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Sat, Jul 04, 2009 - 11:54 AM EDT — AAPL: 140.02 (-2.81, -1.97%) | NASDAQ: 1796.52 (-49.20, -2.67%)

Apple releases iPhone SDK Beta 3; code points to 3.5G iPhone

Wednesday, April 09, 2008 - 08:50 AM EDT

Apple today released iPhone SDK Beta 3 (build 9M2158a) which ﬁxes bugs and adds support for the latest iPhone OS.

This third beta release of the iPhone SDK includes a complete set of tools, compilers, frameworks, and documentation for creating iPhone OS applications. These tools include the Xcode IDE, and the Instruments analysis tool, among many others. With this software you can develop applications that run on iPhone and iPod touch using the included iPhone Simulator.

For information about the iPhone Developer Program, please visit: http://developer.apple.com/iphone/program/

Aidan Malley reports for AppleInsider, "Hidden away in the latest test firmware for iPhone developers is the mention of the chipset that will power third-generation cellular Internet access in Apple's next generation of the device."

"Discovered by the creators of the popular ZiPhone jailbreak and unlocking utility, a small, nondescript entry in the new firmware used to identify the phone's chipset refers to a device known as 'SGOLD3,'" Malley reports. "Sleuthing reveals this to be an Infineon chipset, the SGOLD3H... The iPhone currently uses a predecessor of the chipset, the SGOLD2, to drive its communication link."

The SGOLD3H chipset "not only adds 3G over HSDPA but runs up to the international standard's newer 7.2 megabit per second spec -- twice the speed of the 3.6-megabit access seen on most HSDPA networks," Malley reports. "It also supports WCDMA, a related 3G technology needed for countries such as Japan and Korea."

More in the full article here.

Infineon's description of the S-GOLD3H chipset verbatim:

With its new S-GOLD3H baseband, Infineon Technologies extends its well known S-GOLD baseband family to support the 3.5G mobile phone generation. The integrated dual-mode HSDPA/WCDMA/E-GPRS modem technology, together with high speed multimedia hardware accelerators and the advanced connectivity options enable S-GOLD3H to fulfill the requirements of tomorrow's mobile phones.

Infineon is one of the early platform vendors to support HSDPA category 8 (7.2 Mbit/s). The implementation of equalizer based advanced receiver technology improves the data throughput, especially at high data rates, by up to 40%. In addition, the software programmable slot processing in the HSDPA Rx path provides further flexibility for performance enhancements. The HSDPA performance of S-GOLD3H meets and exceeds all test cases as specified in the 3GPP standard. Infineon's 3.5G physical layer architecture is future proof and designed for an easy upgrade to higher HSDPA data rates, HSUPA and also Rx-diversity.

Key Application Features
■ ARM 926 based single modem and application processor with cache support and fast tightly-coupled memories
■ Hardware Crypto box - DRM 2.0, SIM Lock, IMAI protection
■ Hardware security - E-fuse, Boot Code Protection, Secure Mode
■ CPU, RGB display interface supporting high resolution color displays up to HVGA
■ High-speed serial display interface for cost effective clamshell mechanics up to HVGA
■ Support of cameras up to 5 MPixel
■ MPEG4 / H.263 hardware accelerator
■ MP3, AAC, AAC+, enhanced AAC+
■ 2D Graphic hardware
■ Support for video telephony, streaming, recording and playback
■ 2 x MMC/SD interfaces, SDIO capable
■ USB 2.0 on-the-go, full speed
■ Fast IRDA
■ Multimedia extension interface (MMIC-IF) for support of high end graphic accelerators
■ 2 bi-directional digital audio interfaces (I2S) to connect audio companion ICs and Bluetooth modules
■ Dedicated NAND flash controller supporting burst mode and error detection
■ Support of DDR-SDRAM devices

Key Modem Features
■ HSDPA - category 8 (7.2 Mbit/s)
– Implementation of fractional chip rate equalizer
– Configurable to lower categories / data rates
– Option to switch off HSDPA to save power
■ WCDMA
– 384 kbit/s class for uplink and downlink
– 640 kbit/s peak data rates for uplink and downlink independently
■ EDGE multislot class 12
■ GPRS / GSM
■ FR, HR, EFR, AMR
■ SAIC
■ Tx diversity
■ DTM class 11
■ Polyphonic Ringer support for up to 64 voices at up to 48 kHz sampling rate
■ Echo cancellation/noise reduction
■ GTT/TTY

S-GOLD3H with its ARM 926 CPU, capable of processing speeds of up to 312 MHz, is extending the capabilities of wireless multimedia without the need for a dedicated Application Processor. The powerful multimedia engine integrated with the advanced dual-mode HSDPA/WCDMA/E-GPRS modem technology enables a wide spectrum of multimedia functionalities, mobile entertainment and office applications with high data rates of up to 7.2 Mbit/s.

S-GOLD3H based platforms enable handsets to provide consumer electronic quality such as camera support of up to 5 MPixel as well as video telephony, streaming, recording and playback with up to 30 frames per second and a resolution of up to 320 x 480 pixels (HVGA) in MPEG4, H.264 or Real video formats and advanced audio codecs, like enhanced AAC+.

THE OPTIMIZED S-GOLD3H architecture makes it possible for the users to run several applications simultaneously; e.g. surf the internet, download emails or data to a SD-card with HSDPA category 8 (7.2 Mbit/s) while listening to MP3 music over a stereo Bluetooth headset.

Key Benefits
■ High integration level of key multimedia features allows minimum cost of system solutions for tomorrow's feature phones
■ High overall system performance with high speed ARM subsystem and double-data rate memory access
■ Proven leading-edge modem technology with WCDMA, HSDPA Cat. 8 as well as third generation E-GPRS evolution
■ Feature upgrade flexibility through optional companion/multimedia chips via standardized interface
■ Support of connectivity modules such as Bluetooth, WLAN, A-GPS, DVB-H, FM Radio, etc.

Infineon's S-GOLD3H product brief (pdf) is here.

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader "Adam W." for the heads up.]

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Apr 09, 08 - 08:55 am Comment from: Gil

Walt Mossberg was right.

Apr 09, 08 - 08:56 am Comment from: Starmike

there's a mistake in the product brief: it mentions H.263 decoding in the specs, but the text description mentions H.264 movie playback. I think the specs are wrong, and should mention H.264 rather than H.263, since no-one uses H.263 for mainstream videos (H.263 is only used in legacy videoconference solutions), and it makes more sense to decode H.264 for movie playback, especially if Apple is going to use this chip (since all movies from iTunes are in H.264).

Apr 09, 08 - 08:57 am Comment from: gotro

My money is sitting in the bank waiting!!!
First

Apr 09, 08 - 09:10 am Comment from: ChrisM

This is interesting:
■ Support for video telephony, streaming, recording and playback

iChat anyone?

Apr 09, 08 - 09:15 am Comment from: dd

I have an account with the iPhone's name on it. Just waiting for the release (and getting some crappy interest in the meantime).

Apr 09, 08 - 09:30 am Comment from: Scott in Japan

Another step further for iT's arrival in Japan. I've been waiting for the iPhone for 1 1/2 years and I don't want to wait much longer ! Just please PLEASE make the deal with SoftBank !

Apr 09, 08 - 09:35 am Comment from: catseye

I'm with DOCOMO right now but I'll switch to whomever carries the iPhone.

Apr 09, 08 - 09:37 am Comment from: Jaakko

What about GPS?

Apr 09, 08 - 09:39 am Comment from: Anonymous©

What's the power usage for this chip?

Apr 09, 08 - 09:49 am Comment from: steve516

From what I understand Softbank is having trouble with the contract, and NTT DoCoMo is in discussions with Apple as well... But both companies are resisting the revenue sharing that Apple proposes.

Apr 09, 08 - 09:49 am Comment from: silverwarloc

...but what's the battery life of the gadget going to be?

Apr 09, 08 - 09:54 am Comment from: Chris

WCDMA is needed for more than just Japan and Korea. ALL 3G technology is based on WCDMA--no matter what country.

Apr 09, 08 - 09:58 am Comment from: ron

@gotro,
"My money is sitting in the bank waiting!!!"

Buy appl, wait two weeks, then cash in and buy two.

Apr 09, 08 - 10:00 am Comment from: Rob

Anyone wants to buy my iP v1 in good condition?

Apr 09, 08 - 10:01 am Comment from: ron

What about GPS? What about GPS? What about GPS?

Why is that today's people don't know where they are or how to get anywhere?

I had a compass on my bicycle.

Apr 09, 08 - 10:04 am Comment from: Demon

This story makes a big leap that the SGOLD3 in the SDK is referring to Infineon's S-GOLD3H chip platform. After all Apple uses a custom Infineon S-GOLD2 chip platform in the current iPhone. I would even take a educated guess that even if Apple uses the Infineon S-GOLD3H chip platform it will be a custom chip set with a custom feature set and in the end will not be the same silicone that makes up the Infineon S-GOLD3H chip platform.
Power considerations are going to be king in whatever silicone Apple uses for the next rev. of the iPhone hardware.

Apr 09, 08 - 10:08 am Comment from: razor

battery life? who gives a shit, its going to look f*cking kickass.

3.5G oh yes baby.

Apr 09, 08 - 10:16 am Comment from: Cubert

Holy crap! I think I'm an expert on S-GOLD3H now.

Apr 09, 08 - 10:21 am Comment from: Cubert

@ron,
I totally agree with you. I loved that commercial that was airing a year ago where the guy crashes into a store because he is paying more attention to the GPS and not watching where he is going.

And, I've got a compass on my backpack, but we will both be screwed when this happens:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2889127.stm

Apr 09, 08 - 10:24 am Comment from: Moo

Jaakko,

Just in case you're being serious, all iPhones already have "GPS" via tower triangulation.
I use it a LOT, at since it's coupled with Google maps, it has got me where I've needed to be on more than one occasion.

Apr 09, 08 - 10:35 am Comment from: YoYo

GPS is nice but what I really need is a GoogleMap with 3D locator. After trying to find a little shop that after all was found 2 levels underground amongst 200 similar small shops. Yes, it was nice feeling when after 3 hours of walking I found it, but what a waste of time. The same thing happens more or less every time I go outside, GPS gets you half way there with car but then...

Apr 09, 08 - 10:38 am Comment from: Spark

That's quite a chip. So, does the Infineon chip provide ALL the processing power for the iPhone, or for just those tasks associated with communications. Is there an additional processor used in the iPhone?

Apr 09, 08 - 10:43 am Comment from: Spark

@Moo
Triangulation is NOT GPS. If you're not reading signals from satellites you are not part of the of the Global Positioning System.

Apr 09, 08 - 11:26 am Comment from: MacSheikh

I thought the guy who stumbled on the code says it's "SGOLD3" which is apparently EDGE only. Only the SGOLD3H is 3G. Can anyone verify this before we get all worked up?

I'd love for this to be true but it'd be really crap if i get my hopes up for nothing.

Apr 09, 08 - 12:14 pm Comment from: Arjun

It would be a stupid thing if Apple indeed updates the chip to mere SGOLD3 chip which only has EDGE ...but if you ask me it would have to be SGOLD3H chip...It HAS to be...no point of updating the chip with same features right??

Apr 09, 08 - 02:50 pm Comment from: Uncle Al

Is this the same S-GOLD (Solid Gold) that was on TV in the 80s? Will the Solid Gold Dancers be performing on the small screen?

Apr 09, 08 - 07:01 pm Comment from: None-Too-Great Hits

@ScottinJapan

Why so interested in SoftBank? I'm with catseye on this: I have a Docomo now but I'm willing to change to whatever company gets the iPhone.

Apr 10, 08 - 01:15 am Comment from: Jaakko

I don't really care about navigation when it comes to GPS much more important are location aware services.

Apr 12, 08 - 07:46 pm Comment from: tElCo

If (and more likely they will) Apple takes advantage of the Hardware Crypto Box functions it might become impossible to unlock the next gen iPhone, so don't sell you're unlocked one just yet.

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Sat, Jul 04, 2009 - 11:54 AM EDT — AAPL: 140.02 (-2.81, -1.97%) | NASDAQ: 1796.52 (-49.20, -2.67%)

Apple releases iPhone SDK Beta 3; code points to 3.5G iPhone

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Sat, Jul 04, 2009 - 11:54 AM EDT — AAPL: 140.02 (-2.81, -1.97%) | NASDAQ: 1796.52 (-49.20, -2.67%)

Apple releases iPhone SDK Beta 3; code points to 3.5G iPhone

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