even matter because of the hellacious mess the App Store will be in. It’s not that I can find something when I’m explicitly looking for it, but that it’s difficult to get the new and unmentioned stuff, the apps that don’t make the blog circuit. Those are the things I still want access to. Appoftheday made a decent start, but app organization needs more than just a community vote.

  

Blackra1n iPhone OS 3.1.2 jailbreak is live

Geohot and blackra1n.Our boy George Hotz has done it again. He released a jailbreak for iPhone OS 3.1.2 today, which stuck to his previous nomenclature, this time called “blackra1n.” As the man known as Geohot says, “blackra1n is a 30 second ALL device 3.1.2 jailbreak.” That’s right – 3G, 3GS, whatever you’ve got it works.

There is one warning, which comes from blog used to tease the jailbreak. You should not upgrade to 3.1.2 via iTunes if you have an unlocked phone. It will “fix” the unlock and you’ll be SOL. You can use PwnageTool to get up to 3.1 safely. If you’ve already lost your unlock, blackra1n can get back your jailbreak.

As with previous geohot unlocks, the download is PC only, so get with your Windows friends if you want this to work.

  

China Unicom iPhone Deal Is Official

iPhone on its way to China.China Unciom issued a statement today confirming the release of a Chinese model of the iPhone. The deal has been in rumors and unofficial news stories for some time now, but the companies actually involved are confirming the story this time around.

In a deal that would bring the iPhone to 141 million users, China Unicom will buy their phones from Apple wholesale. That means no crazy revenue sharing deal like Apple initially inked with AT&T and several European partners.

It also looks like China Unicom won’t be getting the 3GS but the 3G in several models (probably storage capacities). One big question is whether or not the devices will come Wi-Fi enabled as they do in the rest of the world. Everyone knows China has some crazy restrictions regarding internet use. Neither China Unicom nor Apple will confirm the specs of the Chinese models.