iPhone 3.0 Beta Preview.

So I was able to get my hands on the beta version of the iPhone 3.0 software due out this summer. I'm going to run down some of the new features you expect in 3.0 and how said features are working so far.

Cut, Copy, & Paste

This has gotta be the most requested feature that iPhone users have wanted and iPhone hater have bragged about. CC&P couldn't be easier to use on the iPhone, simply hold your finger down on some part of the text that you want to CC&P. Then you get the two "bookend" markers and just adjust those over your desired text and select cut or copy.

Now, get to the spot were you would like to paste said text and simply tap. The paste dialog comes up, and you're all done. CC&P works across all applications, email, notes, web, 3rd party apps, etc... Apple also included a cool 'undo' feature to CC&P, shake your iPhone and an undo dialog box pops up giving you the option to take back you paste.

Call Information

A small, but nice, addition is more details added to you phone call history. Black text with the little phone symbol means out going call, just black mean, incoming, and red is a missed call.

The out going feature is what's new here and you can see just how detailed in gets in this screen, you now get the time and duration that each call was made.

Spotlight Search

There is a new homepage that is on the far left (note the magnifying in the first screen shot )that is dedicated to search. Simply start typing and the iPhone searches the entire phone, it's unclear at this time if 3rd party apps will have privilege to this search function.

A quick search of the term "iphone" brought up two results for an email, and a calendar note. You can search, songs, emails, calendar, notes, applications, and contacts.

Stereo Bluetooth (A2DP)

Stereo bluetooth or geekily know as A2DP, is a fancy term for wireless headphones. So finally us iPhone users can finally go cordless while rockin' out. With A2DP you also have to option to be able to use your A2DP headphones as a headset to make and receive calls. I just got a pair of the Motorola S9-HD and so far the experience has been great.

There is a new Bluetooth icon on the bottom right when the iPhone is in iPod mode. Pushing this button brings up a dialog box asking where you would like your audio routed to. With my new headset I was able to listen to music and take/receive phone calls but the only button on the headset that seem to work is volume. I'm not sure if this is an Apple issue or a Moto issue, but I'm hoping it's a something that will be fixed when 3.0 comes out this summer.

Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)

MMS is best decribed as SMS's (text messaging) big brother. With the new MMS feature in 3.0 you will be able to send pictures, voice memos, and rumored videos, as well as standard text messages.

Most descent phones these days have MMS capabilities and Apple took a lot of heat by not including it thus far in the iPhone. In my opinion, I've never liked MMS and never knew anyone that used it. Apple rightly touted email as a far superior way to send these files, but it seems the loud minority has made Apple change their mind. I do like Apples implementation of MMS, so who knows maybe I'll grow to use it.

AutoFill

This is one of the more interesting features because I've heard nothing about it. Basically it uses your contact information and can fill in web forms for you. Name, phone number, email, address, passwords... I've used it a few times and it's worked perfect everytime, I see this becoming a very handy time saver.

Honorable Mention Features

• In-App Purchases - Developers can now offer you purchases in-app/game to buy more stuff. New levels, new content, new info. This is going to be a good thing for apps like, games, eBook readers, new paper apps.
• 3rd Party Access - Developers can now custom make apps that work with specific hardware components by wire or Bluetooth. The app Apple showed off was a Glucose monitor that plugged into the iPhone and kept records for your suger levels on you phone, giving you a better way to keep track of your levels.
• Turn By Turn GPS - Finally Apple will allow devs to make a GPS app with Turn-By-Turn directions. The catch? Devs have to bring their own maps to the party, the iPhone Google Maps can not be used. So expect some apps from Tom Tom and Garmin, but I wouldn't hold your breath for a small player to pay for map license fee's.
• Voice Memos - A new Apple made app, Voice Memos, allows you to record, send, and edit voice memos.
• Notes Sync - Now your iPhone notes will sync to either your Mail.app or Outlook software.
• Tethering - This is the act of connecting your iPhone to your computer and surfing the web through your iPhone's data connection anywhere. Don't have WiFi around? No problem just connect your iPhone to your computer and away you're surfing. Apple has this feature ready but is waiting on individual carries to "aprove" the use of such an app. Boo AT&T.
• Push Notification - This is Apple way to conserve battery life but allow apps to pseudo work in the background. Right now if you have an IM client on your iPhone, the app has to be open for you to be able to receive IM messages. With Push, even when the iPhone is asleep you will receice data from apps set to use the Push service.
  

As I find out more I'll keep you updated.

Hello, I'm The Master Chief. LOLOOOLOLOLOOLOLOL

Oh man this video is Crackalackin'! Dr. Sabatso as the Master Chief's voice, classic! This video is spot on with how "classic" Halo players feel when they move to Halo 3. Just like how some people felt moving from Halo to Halo 2. Always bitchin about new weapons and tweaks to the game.

This video is frickin' hilarious, and Crackdown does take FOREVER to load, I'm glad I got in on the Friends and Family program early and I don't have to deal with that crap.

Halo 3 Metals Found.

These's are all subject to change but, here's a list of all the upcoming metals found in the Halo 3 beta code:

Double Kill
Kill 2 opponents within 4 seconds of each other.
Triple Kill
Kill 3 opponents within 4 seconds of each other.
Overkill
Kill 4 opponents within 4 seconds of each other.
Killtacular
Kill 5 opponents within 4 seconds of each other.
Killtrocity
Kill 6 opponents within 4 seconds of each other.
Killimanjaro
Kill 7 opponents within 4 seconds of each other.
Killtastrophe
Kill 8 opponents within 4 seconds of each other.
Killpocalypse
Kill 9 opponents within 4 seconds of each other.
Killionaire
Kill 10 opponents within 4 seconds of each other.
Killing Spree
Kill 5 opponents in a row without dying.
Killing Frenzy
Kill 10 opponents in a row without dying.
Running Riot
Kill 15 opponents in a row without dying.
Rampage
Kill 20 opponents in a row without dying.
Untouchable
Kill 25 opponents in a row without dying.
Invincible
Kill 30 opponents in a row without dying.
Sniper Spree
Kill 5 opponents in a row with a sniper weapon without dying.
Sharpshooter
Kill 10 opponents in a row with a sniper weapon without dying.
Shotgun Spree
Kill 5 opponents in a row with the shotgun without dying.
Cheneymania
(Now Open Season) Kill 10 opponents in a row with the shotgun without dying.
Splatter Spree
Splatter 5 opponents in a row using a vehicle without dying.
Vehicular Manslaughter
Splatter 10 opponents in a row using a vehicle without dying.
Sword Spree
Kill 5 opponents in a row with the sword without dying.
Slice ‘n Dice
Kill 10 opponents in a row with the sword without dying.
Juggernaut Spree
Kill 5 opponents in a row as the Juggernaut without dying.
Unstoppable
Kill 10 opponents in a row as the Juggernaut without dying.
Infection Spree
Kill 5 humans in a row as the zombie without dying.
Mmmm Brains
Kill 10 humans in a row as the zombie without dying.
Zombie Killing Spree
Kill 5 zombies in a row as the human without dying.
Hell’s Janitor
Kill 10 zombies in a row as the human without dying.
Is Quisnam Protero Damno
Kill 15 zombies in a row as the human without dying.
Hail to the King
Kill 5 opponents in a row from inside the hill before it moves.
Bulltrue
Killed an opponent that was in the act of a sword lunge.
Splatter
Hit and kill an opponent with your vehicle.
Carjacker
Board a land-based vehicle by forcably removing the opponent in it.
Skyjacker
Board an aircraft by forcably removing the opponent in it.
Death from the Grave
Kill an opponent after you have died.
Killjoy
End an opponent’s killing spree.
Laser Kill
Kill an opponent by using the Spartan Laser.
Grenade Stick
Kill an opponent by sticking them with a plasma or Brute grenade.
Sniper Kill
Kill an opponent with the Sniper Rifle or the Beam Rifle.
Assassin
Hit and kill an opponent with a melee attack from behind.
Beat Down
Hit and kill an opponent with a melee attack.
Incineration
Kill an opponent with a flame-based weapon.
Destroyed Vehicle
Destroy a vehicle occupied by an opponent.
Wheelman
Be the driver of a vehicle when a passenger kills an opponent.
Bomb Planted
Plant the bomb in Assault.
Killed Bomb Carrier
Kill an opponent bomb carrier in an Assault game.
Killed VIP
Kill an opponent’s VIP in a VIP game.
Killed Juggernaut
Kill the Juggernaut in a Juggernaut game.
Oddball Kill
Get a melee kill while swinging the oddball.
Flag Score
Complete a scoring flag capture in a CTF game.
Killed Flag Carrier
Kill an opponent flag carrier in a CTF game.
Flag Kill
Kill an opponent with a melee attack using the flag.
Last Man Standing
Be the last human in an infection game.
Extermination
Wipe out an enemy team with at least an Overkill.
Perfection
Win a slayer game without dying with at least 15 kills.

I've highlighted some of the interesting ones in purple, Zombie Killing Spree, Cheneymania... Classic.

Check out a lot more leaks over at:

(The 7th Columnist)

I Got My Hands On Halo 3, Early!

Well I got into the Halo 3 beta a little early (I can't tell you how or I'd have to kill you!) and I'll give my impressions of it soon. Well, maybe not to soon, I probably won't be blogging much due to the fact that I'll be eating and breathing Halo 3...

Official Halo 3 Goodness.

Well Halo 3 news will be all over the internet today, the 11th was the presses big day with the beta. I recommend heading on over to IGN, they've got great organized coverage. I'll be posting some video's later, so check back for more H3 content.

The Halo 3 Beta Is A Leakin'.

There's a slew of new leaked Halo 3 beta video today that were put on YouTube. I'm not going to repost them here cause I think that they're crappy (not to mention the retard that commentates them) but feel free to check them out on 360 Fanboy here and here. Some new info came out of them though: first off the new pistol DOES NOT zoom as previously though, a new deployable is a portable suction tube gravity lift, and now turrets are portable too. You can carry them around and drop 'em wherever you want, also when you carry them it switches to 3rd person view, and you can shoot.

(Via: 360Fanboy)

Shadowrun Achievements.

Today the achievements for my favorite beta testing game came out, Shadowrun. Most of these are pretty basic but some require that you kill or play with people cross platform. So if I'm playing on the Xbox I can only get said achievement by killing/playing with someone on Vista. For the full list of achievements follow my link. I'll be buy this game (no duh) what about you guys?

(Via: X360A)

Halo 2.5 I Don't Think So.

You need to click on these pics and see the full versions, the hi-res textures, shading, lighting, and all that jazz.

The mongoose, don't forget to have a buddy on the back to shoot some noobs...

This is the "Spartan Laser", charge it for 3 seconds and then blast the shit out of people and/or vehicles.

Make sure your ready for the Halo 3 beta come May 16th, if you have Crackdown that is...

HD Halo 3 Video.

Here's the beta video in HD. So anyone who thought that it looked crappy you need to see this version. Download below...

Download Me!!!
Halo 3 Beta - Zanzibar Remake.mpg

Halo 3 Muliplayer Screens Shots.

The sweet ass "Bubble Grenade".

Showing off the pause feature in "replay mode".

The "Man Cannon".

*All photo's taken:
(Via: The Back Buffer)

Take Off Work May 16th, The Halo 3 Beta Is Here.

Halo 3 Multiplayer Video

The news the whole world has been waiting for is finally here, the Halo 3 beta will begin at 0500 PDT, May 16th.

The above video show off some amazing new features in Halo 3 such as, the "Bubble Shield" that puts you inside a protective bubble that blocks bullets and grenades... I'm assuming that any player can walk in and out of it, so be weary cause guys can walk right into your bubble and blast your ass. Another new grenade is the "Trip Mine", now this isn't so much a grenade as it is a mine, you just drop it and the unlucky bastard that walks or drives over it (as in the video) will be waiting for their next respawn.

The coolest new feature in H3 is the new replay mode. You can now save, share, and watch your previous games over and over again. From my understanding it's going to work just like a Madden replay, where you can follow a certain player or the ball or just zoom around. Imagine watching replays of the last game and being able to see where "that guy" was hiding or watch your headshot in slo-mo, it's gonna be the shit.

If this video and news doesn't make you want to go buy a 360 nothing will, except maybe watching this video in high def on my Xbox 360... This little web version isn't nearly as impressive as the HD version on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Get yourself a 360 and a copy of Crackdown now, because once you play Halo 3 you won't be going back to Halo 2.

Halo 3 Beta Has A Catch!

Now everybody knows how the beta is going to shake down, you need the Crackdown disc to play the Halo 3 beta. So there goes my (and everyone else's) plan to turn around and sell their copy of Crackdown. Now this is a crappy way for Microsoft to make everyone hold on to their copy of Crackdown until after the beta is over. Now this also sucks because to play Pimps At Sea, I can't just go to the "demo" section of the dashboard and pick Halo 3 Beta... I have to put the Crackdown disc in and then select Halo 3 from the menu. If the Halo 3 Beta was included on the disc that would be great and reasonable way to access the game but the fact that I still have to download the games to my hard drive and then put in a disc to play the content that is stored on my hard drive seems a little strange.

First Hours With The Shadowrun Beta.

Shadowrun is a new project from Fasa Studio's and Microsoft Game Studio's, that is about to try and end the debate between keyboard/mouse vs. joystick players. Shadowrun is going to be available on two platforms, Xbox 360 and the PC, and they will able to play with/against each other... A first for Xbox Live, or any gaming platform for that matter. After signing up and then being invited to play in their limited beta, I feel it has been handled much better than Bungie has done with the "options" to play Pimps At Sea the Halo 3 beta...

Anyway, on to my thoughts about Shadowrun:

It's a great game. First off they have a party system a la Halo 2, so you and your buddies can go from game to game with each other, such a novel concept... Every gamer has been screaming for this "feature" and it's great that a developer finally put it in their game. All of the developers have been defending themselves (here's looking at you Epic (Gears)) so far by saying that, "Microsoft doesn't allow a party system on the 360..." Now this misleading statement is only half true, Microsoft has their uber stat tracking system in place on the 360 called "Trueskill" and if a game decides to use Trueskill (which they don't have to do) then they cannot have a party systems... This is MS's big problem and they need to fix this inside of Trueskill, one of the big draws of Xbox Live is that you want to be able to play with your friends, and I shouldn't have to go play a 3 year old game (Halo 2) just to be able to do that.

Ok, no really on to my thoughts of the game...

The game is fast and fun, you've got magic such as: teleport, a Jedi "push" move, a healing tree, and spikes that grow out of the ground to name a few. Alongside the magic you also have "tech": you've got a glider, guns, magic stopping grenades, and enhanced vision mode. Now you would think with all the teleporting and gliding around it would be impossible to ever catch and kill someone, but it's not as hard as you think, especially when you can teleport right after them... All in all I've had blast in the two or three hours I've spent with the game, the menu is a little buggy but hey, that a beta for ya. The game play is good and the graphics remind me of Perfect Dark Zero in a way, kind of cartoony but it still has that "next gen" look to it with bump mapping, and dynamic lighting and all that jazz...

When I first heard about this game and I saw the screen shots I didn't really give it much thought, I definately wasn't thinking about buying it, but after playing it, it's not only on my list but it's up in my top 5. When/if an official demo drops be sure to give this game a try.

Get Your F5 Key Ready....

The Halo 3 Beta is only attainable through signing up; and I just got word that signing up will coincide with the new Halo 3 trailer to air on Monday Night Football December 4th between 5:50pm and 6:20pm PST. With over 5 million people playing Halo 2 right now, it's a fair assumption that most of them will try to sign up for the chance to play Halo 3...All at the same time. Let's all hope they have some heavy duty (Quad-Core) servers in place for the massive hit they are going to take as soon as that trailer airs. Microsoft nor Bungie has stated if the site will go live with/before/after the trailer, or how many people will be "accepted" into the beta. If they severely limit it, there will be a huge uproar, especially seeing as there is only one chance to sign up, and if it's open to everyone... Well, I can't really think of a bad reason from a consumer point of view, but Microsoft might want to make it hard to get so it's "special"... MS, Always playing games with us, just like the ladies...

Oh, and you sign up for the beta @ Halo3.com. For now H3.com just gets you redirected to Bungie.net but I'm sure that will change come Monday.