Apple Apps Show Lacks Shine
Updated from 3:08 p.m. EDT
Apple's
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iPhone 3.0 software developers conference kicked off with a few ho-hum application introductions.
The show, at Apple's campus in Cupertino, Calif., concluded without a flashy one-more-thing, giving Apple's stock nothing solid to build on.
Among the biggest developments was the long-awaited cut-and-paste function that gives iPhone users the same text- and picture-moving capabilities that other smartphone owners enjoy. The company also unveiled a search function for songs and messages and an almost-live IM service, according to a
.
In a partial answer for critics dissatisfied with the iPhone's inability to run more than one application at a time, Apple introduced a so-called push IM system from
Meebo
. Instead of searching constantly for new messages, the push system only delivers messages when they are sent by someone.
The push IM uses less than a third of the battery power a full-time IM program would use, says Apple.
Other applications included an alert service from ESPN delivering headlines and video highlights. Through
Johnson & Johnson
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, the iPhone can help users count the calories of their meals and monitor glucose levels through a Bluetooth enabled blood testing device.
Apple also demonstrated multi-player video games. The new operating system will be available sometime this summer for free to 3G iPhone owners and cost $10 for iTouch customers. The upgrade will not be available on unlocked iPhones, sources say.
Observers wanting more information about a rumored
went home disappointed.
As of the end of the year, Apple says it sold a total of 17 million iPhones and delivered 800 million applications from its Apps store.
Apple shares ended Tuesday trading up $4.24, or 4.4%, to $99.66.
