Apple and AT&T Planning for Mid-September iPhone 5 Launch

After truckloads of rumors, everyone is expecting for Apple to release the next iPhone this September. In case you weren't convinced, new rumors are here to fortify all the previous speculation.

A Boy Genius Report has told the website that AT&T has informed its retail locations to finish any employee training as soon as possible to prepare for the influx of foot traffic in September.

MacRumors claims to have learned that Apple Stores are now recruiting former employees to return as part time employees between August 15 and September 15 for “Holidays, new Product Launches and Back to School time.”

While back to school shopping does crank up computer sales, the timing seems too perfect for there not to be a shiny new Apple product to further boost AAPL's climb past $400 per share.
source: 2DayBlog.com

iPhone 5 revealed?

Do check out a CAD mockup of what seems to be an iPhone 5 case – at least according to a Chinese case manufacturer. It seems as though that the future version of the iPhone will see some rather bold changes, where it is most likely a departure from past iPhone concepts, and will be much more different from the iPhone 4 than originally expected.

First of all, the screen size of the iPhone 5 has been extended to 4″ from 3.5″, although the handset's size has not changed. This means less bezel for your eyes to get distracted with, and I can't wait for someone to come out with a software that outputs video across multiple iPhones.

As mentioned yesterday, the new iPhone 5 will also sport a slimmer and tapered back, similar to how the iPhone 3G looked like when it was first revealed all those years ago. Chances are the back will be metal, so we might see an end to the death grip issue as well.

The side buttons seem to have been placed on the opposite side of the handset, which means the lock toggle will be rather close to the camera. As for the volume buttons, those have been transplanted to head down further the phone. Could we be looking at touch sensitive instead of physical buttons?

Let's keep our fingers crossed as to what Apple has in store for the world with the iPhone 5. What do you think of the above – are they real?
source: Ubergizmo

Maxell announces MXSP-U40 speaker dock for iPod/iPhone

It seems like there is a never-ending supply or variety when it comes to iPhone/iPod speaker docks which is definitely a good thing for those who are always on the look out for new accessories. If that is the case, then the Maxell company should not be a name unfamiliar to you.

Maxell who has previously released wireless flash drives, wireless iPhone 4 chargers and soundbar speaker systems has recently announced the MXSP-U40 speaker dock that is not only compatible with iPods and iPhones, but also Sony's Walkman which can be connected via the company's WM-PORT. It even comes with LED built into the dock which the company claims can be doubled as a nightstand light, although we can't say for sure exactly how powerful it is. The speakers reportedly are able to produce an output of 0.8W and can also be connected to your PC/Mac by way of USB.

Unfortunately there is no word on price or availability, although given that it was announced in Japan, chances are we may not be seeing it in the States.
source: Ubergizmo

Images of entry-level iPhone prototype allegedly revealed

Images of what is claimed to be an entry-level iPhone 4 prototype has surfaced online thanks to a site called Tinthe. The same site in the past published photos of an engineering sample white iPhone that featured what is said to have been a very early test build of iOS 4, in addition to having the white plastic MacBook before announcement and release. The iPhone this time around appears to be an iPhone 4-like device, except the user that uploaded the photos claims it's more of an “iPhone 4 lite” with plastic casing on the front and rear opposed to the glass exterior the current model features. From the photos however, this to me looks like a preproduction white iPhone 4, and at the very worst, an aftermarket conversion kit commonly found on the streets of China and online. Additionally, the phone looks like it's jailbroken which wouldn't make much sense. Lastly, we exclusively reported that Apple would be selling their least expensive iPhone product, the iPhone 3GS, alongside the iPhone 4 and soon-to-be introduced iPhone 5. Why would Apple want to have a lower-cost iPhone 4 that looked like the company's now high-end - and soon to be mid-end - iPhone 4? If you're still not convinced that this product is either not ever being released, or is an aftermarket creation, there are a few more photos in the gallery for you.
source: Boy Genius Report

Lighter, cheaper iPhone 4 prototype leaked?

There has been plenty of iPhone 5 rumors floating about. Some have said that it will simply be a refresh of the iPhone 4, while some claim that there will be two variants released – one being the next-generation iPhone while the other will be a budget-friendly version, aimed at developing countries.

As it turns out, there have apparently been photo leaks (as pictured above) of what is claimed to be the prototype device of a cheaper and lighter iPhone 4, aimed at replacing the iPhone 3GS as Apple's entry level iPhone when the next-generation iPhone is released. As far as the pictures are concerned, the device looks pretty much like an iPhone 4, with the exception of the identification numbers on the back of the device being X'ed out which could indicate that it is a prototype device. Either that or it could just be a photoshop job.

The original poster of the leak admitted that it would be hard to convince people that this is an actual leak due to the device looking remarkably similar to the iPhone 4. A little reverse psychology perhaps? Either way, with our previous post on a what appeared to be a design for the next-generation's iPhone casing and now this leak, perhaps those rumors might turn out to be true in the end.
source: Ubergizmo

Apple's jelly roll battery patent could mean longer battery life in iPhones and MacBooks

Battery life on laptops is one of the features manufacturers tend to use in their marketing strategies, which the MacBook Air claiming to be able to run for 5-7 hours. Since laptops are naturally meant for mobility and portability, battery life does play an important role in deciding if a consumer would be willing to sacrifice power for longer battery life or would they favor power over longevity.

As it stands, the MacBook Air has pretty good battery life although if the latest patents are any indication, it looks like Apple might have plans to extend them even further through the use of jelly rolls which are typically found in current batteries such as AA, AAA or D batteries. The filing which has been dubbed “Battery with Multiple Jelly Rolls in a Single Pouch,” aims to improve the existing lithium batteries found in most electronic devices, including the iPhone, iPad and the portable Mac computers.

The patent goes on to describe how jelly rolls of various thicknesses and length can be sealed in a pouch that fits around other components within a device, such as processors, printed circuit boards, memory, storage, etc. What this means is that Apple could develop batteries that fit around the circuits of our mobile phones and computers, extending battery life even further. Let's hope that this is one of the patents that Apple actually plans to use in the near future as longer battery life on iOS or Mac devices is always welcome.
source: Ubergizmo

OtterBox Commuter Series for iPhone 4 in new summer colors

In time for the summer holidays, OtterBox has just announced the arrival of a new addition to its Commuter Series case for the Apple iPhone 4. The cases will now come in a new color in addition to the traditional black and yellow that OtterBox uses for its cases; there is now an option to get it in a black and blue combination as well.

As usual, like their regular protective cases, the OtterBox is made up of multiple layers to keep your device totally fully protected at all times. First there is the screen protector that protects your display from scratches, then there's a silicone jacket wrap around the device which helps to absorb shock, and then there's a polycarbonate shell that makes up the outer layer of the case with silicone plugs to cover your charging port and headphone jack to keep dust out.

The summer style Commuter Series case for the iPhone 4 is available now from OtterBox, retailing for $34.95 each.
source: Ubergizmo

Next iPhone will have plastic, not glass?

Images have appeared showing an iPhone with a plastic front and back, indicating that it might be the iPhone 4S launching alongside the iPhone 5.

Following Apple's supposed “accidental” reveal of an iPod Touch sporting 3G connectivity via the iTunes website on Wednesday, a trio of non-Apple screenshots surfaced on Thursday claiming to be the iPhone 4S.

Instead of a glass screen and a glass back plate, the new pictures indicate that this version simply uses hard white plastic, thereby falling in-line with previous rumors that Apple plans to offer a lighter, cheaper iPhone 4 model come September.

According to AppleInsider, the device in question is a prototype despite it looking identical to the iPhone 4, as the model number and various identification numbers on the rear of the device are X'ed out. The source behind the images, well-known Vietnamese leakers Tinhte, claim that it runs at a speed that “seems” faster than the current iPhone 4, but failed to provide any specs.

Last week brought rumors that Apple plans to launch a prepaid / lower cost iPhone in late August, possibly the iPhone 3GS which AT&T currently offers for $50 with a new two-year contract. It will also supposedly land on the Sprint and T-Mobile networks here in the States later this year.

The rumors also indicated that Apple may sell the super-cheap iPhone 3GS for the low end price tier, the iPhone 4 for the mid-range price tier, and the iPhone 4S addressing the high-end market. That said, the device seen in Thursday's images sporting a new chassis and a reported speed boost may likely be the rumored iPhone 4S.

So where, then, does that leave the iPhone 5? As CNET points out, introducing two new models within a year will be an Apple first. Released alongside the iPhone 5, this new 4S version would be considered the “lower-cost model” but not necessarily the “dirt cheap, discounted” version - that's where the contract-free iPhone 3GS will come into play.

As always, take everything with a grain of salt until Apple supposedly reveals the new gadgets in September. As it stands now, we're looking at the release of the iPhone 5, the iPhone 4S and the iPod Touch 3G this fall while the current iPhone 4 will be reduced in price and the iPhone 3GS will fall into the pre-paid / contract-free zone (possibly meaning it will become a free phone with a new two-year contract).
source: 2DayBlog.com

Namco launches iGunCon app for iPhone and Mac

If you enjoyed playing Time Crisis in the arcade back when you were younger, it appears that Namco, the company behind the game, has put out a free app for iPhones called the iGunCon which basically mimics the same light guns that Namco used back then. Essentially the app will turn your iPhone into a virtual gun that can be used with Namco's games.

For those who weren't aware, Namco has released the Time Crisis series on both the iPad 2 and Mac computers, with the iPad 2 version called TIME CRISIS 2ND STRIKE HD and the Mac version, which is available from the Mac App Store, being called TIME CRISIS 2ND STRIKE. Downloading either game to your iPad 2 or Mac computer will allow you to pair your iPhone with either device and use it as a gun controller.

The app even comes with a variety of shooting sounds that you can choose from, such as the handgun, machine gun, shotgun and grenade launcher. I'm guessing that the only downside to a virtual gun controller is that you will not be able to enjoy the satisfaction of physically spamming the trigger anymore.
source: Ubergizmo

BookBook iPhone 4 casing now available

TwelveSouth, the same company that brought you the BookBook MacBook casings has decided to shrink the design down with the iPhone 4 in mind. So instead of looking like you're carrying around a huge tome, you now look like you're carrying around a smaller tome which judging by its looks could totally pass off as a Bible; in fact, load your iPhone 4 with a Bible app and it wouldn't be too far from the truth.

It looks pretty good and very classy from afar, although some reports are indicating that the "spine" of the casing is made out of distressed embossed leather which sort of cheapens the whole effect. When flipped open it has slots where you can keep some cards such as prepaid reload cards or even iTunes gift cards.

Granted that the old world design is sort of ironic given the modern nature of a smartphone, it has to be one of the more unique iPhone casings we've seen to date and it looks like it could go well with the rest of your antique furniture or possibly steampunk designs.

It is available from TwelveSouth for $60.
source: Ubergizmo

Apple's iPhone accounted for 66% of Q2 smartphone profit among top vendors

With just two smartphone models available for sale, Apple took in two thirds of profits from smartphone sales in the second quarter among the top eight vendors in the world. The news comes following Strategy Analytics' confirmation that Apple is also the world's top smartphone vendor by volume. Four of the eight major smartphone vendors were profitable in the June quarter - Samsung, Apple, RIM and HTC - while Nokia, Motorola, LG and Sony Ericsson all reported losses. Total profit from sales of smartphones among these eight companies declined overall in the second quarter, but Apple's profit share jumped from 50% in the second half last year and 57% in the first quarter of 2011 to 66.3% this past quarter. Samsung's profit share hit 15% in the June quarter, RIM stayed level at 11% and HTC grew from 6% in the first quarter to 7.4%, a new high for the company. Another graphical representation of smartphone profit can be seen below.
source: Boy Genius Report

Leaked silicone cases suggest thinner iPhone 5

A leaked crop of images from 9to5 Mac suggest the rumors that Apple will release a thinner and lighter iPhone 5 are true. The images display a silicone case that is certainly thinner than the current iPhone 4. However, the shape of the case is also strikingly similar to the body of the iPod touch, which has us wondering if the case pictured is actually for Apple's upcoming next-generation iPod touch and not the iPhone 5. Either way, 9to5 Mac says the photos are from a trusted source that leaked accurate information about the iPad 2. In addition, case makers are rumored to have started shipping new protective cases for the next-generation iPhone. We're expecting Apple to announce the device in August and to begin shipping it in September, so we will find out soon enough. Read on for a second image.
source: Boy Genius Report

BookBook Case Makes Your iPhone Look Like a Tiny Tome

The BookBook case makes your iPhone look like a tacky fake leather-bound book

TwelveSouth has shrunken its BookBook MacBook case down to the size of an iPhone 4. It has also added a few pockets into which you can slot a couple of credit cards and your ID, along with a place for a few banknotes.

Unfortunately, the tackiness of the leather-bound book design has grown as its size has shrunk.

The BookBook is beautifully made. The leather is thick but not too heavy, the iPhone (or iPod Touch, if you must) fits snugly and the stitching is top notch. And when opened out as a wallet, it really looks classy and understated.

But when you close it and look at the spine, it's as if you have walked into a particularly tacky furniture store, one which has cardboard boxes on the shelves in the shape of classic books. The spine is a strip of distressed and embossed leather which doesn't so much look old as it looks cheap, and the gold lettering and Roman numerals (XII, of course) just make things worse.

Which is a great shame, as the idea of combining your phone and a wallet is a good one, and in this case very well executed. Even the transparent plastic sleeve for your ID has a lozenge-shaped cutout to let you easily slide it out with your thumb.

On the other hand, you might be the kind of person who loves to pretend his high-tech gadgets are olde-worlde artifacts, in which case you should go and buy this straight away. When you're home you can leave it on top of the fake oak (MDF) cabinet that hides your HDTV.

The BookBook for iPhone 4 is available now for $60.

BookBook for iPhone [TwelveSouth. Thanks, Andrew!]
source: Gadget Lab

Charge your iPhone faster with this new Eneloop Mobile Booster

Sanyo has announced in Japan a new pair of their Eneloop Mobile booster with the KBC-L54D (5400mAh) and KBC-L27D (2700mAh). Both models keep the same basic design as previous Mobile boosters, but comes with more "juice" with an increase of approximately 8% as well as being capable to recharger either your smartphone or tablet 1.5 times faster thanks to their new higher output.

The new mobile boosters can not only recharge the latest smart phones and tablet PCs such as iPhone and iPad*1 series, but they can also power various gadgets with USB power ports. Along with this, the higher output makes it possible to charge gadgets more quickly.

These new Eneloop Mobile Booster will be available in Japan later this September, at 5,000 and 3,500 Yen respectively.
source: 2DayBlog.com

iPhone 5 launching 5 September in the US, 5 October in Europe?

The iPhone 5 was a no-show at the WWDC in June, but a new report claims that it will launch on 5 September. Coming from a senior Swisscom executive, this is reportedly reliable info, but as you might have guessed, there's no official info from Apple.

During the conference call for their quarterly financial results, Apple did mention a "product transition" in the Fall. It's also in line with previous estimates we've heard about the iPhone 5 launch date.

So, the 5 September launch sounds plausible, but still take it with a pinch of salt. There's a little over a month until then and even if it's true now, plans might change. There were rumors of delays caused by overheating of the dual-core Apple A5 chip that would power the iPhone 5.

Actually, we've seen so many rumors, it's hard to keep track anymore. An 8MP camera and a larger screen (or at least thinner bezel) often came up in the iPhone 5 section of the rumor mill, so they seem likely. These mock-ups from earlier this month summarize the iPhone 5 rumors.

Anyway, the exec from the Swiss carrier went on to say that they will be offering the new iPhone a month later, 5 October, which sounds like a good tentative date for the European launch of Apple's latest phone.
source: GSM Arena

Blind Faith: 35 Percent of Consumers Want iPhone 5, Sight Unseen

Consumers were willing to wait hours to be among the first to grab an iPad 2 the day of its release. Photo: Jim Merithew/Wired.com

It's a testament to your brand name and image when a plurality of consumers are willing to buy your product without even trying it… or even seeing it with their own eyes.

A recent survey of close to 3,000 people found that 35 percent were willing to purchase Apple's next-gen iPhone when it hits the market.

Altogether, 2,852 consumers responded in the Experian PriceGrabber survey. Of respondents, 7 percent said they'd nab the iPhone 5 within its first week on the market, 14 percent wanted to get it within the first month, and 51 percent said they'd buy the iPhone 5 within its first year of release.

“Our survey data confirms the strong following Apple has built around its iPhone, with more than one-third of consumers planning to upgrade to the latest model only a little over a year following the release of the iPhone 4,” said PriceGrabber general manager Graham Jones, in a press release.

Apple has nearly always had a cult following of loyal users, but in recent years, particularly since the release of the first iPhone, that devotion has spread. Not all may consider themselves “fanboys,” though (and in fact, many will vehemently deny it). The company's media events are heavily anticipated and product releases are swathed in rumor. Almost two million iPhone 4 devices were sold its opening weekend, and when it hit Verizon, sales records broke in a mere two hours. With such a popular brand, and such a successful line of smartphones, it's not surprising that people can't wait to get their hands on an iPhone 5 - even if they don't know what it looks like yet.

So what makes Apple such a desirable phone manufacturer that consumers are willing to bet on it, sight unseen?

One factor: Apple's well-curated, well-populated App Store presents consumers with a wide variety of quality apps to choose from. Other app stores still just don't stack up, either suffering from a lack of content, a lack of profit (for developers), the presence of malware, or sudden app removals.

If you've got a problem with an Apple product, Apple's brick-and-mortar stores offer a convenient, reliable way to get help or get a fix. Apple even has an app for its App Store, so you can easily schedule appointments if, for instance, your iPhone's home button suddenly quits functioning.

If you're planning on giving a phone as a gift, according to the PriceGrabber survey, you can't go wrong with Apple: 69 percent of respondents said they would prefer receiving an iPhone 5 as a gift over other upcoming smartphone models such as the Droid Bionic, Galaxy S II, or BlackBerry Curve.

With all this hype and anticipation, I would not be surprised if iPhone 5 sales end up blowing past sales records out of the water.
source: Gadget Lab

Microsoft updates OneNote Mobile for iPhone to version 1.2

Microsoft OneNote users will be excited to know that the app has now been updated to version 1.2 with a whole bunch of new features. Released earlier this year in January, OneNote for the iPhone is an app that allowed users to easily capture notes, ideas, create lists and stay organized. Syncing with SkyDrive, and accessible on other platforms such as your desktop, OneNote is like Microsoft's version of Evernote.

The new version of OneNote Mobile has implemented the following new features: Search - to find text in notebook, sections and pages, Pin recent notes - to keep your favorite notes at the top of the Recently Viewed list, Sync shared notebooks - for syncing notebooks that are being shared with other people as well, Choose the notebooks that sync to your phone and appear on the Home screen - basically more control over which notebooks you'd like to keep synced, Set image size for photos, and a new color scheme to improve the look and feel of the app.

OneNote Mobile 1.2 is now available for free for a limited time from the Apple App Store. So for those of you who haven't downloaded it yet - what do you have to lose? Check it out and see.
source: Ubergizmo

Zero1.tv VooMote One Universal iPhone Remote

The new Zero1.tv VooMote One universal iPhone remote works with a free app to convert your iPhone and/or iPod touch into a universal remote control. The VooMote One automatically captures more than 30,000 infrared codes and thousands of electronic devices. It recognizes 574 TV brands, 995 Top Box/DVR brands, and 151 audio and CD brands. The VooMote One code library is also constantly being update to ensure that virtually all IR (infrared) codes are available. The VooMote One will be available on August 5th, 2011 for $99 each. The VooMote One app can also be downloaded for free at the iTunes store.
source: TechFresh

Next iPhone to have a slimmer, tapered back?

The folks over at 9to5Mac have gotten their hands on what is said to be a protective case for the next generation iPhone - or at least one of the prototypes that have made it to one of the case manufacturers in Asia. But from the blog's report - the case is thinner than the protective cases for the iPhone 4, which corroborates with previous reports about a thinner next-generation iPhone.

The case is also curved, which looks like it will be housing a phone with a tapered back design (like the iPads and previous generation iPhones). However, it could possibly be a case for the next generation iPod Touch, since those devices still have tapered backs until today. But the lack of a hole for the headphone jack at the bottom of the device begs to differ.

A Japanese site, Macotakara, recently posted mock up renders of what is said to be the next iPhone (which strangely looks like a miniature iPad), and it certainly looks like it would fit the case that 9to5Mac discovered. With plenty of rumors saying that the iPhone will be out later this year, with the possibility of the phone being announced or released in September, the wait won't be too long and we can't wait to find out. What do you think of a tapered back for the next iPhone?
source: Ubergizmo

Contour is the world's first screwless CNC machined iPhone case

Looking for a stylish protective case for your iPhone 4? How about giving the Contour a shot? Manufactured by Nex Design, this metallic iPhone 4 case is pretty unique in the sense that it is the first CNC machined iPhone case that doesn't make use of any screws at all. It is made from aerospace aluminum and cushions the iPhone 4 with molded urethane to provide impact protection that also function as a way to insulate the case from the phone's antenna (to prevent antennnagate).

The Contour case features a self-locking design that is easy to attach and remove from your iPhone 4, and it comes in a large variety of anodized colors. In addition to keeping your iPhone safe from bumps and knocks, the Contour case can also spice up its looks. It is available for pre-order now with a price tag of $49.99. Head to Nex Design's website for more details.
source: Ubergizmo

BookBook for iPhone: Novel, Vintage Style

Twelvesouth has built a portfolio of elegant, well-designed products, and the BookBook for iPhone is no exception. Taking a page from the BookBook for iPad, BookBook for Air (MacBook Air, that is), and BookBook (for Macbook Pro) it's a novel case + wallet for the iPhone 4 that looks like a small, vintage book. Sporting a handmade leather cover, the inside has a holder for your iPhone 4 on the right (with all ports fully exposed for access except the camera, and you just can slide the iPhone up a bit for a pic) and three slots on the left—two slots for cards and one window slot for your ID. $59.99.
source: The Gadgeteer

Ricoh introduces free iPhone App : Image to Text OCR

“Image to Text” is a free iPhone app that allows users to extract editable ASCII text from captured document images taken with an iPhone. It was released by Ricoh Innovations, Ricoh's R&D subsidiary in Silicon Valley, California in April 2011.

“Image to Text” is very easy to use, requiring only two steps.

1) Take a picture of document written in English with your iPhone

2) e-mail the captured image to yourself or whomever you want to share it with. The e-mail addressee receives OCR results (extracted editable ASCII text) along with the image itself. Moreover you can send the image directly to Evernote for efficient searchable document management. 
*NOTE: Currently “Image to Text” supports only English language.

And surprisingly, it work amazingly well! I made a few test with some document lying around here in my office and yep, this Free iPhone App does its job very well!
source: Akihabara News

Official iPad Facebook App Hidden Inside iPhone App

Now you can experience the full confucion of Facebook in a native iPad app. Screen capture MG Siegler

Facebook's iPad app could be a lot closer to launch than we thought. A full-sized, fully-functional version of the iPad app is hidden inside the current iPhone app. That means that, if you are running the iPhone app you already have the iPad executable on your phone.

Discovered by M.G Siegler, Apple writer for AOL's Tech Crunch, the iPad app is a lot more modern-looking than the tired old iPhone version, and looks a lot like Twitter's official iPad app. On the left is a source list to navigate between your Wall, info, photos and friends sections.

Up top, below the status bar, you'll find more icons to take you to different sections (places and chat, amongst others), and if you flip to horizontal orientation you get a combination of both these navigation “aids,” and the top-bar nav icons remain.

In short, Facebook has managed to fully port the signature confusion of its Web site to a tablet app, a not insignificant achievement.

Siegler, who found the app after reading about it on Twitter, calls the app “spectacular.” The discovery was made by a an engineering student named Marvin Bernal, who also gives instructions on how to get it running on your own iPad:

If you are smart enough to know what that means, and yet you still use Facebook, then go ahead and hack away. The rest of us can either wait for the official launch, or wait for Google to release Google Plus for the iPad.

Facebook's iPad App Is Hidden Inside Of Their iPhone App [AOL's Tech Crunch]

Facebook iPad app stashed within Facebook iPhone app

It seems that the recursive nature of programming has also spilled over to the world of Facebook – as the iPad app for the social network has been revealed to be hidden inside, of all places, the Facebook iPhone app. It does make us wonder why Facebook has yet to develop an iPad app since the Apple tablet has done phenomenally well worldwide, and since they have already rolled out the iPhone app some time ago, why not do the same for the tablet? Guess the answer is out there somewhere, but if only someone wring get the real answer out from Facebook employees.

TechCrunch realized that the the code to Facebook's iPad app was well hidden inside the code of Facebook's iPhone app. The iPad app code was never there all the time, first debuting with the 3.4.4 update of the Facebook for iPhone app. As for TechCrunch's MG Siegler, read what he has to say about it after the jump.

All of this is possible apparently thanks to a seemingly tiny update Facebook pushed yesterday to their iPhone app. Version 3.4.4 seemed like a small version that restored the “Send” button for comments and chat among a few other little things. Facebook may have even pushed it out in response to some backlash they had been getting about the app, as Financial Times covered a few days ago. Perhaps it was the rush to fix some of those issues that caused Facebook to push this version – which will clearly eventually be Universal Binary (meaning it will house both the iPhone and iPad versions of the app) – with the iPad elements inside. Whatever the case, the app is carrying a payload of much greater importance than some bug fixes.

He even ran the iPad app after installing it, and came away quite impressed to say the least. Perhaps the long wait is over? This apparent leak might just force Facebook's hands to issue the iPad app sooner than expected.
source: Ubergizmo

ICam Concept Lets iPhone Control Camera's Brains

ICam lets the iPhone hook directly into a real camera

Finally, somebody has invented the camera I have always wanted. Or at least, Turkish designer Zeki Özek has invented the camera tech I have always wanted.

Ozek's iCam is a way to integrate your iPhone with a proper camera. The camera would have a cutout in the back into which the phone slots, hooking into the camera's brain via the familiar 30-pin dock connector. The phone's screen takes the place of a dedicated LCD, and photos are recorded direct to the iPhone's internal storage.

Thus, the camera is downgraded to a dumb, light-processing terminal.

The iPhone's camera is pretty good for a phone-cam, but nothing compared to proper, purpose-made cameras. Ozek's iCam lets you shoot with proper lenses and large sensors to get much better images, but uses the iPhone as the brain so that you can edit and upload your photos immediately.

Imagine having Instagram and an always-on Internet connection in your DSLR and you'll see what the excitement is all about.

While Zeki's concept is shown using a Sony NEX 5 as a host, the more obvious system is Micro Four Thirds. It's a fairly open standard, in that any manufacturer can join in, and there is already a good range of lenses (and lens adapters).

This weekend I took a trip away and carried my iPad and Panasonic GF1 with me the whole time. I took just one photo on the camera, and a whole bunch on the iPad, despite its truly awful camera, mostly because of Instagram and other apps. I doubt any existing manufacturer is going to relegate its range to a dumb photo-pipe anytime soon, but the potential for a proper iCam is huge. In fact, Zeki's design has been accepted as a candidate for the prestigious Red Dot awards.

iCam. Connect iPhone directly to Camera [Rexplore via the Giz]

iPhone 4 is still selling well

Despite reports of Apple selling less iPhones than Samsung in Q2 2011 it looks like the iPhone is still one hot-selling device. According to the latest reporting earnings for its June quarter, AT&T said that it sold 3.6 million iPhones - that's more than the amount it sold during the Q2 2010. In Q2 2011 for Verizon, the carrier reported that it sold 2.3 million iPhones. Together the two carriers managed to sell 11.7 million iPhones for the first half of 2011 - and that's 3.5 million short of AT&T's iPhone sales for 2010.

For a phone that's now over a year old (which is a long time when it comes to technology), it is selling very well. Even the iPhone 3GS is still making decent sales at AT&T and that phone is two years old. With the next iPhone rumored to be arriving this fall, you can expect sales for the phone to continue growing in this fashion. It makes one wonder - how does the iPhone sell so well? Other phone manufacturers could pick up a tip or two from the Cupertino company when it comes to pushing handsets.
source: Ubergizmo

Zero1.tv Introduces the VooMote One Universal Remote Control for iPhone/iPod touch

Download a free app from iTunes, slide the VooMote One accessory from Zero1.tv onto your iPhone or iPod touch and transform it into a powerful universal remote to control your TV, DVD player, home stereo equipment, and other consumer electronics. Setup is easy; you'll be walked through the process of defining the controls for your equipment. You'll select from 574 TVs, 995 set top boxes/DVR brands, and 151 audio and CD brands. You can also train the VooMote with your remote should your device not be on the list. You can define screen layouts and one-touch controls that will launch a chain of commands, like turn on the TV, turn on the sound bar and DVD player when you want to watch a movie. The VooMote One will be available in the US starting August 5. You'll be able to purchase the VooMote One for $99 at Best Buy and at Zero1.tv.
source: The Gadgeteer

Handmade iPod/iphone speaker dock

If you're looking to get yourself a pair of speakers that look different from your typical tower/rectangular shaped speakers, then this iPod and iPhone speaker that's pictured above might do the trick.

As you can imagine, the weird shape of the pipes play an important role in the delivery and quality of the sound, as it was designed that way on purpose. The central part of the dock houses an amplifier that the designed claims will be able to put out 15 watts per channel. The speakers use 2-inch full range drivers that are housed in the specially constructed pipes, supposedly capable of providing "exceptional" sound, delivering full stereo sound with solid lows and perfect highs.

The designer was pretty honest about the sound though, and claims that it will not be replacing your home theatre system anytime soon, but should provide pretty decent sound for general listening around the house.

At the moment there is only one unit available from the designer's Etsy page, which will cost you $299. Subsequent orders will be built-to-order with a two week construction time, so if you have the spare funds and you'd like a set of speakers that are somewhat unconventional, better hurry before someone else snaps them up!
source: Ubergizmo

Why Millions of People are Hating the Google+ iPhone App Right Now

It has been over three weeks since Google launched their first ever successful social network. How do I know it is a success? Because for starters, everyone is raving about it. Sure, there are some kinks that need working out such as random people showing up in my stream despite the fact that they are not in any of my circles and others, but ten million users in such a short period is impressive. Besides, Google recently announced that the new network already has 10 million users.

We already addressed what Google has to do to bring this social network into the mobile sphere, and the first on the list was releasing an iPhone app. Well, one down, four to go. Apple approved the Google+ app yesterday and Google actually announced it, where else, on Google+ itself. As Punit Soni, one of the people responsible for the new app posted the announcement on Google+, I tweeted it here, and suffice to say, the excitement I saw on Twitter about this new release was unprecedented.

Then the excitement died down and people actually tried to use the app. Talk about disappointment. It was full of bugs and Google recognized that, releasing an update within minutes. Yes, some of the issues were resolved but most were not, and the overwhelming response to the new app is negative. People are hating and here is why.

Limited Support

The new Google+ iOS app is actually not an iOS app. It is an iPhone 3G, 3GS, and iPhone 4 app. It does not work on iPad, in fact you cannot even get the app on iPad. Might be me, but I use apps such as Skype that are not optimized for iPad all the time. Why can't I even download Google+ on iPad?

How about iPod Touch? Same deal. Even the new generation iPod Touch that is significantly more advanced from a hardware perspective than the iPhone 3g does not have the option to download the new app. I don't get it.

OK, one more thing on this front. I know iOS5 is still in beta but it is being used by thousands of iOS developers, if not more. Guess what app does not work at all on iOS5? The Google+ app. It crashes constantly on various screens including the main Stream screen. Unusable completely.

Half jokingly, I would say that Google is trying to bring the Android fragmentation problem over to iOS by releasing the app with support for such a small minority of iOS devices.

Update your Profile

Have you downloaded the app yet? Great. Now go ahead and open it and try to update your Google+ profile. You know, the most basic functionality of any social network? Yes, not possible. How is THAT possible? The Google+ app is simplistic in its design, much like Google.com, which is great. The trick with mobile apps and specifically with apps in the social category is to offer a simplistic and intuitive UI but include advanced features and complete functionality. On this front, the Google+ iPhone app fails miserably.

Sharing After updating your profile and writing a post, the most elementary functionality of any social network and especially Google+ is sharing. As in sharing a post a friend wrote, a picture someone posted, or a link someone sent you. No way to do that yet on the iPhone app (or the Android app for that matter). That, in my opinion, is just strange.

Speed or Lack Thereof

I thought it was just me experiencing slowness in the app. The experience I saw can only be described as an app that basically took the web interface and wrapped it into a native app.

But then I saw this tweet from the founder of Appsfire, Ouriel Ohayon. He was right, the app was apparently just a wrapper for the Web app, which means a lot of things.

For starters, the app as a whole is slow. It seems to call the Web for every action you try to do, which means longer response times as opposed to complete native functionality, which exists in other apps such as the Facebook iOS app.

Moving along, why is there no integration whatsoever with your phone's contact book? That is a basic feature found in many native social apps and it is very much lacking here.

Lastly, and this is something related to the UI in general, why on earth does it take 3 clicks to post something on Google+ from the app? For the sake of integrity, the Facebook app is no better on this front and also takes too many clicks to post. Both apps should have a Post option from the home screen.

In conclusion, perhaps I am nitpicking here, but Google knows how important mobile is and that is why they released the Android app alongside the web platform. It seems that they forgot about the 200 million iOS users here and released a half-baked and super simplistic iPhone app that needs major improvements and fast.

Let's just sum this up with a quote Scoble told me about his thoughts on the iPhone Google+ app. When I asked him about it he said and I quote: "Other than the constant hangs, it's OK." What does that say to you? For a guy who has been praising the heck out of Google+ for the past few week and for a guy that is overly obsessed with anything new, shiny, and mobile, the fact that he said it is just "ok" leaves a bigger impression on me than the constant hangs he is experiencing along with the rest of us.
source: Unwired View

AstroClip lets your iPhone photograph the cosmos

We know that the iPhone 4 is one heck of a popular camera. People pull it out of their pockets to snap photographs all the time but this usually happens in social events and random situations. But what if you wanted to use your iPhone 4 to take photographs of something like say, the stars or the moon? Simply pointing it to the skies won't work. This is where the AstroClip comes in.

Product designer, Matthew Geyster, had the idea of using his iPhone 4 to photograph the cosmos but realized he needed the aid of a telescope to do so. Since the iPhone 4 on its own isn't compatible with a telescope, he decided to create a solution to the problem. Called the AstroClip, this injection molded plastic accessory for the iPhone 4 clips on to the phone and provides with a mount that can be secured to the eye-piece of a telescope.

When attached to a telescope, users can simply run their favorite camera app to capture anything that's visible through the lens, making snapping images of what's in space a simple affair. The AstroClip isn't a product you can get your hands on yet - at the moment it's a Kickstarter page that has a long way to go before its target funds are reached, but if you're interested you can place a contribution to the project which will go into your pre-order for the AstroClip - with the lowest price you can pay for one being $25.
source: Ubergizmo

iPhone case or wallet? Speck says you don't have to choose.

Is your iPhone 4 part of your essential EDC (Everyday Carry) items? Are you a minimalist? If the answer is yet, they have a look at the Speck CandyShell Card case. Speck took their CandyShell case for the iPhone 4 and added a rubberized slot on the backside for up to three credit card-sized items. Slide them in, then back out with the thumb release. Simple concept, but potentially pretty useful if you are going out and just want to grab your iPhone, ID and maybe a credit card or two. Available for both AT&T and Verizon iPhone 4, each in three color schemes: NightDrive Grey (pictured), GrapeEscape Purple, and MoonSuit White, each $39.95. How about it: Would anyone out there use this to replace their wallet?
source: The Gadgeteer

Google+ app now available for iPhone users

The Google+ mobile site was just updated to fix the IE compatibility issue for Windows 7 users and as previously promised, the iOS app of the popular Google+ service is now available in the app store. Unfortunately, it is only available for iPhone users in the US and will not work with an iPad 2 or an iPod Touch.

The Google+ app looks a lot like its Android counterpart with the exception of a few UI changes in the circles section. The app is also very similar to the mobile website that was previously the only option iOS users had to experience Google+. The two features that separate the app from the site are push notifications and the ability to take a photo within the app and upload them with ease.

The app is not nearly as good as the Android one yet, which allows users to automatically upload photos or videos. Unfortunately, the app has a lot of bugs according to recent feedback and often crashes. I highly recomend downloading the app if you want the two features exclusive to the app, but if not then the website still works well and doesn't crash. We will keep you updated on the future of this app.
source: Unwired View

Will T-Mobile soon be carrying the iPhone?

When the iPhone first came out, AT&T were the only carrier that offered the handsets, and thanks to an exclusive deal, they went on to be the only carrier sporting the device for the next couple of years. Verizon finally got in on the action with a CDMA version of the iPhone 4 this year, and there have been rumors that Sprint may be in the process of testing the next-generation iPhone. Well where does that leave T-Mobile?

It seems that T-Mobile now has a microSIM card listed on their website, which as you can see from the picture above, is said to be "compatible with iPhones and iPads", with the product description reading:

"Already have a GSM phone or iPhone that you need to activate - or have an unlocked GSM phone you want to use on the T-Mobile network? Just get a Micro SIM card and choose a plan. Slip the ready-to-use Micro SIM Card into your phone and you're ready to go."

Now this could mean just about anything, although some of us who are slightly more optimistic would like to think that T-Mobile may be finally getting a version of the iPhone 4 (or possibly the next-generation iPhone) that will be able to work on their 3G network.

As it stands, unlocked iPhones that were used on T-Mobile's network were limited to just EDGE connectivity, due to their 3G spectrums being different from AT&T's, but the fact that they are now listing support for iPhones and iPads on their website could indicate that T-Mobile users may be seeing iPhones being offered by the carrier soon.

It's not that ludicrous when you think about it, considering AT&T and Verizon have the iPhone, and Sprint being rumored to carry the next-generation iPhone too, so why wouldn't T-Mobile want to get in on the action?
source: Ubergizmo

Google+ app for iPhone now available

Google promised that iPhone users would soon be getting a Google+ app of their own, and it's now here. Not surprisingly, it looks a lot like the Android app, including views of your main stream and nearby users, sharing via Circles, and support for the Huddle group messaging feature. It's not a universal app, though, so iPad users are still left out for the time being, as are those with an iPod touch, for yet reasons unknown.

Google's Punit Soni notes that there was a small issue that initially caused a test version of the app to to be served from the App Store. If you grabbed the app as soon as it was available (within the first hour and 40 minutes, specifically), you'll likely have to re-download it to get the current version (1.0.1.1809).
source: 2DayBlog.com

Apple posts another record quarter, new iPhone confirmed to come before the end of September

Apple has reported its results for the second quarter of this year (which, confusingly, is Apple's third fiscal quarter – yet I will refer to it as Q2). That's the April-June quarter for you and me.

Records have been broken yet again. Apple certainly looks like it's on a roll lately, reporting record quarter after record quarter. The last quarter (the year's first, Apple's fiscal second) was the best one Apple ever had. Until now, that is, when the quarter ending in June has become Apple's best ever.

Let's dig into the numbers. Apple's quarterly revenue was $28.57 billion, with the profit coming in at $7.31 billion. In the year-ago quarter, those numbers were $15.7 billion, and $3.25 billion, respectively. That's an 81% revenue growth, and 124% more profit.

Compared to the previous quarter (January-March 2011), revenue went up 15% and the profit went up 22%.

Apple sold 20.34 million iPhones this quarter, which is 142% more than the year-ago quarter. It's also 9% more than last quarter.

Apple also sold 9.25 million iPads during Q2, a 183% increase compared to the year-ago quarter. It's also a whopping 97% more than in the first quarter of 2011. Clearly that's the impact of the iPad 2′s release at work.

Including the iPod touch, Apple sold 33 million iOS devices this quarter (up 17% from my estimate of 28 million for last quarter).

iPhone sales almost quadrupled in Asia-Pacific, which looks like it's the main growth engine for the iPhone right now. That makes some sense, since the US and Western European markets are now in the ‘mature' phase with regard to the iPhone. What also probably helped this quarter was Apple expanding distribution to 14 new countries and 42 new carriers. There were (and probably still are) territories where the only way to buy an iPhone was from the ‘grey' market, at highly inflated prices. Once Apple officially releases its phone in a country, sales obviously increase exponentially, since the carrier agreements usually mean lower prices for the eager customers (at least lower than what the grey market offers).

Apple's sequential growth was driven by developing and emerging markets. China was big, Brazil, Mexico and the Middle East too. During this quarter, Apple has become strong in markets where it previously wasn't. According to an analyst present for today's earnings call, 5.6 million iPhones are now active on China Mobile, a carrier that doesn't directly sell the iPhone. Speaking of China, Apple's revenue in greater China was $3.8 billion this quarter.

Apple's year-on-year numbers are exceptional, yet its sequential growth is healthy, but not amazing (except iPads). The iPhone growth of just 9% over the past quarter is certainly a good result, but single-digit growth in an industry that's growing like crazy isn't really that special. Overall iDevice sales went up 17%, but that number is heavily influenced by the iPad numbers, and more specifically the iPad 2.

Which brings me to the main takeaway from these numbers. While iPhone growth is steady, this was clearly the iPad's quarter. The iPad 2 has seen incredible sales, and Apple basically said that it sold all the iPads it was able to manufacture (by it, I mean Hon Hai Precision Industry, of course). So the quarter has iPad written all over it.

Apple has also confirmed the fact that a new iPhone is coming in the third quarter – so before the end of September. Apple said that it has a product transition coming in Q3 that it didn't want to talk about during today's earnings conference call. Now a product transition can clearly only mean one thing – a new iPhone. Whatever it will end up being called, a new iPhone will hit the streets this quarter.

And when that happens, perhaps we'll see a quarter with ‘iPhone' written all over it, much as Q2 had the iPad as the lead product (in terms of growth). The quarter to benefit from sales of the new iPhone will probably be the fourth, though, since Apple's guidance for Q3 showed some very conservative numbers, with sales projected to be below those of Q2. That means that Apple expects that anticipation for the new iDevice will temporarily halt sales growth, and the new device won't become available early enough in the third quarter to be able to heavily influence the numbers.

In plain English, that means that the new iPhone will probably arrive in September, and not sooner.
source: Unwired View

iTunes and iWork updated for Lion, add full-screen support, and resume

What good is an OS update without some software that can take full advantage of all its fancy new features? Naturally, Apple's got your back, and today you'll be getting some spiffy new versions of iTunes and iWork to compliment that fearsome Lion upgrade. iTunes 10.4 finally ushers the music management app into the 64-bit era, and adds support for OS X 10.7′s full-screen windows. The iWork Update 6 also brings along the distraction-free functionality, as well as resume, auto-save, and versioning for all your important docs. Not everyone is seeing the updates just yet, so be patient, it shouldn't be much longer before you're interrupted by that slightly annoying, but oh so satisfying, Software Update window.
source: 2DayBlog.com

fireTi iPhone 4 case is made from aerospace grade titanium

Want a sexy and shiny new protective case for your iPhone 4? Well, it seems you can't go wrong with the latest offering from fireTi Ltd. Called the fireTi4, this hand-finished iPhone 4 case keeps your iPhone protected in a beautiful, sleek casing that is crafted out of 6AL-4V aerospace grade titanium. In case you were wondering - it is the same material used in aircraft, spacecraft, medical devices and more due to its high tensile strength, toughness, light weight, corrosion resistance and its ability to withstand extreme temperatures (not that you'll be throwing your iPhone into any fires).

The folks at fireTi thought it would be neat to fashion an iPhone 4 case out of the material and they did, with a spiffy-looking end result. Featuring a synthetic rubber inner coating to make sure that the metal plates don't scratch the surface of your precious phone, the fireTi4 protects the device and adds an additional touch of class.

Unsurprisingly, the fireTi4 will set you back a whopping $225 (£139.99). Hey - who said good looks come cheap anyway? And that's only the basic model - the variants with custom engravings on the back plate of the cover fetch a much higher price. Check them out at the fireTi website.
source: Ubergizmo

Google+ App for iPhone Now Available

Google wasted no time when it promised iPhone users they will be getting a Google+ app because it is now available. On the surface, it looks very much like its Android counterpart, including the views of the user's main stream and nearby users, sharing by Circles, and support for Huddle group messaging.

Note that the Google+ app for iPhone is just for that particular device, so iPod Touch and iPad users may have to wait a while before getting into the action (or they can just do it straight from the iPad's browser in the meantime). The guys on Google+ also said that if you got your iPhone app as soon as it was available on iTunes, you may want to re-download it to get the current version (1.0.1.1809).
source: Gadget.com

iOS 4.3.4 jailbroken with PwnageTool and redsn0w

If you think Apple is hoping to send your iPhone back to the jail with iOS 4.3.4, then you're probably wrong. Less than 12 hours after being available, and iOS 4.3.4 is already available for jailbreak using PwnageTool 4.3.3. The iPhone Dev-Team has updated its redsn0w tool, also based on existing exploits, for all your tethered jailbreaking needs. Of course, they still recommend you stick with iOS 4.3.3 for untethered convenience, so stay far away from the update button or modify your version number if nefarious PDFs are a friend and not an enemy to you.
source: 2DayBlog.com

iOS 4.3.4 might miss out on untethered jailbreak

We covered news last Friday concerning Apple's release of iOS 4.3.4, where it was said to patch up the PDF security vulnerability which allowed JailbreakMe.com to play nice, having received a tethered jailbreak within hours – yup, talk about working at the speed of light! It seems that where untethered jailbreak is concerned, things work out differently – at least that is what popular developer i0n1c says.

i0n1c is also known by his real name, Stefan Esser, who recently tweeted that an untethered jailbreak solution for iOS 4.3.4 will not be on the way in due time. There is a reason to this though, as Apple actually supposedly patched the flaw that was exploited by Redsn0w which paved the way for untethered jailbreak on iOS 4.3.x.

“In a way it is nice to see that Apple instead of merely fixing vulns add more mitigation checks. But for jailbreakers this suxx”, tweeted i0n1c. Do you agree with his observation?
source: Ubergizmo

Some iPhone 4 users think they already have 4G, we're tired to argue again

The iPhone 3G and 3GS had 3G radio technology, so that means that the iPhone 4 must have 4G, right? No, that's just dead wrong - but that doesn't stop at least one-third of iPhone 4 users from thinking that.

Retrevo conducted a survey on 4G phone adoption, and asked consumers if they were planning on buying a 4G phone this year. 34 percent of iPhone owners believed that they already had one. Ignorant ifags, as always.

While that may paint Apple users in a bit of an uninformed light, Android users were not far behind, of which 29 percent questioned also believed that they had a 4G phone. Of course, some of them may actually be right, if they own a HTC Evo 4G or Samsung Infuse 4G. Last I heard, the Motorola Atrix 4G are also called 4G, for the HSPA+. Again, the argument. Then again, you don't really need to be a tech head to own a smartphone, as most of them just buy a smartphone to play Angry Birds and Facebook anyway.

BlackBerry users were a little savvier; with only 24 percent thinking that they already had a 4G phone. Not surprised, as most of them wear black suits with red tie.

For those who said no to an upgrade to 4G, the largest reason, given by 30 percent of respondents, was that the data plan costs too much. 22 percent felt that 4G performance wasn't worth the cost, and 19 percent admitted that they didn't know enough about 4G.
source: 2DayBlog.com

Dual-SIM cover for the iPhone 4

How would you like to have two phone numbers associated with your iPhone 4? Well you could get an iPhone 4 clone from the streets of China (which unfortunately means you won't be running on iOS) or you could get this new dual-SIM cover by Vaveliero. This neat little case plugs into your iPhone 4′s microSIM tray with an external dual-SIM adapter which you can add two SIM cards to.

But unlike regular dual-SIM phones that allow dual-SIM cards to operate at the same time, this Dual-SIM cover for the iPhone 4 only lets you use one at a time. However, it will allow you to easily switch from one SIM card to the next without having to reboot your phone. You can even set timers for how long you would like to switch SIM cards for. The Dual SIM iPhone 4 cover is available now for $70 (€ 49.90).
source: Ubergizmo

iPhone 4S prototype spotted?

Taiwanese site Apple.pro has taken to republishing a blurry photo of what could very well be the iPhone 4S prototype that was originally posted on Weibo – the microblogging service that is somewhat the same as Twitter, save that it is the Chinese version. The images tout that this test model runs on iOS 4.0, where it does resemble the iPhone 4 albeit with a purported 5-megapixel camera according to the diagnostic software. Who are we to believe these days? After all, with the magic of Photoshop, anything is possible these days.

What do you think – is the photo that you see above the real deal? It has been said that the new version of the iPhone, be it a major or minor refresh, will be arriving this September, so there might be a grain of truth to this rumor, although do te ready plenty of salt to go along with it.

Some eagle-eyed folks claim that the serial number and iOS version does point towards this being nothing but an earlier iPhone 4 prototype, where the former shows off that the handset was manufactured in the 48th week of 2009. Ah well, move along now, there shouldn't be much to see after this.
source: Ubergizmo

Apple to launch low-priced iPhone for $350, iPhone 4S/5 end of summer

We know these next-generation iPhone rumors have been out of control (aren't they every year right before a new iPhone is slated to be released?), but we just received some new information from an incredibly solid source of ours. According to our source, Apple will indeed be launching a prepaid / lower cost iPhone this year. We are told the handset will retail for no more than $350 without contract. Ready for the really interesting part? It's entirely possible that the low-cost iPhone will in fact be the iPhone 3GS. We reported that we were able to independently confirm that the iPhone 5 featured a radical new design, however this source of ours isn't quite sure that will be the next iPhone. Whether it's the iPhone 4S or 5, it will be coming out or “at least announced by the end of Summer, late August-ish.” They theorized that we'd have seen new 3rd party cases by now if the upcoming iPhone featured a different exterior, though Apple has surely been cracking down on their case specification leaks. If this turns out to be true, it will mean there would be an iPhone 4S in addition to the prepaid iPhone 3GS available within the next month to two. Let's do one better, though. In addition to that news, we are told that Apple will continue to sell the current iPhone 4 as well, finally giving the company a full range of devices in the lower, mid, and high-end price segments. Coupled with rumored launches on Sprint and T-Mobile in the U.S. alone, Apple seems prepared to once again take charge and lead in the smartphone market.
source: Boy Genius Report

Rumor: Apple to Sell Contract-Free iPhone?

BGR has reportedly received insider news that Apple will indeed launch a prepaid / lower cost iPhone this year. The device will retail for no more than $350 without a contract, and could possibly be the iPhone 3GS which AT&T currently offers for $50 with a new two-year ball-and-chain (contract). It will also supposedly land on the Sprint and T-Mobile networks here in the States later this year.

As for the next iPhone, something will be announced by the end of the summer, maybe late August. Previous reports indicated that it will be the iPhone 5 sporting a “radical” new design. But the unnamed insiders weren't too sure if that model will be the next iPhone release - Apple may actually produce an iPhone 4S. Speculation is that if Apple planned to release a new form factor this year, we would have already seen the 3rd-party protective cases.

Additionally, there's talk that, for 2011, Apple may sell the super-cheap iPhone 3GS for the low end price tier, the iPhone 4 for the mid-range price tier, and the iPhone 4S addressing the high-end market. A three-pronged attack shouldn't be surprising given that Google's Android platform is slowing eating away iOS market share. Offing a contract-free iPhone 3GS for $350 would also mean Apple finally gets to dip its toes into the prepaid pool. This actually makes more sense than devising a cheaper, smaller iPhone form factor from scratch. Besides, if the 4th-generation iPod Touch really is receiving 3G support this fall, possibly mimicking a 4-inch tablet, then Apple may have an even wider spread in its defensive stance against Google.

As always, rumors of insider information from unnamed sources should be taken with a grain of salt unless someone happens to discover one of the rumored models in a bar, dropped by a drunken Apple employee. Still, would $350 too steep for old Apple hardware like the iPhone 3GS? Wouldn't consumers be better off buying an iPod Touch with 3G connectivity (and use Skype)?
source: 2DayBlog.com

iPhone puzzle game Psychoban launches on Android

New Android game Psychoban from developer Dedalord is a 3D update of the classic sokoban style of box-shifting, logistical nightmare puzzle game, only you get a mad-looking character to shuffle around 60 levels based in a grim, isometric asylum.

The game supports OpenFeint social features and here's what it looks like. The developer has put words all over the screencaptures, but you can still get the general idea:

Android Psychoban is up on the Android Market here. It's free, but from what we can gather there's some microtransaction action involved to pay for extra characters. There's an Android gameplay trailer embedded below…

And that's it. We're still playing nothing but Grave Defense.
source: Eurodroid

Sinjimoru Sync and Charge Stand for iPhone and iPod Review

I have a habit of spilling my sodas on my desk, so you can imagine that I don't like just laying my iPhone on the desktop as I sync it. I don't usually have anything to drink sitting on my nightstand, but I don't like just laying the phone on the tabletop because I'm blind as a bat without my glasses and could put something on top of the phone without seeing it. I wanted a stand that would make my phone visible as it charges and keeps it out of harm's way in case of spills. I wanted something small because I have a tiny little computer table, and I wanted something cheap because I actually needed to buy three of them. While surfing, I found the Sinjimoru Sync and Charge Stand for iPhone and iPod and posted a news item about it a couple of months ago. I found some on eBay, placed my order, and waited for them to arrive.

Click any of the following photos for an enlarged view.

In the top two photos, the right adapter is for the Bumper Case. The bottom right images shows the cable inserted in the Bumper Case adapter.

After I placed my order, I realized that I wasn't sure if these stands would work with the iPhone 4 Bumper Case. All of our iPhones are kept in Bumper Cases, and I didn't want to have to remove the bumper every time we needed to sync or charge a phone. I started researching the Sync and Charge Stand and learned that newer models of the stand come with an adapter for the Bumper Case. The eBay listing didn't have any details, so I worried that I'd get the version that wouldn't work with my case. I got lucky - all three of the stands I received had the adapter.

Both eBay and Amazon have the Sinjimoru stands in a variety of colors - white, black, soft pink, vivid pink, green, light blue, and navy blue. Prices vary from $18 (no charging cable included) to $20 (charging cable included). When I ordered, I got a slightly better deal at eBay for the three white stands I wanted.

The stands I received didn't come with a charging cable. I used the cable that came with my phone. There's a cutout in the back of the stand so you can run the cable through for a neater appearance. Both the normal cable connector and the bumper case adapter work only with the newest Apple charging cables. You won't be able to use the older style that have the pinch buttons on the side to release the cable from the Apple device. You can easily remove the cable from the charging stand if you want.

The Sinjimoru stands remind me of the way my first white iPod looked. There's a layer of colored plastic - white in this case - covered by a layer of clear plastic that gives it an "encased in glass" look. They are plain except for a little icon on the front that matches the one on the Apple 30-pin connector showing which side goes up and the Sinjimoru name and URL on the back.

The stand weighs 1.55 oz without the cable installed. It's about 1.9" wide X 2.2" deep X 2.25" tall. It's light enough that you could throw it in your gear bag to use as a travel dock if you wanted.

My iPhone 4 very easily fits in the dock for charging. The wide-placed feet on the bottom of the stand are very stable; the back foot has a rubber pad to prevent sliding. The stand has never tipped or wobbled with the iPhone plugged in for charging. It's very easy to use the stand with the Apple power adapter as a charging stand on my night table. I can just unplug the cable from the adapter and use it as a stand while syncing with my computer. The Sinjimoru is also a simple stand to hold the iPhone in the horizontal or vertical position – just prop the phone in front of the 30-pin connector and lean it against the back support.

The Sinjimoru stand works with iPods and other versions of the iPhone, as well. My 2nd generation iPod touch in a Belkin Grip Vue stand didn't fit easily on the connector in the bumper adapter. It does work well as a simple stand for the iPod touch.

The Sinjimoru is a very nice, simple charging/syncing stand for iPods and iPhones. It's stable for either horizontal or vertical positions. It comes in a variety of colors, and it's inexpensive. It's become a permanent fixture on my nightstand.
source: The Gadgeteer