Apple's MobileMe transition has been underway for a few days, but was taking longer than expected.

While core services such as desktop mail, iDisk and sync have been available to users, the new MobileMe web applications were not yet online until this morning.

Now we see the following items up and running on the MobileMe web site:
• Mail
• Contacts
• Calendar
• Gallery
• iDisk
• Account

Apple thanks users for their patience.

Visit MobileMe here: www.me.com

Apple Inc.'s new iPhone went on sale  on 7/11 to waiting buyers worldwide, many of whom lined up for hours for the morning launch," Peter Svensson reports for The Associated Press.

"At the flagship Apple store on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, a line of hundreds encircled the block ahead of the 8 a.m. opening. Many of them were already owners of the first iPhone, suggesting that Apple is preaching to the choir with the new model, which updates the one launched a year ago by speeding up Internet access [3G] and adding a [GPS] navigation chip," Svensson reports.

"Outside an AT&T store in Atlanta, more than hundred people had lined up... By Friday morning, the line at the Softbank Corp. store in Tokyo had grown to more than 1,000 people, and the phone quickly sold out... The phone went on sale first in New Zealand, where hundreds of people lined up outside stores in New Zealand's main cities to snap it up right at midnight... In Germany, T-Mobile stores reported brisk sales, particularly in Munich, Hamburg and Cologne, said spokeswoman Marion Kessing," Svensson reports.

Thanks to MacRumors for this great information. This may potentially change as time goes by,...

Once again, digging through Apple's XML files has revealed the url to the iPhone 2.0 Firmware that is presently available on Apple's servers. One of our readers found this new firmware image:

iPhone1,2_2.0_5A347_Restore.ipsw (download link)

This build is slightly higher than the one of the latest iPhone Firmware Beta (5A345) which was also spotted on shipping iPhone 3Gs. Despite the filename appearing in the XML file, the actual firmware has not yet been released officially. As well, the firmware carries a "1,2" designation while all previous firmwares, including the beta firmwares carried a "1,1" number.

Apple has posted an updated guide about firmware upgrades and warns:

Normally if you choose to update, the iPhone or iPod touch software is updated but your settings and media are not affected. If your device currently has a software version prior to 2.0 (1.x) and you are updating to software version 2.0 or later, all data on your device will be erased in order to perform install the new software. In this case, iTunes will offer to create a one-time media backup of your device depending on what content is on your device and what content is stored in the iTunes Library you are connected to. You should ensure that you have enough free space on your Mac or PC to accommodate a backup that matches the capacity of your iPhone or iPod touch (4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB) if you proceed with the this backup.

Be sure to fully sync prior to proceeding. In order to install this firmware, you will have to do it manually by pressing the Option key when pressing the "Check for Update" button in iTunes. Then select the .ipsw file manually. If for some reason your download is a ".zip" file, rename it to ".ipsw" before proceeding.

We expect the firmware to be officially released shortly and will appear in your iTunes software update. If you don't wish to wait, you can use this method, but should proceed with caution and at your own risk. That being said, there are reports of people having successfully used this firmware on the original iPhone, and are successfully downloading and running App Store apps.

Note: Can not be used for iPod touch.

Apple has released iTunes 7.7 and also launched the App Store in some countries. More countries are expected to come online shortly.

Tunes 7.7 provides the ability to sync music, video, and more with iPhone 3G, and download applications from the iTunes Store exclusively designed for iPhone and iPod touch with software version 2.0 or later. Also use the new Remote application for iPhone or iPod touch to control iTunes playback from anywhere in your home — a free download from the App Store.

iTunes 7.7 is available via Software Update

iTunes 7.7 is also available via Apple's website
 

Apple has released Apple TV Software 2.1. The Update is available via "Software Updates" in Apple TV's "Settings."

This Update supports Apple's free Remote application (allows your iPhone or iPod touch to control iTunes on a Mac, Windows PC, or Apple TV) and Apple's new Mobile Me service.

Apple's "Remote" app: Play, pause, skip, shuffle. See your songs, playlists, and album art on your iPod touch or iPhone as is you were right in front of your computer or Apple TV.

Remote works with your Wi-Fi network, so you can control playback from anywhere in and around your home.

Apple's free Remote app for iPod touch and iPhone is available here.

Apple has released Mac OS X 10.5.4 Leopard which is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac.