The University of California, Berkley’s, Center for Collaborative Control of Unmanned Vehicles (C3UV) has recently developed a system to control a fleet of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) using the iPhone to develop tasks, set coordinates, and send orders. While this development certainly carries with it an element of intrigue, as one person could control multiple aircraft simultaneously, yet Wired notes that the clause in the SDK agreement clearly states that “autonomous control of vehicles, aircraft, or other mechanical devices,” is prohibited. This could certainly put a damper on the future of this type iPhone technology.

via Gizmodo.

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Gizmodo today posted a rather interesting question about whether the iPhone will invade Japan, the country where handheld devices any bigger than a Hershey’s Kiss are shunned. Cell phones in Japan accomplish day-to-day tasks like paying for public transportation, buying a cup of coffee and picking up a newspaper by waving your phone at the counter. People in Japan refer to mobile phones more as “wallets and mobile media devices” combined, rather than just a “media device.”

Japan and China may be the most important markets Apple needs to capture as they globally expand with the iPhone. Launching the iPhone here in the states, where Apple is woven into the fabric of our culture, is not nearly as terrifying as launching into overseas “high-density, high-technology” regions where the Apple culture is not so ingrained. There’s no denying the sheer domination the iPod has worldwide, but the mobile phone industry is definitely a different game.

In response to Gizmodo’s question – “How will the iPhone sell in Japan?”:

The iPhone will demolish analyst predictions about sales. All this pre-emptive nervousness and hesitation that seems to be shuddering through the community is absolutely unjustified. iPhone sales will be very strong in Japan, not to mention further Apple’s strong, reputable brand identity into a very saturated market.

Apple’s WWDC (World Wide Developer Conference) kikcs off this Monday June 9th, with CEO Steve Jobs’ keynote speech. In the weeks leading up to this major annual Apple event, the entire industry, (especially the Apple-centric tech lovers like us) is buzzing about the release of the 3G iPhone as well as the iPhone SDK (Software Development Kit).

My belief in how the iPhone will perform in Japan is partially based on the device being such a mind-blowing platform for software development. As we’ve posted about before, venture capitalist firm KPCB has announced the $100 million “iFund” to support start-ups devoted solely to iPhone and iPod Touch development. The iPhone’s raw mobile power alone guarantees the device to be a complete smash-hit in foreign markets, if only because developers can develop ANY application they want or need.

The iPhone interface and user experience is light-years ahead of any other hand-held device in the world. The device has been so globally sought after, that a black market has been created to meet demand in countries where it is not yet legally offered. As an answer to this, Apple has been working on deals with carriers in 60+ countries in the past few months. (we’ve put together a complete map and list here) Although a small percentage of people in various markets and countries have been exposed to the iPhone, the percentage will sky-rocket once Apple runs its magical marketing campaigns worldwide.

With Apple being so secretive in the past few months, major news like new iPhone carrier deals do not go unnoticed. Surely Apple has established some standard contract models that they offer lower-tier carriers in other countries, and subsidizing may be a major part of these contracts. Apple is not a company to bend or budge for anything a small company is asking for, let alone meet a demand from a potential carrier that is just eager to get the iPhone into its specific market. Apple knows it has the hottest device released “EVER” (just ask them), and they know they can pick and choose carriers as they wish.

My prediction is for the iPhone to perform well beyond current nervous expectations in Japan. The country may seem like a “scary, over-populated, highly-critical, mobile-demanding” country, however Apple designed the iPhone specifically for this type of market. Currently, Apple has a fairly strong retail presence in Japan with 7 retail stores. When the 3G iPhone officially launches in Japan, the combination of Apple’s retail presence, genius ad-campaigns, endless mobile software possibilities and their hard-hitting marketing machine will make the new device a smash hit.

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They have apparently received confirmation from “someone very, very close to the 3G iPhone launch,” claiming that the next-gen iPhone will be available shortly after the WWDC announcement. They have also pinpointed a June 18th for a release in Spain, coinciding with the grand opening of Telefonica’s “Apple Style” megastore in Madrid’s Gran Via.

They also note that another source has revealed that the 3G will no longer be subjected to fixed pricing, at least in some countries, bringing along new sales policies.

While the June 9th unveiling has been anxiously rumored, we all are hoping that a 3G launch will be imminent.

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Several recent posts have surfaced regarding the rumored 3G iPhone’s listing on AT&T’s customer login area of their website. The finding sparked an immediate surge of interest, as an “iPhone Black” apparently became an option to select as a model type. Was this a clear indication of an immanent release, or simply some sort of confirmation to the rumored 3G’s glossy black plastic back plate?

New sources are saying no. A spokesperson from AT&T had recently revealed to Gizmodo that “the iPhone Black dropdown reference on the AT&T Wireless website is just a temporary placeholder.” He/she also went on to divulge that the placeholder was used for a “scheduled catalog update” to differentiate the various existing iPhone models.

So, either there is no distinguishable truth the 3G being called the “iPhone Black,” or AT&T was simply trying to cover-up a rather revealing mistake.

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