Engadget has posted screenshots of the newest iPhone 2.0 Beta which was just released yesterday. One of the big features added to the latest beta is the ability to search contacts.

Meanwhile, MacTalk.com.au claims to have intercepted information sent to Australian resellers about the launch of the iPhone in Australia. According to their sources:

- iPhone Australia launch in last week of June release
- More than 1 carrier
- No contract lock in
- Current resellers will be able to sell iPhones

If true, this would represent a significant departure from Apple’s current model in the U.S. which locks customers to AT&T specifically.

This week Apple released the new version of their iPhone SDK. The latest iPhone SDK build 9M2158a, beta 3 which includes the iPhone Simulator now has the pre-release iPhone firmware 2.0 build 5A240d running on it. The latest firmware build has revealed couple of interesting new features which we will ultimately see in the iPhone firmware update to be released to iPhone owners in June.

Apple has now released iPhone OS 2.0 build 5A240d to authorized developers, eliminating an issue in which devices running the previous, expired OS build 5A225c were rendered non-functional. We’re still awaiting word on specific enhancements in this release.

Apple has released a new version of the iPhone SDK, this one labeled build 9M2158a, beta 3. The previous build was labeled 5A225c. We’re not yet sure what’s included in the new release, but we are receiving reports from developers indicating that iPhones legally running the pre-release 2.0 beta software, build 5A225c, were been remotely disabled by Apple and can be restored to full functionality using the new build of the device-installable OS — which is labeled 5A240d. Apple’s notes, according to developers, state that the SDK update “fixes bugs and adds support for the latest iPhone OS.” Regarding the remote disablement, Apple’s documentation states: “Once you install the pre-release iPhone OS on your device, such device may only be used for development and testing purposes until the final (GM) version of the iPhone OS is released. In addition, you will need to install new versions of the software from time to time throughout the beta period. Failure to install the most current version will, after a period of time, put your device in a deactivated state.” iPhones that are unlocked and “pwned” are not subject to Apple’s remote lockdown.

With the introduction of an Interface Builder and revised APIs, which debuted in Apple’s second beta edition of the iPhone software development kit (SDK) yesterday, developers have a more complete set of tools for putting their code into realistic operation under the included “Aspen” Simulator. Below is a video demonstration of PhotoBoard, an application that started its life under the “Jailbreak” umbrella, and was then ported to the official SDK. The program presents a grid surface upon which photos from the user library can be laid. The grid can then be navigated, and photos rotated and manipulated. It’s essentially akin to Microsoft’s Surface in look and feel. [If you’re on an iPhone, click here to view the video]