Spotify brings streaming radio to iPhone, iPad app

Spotify on Tuesday announced the addition of free mobile radio to the company's popular Spotify app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Spotify's radio features were previously only available to desktop users, however free and premium Spotify users can now stream limitless artist, song, playlist or album-based radio stations to Apple's iOS devices. "Our focus has always been on creating an amazing user experience," said Spotify VP of product, Charlie Hellman. "The radio feature we've added to our iPhone and iPad apps gives users the ability to discover, listen and save what they like on the go – all within one app – for free." Spotify's full press release follows below, and Spotify's app is available for free in the iOS App Store.

Spotify Launches Free Mobile Radio in the US

Latest update for iOS app includes radio you can save

Starting today, Spotify users in the US can play for free on iPhone and iPad.  The latest update to Spotify's iOS app includes the new radio feature, giving free users in the US access to an unlimited amount of music on the move. The update is now available for download in the App Store.

The new radio feature for iOS is seamlessly integrated into the Spotify service, creating an unmatched user experience of listening, discovering, saving and sharing music, from a catalog of more than 16 million songs.

Spotify users on iPhone and iPad can now:

• Create limitless streaming radio stations from single songs, playlists, albums or artists
• Create an unlimited number of stations and listen as long as they like
• Save tracks to Spotify playlists – any song that users "like" will be saved, so they can find the songs later
• Personalize stations in real time by "liking" tracks to hear similar music
• Browse friends' playlists and create radio stations based on their tastes
• Hear great new songs from Spotify's state-of-the-art recommendation engine, based on what millions of real people are listening to
• Access a catalog of over 16 million tracks

"Our focus has always been on creating an amazing user experience," said Charlie Hellman, VP, Product at Spotify.  "The radio feature we've added to our iPhone and iPad apps gives users the ability to discover, listen and save what they like on the go – all within one app – for free."

Premium users of the Spotify iOS app will continue to have an ad-free experience.  Free users in the US will hear advertisements from the following launch partners: Chevrolet, Durex, Heineken, Red Stag by Jim Beam, Lipton Iced Tea, Macy's, McDonalds, Progressive, Red Bull, Taco Bell, Verizon Wireless, and Warner Bros - all of which are current Spotify advertisers.

The new Spotify radio feature will also be available to Premium users outside of the United States.

Chrono iPhone Case Straps you in for a Secure Grip

Trying to design a better iPhone case ranks right up there with designing a better mouse trap. Everyone thinks they can do it, but only a rare few have. Most iPhone cases bore me because they all look relatively similar and have nothing that makes them stand out from all the other cases on the market. When people send me links to cases that they want reviewed or mentioned, my eyes usually glaze over. So when I saw a new email in my inbox that had the subject of Chrono Case – an "Insanely Great" iPhone Case, I may have actually yawned. But then I read Mike Chan's email about his Indiegogo project (similar to Kickstarter). This case is made of aluminum and features a screwless design and an adjustable strap that is built into the back side of the case. This elastic strap can be used hold items like credit cards, money or your earbuds. But it can also be used as a gripping aid by sliding your fingers under the strap. A $55 pledge gets you on the list for a black Chrono Case. Higher donations will get you other colors. What do you think? Does it have potential?

Virgin Mobile USA officially launching iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 on June 29

Today, Virgin Mobile USA has confirmed that it's going to sell Apple's iPhone 4S and iPhone 4. It will do it starting June 29, hence a bit earlier than initially rumored. Virgin Mobile will become the second US pre-paid carrier to offer the iPhone, after Cricket Wireless, which is going to launch it on June 22.

Unfortunately for Virgin customers, iPhone prices will be significantly higher than on Cricket: $649 (iPhone 4S 16GB), and $549 (iPhone 4 8GB). You'll be able to choose plans starting at $30 per month.

Virgin Mobile lets you register for further details on its iPhones here.

Another smartphones that's reportedly going to be released by Virgin this month is the HTC One V. This runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and will be way cheaper than the iPhone: just $200.

Apple's iPhone 4 and 4S to be available from Virgin Mobile on June 29th

Virgin Mobile on Thursday formally announced the future availability of Apple's iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S smartphones. The 8GB iPhone 4 will retail for $549, while the newer 16GB Phone 4S will cost $649 with no contract. Both handsets will be eligible for Virgin Mobile's unlimited data and messaging plans that start as low as $30 per month. “This month marks Virgin Mobile USA's tenth birthday," said Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group. "And what better way to thank our fans for ten years of loyalty than by giving them exactly what they want: the perfect plan for the perfect phone. That is the essence of 'A Higher Calling.' " The two iPhone models will be available online and through RadioShack, Best Buy and select local retailers on June 29th. Virgin Mobile's press release follows below. Virgin Mobile USA to Offer iPhone on June 29 Plans as Low as $30 Per Month WARREN, N.J. - June 7, 2012 – Virgin Mobile USA announced today it will offer iPhone to its prepaid customers beginning Friday, June 29. Virgin Mobile will offer iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S with its Beyond Talk unlimited data and messaging plans as low as $30 per-month on the Sprint® Nationwide Network. iPhone will be available without a contract and with no fees for activation or roaming. New and existing customers can purchase iPhone at www.virginmobileusa.com, RadioShack, Best Buy and select local retailers. iPhone 4S is the most amazing iPhone yet, packed with incredible features including Apple's dual-core A5 chip for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics; an all-new camera with advanced optics; full 1080p HD resolution video recording; and Siri, an intelligent assistant that helps you get things done just by asking. iPhone 4S comes with iOS 5.1, the world's most advanced mobile operating system, and iCloud, a breakthrough set of free cloud services that work with your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC to automatically and wirelessly store your content in iCloud and push it to all your devices. Virgin Mobile's Beyond Talk unlimited data and messaging plans for iPhone start at $35 per month for access to Sprint's Nationwide Network, and customers can receive a $5 per-month plan discount when they register for automatic monthly payments with a credit card, debit card or PayPal account, making iPhone available for as low as $30 per month. Customers can also use their iPhone as a mobile hotspot through Virgin Mobile for an additional $15 per month. "This month marks Virgin Mobile USA's tenth birthday," said Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group. "And what better way to thank our fans for ten years of loyalty than by giving them exactly what they want: the perfect plan for the perfect phone. That is the essence of 'A Higher Calling.'"

38% of recent iPhone buyers switched from Android or BlackBerry

A new survey from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners found that the number of customers switching from Android and BlackBerry handsets to the iPhone has continued to increase, Apple Insider reported. According to a previous survey, 29% of iPhone users in February had switched from an Android or BlackBerry device. The latest numbers indicate that as of April, 38% of iPhone buyers were previously Android or BlackBerry owners, and 73% purchased the iPhone 4S over an older iPhone model. The amount of users switching to Apple's smartphone is even higher than after the iPhone 4S first launched this past holiday season, when it sat at 36%. AT&T's iPhone market share has since fallen from 53% to 51% according to the study, while Sprint's share dropped from 13% to 12%. Verizon's market share among new iPhone buyers has seemingly increased from 34% to 37%.

Prepaid iPhone coming to Virgin Mobile USA

Apple's ever-popular iPhone will be coming to yet another prepaid wireless carrier this summer, according to a new Market Watch report. Citing unnamed sources, Market Watch's Thomas Gryta Tuesday reported on Tuesday that Virgin Mobile USA licensee Sprint would announce this week that Virgin Mobile subscribers will be able to use the iPhone as their device of choice for prepaid voice and data services. Gryta didn't say exactly when Virgin Mobile would start offering the prepaid iPhone but said it could start as soon as July. Earlier rumors have indicated that Sprint also plans to bring the iPhone to Boost Mobile, another of its prepaid wireless carriers. Regional carrier Cricket, owned by Leap Wireless, was the first carrier to officially offer the iPhone alongside its prepaid plans and is charging users $399.99 for the 8GB iPhone 4 and $499.99 for the 16GB iPhone 4S.

Virgin Mobile may launch the iPhone on July 1

 Interestingly, it looks like Cricket won't be the only carrier to offer the iPhone with prepaid plans in the US in the near future after all. A few days ago we told you that Cricket will be the first prepaid carrier to launch Apple's smartphone.

And according to the Wall Street Journal, Virgin Mobile is getting ready to follow suit. Sprint's prepaid arm is set to release the iPhone on July 1. That's a few days after Cricket, so that carrier won't lose the ‘first to offer the iPhone on prepaid' crown.

Pricing for the Virgin Mobile iPhone hasn't been revealed yet, and it's unclear whether Boost Mobile (Sprint's other prepaid brand) will also get to sell the Apple smartphone.

New details surrounding Apple's next iPhone emerge

If the recent flurry of rumors and reports surrounding Apple's sixth-generation iPhone add up, we can expect a top-to-bottom redesign when Apple finally unveils its next-generation smartphone later this year. Several leaked images of what is supposedly the housing for Apple's next iPhone hit the Web last week showing a taller, thinner aluminum case that could easily support a larger display. While the authenticity of the images has not been confirmed, they do support earlier claims from both The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, suggesting the next-generation iPhone will include a new display measuring at least 4 inches diagonally. Now, an analyst with a solid track record has issed a research note that paints a more complete picture of the upcoming iPhone's new display. “We expect iPhone 5 to feature a 4.08-inch in-cell IPS panel screen with a display resolution of 1,136 x 640 and 500-nit brightness,” KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo wrote on Wednesday in a note to clients. He also stated that despite the inclusion of a new larger display, Apple's upcoming iPhone will utilize a battery that is roughly the same capacity as the one found in the iPhone 4S. According to the analyst's sources within Apple's supply chain, the new iPhone display will measure 50.9 millimeters wide by 90.3 millimeters tall, and Apple has contracted Toshiba Matsushita Display, LG Display and Sharp to supply the new panels. Kuo also reaffirmed earlier reports that the next-generation iPhone will utilize in-cell touch elements in its display. Kuo notes that Apple chose not to use a larger 4.3-inch display because it would require a larger battery and it would not support comfortable single-handed operation. The analyst also says that Apple's new iPhone housing will be thinner than the glass and aluminum case utilized by the current-generation iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4. Recent reports suggest Apple's next iPhone will launch in September or October alongside a new “iPad mini,” and BGR reported last December that Apple intends to launch a completely redesigned iPhone in the fall.

7.9mm iPhone 5 to come with 4.1' screen, 1136 x 640 resolution

A familiar rumor is back - the new confirmation coming from KGI analyst Mingchi Kuo, who is said to have sources close to Apple's supply chain. The next incarnation of the Apple iPhone could turn up with a 4.08-inch display of 1136 x 640 resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio and a brightness of 500 nits (matching the iPhone 4S). This, despite not technically being HD worthy, would result in a density of good 319 pixels per inch, preserving the Retina moniker, and moving away from the familiar 3:2 aspect. Mingchi Kuo also has info on the cameras and thickness of the iPhone 5, saying that the front-facing camera will be HD-capable, making those FaceTime calls all the sweeter, and that the camera will be moved from the left side of the earpiece to the center (much like on the iPod Touch). The back camera will reportedly have 8 MP sensor and a 5 element lens similar to the 4S but with a larger aperture of f/2.2 (currently f/2.4). That would allow more light to reach the sensor and improve the low-light performance. As for the profile, Kuo claims that the next iPhone will measure the impressively thin 7.9 mm, which is a huge improvement over the iPhone 4S's 9.3 mm. The bigger display bit is probably the most persistent of all iPhone 5 rumors, only this time the said screen size isn't 3.9" but 4.08". However, altering the screen aspect ratio might lead to poor backwards compatibility with apps, which have been developed for the 3:2 aspect ratio of all iPhones to date. Still the width of the screen, if this rumor turns out true, will remain 640 pixels, which is the same as the current iPhone 4S and iPhone 4, meaning apps could run just fine with blank bars on each side until their developers get round to adapting them. The next iPhone, or iPhone 5, is rumored to arrive in the fall, in either September, or as was the case last time, October. As always there are a bunch of rumors surrounding it, one pointing at an aluminium back and larger screen. We're less than a week away from finding out what this year's WWDC conference in San Francisco and iOS 6 will bring. There might be some clues for the specs of the upcoming iPhone 5. Source | Via

Apple's new iPhone 5 could be only 7.9mm thin, HD front-facing camera rumored

A new report from Taiwanese firm KGI suggests that Apple's sixth-generation iPhone - possibly called iPhone 5 - will be significantly thinner than the previous model (iPhone 4S, released in October 2011, and measuring 9.3mm). In a table that shows the iPhone 5's cameras specifications, KGI mentions the device's thickness, too. Reportedly, that's of only 7.9 millimeters. This would make the new iPhone thinner than both the Samsung Galaxy S III, and HTC One X (which are two of its main competitors). It looks like Apple will keep the 8MP Sony sensor for the rear camera of the iPhone 5, but plans to upgrade the front-facing camera with an HD-capable sensor. According to Apple Insider, the Taiwanese firm also seems to confirm that the next iPhone will have a 4 inch display (4.08 inches, to be exact) with a 1136 x 640 pixel resolution – for a 16:9 aspect ratio. By all means, increasing the screen size and resolution of its new smartphone is an important thing for Apple to do, if it wants to keep selling tens of millions of units. We still don't know exactly when the new iPhone will be officially announced. If production starts in late Q2 / early Q3, as rumored recently, the smartphone will likely not be unveiled in the next few months. We'll let you know when new details about this appear.

Pure Contour 200i Air Speaker Dock

Pure is back with its latest product in the form of the Contour 200i Air speaker dock. Designed for Apple’s iPad, iPod and iPhone, the digital music system features Apple’s AirPlay wireless streaming technology that lets you stream music wirelessly to Contour 200i Air from a compatible iPod, iPhone or iPad or from iTunes on your computer using a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. You can also download the free Pure Lounge app, allowing you to enjoy over 16,000 internet radio stations or on-demand programs from your iPod touch, iPhone and iPad. The Pure Contour 200i Air speaker dock retails for around $310 (after conversion). [Pure]

Twig Ultra-portable Cable For iPhone

Designed by Jason Hilbourne, the Twig is an ultra-portable cable that doubles up as a tripod for your iPhone and iPod. The Twig is a short version of the dock connector. Measuring at only 4-inch long, it is perfect for anyone who is on-the-go. You just need to plug it into your AC adapter to make an instant wall charger dock. [Kickstarter]