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In light of a spate of recent iPhone 3GS overheating reports, Apple published a set of guidelines to help iPhone users ensure that their devices remain at proper operating temperatures to prevent overheating and related issues. More accurately, Apple released the tips the day that many of the initial reports surfaced, last Thursday, June 25, so it’s unclear whether or not the two are connected–Apple has not issued an official comment on the reports. But the following information could be valuable to any iPhone owner concerned with possible overheating. “Burned” iPhone 3GS (via NowhereElse.FR) with iPhone Overheat Warning Screen

From Apple:

iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS should be used in environments where temperatures remain between 32 degrees and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures outside of this range could decrease battery life temporarily or effect performance.iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS should be stored in locations where temperatures remain between -4 degrees and 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Note: Temperatures within sealed motor vehicles can exceed 113 degrees Fahrenheit.

iPhone owners who don’t follow these suggested best-practices could experience any of the following “symptoms:”

iPhone could randomly cease chargingiPhone display could become less brightiPhone cellular connection could weaken or diminishiPhone temperature warning screen could appear, rendering your device useless except for making emergency phone calls

Apple also included the following suggestions, though most of these are simply common sense, at least for experienced gadget users:

Don’t leave your iPhone in a vehicle during a hot dayDon’t leave your iPhone in direct sunlight for any extended period of time-Avoid using data intensive applications, like GPS or streaming-media apps, for extended periods of time on hot days or while in direct sunlight.

Note: Apple’s iPhone overheating tips appear to be aimed specifically at iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS owners, but I’d say they’re equally applicable to first-gen iPhone users. I’m guessing there’s no temperature warning screen on the original iPhone, though.)

I’ve got a few of my own tips, too.

First of all, you should try not to use too many applications at once on a hot day or while out in the sun, since your device is more likely to overheat. As a rule of thumb, the more tasks your device is performing, the more battery life it will need, and in turn, the hotter that battery and its surrounding components will get.

Secondly, don’t worry about it if your iPhone gets warm. All mobile devices, cell phones, netbooks, laptops, etc., tend to heat up on hot days or during extended use. However, if your device seems to be getting uncommonly hot to the touch or it’s too hot to handle for long, turn it off and let it cool down.

Finally, if you must use an iPhone or other device in steamy environs, try to keep it in the shade or at least out of the direct sunlight. I wear a baseball hat constantly, but in addition to showing my support for the best team in baseball–Go Red Sox!!–it also works great as an “umbrella” or sorts for my iPhone or BlackBerry.

I keep both my iPhone and BlackBerry busy in the car, getting GPS driving directions and listening to Pandora Radio via my stereo Bluetooth FM transmitter, which is sure to get any mobile device nice and toasty. But I keep them out of the sun by throwing my hat down on top while they’re in use.

Given the hype surrounding Apple’s iPhone, we’re actually surprised that we haven’t seen more holes to plug over the years. In fact, the last major iPhone exploit to take the world by storm happened right around this time two years ago, and now — thanks to OS X security expert Charlie Miller — we’re seeing yet another come to light. Over at the SyScan conference in Singapore, Mr. Miller disclosed a hole that would let attackers “run software code on the phone that is sent by SMS over a mobile operator’s network in order to monitor the location of the phone using GPS, turn on the phone’s microphone to eavesdrop on conversations, or make the phone join a distributed denial of service attack or a botnet.” Charlie’s planning to detail the vulnerability in full at the upcoming Black Hat conference, but Apple’s hoping to have it all patched up by the end of this month.

With a 3-megapixel autofocus camera and a photo application that makes it easy to share, iPhone 3G S is the most photo-friendly phone ever.

i-Phone snaps shots with a tap then saves them in the Camera Roll, where they’re easy to enjoy. Rotate iPhone to see a photo in landscape. Zoom in or out with a pinch or a double-tap. Turn any photo into your iPhone wallpaper. iPhone even geotags your photos with information about where they were taken.

Tap to focus.

Autofocus keeps things sharp, and a macro lens takes great close-ups. But you can also tap the iPhone display to selectively focus on anything in the pictur

The first thing you’ll notice about iPhone 3G S is how quickly you can launch applications. Web pages render in a fraction of the time, and you can view email attachments faster. Improved performance and updated 3D graphics deliver an incredible gaming experience, too. In fact, everything you do on iPhone 3G S is up to 2x faster and more responsive than iPhone 3G.

Numerous MacRumors readers have reported that the tracking statuses of their iPhone 3G S’s have begun to read, “now shipping.”

Over at iSmashPhone, they’ve provided a list and details of 40 cool new things to do with iPhone 3.0

Apple have released iPhone OS 3.0, so you can enjoy cut & paste capability, better search or landscape-mode QWERTY (to name a few) just now. The free upgrade can be done through your iTunes directly. Just hook up your iPhone or iPod touch to iTunes and hit the update button to get 230MB updates file.

Phone 3GS will be in 3 Stores in July, according to MacTalk forum members. How lucky the Australians! They have 5 players (Vodafone, Optus, Telstra, Virgin, Three) now for the iPhone.